Background: Dandy–Walker syndrome (DWS) is a well-known developmental anomaly. An occipital meningocele (OMC) is recognized as a malformation that is relatively often associated with DWS, but the association of DWS with OMC has been reported in approximately 40 cases. We present herein a rare clinical course of DWS with OMC, in which the sac was small at birth and became progressively larger. Case Description: A 5-day-old baby boy was referred to our hospital due to OMC. He was born at 33 gestational weeks due to premature rupture of the membranes. He was diagnosed as having DWS associated with OMC. The OMC was covered with skin and its maximum diameter at birth was 3 cm. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an occipital bone defect and continuity of the fourth ventricle, posterior fossa cyst, and OMC sac. The aqueduct was patent, and no hydrocephalus was found. The OMC sac increased progressively with moderate hydrocephalus and reached 7 cm at the age of 54 days when his weight was 2508 g. A cystoperitoneal shunt and repair were performed after sinus venography by contrast computed tomography (CT). At the age of 1 year and 8 months, he had moderate developmental disabilities. Conclusion: In most cases reported, the OMC was relatively small, and large and giant sizes were reported in only six cases. Almost all cases remained the same size as at birth and underwent surgical intervention as early as possible. It was possible to understand the relationship between the occipital bone defect and abnormal running of sinuses such as the superior sagittal sinus, torcular Herophili, and transverse sinus preoperatively from the CT venography (CTV) image. CTV may be an effective and important method for safely performing repair and shunt.


Life processes in single cells and at the molecular level are inherently stochastic. Quantifying the noise is, however, far from trivial, as a major contribution comes from intrinsic fluctuations, arising from the randomness in the times between discrete jumps. It is shown in this paper how a noise-filtering setup with an operator theoretic interpretation can be relevant for analyzing the intrinsic stochasticity in jump processes described by master equations. Such interpretation naturally exists in linear noise approximations, but it also provides an exact description of the jump process when the transition rates are linear. As an important example, it is shown in this paper how, by addressing the proximity of the underlying dynamics in an appropriate topology, a sequence of coupled birth-death processes, which can be relevant in gene expression, tends to a pure delay; this implies important limitations in noise suppression capabilities. Despite the exactness, in a linear regime, of the analysis of noise in conjunction with the network dynamics, we emphasize in this paper the importance of also analyzing dynamic behavior when transition rates are highly nonlinear; otherwise, steady-state solutions can be misinterpreted. The examples are taken from systems with macroscopic models leading to bistability. It is discussed that bistability in the deterministic mass action kinetics and bimodality in the steady-state solution of the master equation neither always imply one another nor do they necessarily lead to efficient switching behaviours: the underlying dynamics need to be taken into account. Finally, we explore some of these issues in relation to a model of the lac operation.


We introduce a new concept in miniature two-phase cooling with ammonia and other refrigerants. Despite its high heat removal rate density, two-phase cooling has not been attempted for miniature electronic cooling because of the high pressure needed to compress the vapor phase into liquid. We suggest in this short expository that Maxwell pressure generated by an intense DC or AC field across a solid nanoporous monolith can overcome this challenge. The fundamental mechanisms for such miniature pressure source are reviewed and the fabrication challenges discussed.Copyright © 2009 by ASME


The North Anatolian Fault (NAF) has a history of large quasi-periodic large earthquake clusters. This study investigates the phenomenon with a model consisting of three strong velocity-weakening (VW) asperities separated by velocity-strengthening VS barriers in a 2.5D model governed by rate-and-state friction. The results show that the after-slips at the VS barrier control the stress interaction and synchronization; hence, the barrier strength and size are the most important parameters. The static stress transfer can lead to immature ruptures that arrest within the VW asperity, adding complexity to failure times. The asperity size appears insignificant, challenging previous theories linking barrier efficiency to the asperity-barrier size ratios. Such discrepancy suggests that slip type, e.g., slip-pulse or crack-growth, influences the long-term failure time distribution. Even though the state evolution (aging and slip laws) for frictional strength within the RSF framework differ significantly in co-seismic ruptures, they resemble each other for after-slip propagation, highlighting the importance of after-slip propagation and adding robustness to our conclusions. The results from various simulation scenarios suggest that the after-slip extents and duration with the peak slip rates and rupture speeds are the indicators for the synchronization and the predictability of large earthquakes. Despite the simplicity of the governed model, the results can mimic the synchrony of large earthquakes along the NAF, which are disrupted by aseismic creep and complex fault geometries such as releasing bend (e.g., Cinarcik segment), step-overs (e.g., Niksar) and slip partitioning (Duzce-Bolu segments) acting as barriers.


Abstract Objective: Surveillance of healthcare-associated infections is often performed by manual chart review. Semiautomated surveillance may substantially reduce workload and subjective data interpretation. We assessed the validity of a previously published algorithm for semiautomated surveillance of deep surgical site infections (SSIs) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Dutch hospitals. In addition, we explored the ability of a hospital to automatically select the patients under surveillance. Design: Multicenter retrospective cohort study. Methods: Hospitals identified patients who underwent THA or TKA either by procedure codes or by conventional surveillance. For these patients, routine care data regarding microbiology results, antibiotics, (re)admissions, and surgeries within 120 days following THA or TKA were extracted from electronic health records. Patient selection was compared with conventional surveillance and patients were retrospectively classified as low or high probability of having developed deep SSI by the algorithm. Sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and workload reduction were calculated and compared to conventional surveillance. Results: Of 9,554 extracted THA and TKA surgeries, 1,175 (12.3%) were revisions, and 8,378 primary surgeries remained for algorithm validation (95 deep SSIs, 1.1%). Sensitivity ranged from 93.6% to 100% and PPV ranged from 55.8% to 72.2%. Workload was reduced by ≥98%. Also, 2 SSIs (2.1%) missed by the algorithm were explained by flaws in data selection. Conclusions: This algorithm reliably detects patients with a high probability of having developed deep SSI after THA or TKA in Dutch hospitals. Our results provide essential information for successful implementation of semiautomated surveillance for deep SSIs after THA or TKA.


Music is a cultural phenomenon and a human need, which has existed throughout time and in every culture. Modern times offer a broad palette of music, which is outgrowing this oversaturated environment of sound, therefore it is important to be able to critically choose the appropriate type of music for a variety of particular needs and situations. During primary education, emphasis is placed on the objectives of developing aesthetic sensitivity towards artistic values and the ecology of the environment of sound and how to actively and selectively listen to music content. It is important that the teacher includes quality music of different periods, styles and genres in general music education. Within this context, the focus of our thesis is on contemporary music, which is defined as music of the present and helps realise the currents of contemporary art. The primary purpose of our master's thesis was to investigate to what extent do primary school teachers include contemporary music in teaching music education and what their attitude as well as the attitude of their students is towards the integration of contemporary music in the teaching of music education. To this end, we asked the following research questions: how teachers assess the importance of modern music, and how often they engage in teaching it; do teachers' attitudes to the integration of contemporary music in the teaching of music education differ according to gender, age, seniority, length of employment, level of education, type of education, extended music education and the use of certain types of didactic materials, and what opinions do students hold regarding the integration of contemporary music in the teaching of music education.

The research was carried out by means of a quantitative research approach, using a descriptive and causal non-experimental method. The sample included 123 teachers of music education from different primary schools and 10 students, who as part of their extracurricular activities sing in the Bežigrad primary school choir. Data on teachers was collected via an authorial questionnaire, while data on students was collected by means of a non-standardized interview.

The obtained results have given us an insight into the attitudes teachers and students have towards contemporary music, as well as into the factors related to the latter's inclusion in the teaching of music education. Results of the research showed that respondents generally have a positive attitude towards contemporary music and that they incorporate it in teaching to a large degree. Their views on contemporary music do not generally differ depending on the variables that we exposed (gender, age, seniority, length of employment, level of education, type of education, extended music education and the use of certain types of didactic materials). Students' attitudes to the integration of contemporary music in the teaching of music education as well as teachers' attitudes are generally positive. Students seem to find contemporary music interesting, yet different. They mainly listen to contemporary music at school, a practice encouraged by the teachers, while very few students listen to it at home. Most are willing to encourage others to listen to contemporary music.

To summarize the research, it can be concluded that the persons included in this research possess a positive attitude towards contemporary music. Therefore, it would be a logical next step to explore how to bring contemporary music closer to those who have a negative attitude towards it and are more sceptical in incorporating contemporary music in the educational process. It would be sensible to test the skills of pedagogues working in the field of contemporary music and in the event of discovering the existence of poor professional competence find solutions to boost progress in this field.


The purpose of this paper was to provide an example from phenomenological research of moving from rich descriptive interview data to coherent revelatory descriptions employing empathic bridges within the narrative structure of storytelling. We used transcribed data from two interviews concerning recovery from severe mental illness: one with an American woman in her early thirties, and the other with a Swedish man in his mid-thirties. Five investigators analyzed the transcribed data into individual first-person narrative descriptions according to existing empirical phenomenological methods including an independent reading, identification of themes relevant to processes of recovery from severe mental illness, temporal ordering of themes meaningfully reflecting the sequence of the recounted events, and consensus development. Our findings support the use of empathic bridges as a methodological tool with the narrative structure of firstperson storytelling, as well as the viability and importance of employing this tool to better understand processes of recovery for persons with severe mental illness.


Background. Histiocytosis is a heterogeneous group of rare diseases of unknown etiology. Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of histiocytes (activated dendric cells and macrophages). LCH is the most common form of histiocytosis, it is a potentially fatal diseases. Early detection of LCH plays an important role in its prognosis and outcome. However, the role of advanced methods of nuclear medicine in diagnosis of LCH is still to be researched. We have long-term experience in observing pediatric patients with LCH. Taking into the account the difficulty of diagnostic task for bone scintigraphy in identifying lytic bone destruction, we stated the following objective of the study. Objective. Our aim was to perform retrospective analysis of bone scintigraphy examinations of treatment-naive pediatric patients with LCH and calculate the diagnostic efficacy of bone scintigraphy. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 55 examinations of treatment-naive pediatric patients (the median age was 5.9 years) with proven case of LCH (2014–2018). Results. During examination we visualized 82 lesions with pathological level of accumulation of radiopharmaceutical in 55 patients. 78 with high level of accumulation (>120%); 3 with slightly increased level of accumulation (100–120%) and 1 with lower than normal level of accumulation (<100%). The median level of accumulation of radiopharmaceutical was 276%: max. level of accumulation was 1422% (patient with subtotal involvement of femoral bone), min. — 60% (patient with lytic destruction in orbital bone). During X-Ray we found out 91 pathological focuses of bone lytic destruction. In 3 patients with polyostotic form we found extra focuses on scintigraphy, which were confirmed with following examination and X-Ray. 8 lesions were not found on scintigraphy in 8 patients. Сonclusion. Bone scintigraphy with 99mTc-MDP in treatment-naive pediatric patients with proven case of LCH showed sensitivity — 91.0%, specificity — 50.0%, NPV — 11.1%, and PPV — 98.8%.


Recently, in accordance with the buildings are rapidly becoming to high-stories, large-sizes, and since the case that noise of equipment machinery, tool itself infringes the life environment is on increasing, this is becoming to the object of civil appeal. Accordingly, in order to set up a countermeasure against such equipment machinery noise, even a systemic evaluating method is required, up to now while the appraisal that considering on the physical characteristic only had been done, but the characteristic about subjective valuation was not reflected as yet. Therefore, in this research, through the 1st, 2nd Psycho-Acoustics Experiments, the 30 vocabularies were extracted for evaluation of the construction equipment noise. As the result of Element Analysis, the 3 Elements were extracted from these vocabularies, and it could be understood that these Elements have been trustfully selected. It is now considering that the extracted vocabularies as per the above result would be used to Psycho-Acoustic Evaluation on Equipment Noise, and Psycho-Acoustics Experiment.


Surrounding and mixing of solid waste by low-permeable expansive clay very effectively retards dissolution and migration of toxic elements due to very slow wetting and diffusive ion transport, and very low permeability of the clay. Drifts and rooms of abandoned mines that are filled with hazardous waste surrounded and mixed with smectite clay will not give off toxic elements in many tens or hundreds of thousands of years to the groundwater and by selecting suitable clay types and application techniques it is possible to isolate such waste at a reasonable cost. 1 Clay as isolating medium 1.1 General Clays have a low permeability and sorb cationic elements and some of them are also expansive and can fill up the space in which they are placed, like drifts and rooms in an abandoned mine. They are therefore ideal for embedding or surrounding solid waste. The smectite family, particularly montmorillonite, has the lowest hydraulic conductivity and the highest expandability of all clay types and should be considered for such purposes. The most suitable form of the clay for isolation of solid waste is dried and ground powder obtained by drying, crushing and sieving natural clay of required quality. Bentonite, being smectitic clay formed from volcanish ash in nature, is commercially available in any desired form from many mineral companies. The dry material can be compacted to form blocks in which solid waste objects can be embedded, or applied layerwise by sandwiching clay and waste layers that are compacted on site by ordinary constructors' techniques. Using drifts and rooms in deeply located abandoned mines the clay takes up water from the rock and eventually gets fully water saturated. The time for reaching this stage can be many decades or


SUMMARY The trunk plays an obvious and important role in the prey capture behavior of many species of snake, yet trunk function during predatory strikes is poorly understood. Axial kinematics of three thamnophiine snakes (Thamnophis couchii, Thamnophis elegans and Nerodia rhombifer) were studied to quantify differences between sideways-directed and forward-directed attacks and to investigate strike diversity at relatively low phylogenetic levels. Feeding strikes were filmed at 60 Hz, and 13 points along the head and body were digitized. These points were used to calculate body segment displacement, rotation and velocity during predatory strikes. Kinematic analysis revealed significant differences in the foraging modes of these aquatic-feeding species. T. couchii displayed a stereotypical pre-strike posture in which the entire body was arranged in a series of loops directed towards the prey. Forward displacement of body segments sometimes occurred over the entire body in T. couchii but was restricted to the anterior one-third of the trunk in T. elegans and N. rhombifer. T. couchii and N. rhombifer both struck rapidly compared with T. elegans, although N. rhombifer typically had a short strike distance. N. rhombifer struck significantly faster than T. elegans. Aquatic prey capture diversity appears to reflect ecological diversity in thamnophiine snakes.


Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) is frequent but usually benign in childhood Between 40% and 60% of adolescents have circulating anti-HSV1 antibodies by the age of 16 years. However, HSV1 infection is occasionally associated with encephalitis (fever, seizures, frequently altered consciousness, elevated CSF protein levels and lymphocyte counts, and EEG and MRI abnormalities). The etiologic diagnosis is based on lumbar puncture and detection of the viral genome or specific antibodies in CSF. Despite antiviral treatment with acyclovir, there is a high risk of sequelae such as epilepsy and severe mental retardation. The response to microbial pathogens is largely influenced by the host's genetic background (factors of resistance and predisposition), including Mendelian monogenic determinants. During the period 1985-2004, we conducted a molecular study based on a candidate gene strategy in 85 children with HSV1 encephalitis. The children belonging to 51 families, of which 7 were consanguineous. Five different mutations have so far been identified in 8 of these families, affecting genes encoding either Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) or a protein involved in intracellular signal transduction from this receptor to the interferon "a gene promoter", preventing the synthesis of this key molecule in the anti-HSV1 immune response.


The present study explored the relationship among Islamic dress, religious values and altruistic behavior. For the study, a total of 120 individuals (60 males and 60 females) were taken by purposive and convenient sampling method. The age of the participants was ranged from 18 to 26 years. To measure altruistic behavior, a pile of loose papers, some books, eraser, etc. and to measure the religious values of the participants, the Allport-Vernon-Lidzey Value Scale were applied on participants selected from different categories. Results showed that dress is significantly correlated with religious values and altruistic behavior. Significant differences have been found in both religious values and altruistic behavior between the participants wearing secular dress and Islamic dress and between male and female respondents. Significant interaction effect also has been found between dress and gender. Result revealed that the participants wearing Islamic dress have more religious values (M =37.31, SD = 6.89) and they show greater altruistic behavior (M = 5.48, SD =1.64) than those wear Secular dress (M =34.41, SD = 6.64 and M = 4.15, SD = 1.54) respectively. In terms of gender difference, it has been found that boys reported significantly less religious values (t = -2.14, p < .01) and greater altruistic behavior (t = 4.59, p <0.05) in comparison to girls.


Journalist, Magistrate, and Conscrvative Central Office Research Worker, Michael Wolff has been out and about visiting penal establishments. Apart from gathering material for occasional newspaper articles, he had in mind something altogether more ambitious. &dquo; Lunacy &dquo;, he argues, &dquo; has given way to mental illness ', mainly because the facts about mental disturbances were put before the the public and the public have digested them and accepted the change in the status of the mental patient &dquo;. By writing his book Prison he believes that he has


In this white paper, we lay out a US roadmap for high-redshift 21 cm cosmology (30 < z < 6) in the 2020s. Beginning with the currently-funded HERA and MWA Phase II projects and advancing through the decade with a coordinated program of small-scale instrumentation, software, and analysis projects targeting technology development, this roadmap incorporates our current best understanding of the systematics confronting 21 cm cosmology into a plan for overcoming them, enabling next-generation, mid-scale 21 cm arrays to be proposed late in the decade. Submitted for consideration by the Astro2020 Decadal Survey Program Panel for Radio, Millimeter, and Submillimeter Observations from the Ground as a Medium-Sized Project.


This chapter examines the history of music teacher education in the United States from its humble beginnings in the 19th century through the varied preservice and advanced programs offered today. The chapter describes the evolution of the field over the past 200 years and speculates on the future of the profession through a historical lens. Most music teachers of the 18th and early 19th centuries received little formal preparation in either music or pedagogy and earned most of their living in a trade. Around 1830, music teacher education began on an institutional basis in singing conventions, teacher institutes, and private academies. State normal schools and some conservatories extended this work in the mid-19th century by offering instruction in pedagogy and "public school music." Colleges and universities followed suit around 1900 and, two decades later, began awarding undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education. These programs expanded a great deal through World War II and continued to develop in response to changing needs, values, and priorities of society. Today, initial preparation is highly accessible through public and private colleges and universities throughout the country. The same is true of graduate-level instruction, which will likely become more prevalent as institutions continue to develop fully online master's and doctoral programs.


The relationship between enzyme activities and lipid composition of the arterial wall depending on enzyme-substrate-product interactions has been demonstrated and discussed in connection with the acyl-enzyme mechanism of both decomposition and synthesis of ester bonds.


Criegee intermediates are important species formed during the ozonolysis of alkenes. Reaction of stabilized Criegee intermediates with various species like SO2 and NO2 may contribute significantly to tropospheric chemistry. In the laboratory, self-reaction can be an important loss pathway for Criegee intermediates and thus needs to be characterized to obtain accurate bimolecular reaction rate coefficients. Cavity ring-down spectroscopy was used to perform kinetic measurements for various reactions of CH2OO at 293 K and under low pressure (7 to 30 Torr) conditions. For the reaction CH2OO + CH2OO (8), a rate coefficient k8 = (7.35 ± 0.63) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) was derived from the measured CH2OO decay rates, using an absorption cross section value reported previously. A rate coefficient of k4 = (3.80 ± 0.04) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) was obtained for the CH2OO + SO2 (4) reaction. An upper limit for the unimolecular CH2OO loss rate coefficient of 11.6 ± 8.0 s(-1) was deduced from studies of reaction (4). SO2 catalysed CH2OO isomerization or intersystem crossing is proposed to occur with a rate coefficient of (3.53 ± 0.32) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1).


The paper presents a detailed error analysis and classification of the behavior of an open-source router when affected by Single Event Upsets (SEUs). The experimental results have been gathered on a real communication network, resorting to an ad-hoc Fault Injection system. The injector has been designed to corrupt the router during its normal service and to analyze the SEU injection effects on the overall distributed system. The performed experiments allowed the authors to identify the most critical memory regions and to cluster the router variables according to their impact on system dependability.


Journal of Modern Science tom 4/31/2016 Abstract Footballers, next to the actors and singers belong to the social group which is most admired by others. Football is a sport discipline focused on economic success and a career, and also to provide entertainment. This rat race may lead to overtraining, dependence on physical activity, diagnosed depression, eating disorders, suicide attempts, and above all, the separation from family or it makes difficult to get married. This right is experiencing significant restrictions primarily through the transfer system. Mostly, the international transfers cause footballer's separation from the family, own culture, and prevent from building lasting marriages or partnerships. In particular, the minors players are protected, precisely because of the need to maintain their relationship with the family. However, the analysis of FIFA regulations and consequently, the regulation of Polish Football Association, shows a lack of appropriate provisions for adult players, which would protect their basic right to maintain family relationships or entering into relationships or the protection of marriage or partnership.


Type belian increasingly threatened by logging, followed by rejuvenation, while growth is known to be very slow. One to maintain the standing purchase is to cultivate these plants. Purchase seed coat is very hard, it should be given a variety of treatments. The purpose of this study was undertaken to determine the effect of several treatments that can overcome dormancy in seed purchase and finding the right treatment to break seed dormancy diamond. This research was conducted at the Laboratory of Silviculture Faculty of Forestry, University of Tanjungpura Pontianak, a study carried out for about 3 (three) months. This research method used is Randomized Block Design Acak (RAK), which consists of 5 treatments and 4 replications. The treatment consists of treatment research P0 (control), P1 (skin solving in seeds), P2 (soaking seeds with 70% H2SO4), P3 (soaking seeds with auxin), and P4 (soaking with GA) with each of treatment 3 subsampling. Mean while, as the length of the seed is made up of a group I = 8 cm - 8.9cm, group II = 9 cm - 9.9 cm, group III = 10.1 cm - 10, 8, and group IV = 11 cm - 12.8 cm. Friedman Test results of calculations obtained from treatment that do not significantly affect seed dormancy period on purchases. From the results of Friedman test value T = 8 is smaller than the = 9.49, it was decided to accept H₀. In the treatment P0 gives a good change (seeds still in good condition and had cracking), whereas the other treatments the seeds die.Keyword : Eusideroxylon zwageri T.et.B, Dormancy, H2SO4, Plant Growth Regulation


In this contribution, we provide a new derivation of the normalized least mean square (NLMS) algorithm from a machine learning perspective. By applying the inference rules of Bayesian networks to a linear observation model, the NLMS can be shown to arise as a modification of the Kalman filter equations. Based on a nonlinear observation model, we exemplify the benefit of the Bayesian point of view by employing the technique of particle filtering to realize a tractable algorithm for nonlinear acoustic echo cancellation. Experiments carried out on real smartphone recordings reveal the remarkable performance of the new approach.


The beam steering mechanism has been a key element for various applications ranging from sensing and imaging to solar tracking systems. However, conventional beam steering systems are bulky and complex and present significant challenges for scaling up. This work introduces the use of soft deployable reflectors combining a soft deployable structure with simple kirigami/origami reflective films. This structure can be used as a macroscale beam steering mechanism that is both simple and compact. This work first develops a soft deployable structure that is easily scalable by patterning of soft linear actuators. This soft deployable structure is capable of increasing its height several folds by expanding in a continuous and controllable manner, which can be used as a frame to deform the linearly stretchable kirigami/origami structures integrated into the structure. Experiments on the reflective capability of the reflectors are conducted and show a good fit to the modeling results. The proposed principles for deployment and for beam steering can be used to realize novel active beam steering devices, highlighting the use of soft robotic principles to produce scalable morphing structures.


Josephson tunnelling between YBa2Cu3O7-? and Pb with the current flowing along the c-axis of the YBa2Cu3O7-? is presumed to arise from an s-wave component of the superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7-?. Experiments on multi-twin samples are not entirely consistent with this hypothesis. The sign changes of the s-wave order parameter across the NT twin boundaries should give cancellations, resulting in a small ((NT)1/2) tunnelling current. The actual current is larger than this. We present a theory of this unexpectedly large current based upon a surface effect: disorder-induced suppression of the d-wave component at the (001) surface leads to s-wave coherence across the twin boundaries and a non-random tunnelling current. We solve the case of an ordered array of d + s and d-s twins, and estimate that the twin size at which s-wave surface coherence occurs is consistent with typical sizes observed in experiments. In this picture, there is a phase difference of ?/2 between different surfaces of the material. We propose a corner-junction experiment to test this picture.


The distribution of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and core antigen (HBcAg) in surgically removed liver cell carcinomas of 60 Japanese patients was studied by an immunohistochemical method. HBsAg was localized in the cytoplasm, and HBcAg was mainly in the nuclei of normal-appearing liver cells, dysplastic liver cells, and tumor cells. In some instances both HBsAg and HBcAg were contained in the tumor cells and liver cells. HBsAg was found in the nontumorous liver tissue of 30 patients (50%); nine of the HBsAg-containing nontumorous livers also contained HBcAg. HBsAg and/or HBcAg was detected in tumor cells in 7 (23%) of 30 cases with HBsAg-positive liver diseases.


FAIR will feature two superconducting fast ramped synchrotrons. The dipole magnets for one of them, SIS 100, have been designed and full size magnets were built. The properties of the magnetic field were analysed using OPERA (for DC operation) and ANSYS for dynamic calculations. Elliptic multipoles fulfilling the Laplace Equation in plane elliptic coordinates describe the field within the whole aperture consistently within a single expansion. Further circular multipoles, valid within the ellipse, can be calculated analytically from the elliptic multipoles. The advantage of this data representation is illustrated on the FEM calculation performed for SIS 100 dipoles and quadrupoles currently foreseen for the machine.


Coconut is an economically important palm species with a long history of human use. It has applications in various food, nutraceuticals, and cosmetic products, and there has been renewed interest in coconut in recent years due to its unique nutritional and medicinal properties. Unfortunately, the sustainable growth of the coconut industry has been hampered due to a shortage of good quality seedlings. Genetic improvement through the traditional breeding approach faced considerable obstacles due to its perennial nature, protracted juvenile period, and high heterozygosity. Molecular biotechnological tools, including molecular markers and next-generation sequencing (NGS), could expedite genetic improvement efforts in coconut. Researchers have employed various molecular markers to reveal genetic diversity among coconut populations and for the construction of a genetic map for exploitation in coconut breeding programs worldwide. Whole genome sequencing and transcriptomics on the different varieties have generated a massive amount of publicly accessible sequence data, substantially improving the ability to analyze and understand molecular mechanisms affecting crop performance. The production of high-yielding and disease-resilient coconuts and the deciphering of the complex coconut genome's structure can profit tremendously from these technologies. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the progress of coconut research, using genomics, transcriptomics, and molecular markers initiatives.


This paper discusses the testing accomplished to determine the radio frequency (RF) susceptibility of a typical electroencephalograph (EEG) and to determine the effectiveness of lead X-ray shielding as an RF shield. New data are presented on threshold field strengths and frequencies which just begin to cause interference on a typical EEG brain scan. Results are combined with data from other studies to show that a typical EEG machine would be immune to the RF environment expected in the vicinity of most hospitals. Therefore, expensive RF shielding in a hospital EEG suite is usually not required. Finally, an inexpensive shielding system utilizing X-ray shielding which was developed by the U.S. Veterans Administration is presented.


This appendix to The Lexicon Has Become a Fortress: The United States Supreme Court's Use of Dictionaries lists all terms defined by the United States Supreme Court through the 1997-98 Term. The Article itself, available as a separate download, examines the use of dictionaries by the United States Supreme Court. Beginning with a short history of dictionaries and their use, the Article reviews the Supreme Court Justices' use of dictionaries in their opinions throughout the history of the Court. The Article is critical of the Justices' lack of consistency in their use of dictionaries, and it discusses problems with the use of general purpose dictionaries in legal opinions. In conclusion, the Article makes several suggestions regarding how dictionaries still may be used as an important aid in legal analysis. Other appendices to this Article are available as separate downloads. The appendices list (1) every term ever defined by a dictionary in a Supreme Court opinion; (2) every case where a Supreme Court Justice has used a dictionary in an opinion; and (3) every dictionary used by a Supreme Court Justice. An update to this appendix, also available for download, is Samuel Thumma and Jeffrey L. Kirchmeier, The Lexicon Remains a Fortress: An Update, 5 The Green Bag 51 (2001).


Graviton production due to collapsing extra dimensions is studied. The momenta lying in the extra dimensions are taken into account. A D-dimensional background is matched to an effectively four-dimensional standard radiation-dominated universe. Using observational constraints on the present gravitational wave spectrum, a bound on the maximal temperature at the beginning of the radiation era is derived. This expression depends on the number of extra dimensions, as well as on the D-dimensional Planck mass. Furthermore, it is found that the extra dimensions have to be large.


A nonaqueous micellar electrokinetic chromatography method was developed for determination of Tonalide®, Galaxolide®, and Traseolide® polycyclic musks (PCMs). These compounds are widely used as fragrance ingredients in cosmetics. The method was optimized by using a three variable Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology. A modified chromatographic response function was defined in order to adequately weigh the terms in the response function. After optimization of experimental conditions, an electrolyte solution of 195 mM SDS and 40 mM NaH(2) PO(4) in formamide was selected for the separation of the three PCMs, and the applied voltage was fixed at 30 kV. The nonaqueous MEKC method was then checked in terms of linearity, limits of detection and quantification, repeatability, intermediate precision and accuracy, providing appropriate values (i.e. RSD values for precision never exceeding 7%, and accuracy 96-107%). Nonaqueous MEKC for determination of the selected compounds was successfully applied to the analysis of commercial perfume samples.


Background: LncRNA PCAT29 has been reported to play a role in the development of cancer; the role of FLOT1 in renal carcinoma has been also identified. This study aimed at exploring the interaction between them and their influence on the progression of renal carcinoma. Methods: The expression levels of lncRNA PCAT29 and the FLOT1 protein in tissues were determined separately using qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The endogenous expression of genes was modulated by recombinant plasmid and cell transfection. The cell viability, invasion, and migration were detected by MTT assay, transwell assay, and wound-healing cell migration assay, respectively. Any binding and interactions between the RNA and the proteins were determined with RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays. A nude mouse model for renal carcinoma was established for the in vivo expression of PCAT29. Results: In renal carcinoma tissues, the expression of lncRNA PCAT29 was down-regulated while that of FLOT1 was up-regulated. PCAT29 negatively regulated FLOT1, and the overexpression of PCAT29 inhibited the cell proliferation viability, invasion, and migration of renal carcinoma by down-regulating FLOT1. The in vivo expression of PCAT29 inhibited tumor growth in a mouse model of renal carcinoma. Conclusion: LncRNA PCAT29 inhibited the cell proliferation viability, invasion, and migration in renal carcinoma by down-regulating FLOT1, thereby suppressing tumor growth.


An asymptomatic 35-year-old renal transplant recipient was noted to have deranged liver function tests. Liver biopsy revealed a portal inflammatory process with mild lobular activity and portal fibrous expansion, consistent with a virally mediated process. An extensive viral screen confirmed infection with Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3). There is increased awareness about locally acquired Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the transplant population in the UK. The important implications of this infection are becoming more apparent as progression to liver cirrhosis can occur. However, the incidence, natural history, and treatment of HEV infection in the transplant population are not well established. This report illustrates a case of delayed spontaneous clearance of the HEV infection.


Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are an important topic in geographical information science as DEMs are commonly used in GIS analysis applications related to physical environment. There are various techniques used for modelling the elevation surface and in this study the focus is on interpolation methods based on geostatistical techniques. This study is further research extended from previous work in which the kriging method was applied in elevation modelling. In the previous research, it was shown that kriging is a suitable tool for constructing an elevation model in a study area which presented glacial and postglacial clays. Therefore, it was rather simple to build a DEM in that area by using the ordinary kriging method for interpolation. However, in many locations in Finland, it is not simple to build a DEM. The complex structure of the land formation may result in a complicated structure. Quaternary deposits consist of elongated moraine ridges that affect the geomorphology and, so, the elevation model. In Finland, the elevation model of moraine ridge areas is important because sources of fresh water are situated in these kinds of land formations. Mapping of the groundwater areas is necessary because of the EU directives. The aim of this research is to present a comparison of two kriging approaches in building elevation models. In the first one, elevation model is built by using the same variogram model in the whole study area. The second kriging approach uses geological expert knowledge in order to divide the study area into three sub-areas, a clay-dominated area in the west and east and a moraine ridge in the centre. It was shown that expert knowledge of Quaternary deposits can be applied in digital elevation modelling in order to produce a higher-quality result.


This was a keynote address for the National Mediation Conference, Australia, 12 September 2016.
We live in a fragmented age of conflict resolution. Advice on mediation techniques and models abounds. Different disciplines offer windows on the subject, drawing from diverse theories, systems, literature, models, jargon, processes and practices. Their bodies of published work explain strategy, structure and skills from a variety of perspectives; they promise efficiency, effectiveness or success.
What they do not provide is insight into the essential roles that beauty and nature—aesthetic elements— play in mediation.
Overlooked through lenses that accent utility and orderliness, beauty and natural metaphors introduce a range of sensual, embodied ways that our human thirst for belonging and for feeling moved is implicated in mediation. When these ideas are introduced to the corpus of work on mediation, mediation becomes more vivid and compelling. Possibilities appear that were unavailable via more analytic ways of imagining mediation processes; opportunities to move beyond fragmentation and towards congruence emerge.
In this presentation we will explore how integrating vital understandings of beauty and natural metaphors into mediation can change our experiences of conflict resolution processes, the people in them and the outcomes themselves, yielding changes that encourage congruence in how we define, practice and regulate the mediation field.
We will tap into a significant 21st century vein of scientific, philosophical and aesthetic work that underlines ways we are all interconnected, portraying humans as porous beings with the ability for agency and mutual, multidirectional influence. What we previously believed as real—Cartesian duality of mind and body and separateness between individuals and objects — is a fast-fading myth. This significant shift in thinking has profound implications for our approach to mediation. It connects via astonishing parallels to much older ways of knowing, such as the process of alchemy.


A common purpose of type wells is to predict the production profiles of multi-fracture horizontal wells (MFHW) in a selected geologically similar area (GSA) in a resource play. This paper presents a unique workflow that leads to type well production forecasts as analytically scaled rate-time profiles for an identified range of reservoir and completion properties.
 The workflow uses production data from all MFHW's in a GSA to build more representative type wells. First, we sort and bin the wells, accounting for observed flow regimes (transient and boundary-dominated flow). We then extract physical properties from the data using curve-matching techniques. Using these properties, we can forecast the production profile of any well already in BDF. For wells still in the transient flow regime and for undrilled wells, we probabilistically forecast performance using distributions of observed properties (such as permeability and fracture length) from existing wells in BDF and Monte Carlo simulation.
 We demonstrate that the analytical scaling factors resulting from type-curve matching can be used to construct a probability distribution of production forecasts from type wells. We can scale the type well production profiles to a given set of reservoir and completion properties, including observed average sets of properties from well analyzed or based on altered completion designs. We illustrate the workflow with a data set of 126 MFHW gas wells in the Denton County, Texas, Barnett shale. Using information extracted from this data set, we forecasted production for undrilled wells and validated the forecasts using a sequential accumulation plot with information from10 analog wells.
 Type wells are important tools for decision makers and engineers to determine economic feasibility of proposed development projects and estimate reserves. As opposed to purely empirical methods used for type well construction, our analytically-based workflow provides an integrated GSA characterization, reliable production forecasts and better tools for decision making with reduced uncertainty.


Due to the lack of firm evidence from which a precise historical narrative for the Late New Kingdom Period may be satisfactorily reconstructed many events within this period continue to attract some degree of controversy in modern scholarly discussion, not least of these the matter of the succession of the senior Theban officials, Piankh and Herihor, each of whom held office as the first servant of Amun under the last of the Ramesside rulers, Ramesses XI. In recent years proposals have veered from the more usual argument as to whether Piankh followed Herihor or vice-versa, and a further possibility has been suggested: that the role of first servant of Amun was held by Piankh during the period of Herihor's kingship. However, it seems that, in making such claims, there has been a tendency to either dismiss or undervalue the nature of the extant evidence relating to the protagonists in question This short study will therefore offer some alternative interpretation of the pertinent material.


A 20 years old man presented with 4 year history of painless swelling of the left testis. He ignored this swelling until he started having pain in the abdomen. Ultrasonography revealed testicular malignancy with multiple para-aortic lymph nodes enlargements in the abdomen. His X-ray chest showed pulmonary metastasis. One tumor marker was raised. Histology revealed mixed germ cell tumour with a rare combination of seminoma and embryonal carcinoma. Because of this rare combination of 2 varieties of testicular germ cell tumor and extensive systemic metastasis we presented this case. We discussed the epidemiology, incidence, classification, staging, treatment and prognosis of testicular cancer. Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 6, No. 1: January 2015, Pages 50-54


Purpose To present trans-arterial venous sinus occlusion technique for dural arteriovenous fistulas of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Materials and Methods Nine cases of dural arteriovenous sinus fistula of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses were treated with trans-arterial closure of the arterial supply and the venous sinus using ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (ONYX). Five patients were male and four were female. Age range was30–73. Patients presented with stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, seizure, headache or memory changes. Six patients had patent sinuses and three patients had fistulas involving isolated sinus segments which were Cognard IIa + b and Cognard IIb respectively. Criteria for selection for this treatment included complex multi-hole fistulas involving a broad surface of the sinus. External carotid artery branches could be directly embolised when considered safe. High risk arterial supply from ICA parenchymal vessels of the brain or ECA cranial nerve were embolised via retrograde collaterals. The affected venous sinus was a non-dominant or co-dominant sinus. Vein of Labbe had to be spared. Results ONYX embolisation DAVF closure was accomplished in all nine patients with a total of 15 embolisation procedures. No cranial nerve neuropathies or strokes occurred related to arterial embolisation. No patients incurred strokes related to the venous sinus embolisation. DAVF closure was found to be durable at three months in eight patients with one patient pending follow up. Conclusion Trans-arterial closure of transverse and sigmoid sinus provides an alternative to venous sinus coil occlusion, surgical skeletonization or radiosurgery. High risk arterial collaterals can be closed via artery-artery or artery-sinus-artery embolisation. In this small cohort, closure of dural AV fistulas was durable at three months with low complication rates. Disclosures J. Rabinov: None. A. Yoo: None. T. Leslie-Mazwi: None. C. Ogilvy: None. J. Hirsch: None.


Recent social psychology and consumer behavior research has suggested that an abundance of options in choice contexts can have detrimental effects on decision making—a phenomenon termed choice overload. This investigation sought to use behavior analytic procedures to examine the effects of numerous options on the toy preference of 3 preschoolers. Toy engagement was assessed under repeated free-operant arrangements in which participants accessed arrays of either 6 or 30 toys for 2 min. Results showed that relative to the 6-item array, preference for the most preferred item was diminished and preference for the 3 least preferred items were elevated with the 30-item array. Additionally, engagement with toys in the 30-item array tended to occur more frequently but for shorter durations, suggesting an overall decrease in the reinforcing value of each toy when presented in a larger array. A behavioral interpretation of choice overload is offered, as well as potential implications for research and practice.


Abstract A double-observer approach was used during colony surveys of large gulls to estimate nest detection probabilities and unbiased estimates of abundance. Several models were developed that incorporate different assumptions about the sources of variation in detection probabilities (observer, colony, vegetation height). Nine colonies were surveyed in which a total of 137 transects were conducted. Although the most likely model was a one with a constant nest detection probability, a constrained model with observer dependent nest detection probability had substantial support. Overall detection probability (probability that a nest was detected by at least one of the two observers) was 0.943 (SE ± 0.008). Detection probability for a single observer was lower (0.761, SE ± 0.016). These estimates indicate a relatively high underestimation of the population sizes of large gull species when not taking into account nest detectability.


Stronger demand has been put on forestry to show environmental considerations during harvesting. This is especially for crossings of brooks with sensitive elements and great care should be observed when they are to be crossed during harvesting by logging machines. For that reason Hultdins has constructed a portable bridge that can be used for those occasions. The bridge has been developed in accordance with wishes from SCA forest, since they have a great deal of brooks in their forests and in private forests from where they buy part of their wood supply.

The aim for this report is to investigate if this portable bridge can be of interest for the forestry market. The research has been made at SCA skog in Medelpad and Norrskog in Medelpad. A survey was been made among categories of working teams as production leaders, entrepreneurs of forest machines, wood buyers and supervisors for nature conservation. Their opinions vary but all had a positive attitude to the portable bridge.

The entrepreneurs told that they had on average built bridges to cross brooks one of five harvests in the past period. It took them on average 20 minutes to build a timber bridge. This can be compared with the portable bridge witch it takes 5-10 minutes to lay out.

The operational leader's answers indicated a possible interest (11%) to change winter posts to summer posts when using a portable bridge. How many SEK/m3fub it was possible to gain with such shift only three persons answered and thought they could gain 32 SEK/m3fub, since prices for wood is higher in summer time. All persons were positive towards this solution considering that planning would be easier and less damage would occur during operation.

Wood buyers answered that on advantage in 14 % of the cases it would a benefit to offer a portable bridge when buying wood. The buyer thinks the landowner would gain about six meter per cubic metre. Five of six buyers thought it was possible to buy more wood if one offers a portable bridge when buying wood. The buyers estimated the amount of wood used for building bridges could be 16 m3fub worth 2 700 SEK when buying wood.

Supervisors for environmental care gave only viewpoints concerning the consideration shown in relation to brooks. They thought that the responsibility was taken seriously and decent among the operators, and that there were no problems of combining nature conservation with production. How many SEK/m3fub one could earn with the portable bridge in terms of nature conservation, no one wanted to answer, since nature conservation cannot be measured in money. The also thought the use of a portable bridge will be used in the future considering increased careful harvesting must be done when there is no snow on the ground.

On average this study showed that a portable bridge from Hultdins can prevent harm on land and sensitive water systems. It also gives economic gains, considering both operational leaders and wood buyers viewpoint. With a possible long life span for this bridge, it should be profitable in a long term perspective.


Suspension-feeding bivalves are considered efficient toxin vectors with a relative insensitivity to toxicants compared to other aquatic organisms. This fact highlights the potential role of detoxification enzymes, such as glutathione transferases (GSTs), in this bivalve resistance. Nevertheless, the GST system has not been extensively described in these organisms. In the present study, cytosolic GSTs isoforms (cGST) were surveyed in three bivalves with different habitats and life strategies: Corbicula fluminea, Anodonta cygnea and Mytilus galloprovincialis. GSTs were purified by glutathione-agarose affinity chromatography, and the collection of expressed cGST classes of each bivalve were identified using a proteomic approach. All the purified extracts were also characterized kinetically. Results reveal variations in cGST subunits collection (diversity and properties) between the three tested bivalves. Using proteomics, four pi-class and two sigma-class GST subunits were identified in M. galloprovincialis. C. fluminea also yielded four pi-class and one sigma-class GST subunits. For A. cygnea, two mu-class and one pi-class GST subunits were identified, these being the first record of GSTs from these freshwater mussels. The affinity purified extracts also show differences regarding enzymatic behavior among species. The variations found in cGST collection and kinetics might justify diverse selective advantages for each bivalve organism.


In order to avoid the disadvantages inherent to the supramaximal electroshock method in studying the influence of drugs on the convulsive threshold, a new electroshock method was developed, in which the minimal electrical energy required to provoke a typical convulsive seizure is determined on the basis of impedance measurements of the brain. (Delaunois et al, 1962). According to this method, rectangular DC pulses, with 'a duration of 2 miIIisec. and a frequency of 125jsec., were applied for 0.5 sec. in unanesthetized rabbits with implanted electrodes. Application of these stimuli at an energy level of 0.2 W.sec. provokes in intact rabbits a typical convulsive seizure, characterized, after a latency period of 3.0 sec. ±0.9 sec., by the occurrence of a flexion of the fore and hindlegs, an extension of both fore and hindlegs accompanied by a more or less pronounced hyperextension of the trunk, of a duration of 16.4 sec. ± 3.5 sec., and finaJlya shorter lasting and less pronounced clonic phase. This method has been applied to the experimental study of pharmacological substances which are known to influence the level of brain amines. Control electroshocks were applied one week before administration of drugs. Thus a decrease of the levels of brain amines was obtained by means of reserpine, dimenthylaminobenzoyl methylreserpate (Su-5171) (Brodie et al 1960) oc-methyl.dihydroxyphenylalanine (Hess et al., 1961) and oc-methyl-m-tyrosine Brodie and Costa (1962). A selective increase of brain serotonin and a combined increase of brain serotonin and noradrenaline, on the other hand, were provoked by pretreatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan or ,B-phenylisopropyl-hydrazine (JB-516) and by pretreatment with ,B-phenylisopropyl-hydrazine (1B-516) or ,B-phenylisobutyl-hydrazine (1B-835) respectively (Brodie, et al., 1959). A selective increase in brain dopamine was obtained by means of a combined pretreatment with reserpine, iproniazid and I-dihydroxyphenylalanine (Carlsson, 1959). As shown in Table I reserpine provokes a marked decrease of electroshock convulsive threshold. Since reserpine lowers brain serotonin as wen as brain catecholamine levels, the question arises whether this decrease of electroshock threshold,


Abstract During our examination performed in the period from 2010 to 2012, we collected ticks from 52 flocks of sheep and 38 goat flocks. Ticks infestation occured in 15.97% (214/1340) of sheep and 16.93% (107/632) of goats. The result showed the presence of Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. bursa, Dermacentor marginatus, D. pictus, Haemaphysalis punctata and Ha. inermis. Additional to determination of tick species during the research, the sex ratio and the monthly influence of microclimate conditions (temperature, relative humidity and precipitation quantity) on the dynamics of populations of ticks were followed. Obtained results indicate the importance of the impact of climatic factors on the population dynamics of some species of ticks as well as the dynamics and abundance of different sexes within established species of ticks.


Does arts integration contribute to student success for disadvantaged student populations? The introduction to this article compares students' academic performance and arts education in countries outperforming the United States on the recent Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and makes the argument for using arts integration as a way to teach the Common Core standards and align instruction to the Universal Design for Learning principles. This evaluation of research helps to support the evidence base by examining the quality of studies published between 1995 and 2011 investigating the use of arts integration with disadvantaged student populations, including economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, and students with disabilities. Four hundred fifty-three studies were explored, resulting in the inclusion of forty-four studies in this analysis. Studies were categorized as the following: single art integration, multi-arts integration, effects of arts integration on students with disabilities, or effects of arts integration on school climate. Studies were evaluated for their research design, implementation, and effects, and results depicted positive effects and potentially positive effects. Policy implications and suggestions for future research using the author's proposed theoretical framework are also discussed.


A unified expression for the spectrum of turbulence is developed by asymptotically matching known expressions for small and large wave numbers, and a formula for the one-dimensional spectral function which depends on the turbulence Reynolds number Reλ is provided. In addition, formulas relating all the length scales of turbulence are provided. These relations also depend on Reynolds number.The effects of free-stream turbulence on laminar heat transfer and pre-transitional flow in gas turbines are re-examined in light of these new expressions using our recent thoughts on an 'effective' frequency of turbulence and an 'effective' turbulence level. The results of this are that the frequency most effective for laminar heat transfer is about 1.3U/Le, where U is the free-stream velocity and Le is the length scale of the eddies containing the most turbulent energy, and the most effective frequency for producing pre-transitional boundary layer fluctuations is about 0.3U/η where η is Kolmogorov's length scale. In addition, the role of turbulence Reynolds number on stagnation heat transfer and transition is discussed, and new expressions to account for its effect are provided.Copyright © 1997 by ASME


This paper presents the development of a miniature LWIR thermal camera, MSE070D, which targets value performance infrared imaging applications, where a 160x120 CMOS-based microbolometer FPA is utilized. MSE070D features a universal USB interface that can communicate with computers and some particular mobile devices in the market. In addition, it offers high flexibility and mobility with the help of its USB powered nature, eliminating the need for any external power source, thanks to its low-power requirement option. MSE070D provides thermal imaging with its 1.65 inch3 volume with the use of a vacuum packaged CMOS-based microbolometer type thermal sensor MS1670A-VP, achieving moderate performance with a very low production cost. MSE070D allows 30 fps thermal video imaging with the 160x120 FPA size while resulting in an NETD lower than 350 mK with f/1 optics. It is possible to obtain test electronics and software, miniature camera cores, complete Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and relevant documentation with MSE070D, as MikroSens want to help its customers to evaluate its products and to ensure quick time-to-market for systems manufacturers.


The therapeutic potential of CDK4/6 inhibitors for brain tumors has been limited by recurrence. To address recurrence, we tested a nanoparticle formulation of CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib (POx-Palbo) in mice genetically-engineered to develop SHH-driven medulloblastoma, alone or in combination with specific agents suggested by our analysis. Nanoparticle encapsulation reduced palbociclib toxicity, enabled parenteral administration, improved CNS pharmacokinetics, and extended mouse survival, but recurrence persisted. scRNA-seq identified up-regulation of glutamate transporter Slc1a2 and down-regulation of diverse ribosomal genes in proliferating medulloblastoma cells in POx-Palbo–treated mice, suggesting mTORC1 signaling suppression, subsequently confirmed by decreased 4EBP1 phosphorylation. Combining POx-Palbo with the mTORC1 inhibitor sapanisertib produced mutually enhancing effects and prolonged mouse survival compared to either agent alone, contrasting markedly with other tested drug combinations. Our data show the potential of nanoparticle formulation and scRNA-seq analysis of resistance to improve brain tumor treatment and identify POx-Palbo + Sapanisertib as effective combinatorial therapy for SHH medulloblastoma.


The velocity map imaging (VMI) technique developed recently for dissociative electron attachment (DEA) experiments is improvised further to study the formation of H− ions. The experiment is used to study DEA to water molecules at the 6.5 eV and 8.5 eV resonances. The kinetic energy and angular distribution of the H− ions arising from this resonance are compared with those in the existing experimental and theoretical data.


In this paper we consider controller design methods which can address directly the interplay between the and performance of the closed loop. The development is devoted to multi-input/multi-output (MIMO) systems. Two relevant mul- tiobjective performance problems are considered each being of interest in its own right. In the first, termed as the combination problem, a weighted sum of the norms and the square of the norms of a given set of input-output transfer functions constituting the closed loop is minimized. It is shown that, in the one-block case, the solution can be obtained via a finite- dimensional quadratic optimization problem which has an a priori known dimension. In the four-block case, a method of computing approximate solutions within any a priori given tolerance is provided. In the second, termed as the mixed problem, the performance of the closed loop is minimized subject to an constraint. It is shown that approximating solutions within any a priori given tolerance can be obtained via the solution to a related combination problem.


Introduction: at present it is indispensable to modify behaviors and structure the values in the new generations of Cubans through didactic instruments involve in the teaching-learning process, making it enjoyable, especially in the population of a community project, where there is a greater need of training. Objective: to design a leaflet that contains poems with implicit messages for the development of values in children belonging to the community project "El Patio de Ana la Cub-ANA". Method: a technological development study was carried out at Pinar del Rio University of Medical Sciences, during December 2017 to March 2018 in the population participating in the community project "El Patio de Ana la Cub-ANA", including an extension activity working with medical students. The target group was comprised of 1238 people from the project, and the sample included 326, chosen by a non-probabilistic, unintentional way. Development: the leaflet contains project reviews, as well as criteria expressed by its members and a set of poems as a central theme in order to transmit teachings and knowledge for future generations. The users expressed that it represented a didactic model that meets the educational needs of a group of people who are vulnerable to social influences in their community. Conclusions: a learning resource was created to facilitate the performance in the modification of behaviors in the community, which is very useful, and where the users expressed excellent evaluations regarding the project.


Micro-applications, especially in biomedical and optical sectors, require the fabrication of thin polymeric parts which can be commonly realized by micro-injection molding process. However, this process is characterized by a relevant constraint regarding the tooling. Indeed, the design and manufacturing of molds could be a very time-consuming step and so, a significant limitation for the rapid development of new products. Moreover, if the design displays challenging microfeatures, their realization could involve the use of more than one mold for the fabrication of a single thin part. Therefore, proper integration of different manufacturing microtechnologies may represent an advantageous method to realize such polymeric thin microfeatures. In this work, a micromanufacturing process chain including stereolithography, micromilling, and micro-injection molding is reported. The mold for the micro-injection molding process was fabricated by means of stereolithography and micromilling, which allowed us to produce low-cost reconfigurable modular mold, composed of insert support and a removable insert. The assessment of the proposed process chain was carried out by evaluating the dimensions and the surface finishing and texturing of the milled mold cavities and molded components. Finally, a brief economic analysis compares three process chains for fabricating the micromold showing that the proposed one reduces the manufacturing cost by almost 61% with the same production time.


© 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, London. Centrifuge modelling necessitates large scale factors due to space and payload limitations. Hence, replicating details of a prototype is difficult. This is particularly true for masonry buildings with highly nonlinear material properties and building features that affect the structural behaviour. This paper discusses powder based 3D printing to replicate masonry structures in centrifuge models. Four-point-bending tests determined the mechanical properties of the 3D printed material. Results reveal a variation in material properties with position and orientation of the 3D printed object in the print bed. After restricting the position of the model in the print bed, repeatable material properties with lower stiffness and higher strength than typical masonry were observed. However, building layout and window opening percentage could be adjusted to create building models with overall bending and axial stiffness typically obtained in the field. These improved 3D printed scale models were subsequently used in centrifuge tests exploring building response to tunnel subsidence. Results show that powder based 3D printed models provide a level of detail not previously simulated in the centrifuge, unlocking new information regarding this soil–structure interaction problem.


Plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were studied in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 57, mean age 70 years) and multi-infarct dementia (MID, n = 69, mean age 73 years) when the patients were admitted for assessment. Both total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol but not triglycerides were lower in MID than in AD even though there was a considerable overlap. Especially in younger patients and in patients living at home the difference was not statistically significant. Further, the plasma lipid values in neuropathologically confirmed cases with AD (n = 5) and MID (n = 16) were similar at admission. Low total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were related to cardio- and cerebrovascular disorders, living in institutions, and negatively correlated to age and severity of dementia. Our results suggest that determination of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is of minor value in the differential diagnosis between AD and MID and that associated diseases, such as coronary heart disease, cardiac failure and arterial hypertension, are more important in this respect.


Currently, various initiatives have been undertaken by several universities around the
world to ensure that their campus operates sustainably. Unfortunately, it seems that
the efforts are still divergent and not systematically applied within the universities.
Several models are available to be used as references for developing and
implementing sustainability within campus. However, for local universities in
particular, it is extremely important to understand the current situation whether there
is a dearth of adequate conditions for the establishment and compliance of all phases
of the models. As the issues of sustainability in Malaysia are still new, sustainability
in universities should be performed in rather small steps according to the needs and
situation of the university itself. Therefore, this study focuses on identifying the
relevant Sustainable Campus Operation (SCO) initiatives to be implemented at the
Malaysian public universities, and also determining the critical factors of governance
that influence the successful implementation of the SCO initiatives. The investigation
involves a quantitative approach using structured questionnaire survey, which was
designed based on the items obtained from websites of sustainable universities
around the world and also from literature review. The questionnaire survey forms
were distributed to sixty-eight selected respondents at the Development Office or
Sustainable Department of all local public universities. Based on the structural
relationship model, it was found that the factor's group of "Accountability to
improve performance of SCO (AccF)" has the highest impact and more significant in
implementing the thirteen relevant SCO initiatives as compared to the factor's group
of "Governance support to implement SCO (GovF)". The established SCO model is
the first that integrates all operations at the university, and highlights the importance
for considering the governance support and accountability in analyzing and making
decision of any potential initiatives towards campus sustainability. Hence, it can
assist those involved in the planning of campus infrastructure and development to
determine the most critical factors in implementing the SCO initiatives towards
sustainability in Malaysian public universities.


Abstract The present study sought to address the scheduling of the grid-connected hybrid energy resources under uncertainty of renewable sources, and load in the residential sector. After introducing hybrid resources, scheduling model was implemented through a power management algorithm in an attempt to optimize resource cost, emissions, and energy not supplied (ENS). The stated problem consists of two decision-making layers with different weight coefficients based on the prioritization of each objective function. The proposed algorithm is selected for energy optimal management based on technical constraints of the dispatchable and non-dispatchable resources, uncertainty parameters and day ahead real time pricing (RTP). Furthermore, the impact of demand response programs (DRP) on the given algorithm was investigated using load shedding and load shifting techniques. Finally, the results obtained led to the optimization of the functions in all decision-making layers with different modes of operation.


Thermal expansion measurements have been performed on single crystals of R2-2xSr1+2xMn2O7 (R=Pr, Nd, and Dy) over a wide temperature range (4-900 K). Our analysis allows us to give a general explanation for the large lattice anomalies observed in the layered manganites. Localization of the carriers gives rise to volume and anisotropic anomalies in the paramagnetic regime. The anisotropic distortion is enhanced with the establishment of long-range antiferromagnetism, whereas it is quenched by long-range ferromagnetic order.


The response from targets illuminated by a transient plane wave the time dependence of which takes the form of a ramp function has been used to generate signatures for conductive and penetrable targets. Modified geometrical profile functions of various targets are used to generate their ramp response, which in turn is used to evaluate their scattered fields as a function of frequency. In early time, the ramp response is proportional to the physical cross-sectional area of the target (as a function of time or distance as the wave propagates over the target). Thus, the ramp response can be generated from the target's geometry. This is then Fourier transformed to obtain the spectrum of the ramp response. To obtain the spectrum of the impulse response, this result is simply multiplied by (jomega)2, where omega is the angular frequency. These simple steps can be readily performed by anyone with an electrical engineering background to obtain the backscattered fields to a reasonable approximation. These same fundamentals can also be used to approximate a target's image from the measured ramp response. This has been done for axial incidence of rotationally symmetric targets. It can be extended to non-rotationally symmetric targets using an iterative process.


The large and growing industry of price comparison websites (PCWs) or 'web aggregators' is poised to benefit consumers by increasing competitive pricing pressure on firms by acquainting shoppers with more prices. However, these sites also charge firms for sales, which feeds back to raise prices. I investigate the impact of introducing PCWs to a market for a homogeneous good. I find that introducing a single PCW increases prices for all consumers, both those who use the sites, and those who do not. Under competing PCWs, prices tend to rise with the number of PCWs. I also conduct various extensions and use the analysis to discuss relevant industry practices and policies.


The word "quality" refers to the features of a product or service to which a certain value is ascribed. When it comes to hospital-based practices, quality has often been considered to be specific to the care provided. However, this specific perspective is transitioning toward a broader concept after the evolution of quality-improvement projects and quality frameworks at the organizational level. Respiratory therapy departments have been identified as an essential part of any hospital because the key nature of discipline for respiratory therapists is widely understood. Due to their professional accountability and professional values, respiratory therapists often have administrative roles in infection control practices and quality-improvement projects. Therefore, it would be ideal to have a core team of respiratory therapists trained in quality management and to initiate quality-improvement processes at the departmental level. Every respiratory therapy department should have its own quality-improvement team to assist with the process of training, implementation, and analysis. Thus, this article aimed to discuss the role of respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy departments in quality-improvement processes and projects to set benchmarks and enhance outcomes.


Introduction. Even though EVLA is increasingly popular and together with other minimally-invasive techniques is rapidly replacing surgical stripping, surgical treatment is still widely used. Our study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and the quality of life following either endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or conventional surgery for varicose veins of the lower limbs. Material and methods. This prospective non-randomised study included 299 patients, who were treated for symptomatic varicose veins of the lower limbs in two centres. In one, 159 patients underwent open surgery (the surgery group), while in the other, 140 patients received the EVLA (the EVLA group). The patients were invited to follow-up evaluations at six weeks, one year, and two years after the surgery. Results. Disease-specific quality of life at six weeks was significantly better in the EVLA group (median AVVQ scores — 3.2 (2.1–8) vs. 9.2 (7.1–13.8), p < 0.001). Similarly, VCSS scores at six weeks were also better in the EVLA group (median VCSS scores — 1 (0–2) vs. 4 (3–6), p < 0.001). Patients in the EVLA group experienced less postoperative pain (p < 0.001), and therefore needed fewer supplementary analgesic drugs (p = 0.007). In addition, patients in the EVLA group managed to return to work and normal activities sooner than those in the surgery group (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between groups for clinical recurrence, overall satisfaction, rate of complications and secondary procedures. Conclusions. Both treatment techniques yielded similar results in terms of efficacy, clinical recurrence rates and overall patient satisfaction. However, early postoperative results in the EVLA group were superior to those of patients in the surgery group.


Abstract : The determination of methods by which a user is able to locate his computer when that user does not know his current location, termed "homestation", will provide the Air Force an advantage over its adversaries. The methods are a combination of different mathematical techniques that enable the user to manipulate data to minimize the effects of delay caused by various factors on the network. The techniques use the smallest round trip time obtained from the ping utility. This time is then converted into miles and plotted on a map of the United States. The methods used to solve this problem are trilateration, a trilateration variant, the slope-intercept method, and the reverse traceroute combined with Euclidean distance. The results from the methods described in this research provide insight to fundamental problems that need to be resolved to achieve this capability.


The bacterial alkaline phosphatase (phoA) promoter and signal peptide have been used previously to control recombinant expression and secretion of eukaryotic proteins in Escherichia coli. Other reports have shown that this expression system can generate relatively modest levels of active hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT; hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase; IMP:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 220.127.116.11), which carries part of the signal peptide but remains in the cytosol of the bacteria. Herein, the phoA promoter without its associated signal peptide is used to regulate expression of the HPRT of Schistosoma mansoni and the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 126.96.36.199) of Trypanosoma brucei, two enzymes that have been identified as potential targets for antiparasitic chemotherapy. The levels of recombinant expression range from 20% to 60% of the total bacterial protein, and the majority of both recombinant enzymes was soluble. The specific activity for the recombinant trypanosomal ODC was one-third to two-thirds that of the authentic native enzyme and yields were predicted to be 15-30 mg of active enzyme per liter of bacterial culture. The specific activity for the recombinant schistosomal HPRT was equivalent to that for the native enzyme purified from schistosomes and up to 10 mg of enzymatically active HPRT has been purified from a 0.5-liter culture of treated bacteria. These results represent a break-through in recombinant expression of HPRT and ODC.


This book examines the evolution of the financial sector in Tanzania, the conduct of monetary policy by the Bank of Tanzania, and the determinants of Tanzania's foreign exchange rate. First, the book details the financial reforms of the early 1990s, which greatly changed the financial system and allowed interest rates and exchange rates to move freely. Second, it investigates whether, during the post-reform period, monetary policy in Tanzania can be characterized by a monetary rule, finding that the Bank of Tanzania appears to have followed a Taylor-type rule, implemented through controlling the growth rate of the monetary base. Finally, the book explores whether the monetary model of exchange rates explains the post-reform movements in the exchange rate, finding considerable support for the model. The book is best suited to central bankers, economic policy makers, and students of monetary economics. It is a good reference to Ph.D. and master's students in the fields of monetary economics and applied econometrics.


One feature of experimental work is the heterogeneity in risk attitudes and probability distortion displayed by agents. We outline a more general non-expected utility model, which nests the models of Markowitz, and Kahneman and Tversky. The model can generate the standard favourite-longshot bias or a reverse favourite-longshot bias as a result of optimal behaviour. We also provide new empirical evidence on the relationship between Tote and bookmaker returns and confirm that the relationship is not as originally conjectured by Gabriel and Marsden. We outline how our new model can provide an explanation of the relationship that is observed.


We study the defect structure of quantum Monte Carlo simulations of a two-dimensional electron gas in the crystalline phase. A finite density of dislocation pairs exists even before the melting takes place. The dislocation pair density in the solid increases gradually as the electron gas parameter rs is increased and is much higher than that in the related problem of flux-line lattice melting.


Traditionally, General Practitioners (GPs) in England are self-employed contractors, who work in combination with other GPs as profit sharing partners (Lester, Campbell, & McDonald, 2009). The introduction of The Health and Social Care Act (The Department of Health, 2012) and a move towards ?any willing provider?, creates opportunities for GPs and an increasing necessity to focus on their business interests. However, the NHS is facing extreme financial and capacity pressures, largely due to the expanding and ageing English population (Addicott & Ham, 2014). Hence, this study focusses on the provision of ?new services? within primary care, whilst exploring the extent to which GPs are required to be entrepreneurial, to provide such services. A review of the literature revealed a substantial amount of empirical work around economic entrepreneurship theory; however, identifying a universal definition of entrepreneurship was difficult to decipher. Due to the contextual and political influences present within the primary care NHS market place, and identification that entrepreneurial working can create ?new value?, this study has utilised the work of Rae (2007b) and his model of entrepreneurial management. However, the literature review revealed that there was minimal empirical work on entrepreneurial working within the primary care NHS context. Although two key papers focussing on GP Fundholding and entrepreneurial working were identified, namely Boyett & Finlay (1995) and Ennew, Whynnes, Jolleys, & Robinson (1998). A case study approach was taken, relying largely on face to face interviews with practitioners involved in the delivery of new services within primary care. A purposive sampling method was used, with data collected from four different localities. Data analysis was performed using a paper based approach akin to Smith & Osborn (2003), with themes and sub-themes developed from the data.The results of this study identify that on the whole, participants were entrepreneurial in the delivery of new services. The data express that differences exist within the extent to which participants were entrepreneurial. In terms of the motivations to deliver new services, ?improved patient care? was seen by all participants as being a key motivator; however a number of others such as ?financial gain?, ?career development? and ?clinical expertise? were identified by participants. The results of this study also outline the importance of being ?alert? to opportunities that present themselves, with participants expressing that both formal and informal relationships with the local commissioning group were advantageous.


ABSTRACT Basidiobolomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous infection of the trunk and limbs due to Basidiobolus ranarum. The disease is well known in tropical areas, although recent cases of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis have also been reported in Arizona. We describe a young immunocompetent women who had presented with eosinophilia and lung infiltrates. She subsequently died, and diagnosis of disseminated basidiobolomycosis was made on the basis of histological features at autopsy.


Newly discovered species are often threatened with extinction but in many cases have received limited conservation effort. To guide future conservation, it is important to determine the extinction risk of newly described species. Here, we test how time since formal description of a species is linked to its threat status to obtain a better insight into the possible threat status of newly described species and as yet undescribed species. We compiled IUCN Red List data for 53,808 species from five vertebrate groups described since 1758. Extinction risk for more recently described species has increased significantly over time; the proportion of threatened species among newly described species has increased from 11.9% for species described between 1758 and 1767 to 30.0% for those described between 2011 and 2020. Based on projections from our analysis, this could further increase to 47.1% by 2050. The pattern is consistent across vertebrate taxonomic groups and biomes. Current species extinction rates estimated from data of all known species are therefore highly likely to be underestimated. Intensive fieldwork to boost discovery of new species and immediate conservation action for newly described species, especially in tropical areas, is urgently required.


Data from the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery were interpreted for 33 adults who had been subjected to nonimpact acceleration forces in motor vehicle accidents. Comparisons with normative data provided by Reitan and Wolfson (1993) identified impaired performance on the Localization component of the Tactual Performance Test and the Category Test and atypical right-left differences on the Tactual Performance Test and Grip Strength. In contrast, comparisons with a normative data set developed by Heaton, Grant, Matthews, and PAR Staff (1991) through T-score conversions produced results that suggested normal cognitive skills. The Neuropsychological Deficit Scale score was one of the clearest indicators of neuropsychological impairment, falling generally well within the mildly impaired range.


This research was conducted to study the factors affecting establishment, growth and shoot proliferation of Persian walnut, genotype Z60. Explant establishment was studied through a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with two factors including culture media (DKW and WPM) and BA concentration (0 (control), 0.5 and 1.0 µM). Single-node explants were prepared from the young branches of Z60 trees in the middle of May. Although the effect of two culture media on the growth characteristics had no significant difference, but mean comparison of the data with this regard showed that DKW medium performed better than WPM. No significant difference was observed between the two BA concentrations, but significant difference was between two concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 µM) with 0 (control). In shoot proliferation experiment, two cytokine hormones (BA and Kinetin) in three concentrations (4.4, 6.6 and 8.8 µM) were studied in DKW medium. The data obtained from this part of experiments were analyzed through unbalanced completely randomized design. The effect of different hormonal treatments and their concentrations on Z60 genotype growth characteristics showed that 8.8 µM BA was more effective in compared to the other two treatments. However, no significant difference was observed between the three concentrations with this respect.


To identify the toxic effect of Organophosphorus Flame Retardants (OPFRs) on plants, six different OPFRs involved in three concentrations (50 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L) were selected to estimate their toxicity to rice growth. The seed germination, seedling growth, OPFRs accumulation and antioxidative defense system were investigated in rice. The results showed that all of OPFRs inhibited the germination of seeds. OPFRs were accumulated in roots and shoots, and the accumulations of OPFRs in roots were higher than in shoots. However, the hormone-like effect of all six OPFRs was found on plants. The growth of seedlings was irrigated by 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L OPFRs in our experiment according to fresh weights and lengths of seedlings. And then malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidative defense system were impressed after OPFRs exposed 21 d. According to gene expressions of seven antioxidative enzymes at 14 d, most of enzyme expressions were updated to alleviated reactive oxygen species (ROS) by OPFRs exposure. Tris (1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) showed the strongest oxidative toxicity to plants among all of OPFRs. During the early 14 d period, the antioxidant enzymes could play important role in detoxification process. And after 21 d, antioxidants ascorbate (AsA) in roots and glutathione (GSH) in shoots could take over antioxidant enzymes against to OPFRs toxicity.


The actual threat of the spread of a dangerous disease in a pandemic has challenged virtually all industries that regulate public life both internationally and nationally. Taking into account the current situation in the world in a pandemic, Ukraine shall develop a certain mechanism that will ensure the maximum level of epidemic security at the national level, in which the legal sector occupies a significant place. Criminal law, which establishes criminal liability for the most socially dangerous illegal acts, has sufficient leverage to ensure compliance with anti-epidemic measures. However, a number of issues remain unresolved, in particular, ensuring compliance with the epidemic safety rules by criminal and legal means, as well as the actual level of protection of epidemic safety in the current Criminal Code of Ukraine. The purpose of this study is to identify problems in the criminal and legal ensurance of epidemic security in Ukraine and find ways to solve them. Being a component of national security, an epidemic security is an object of criminal protection; it is the order of public relations established by the rules of various branches of law, which ensures a set of conditions under which there is no unacceptable risk of various dangerous diseases in patients and medical staff, as well as organisms or cells or their acquisition of various health hazards. The analysis of the norms of the Criminal Code of Ukraine showed their shortcomings and even the impossibility to counteract the spread of dangerous diseases by criminal and legal means. It is proposed to supplement Section II 'Crimes Against Life and Health' of the Criminal Code of Ukraine with a norm that will establish liability for infection or threat of infection with a dangerous disease, virus or infection (except incurable and venereal) of one person, as well as the norm that would establish responsibility for systematic similar administrative violations of the rules of conduct and public life current at the time of the epidemics


For three decades, the management of natural resources has been oriented towards increased production and profit in the national economy or for certain stakeholders, sacrificing conservation and the prosperity of local people. The unavoidable results are the deterioration of natural resources, ecological pollution, and a decline in the people's ways and standards of living. This paper attempts to show that the sustainable management of natural resources can only be achieved if the state surrenders its domination and delegate rights to the local people as active actors. Besides the stories of how rich local knowledge, are some studies point out that local people have limited knowledge of the ecosystem, which carries the implication of weaknesses in natural resource management. Other cases focus on how the social institution (rules, conventions and control mechanisms) needed to overcome the problems of resource management has not been internalized, or has either been marginalized, or substituted by ineffective government institutions. The cases of rice farmers in Lampung and fish farmers in South Sulawesi as illustrated in this paper will show that special attention should be given to the enrichment of local knowledge, along with the creation, establishment and development of social institutions. For the sustainable management of natural resources in this country, it is important to consider the local people's rights of managing resources on their own, and the need for facilitation on the basis of partnership.


--. -..-.------. The EPC-9 patch-clamp amplifier is a digitally controlled analog device for recording currents in membrane patches and in small cells. It has neither front-panel controls nor internal trim adjustments; instead all gain, range-changing, transient cancellation, calibration and other functions are computer controlled. Novel aspects of the circuit design of this instrument arc discussed. with special reference to the issues of allowing computer control of all functions.


Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition in older women. We have observed that patients with advanced POP complain of body imbalance. The purpose of this study was to investigate impact of advanced POP on older women's body balance. Thirty-eight consecutive women were selected. Body balance was assessed by stabilometric measures (SM) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Groups, nonadvanced versus advanced POP, were statistically similar on the BBS and all SM, but median center of pressure displacement speed (COPd-speed) was P = .04. A univariate analysis did not confirm any association between advanced POP and increased COPd-speed. Advanced POP may have no impact on older women's body balance.