Background: Genomic studies suggest that ∼50% of high-grade serous ovarian cancers (OC) have homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). Germline BRCA1/2 mutations (gBRCAmut) are expected to account for 1/3 of HRD in OC, and identification of non-gBRCAmut HRD tumors likely to respond to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) remains a challenge. Using comprehensive next generation sequencing (NGS)-based tumor genomic profiling, we developed a companion diagnostic HRD assay to predict sensitivity to the PARP inhibitor rucaparib by combining tumor BRCA1/2 status (germline and somatic) and genomic loss of heterozygosity (LOH). The HRD assay is being validated in a Phase 2 study (ARIEL2) and will be prospectively applied to the primary analysis of the ongoing Phase 3 study (ARIEL3) of rucaparib. Methods: The HRD assay uses 50-200ng of DNA from tumor FFPE specimens, which undergoes sequencing library construction and hybrid-capture of all coding exons from 100s of cancer-related genes. Libraries are sequenced to high, uniform depth (>500× unique coverage, Illumina® HiSeq) and data are processed by a customized pipeline that accurately detects all classes of genomic alterations, including BRCA1/2 base substitutions, indels, and homozygous deletions. Genomic LOH is assessed by a CGH-like analysis of sequencing coverage and >3,500 genome-wide SNPs and a tumor is classified as HRD with either BRCA1/2 alteration or high genomic LOH (LOH+). Somatic/germline status of discovered BRCA1/2 alterations is assessed by a previously-presented computational approach ("SGZ", AACR 2014 abstract #1893), and verified against medical records where available. ARIEL2 is an ongoing single-arm (n = 180), open-label study of rucaparib in recurrent, platinum-sensitive OC patients. The primary objective is to evaluate clinical activity of rucaparib among 3 prospectively defined subgroups: tumor BRCAmut, BRCAwt/LOH+ ("BRCAness") and BRCAwt/LOH-. Response is determined by RECIST and/or GCIG-CA125 criteria. Results: The HRD assay was performed on tumors from 121 patients, of whom 25% were found to be BRCA mutant (17 germline/12 somatic), 42% had the BRCAness signature (BRCAwt/LOH+), and 33% were biomarker negative (BRCAwt/LOH-). Efficacy data available for 61 patients revealed objective response rates (combined RECIST/CA125 criteria) at 70%, 40% and 8%, respectively. Responses were observed for all classes of genomic alterations, and in gBRCAmut and non-gBRCAmut tumors. Conclusions: Preliminary clinical data indicates that the HRD assay identifies OC patients likely to respond to rucaparib and highlights the potential for innovative companion diagnostics enabled by comprehensive genomic profiling based on NGS. Citation Format: James Sun, Iain McNeish, Robert L. Coleman, Amit Oza, Clare Scott, David M. O9Malley, Kevin K. Lin, Christine Burns, Christine Vietz, Philip J. Stephens, Murtaza Mehdi, Matthew Hawryluk, Heidi Giordano, Mitch Raponi, Lindsey Rolfe, Jeff Isaacson, Vincent A. Miller, Andrew Allen, Elizabeth Swisher, Roman Yelensky. A novel companion diagnostic predicts response to the PARP inhibitor rucaparib in ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4670. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4670


Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate plant symbionts that improve the nutrition and health of their host. Most, but not all the crops form a symbiosis with AMF. It is the case for canola (Brassica napus), an important crop in the Canadian Prairies that is known to not form this association. From 2008 to 2018, an experiment was replicated at three locations of the Canadian Prairies and it was used to assess the impact of canola on the community of AMF naturally occurring in three cropping systems, canola monoculture, or canola in two different rotation systems (2-years, canola-wheat and 3-years, barley-pea-canola). We sampled canola rhizosphere and bulk soils to: (i) determine diversity and community structure of AMF, we expected that canola will negatively impact AMF communities in function of its frequency in crop rotations and (ii) wanted to assess how these AMF communities interact with other fungi and bacteria. We detected 49 AMF amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in canola rhizosphere and bulk soils, confirming the persistence of a diversified AMF community in canola-planted soil, even after 10 years of canola monoculture, which was unexpected considering that canola is among non-mycorrhizal plants. Network analysis revealed a broad range of potential interactions between canola-associated AMF and some fungal and bacterial taxa. We report for the first time that two AMF, Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus iranicus, shared their bacterial cohort almost entirely in bulk soil. Our results suggest the existence of non-species-specific AMF-bacteria or AMF-fungi relationships that could benefit AMF in absence of host plants. The persistence of an AMF community in canola rhizosphere and bulk soils brings a new light on AMF ecology and leads to new perspectives for further studies about AMF and soil microbes interactions and AMF subsistence without mycotrophic host plants.


Bilingual lexicons are important resources for performing a number of bilingual tasks in machine translation (MT) and cross-language in-formation retrieval (CLIR). Since the manual building of bilingual extraction is a tedious affair, researchers have focused upon the automatic extraction of bilingual lexicons from corpora. Another issue is the use of parallel and comparable corpora for extraction. Much success has been achieved in the use of parallel corpora but it is only available for a few language pairs and for limited domains. Therefore, the use of comparable corpora comes as an alternative but a lot need to be done in this field. The paper presents a review of different techniques and methods, which have been used for automatic extraction of bilingual lexicon suggesting that an integrated approach can give better results than using individual approaches. The paper also contains a proposed method for extraction of bilingual method using a combined approach.


Online experimental methods have become a major part of contemporary social science research. Yet the method is also controversial and experiments are frequently misunderstood. This chapter introduces online experimentation as a method, by explaining the logic of experimental design for causal inference. While experiments can be deployed in almost any setting, online experiments tend to take two forms: online survey experiments and experiments in naturalistic online environments. Discussing the advantages and disadvantages of these types relative to each other and relative to their offline analogues, the chapter demonstrates ways that experimentation has been used to learn about political behavior, media and campaign dynamics, and public opinion. Emphasizing trade-offs between internal validity, experimental realism, and external validity, the chapter demonstrates how researchers have used online platforms in tandem with randomization to gain insights into both online and offline phenomena. Though experiments are sometimes seen as trading off external for internal validity, this is not an accurate depiction of all experimental work. Rather, online experiments exist on spectrums that trade-off these features to varying degrees. And with those trade-offs come key challenges related to experimental control, the generalizability of experimental results across settings, units, treatments, and outcomes, and the ethics of online experimentation. The chapter concludes by suggesting how future research might innovatively push beyond existing work.


Epidemiological studies have implicated enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strains in acute and persistent diarrhea in children, in food-borne diarrhea outbreaks, and in traveler's diarrhea, and this group is recognized as an emerging pathotype of enteric disease. Diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) have been implicated as a cause of diarrhea, especially in children more than 2 years old, in both developing and developed countries. Although EAEC and DAEC strains appear to have different molecular equipment for attachment to host cell surfaces, identification and characterization of the gene clusters encoding adherence evidenced close relatedness between those determinants most frequently detected in isolates belonging to these two pathotypes of diarrheagenic E. coli. DAEC strains are a heterogeneous group of E. coli isolates, many of which express the related so-called Dr adhesins. The single designation is based on the identification of one similar cellular receptor for all these proteins. Although structurally different, they all recognize the Dr human blood group antigen on the decay-accelerating factor (DAF or CD55). These adhesins are encoded by a family of closely related operons, the first characterized and sequenced being the afa operon. Consequently, it has been suggested that this group of DAEC strains producing such adhesins be named the Afa/Dr DAEC family. Three distinct but closely related gene clusters coding for phenotypically and morphologically distinct aggregative adherence fimbriae (AAF) have been characterized. In each case, electron microscopy revealed that bacterial surfaces were surrounded by long, relatively flexible fimbrial structures.


To reduce the risk of infection of SARS-CoV-2 during commuting to the clinic or due to contact with medical staff, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended arranging some appointments in the form of "telehealth". The aim of the study was to assess the access to medical care in pregnancy during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the role of telehealth in the implementation of prenatal care standards. This is a cross-sectional study. The study group included 618 women who were pregnant and/or gave birth in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the participants experienced difficulties accessing medical care because of the pandemic. The correlation between this experience and the use of the hybrid healthcare model was established. The affiliation to public or private healthcare was irrelevant. There was no relationship between healthcare (private/public or in-person/hybrid) and implementation of the prenatal care standards. To ensure safe access to prenatal care for pregnant women, recommendations for a hybrid pregnancy management model should be created with detailed information regarding which appointments patients must be present for in-person and which can be conducted remotely. To reduce the risks associated with movement and interpersonal contact, all visits during which tests and screenings take place should be conducted in-person; other appointments can be arranged in the form of telehealth.


Despite the great importance of the real contact area, it is a parameter which, depending
on the tribological system, is difficult or impossible to obtain experimentally. In this
work, a combination of methods was used to estimate the development of the real
contact surface, and the results were compared with the friction coefficient course. The
measurements were carried out with a home-built in situ tribometer, which records a
3D image of the surface after each individual friction cycle. A tungsten sample was
treated by laser interference with a line-like pattern to produce a deterministic surface.
This allowed for more precise tracking of the real contact area when combined with the
use of an inert corundum sphere as a counter-body. The real contact area was calculated
numerically from the height information obtained using a contact application. Finally, the
true contact surface was compared with the parallel-recorded friction values. After a short
running-in phase, the friction behavior and the real contact surface showed comparable
courses. This indicates that the changes in the real contact area could explain the friction
behavior of the laser-patterned sample, and the methodology was proven to be suitable
for experimentally estimating the real contact area.


The application of law and norms in military operations is complex. This article provides an overview of legal and normative aspects in un peace operations. It will focus on key challenges to un peace operations. First, it will review un peacekeeping from the perspective of international law. After providing an overview of the legal framework of un peacekeeping and the application of human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law, the article turns to issues related to the accountability and immunity of un peacekeepers. The final section addresses normative concepts including the responsibility to protect, the protection of civilians, human security and their relevance in regard to un peacekeeping.


To facilitate the study of solar flares and active regions, we have created a modeling framework, the freely distributed GX Simulator IDL package, that combines 3D magnetic and plasma structures with thermal and nonthermal models of the chromosphere, transition region, and corona. Its object-based modular architecture, which runs on Windows, Mac, and Unix/Linux platforms, offers the ability to either import 3D density and temperature distribution models, or to assign numerically defined coronal or chromospheric temperatures and densities, or their distributions, to each individual voxel. GX Simulator can apply parametric heating models involving average properties of the magnetic field lines crossing a given voxel, as well as compute and investigate the spatial and spectral properties of radio, (sub)millimeter, EUV, and X-ray emissions calculated from the model, and quantitatively compare them with observations. The package includes a fully automatic model production pipeline that, based on minimal users input, downloads the required SDO/HMI vector magnetic field data, performs potential or nonlinear force-free field extrapolations, populates the magnetic field skeleton with parameterized heated plasma coronal models that assume either steady-state or impulsive plasma heating, and generates non-LTE density and temperature distribution models of the chromosphere that are constrained by photospheric measurements. The standardized models produced by this pipeline may be further customized through specialized IDL scripts, or a set of interactive tools provided by the graphical user interface. Here, we describe the GX Simulator framework and its applications.


Abstract This paper examines Justice Scalia's approach to campaign finance adjudication, in particular his skepticism of legislative motive. Three distinct strands of skepticism are identified: power-grabbing, incumbent-bracing and speech-preventing. As regards democracy Justice Scalia is identified as being caught in definitional dilemma whereby his campaign finance jurisprudence appears to serve a particular vision of democracy, which is, itself, the identifiable creature of his approach to constitutional adjudication. Ultimately, it is argued that, whilst a liberal dose of mistrust of government might well be warranted in cases concerning the devices of democracy, in the task of scrutinising campaign finance regulation and reform, a strong argument emerges for suspicion of judicial motives too since there is as much danger to democracy posed by the tenured fox as by the incumbent one.


Surface treatments of the biomaterials are of great interest in many biomedical applications. Hydroxyapatite is a favorable candidate for surface modification of the implants. To date, a wide variety of methods have been developed to produce bio-active/biocompatible coatings with desirable features in order to improve the performance of the implants. This paper strives to overview the present prevalent methods for synthesizing the hydroxyapatite based multilayer coatings as well as the various properties of such coatings. The common methods for fabrication of HAp-containing multilayer coatings including electrochemical, sol-gel, and plasma spray routs. It was clearly highlighted that the main drawback in pure HAp coatings is their poor adhesion to the implants. The studies in the field of HAp-ceramic systems showed that the deposited ceramic layers, e.g. TiO2 and ZrO2, are strongly adherent to HAp and substrate which leads to a remarkable improvement in the mechanical properties of pure HAp coatings. Unlike HAp-ceramic systems, there are less studies dealt with the HAp-polymeric systems. The performed studies demonstrated that the corrosion resistance and adhesion strength of the coatings to the substrates can be considerably improved with the deposition of HAp/polymer multilayer coatings. Altogether, HAp based multilayer coatings have bright prospect since they benefit from HAp biocompatibility as well as the enhanced adhesion to the substrate.


In the present invention, the subscriber unit (200) obtains a set of access point identifiers and measurement opportunity information for each access point identifier. A first measurement is performed on a first access point identified from the set of access point identifiers. A current timer value is determined after completing the step of performing, and a second access point identified from the set of access point identifiers in which to perform a second measurement is selected. Selecting the second access point is based on at least the measurement opportunity information for the second access point in relation to the current timer value.


In the last decades, a wide range of automatic metrics that use linguistic knowledge has been developed. Some of them are based on lexical information, such as METEOR; others rely on the use of syntax, either using constituent or dependency analysis; and others use semantic information, such as Named Entities and semantic roles. All these metrics work at a specific linguistic level, but some researchers have tried to combine linguistic information, either by combining several metrics following a machine-learning approach or focusing on the combination of a wide variety of metrics in a simple and straightforward way. However, little research has been conducted on how to combine linguistic features from a linguistic point of view. In this paper we present VERTa, a metric which aims at using and combining a wide variety of linguistic features at lexical, morphological, syntactic and semantic level. We provide a description of the metric and report some preliminary experiments which will help us to discuss the use and combination of certain linguistic features in order to improve the metric performance


As an methodology for promoting the quality and efficiency of health care, clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) have gained much improvement. The knowledge base (KB) plays an important role in DSS. For CDSSs, the construction of KB means modeling the medical knowledge based on a suitable model. This study analyzes the SAGE model, then implements it on knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of Metabolic Syndrome (MS), and improves the SAGE to enhance its expression ability. The model is constructed as the KB in CDSS, and be applied in hospital. The evaluation result of CDSS reveals that the SAGE model should be useful in clinical application. Finally, this study propounds some points yet to be improved in the SAGE.


SIMD machines are considered special purpose architectures chiefly because of their inability to support control parallelism. This restriction exists because there is a single control unit that is shared at the thread level; concurrent control threads must time-share the control unit (they are sequentially executed). We present an alternative model for building centralized control architectures that allows better support for control parallelism. This model, called shared control, shares the control unit(s) at the instruction level. More precisely, in each cycle the control signals for all the supported instructions are broadcast to the PEs. In turn, each PE receives its control by synchronizing with the control unit responsible for its local instruction. The shared control model is fundamentally different from the SIMD model. There are a number of architectural issues that must be resolved in order for this model to be useful. This paper identifies some of these issues and discusses their respective trade-off spaces. An integrated shared-control/SIMD architecture design (SharC) is presented and used to demonstrate the relative performance relative to a SIMD architecture.


Cloud computing, with its support for elastic resources that are available on an on-demand, pay-as-you-go basis, is an attractive platform for hosting Web-based services that have variable demand, yet consistent performance requirements. Effective service management is mandatory in order for services running in the cloud, which we call elastic services, to be cost-effective. In this paper we describe a management framework to facilitate elasticity of resource consumption by services in the cloud. We extend our framework for services management with the necessary concepts and properties to support elastic services. A prototype implementation is described.


Cell death in the lateral root tip of rye seedlings under salt stress conditions was analyzed quantitatively by the modified terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and the frequency of cell death was compared in the seminal root tip. There were no significant differences in total root length and the number of root tips among control, 10 mM and 100 mM NaCl treatments, although the root elongation and initiation was inhibited in the 250 mM NaCl treatment. The frequency of cell death was increased in 100 mM and 250 mM NaCl treatments compared with the control, significantly. There was no significant difference in the frequency of cell death between seminal root and lateral root in all stress treatments. Moreover, technical advantage of the modified TUNEL method was discussed by comparing with the classical TUNEL method.


Today, with attention to increase in sensitive electrical equipments application in distribution networks and their susceptibility to the power quality deficiencies, the protection necessity of sensitive loads against undesirable effects of these disturbances are in focus. So, in this paper voltage sag deficiency and Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) would be introduced as the most prevalent power quality problems and most effective voltage sag's compensators, respectively. Continuously, different parts of DVR structure would be discussed in which control system would be taken into account as the most important part. In this part, after different compensation strategies analysis and with attention to great importance of compensator response in sensitive load protection against the duration of voltage sag, various voltage estimation algorithms would be introduced. Afterwards a novel estimation algorithm would be proposed which has the desirable accuracy and less delay among the mentioned ones. Then a proposed control system based on the proposed algorithm in the fault detection system and pre-fault based symmetrical component strategy would be introduced. Finally the effects of the novel system on asymmetrical voltage sag and swell of the distribution system improvement would be simulated in Matlab/Simulink.


Alvis is a modelling language defined for the design and a formal verification of embedded systems. An Alvis model is a system of agents that usually run concurrently, communicate one with another, compete for shared resources etc. Due to the fact that an embedded system usually collects inputs that come from its environment and provides outputs that go to the environment it is necessary to provide a mechanism to describe such a communication. In contrast to another formal languages used to model embedded systems it is not necessary, using Alvis, to design such an environment as a part of a model. The paper deals with the problem of modelling a communication with an embedded system environment with Alvis. Keywords—Alvis modelling language, embedded systems, formal verification, communication with environment.


The first light curves in the J, H, Ks bands of W UMa system V523 Cas are presented. The preliminary result of light curve analysis is also extended.


The Synex is a new distractable titanium implant for vertebral body replacement. During the first 12 months in clinical course 126 patients in 13 hospitals have been treated with the Synex for vertebral fracture, correction of posttraumatic misalignment, infection, vertebral tumor and metastasis and other disease like Bechterew's disease. There were mono- to multilevel lesions in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Operations were as well done on several open approaches as thoracoscopically. Instrumentation was done with a dorsal internal fixator and/or a ventral implant. A spondylodesis of intervertebral facet joints was done in almost every second operation. Ventral spondylodesis was done with autogenous bone in fracture and also with cement and other materials in tumors. In conclusion the handling is easy and the Synex is suitable for many indications and for defects of variable size because of in situ distraction. Because of frequently reported problems with the distraction device this instrument has been modified for more powerful spreading. An additional implant size has also been added. We have no report of implant failure, none dislocation of the Synex has been occurred either.


Endometrial ossification is a rare condition. Most cases reported had a history of abortion. Clinical presentation may include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain and secondary infertility. Hysteroscopy appears to be the gold standard method to both diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of endometrial ossification in a woman who presented with pelvic pain. The patient had a pregnancy voluntarily terminated at an unknown gestational age. The diagnosis was suspected at Sonography. We insist on the fact that diagnosis must be considerate in a symptomatic or infertile woman with a history of both early and late abortion and illustrate the feasibility and safety of a hysteroscopic treatment for this condition.


Mathew and Me is a musical performance autoethnography that explores embodied experiences of same-sex attraction between men within heteronormative sport cultures. The performance comprises a layering of original songs, performance poetry, and personal narrative. Songwriting is used as a critical arts-based methodology to discover, interrogate, and communicate fragmentary, sensory, and embodied remembrances of lived experience. Alongside a textual representation of the performance, reflections are offered on the two methodological issues: first, the challenges of sharing music and songs within conventional academic publication and, second, the possibilities and nuances of songwriting as a methodology for critical qualitative inquiry.


The purpose of this work is to substantiate the parameters of the boiler unit, which ensures the cremation of manure using microwave radiation. The substantiation of the amount of heat released during the burning of chicken manure at the industrial keeping of poultry in the conditions of sharply continental climate on the basis of minimization of product utilization values - ash content of wastes and pollution of smoke emissions is presented. Using the obtained regression models of magnetron emission power, moisture content of the burnt manure mass, mass air consumption for the specified product utilization parameters, the analysis of the relationship between the obtained parameters is made. Correlation analysis has shown a high correlation between the amount of heat released during the combustion of manure and the concentration of carbon monoxide in the smoke emissions. Rationally, the value of carbon monoxide content in the flue gases is 3.9%, corresponding to the amount of heat released 2.1 MJ/kg at the combustion of a kilogram of manure at the ash content of the residue of 18.4% and the initial moisture content of the manure of 38.4%. It provides power of radiation of magnetron 400 W on 1 kg of a waste and the mass flow rate of air of 13.8 kg/h.


Fluorescence-mediated tomography (FMT) enables longitudinal and quantitative determination of the fluorescence distribution in vivo and can be used to assess the biodistribution of novel probes and to assess disease progression using established molecular probes or reporter genes. The combination with an anatomical modality, e.g., micro computed tomography (µCT), is beneficial for image analysis and for fluorescence reconstruction. We describe a protocol for multimodal µCT-FMT imaging including the image processing steps necessary to extract quantitative measurements. After preparing the mice and performing the imaging, the multimodal data sets are registered. Subsequently, an improved fluorescence reconstruction is performed, which takes into account the shape of the mouse. For quantitative analysis, organ segmentations are generated based on the anatomical data using our interactive segmentation tool. Finally, the biodistribution curves are generated using a batch-processing feature. We show the applicability of the method by assessing the biodistribution of a well-known probe that binds to bones and joints.


Agile supply chains enable companies to compete in turbulent business environments. However, to be workable, supply chains require agility in both manufacturing and distribution. This study investigates the feasibility of applying adaptable distribution management of agile supply chains to provide adaptable distribution guidance on strategies and operations for decision makers to help facilitate their response to environmental variations. This study develops adaptable distribution strategies, including speedy distribution, low cost distribution, and event avoidance distribution, based on in-depth interviews with global logistics companies. Furthermore, the proposed model can help global logistics companies seek appropriate alternative routes and transport modes in response to unexpected events. The implications of the findings are also discussed.


Background: The sense of coherence (SOC) is reported to influence health, but health may also have an impact on SOC. The objective of this study was to examine the longitudinal associations between SOC and selected self-reported and physician-assessed health outcomes over a period of 10 and 20 years and to determine the predominant direction of the associations. Methods: We conducted a population-based, longitudinal study, involving 392 participants (188 females and 204 males; mean age 43.01 years) who were followed for a median of 10 and 18 years. Analyses of variance were carried out to examine the longitudinal associations between SOC at baseline and health outcomes (i.e., self-rated health status, SHS; physical health status assessed by a physician, PHS; self-reported satisfaction with life, SWL) at follow-ups. The direction of associations was examined using a cross-lagged model on correlation coefficients. Results: There were significant group effects for SOC at baseline on SHS at 20-year follow-up (F = 4.09, p = 0.018, ηp2 = 0.041), as well as on SWL at 10-year (F = 12.67, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.072) and at 20-year follow-up (F = 8.09, p < 0.1, ηp2 = 0.069). SHS (r = 0.238, p < 0.01), PHS (r = −0.140, p < 0.05) and SWL (r = 0.400, p < 0.01) predicted SOC at 10-year follow-up stronger than vice versa. The direction of associations between SOC and health parameters at 20-year follow-up was less consistent. Conclusions: The long-term associations between SOC and self-reported and physician-assessed health may be reciprocal in community-dwelling adults. More research is needed to examine the predictive power of health on SOC and whether interventions targeted at improving health parameters, may impact SOC.


In this study, the ship-borne air emissions in the port of Zonguldak were examined based on ship activity-based methods and total emissions generated from ships were estimated as 820 t y-1 for NOX, 45.700 t y-1 for CO2, 350 t y-1 for SOX, 32 t y-1 for VOC, 44 t y-1 for PM for the year of 2019. General cargo and ro-ro cargo ships are the main polluters in the port and emissions generated from the at-sea mode are higher than the port and maneuvering modes. There are five neighborhoods within 2km from the port of Zonguldak which are at risk of shipping emissions. At least 46,255 people will be exposed to dangerous shipping emissions such as NOX, SOX, PM along with other emissions within 2 km of the port area. The environmental cost of the port emissions for each contaminant has been estimated as $27 million and $43.586 per ship call. All types of emissions in the port region should be observed regularly and measures to decrease the emissions should be implemented.


By cannulating the efferent duct of the caudal mediastinal lymph node in sheep, lymph from the lower respiratory tract was collected under physiological conditions for several days. In 18 such preparations the flow rate varied from 4 to 12 ml/hr between individuals and the lymphocyte count between 4000 and 117,000/mm3. The protein content of the lymph plasma averaged nearly 60% of that of the blood, and this indication of the high permeability of the capillary bed of the lungs was confirmed by measuring the time taken for intravenous doses of 125I-albumin to equilibrate between the blood and mediastinal lymph plasma. The concentration of immunoglobulin A was higher in the mediastinal lymph than in blood serum, while the reverse was true of the concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, and IgM. This evidence for the local production of IgA by the intra thoracic lymphoid tissue was supported by the demonstration by immunoperoxidase techniques of IgA-containing plasma cells in sections cut from the caudal mediastinal nodes, and of IgA-containing immunoblasts in the lymph.


'The future of learning is immersive. In the future, learning will take the shape of a story, a play, a game; involving multiple platforms and players; driven by dialogue and augmented with technology, an interplay of immersive experiences, data, and highly social virtual worlds' [1]. Our simulation was designed to raise aspirations as to what is 'possible' for our wider faculty as we expand our simulation-based education (SBE). The 'Godzilla' multi-casualty exercise offered a fun and engaging theme to the serious focus on student development and assessment. Facilitated at a music venue enabling creative visual and audio backdrops, to a dynamic and immersive learning space. This exploited sensory boundaries in the form of challenging environments, whilst focusing expectations for our student cohorts to demonstrate clinical praxis. The directing staff (DS) included academics, Critical Care Practitioners, Nurses, and Paramedics who ensured a multidisciplinary overview of students' safety and feedback discussions, appraising decision making, treatment, and management of multiple patient scenarios.
 Drawing upon the multimedia and interdisciplinary expertise from the faculty, a holistic set of skills brought together the creation of an authentic educational experience, with the evaluation of the students against clinical expectations of a modern healthcare response. The main points of contact were at 'handover' post patient extraction and assessment, to senior clinicians. This exercise modelled inclusive approaches, reflected in the seminal Delphi study that identified requirements and opportunities in Immersive Learning namely: Facilitating Authentic Learning Experiences and Developing the Capabilities of the Future Workforce [1]. This approach aligns with the NHS Simulation Strategy [2] but also with the psychological concept of flow and deep absorption in learning proposed by the Open University Innovating Pedagogy report [3]. Premised on the innovation of best learning moments, our student tasks were designed to engender deep involvement through memorable learning activities.
 36 level 4 Paramedic students and 24 level 6 Paramedic students undertook the simulated challenges. Facilitators and learners reported high levels of satisfaction and attainment of praxis. Comparisons were recognised between cohorts that informed future adaptations and design, evaluating tasks for future ambitions, fusing interdisciplinary endeavours.
 This successful exercise met the key learning objectives and students identified this as a 'memorable' point in their learning. Inclusion of our allied health professions had handover scenarios filmed with 360° and conventional cameras, and videos were edited for future curricular inclusion. The learning from this inaugural event will inform the diversity and complexity of future tasks set for students. Further feedback capture methods will be used to quantify further investment into future simulation-based educational endeavours.
 1. Lee MJ, Georgieva M, Alexander B, Craig E, Richter J. State of XR & Immersive Learning Outlook Report 2021. Immersive Learning Research Network, Walnut, CA. 2021.
 2. Health Education England (HEE) A national vision for the role of simulation and immersive technologies in health and care. NHS: 2020
 3. Kukulska-Hulme A, Bossu C, Coughlan T, Ferguson R, FitzGerald E, Gaved M, Herodotou C, Rienties B, Sargent J, Scanlon E, Tang J, Wang Q, Whitelock D, Zhang S. Innovating Pedagogy 2021: Open University. Innovation Report 9: 2021


This article develops the argument that organizational or corporate culture is strongly influenced by the characteristics of the industry in which the company operates. Thus, companies within an industry share certain cultural elements that are required for survival. The article identifies three classes of industry variables that have the potential for creating industry-driven cultural elements: competitive environment, customer requirements, and societal expectations. The article also discusses implications of the industry influences on the potential for culture change.


The high demand for meat affects the level of demand for qualified males to increase livestock productivity. The superior bulls in number, many females that wait on serve by the bulls to conduct to increasing the population rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the pregnancy rate in the fat tailed sheep insemination using frozen semen merino sheep with different times between 12 hours, 24 hours and 36 hours after onset of estrus. The results are analyzed using probit analysis of the opportunity of high successed on (P1) 12 hours of appearance of signs of lust opportunities to obtain 70% and 4 of 6 fat tailed sheep females is declared pregnant. Results of insemination at 12 hours after estrus signs appeared is the best one in this eksperiment.


The article proposes a generic method to classify vertices or edges of a labeled graph. More precisely the method computes a confidence index for each vertex v or edge e to be a member of a target class by mining the topological environments of v or e. The method contributes to knowledge discovery since it exhibits for each edge or vertex an informative environnement that explains the found confidence. When applied to the problem of discovering strategic bonds in molecules, the method correctly classifies most of the bonds while providing relevant explanations to chemists. The developed algorithm GemsBond outperforms both speed and scalability of the learning method that has previously been applied to the same application while giving similar results.


Although social searching is not a new phenomenon, its features of collaboration, conversation, and interac- tion in a social space among users make it an imperative element of Web 2.0 technologies. The emerging popularity of folksonomies, with users generating their own labeling system, has allowed social searching to distinguish itself from traditional search engines such as Google and Yahoo. This paper discusses a number of social search tools, including Google Custom Search, del.icio.us, YouTube, and Flickr, tools that the authors find useful for the practice of a health information professional.


Mandatory home isolation caused by COVID-19 in professional contexts led to a situation that required work activities to be converted into a remote modality. The literature on this topic is very recent, given the pandemic and the uncertainty of virtual and face-to-face work modalities. This study aimed to examine the effects of adults' prolonged exposure to screens on sleep quality, the type of devices used according to age and gender, periods of access to such devices and the impact on performance in the context of telework due to COVID-19. Specifically, the study analyzed the differences in the use of devices and in the time spent using them during and after teleworking between genders and age groups. A total of 127 Portuguese participants answered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a questionnaire that we specifically developed to characterize teleworking habits. The results showed differences between men and women regarding the use of devices and its impact on sleep quality, as well as differences in terms of age. These results are discussed in terms of how the current work context may affect performance, sleep, gender differences and the adverse effects of exposure to screens during and after work hours.


Hyaluronan (HA), a high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan in the extracellular matrix, has been implicated in the promotion of malignant phenotypes, including tumor angiogenesis. However, little is known about the effect of HA on tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis. In this study, mouse hepatocellular carcinoma Hca-F cells combined with or without HA were injected subcutaneously into C3H/Hej mice, then angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of implanted tumors were examined by immunostaining for platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and lymphatic vascular endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 respectively. Interestingly, we found HA promotes tumor lymphangiogenesis and the occurrence of intratumoral lymphatic vessels, but has little effect on tumor angiogenesis. Moreover, HA also promotes intralymphatic tumor growth, although it is not sufficient to potentiate lymphatic metastasis. These results suggest that HA, which is elevated in most malignant tumor stroma, may also play a role in tumor progression by promoting lymphangiogenesis.


The dynamic responses of a new kind of multi-structured knitted composite T-beam under transverse impact were investigated with a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar. The multi-structured knitted composite is composed of two knitted fabrics: biaxial warp-knitted fabric and weft double-faced interlock knitted fabric. The impact load-displacement curves were obtained to analyze the influences of impact velocity and flange height on the damage of the T-beam. A user-defined material behavior and critical damage area failure criterion were developed to calculate the impact damage evolution. The failure mechanisms of the T-beam with different flange height were discussed from the finite element results.


The available information about the methods of synthesis of N-fluoroimines and their reactions with nucleophiles and electrophiles and with oxidants and reductants as well as pyrolytic and photolytic reactions are surveyed. The reaction mechanisms are discussed and certain aspects of the practical applications of the reactions are examined. The bibliography includes 184 references.


Like many of you, I did not get to all the readings that I had planned for last summer. Before the fall quarter began, however, I made the time to electronically leaf through old issues of the JSAH. I was touched by the scale of change the journal has undergone in the seventy years since its inception, but also by its original grounding in contemporary concerns. Between the Arab Spring and the fall of American discontent, change was on my mind.

As for the journal, change in length and format over the years is striking. The inaugural issue of January 1941 was a modest twenty-six-page mimeographed volume, at that time called the American Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. It consisted of one article, a "current bibliography," and a few brief reports. Within a year, under Turpin Bannister's editorship, the journal doubled in length, and the cover of the journal was redesigned to incorporate a new logo. Begun with a subscription list of 30 in 1941, there were over 250 subscribers by the mid-1940s.1 The design would continue to be adjusted during the first decade to attain a format by 1950 that would remain fairly stable until the 1990s, when under Nicholas Adams's stewardship it would be redesigned to take its current visually attractive print form. The journal doubled in size between the 1950s and 1960s.2

With the launching of JSAH Online from volume 70 in 2010, we are observing the beginnings of a profound change in the way we view and read the journal. It is not the print form, but the digital version, that is the journal of record now. Would the waning of print in the future enable us to rethink the content of architectural history, its methodological and theoretical premise, and how we …


Caste has always infiltrated the public life and has been a constant social identifier. Caste has moved beyond occupation to social function. Two hundred million of India's lowest castes have been subjugated to consistent discrimination. In this context, lakhs of Dalits have been forced to do manual scavenging, which is an egregious form of caste-based discrimination in labour. It is discrimination based on descent and is symptomatic of institutionalised social, legal, political and structural barriers. The contours of caste cross national borders as diasporic communities in the United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US) have shown direct signs of caste prejudices, thereby making it a global concern. There have been debates in the past whether caste can be correlated with other forms of discriminations, such as those based on race in countries like the UK and US. However, the result has been a long list of contested literature. In this paper, I argue that redressal of caste-based discrimination requires concerted international efforts by different countries, and a dialogue with the jurisprudential aspect of anti-racism agenda may add as a strong imperative against caste-based discrimination. Using the case studies of Safai Karamchari Andolan v Union of India (2014), Tirkey v Chandhok (2015) in the UK and ongoing Cisco case in the US (2020), the universalism of caste is emphasised upon and how it poses novel challenges for the equality regime. Recognition of caste as an aspect of the race on analogous ground of inherited unequal status would be a step forward towards the realisation of substantive equality. The experience of caste in India and the United Kingdom would be useful to understand caste in international law normatively and descriptively. I argue that while caste and race are conceptually different, they are axiomatic manifestations of an analogous system of inherited status. I propose that the interpretation of race as an entity subsuming discrimination arising out of caste will help nudge the governments to address it systematically and with full force beyond semantic sophistry in both India as well as United Kingdom.


This study aimed to identify the reality of pioneering education in the in-stitutions of higher education in the city of Derna from the point of view of faculty members by measuring the quality of educational buildings, meas-uring the quality of the content of the curriculum, measuring the quality of the evaluation system and measuring the extent to which the courses con-tained leadership qualities. The nature of the relationship between the level of pioneering education and its relation to some demographic variables of the faculty members were represented in: gender, age, academic qualification, degree, duration of service. To achieve the objectives of the study following the study descriptive analytical method, the researcher developed a questionnaire, and the credibility and the coefficient of stability were verified. The population of the study was represented by the faculty of Omar Al-Mukhtar University, which had 193 members. The sample size was based on the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table. The size of the sample was 127 members. And after the distribution of the questionnaire was retrieved (103) form valid for statistical analysis. To analyze the study data, the use of computers and the use of statistical program from the software service were contained in (SPSS). The study revealed that the general level of pilot education with its four components was average. The study also showed that the level of the following components: quality of the educational buildings, quality of the contents of the study programs, measurement of the quality of the evaluation system, For leadership traits were moderate, the quality component of the evaluation system was high. The study also found that there are no significant differences in the mean of the leading education due to the demographic variables under study at the level of significance of 5% except for the gender variable in favor of males. Finally, the study presented a set of recommendations that are hoped to promote and strengthen the pioneering education of the university under study.


Xanthomonas albilineans is a xylem-invading pathogen that causes leaf scald, a lethal disease of sugarcane. Unlike other xanthomonads, X. albilineans exhibits a large intra-species variability which was previously observed with different genetic markers (PFGE for Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis and MLSA for Multi Locus Sequence Analysis). The CRISPR systems (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) are repetitive structures in bacteria and Archaea composed of exact 24- to 48-bp repeated sequences (or "repeats") separated by unique sequences of similar length (or "spacers"). Over 40 gene families, which are found nowhere except near these repeats, have been designated collectively as CRISPR-associated (cas) genes. CRISPR/cas systems participate in an antiviral response, probably by an RNA interference-like mechanism. Analysis of the variability of CRISPR spacers is currently used to perform diversity or epidemiological studies in bacteria. The genome sequence of X. albilineans revealed the occurrence of two different CRISPR/cas systems in this pathogen. The first system, called CRISPR-1, is associated with seven cas genes and contains repeats of 31 base pairs. It is similar to the CRISPR system found in several sequenced species of Xanthomonas. The second system, called CRISPR-2, is associated with six cas genes and contains repeats of 28 base pairs. There is only one Xanthomonas pathovar that is known to contain a similar CRISPR-2 system, namely X. campestris pv. raphani. In this study, we analyzed the polymorphism of the two different CRISPR/cas systems among 21 strains spanning the genetic diversity of X. albilineans. We have either sequenced PCR products resulting from amplification of spacers or cas genes, or used sequences from draft genome sequences. Whereas CRISPR-2 is ubiquitous within the 21 strains, CRISPR-1 is absent in three strains. The loss of CRISPR-1 by a common ancestor of these three strains is in accordance with the MLSA phylogeny. As described in other bacteria, we observed a variability of the CRISPR spacers, not only between phylogenetically distant strains, but also between closely related strains (acquisition of new spacers at the 5' leader-proximal end of CRISPR and deletion or replacement of some spacers in the central region). This polymorphism within X. albilineans, which is congruent with previous MLSA and PFGE results, provides a better resolution of the phylogeny of X. albilineans strains. (Resume d'auteur)


Abstract The category of education quality in the system of higher professional education acts as providing high competitiveness, optimal organization and management of the educational process, as well as access to the world market of educational services. We can talk about the international legal regulation of the quality of education relatively arbitrarily, bearing in mind the practical absence of normative legal acts regulating the relations of subjects of international educational law in the field of regulating the quality of education. We can talk about the international component of assessing the quality of education in the context of the Bologna Declaration, because the Bologna process strengthens the European emphasis on assessment and quality control, accreditation, takes a course towards convergence of standards and assessment procedures. Among the most important reforms proclaimed by the Bologna Declaration, the development of European cooperation based on developed comparable criteria and methods is named. In a resolution of the Congress of European Rectors of Universities (Salamanca, March 29–30, 2001), quality is defined as the "cornerstone", the "fundamental condition" of trust, relevance, mobility, compatibility, and attractiveness. Rectors reaffirmed their intentions to seek mutually recognized mechanisms for assessing, controlling and certifying quality.


pectoral region of vertebrates contains an account of the bones, nerves, arid muscles of the breast, shoulder, and w\inos of birds. In addition to the admirably clear descriptions of the anatomy of these organs, this part is of special interest in that it contains a full discussion of the systematic relations of the orders and families of birds as well as an account of the relations of birds to other vertebrates. The cliphyletic origin of the birds as represented by the Ratitxe and Carinatx is regarded as an untenable assumption by Fiirbringer, who argues for the racial unity of the whole group. From this standpoint the Ratitce represent either a primitive stock from which the Carinat-e have sprung or, as Fiirbri-ger believes, a degenerate assemblage derived from the Carinatx. The author further believes that birds have had their origin from none of the known orders of reptiles, but from an ancient stock among the very oldest reptiles and of which at present no remains are known. p


In Reply.— Dr Gilbert's comments raise questions that should be considered in every case of subarachnoid hemorrhage. A coagulopathy, whether from a hematologic disorder or from excessive anticoagulation with heparin sodium or warfarin sodium, may precipitate a subarachnoid hemorrhage in certain cases. However, neither of these factors were present in the cases questioned by Dr Gilbert. Case 1 involved a woman in whom a necrotizing angiitis developed after amphetamine abuse. The urinary tract and GI tract bleeding that developed are a part of the clinical syndrome of necrotizing angiitis. 1 Her complete blood cell count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, and fibrinogen level were normal. Case 2 involved a young man who was receiving therapeutic doses of heparin sodium while his clotting function was monitored by frequent partial thromboplastin times. Although his partial thromboplastin times were in the usual therapeutic range, a possible contribution of the anticoagulant effect of heparin


Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the major health problem that resulted from uses of many drugs especially from serious adverse effect of antituberculosis (ATT) drugs. forty eight rats (200-250g) were allocated into six groups (8 rats in each group), and treated as follow: group I: received normal saline orally; group II: received INH/RFP (50 mg/Kg/day of each) for 28 days orally; group III: received Silymarin (50 mg/kg/day) + INH/RFP for 28 days orally; group IV: received SNME(250 mg/Kg/day) + INH/RFP for 28 days orally; group V: received SNME (500 mg/Kg/day) + INH/RFP for 28 days orally; group VI, received SNME (1000 mg/Kg/day) + INH/RFP for 28 days orally. Co-administration of herbal plant (SNME) with INH/RFP reduced elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and (bilirubin total &direct) levels but also decreased the elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) & tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) contents in liver homogenate. Moreover, co-administration of herbal plant (SNME) with INH/RFP increased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) & adiponectin activity. Solanum nigrum administration to rats, in present study, led to a remarkable alteration of histological changes observed in INH/RFP group. It is concluded that Solanum nigrum might be considered as adjuvant drug in treatment of liver disorder and/or as hepatoprotective therapy with anti-tubercular drugs.


People living with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing heart disease. In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), a preexisting diagnosis of diabetes has been identified as a risk factor for postoperative sternal wound infections and prolonged hospital stay. At the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) the wait time for elective cardiac surgery is four months. There is literature that supports the use of cardiac prehabilitation to improve postoperative outcomes such as length of stay, functional capacity and perioperative complications. However, there is no published evidence on whether pre-admission diabetes interventions lead to the same results. The aim of this study is to introduce a novel prehabilitation program for diabetes. Target Population: All elective cardiac surgery patient screened for diabetes with an HBA1C of greater than 6.5%. Primary Outcomes: The primary outcome is improvement in glycemic control from screening to time of elective cardiac surgery in those patients who completed prehabilitation program. Secondary Outcomes: The secondary outcomes measured are effect of prehabilitation on length of stay and surgical site infections. Prehabilitation Methodology: In those who have an elevated HBA1C a screening phone call by cardiac rehabilitation nurse. A two hour prehabilitation session that cover topics such as nutrition, exercise and mental health. Group medical appointment led by a diabetes nurse. Results: 24 patients have completed the full prehabilitation program. The mean HBA1C from screening to time of surgery dropped from 7.64% to 7.3% which was not statistically significant. One surgical site infection developed in this group compared to 3 infections in the group that did not attend. Conclusions: Wait times for elective cardiac surgery is an opportune time to intervene and optimize patients' medical fitness for surgery and improving patient self-management of chronic medical conditions like diabetes. Disclosure A. Arnaout: Speaker9s Bureau; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Medtronic. Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Research Support; Self; Allergan, Sanofi. S. Goge: Speaker9s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca.


Compressed Sensing deals with recovering sparse signals from a relatively small number of linear measurements. Several algorithms exists for data recovery from the compressed measurements, particularly appealing among these is the greedy approach known as Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP). In this paper, we propose a modified OMP based algorithm called Ordered Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (Ordered OMP). Ordered OMP is conceptually simpler and provides an improved performance when compared to OMP.


The movement for decriminalizing homosexual relations and the human rights of the LGBT community has gained momentum in the last decade. In India, various NGOs and LGBT society have fought a long battle demanding the decriminalization of homosexuality and declaring sexual orientation as part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. This paper explored the Indian legislative framework dealing with transgender people. Furthermore, it extensively covered the landmark judgments delivered by the Indian judiciary on the subject matter and highlighted that these judgments had played an essential role in uplifting the cause and protecting the fundamental rights of transgenders. Using doctrinal research as its methodology, this study showed that the Indian Constitution essentially provides a fundamental right to equality under Article 14, whereas Articles 15 and 16 outline that no one shall be discriminated on the ground of sex. Also, the Indian judiciary had decriminalized Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, considered as part of landmark judgments that recognize transgender people as a third gender. India also enacted the Transgender Protection Act 2019 to ensure the rights of transgenders. However, this Act failed to address the issue of forced sex-reassignment surgeries, which had been imposed upon transgender people against their consent. On the other hand, while transgenders are legally protected, gaining acceptance from society is another arduous task in which transgenders have struggled to realize an all-inclusive and non-judgmental environment towards persons with different sexual orientations.


A great deal of human-machine interaction depends on hands, and so does access to information technology services. People unable to use hands do require special devices that replace computer mice or touchscreens. In this paper, we present a building kit for a full-featured computer mouse that is controlled by head movements. The resulting kit includes an easy-to-find bill of materials, instructions to build the device and to use it. The experiments conducted with already built devices showed that it works pretty well for most people after a short period of adaptation.


The purpose of the neuromagnetic inverse problem is to reconstruct primary neural current from measured MEG data. It is known that this inverse problem is ill-posed: uniqueness of the solution to the inverse problem is not guaranteed without a priori assumptions on the current source (Fokas et al. (2004)), and, even when using the source model that can be uniquely reconstructed, the obtained solution changes very sensitively depending on the noise contained in MEG data. Thus, employment of a stable algorithm is highly required in order that MEG becomes a non-invasive brain monitoring tool with not only high temporal resolution but also high spatial resolution. Basically, conventional methods are categorized into two groups: parametric approaches and imaging approaches. See the detailed list of references in Baillet et al. (2001). The former methods assume that the current source can be represented by a relatively small number of equivalent current dipoles (ECDs). This source model is shown to be uniquely reconstructed from radial MEG data, except the radial component of the dipole moment, when the head is assumed to consist of concentric spheres. The usual algorithm for this source model is the non-linear least-squares method that minimizes the squared error of data and the forward solution. An advantage of this algorithm is that the parametric description allows us the accurate estimation of the center position of the activated region. However, the problems of this algorithm are: 1) it requires an initial solution, 2) it requires an iterative computing of forward solution, 3) it is often trapped by the local minimum of the cost function, which gives a solution far from the true one, 4) estimation of the number of ECDs is difficult, and 5) spatial extent of the source is not considered. The secondmethods, imaging approaches, assume that there exist current dipoles at the nodes of artificial meshes on the cerebral surface, and solve a system of linear equations for the dipole moments at the fixed positions. An advantage of this method is that it can describe the spatial distribution of the neural current. However, the problems of this algorithm are: 1) the solution is not unique, 2) adding a regularization term often gives a unique but over-smoothed solution, 3) choice of the regularization parameters strongly affects the solution. Recently, a method with the multipolar representation of the source has been developed that incorporates some of the advantages of the above twomethods, and has attracted considerable attention (Irimia et al. (2009); Jerbi et al. (2002; 2004); Nara (2008a); Nolte et al. (1997; 2000)). In this model, instead of expressing the current source by an equivalent current dipole, 6


The oil production has influenced evolution of housing types and a variety of civic and commercial buildings never present in the simple market place of the old town. A lot of buildings are erected in the recent past. The New Architecture became more sanitary in comparison with the old one, but it is mainly formless. The following pages explore architectural examples of this Transitory Phase showing evolution from the Old patterns to a New Architecture, functionally, structurally and aesthetically. Through a set of the newly introduced housing types, new mosques, commercial establishments, public buildings as well as health and educational facilities characteristic progress and deviations as well as new lessons are shown.


The paper describes a flood-routing scheme based upon the successive application of locally linearized parabolic equations in integral form and computation of the steady state backwater profiles (PAB). The method, which is unconditionally stable (a consequence of its integral form) is shown to be particularly suited to real-time forecasting and control. The method is generally applicable to flood routing problems in mild slope channels and rivers (apart from special cases where the inertial terms play an important role) and can also be used for routing steep front waves such as those produced by dam breaks.


Background: The effects of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during wildland fires are not well understood in comparison with PM2.5 exposures from other sources. Objectives: We examined the cardiopulmonary effects of short-term exposure to PM2.5 on smoke days in the United States to evaluate whether health effects are consistent with those during non-smoke days. Methods: We examined cardiopulmonary hospitalizations among adults ≥65 y of age, in U.S. counties (n=692) within 200km of 123 large wildfires during 2008–2010. We evaluated associations during smoke and non-smoke days and examined variability with respect to modeled and observed exposure metrics. Poisson regression was used to estimate county-specific effects at lag days 0–6 (L0–6), adjusted for day of week, temperature, humidity, and seasonal trend. We used meta-analyses to combine county-specific effects and estimate overall percentage differences in hospitalizations expressed per 10-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5. Results: Exposure to PM2.5, on all days and locations, was associated with increased hospitalizations on smoke and non-smoke days using modeled exposure metrics. The estimated effects persisted across multiple lags, with a percentage increase of 1.08% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28, 1.89] on smoke days and 0.67% (95% CI: −0.09, 1.44) on non-smoke days for respiratory and 0.61% (95% CI: 0.09, 1.14) on smoke days and 0.69% (95% CI: 0.19, 1.2) on non-smoke days for cardiovascular outcomes on L1. For asthma-related hospitalizations, the percentage increase was greater on smoke days [6.9% (95% CI: 3.71, 10.11)] than non-smoke days [1.34% (95% CI: −1.10, 3.77)] on L1. Conclusions: The increased risk of PM2.5-related cardiopulmonary hospitalizations was similar on smoke and non-smoke days across multiple lags and exposure metrics, whereas risk for asthma-related hospitalizations was higher during smoke days. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3860


The purpose of this research was to develop a matri x-type transdermal therapeutic system containing drug Aceclofenac with different ratios o f hydrophilic (hydroxyl propyl cellulose) and hydrophobic (ethyl cellulose) polymeric systems by the solvent evaporation technique by using 15 % w/w of dibutyl phthalate to the polymer weight , incorporated as plasticizer. Different concentrations of oleic acid and isopropyl myristat e were used to enhance the transdermal permeation of Atenolol. Formulated transdermal film s were physically evaluated with regard to thickness, weight variation, drug content, flatness , tensile strength, folding endurance, percentage of moisture content and water vapour tra nsmission rate. All prepared formulations indicated good physical stability. In-vitro permeat ion studies of formulations were performed by using Franz diffusion cells. Formulation prepared w ith hydrophilic polymer containing permeation enhancer showed best in-vitro skin perme ation through rat skin (Wistar albino rat) as compared to all other formulations. The results followed the release profile of Aceclofenac followed mixed zero-order and first-order kinetics in different formulation. However, the release profile of the optimized formulation F4 (r2 = 0.993 5 for Higuchi) indicated that the permeation of the drug from the patches was governed by a diff usion mechanism. These results indicate that the formulation containing the F4 [CAP: PVP (6:1)] has shown optimum release in concentration independent manner.


The main purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of two novel benzazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium salts (ABQ-48 and NBQ48) on lymphoma cells (TOLEDO). The cationic nature of these BQS can facilitate its interaction with cell organelles such as mitochondria and DNA. To determine its potential cytotoxic effects the compounds were screened through the NCI 60 cell line protocol which determines the cell viability inhibitory activity in various cancer histological types. The IC50 dose for these compounds was determined and used to assess their apoptosis induction capacity evaluating apoptosis hallmark events such as DNA Fragmentation, Caspase 3&7 activators and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Additionally cell reduction potential of the compounds was measured. Results from the NCI 60 cell line protocol demonstrated the toxicity of BQS in multiple cancer types including breast and colon cancer cells. Preliminary results indicated mitochondrial membrane permeabilization on cells treated with NBQ48 (51.3%) and ABQ48 (57.67%) comparable to the positive controls camptothecin (51.6%) and valinomycin (55.3%). Treated cells also presented DNA fragmentation with NBQ48 and ABQ48 (28%) comparable to the positive control 37%. Preliminary data for caspases 3&7 activation strongly suggest an intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Analysis of the reduction of nitro substituted compound NBQ 48 to the amino substituted ABQ 48 on treated cells was determined by measuring an increment on fluorescence emission, characteristic of an amino specie. In conclusion, the study provides evidence of the induction of key apoptotic events as part of the mechanism of action of these novel BQS. Citation Format: Karoline Rios-Rodriguez, Jessica Soto, Christian Velez, Osvaldo Cox, Juan P. Rivera, Beatriz Zayas. Toxicity screening, apoptosis hallmark events and nitro reduction of novel quinolinium salts (BQS) on lymphoma cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1586. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1586


Active learning provides an engaging alternative to the typical onesided lecture in which students passively listen to the instructor. In this paper, I discuss a collection of active learning strategies for designing a course in Information Visualization. The primary strategy, design games, consists of a goal-oriented session during class in which students are given a task and directed to solve the task independently or in teams. Design games challenge students to come up with novel solutions for applying the material of the course to realworld situations. Secondary strategies provide additional support for active learning in the classroom through a combination of group projects and in-class presentations. I present lessons learned from applying these strategies to an undergraduate upper-level course in Information Visualization, and discuss perceived benefits and practical challenges for this approach.


Background Due to their mechanical properties, the MED625FLX and TPU95A could be appropriate candidates for cardiac 3D surgical guide use during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment. Methods RFA aims to destroy the heart tissue, which cause arrhythmias, by applying a radiofrequency (RF) energy at critical temperature above +50.0°C, where the thermal damage is considered not reversible. This study aims to analyze the biomaterials thermal properties with different thicknesses, by testing the response to bipolar and unipolar RFA on porcine muscle samples (PMS), expressed in temperature. For the materials evaluation, the tissue temperature during RFA applications was recorded, firstly without (control) and after with the biomaterials in position. The biomaterials were considered suitable for the RFA treatment if: (1) the PMS temperatures with the samples were not statistically different compared with the control; (2) the temperatures never reached the threshold; (3) no geometrical changes after RFA were observed. Results Based on these criteria, none of the tested biomaterials resulted appropriate for unipolar RFA and the TPU95A failed almost all thermal tests also with the bipolar RFA. The 1.0 mm MED625FLX was modified by bipolar RFA in shape, losing its function. Instead, the 2.5 mm MED625FLX was considered suitable for bipolar RFA catheter use only. Conclusions The 2.5 mm MED625FLX could be used, in the design of surgical guides for RFA bipolar catheter only, because of mechanical, geometrical, and thermal properties. None of biomaterials tested are appropriate for unipolar ablation catheter because of temperature concerns. Further investigations for clinical use are eagerly awaited.


We report the first study of O(2) migration in the putative O(2) channel of cytochrome ba(3) and its effect to the properties of the binuclear heme a(3)-Cu(B) center of cytochrome ba(3) from Thermus thermophilus. The Fourier transform infrared spectra of the ba(3)-CO complex demonstrate that in the presence of 60-80 micro m O(2), the nu(C-O) of Cu(B)1+-C-O at 2053 cm(-1) (complex A) shifts to 2045 cm(-1) and remains unchanged in H(2)O/D(2)O exchanges and in the pH 6.5-9.0 range. The frequencies but not the intensities of the C-O stretching modes of heme a(3)-CO (complex B), however, remain unchanged. The change in the nu(C-O) of complex A results in an increase of k(-2), and thus in a higher affinity of Cu(B) for exogenous ligands. The time-resolved step-scan Fourier transform infrared difference spectra indicate that the rate of decay of the transient Cu(B)1+-CO complex at pH 6.5 is 30.4 s(-1) and 28.3 s(-1) in the presence of O(2). Similarly, the rebinding to heme a(3) is slightly affected and occurs with k(2) = 26.3 s(-1) and 24.6 s(-1) in the presence of O(2). These results provide solid evidence that in cytochrome ba(3), the ligand delivery channel is located at the Cu(B) site, which is the ligand entry to the heme a(3) pocket. We suggest that the properties of the O(2) channel are not limited to facilitating ligand diffusion to the active site but are extended in controlling the dynamics and reactivity of the reactions of ba(3) with O(2) and NO.


John R, Jensen's new book, Remote Sensing of the Environment: An Earth Resource Perspective, is a very welcome addition to the existing array of texts dealing with remote sensing, and a most able complement to his widely used book on digital image analysis, Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective (2nd ed., Prentice Hall, 1996). In the preface of the new book it is noted that the "book was written for physical, natural and social scientists interested in how remote sensing ...can be used to solve real-world problems." In this task, it succeeds admirably. Remote Sensing of the Environment is comprised of 13 chapters, the first nine of which cover the physical fundamentals of remote sensing; principles of electromagnetic radiation; aerial photography and aerial platforms; elements of visual image interpretation and photogrammetry; multispectral remote sensing systems; thermal infrared systems; active and passive microwave remote sensing techniques; and lidar remote sensing. Four concluding chapters deal with applications of remote sensing in the vegetation sciences; water resources sciences; the urban landscape; and investigations of soils, minerals and geomorphology. Each of the book's chapters includes several pages of references, many from journals published as recently as 1999. The text is, in fact, distinguished throughout by its up-to-date coverage, including, for example, thorough treatments of both the IKONOS and Terra satellite systems launched in 1999, and of sensors such as EO-l that are scheduled to become operational in the near future. An unusually detailed six-page table of contents supplements a comprehensive index to enable the reader to easily find material of interest. The narrative is enhanced by hundreds of well selected and well designed tables, diagrams, photographs, maps and images, including 32 pages of color plates. The reproduction of both black and white and color graphics is uniformly excellent, and enhanced by the book's relatively large (8.5 x 11 inch) format. Indeed, the artful design of the integrated text and graphics makes for a far more compelling and interesting presentation than that offered in other contemporary introductory remote sensing textbooks. The book concludes with a thorough appendix that provides guidance to additional sources of information on remote sensing, including listings of major textbooks, on-line tutorials, professional societies, national space agencies, major journals, and sites for acquiring aerial photography and multispectral and radar data. Internet addresses are provided for virtually all listings. '10 augment the text and to provide for updates, the author has established two Internet sites at http://www.cla.sc.edu/ geog/rsbook!links/ (still under construction as of August 2000) and http://www.cla.sc.edu/geog/ rsbook!exercises/ . The latter site provides 13 laboratory exercises keyed to the chapters in the book. Remote sensing is a large, diverse, and rapidly changing area of technology with myriad applications. No single book can be expected to cover all aspects of the field in equal depth, yet Remote Sensing of the Environment is outstanding in a great many areas. Among the book's many strengths are its discussions of energy-matter interactions; physical characteristics and operation of virtually every significant sensor (past, present and near-future); analysis and applications of hyper spectral data; formulation and application of vegetation indices; and estimation of biophysical parameters via remote sensing. Complex topics such as radar interferometry and the bidirectional reflectance distribution function are treated with technical rigor, but in such a way that they will be readily comprehensible to most readers. Of course, in order to keep the book a reasonable length, some compromises in subject matter were clearly inevitable. Procedures for collecting ground truth and methods for assessing the accuracy of products derived from remote sensing (e.g., development and analysis of error matrices) are, for example, occasionally alluded to, but never presented in detail. Moreover, there is scant discussion of digital image analysis techniques (e.g., multispectral classification), even though images and maps derived via digital image processing are scattered throughout the book (e.g., plates 10-2 and 10-5). In the preface, it is explicitly stated that this book is intended as a companion volume to Jensen's previously published text on digital image processing (in which, incidentally, accuracy assessment is also discussed). Nonetheless, Remote Sens-


Background Common mental disorders (CMD) are the most usual reactions following cancer diagnosis causing significant psychological sufferings. Even though research-based evidence is necessary for mental health promotion and intervention activities, there is a scarcity of evidence in Ethiopia to assist policy makers' efforts in reforming mental health care particularly that of cancer patients. Objective The main objective of this research is to assess the magnitude of common mental disorders and associated factors among cancer patients who have a follow-up treatment at Black Lion Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1 to September 30, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 396 study participants. A Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and interviewer-administered structured questionnaire were employed to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals was used to report the findings. Result A total of 396(230 men and 160 women) participants took part in the study. The overall magnitude of CMD among cancer patients was found to be 70.3%, of which the rate was 73.5% among women and 67.8% among men, in the last 4 weeks. Being women (AOR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.00, 3.02), unemployed (AOR = 3.035, 95% CI: 1.37, 6.72), average monthly income of less than 1600 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.838; 95%CI: 1.58, 5.08), being on cancer treatment for more than 5 years (AOR = 2.653, 95% CI: 1.39, 5.03), poor social support (AOR = 3.618, 95% CI: 1.33, 9.80), and current use of substances (AOR = 6.852; 95% CI: 2.038, 23.034) were the factors significantly associated with CMD. Conclusion and recommendation Common mental disorders are one of the major health concerns among cancer patients. Common mental disorders were found to be more common in females and among current users of a psychoactive substance. Therefore, cancer patients need special attention of not only physicians but also that of mental health professionals for possible detection and early treatment of mental disorders. Rendering social and economic support may reduce the negative effects of the illness.


The paper deals with the problem of stabilizing the equilibrium states of a family of non-linear non-autonomous systems. It is assumed that the nominal system is a linear controlled system with periodic coefficients. For the nominal controlled system, a new method for constructing a Lyapunov function in the quadratic form with a variable matrix is proposed. This matrix is defined as an approximate solution of the Lyapunov matrix differential equation in the form of a piecewise exponential function based on partial sums of a W. Magnus series. A stabilizing control in the form of a linear feedback with a piecewise constant periodic matrix is constructed. This control simultaneously stabilizes the considered family of systems. The estimates of the domain of attraction of an asymptotically stable equilibrium state of a closed-loop system that are common for all systems are obtained. A numerical example is given.


This article analyzes Farabi's economic views on education and training.
According to Farobi, the main thing in urban planning is the proper distribution of property and luxury. The amount of food that is needed, the size of the land, the palace and the individual house, should be taken into account. Reminiscences of the Forobian distribution are very difficult but necessary. Farobi explains that it is not a bad habit to own a property as opposed to a worthless property because it is better to live in poverty if the property is honestly collected. If the wealth accumulates for the sake of the soul, then the person will be ashamed one day. Thus, abstaining from profit is better than gain obtained by any means unjust. Forobian goes into great detail about ways to gain wealth. The set of honest cases is: education, which is a prerequisite for laws that are worthwhile for the sake of generating property that is harmless to the offspring and respecting the soul and the body. Things that hurt others will only get worse. Abandoning harm is better than pursuing a pest because the purpose of education and law is to keep people from doing bad things.


The biosynthesis of nanoparticles has received increasing attention due to the growing need to develop safe, cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies for nano-materials synthesis. In this report, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a reduction of aqueous Ag+ ion with the culture supernatants of Aspergillus terreus. The reaction occurred at ambient temperature and in a few hours. The bioreduction of AgNPs was monitored by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and the AgNPs obtained were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The synthesized AgNPs were polydispersed spherical particles ranging in size from 1 to 20 nm and stabilized in the solution. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was found to be an important reducing agent for the biosynthesis, and the formation of AgNPs might be an enzyme-mediated extracellular reaction process. Furthermore, the antimicrobial potential of AgNPs was systematically evaluated. The synthesized AgNPs could efficiently inhibit various pathogenic organisms, including bacteria and fungi. The current research opens a new avenue for the green synthesis of nano-materials.


In this paper, we report our numerical simulation on the symmetry distortion and mechanism of the vortex-shaped momentum distribution of hydrogen atom by taking into account of the dynamic Stark effect. By deploying the strong field approximation (SFA) theory, we performed extensive simulation on the momentum pattern of hydrogen ionized by two time-delayed oppositely circularly polarized attosecond pulses. We deciphered that this distortion is originated from the temporal characteristics of the dynamic Stark phase which is nonlinear in time.


Heterogeneous ultra dense networks (HUDNs) and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) have been identified as two proposing techniques for 5G mobile communication systems due to their great capabilities to enhance spectrum efficiency. This article investigates the application of NOMA techniques in HUDNs to support massive connectivity in 5G systems. In particular, a unified NOMA framework is proposed, including power-domain NOMA and code-domain NOMA, which can be configured flexibly to serve different application scenarios. As a further advance, unified NOMA framework enabled HUDNs are further investigated, with particular focus on user association and resource allocation. Two case studies are provided for demonstrating the effectiveness of unified NOMA enabled HUDNs. Finally, some main challenges and promising research directions in NOMA enabled HUDNs are identified.


A 38-year-old man presented to clinic with recurrent right iliac fossa pain from a young age; three episodes of which required hospital admission. He was otherwise well with no associated symptoms. In view of persistent pain and recurrent admissions a CT scan was arranged which showed a dilated retrocaecal appendix suggesting recurrent appendicitis. Further to CT findings the patient underwent an urgent appendicectomy for a presumed diagnosis of chronic appendicitis but histology in fact revealed a cystoadenoma of appendix. Postoperatively the patient's symptoms resolved and he was discharged from surgical care. It is important to note that in this case the diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele was not considered therefore not particularly accounted for during surgery. Has this been a malignant cystadenocarcinoma any spillage of malignant cells into the abdominal cavity during the operation could have a grave impact on long-term recovery and prognosis.


Seismic slope stability is performed using a reliability-based analysis. In this approach, a log-spiral failure mechanism of the limit analysis is adopted. The study is carried using two deterministic models of earthquake loadings: The first model uses the seismic coefficient concept to identify the quasi-static representation of earthquake effects. In the reliability analysis, the performance function is based on the safety factor of the slope obtained by the strength reduction method. The second model uses Newmark method to calculate the permanent displacement at the toe of the slope as a result of the application of a time-history acceleration earthquake record at the base of the slope. The performance function is then defined with respect to the permanent displacement of the toe. For the assessment of the slope reliability, the Hasofer-Lind reliability index is considered. Therefore, the random variables are the cohesion and the angle of internal friction of the soil. Results show that the pseudostatic approach produces more conservative results than the Newmark sliding block analysis. The optimal slope height for a target reliability index is identified based on a reliability design procedure. Finally, the analysis is applied with the use of a case study of typical Lebanese slope to illustrate the above approaches.


This paper presents Gemini, a functional programming language for hardware description that provides features such as parametric polymorphism, recursive datatypes, higher-order functions, and type inference for higher expressivity compared to modern hardware description languages. Gemini demonstrates the theory and implementation of novel type-theoretical concepts through its unique type system consisting of multiple atomic kinds and dependent types, which allows the language to model both software and hardware constructs safely and perform type inference through multi-staged compilation. The primary technical results of this paper include formalizations of the Gemini grammar, typing rules, and evaluation rules, a proof of safety of Gemini's type system, and a prototype implementation of the compiler's semantic analysis phase.


Modern customer has a high demand for quality of service than he/she had before. There is an urgent need for improving the customer service levels currently provided in the banking industry. Banks need to understand, foresee, the needs and expected levels of customer support which the customer expects when he/she steps into the branch and strive to stand up and excel in providing the service and making banking a truly delightful experience. The banker should change his/her agenda from Customer Satisfaction to Customer delight and then march towards Customer Ecstasy. This will be possible by maintaining the financial soundness of the firm. In this connection it has been given importance through this study. Since most of the Banking slightly deviate into the other areas like insurance, financial services and modern banking services such as Advisory services, Agent for receivables, custodian, instant loan provider, Forfeiter services and factoring services. A conscious attempt has been made to analysis the liquidity of state bank of India (SBI). The present study aimed to understand the financial soundness of the bank, the ratio analysis taken as tool. In this research work the secondary data mainly used, it has been collected in the form of the company manuals, Balance sheets and other documents. The data analyzed by some of the statistical tools such as ANOVA test and Multi variate test is used to analyze the interferences about the operating efficiency.


Double-walled microspheres based on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) are potential delivery systems for reducing a very high initial burst release of encapsulated protein and peptide drugs. In this study, double-walled microspheres made of glucose core, hydroxyl-terminated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (Glu-PLGA), and carboxyl-terminated PLGA were fabricated using a modified water-in-oil-in-oil-in-water (w1/o/o/w2) emulsion solvent evaporation technique for the controlled release of a model protein, lysozyme. Microspheres size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, lysozyme in vitro release profiles, bioactivity, and structural integrity, were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that double-walled microspheres comprising of Glu-PLGA and PLGA with a mass ratio of 1:1 have a spherical shape and smooth surfaces. A statistically significant increase in the encapsulation efficiency (82.52 ± 3.28%) was achieved when 1% (w/v) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 2.5% (w/v) trehalose were incorporated in the internal and external aqueous phase, respectively, during emulsification. Double-walled microspheres prepared together with excipients (PVA and trehalose) showed a better control release of lysozyme. The released lysozyme was fully bioactive, and its structural integrity was slightly affected during microspheres fabrication and in vitro release studies. Therefore, double-walled microspheres made of Glu-PLGA and PLGA together with excipients (PVA and trehalose) provide a controlled and sustained release for lysozyme.


This essay is about the effect of the Bible in the public arena. It explores the fate of biblical texts as they find themselves in the popular press. Secular newspapers are not the natural place to look for biblical citations but now and then they make appearances either to support or subvert issues ranging from asylumseekers to the use of corporal punishment for children. At a time when biblical allusions and imagery have all but evaporated from the Western consciousness, the intermittent showing up of sacred texts in the secular print media is a sign that the scriptures still have some hermeneutical hold. The essay looks at four areas—international conflict, sexual orientation, law and order and bringing-up children—where biblical texts are being summoned either to endorse or to repudiate. The essay raises hermeneutical issues such as how biblical texts are used in print media, the nature of the texts employed, the interface between popular and professional reading, the role of the common reader as a biblical commentator, and concludes with an examination of the standing and sway of the Bible as it moves outside its own natural habitat.


Background: The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in pathology frequently relies on digitally annotated whole slide images (WSI). The creation of these annotations – manually drawn by pathologists in digital slide viewers – is time consuming and expensive. At the same time, pathologists routinely annotate glass slides with a pen to outline cancerous regions, for example, for molecular assessment of the tissue. These pen annotations are currently considered artifacts and excluded from computational modeling. Methods: We propose a novel method to segment and fill hand-drawn pen annotations and convert them into a digital format to make them accessible for computational models. Our method is implemented in Python as an open source, publicly available software tool. Results: Our method is able to extract pen annotations from WSI and save them as annotation masks. On a data set of 319 WSI with pen markers, we validate our algorithm segmenting the annotations with an overall Dice metric of 0.942, Precision of 0.955, and Recall of 0.943. Processing all images takes 15 min in contrast to 5 h manual digital annotation time. Further, the approach is robust against text annotations. Conclusions: We envision that our method can take advantage of already pen-annotated slides in scenarios in which the annotations would be helpful for training computational models. We conclude that, considering the large archives of many pathology departments that are currently being digitized, our method will help to collect large numbers of training samples from those data.


Deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) and hyperpolarized 13C-pyruvate MRI (HP-13C-MRI) are two promising approaches for non-invasive and non-ionizing imaging of tissue metabolism. Here we directly compare these two techniques at 3 T for the first time in humans. DMI using [6,6'-2H2]glucose, and 13C-MRI using hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate, were undertaken in five healthy volunteers. The ratio of 13C-lactate/13C-bicarbonate (mean ±S.D. = 5.05 ±0.89) with HP-13C-MRI was higher than the equivalent 2H-lactate/2H-Glx ratio (0.43 ±0.19) with DMI, which can be explained by differences in tracer administration, subsequent timing of acquisition, and tissue physiology. The results demonstrate the two methods provide different yet complementary data.