To obtain low molecular weight water soluble chitosan (LMWSC) with various molecular weights, chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) with lactic acid was separated by using ultrafilteration technique and LMWSC with a free amine group was prepared by the novel salts-removal method. The charac- terization of LMWSC removed the lactic acid and degree of deacetylation (DDA) were identified by FT-IR and 1 H-NMR spectra. Polydispersity index (PDI) was 1.278∼1.499, which indicates a relatively molecular weight distribution. To identify the potential as a gene carrier, we confirmed the transfection efficiency of COS fractioned according to molecular weight successfully and the salt-removed LMWSC using 293T cell. Also, LMWSC derivatives prepared for improvement transfection efficiency were evaluated using Balb/C


After the fall of communism in 1989, it was assumed that foreign capital, know-how and experience would contribute to the development of the Central European media in terms of their content, quality and professionalism. In retrospect, this assumption was misplaced. My purpose in this regard is to analyze the process of media privatization by foreign capital and its influence on Central European journalistic culture after communism fell. It can be concluded that the central narrative characterizing the media transformation of Central Europe 25 years after the collapse has been that of commercialization and tabloidization. On the other hand, a major recent development observed in the countries in question—domestic owners instrumentalizing the media for their purposes does not constitute a better alternative. On the contrary, this development constitutes even greater dangers for the watchdog role of the media and for the principles of the public sphere. This article focuses upon three countries of Central Europe: Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, and draws from existing academic literature on media transformation and privatization, as well as various reports concerning media ownership regulations and the major media market players.


The trivialization of smartphones has given rise to an architectural reconfiguration of the mobile operating system innovation process. We have also seen the recent emergence of three ?open source? consortia: the Symbian and LiMo Foundations, and the Open Handset Alliance. In this exploratory paper, we analyse the coherence of these consortia using an open source framework to perform the necessary reconfiguration at both the technological and organizational level. In order to evaluate the coherence of this strategy, we analyse the ability of these consortia to produce standards. Bearing in mind the exploratory nature of this research, this allows us to demonstrate that, although these consortia exhibit original forms of ?open innovation?, they find it difficult to produce consortia standards by means of vertical coordination. Equally, we consider various scenarios dealing with the construction of standards, examining in particular horizontal collaboration between these consortia. JEL Codes: L15, L17, L86, L96, O33, O34 (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)


We develop the theory of the shift in the band edge caused by a strong exchange interaction between charge carrier spins and the spins of the localized magnetic electrons in ferromagnetic semiconductors. The one-particle Green function is derived by using Matsubara's temperature Green functions, and then an infinite-order correction to the band edge due to the exchange interaction is determined from the poles of the Green function. With the aid of the temperature- and magnetic field-dependent spin polarization of the magnetic moments and the spin correlation functions, the band edge can be calculated as a function of temperature in various magnetic fields. The calculated results are compared to experimental data in the cases of the ferromagnetic semiconductors EuO and Ga1-xMnxAs over a wide temperature range. For these materials the values 0.223 and 1.4?eV are evaluated for the exchange interaction parameter, respectively. A new feature is found in the ferromagnetic region, as a result of the exceptionally strong exchange interaction in Ga1-xMnxAs, i.e., a blue-shift in the band edge with decreasing temperature or with increasing magnetic field.


We characterized the kinetics of and determined the mediators involved in antigen-induced contraction of pulmonary arteries (PA) and lung parenchyma isolated from actively sensitized guinea pigs. Ovalbumin (10(-2) mg/ml) induced contractions of PA rings, which reached maximum amplitude by 2 min and decayed to 50% of maximum by 4-6 min. Pyrilamine (10(-6) M) delayed the onset of contraction and decreased the peak of the response by > 50%. Metiamide (10(-4) M) partially reversed this effect. The addition of indomethacin (10(-6) M) to the combination of pyrilamine and metiamide had no significant effect. The further addition of the leukotriene (LT) D4/LTE4 receptor antagonist SKF 104353 (10(-5) M) reduced the contraction by > 80%. The maximum amplitude of antigen-induced contraction of parenchymal strips was reached by 15 min and was sustained for > 60 min. In these tissues, SKF 104353 inhibited the contraction by approximately 35%, but the histamine receptor antagonists and indomethacin had no significant effect. These results suggest that both histamine and sulfidopeptide LTs mediate antigen-induced contraction of PA, whereas sulfidopeptide LTs, but not histamine, are involved in the parenchymal response.


A Monte Carlo simulation of the CO–NO heterogeneous catalytic reaction over a square surface has already been studied with a model based on the Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) mechanism. The results of this study are well known. Here we study the effects of transient non-thermal mobility of monomer (CO) based on precursor mechanism, diffusion of adsorbed nitrogen and oxygen atoms, on the phase diagram. The interesting feature of this model is the yield of a steady reactive window, while simple LH mechanism is not capable of producing a steady reactive state.


Language documentation and description in their many forms (e.g., word lists, dictionaries and grammars, discourse representations, or audio/visual recordings) often for academic purposes of research, in and of themselves cannot save a language. They do, however, comprise a critical facet of the revitalization enterprise. Challenges come when these sources of information are overly technical and inaccessible to communities working to revitalize the language (Penfield & Tucker 2011; Rice 2011; Hinton 2001) and are perceived as only preservation oriented. This presentation discusses ways in which meeting community needs for teaching can be addressed through documentation designed to be mutually beneficial. Examples come from a revitalization effort focused on tone and vowel length in Cherokee.
 Understanding the distinctive features of tone and vowel length in the Cherokee language without available resources has been challenging for second language learners whether in the classroom or studying on their own. With no corresponding audio and written examples for the learners, teachers, or researchers to refer to, learners felt limited. Responding to this community need, documentation served to specifically feed into teaching through a close interface between the different foci of documenting and creating educationally helpful tools. The collaborative aspect of the project brought together speakers, second language users, linguists, educational specialists, and others with a vested interest in taking documentation beyond preservation to facilitating teaching.
 Documentation and acoustic analysis resulted in data about pitch and vowel length including visual representations (AUTHOR submitted). This technical info contributed toward a better understanding of the nature of Cherokee tone and vowel length. To convert this information to a useful form for language learning, we built on the idea that improving ability to receptively identify tones can generalize to production (Wang et al. 1999). Research indicates that the complexity of and confusion about input associated with tones can be lessened by providing visual pitch contours with written forms accompanying audio materials (e.g., Liu, et al. 2011) and also by presenting tones in pairs (e.g., Wang et al. 1999). The resulting "teachable" component kept linguistics jargon to a minimum and incorporated visual representations in PowerPoint lectures with embedded audio that could be used by teachers plus allow learners to practice on their own. Constant input from teachers and learners helped guide the documentation process so it would result in information valuable to revitalization efforts – thus, teaching needs helped determine the direction the documentation work. REFERENCES
 AUTHOR. Submitted. "Collaborative Documentation and Revitalization of Cherokee Tone." Language Documentation and Conservation.
 Penfield, S.D. & Tucker, B.V. 2011. "From Documenting to Revitalizing an Endangered Language: Where do Applied Linguists Fit?" Language and Education, 25(4), 291-305.
 Rice, S. 2011. "Applied Field Linguistics: Delivering Linguistic Training to Speakers of Endangered Languages." Language and Education, 25(4), 319-338.
 Hinton, L. 2001. "Audio-Video Documentation" In L. Hinton and K. Hale (Eds.), The Green Book of Language Revitalization in Practice, 265-271. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
 Wang, Y. Spence, M., Jongman, A., & Sereno, J. 1999. "Training American Listeners to Perceive Mandarin Tones." Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 106(6), 3649-3658.
 Liu, Y., Wang, M., Perfetti, C.A., Brubaker, B., Wu, S., & MacWhinney, B. 2011. "Learning a Tonal Language by Attending to the Tone: An In-Vivo Experiment." Language Learning, 61(4), 1119-1141.


Secure elements physically exposed to adversaries are frequently targeted by fault attacks. These attacks can be utilized to hijack the control-flow of software allowing the attacker to bypass security measures, extract sensitive data, or gain full code execution. In this paper, we systematically analyze the threat vector of fault-induced control-flow manipulations on the open-source OpenTitan secure element. Our thorough analysis reveals that current countermeasures of this chip either induce large area overheads or still cannot prevent the attacker from exploiting the identified threats. In this context, we introduce SCRAMBLE-CFI, an encryption-based control-flow integrity scheme utilizing existing hardware features of OpenTitan. SCRAMBLE-CFI confines, with minimal hardware overhead, the impact of fault-induced control-flow attacks by encrypting each function with a different encryption tweak at load-time. At runtime, code only can be successfully decrypted when the correct decryption tweak is active. We open-source our hardware changes and release our LLVM toolchain automatically protecting programs. Our analysis shows that SCRAMBLE-CFI complementarily enhances security guarantees of OpenTitan with a negligible hardware overhead of less than 3.97% and a runtime overhead of 7.02% for the Embench-IoT benchmarks.


Glycol lignins (GLs) produced through acid-catalyzed solvolysis of softwood meal using glycols, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), have been used for the development of functional materials. In this study, GLs with various physical and chemical properties were synthesized via solvolysis with monomethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol (MPEG), such as MPEG-n4 and MPEG-n8. The effects of the reaction time and temperature on the yield, molecular weight, and thermal properties of MPEG-lignin were studied. The yield of MPEG-lignin increased with the solvolysis time. Acid-catalyzed solvolysis using MPEG-n4 occurred faster than that using MPEG-n8. Higher reaction temperature resulted in a higher yield of MPEG-lignin with a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) and viscous thermal flow temperature (Tf). The Tg and Tf of MPEG-lignins increased with the solvolysis time. The MPEG-lignins synthesized at higher reaction temperatures showed a relatively strong carbonyl absorbance band in the infrared spectra, which was ascribed to decomposed sugar derivatives.


Purpose: Kava is a traditional Pacific beverage made from the root of Piper methysticum .I t is mainly used for its sedative properties due to lipophilic lactones called kavalactones. Kava action mechanisms include cell membrane stabilisation, inhibition of intracellular Ca 2+ increase and enzyme inactivation. Chronic or heavy consumption of kava is responsible for the skin taking on a scaly aspect. Biologically, an isolated increase in serum gamma-glutamyltransferase is noted. "Kava bars" or "nakamals" are numerous in the Pacific. In northern Australia, the use of kava is regulated in order to fight against the abuse of this drink. In metropolitan France, we note the presence of some kava bars in several cities. In New Caledonia, in ten years (December 2002-May 2013), we identified twenty-six cases where kavalactones were found in the blood of perpetrators or victims of fatal accidents (resulting in nineteen deaths and twenty-one people seriously injured), suicides and attacks. In addition, in nine cases of sudden unexplained deaths, significant concentra- tions of kavalactones were found in the blood of the victims. These figures, however, are understated as toxicological screening was not done systematically. As all toxicological laboratories are not identically equipped, we developed three simple and sensitive methods for the determination of kavalactones in human hair using HPLC-DAD, LC-MS/MS and GC/TOF-MS. Methods: Hair samples were collected from nine people of different origins (Caucasian, Melane- sian, Indonesian and African). Kava consumption varied among these people (from a single oral dose of a medication sold on the internet, to a daily intake of several units of the kava beverage). Results: Using HPLC-DAD, the con- centrations of kavalactones in human hair samples ranged between 0.2 and 25 ng/mg for kavain, 0.5 and 34 ng/mg for 7,8-dihydrokavain, 0.7 and 8 ng/mg for yangonin, 1 and 14 ng/mg for 5,6-dehydrokavain (=desmethyoxyyango- nin) and 0.9 and 6 ng/mg for the metabolite 12-hydroxy-5,6-dehydrokavain. Methysticin, 7,8-dihydromethysticin and the metabolite 11-hydroxy-5,6-dehydrokavain were detected but not quantified. Additionally, 12-hydroxykavain and 12-hydroxy-7,8-dihydrokavain were detected by LC-MS/MS in one case. General screening for other drugs as well as confirmation of the HPLC-DAD results was performed by GC/TOF-MS. Conclusions: The results of this pilot study indicate that kavalactones (kavain, 7,8-dihydrokavain, methysticin, 7,8-dihydromethysticin, 5,6-dehydrokavain (=desmethyoxyyangonin) and yangonin) accumulate in the keratin matrix of hair and can provide an easily applicable system for assessing chronic consumption of kava. This preliminary study must continue on a larger number of subjects using GC/TOF-MS and LC-MS/MS in order to conduct a comparative analysis among the three methods.


We present interferometric observations of the massive star-forming region associated with G35.2-0.74N using the Berkeley Illinois Maryland Association Array. With the aim of better understanding the outflow in this region we observed 12CO J = 1→ 0, C17O J = 1→ 0 and the 2.7 mm continuum. The C17O and continuum emission peak close to the sources G35.2-0.74N (G35.2N) and G35MM2 and indicate a mass of ∼40−140 M of circumstellar material associated with these sources. The 12CO traces a weak filament of emission coincident with the radio and infrared jet from G35.2N but the emission is dominated by an extended outflow with a NE-SW axis which has a total mass of ∼13 M . Each lobe of this extended outflow has a hollow shell structure and the location of these shells makes the source G35MM2 a more likely candidate for the source driving the outflow than G35.2N. The mass-velocity distribution is calculated for several parts of the outflow. Fitting these distributions with power laws some of the same break-points are seen as previously identified in the 12CO J = 3 → 2 emission from the outflow. We conclude this indicates the temperature dependence of emissivity is not responsible for all the break-points seen and molecular dissociation is a more plausible explanation for their origin. We model the molecular outflow using the ZEUS-2D hydrodynamic code which we have augmented so that it can also track the composition of the gas. We find that a general hydromagnetic wind, without an enchanced, on axis, jet-like component, can reproduce the shape of the observed outflow. Models looking at the time evolution of the stellar wind indicate that the structure of the outflow is dominated by the initial wind conditions, rather than its later evolution. The models also show that scaling the density of the wind profile effects the apparent collimation of the resulting outflow. This may help explain some of the apparent differences between outflows from high mass and low mass young stars.


Visceral larval migrans (VLM) caused by Toxocara canis presents a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations with eosinophilia. Although the presence of increased serum IgE and isohemagglutinin titers are useful screening tests, the specific diagnosis rests on identification of larvae in biopsy specimens of tissues or serologic tests for specific antibody to the Toxocara organism. A 2-year-old boy with marked eosinophilia associated with mild respiratory tract illness had negative indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and bentonite flocculation (BF) titers to Toxocara, but serum tested for specific antibodies against Toxocara embryonated egg (TEE) antigens by the Ouchterlony immunodiffusion and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technics was strongly positive.


A number of 2-component, fourth-generation total ankle arthroplasty prostheses have been introduced to the market. The purpose of the present study was to present early experience with the CADENCE total ankle prosthesis. All patients who underwent primary total ankle arthroplasty using the prosthesis between August 2016 and June 2018 at a single institution and who were at least 1 year postoperative were included. A total of 32 ankles with a mean follow-up of 24 (range, 12-33) months met the criteria. Weightbearing radiographs were assessed using coronal and sagittal alignment parameters preoperatively, at 6 weeks postoperative, and at the most recent follow-up. Medical records and charts were reviewed and revisions, reoperations, and complications were classified according to the criteria established by Vander Griend et al and Glazebrook et el, respectively. Coronal and sagittal tibiotalar alignment significantly improved after surgery (p < .001, p < .005), and was maintained during the latest follow-up (p = .44, p = .30). Two (6.3%) ankles underwent early revision for aseptic loosening; while 6 (18.8%) underwent a nonrevisional reoperation. Nine (28.1%) ankles presented a total of 13 (4 high grade, 2 intermediate, and 7 low) complications according to the Glazebrook classification. The most common was intraoperative periprosthetic medial malleolar fracture (5 ankles, 15.6%), a low-grade complication. The present study is the first to report early outcomes and experience with the CADENCE total ankle. Overall, survivorship was 94% at short-term follow-up of 2 years. As with all arthroplasty devices, surgeons new to the prosthesis should be cognizant of the potential learning curve. Intraoperative medial malleolar fracture was found to be the most common complication.


ABSTRACT The effects of a variety of oxazolidinones, with different antibacterial potencies, including linezolid, on mitochondrial protein synthesis were determined in intact mitochondria isolated from rat heart and liver and rabbit heart and bone marrow. The results demonstrate that a general feature of the oxazolidinone class of antibiotics is the inhibition of mammalian mitochondrial protein synthesis. Inhibition was similar in mitochondria from all tissues studied. Further, oxazolidinones that were very potent as antibiotics were uniformly potent in inhibiting mitochondrial protein synthesis. These results were compared to the inhibitory profiles of other antibiotics that function by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Of these, chloramphenicol and tetracycline were significant inhibitors of mammalian mitochondrial protein synthesis while the macrolides, lincosamides, and aminoglycosides were not. Development of future antibiotics from the oxazolidinone class will have to evaluate potential mitochondrial toxicity.


Currently, a variety of software is capable of handling a wide range of spatial problems, beginning with approaches for describing spatial objects to quite complex analysis and 3D visualisation. However, an increasing number of applications need more advanced tools for representing and analysing the 3D world. Among all types of systems dealing with spatial information, GIS has proven to be the most sophisticated system that operates with the largest scope of objects (spatial and semantic), relationships and provide means to analyse them. However, what is the status of 3D GIS? It is the aim of this paper to find the answer by analysing both available software and efforts of researchers. An overview of several software packages and 3D case studies performed in Oracle and Microstation is given to provide knowledge about the 3D functionality offered by commercial systems. The most significant achievements in the 3D research area concerning key issues of 3D GIS, i.e. 3D structuring and 3D topology are summarized to portray the current research status. At the end, some of the issues and problems involved in developing such a system are presented and recommendations on directions for further research are made. The scope of the paper is limited to 3D GIS systems and research in vector domain. Problems of subsurface applications are excluded as well.


This paper estimates the effect of income taxation on the labor supply of part-time and full-time workers in the United States. Using a model that incorporates the endogeneity of the net wage rate and the virtual income, and correcting for self-selection into part-time and full-time jobs, the results indicate that part-time workers are relatively more responsive to changes in income tax than full-time workers. Estimated wage elasticities are relatively larger for part-time than for full-time workers.The simulation results indicate that income tax has a disincentive effect on both part-time and full-time workers, with part-time and full-time workers reducing their labor supply by 0.87 and 0.58 hours, respectively, if a 5% tax is imposed. However, the percentage reduction in hours of work is very small, and a tax policy may have little effect on the labor supply of workers.The results seem to suggest that female and black part-time workers are more likely to drop out of the labor force at higher levels of income tax. It also tests the hypothesis that the labor supply behavior of parttime and full-time workers differs.The test results indicate that the determinants of the labor supply of part-time workers are different from those of full-time workers. It is noted that there is a significant difference between the labor supply of male part-time and female parttime workers, as well as between the black part-time and white part-time workers. In order to reduce voluntary unemployment in market activities among married females and blacks, the government can encourage part-time work by sponsoring legislation or instituting a scheme that will allow part-time workers to pay relatively less in payroll taxes.


The article is devoted to an actual problem of pediatric surgery - the treatment of patients with infected wounds on the stages of the skin recovery. The authors analyzed the results of treatment of patients with wounds of various etiologies and demonstrate the efficiency of the use of ultrasonic cavitation and dissection in comparison as a method of preparation of the wound surface to plastic skin closure.


Confronted with complex and wicked issues, public authorities turn to science and expertise to provide answers that will help reduce the level of uncertainty that characterizes these issues. Yet, the paper argues that more often than not, it is the application of a risk framework to a given issue that fosters uncertainty, not the other way round. Hence, the more authorities and experts attempt to apply a risk approach to an issue, the more they encourage the production of uncertainty. Taking mobile telephony as a case in point, the paper then goes on to show that to reduce uncertainties, authorities in some countries have recently experimented with new forms of knowledge in the process of expertise; paradoxically, this may raise in a first moment the general level of uncertainty, but it may also provide in the longer term more robust knowledge. The larger aim of the paper is to expand conceptions of uncertainty commonly used in risk governance.


The numerical simulation of the flow for the VFE-2 configuration with rounded leading edges is presented. For the numerical simulation the Cobalt Code was used, which uses a cell-centered unstructured hybrid mesh approach. Several numerical results are presented for the steady RANS equations as well as for DES and DDES hybrid approaches. Within this paper the focus is related to the dual primary vortex flow topology, especially the sensitivity of the flow to angle of attack and Reynolds number effects. Reasonable results are obtained with both steady RANS and SA-DDES simulations. The results are compared and verified by experimental data, including surface pressure and pressure sensitive paint results. The impact of transition on the resulting flow field is also assessed, and recommendations for improving future simulations are made.


Up to now the acceleration of charged particles in most cases is based on the radio-frequency based technology. Another approach is to employ ultrahigh collective fields of plasmas produced by high-power lasers. Using various schemes, these plasma fields can be used to accelerate electrons, protons, and heavier ions. Laser-driven ion beams exhibit unique properties, among which are short duration, small source size, large number of particles, low emittance, etc. The laser-driven acceleration is inherently a very compact process, because the acceleration typically takes place within a micrometer spatial and picosecond time scales; the acceleration field can exceed TV/m, which allows achieving multi-MeV/nucleon ion energies. For the detailed reviews, see (Borghesi et al. 2006; Mourou et al. 2006) and references therein. The peculiar properties of the laser-driven proton beam, namely short duration, low emittance, and large particle number have been used in the proton imaging, which allows measurement of transient field distribution in plasma experiments (Borghesi et al. 2001); the broad proton energy spectrum allows multi-frame time-resolved studies in single shot. A compact laserbased laboratory setup has been used for the proof-of-principle radiological experiment (Yogo et al. 2009), which can be applicable in the biological, medical, and space research (Murakami et al. 2009). There are many other attractive potential applications of the laser-driven ion beams, among which the hadron therapy (Bulanov et al. 2002; Bulanov & Khoroshkov 2002), fast ignition (Roth et al. 2001), injectors into conventional accelerators (Krushelnick et al. 2000; Cowan et al. 2004), material processing, isotope production (Nemoto et al. 2001; Fritzler et al. 2003), pion production (Bychenkov et al. 2001), pump-probe experiments using simultaneous production of proton beam and THz radiation (Sagisaka et al. 2008), x-rays (Orimo et al. 2007), electrons (Li et al. 2006), and so on. For many applications, the parameters of the presently available laser-driven ion beams need to be improved. In particular, it is necessary to increase the maximum ion energy, simultaneously achieving high conversion efficiency. At present, this is an active area of research. Up to now a substantial part of results has been obtained with relatively largescale, single-shot picosecond and sub-picosecond laser systems (Hatchett et al. 2000; Snavely et al. 2000; Fuchs et al. 2006; Robson et al. 2007; Henig et al. 2009). However, for many applications a compact, repetitive ion source is necessary. For such applications, it is


Abstract Background: The MiniMed 640G sensor-augmented insulin pump system (Medtronic, Inc., Northridge, CA) can automatically suspend insulin delivery in advance of predicted hypoglycemia and restart it upon recovery. The aims of this analysis were to determine the rate at which predicted hypoglycemia was avoided with this strategy, as well as to assess user acceptance of the system and its insulin management features. Subjects and Methods: Forty subjects with type 1 diabetes used the system for 4 weeks. We retrospectively evaluated performance of the system, using downloaded pump and sensor data, and evaluated user acceptance via questionnaires. Results: There were 2,322 suspend before low events (2.1 per subject-day). The mean (± SD) duration of pump suspension events was 56.4 ± 9.6 min, and the mean subsequent sensor glucose (SG) nadir was 71.8 ± 5.2 mg/dL. SG values following 1,930 (83.1%) of the predictive suspensions did not reach the preset low limit. Nadir SG values of ≤50 and ≤60 mg/dL were seen in 207 (8.9%) and 356 (15.3%) of the predictive suspensions, respectively. Blood glucose (BG) and SG values before and during the study were comparable (P > 0.05). The mean absolute relative difference between paired SG and BG values was 10.9 ± 13.8%. Subjects felt confident using the system, agreed that it helped protect them from hypoglycemia, and wished to continue using it. Conclusions: Automatic insulin pump suspension as implemented in the MiniMed 640G system can help patients avoid hypoglycemia, without significantly increasing hyperglycemia.


This paper describes the use of a saturable single slot finite element model to determine the resistances and reactances of a double-cage rotor, allowing for the MMF balancing effect of the stator currents. The method is verified by comparing the impedances calculated for an unsaturated rotor with rectangular bars with their analytically determined counterparts. The model requires the user to specify both rotor frequency and current per slot. The effect of magnetic saturation is examined, and it is demonstrated that care must be taken in the choice of current at low frequencies, to avoid conditions of excessive saturation, leading to unrealistic values for inductances.


BACKGROUND
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is traditionally divided into large- and small fibre neuropathy (SFN). Damage to the large fibres can be detected using nerve conduction studies (NCS) and often results in a significant reduction in sensitivity and loss of protective sensation, while damage to the small fibres is hard to reliably detect and can be either asymptomatic, associated with insensitivity to noxious stimuli, or often manifests itself as intractable neuropathic pain.

OBJECTIVE
To describe the recent advances in both detection, grading, and treatment of DPN as well as the accompanying neuropathic pain.

METHODS
A review of relevant, peer-reviewed, English literature from MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library between January 1 st 1967 and January 1st 2020.

RESULTS
We identified more than three hundred studies on methods for detecting and grading DPN, and more than eighty randomised-controlled trials for treating painful diabetic neuropathy.

CONCLUSION
NCS remain the method of choice for detecting LFN in people with diabetes, while a gold standard for the detection of SFN is yet to be internationally accepted. In the recent years, several methods with huge potential for detecting and grading this condition has become available including skin biopsies and corneal confocal microscopy, which in the future could represent reliable endpoints for clinical studies. While several newer methods for detecting SFN have been developed, no new drugs have been accepted for treating neuropathic pain in people with diabetes. Tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and anticonvulsants remain first line treatment, while newer agents targeting the proposed pathophysiology of DPN are being developed.


history, liturgy, social and personal ethics, and prayer. The underlying impact is deeply penitential, wholly devoid of sentimental pietism; it rather speaks of that true penitence, again both personal and social, which is ultimately liberating. It is also pastoral for spiritual and psychological insights illuminated by a wide range of literary references: Dostoevsky, T. S. Eliot, Iris Murdoch, William Golding. It is not an easy book, but then the real meaning of the Resurrection is hardly a simple subject. It is a book of many facets, inspiring, exciting and healthily disturbing, which ought to be read many times, possibly from several angles. With St Anselm still in mind it may profitably be used from an armchair, from the study desk, and not least on one's knees before the crucifix. Amongst today's theological gimmicks, fashions and superficialities, Fr Williams is the type of true pastoral-theologian emphasis on both words that we so desparately need. MARTIN THORNTON


This paper is concerned with a kind of time-consistent solution of the time-inconsistent mean-field stochastic linear-quadratic optimal control. Different from standard stochastic linear-quadratic problems, both the system matrices and the weighting matrices are dependent on initial time, and the conditional expectations of the control and state enter quadratically into the cost functional. Such features will ruin the Bellman optimality principle and result in the time-inconsistency of the optimal control. Due to the dynamical nature of control problems, a kind of open-loop time-consistent equilibrium control is thoroughly investigated in this paper. It is shown that the existence of an open-loop time-consistent equilibrium control for a fixed initial pair is equivalent to the solvability of a set of forward-backward stochastic difference equations with stationary conditions and convexity conditions. By decoupling the forward-backward stochastic difference equations, the existence of the open-loop equilibrium control for all the initial pairs is shown to be equivalent to the solvability of a set of coupled constraint generalized difference Riccati equations and a set of coupled constraint linear difference equations.


The paper proposes a comprehensive and operational definition of Sustainable Food Packaging (SFP). Sustainability is a multifaceted concept, yet most SFP conversations decline it as a mere material substitution issue. The efforts of regulators, packaging producers, food companies, and consumers towards the design and adoption of SFP products are likely to fail without a common understanding of the multiple means by which food packaging contributes to sustainability. Based on an extensive literature review and the contributions of SFP innovation experts, the paper builds a Food Packaging Sustainability Framework (FPSF) that encompasses the three main dimensions of SFP, namely environmental conservation, food safety, and social value, and operationalizes them in terms of objectives and activable levers. The framework can be used as a tool to search and evaluate food packaging products, a conceptual guide for SFP design, and a narrative platform for coordinating supply chain actors, including consumers. The experimental activities applying FPSF gathered the different actors in the supply chain to jointly adopt the integrated model that distributes environmental, social, and economic benefits along the entire production chain.


Objective To observe the expression of caspase-3 and the transcriptional levels of bcr/abl fusion gene mRNA in k562 cell line after the heat stimulation. Methods After 40℃, 43℃, 46℃ constant temperature stimulation for 30 minutes respectively, and using the 37℃ as a control, transcriptional levels of bcr/abl fusion gene mRNA were detected by RT-PCR technique and the expression of caspase-3 was detected by western blotting technique. Results After constant temperature stimulation for 30 minutes respectively, the transcriptional levels of bcr/abl fusion gene mRNA were up-regulated, but the expression of caspase-3 was down-regulated. Conclusion Heat stimulation could decrease the transcriptional level of bcr/abl fusion gene mRNA and increase the expression of caspase-3 quickly with the temperature stepping up gradually.


Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome plays an important role in studies of genome-level characteristics and phylogenetic relationships. Here we determined the complete mitogenome sequence of Tridentiger trigonocephalus (Perciformes, Gobiidae), and discovered its phylogenetic relationship. This circular genome was 16 662 bp in length, and consisted of 37 typical genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes. The gene order of T. trigonocephalus mitochondrial genome was identical to those observed in most other vertebrates. Of 37 genes, 28 were encoded by heavy strand, while the others were encoded by light strand. The phylogenetic tree constructed by 13 concatenated protein-coding genes showed that T. trigonocephalus was closest to T. bifasciatus, and then to T. barbatus among the 20 species within suborder Gobioidei. This work should facilitate the studies on population genetic diversity, and molecular evolution in Gobioidei fishes.


The basic work of Zaslavskii et al showed that the classical non-relativistic electromagnetically kicked oscillator can be cast into the form of an iterative map on the phase space; the resulting evolution contains a stochastic flow to unbounded energy. Subsequent studies have formulated the problem in terms of a relativistic charged particle in interaction with the electromagnetic field. We review the structure of the covariant Lorentz force used to study this problem. We show that the Lorentz force equation can be derived as well from the manifestly covariant mechanics of Stueckelberg in the presence of a standard Maxwell field, establishing a connection between these equations and mass shell constraints. We argue that these relativistic generalizations of the problem are intrinsically inaccurate due to an inconsistency in the structure of the relativistic Lorentz force, and show that a reformulation of the relativistic problem, permitting variations (classically) in both the particle mass and the effective "mass" of the interacting electromagnetic field, provides a consistent system of classical equations for describing such processes.


Original new fluorescent and electroactive compounds have been prepared, which feature two different fluorescent groups linked through an oxygen atom spacer. We describe here the synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties and their interplay, and our theoretical calculations. These molecules are composed of two fluorophores, an electron-rich triphenylamine unit and an electron-poor tetrazine unit. Although the bichromophores are not fluorescent in the neutral state due to a photoinduced electron transfer from the triphenylamine unit to the tetrazine unit, one can restore the fluorescence by oxydation of the triphenylamine moiety. Thus, a redox-fluorescent switch has been realized.


The Naxalite Movement was a radical left wing extremist movement that started in 1969 in the Indian state of West Bengal. Inspired by the ideas of Mao Tse Tsung, the combatants engaged in guerrilla warfare aiming to capture state power through armed insurgency, "annihilation line" that included the assassination of the representatives of the state administration and mass mobilisation. In the early 1970s, Calcutta, the capital of West Bengal, witnessed large-scale student participation in the conflict. It was suppressed by the State through the Operation Steeplechase, brutal police repression including widespread human rights violations. No political movement in post-independent India spawned as much literature, ranging from poetry to autobiographical narratives, as the Naxal Movement. Through a qualitative study, this paper attempts a critical analysis of the representative artistic expression by the Naxalites during the first phase of the conflict between 1969 and 1975. Drawing upon the poetry of revolutionaries such as Dronacharya Ghosh, Saroj Dutta and Timir Baran Sen, all of whom were killed by the police, along with the works of Naxal sympathiser poets like Sankha Ghosh and Birendranath Chattopadhyay, this paper aims to fill the research gap that exists in academia in the sphere of literary representation by the Naxal combatants.


CrossFit is high-intensity interval training involving routines called 'workouts of the day' (WOD). The aim of the present study is to analyse biochemical parameters and physical performance after two modalities of CrossFit WODs, and to evaluate 48-hour recovery. Twelve trained CrossFit practitioners (age: 30.4 ± 5.37 years; VO2max: 47.8 ± 3.63 ml/min/kg; 1RM Power Clean: 93.2 ± 7.62 kg) participated in the study. A crossover design was applied, and participants completed two modalities of WODs on separate days: WOD1 (as many rounds as possible) and WOD2 (rounds for time). Blood lactate, ratings of perceived exertion and heart rate were measured to determine the intensity of training sessions. Biochemical parameters and physical performance were evaluated before, immediately after, 24 hours after and 48 hours after exercise. There were significant differences in intensity between WOD1 and WOD2 (lactate: 13.3±1.87 vs. 18.38±2.02 mmol/L, heart rate mean: 127.6±11.1 vs. 159.8±12.1 bpm), and blood glucose concentrations were significantly higher after WOD2 (135.4 ± 19.6 vs. 167.4±19.6 mg/dL). After exercise, WOD1 and WOD2 caused significant increases of hepatic transaminases, creatine phosphokinase and blood glucose, as well as a large decrease in the physical performance evaluated by the plank test. All these values returned to baseline by 48 hours after exercise. Both WODs caused metabolic and muscular stress, as well as a decrease in physical performance. All the levels recovered at 48 hours, so the stress caused by CrossFit WODs did not induce a pathological state.


Project management is a current topic in management, and project management offices are springing up in many organizations. Libraries may not need a project management office, but adoption of project management techniques, rightsized for library needs, can focus scope, define and organize tasks, and manage resources for many kinds of projects. The University of New Hampshire Library has implemented selected aspects of project management and is learning where these principles can be applied most effectively for successful projects. This paper describes UNH's use of selected project management techniques and tools in a major collection integration and relocation project.


Summary: The penetration of phenobarbital (PB) into cerebral tissue was determined in cats rendered epileptic by parenteral penicillin and in cats with focal penicillin‐induced epilepsy. The results were compared with those from normal controls. In both kinds of experimental models of epilepsy, PB penetration was impaired, although a gradual and progressive accumulation of the drug in the brain tissue was observed in all three groups of cats (binding occurring from time 30 min on). Similar to the events with other substances, such as carbamazepine, the prolonged epileptic activity may have contributed to the impaired penetration of PB, because of severe metabolic alterations secondary to seizures. The present data confirm previous reports indicating that epileptic seizures alter the pharmacokinetics of drugs.


The reciprocal relationship between home environment and social competency of 112 TMR adolescents was examined over a period of 3 years. Assessment of home environment included child-rearing attitudes, educationally relevant stimuli and opportunities available at home, and general psychosocial climate among family members. Measures of social competency included the child's adaptive behavior, psychosocial adjustment, and self-concept. Partial correlation and multiple regression analysis revealed significant bidirectional effects between home environment and psychosocial adjustment of TMR adolescents. The environmental effects on the adolescents appear to be broad and dynamic whereas the adolescents' effects on the home environment appear to be direct and specific.


We compute the contribution of discrete Coulomb vacua to A-Model correlators in toric Gauged Linear Sigma Models. For models corresponding to a compact variety, this determines the correlators at arbitrary genus. For non-compact examples, our results imply the surprising conclusion that the quantum cohomology relations break down for a subset of the correlators.


The world needs natural history now more than ever. Because natural history – which I have defined as "a practice of intentional focused attentiveness and receptivity to the more-than-human world, guided by honesty and accuracy" (Fleischner 2001, 2005) – makes us better, more complete human beings. This process of "careful, patient ... sympathetic observation" (Norment 2008) – paying attention to the larger than human world – allows us to build better human societies, ones that are less destructive and dysfunctional. Natural history helps us see the world, and thus ourselves, more accurately. Moreover, it encourages and inspires better stewardship of the Earth.


Althusser as a Reader of GramsciThe paper examines Althusser's readings of Gramsci, from the first critical notes and annotations to his writings on the crisis of Marxism. It highlights the profound ambivalence of Althusser's interpretations. On the one hand, Gramsci is presented as a precursor, as the only figure within the Marxist tradition deemed to have attempted to think the superstructure, and in particular the political. On the other side, the Gramscian corpus is criticized as the paradigmatic instance of a conception of temporality and politics with which Althusser is in disagreement. Regarding the Althusserian critique, we here identify two distinct phases starting out from a critique of the lack of knowledge of the specific status of science in general, especially of the science of history, characteristic of the second half of the sixties, Althusser would, in the late seventies, formulate a critique of the Gramscian concept of hegemony which, in his view, erases the question of class domination.


The development of new cellulose solvents, motivated by environmental concerns, would greatly benefit from a full understanding of the cellulose dissolution mechanism. With a focus on aqueous solvents, this thesis made progress towards understanding the molecular interactions in solution that lead to successful dissolution of cellulose. These molecular interactions were quantified by using statistical thermodynamic theory based on the Kirkwood-Buff (KB) theory of solutions. This was applied to cellobiose and gave insights into the interactions present in its solubility, highlighting the importance of preferential salt-cellobiose interaction and lending support to the hypothesis of "cellulose charging up" seen in the literature. However, extension of this theory for application to cellulose requires improvement in both accuracy and reliability of solubility quantification. An experimental investigation identified the problem of incomplete dissolution below the saturation point, which is responsible for major inaccuracies in solubility measurements of amorphous cellulose. The requirements for an analogue of cellulose and the correct choice of measurement protocol for solubility of cellulose were identified.
In addition to molecular level interactions, macroscopic scale phenomena such as gelation and precipitation could be seen as equally important for understanding cellulose behaviour in solvents. Design of new methods of analysis is required to understand these phenomena in a manner beyond the capabilities of traditional polymer theory. Hence an extension of KB theory using starch gelatinisation as a basis was developed. When applied to starch gelatinisation, this theory clarified the mechanism behind the effect of salt concentration on temperature dependence of gelatinisation. (Salts are excluded from gelatinised starch at low salt concentrations and anions can access inside the starch granule at higher concentration.) Similar theory could be applied to cellulose gelation, or precipitation, to glean information about the interactions present in their mechanisms.


The job demands-resources (JD-R) model provides a well-validated account of how job resources and job demands influence work engagement, burnout, and their constituent dimensions. The present study aimed to extend previous research by including challenge demands not widely examined in the context of the JD-R. Furthermore, and extending self-determination theory, the research also aimed to investigate the potential mediating effects that employees' need satisfaction as regards their need for autonomy, need for belongingness, need for competence, and need for achievement, as components of a higher order needs construct, may have on the relationships between job demands and engagement. Structural equations modeling across two independent samples generally supported the proposed relationships. Further research opportunities, practical implications, and study limitations are discussed.


Background and objectives : Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection with worldwide distribution caused by the Leptospira species and predominant in the tropical and subtropical regions. Information on leptospirosis in Bangladesh is limited. The present study was designed to detect anti-leptospiral antibodies in human serum samples in Bangladeshi population by developing an in-house ELISA using recombinant LipL32 (rLipL32) antigen. The study was conducted from April 2014 to December 2014. Method : Healthy individuals from two rural areas and fever cases from one urban healthcare center were enrolled in the study. Rural health centers were located at Sonargoan and Bajitpur sub-district (Upozilla) of Narayaganj and Kishorganj districts. Sonargoan health center is located 26 km south-east and Bajitpur is located 71 km north-east of Dhaka city. About 1-2 ml of blood was collected with aseptic measure and serum was separated and stored at -200C until used. Anti-leptospiral IgG antibody was determined by recombinant LipL32 (rLipL32) antigen based indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositive cases were further confirmed by commercial Leptospira IgG ELISA. Results : The study included 250 febrile cases and 376 healthy individuals from urban and rural areas, respectively. Out of total 626 study population, anti-LipL32 specific IgG antibody was detected in 70 individuals (11.2%). The rate of positivity of anti-LipL32 antibody among the healthy individuals from rural area was 10.6% while the rate was 12.0% in urban febrile population. The rate of positivity in rural and urban population was not significantly (p>0.05) different. Among the urban population, the rate of seropositivity was 9.1% and 16.4% in 21- 40 yrs and above 40 years age group respectively while the rate was 7.2% and 14.0% in rural population respectively. Out of 70 seropositive cases detected by LipL32 ELISA, 65 (92.9%) were positive by commercial ELISA. Conclusion : The present study has revealed that leptospirosis is prevalent in Bangladesh and should be looked for in febrile and clinically suspected cases. The study has also demonstrated that rLipL32 protein may be used as a candidate antigen for the serodiagnosis of leptospirosis. IMC J Med Sci 2017; 11(2): 50-55


A multi-state system (MSS) has more than two discrete states corresponding to different performance rates. Usually, MSS is viewed as in a failure state once its performance rate falls below user demand, and maintenance is carried out immediately. Generally, the repaired system cannot be regarded as good as new, and oftentimes the system restoration is stochastic. We introduce an optimal replacement policy for MSSs, called policy N. Under this policy, a MSS is replaced whenever its failure number reaches N . We assess the dynamic element state probabilities of each aging multi-state element (MSE) using a stochastic process model which is identified as a non-homogeneous continuous time Markov model (NHCTMM), and we evaluate the state distribution of the entire MSS via the combination of the stochastic process, and the universal generating function (UGF). To quantify the quality of imperfect maintenance, a quasi-renewal process is used to describe the stochastic behavior of each individual MSE after repair. Moreover, we derive an explicit expression of the long-run expected profit per unit time, and determine the optimal failure number N* to replace the entire system. The proposed models are demonstrated via an illustrative case, followed by some comparative studies.


A single even-numbered harmonic can be segregated from an odd-harmonic complex more easily than its odd-numbered neighbors, for low fundamentals [Roberts and Bregman, J.Acoust. Soc. Am. 90, 3050-3060 (1991)]. It has been proposed that this effect occurs because the even harmonic is inconsistent with the regular spectral pattern formed by the odd harmonics. However, in this study we evaluate some alternative accounts of the effect. The stimuli were harmonic complex tones for which one of the components was cued by a preceding pure tone. Subjects were required to listen for the cued component and either to rate its clarity (experiments 1 and 3) or to judge its pitch in relation to the preceding tone (experiment 2). It is argued that the weaker fusion of an added even harmonic depends on its status as an added component rather than as an even harmonic (experiment 1), and on its immediate perceptual salience rather than on auditory learning. An even-odd difference was also found when even and odd harmonics were tested in an identical spectral context (experiment 2), and when one of the neighboring odd harmonics was removed (experiment 3). These results are consistent with the proposal that it is easier to segregate a harmonic from a periodic complex tone when it does not form part of the regular pattern of spectral spacing defined by the other harmonics.


Schwab et al.1 did not find a statistically significant association between position played and career duration and autopsy-confirmed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in elite football and ice hockey players. The study's limitations associated with statistical power, measurement error, and sample selection hinder interpretation of the presented data. The authors state that a sample size of about 14 is required "to detect a 50% difference in CTE diagnoses between groups with 80% power."1 Player position is unlikely to account for a 50% difference in CTE status based on work by Mez et al.,2 which indicates no effect for player position in >250 former football players. Assuming that player position accounts for a much smaller effect in CTE status, such as 10%, a sample size of approximately 400 would be needed. In Mez et al., each additional year of football play accounted for a 30% increase in odds of CTE. Given the sample size and standard deviation reported for career duration in this article, the authors were only 80% powered to detect an effect 2.4 times larger and were only 55% powered to detect the effect presented in Mez et al.


In this paper, we inspire from two analogies: the warfare kill zone and the airport check-in system, to design and deploy a new line in the defense-in-depth strategy, called the third line. This line is represented by a security framework, named the Intrusion Ambushing System and is designed to tackle the issue of SMS-based malware in the Android-based Smartphones. The framework exploits the security features offered by Android operating system to prevent the malicious SMS from going out of the phone and detect the corresponding SMS-based malware. We show that the proposed framework can ensure full security against SMS-based malware. In addition, an analytical study demonstrates that the framework offers optimal performance in terms of detection time and execution cost in comparison to intrusion detection systems based on static and dynamic analysis.


The diversity, abundance and frequency of vascular epiphytes on the lower trunk were compared between two host groups of a Mexican cloud forest: angiosperm trees (n = 72) and tree ferns (n = 28). The bark of the five most frequent host trees and the root mantle of the two tree ferns were analysed for their thickness, water content, water retention capacity and pH. A total of 55 epiphyte species and 910 individuals were found on the 27 host species. On hosts with a dbh range of 5–10 cm, epiphytes were significantly more diverse (4.3±0.9 species per host) and more abundant (12.5±2.2 individuals per host) on tree ferns than on angiosperm trees (1.9±0.2 species per host and 3.9±0.6 individuals per host). However, these differences were not significant for the dbh class of 10–20 cm, because epiphyte numbers increased on angiosperm trees with larger host size, but not in tree ferns. Most epiphyte species had no preference for any host group, but four species were significantly more frequent on tree ferns and two species on angiosperm trees. The higher epiphyte diversity and abundance on tree fern trunks of the smallest dbh class is attributed to their presumably greater age and to two stem characteristics, which differed significantly between host groups, the thicker root mantle and higher water retention capacity of tree ferns. These bark characteristics may favour germination and establishment of epiphytes.


Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory method of Multi-Criteria Decision Making has been being used very widely in many management studies (like Operation Management) to identify causal relationships among factors and draw attention to valuable insight for decision making. The scope of this system has reached the manufacturing industry, social activities, farming, financial system, environmental science, energy, and other areas, and has solved numerous practical problems. However, the author has found that the results are misleading as and when it is applied with global (or overall) consideration or even elements/category of unequal weights. To show the serious differences in the results misguiding decision-makers, an example has been demonstrated in this study. Result of the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory from global calculation can be corrected if the calculation and analysis are done based on distinct elements (cluster wise). Grading success or failure factors as per distinct elements of a system and integrating them as per criticality found at the element level, is an added methodology to the existing knowledge of using Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory. With another example from the previous study, the new approach is justified as well. This new approach will help to find critical factors in a truly holistic way and implement any principles, policies, or system more confidently.


A constructivist paradigm was applied to seek multiple meanings for theory generation and understanding of creative development and collaboration with three key participants who all had an architectural background and had succeeded in their creative professions in the Thai entertainment industry. A case study qualitative research methodology was employed to answer the research questions, which focused on how their architectural education had influenced their creative production in the Thai entertainment industry. In-depth and informal interviews were conducted with both key and general participants, as well as carrying out data and document review, and observation in how they collaborated with their staff in producing creative programs in order to answer the four research questions. The data were interpreted according to the confluence of six resources of the Investment Theory of Creativity model by Sternberg and Lubart (2005), as follows: 1) environment; 2) knowledge; 3) intelligence; 4) thinking styles; 5) personality; and 6) motivation. The findings supported Sternberg and Lubart's theory, extending the influence of the six resources by adding three components, which were found to be important in the Thai context: 1) time; 2) adaptation; and 3) morals and ethics. These three factors emerged from the key participants' creative efforts through the confluence of the six resources. Likewise, their architectural background enhanced their creativity in order to continuously advantage their collaboration with their productive staff in their creative organizations. In conclusion, the research reported in this dissertation has enhanced the identification of the creative skills in the Thai entertainment industry and has significantly contributed to the interdisciplinary knowledge of creativity to benefit the staff and practitioners in their creative and collaborative productions for entertaining audiences in Thailand. Key Words : Creativity, Collaboration, Architectural Background, Entertainment Industry, Case Study


Studies have been made to improve the methods of collection and processing of specimens of stool for examination for S. mansoni infections. Employing sedimentation techniques, it has been shown that a stool placed by the subject into a hypertonic saline solution may be retained for several days and eggs will still be found in it and hatch from it. It is shown that there is a definite advantage in not processing the material immediately it is collected. It is suggested that stored in hypertonic saline the faecal matrix disintegrates, releasing the schistosome eggs and preventing them from being trapped on the sieve during processing. Stool specimens subjected to hatching should be retained and observed at intervals for at least 48 hours after addition of hatching water before being discarded as negative. The type of stool sample taken has an important bearing on the harvest of eggs. It is shown that it is preferable to take a small sample by scraping from the surface of the body of a formed stool. Ideally, both microscopic examination and miracidiaI hatching techniques should be used, but hatching methods used alone will generally diagnose more cases than microscopic methods, and they have the added advantage of proving the viability of the eggs being passed by the patient. This is of very great significance in the follow-up examination of patients in trials of chemotherapeutic agents.


Indium zinc oxide (IZO) thin films with different percentages of In content (In/[In+Zn]) are synthesized on glass substrates by magnetron sputtering, and the structural, electrical and optical properties of IZO thin films deposited at different In2O3 target powers are investigated. IZO thin films grown at different In2O3 target sputtering powers show evident morphological variation and different grain sizes. As the In2O3 sputtering power rises, the grain size becomes larger and electrical mobility increases. The film grown with an In2O3 target power of 100 W displays the highest electrical mobility of 13.5 cm·V−1·s−1 and the lowest resistivity of 2.4 × 10−3 Ω·cm. The average optical transmittance of the IZO thin film in the visible region reaches 80% and the band gap broadens with the increase of In2O3 target power, which is attributed to the increase in carrier concentration and is in accordance with Burstein—Moss shift theory.


Central to understanding how nanoscale objects interact with living matter is the need for reproducible and verifiable data that can be interpreted with confidence. Likely this will be the basis of durable advances in nanomedicine and nanosafety. To develop these fields, there is also considerable interest in advancing the first generation of theoretical models of nanoparticle uptake into cells, and nanoparticle biodistribution in general. Here we present an uptake study comparing the outcomes for free molecular dye and nanoparticles labeled with the same dye. A simple flux-based approach is presented to model nanoparticle uptake. We find that the intracellular nanoparticle concentration grows linearly in time, and that the uptake is essentially irreversible, with the particles accumulating in lysosomes. A wide range of practical challenges, from labile dye release, to nanoparticle aggregation and the need to account for cell division, are addressed to ensure these studies yield meaningful kinetic information.


The progressive loss of effector function in the setting of chronic viral infections has been associated with the upregulation of programmed death 1 (PD-1), a negative regulator of activated T cells. In HIV infection, increased levels of PD-1 expression correlate with CD8(+) T cell exhaustion, which has been shown in vitro to be reversible with PD-1 blockade. Velu and colleagues recently reported the first in vivo study showing enhancement of a virus-specific immune response through PD-1 blockade using an anti-PD-1 antibody in an SIV-macaque model. Their results show an expansion of virus-specific, polyfunctional CD8(+) T cells. Anti-PD1 antagonists show promise as a novel immunotherapy for HIV. However, several issues including development of autoimmunity, regulatory T cells and multiple inhibitory receptors associated with CD8(+) T cell exhaustion should first be addressed to help ensure a successful response in chronic HIV infected patients.


BACKGROUND
Patients with unilateral inguinal hernias are conventionally seen at an out-patient appointment before being placed on a waiting list for surgery. Many patients are also required to attend a pre-assessment clinic prior to admission.

AIM
To establish whether patients fit for day surgery inguinal hernia repair could be assessed and treated at a single hospital appointment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Patients referred with unilateral inguinal hernias were sent an information sheet and health questionnaire by post. General practitioners were asked to help patients complete the medical details. Patients suitable for day surgery were sent a single appointment for assessment and treatment by an open, tension-free Lichtenstein mesh repair.

RESULTS
Ninety-eight patients were sent an appointment for 'one-stop' inguinal hernia treatment. Ninety-two patients (93.5%) underwent inguinal hernia repair and were discharged on the same day without complication.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients with unilateral primary inguinal hernias who are under 70 years old and ASA grade I or II can been seen, assessed and treated on the same day. 'One-stop' inguinal hernia surgery reduces the number of patient visits to the hospital and could be expanded to incorporate many more hernia repairs and other day case procedures.


A focus on utopia risks obscuring complexities in the process of realising human rights in time through institutions of governance. This article recounts judicial rituals by which judges delay the coming into effect of their conclusion that a law violates human rights. Here the more 'radical' approach involves insisting on rights' enforcement now. The article also addresses a controversy around the moment when a right began to produce legal effects that bind governments. This issue raises questions about how evolving understandings of rights fit into theories of the Constitution and judicial power. Last, the article analyses these examples' displacement of rights from past and present to future. Where a utopian lens may imply a static condition, this article's cases underscore the processes of governance and of working out an inter-institutional division of labour. They invite attention not only to ends, but also to means.


This paper argues that because of the irreversibility and uncertainty associated with build—operate—transfer (BOT) infrastructure projects, their financial evaluation should also routinely include the determination of the value of the option to defer the construction start-up. This ensures that project viability is comprehensively assessed before any revenue or loan guarantees are considered by project sponsors to support the project. This paper shows that the framework can be used even in the context of the intuitive binomial lattice model. This requires estimating volatility directly from the evolution of the net operating income while accounting for the correlation between the revenue and costs functions. This approach ensures that the uncertainties usually associated with toll revenues, in particular, are thoroughly investigated and their impact on project viability is thoroughly assessed. This paper illustrates the usefulness of the framework with data from an actual (BOT) toll road project. The results show that by postponing the project for a couple of years the project turns out to be viable, whereas it was not without the deferral. The evaluation approach proposed therefore provides a better framework for determining when and the extent of government financial support, if any, that may be needed to support a BOT project on the basis of project economics. The analysis may also be applicable to private sector investment projects, which are characterized by irreversibility and a high rate of uncertainty. DOI: 10.1061/ (ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000615. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.


Background: The enriched learning and effective teaching is one of necessary aspect to develop competent health professionals. In literature number of studies presents the best qualities of an effective teacher. There are different descriptive surveys depicting the rating of student and expert professional opinion. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the top qualities of a good teacher in health sciences. Materials and Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study. Methods: Setting: Riphah College of rehabilitation sciences. Period: January - February 2014. Methods: 179 students were recruited in sample. A structured questionnaire was prepared and twenty qualities were selected after the detail review of literature. A scale ranging from 1 to 5 were described against each qualities from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Results: The result showed that the top qualities ranked by the students were effective communication skills score 112, encourage students 103, sound knowledge 100 and good presentation skills 99. The lowest score qualities were constructive criticism 28 and sense of humor 53. The 49% students want to be teacher while 51% don't want to be teacher in future. Conclusion: A good teacher has vital role in producing a good student. According to the perception of students a good teacher must have strong and effective communication skill, ability to motivate students and must have sound knowledge of subjects. This study suggests the basic training program for teacher to enhance the student teacher relationship. Further study should be done to explore the teacher's perception of a good teacher.


The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of spiritual meditation on self confidence among handball players. To achieve the purpose of the study thirty cricket players were selected from Karaikudi, Tamilnadu, India during the year 2019. The subject's age ranges from 21 to 30 years. The selected students were divided into two equal groups consists of 15 players each namely experimental group and control group. The experimental group underwent a spiritual meditation programme for six weeks. The control group was not taking part in any training during the course of the study. Self-confidence was taken as criterion variable in this study. The selected subjects were tested on Self-confidence was measured through Vealy's trait sports confidence inventory (TSCI) assessment. Pre-test was taken before the training period and posttest was measured immediately after the six week training period. Statistical technique't' ratio was used to analyse the means of the pre-test and post test data of experimental group and control group. The results revealed that there was a significant difference found on the criterion variable. The difference is found due to spiritual meditation given to the experimental group on Self-confidence when compared to control group.


Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) social distancing measures led to a dramatic decline in non-COVID-19 respiratory virus infections, providing a unique opportunity to study their impact on annual forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decline, episodes of temporary drop in lung function (TDLF) suggestive of infection and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Methods All FEV1 values of LTRs transplanted between 2009 and April 2020 at the University Medical Center Groningen (Groningen, The Netherlands) were included. Annual FEV1 change was estimated with separate estimates for pre-social distancing (2009–2020) and the year with social distancing measures (2020–2021). Patients were grouped by individual TDLF frequency (frequent/infrequent). Respiratory virus circulation was derived from weekly hospital-wide respiratory virus infection rates. Effect modification by TDLF frequency and respiratory virus circulation was assessed. CLAD and TDLF rates were analysed over time. Results 479 LTRs (12 775 FEV1 values) were included. Pre-social distancing annual change in FEV1 was −114 (95% CI −133– −94) mL, while during social distancing FEV1 did not decline: 5 (95% CI −38–48) mL (difference pre-social distancing versus during social distancing: p<0.001). The frequent TDLF subgroup showed faster annual FEV1 decline compared with the infrequent TDLF subgroup (−150 (95% CI −181– −120) versus −90 (95% CI −115– −65) mL; p=0.003). During social distancing, we found significantly lower odds for any TDLF (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33–0.85; p=0.008) and severe TDLF (OR 0.34, 0.16–0.71; p=0.005) as well as lower CLAD incidence (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.27–1.02; p=0.060). Effect modification by respiratory virus circulation indicated a significant association between TDLF/CLAD and respiratory viruses. Conclusions During COVID-19 social distancing the strong reduction in respiratory virus circulation coincided with markedly less FEV1 decline, fewer episodes of TDLF and possibly less CLAD. Effect modification by respiratory virus circulation suggests an important role for respiratory viruses in lung function decline in LTRs. Reduction in respiratory virus circulation during social distancing was associated with stabilisation of lung function in lung transplant recipients, suggesting a more important role for these infections in lung function decline than previously thought https://bit.ly/3tWuxDO


Homocysteine could be a mechanism that underlies the effects of lead on cardiovascular system. This study aims to identify the relationship between lead exposure and homocysteine levels among workers. A comparative
cross-sectional study was carried out on 80 workers of an automotive components manufacturing factory; that
comprised of 40 exposed workers and 40 non-exposed workers. Blood samples of respondents were taken by fingerprick.
The blood samples were analyzed for blood lead concentration by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Graphite Furnace Model GBC 908AA. Besides that, ELISA Kit was used to show the homocysteine level among the
respondents. Questionnaires were used to obtain demography information of respondents. Results from the statistical
analysis showed that the mean blood lead concentration for exposed respondents was 5.53±4.74 µg/dL and 3.53±2.81
µg/dL for the comparative respondents. Mann-Whitney U test showed that there was no significance difference
between the mean blood lead concentration of the exposed and comparative group (z=-1.178; p=0.075). The blood
lead concentration ranged 0.68-17.95 among the exposed group and with a range of 0.084-11.96 for the comparative
group. The mean homocysteine level (µmol/L) was 32.48±2.481µmol/L for the exposed group and 16.50±4.0960
µmol/L for the comparative group. There was a significant difference in homocysteine level (µmol/L) between the
exposed (32.48±2.481) and comparative (16.50±4.0959) groups (z = -7.699, p<0.001). The range of homocysteine
level among exposed group was 28.64 to 38.54 and for comparative group was 7.58 to 22.41. The lead exposure
among exposed group (r=0.049;p=0.764) and comparative group (r=-0.053; p=0.743) was not significantly correlated
with the concentration of homocysteine. The occupational lead exposure has no correlation with homocysteine level
among workers at automotive component manufacturing factory.


BACKGROUND
In case of infection after vascular reconstruction, preference is often given to absorbable suture material with the aim of preventing persistence of infection. We have investigated the functional deficit of absorbable sutures on incubation with various different bacteria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Four suture materials Dexon bicolor, Vicryl, Maxon and PDS II--were placed in contact with reference bacterial cultures (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, E. coli, coagulase-negative staphylococci and Proteus mirabilis). The bacteria were incubated for 7 days at 37 degrees C, together with the suture material. A logarithmic phase (Group A) and a static phase (Group B) were simulated. The linear tensile strength (LTS) of the suture material was measured (Instron Tensiometer).

RESULTS
In the case of Staphylococcus aureus, a significant decrease in LTS was established for Dexon bicolor (group A: 31%, group B: 22%), and Vicryl (53% and 43%), but not for the monofilament threads. With regard to the other bacteria, a considerably more dramatic effect was observed: in both groups the braided sutures had completely disintegrated after 7 days. The monofilament sutures also revealed a significant loss of function (Maxon: 88%, PDS II 66%).

CONCLUSIONS
The absorbable sutures revealed a premature, species-dependent loss of function due to the presence of the bacteria. On the basis of our results, the use of absorbable threads for vessel sutures in case of infection cannot be recommended, with the exception of monofilament material in a monocultural Staphylococcus aureus infection.


Cross sections and maps reveal the Concho arch as an imposing northwest trending structural feature, denuded in the Llano uplift area. The similarity of this arch to the Central Kansas uplift would be more obvious except for greater westward tilting of the Texas area. As in central Kansas, a comparatively thin Pennsylvanian section rests on truncated Ordovician and older beds along this broad axis. Uplift and erosion of the Ordovician evidently began during pre-Mississippian time. The Bend, and, to a greater degree, the Millsap Lake, Garner, and Mineral Wells beds show both pronounced thinning and some truncation over this broad regional feature. Attention is also given to the evidence of progressive development of the Ouachita-Marathon mountains, the Electra and Muenster arches, the Bend flexure and other large structural features of this region. End_Page 1703------------------------------ Because of the possible economic importance of the arched Ordovician beds, the identification of subdivisions by insoluble residues and general character of well cuttings has been attempted with encouraging results. To facilitate correlation of the Pennsylvanian and Lower Permian strata, a classification by "subseries" as in the northern Mid-Continent and West Texas regions has been used in this paper. Such procedure places emphasis on unconformities and faunal changes of wide regional importance. Former group names are retained but boundaries redefined where needed. The probable influence of the regional conditions in this area upon oil and gas migration and accumulation is discussed, such as the overlap of structurally high reservoirs by apparent source beds; differential pressures resulting from wedge-shaped overburden; progressive development of structural trends and local folds; and the character and distribution of sedimentary material, especially the development of local sandstone or limestone reservoirs and stratigraphic traps. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1704------------


When studying the film industry, researchers have seldom addressed the dynamic interaction between marketing information and word of mouth in the motion picture industry mainly because of the limitation of traditional research methodologies. This study explores integration and competition among important variables influencing on audience"s choice on movie selection, particularly by using a new method of agent-based modeling including competitive environment. Decision process of moviegoer composed of transition probability based on multinomial logit model, considering marketing and box-office information, critique, and word of mouth from other moviegoers. After validating the fitness of market share among released movies, this study conducted a set of simulation experiments considering several variables such as market size, change of weight between variables, and movie performance under competition. Propositions are derived from the simulation results is also suggested for future research.


Abstract Most female birds have only a left ovary and associated oviduct. The entry to the oviduct is on the left side of the urodeum of the cloaca. This arrangement may favor males that mount females from the left during copulation if it results in sperm being placed closer to the opening of the oviduct. Therefore, we predicted a left-sided directional bias of cloacal contacts during House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) copulations. Cloacal contacts from the left outnumbered those from the right 74 to 25 (3:1) during 25 bouts of copulation at 11 House Sparrow nests. While this pattern suggests that a left-sided bias in mounting by males during copulation may be related to the asymmetry of the female reproductive tract, it also might be related to brain lateralization.


In person re-identification (ReID) task, it is still challenging to learn discriminative representation by deep learning, due to limited data. Generally speaking, the model will get better performance when increasing the amount of data. The addition of similar classes strengthens the ability of the classifier to identify similar identities, thereby improving the discrimination of representation. In this paper, we propose a Diverse and Compact Transformer (DC-Former) that can achieve a similar effect by splitting embedding space into multiple diverse and compact subspaces. Compact embedding subspace helps model learn more robust and discriminative embedding to identify similar classes. And the fusion of these diverse embeddings containing more fine-grained information can further improve the effect of ReID. Specifically, multiple class tokens are used in vision transformer to represent multiple embedding spaces. Then, a self-diverse constraint (SDC) is applied to these spaces to push them away from each other, which makes each embedding space diverse and compact. Further, a dynamic weight controller (DWC) is further designed for balancing the relative importance among them during training. The experimental results of our method are promising, which surpass previous state-of-the-art methods on several commonly used person ReID benchmarks. Our code is available at https://github.com/ant-research/Diverse-and-Compact-Transformer.


The power system now is a typical complex system, which has inherent characteristics of SOC. Studying on cascading failures are necessary and meaningful to insure the grid's safety, national security and economic development. This paper firstly establishes the indices of power system development diagnosis, which are closely relevant to the trigger of power system evolution. Then a cascading failure model is proposed, considering planning and evolution of the power system. This model is based on OPA model, including both fast dynamics and slow dynamics. The slow dynamic process simulates the evolution of power system, which represents the functions of the planning department, while the fast dynamic process simulates power flow and cascading failures, which takes the effects of dispatch, relay protection and automation into consideration. Moreover, simulations are tested on the case of Kaifeng-Shangqiu power system in Henan Province of China, and evolution results are presented.


OpenAI's GPT-4 is a Large Language Model (LLM) that can generate coherent constructed languages, or"conlangs,"which we propose be called"genlangs"when generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The genlangs created by ChatGPT for this research (Voxphera, Vivenzia, and Lumivoxa) each have unique features, appear facially coherent, and plausibly"translate"into English. This study investigates whether genlangs created by ChatGPT follow Zipf's law. Zipf's law approximately holds across all natural and artificially constructed human languages. According to Zipf's law, the word frequencies in a text corpus are inversely proportional to their rank in the frequency table. This means that the most frequent word appears about twice as often as the second most frequent word, three times as often as the third most frequent word, and so on. We hypothesize that Zipf's law will hold for genlangs because (1) genlangs created by ChatGPT fundamentally operate in the same way as human language with respect to the semantic usefulness of certain tokens, and (2) ChatGPT has been trained on a corpora of text that includes many different languages, all of which exhibit Zipf's law to varying degrees. Through statistical linguistics, we aim to understand if LLM-based languages statistically look human. Our findings indicate that genlangs adhere closely to Zipf's law, supporting the hypothesis that genlangs created by ChatGPT exhibit similar statistical properties to natural and artificial human languages. We also conclude that with human assistance, AI is already capable of creating the world's first fully-functional genlang, and we call for its development.


It is a pleasure to welcome the third edition of this classic. Disposal of the Dead is not merely a guide to law and practice, it is a social document which could be read with ease and interest by anyone. Most problems faced by coroners, police and funeral directors can be resolved without further search but if more detailed information on the law or the unusual situation is required the abundant references are an invaluable guide. The work covers disposal in different social cultures certification of death, burial, cremation and exhumation. The new edition has 56 pages more than its predecessor. In the first chapter the authors deal with the frisson which was stirred by a suggestion that human bodies could be used for fertilizer (in a sense, by earth burial, they always have been) and with cryonic disposal by deep freezing. The sections dealing with the radioactive cadaver and with social security death grants have been brought up to date; the piece on reporting to <the coroner is scrupulously accurate. The Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1974, have done much to straighten the tangle of the multiple Budai Acts, which have been repealed. The authors deal with this competently. A touch of humour appears on p. 374 describing exotic coffins made by a carpenter in Ghana. An exceptional model was a reproduction of a Mercedes-Benz motor car, which, it is said, "he thoughtfully presented Ito his wife's ailing grandfather". It was used for the funeral a few days later. While this excellent book should find a place on the shelves of many who have to deal with various aspects of death it is specially recommended that it should be available to police officers of all ranks. The form and production is good. Professors Polson and Marshall are warmly congratulated on their continuing achievement. GAVIN ThuRSTON


A novel double-sided parallel-strip line (DSPSL) push-pull oscillator using two identical sub-oscillators on the opposite sides of a dielectric substrate is proposed. The two sub-oscillators, sharing a common DSPSL resonator and common ground in the middle of the substrate, generate out-of-phase fundamental signals and in-phase second harmonics. At the common DSPSL output, the second harmonics are cancelled out while the fundamental signals are well combined. By this design, an additional combiner at the output, as required by the conventional push-pull circuits, is not needed, which greatly reduces the circuit size and simplifies the design procedures of the proposed push-pull oscillator.


AIDS as a disease afflicts mankind for more than 3 decades. HIV, the causative is not yet checked with a prophylactic vaccine. The plausibility of the prevention by conventional prophylactic strategies based on Jenner's conventional method of inducing memory response is reviewed here. In order to find the right direction towards achieving this goal, a SWOT analysis is represented here with a Venn diagram. Our increasing awareness on the viral genome and the antiviral treatment with the sensitive diagnostic tools strengthen the efforts, while the viral nature privileges its replenishment by hampering the host immune memory. Though antiviral drugs promise a notable degree of control, they render selection pressure favoring viral escapism with perking quasispecies or circulating recombinant forms (CRF). Few historical clinical trials teach us to frame new opportunities for the conduct of such trials that assures safety. The knowledge has exponentially increased on the host immune response, human genetics, retrovirology, drug development, gene delivery system to understand that HIV is the only pathogen that had the greatest consumption of our time and resources. The technological advancements add to our strength. However, the virus with its biological features proves its intrinsic competency for survival. Though the antiviral therapy confers some hope, the resistant forms pose a threat to their continuation. It emphasizes the need for prevention and suggests novel, unconventional prophylaxis. Treatment as a means of prevention and the use of immunomodulators to decrease the disease progression can help us to win the belligerence against AIDS.


Solar cells based on a heterojunction between crystalline silicon and the organic polymer PEDOT:PSS were fabricated at temperatures <;100 °C by spin coating. The Si/PEDOT interface blocks electrons in n-type silicon from moving to the anode and functions as a low-temperature alternative to diffused p- n junctions. The device takes advantage of the light absorption and transport properties of silicon and combines it with the simplicity of fabrication afforded by organics. Reverse recovery measurements were used to analyze the electron-blocking effectiveness of the heterojunction. The data show that current in the device is primarily due to holes injected from the anode into the silicon. At AM1.5, Si/PEDOT heterojunction solar cells achieve power conversion efficiency of 11.7%, which is among the highest reported values for this class of devices.


Abstract Few studies have paid attention to the performances of non-invasive models in diagnosing stages of liver fibrosis and inflammation, which are critical for early and accurate assessment of prognostication and decisions on antiviral treatment in chronic hepatitis B infection patients with high hepatitis B virus DNA and normal or mildly elevated alanine transaminase levels (≤2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)). This study aimed to investigate the value of routine serum markers in evaluation of liver inflammation and fibrosis in these patients. A total of 370 consecutive chronic hepatitis B virus-infected patients who underwent liver biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. The Scheuer scoring system was adopted as the pathological standard for diagnosing liver inflammation and fibrosis. The receiver-operating characteristic curves (ROC) and the area under the ROC curves (AUROCs) were used to analyze the performances of the models, including aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis index based on the 4 factors (FIB-4), red cell volume distribution width-to-platelet ratio (RPR), globulin-platelet model (GP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio index (GPR). To predict significant inflammation (G ≥2), the AUROC of APRI was higher than that of FIB-4 (0.705 vs 0.629, P = .001), RPR (0.705 vs 0.593, P < .001) and GP (0.705 vs 0.620, P = .002), equivalent to that of GPR (0.705 vs 0.690, P = .606). As for severe inflammation (≥G3) and significant fibrosis (≥S2), there was no statistic difference among them. To predict severe fibrosis (≥ S3), the AUROC of FIB-4 was higher than that of RPR (0.805 vs 0.750, P = .006) and GP (0.805 vs 0.755, P = .046), comparable to that of APRI (0.805 vs 0.785, P = .550) and GPR (0.805 vs 0.818, P = .694). As for significant liver histological changes (G ≥ 2 or/and S ≥ 2), the performance of APRI was higher than that of RPR (0.717 vs 0.652, P = .006), GP (0.717 vs 0.659, p = .011), equivalent to that of FIB-4 (0.717 vs 0.692, P = .254) and GPR (0.717 vs 0.680, P = .166). We found that APRI, GPR, and FIB-4 were more effective than RPR and GP for diagnosing liver inflammation and fibrosis.


This article presents the design and simulation of a fourth order multilayer Dual Behavior Resonator (DBR) microwave filter. As a first step, a single layer filter design is made, based on open-circuited different-length stubs DBR structures. A two layer filter is obtained by modifying the initial design, allowing cross-couplings between non-adjacent resonators. The multilayer configuration reduces the circuit size, and has the potential to improve the filter's electrical response. A comparison between the single layer and the multilayer designs is provided.


The effects of aprindine (1 X 10(-7) to 4 X 10(-6) M) were examined on membrane potential and current of rabbit sinoatrial node by means of conventional microelectrode and double microelectrode voltage clamp methods. Aprindine decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, the spontaneously firing frequency, the maximum rate of depolarization and the action potential amplitude, and prolonged the action potential duration at half-amplitude. The slope of the diastolic depolarization was also reduced by the drug. In the voltage clamp experiment, aprindine reduced the slow inward current (Isi), the time-dependent potassium current (Ik) and the hyperpolarization activated current (Ih). The recovery time constant of Isi was prolonged by aprindine, while the kinetics of Ik was not altered. It is indicated that aprindine does not have an effect on a specific conductance or a single current system, but that the drug exerts an inhibitory effect on the electrical activity of sinoatrial node.


INTRODUCTION
Machine Learning is a useful tool for the prediction of cell-penetration compounds as drug candidates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this study, we developed a novel method for predicting Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs) membrane penetrating capability. For this, we used orthogonal encoding to encode amino acid and each amino acid position as one variable. Then a software of IBM spss modeler and a dataset including 533 CPPs, were used for model screening.

RESULTS
The results indicated that the machine learning model of Support Vector Machine (SVM) was suitable for predicting membrane penetrating capability. For improvement, the three CPPs with the most longer lengths were used to predict CPPs. The penetration capability can be predicted with an accuracy of close to 95%.

CONCLUSION
All the results indicated that by using amino acid position as a variable can be a perspective method for predicting CPPs membrane penetrating capability.


Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare connective tissues disorder characterized by chronic inflammation that primarily affects the skin and skeletal muscles. Although during the past decade the prognosis of JDM has markedly improved, there are still patients with persistent active disease leading to potential irreversible damage and permanent disability. One of the major challenges in the clinical management of JDM is to accurately assess disease activity and to discriminate it from chronic damage, especially in patients with longstanding disease, whose muscle weakness may be due to a combination of ongoing muscle inflammation, necrosis, muscle atrophy and fatty replacement. The potential of musculoskeletal MRI for defining the contribution of each of these components to the patients weakness is well established. Water-sensitive sequences are very sensitive to the presence of inflammation and have the potential to support diagnosis, to guide muscle biopsy in an area of active disease and to monitor treatment response; T1 weighted images are suitable to visualize sign of chronic damage such AS muscle atrhophy and/or fatty infiltration of the muscles. Main indications for musculoskeletal MRI in JDM, technical issues and diagnostic accuracy, and newer MRI scanner techniques (i.e whole-body MRI) will be discussed thus providing an overview of the potential advantages of this imaging modality in estimating total disease burden, tailoring treatment and monitoring its efficacy. Disclosure of Interest None declared


Specificational copular clauses, in one school of thought, are considered to be inverted predications from an underlying small clause (Moro 1997, Mikkelsen 2004, den Dikken 2006 etc). One aspect of specificational copualr clauses that is often neglected is the fact that such clauses have a unique information structure profile in requiring an obligatorily focused post-copular constituent. In this extended abstract, I argue that the reason for this does not lie in movement of the pre-copular phrase to a topic position (as argued by Mikkelsen 2004) but rather because of movment of the post-copular phrase to a clause internal FocP (a position argued for independently by Jayaseelan 1999 a.o). I provide data from Tamil scrambling facts in support of this.