Although microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology effectively promotes the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils in low concentrations, the high concentration of heavy metals has a toxic effect on microorganisms, which leads to the decline of carbonate yield and makes the soil strength and environmental safety after remediation no up to the standard. This study describes the synergistic curing effect of MgO and microorganisms on soil contaminated with high concentrations of heavy metals. The experimental results with MgO showed 2-6 times increase in unconfined compressive strength (UCS) compared to bio-cemented samples without MgO. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure experiments indicated that Pb-contaminated soil at 10,000 mg/kg with quantitative MgO for synergistic solidification could meet the international solid waste disposal standards, which leachable Pb2+ are less than 5 mg/L. In addition, the microscopic results showed that the introduction of MgO promoted the formation of magnesium calcite and dolomite, improved the solidification efficiency of heavy metal contaminants, and demonstrated the presence of Pb2+ in carbonate minerals. This study suggests that MgO and microorganisms have broad application prospects for synergistic solidification of Pb2+ soil.


AIM
To explore the effects of astragaloside IV (XGA) on myocardial calcium transport and cardiac function in ischemic rats.

METHODS
Eighty-four Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group (n=12); ischemic group (n=12) was given isoprenaline injection sc at a dose of 30 mg/kg; and XGA group (n=60) was given XGA after isoprenaline administration. The changes of the parameters of hemodynamics, cardiac function, and intra- and extracellular calcium concentration of the myocardial cells were determined. The dose- and time-effect relationship of XGA on myocardial calcium transport and cardiac function were observed.

RESULTS
After XGA administration, there was significant improvement in cardiac function and hemodynamics in ischemic rats. The cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume, mean aortic pressure, systolic aortic pressure, the stroke work of left ventricule, the right and left ventricle systolic pressure, and +dp/dt of the right ventricle of ischemic rats gradually recovered to the level of the control group with increasing the dose of XGA and prolongation of the action of XGA. The ionized calcium of the myocardium and the total amount of calcium of the myocardial tissue decreased markedly compared to those in ischemic group, and the activity of calcium pump of erythrocyte membrane increased significantly in comparison to that of ischemic group, but their changes had no trend of increase with increasing dose of the XGA. However, there was a gradual decrease of the ionized calcium of the myocardium with the prolongation of acting time of XGA.

CONCLUSION
XGA improves the cardiac function in ischemic rats, and the reduction of excessive accumulation of intracellular calcium within myocardial cells plays an important role.


A new mass spectrometry method, logically derived sequence (LODES) tandem mass spectrometry (MSn), was applied to determine the primary structure of polysaccharide lichenin. Conventional polysaccharide structural analysis requires complex processes, including derivation, permethylation, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Many of these processes can be replaced by LODES/MSn. In this new method, polysaccharides are hydrolyzed into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, and structures of these molecules are determined using LODES/MSn. The application of LODES/MSn for determination of primary structure of polysaccharide lichenin was demonstrated. The repeating unit of lichenin was determined to be An-Bn, where A represents β-Glc-(1 → 4)-β-Glc-(1 → 4)-β-Glc-(1 → 3)-Glc, B represents β-Glc-(1 → 4)-β-Glc-(1 → 4)-β-Glc-(1 → 4)-β-Glc-(1 → 3)-Glc, n is an integral, and n ≥ 2 exists but n = 1 cannot be excluded. LODES/MSn, which substantially reduces the time, effort, and sample quantity necessary for structural determination of oligosaccharides, is a powerful tool for polysaccharide primary structural determination.


The agricultural sector in Sweden, as elsewhere, is affected by increased intensification and specialisation, leading to fewer and larger farms. The majority of agricultural firms acquire profits by pushing an economies of scale strategy, which is not always possible for small farms. However, there are alternative strategies. This teaching case focuses on a small farm in Sweden and offers students an opportunity to study the management of business model innovation in this context. The case explores the value creation strategy of a cattle farm and applies activities such as mapping a business model, developing suggestions for business model innovation, analysing existing and lacking managerial competences and pinpointing implications for agricultural policy. As a result, profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of the study farm should be achieved, together with acquisition of knowledge and skills by its owner. This educational case is suitable for agricultural students of different levels requiring knowledge of business and management.


In this paper, we consider "sinus-lifting motion" of a living snake, in which a snake lifts up some parts of its body from the ground, and switches the lifted parts dynamically. It is not clear whether imitating the sinus-lifting motion is the best locomotion or not for a snake like robot. The aim of this paper is to propose an appropriate motion pattern to a snake like robot considering the optimality of the sinus-lifting motion. We introduce two physical parameters, constraint forces and energy efficiency, as cost functions to optimize and propose switching strategies for generating optimal motion patterns of a snake like robot.


This work introduces a conceptual representation for complex spatial arrangements of image features in large multimedia datasets. A novel data structure, termed the spatial event cube (SEC), is formed from the co-occurrence matrices of perceptually classified features with respect to specific spatial relationships. A visual thesaurus constructed using supervised and unsupervised learning techniques is used to label the image features. SECs can be used to not only visualize the dominant spatial arrangements of feature classes but also discover non-obvious configurations. SECs also provide the framework for high-level data mining techniques such as using the generalized association rule approach. Experimental results are provided for a large dataset of aerial images.


This article presents a review of research studies examining instructional methods reported in the social work education literature published between 1998 and 2008. From a sample of 91 studies, 31 were identified as having used either a single group pre/post test design or a comparison of two or more groups and inclusion of a learning outcome measure. Most of the studies were deficient in either the employment of comparison groups, pre/post designs, utilization of multiple learning outcome measures, or a clear delineation of the connection between teaching methods and learning outcomes. Very few studies were based on previous work. A challenge is made to the field to conduct better designed studies and several suggestions for doing so are offered.


Evoked potential techniques were used to study the acquisition of names for different objects in 14-month-old infants. Auditory evoked responses (AERs) were recorded from each infant by scalp electrodes positioned over frontal, temporal, and parietal regions of each hemisphere before and after several days of training in which nonsense consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel bisyllables were used by parents to consistently name novel objects. Analyses of the AERs collected during the posttraining session indicated that two portions of the brain response discriminated a "match" versus a "mismatch" occurring between the auditorily presented names and the objects held by the infants. Specifically, an early occurring portion of the AER recorded from bilaterally placed frontal electrodes and a late occurring response detected at only the left hemisphere electrode sites discriminated between situations when a match occurred between the object and its name versus those in which there was a mismatch between the name and object. No such differences were found in the pretraining AER data. Results are viewed as a preliminary step in the neuropsychological study of word concept development using electrophysiological measures.


Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive tumor with few therapeutic options. Although patients with epithelioid PM (ePM) survive longer than non-epithelioid PM (non-ePM), heterogeneity of tumor response in ePM is observed. The role of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in the development and progression of PM is currently considered a promising biomarker. A few studies have used high-throughput technologies correlated with TIME evaluation and morphologic and clinical data. This study aimed to identify different morphological, immunohistochemical, and transcriptional profiles that could potentially predict the outcome. A retrospective multicenter cohort of 129 chemonaive PM patients was recruited. Tissue slides were reviewed by dedicated pathologists for histotype classification and immunophenotype of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and lymphoid aggregates or tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). ePM (n = 99) survivors were further classified into long (>36 months) or short (<12 months) survivors. RNAseq was performed on a subset of 69 samples. Distinct transcriptional profiling in long and short ePM survivors was found. An inflammatory background with a higher number of B lymphocytes and a prevalence of TLS formations were detected in long compared to short ePM survivors. These results suggest that B cell infiltration could be important in modulating disease aggressiveness, opening a pathway for novel immunotherapeutic approaches.


Introduction: Improper coronal restoration after root canal therapy leads to penetration ofmicroorganisms along root canal or through voids of root canal filling to periapical tissues and ultimate failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability of amalgam and CB whilst 4/21 of the samples of C&B Metabondleaked at 3 months period. This difference was statistically significant and the sealing ability of twomaterials was increased by time lapse (p value Conclusion: C&B Metabond showed better sealing ability as a coronal seal thanAmalgam againstEntrococous Feacalis at 3 months period and its use is advised for double sealing before finalcoronal restoration. Key words: Amalgam, C&B Metabond, Entrococcus faecalis, Microleakage, Seal


A new optical element, a Fresnel axicon (fraxicon), is proposed. Similar to a Fresnel lens, this element consists of concentric prism-like grooves with an apex angle equal to that of a bulk axicon and whose action relies on refraction. The fraxicon is less chromatic and simpler to manufacture than holographic optical element-based diffractive axicons and, in comparison with regular refractive axicons, is more compact with less absorption loss in the material while allowing significant economy in mass production.


The fact that accented speech persists for adult L2 learners in spite of years of study, proficiency in other domains of grammar (such as syntax) and even phonetic training has led many to accept a phonological critical period as fact, an opinion based by and large on the abundance of anecdotal evidence. In fact, difficulties in production and/or perception lend evidence that the majority of adult L2 learners never fully master the phonological properties of their target language. However, as Flege (1987) notes, the critical period hypothesis (CPH) for phonology is an a priori assumption about the basis of adult-child differences rather than a testable hypothesis. Flege warns that accepting the critical period hypothesis might result in obstruction of the development of specific hypotheses that lend themselves to empirical investigation. The present study seeks to examine the viability of a critical/sensitive period in the domain of L2 phonology based on an Optimality Theoretic framework (OT) (Prince & Smolensky, 1993; McCarthy & Prince, 1993). In this sense, we join Hancin-Bhatt (1997), Hancin-Bhatt and Bhatt (1997) and Escudero and Boersma (2004), inter alia, in examining L2 acquisition from an OT perspective. We will show that adults exposed to a second language after the age of 12, the supposed cut-off for a critical period, are able to acquire/establish new phonemic contrasts/categories and to access universal phonological constraints that govern output. We claim that they do so by employing the same learning algorithms that allow children to converge on the adult constraint ranking of their language by reranking markedness constraints which compel alternations in the output to avoid marked structures and faithfulness constraints which militate against input-output change based on the input. We offer as well as the distribution of coda nasals in English by L2 learners of English/L1 Spanish. In most dialects of Spanish (disregarding assimilation contexts), word-final coda nasals neutralize to the unmarked coronal place of articulation (Piñeros, 2007). Piñeros argues that the markedness constraint PLACE HIERARCHY outranks the input-output faithfulness constraint MAX(Place). We will argue that the L1 Spanish speaker must rerank the dominant PLACE HIERARCHY constraint below MAX(Place) such that faithfulness dominates markedness, thus allowing coda nasal contrasts to surface. The question then becomes: can phonological constraints be reranked on the basis of target input? Does a critical period for phonology predict that this should be impossible? A strict interpretation of the CPH implies just that. To test this prediction, we report on two tasks from a four-part study of 24 advanced L1 speakers of Spanish acquiring L2 English. Results from AX discrimination and production tasks indicate that


Relevance and methods. Pumpkin fruits and seeds are valuable raw materials for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Of particular value are pumpkin seeds, from which oil and protein products are obtained. The purpose of our research is to identify the best breeding samples of pumpkin in terms of seed yield and pumpkin oil and to study their biochemical composition. The evaluation of 12 samples of pumpkin was carried out according to the main economic and biological characteristics. Results. According to the yield of seeds and the yield of pumpkin oil, the following samples were distinguished: Delta, Golosemyanno-kustovaya, Line 2-3, Line 2-5. The biochemical composition of seed samples with high seed yields was studied in terms of the content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. A biochemical analysis of pumpkin seed oil for fatty acids, sterols and minerals was carried out. Seeds of hard-barked pumpkin of Belarusian selection are sources of high protein content (34-35%) with a wide range of essential amino acids, fats (43-45.8%), unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, as well as carbohydrates (9.6-11.9%) , a number of vitamins, macro- and microelements.


Neonates and infants younger than 6 months of age are at risk for complications from seasonal influenza and presumably 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu), although the morbidity and mortality from this new virus have not yet been described.

While the advantages of breastfeeding are well-known, this


The traditional simplex method for solving the transshipment problem or its dual does not offer much scope for parallelization because it moves from one basic solution to another. To address this problem, we recently presented a new method called the Modified Network Dual Simplex method. This method incorporates two novel features: a technique to convert a non-basic dual feasible solution to a basic dual feasible solution, and strategies for performing pivots concurrently. In a more recent paper (1994), theauthors discuss the suitability of this approach in the Integrated VLSI layout compaction and wire balancing problem. In this paper, we describe another novel method for solving the dual transshipment problem. It combines the concurrent pivoting strategies of with a massively parallel method for converting a non-basic feasible solution to a basic feasible solution (without reducing the objective value). The method employs extensively the notion of cluster firing. Results of testing of this method on large scale graphs are also presented.


The modernization of Thailand has seen an aquatic everyday world replaced by a terrestrial one, and a loose occupancy of land supplanted by Western notions of rigid ownership and title deeds. While the aquatic past passes into memory (to pose some threat, however, to the interests of Thai elites), a Thai episteme based in images and surfaces transforms that memory to less threatening nostalgia and ritual; and the previous fluidity of space likewise "survives" in surfaces. The study is of three areas of present-day Bangkok that manifest different stages in this transformation to a space of surfaces.


The telephone transmission system described here is the Master Reference System of the Bell System for the expression of transmission standards and the ratings of the transmission performance of telephone circuits. The transmitter and receiver elements of this system are reference standards for the ratings of the transmitting and receiving performance of terminal station sets. A replica of this reference system, installed in Paris, has been adopted as the Master Reference System of the International Advisory Committee on Long Distance Telephone Communication in Europe. The establishment of these two master systems provides a common reference for the telephone transmission work of the Bell System and the telephone administrations which are members of this International Advisory Committee.


In late years, cases of NPPV (non-invasive positive pressure ventilation therapy) increased. Because we do not need intubation by the breathing management of NPPV, a wearing state to the patient of the NPPV mask is important, and has a big influence on curative effect. In this study, we built the system that measured quantity of leak by the state of the fitting for the mask, and measured the mask internal pressure under the situation that there was leak. This system measured the state of the fitting and the quantity of leak from a mask, and mask internal pressure with a face model. We measured quantity of leak in four ways of wearing state about two kinds of masks, but all became the leak rate more than 80%. In addition, the mask internal pressure was shown to maintain positive pressure set in a respirator even if leak existed. Although we were apt to strongly do a fitting because we were afraid of the leak from a mask, we knew that the mask internal pressure could maintain a set point even if leak existed, and the leak did not decrease even if we strongly did a fitting.


In this experiment, we examined if participating in a Facebook group by generating antialcohol arguments (self-persuasion) is more effective than reading antialcohol posts of others (direct persuasion) in changing alcohol consumption, risk perception, and attitudes. In addition, it was examined if submitting posts moderated these effects. Participants logged into their Facebook account and joined a group that contained posts with antialcohol arguments. They either generated their own arguments with or without posting them, or read those present in the group with or without posting that they had read them. Next, participants rated movie clips in a 30-minute ad libitum drinking session in dyads, and their alcohol consumption was measured. Finally, measures of alcohol risk perception and attitudes were completed. Results show that generating antialcohol arguments-regardless of whether they are posted online-is effective in increasing alcohol risk perception but does not affect immediate alcohol consumption.


Automatic static analysis (ASA) tools analyze the source or compiled code of a software system looking for violations of recommended programming practices (called issues) that might either cause failures or degrade some dimensions of software quality. Dr. Antonio Vetro, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Maurizio Morisio and Prof. Dr. Marco Torchiano, has focused his doctoral research in studying how to improve software quality by applying ASA. He has taken the standard ISO/IEC 25010 as a reference model and has focused on four main areas: Functional suitability, Reliability, Performance and Maintainability (in terms of Technical Debt). The epistemological approach used is that one of empirical software engineering. Dr. Vetro has also investigated new research directions for this field, i.e. using ASA for improving software energy efficiency and to detect problems derived from the interaction of different languages. The contribution is finally enriched with a generalized process for researchers and practitioners to improve software quality through ASA and create a body of knowledge on the topic based on empirical evidence. This book represents a first step towards these goals


Background & Aims: Lifestyle intervention remains the foundation of clinical care for patients with NASH; however, most patients are unsuccessful in enacting sustained behavioral change. There remains a clear unmet need to develop lifestyle intervention programs to support weight loss. Mobile health (mHealth) programs offer promise to address this need, yet their efficacy remains unexplored. Approach & Results: We conducted a 16-week randomized controlled clinical trial involving adults with NASH. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive Noom Weight (NW), a mHealth lifestyle intervention program, or standard clinical care. The primary end point was a change in body weight. Secondary end points included feasibility (weekly app engagement), acceptability (>50% approached enrolled), and safety. Of 51 patients approached, 40 (78%) were randomly assigned (20 NW and 20 standard clinical care). NW significantly decreased body weight when compared to standard clinical care (-5.5 kg vs. -0.3 kg, p = 0.008; -5.4% vs. -0.4%, p = 0.004). More NW subjects achieved a clinically significant weight loss of ≥5% body weight (45% vs. 15%, p = 0.038). No adverse events occurred, and the majority (70%) of subjects in the NW arm met the feasibility criteria. Conclusions: This clinical trial demonstrated that NW is not only feasible, acceptable, and safe but also highly efficacious because this mHealth lifestyle intervention program led to significantly greater body weight loss than standard clinical care. Future large-scale studies are required to validate these findings with more representative samples and to determine if mHealth lifestyle intervention programs can lead to sustained, long-term weight loss in patients with NASH.


Teratogenic causes of holoprosencephaly are critically assessed. A brief general review of holoprosencephaly is followed by four tables summarizing etiologic factors. Subjects evaluated here include: 1) maternal diabetes; 2) ethyl alcohol; 3) retinoic acid; 4) mutated genes and teratogens involving the sonic hedgehog signaling network and cholesterol biosynthesis; and 5) cholesterol trafficking, sterol adducts, target tissue response, and sterol sensing domain.


Older breast cancer survivors are at risk for a decline in functional status, which is associated with increased risk for disability, increased health care costs and increased risk of nursing home placement. The comprehensive geriatric assessment is a useful tool for identifying women with a history of breast cancer who are at increased risk for decline in functional status. Use of the comprehensive geriatric assessment will allow nurses to identify functional care needs and develop care plans and interventions that are aimed at maintenance of functional status.


Characteristics of a Mycobacterium intracellulare reference precipitation system for immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis analyses are presented. The system was produced by the initiative of the International Working Group on Mycobacterial Taxonomy, and the purpose is to permit comparisons of precipitinogenic patterns of mycobacteria obtained in different laboratories. The reference material, consisting of an antigen preparation and a corresponding antiserum, is available for students of mycobacterial antigens in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Working Group.


With more than 500,000 genomic profiles freely available in the public domain, there is a huge amount of information accessible for computational biologists or bioinformaticians. However, accessibility to these data requires complex computational steps. Manual parsing of annotations and keywords, which is in most cases a necessary evil, tends to be time-consuming and is known to be error-prone. Also the wide variety of normalization and preprocessing methods makes the comparability of different existing studies hard, or even impossible. The inSilico initiative (http://insilico.ulb.ac.be) provides an answer to those problems with its freely available web-based database tool: the inSilico database. Starting with all public available human Affymetrix studies from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) [1] it provides those studies in a consistent and well curated form. With a direct connection to GenePattern [3] and the ability to export the data to different formats, the inSilico database is an efficient mean to re-analyse public datasets and improve reproducibility in genome-wide research.


The aim of this study is to characterize and determine the ceramic properties of the Turgutlu clay fired at various temperatures. For this purpose, the clay sample was first characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, and plasticity measurements. The mineralogical composition of the Turgutlu clay was dominated by quartz, illite, mica, hematite, calcite, kaolinite, microcline, and smectite. The data obtained from plasticity tests indicated that the Turgutlu clay was very high plastic clay. To evaluate firing behaviors, pressed clay samples were fired separately at temperatures between 850 and 1100 ◦C. Fired specimens were evaluated by water absorption, linear shrinkage, bulk density, flexural strength, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Significant changes were observed such as an increase in the linear shrinkage and flexural strength together with a decrease in the water absorption above 1050 ◦C. Based on the technological characteristics, the Turgutlu clay could be used in the manufacture of structural ceramics.


Lead posioning in childhood must be approached as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive, long-term, medical and social management of the child and his family throughout the preschool years. This is because of the combination of poor housing containing lead paints, childhood pica, and personal-social deprivation. New sources of lead, such as general contamination of the environment from industrial and motor car exhausts, must also be considered. While diagnosis and therapy are important, the pediatrician's professional responsibility to his patient and community must include prevention. An effective program for the prevention and management of childhood plumbism requires the coordinated and sustained efforts of pediatricians; health department personnel; allied health professionals, such as medical social workers and child guidance workers; the executive, legislative, and judicial authorities of the community; and the community itself.
 Medical surveillance of the health of young children is almost as urgent a requirement in the case of the asymptomatic child with pica and an increased body burden of lead as it is for the child suffering from plumbism. Through such surveillance, dangerous conditions in the environment of the child can be discovered and eliminated, and the care of the threatened child can be maintained until the threat has subsided. In this manner, the incidence of the disease can be reduced ultimately to the vanishing point; meanwhile, fatalities can be prevented, and the damage to the brain of poisoned children, which often follows in the wake of lead encephalopathy, can be greatly diminished. Pediatricians have opportunities through health programs in urban areas to develop preventive techniques and to contribute significantly to the prevention of lead poisoning among children.


Certain results are gives which show that the frequency spectrum of the heart rhythm during the fulfillment of static muscle effort to refusal, distinguishes significantly the way in which this test is performed by experienced persons: at complete motivation (physiological refusal) and in incomplete motivation (psychological refusal). The second type of answer is unwanted in practical application of the test in industry, that's why a conclusion is made, that the frequency spectrum of the heart rhythm could serve as criterium of correctness for putting the test into practice.


textabstractSummary
Our traditional communication methods, with their emphasis on mainly
cognitive and rational appeals, prove to be insufficient for target audiences that
are low literate. Other, more emotionally appealing and popular communication
methods need to be brought into play such as integrating social change issues in
entertainment formats in theater, film, music, television, new media, or experience
parks. This is known as the Entertainment-Education (EE) strategy. We
know from various studies that Entertainment-Education programs can attract
large audiences in a way that conventional didactic approaches cannot. Positive
effects have been reported on the awareness of, and attitudes toward social
change issues.
Neil Postman, in 1985, published his polemic book Amusing Ourselves to Death
about the corrosive effects of television on our politics and public discourse.
While Postman chose a culturally pessimistic view, Dr. Martine Bouman flips the
coin and investigates the potential positive role of entertainment media on social
change. In her eyes Amusing Ourselves to Health and Happiness, is a promising
proposition that deserves a thorough scientific approach.
The Special Chair of Entertainment Media and Social Change seeks to effectively
reach vulnerable groups in Dutch society and to bridge the realms of media,
health and science. By establishing strong collaborative partnerships, all
stakeholders can contribute to a healthier society.
The Special Chair has been established by the Netherlands Entertainment-Education
Foundation. It is part of a broader project MediaLab: Health for all, that
has been made possible by a donation from the Friends Lottery in partnership
with the Alzheimer Foundation, Kidney Foundation and Heart Foundation.


Ultrasonography has become an essential part of clinical diagnosis owing to its noninvasive, and real-time nature. To assist diagnosis, automatically segmenting a region of interest (ROI) in ultrasound images is becoming a vital part of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD). However, segmenting ROIs on medical images with relatively low contrast is a challenging task. To better achieve medical ROI segmentation, we propose an efficient module denoted as multiscale attentional convolution (MSAC), utilizing cascaded convolutions and a self-attention approach to concatenate features from various receptive field scales. Then, MSAC-Unet is constructed based on Unet, employing MSAC instead of the standard convolution in each encoder and decoder for segmentation. In this study, two representative types of ultrasound images, one of the thyroid nodules and the other of the brachial plexus nerves, were used to assess the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The best segmentation results from MSAC-Unet were achieved on two thyroid nodule datasets (TND-PUH3 and DDTI) and a brachial plexus nerve dataset (NSD) with Dice coefficients of 0.822, 0.792, and 0.746, respectively. The analysis of segmentation results shows that our MSAC-Unet greatly improves the segmentation accuracy with more reliable ROI edges and boundaries, decreasing the number of erroneously segmented ROIs in ultrasound images.


Background. Cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients remains high despite improvements in HD technique such as dialysis adequacy, dialysis fluid purity, and membrane biocompatibility. Optimal fluid balance to maintain optimal hemodynamic stability during hemodialysis (HD) procedure is essential. At the present time, hemodynamic stability is conventionally assessed as stability of macrocirculation, especially as maintenance of systemic blood pressure with no attention paid to peripheral perfusion. Peripheral ischemic vascular disease represents a serious problem with high mortality and morbidity. We estimated skin microcirculation changes during HD using new device, Laser Doppler Line Scanner (Moor Instruments, Devon, UK). Aims. The aims were to introduce the novel method of detection of skin perfusion changes during hemodialysis and to evaluate possible relationship of these to ultrafiltration as well as to selected biochemical characteristics. Methods. In 36 hemodynamically stable patients, we performed paired measurements of skin blood flow in both hands before and during HD with registering the time of dialysis and the total ultrafiltration achieved. Results. We found a significant decrease in a majority of the evaluated areas. However, the skin blood flow change was not homogenous as it decreased more on the fingers. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first study when the microcirculatory changes during hemodialysis are demonstrated and evaluated in large skin surface area, and showing not only a decrease in a majority of areas but also the heterogeneity of the changes.


The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of construction business cycles in architectural sector on crimes in Korea. Literatures on correlations between architecture industry and crimes have mostly focused on artificial environmental factors such as CPTED and etc.. But role of architectural construction for crime prevention, or impacts on other social pathologies, should not be ignored, taking its high employment effect into consideration. Earlier works about factors causing crimes found that the unemployed are easy to commit a crime. In this perspective, construction business, especially architectural sector, might be a solution since it offers plentiful temporary positions and jobs for unskilled workers on construction sites. It can be explained by "Anomie Theory" and "Rational Choice Theory". This study examines empirically the influence of fluctuation in construction business market on criminality using Granger Causality Test and Error Correction Model with annual construction expenses and crime rates data from 1990 to 2011 in Korea. All factors were tested statistically for reliability with unit root test(ADF test) and cointegration test(Johanson cointegration test). On the two estimated models, results showed that upturn of construction business contributed to reducing crimes, one of social pathological problems caused by unemployment. Also, on Impulse-Response Analysis, there were significant short and long-run effects on 5 major crimes by expenditure of architectural construction industries. This outcome implies that the construction business has a social role for maintaining public stability. It would be for shedding new light on the importance of architectural construction industry in terms of creating jobs for unskilled and temporary workers liable to commit crimes.


The rapid rise in long-term health care costs has become a matter of national concern. Recognizing the national trend toward fiscal responsibility, policy makers have become interested in methods of controlling costs without sacrifices in care. One area of interest is the effect of facility ownership on facility perform ance. For-profit facilities have generally been found to provide care at lower costs than non-profit facilities. Given such results, it is important to find whether there are any significant ownership-related differences in facility characteristics associated with these cost differences. This study examines data from the 1977 National Nursing Home Survey. It is found that for-profit skilled nursing facilities are lower cost than non-profit or government facilities. Further it is found that organizational form affects facility costs. Facility size, location, resident mix, and aspects of facility quality are found to be meaningfully associated with facility ownership-related and organization-related cost differences.


Aim: Several CYP2D6 Luminex xTAG genotype calls were identified as inconsistent or suspicious among Thai subjects and further characterized to identify the root causes. Material & methods: Forty-eight subjects were followed-up with long-range-PCR, quantitative copy number assays and/or Sanger sequencing. Results: Most of the Luminex-duplication calls were either negative or had hybrid structures involving CYP2D6*36 in various configurations. Ten samples were inaccurately called as CYP2D6*2, *29 or *35 alleles. Sequencing revealed three novel haplotypes, CYP2D6*142, *143 and *144 of which two are nonfunctional. Conclusion: The Luminex platform produced a relatively high number of false genotype calls for Thai subjects. Our findings underscore the need for the systematic characterization of the CYP2D6 locus in diverse populations and rigorous platform validation.


Regional specializations in the retina have been described in a number of species. We have investigated whether such specializations can be found in the optic tectum, an area of the brain responsible for the processing of visual information. Using the tectum of Rana pipiens, we have examined the distribution of three different cell types defined on the basis of their immunoreactivity to somatostatin, substance P, and serotonin antibodies. These three immunoreactive cell populations had differing, nonuniform distributions in the optic tectum. Somatostatin‐like irnmunoreactive cells were largely restricted to the caudal one‐third of the tectum, whereas both substance P‐like immunoreactive (SP‐ir) and serotonin‐like immunoreactive (5‐HT‐ir) cells were found unequally represented throughout the tectum. The percentage of SP‐ir cells decreased significantly in both the posterior and medial directions from its high in the anterior lateral tectum. Although serotonin‐like immunoreactivity was also greatest in the lateral tectum and decreased significantly medially, it was largely constant in the anterior‐to‐posterior dimension. The populations of SP‐ir and 5‐HT‐ir cells were nonoverlapping. Our results suggest that information may be processed differently in different regions of the optic tectum. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


There is some confusion regarding the classification of keratoacanthoma (KA) and related lesions that have crateriform architecture. We examined the clinical courses of 66 KA lesions and related lesions after a partial biopsy to clarify the nosological concept of KA. We histopathologically classified these lesions into five types: (i) KA at various stages (53 lesions); (ii) KA‐like squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (3 lesions); (iii) KA with malignant transformation (3 lesions); (iv) infundibular SCC (5 lesions); and (v) crateriform SCC arising from solar keratosis (2 lesions). We analyzed the clinical course in each group. The regression rate of KA was 98.1% and that of KA‐like SCC/KA with malignant transformation was 33.3%. No regression was observed in either infundibular SCC or crateriform SCC arising from solar keratosis. Thus, KA is a distinct entity that should be distinguished from other types of SCC with crateriform architecture based on the high frequency of regression. The regression rate of 33.3% in KA‐like SCC/KA with malignant transformation indicated that KA lesions with an SCC component still have the potential for regression. However, this result also indicated that KA is biologically unstable, and some KA tend to evolve into conventional SCC with a gradual loss of the capacity for the spontaneous regression. Infundibular SCC and crateriform SCC arising from solar keratosis are fundamentally different from KA, not only according to the histopathological findings but also based on the biological properties.


Aims: (Part 1) To review the orthodontic literature and assess which cephalometric methods were the most fre- quently used, and (Part 2) provide comprehensive cephalometric reference values for 10 to 14-year old southern Chinese. Materials and Methods: (Part 1) The cephalometric methods used in the orthodontic literature over a ten-year period (1999-2008) were investigated. (Part 2) The material comprised lateral cephalometric radiographs of a random sample of 200 males and 205 females 12-year old southern Chinese in Hong Kong. The radiographs were digitized twice with the Computer Assisted Simulation System for Orthognathic Surgery (CASSOS) program. Referenced values for 10-, 11-, 13- and 14-year old were obtained by extrapolation of data from measurements of templates of longitudinal sample of Swed- ish. Results: (Part 1) The four most frequently used cephalometric methods were those devised by Bjork, Jacobson, Pancherz and McNamara. (Part 2) Reference population values for those four methods of 12-year old southern Chinese children were collected from three of our previous publications, and for the McNamara analysis expanded to include 10 to 14-year old children. At the age of 12-year there were statistically-significant gender differences for the majority of the cephalo- metric variables based on linear measurements, varying from -0.4 to +0.8 standard deviation (SD)-scores, and about half of the angular measurements, varying from -0.4 to +0.4 SD-scores. Conclusion: Four cephalometric methods presented over a 10-year period were more commonly used than the other cephalometric methods. The use of specific cephalometric standards of those four methods for southern Chinese, separate for gender, seem to be justified.


According to the classical description of obviation, the subject of a subjunctive is disjoint in reference from the attitude-holder subject of the immediately higher clause. Inspired by Ruwet (1984/1991) and Farkas (1988; 1992), I present data from Hungarian where obviation in certain subjunctives is plainly lifted, and data where obviation occurs in indicatives. I argue that obviation is not the result of competition with another construction, and point to promising potential accounts in terms of a clash in semantics or pragmatics. My aim is to contribute desiderata for a theory of obviation and exemptions from obviation in fairly informal terms.


Objective As part of research on the heart–brain axis, we investigated the association of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with brain structure and function in a community-based cohort of middle-aged adults from the Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging sub-study of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Approach and results In a cohort of 634 community-dwelling adults with a mean (range) age of 50.4 (46–52) years, we examined the cross-sectional association of NT-proBNP to total, gray (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, abnormal WM load and WM integrity, and to cognitive function tests [the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), the Stroop test, and the Rey Auditory–Verbal Learning Test]. These associations were examined using linear regression models adjusted for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac output. Higher NT-proBNP concentration was significantly associated with smaller GM volume (β = −3.44; 95% CI = −5.32, −0.53; p = 0.003), even after additionally adjusting for cardiac output (β = −2.93; 95% CI = −5.32, −0.53; p = 0.017). Higher NT-proBNP levels were also associated with lower DSST scores. NT-proBNP was not related to WM volume, WM integrity, or abnormal WM load. Conclusion In this middle-aged cohort, subclinical levels of NT-proBNP were related to brain function and specifically to GM and not WM measures, extending similar findings in older cohorts. Further research is warranted into biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction as a target for early markers of a brain at risk.


Abstract Biosorption potential of Pennisetum glaucum has elaborated by investigating its kinetic behavior in nonlinear fashion. RMSE values supported the pseudo second order (PSO) and elovich model, but correlation coefficient (R 2) values supported the PSO only. Study of intra-particle diffusion model (IPDM) and Boyd plots revealed the multi-linear diffusion pattern of the studied metal ions toward biosorbent. Initially, IPDM was found to be the rate-determining step, however boundary layer diffusion was found to be the slowest step later on. There was no correlation between calculated and experimental values of intercept, calculated by applying mass transfer model. Conclusive findings of Boyd plot supported the governing of biosorption process by film diffusion. Novelty Statement In this work, biosorption potential of Pennisetum glaucum has been investigating in terms of kinetic studies in nonlinear fashion. Biosorbent is obtained from indigenous sources and its processing is easy, which in turns leads to its cost-effectiveness for better removal of toxic materials from waste water streams. All related theoretical investigations were summarized for showing biosorption efficiency of this novel material.


Drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid by means of spinal puncture as a therapeutic measure in delirium tremens was introduced by Steinebach1in 1915. In that same year Hoppe2introduced this procedure in the United States; since then the treatment has become highly popular. Although it is now generally assumed that an increase in intracranial pressure occurs in delirium tremens and that drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid will relieve that tension, few data in support of this hypothesis can be found in the literature. In a series of 18 cases, Steinebach found 14 patients (75 per cent) to have an increased pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid. However, this conclusion was based on his interpretation of any pressure above 150 mm. of water as abnormally increased, which criterion is not in accord with that generally employed in this country, in which the upper limit of normal is usually considered to


This paper describes the collect and transcription of a large set of Arabic broadcast news speech data. A total of more than 2000 hours of data was transcribed. The transcription factor for transcribing the broadcast news data has been reduced using a method such as Quick Rich Transcription (QRTR) as well as reducing the number of quality controls performed on the data. The data was collected from several Arabic TV and radio sources and from both Modern Standard Arabic and dialectal Arabic. The orthographic transcriptions included segmentation, speaker turns, topics, sentence unit types and a minimal noise mark-up. The transcripts were produced as a part of the GALE project.


Although SIMD arrays have been built since the 1960's, they have undergone few empirical studies. The underlying problems-which have included the lack of a unified architectural framework and the computational intractability of simulating large PE arrays-are addressed through the use of trace compilation, a novel approach to trace driven simulation. The results indicate the benefits of adding another level to current SIMD array memory designs. Also, surprising results were obtained about performance effects of varying cache associativity and block size. Together, they indicate that while SIMD array programs have sufficient locality to make PE caches worthwhile, the type of locality may differ fundamentally from that of serial machine and multiprocessor programs. Other results demonstrate the limitations of increasing the datapath width and inter PE communication bandwidth without corresponding improvements in other processor features.


FNAC is to be considered a simple, quick, cost-effective and minimally traumatic procedure for the diagnosis of superficial lymphadenopathy. Aim: To evaluate the role of FNAC in patients with superficial lymphadenopathy and to correlate the cytology findings with histopathology. Materials and Methods: A total of 370 patients who presented with superficial lymphadenopathy at FNAC clinic, University Medical Centre and Government Wenlock Hospital from January 2004 to December 2004 were studied. Results: Majority of the cases were reactive lymphadenitis 128 cases (34.59%) followed by tuberculous lypmphadentitis 91 cases (24.59%) and suppurative lymphadenitis 15 cases (4.05%). Squamous cell carcinoma was most common metastatic carcinoma 81cases (21.89%), mostly from the upper aero-digestive tract, Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed in 4 (1.08%) and Non- Hodgkin's in 6 cases (1.62%), 45 cases (12.16%) were labeled inadequate as 34 cases (9.18%) showed only blood and 11cases (2.97%) no opinion could be given because of low cellularity. Tissue examination was available for subsequent histocytological correlation in 53 cases (14.32%). The accuracy of cytodiagnosis was 90.56% with a sensitivity of 90.32%, specificity 90.90%, false negative rate of 0.54% and false positive rate of 0.81%. Conclusion: FNAC is a reliable first line diagnostic tool and has an important place in cytopathology as there is progressive decline in the number of biopsies performed of enlarged nodes after the FNAC diagnosis has been given.


As space flight becomes more accessible in the future, humans will be exposed to gravity conditions other than our 1G environment on Earth. Our bodies and physiology, however, are adapted for life at 1G gravity. Altering gravity can have profound effects on the body, particularly the development of muscles, but the reasons and biology behind gravity's effect are not fully known. We asked whether increasing gravity had effects on the development of motor neurons that innervate and control muscle, a relatively unexplored area of gravity biology. Using the nematode model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, we examined changes in response to hypergravity in the development of the 19 GABAergic DD/VD motor neurons that innervate body muscle. We found that a high gravity force above 10G significantly increases the number of animals with defects in the development of axonal projections from the DD/VD neurons. We showed that a critical period of hypergravity exposure during the embryonic/early larval stage was sufficient to induce defects. While characterizing the nature of the axonal defects, we found that in normal 1G gravity conditions, DD/VD axonal defects occasionally occurred, with the majority of defects occurring on the dorsal side of the animal and in the mid-body region, and a significantly higher rate of error in the 13 VD axons than the 6 DD axons. Hypergravity exposure increased the rate of DD/VD axonal defects, but did not change the distribution or the characteristics of the defects. Our study demonstrates that altering gravity can impact motor neuron development.


An enhanced accuracy random binary phase modulated radar is proposed. It can be used in high accuracy monitoring in manufacturing. Compared with the traditional high accuracy radar using frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW), the proposed radar system can be used in a multi-user scenario without occupying more bandwidth. A two-step distance estimation method is introduced to estimate the distance. First, the distance estimation accuracy is narrowed down to a half carrier wavelength by analyzing the envelope of the phase modulated signal. Then the carrier phase information increases the distance accuracy to several micrometers. An equalization method is introduced to solve the I/Q imbalance problem. The proposed radar system is demonstrated at a carrier frequency of 80 GHz with a bandwidth of 2 GHz. The measured distance error was within ±7 $\mu $ m. In addition, a high measurement repetition rate of 500 kHz was reached which is suitable for real-time monitoring in automatic manufacturing.


Plasma value, by dye-dilution method, sodium excretion and potassium quantity in plasma by flame photometry, plasma renin activity by radioimmune method and aldosterone excretion with urine by spectrophotometric method were studied in 34 patients with I, II and III stage of hypertonic disease. Aldosterone excretion was established to be normal in 55.8 of the patients and increased in 44.2 per cent. The excretion of aldosterone showed no discrepancies in the patients with hypertonic disease depending on the size of plasma volume. Aldosterone excretion was increased in hypertonic patients with high plasma renin activity as compared with the subjects with normal and with reduced plasma renin activity. Reverse interrelations were established as regards sodium excretion.


A novel Bacillus thuringiensis Cry protein, Cry8Hb, active against Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Western corn rootworm, WCRW) was discovered. Unexpectedly, the anti-rootworm activity of the Cry8Hb toxin was enhanced significantly by fusing Escherichia coli maltose binding protein (MBP) to this Cry toxin. While the exact mechanism of the activity enhancement remains indefinite, it is probable that the enhancement is a result of increased solubility of the MBP-Cry8Hb fusion in the rootworm midgut. This hypothesis was examined using a synthetic Cry3 protein called IP3-1, which was not soluble at a neutral pH like Cry8Hb and marginally active to WCRW. When IP3-1 was fused to MBP, its anti-WCRW activity was enhanced 13-fold. To further test the hypothesis, DNA shuffling was performed on IP3-1 to increase the solubility without MBP. Screening of shuffled libraries found six new IP3 variants showing very high anti-WCRW activity without MBP. Sequence and 3D structure analysis of those highly active, shuffled IP3 variants revealed several charge-altering mutations such as Lys to Glu on the putative MBP-attaching side of the IP3 molecule. It is likely that those mutations make the protein acidic to substitute the functions of MBP including enhancing the solubility of IP3 at a neutral pH.


The letter describes a new economic dispatch algorithm for systems with uncertain wind generation prediction, similar to the classical thermal dispatch model with load on a single bus. The optimization is achieved in a compromise between fuzzy constraints in the magnitude of wind penetration and the variation of running costs. The model includes also the attitudes of the dispatcher toward risk (security) and cost.


Investigation into the Retzius neuron response to synaptic low-, medium-, and high-frequency stimulation under the block of the TTX-sensitive sodium inflow channels, was performed in leeches. The TTX block affected the spontaneous unit activity and not the evoked activity, it altered the responses to low-frequency stimulation (sensitisation) and eliminated the responses to high-frequency activation (habituation). The findings suggest the fundamental plastic properties of the Retzius neurons to depend on functional characteristics of the TTX-sensitive sodium channels.


A comparison of the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS), and the European Community (EC) was carried out on a batch of randomly collected copra meal (CM) samples from a selected copra miller. Only aflatoxin (AF) B1 was found in the CM sample analysed. Precision tests showed the AFB1 mean value, standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV), respectively, to be 8.9 micrograms/kg +/- 1.4 and 16.5% by the AOAC method; 10.4 micrograms/kg +/- 1.1 and 10.9% by the AOCS method; and 11.3 micrograms/kg +/- 0.9 and 8.1% by the EC method. Accuracy experiments done by spiking the CM samples with 10 micrograms standard AFB1 yielded mean recovery, SD and CV, of 106% +/- 10.7 and 10.1%, respectively, by the AOAC; 96% +/- 25.4 and 26.4%, by the AOCS; 91% +/- 10.4 and 11.4%, by the EC methods. The three methods were also compared in terms of their cost, time of analysis, skills and equipment requirements. The precision, accuracy and practicality data obtained indicated that the EC and AOCS methods are more appropriate for the analysis of copra meal aflatoxin under present FNRI conditions. The EC method was also found to be comparable with the high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) (Camag TLC Scanner with Integrator) method employed by two aflatoxin laboratories, one based at the Philippine Coconut Authority in the Philippines and another at the Natural Resources Institute in the UK.


Control reversal is the loss, due to the flexibility of the primary aerostructure, of aircraft maneuvering loads induced by control surfaces. In recent years, attention has been given to the suppression of reversal through the use of distributed control surfaces. The authors study reversal behavior for a wing section with full-span leading-edge and trailing-edge control surfaces. The essential equations are developed by examining static aeroelastic responses. Analysis and experiments are presented. Specific trailing-edge to leading-edge control commands are identified to optimize performance. Although reversal is not eliminated in the experiments, the addition of the leading edge is shown to improve performance substantially. The research also identifies the adverse consequences of actuator flexibility.


This study examined factors influencing parent willingness to use D-Cycloserine (DCS) for treating child anxiety. N = 222 parents were given information about using DCS to treat anxiety. They were then asked to rate their willingness to allow their child to take DCS/antibiotics for mild anxiety, severe anxiety, or an infection. The associations between willingness to use DCS and parental trait anxiety, demographics, as well as specific concerns regarding the medication, were examined. Parents could also provide written responses regarding their attitudes to DCS, which were analysed for themes. Parents reported concerns regarding potential side-effects from DCS. More severe anxiety was associated with more willingness to consent; however, parents were more willing to use antibiotics to treat an infection than DCS to treat their child's anxiety. The degree of perceived benefit from DCS was most strongly associated with parents' willingness to use it. Overall, parents expressed mixed views, reporting they would consider using DCS to treat their child; however, they had significant concerns about it. Results suggest providing parents with information explaining how DCS works, its risks and potential benefits may increase its acceptability.


This paper explores the mechanical properties and fracture analysis of C2N-h2D single-layer sheets using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Simulations are carried out based on the Tersoff potential energy function within Nose-Hoover thermostat algorithm at the constant room temperature in a canonical ensemble. The influences of boron (B) doping on the mechanical properties, i.e. Young's and bulk moduli and ultimate strength and strain of C2N-h2D single-layer sheets are studied and the effects of size and doping percentage on the aforementioned properties are explored.  The results demonstrate lower strength and stiffness of C2N-h2D single-layer sheets compared to graphene. It is also demonstrated that unlike the strength of C2N-h2D single-layer sheet, the stiffness of C2N-h2D single-layer sheet is larger than that of silicene nanosheet. In addition, it is observed that doping of B atoms on C2N-h2D single-layer sheets intensely reduces the mechanical properties, whereas this reduction increases by rising the percentage of B-doping. Furthermore, the fracture process of C2N-h2D and B-doped C2N-h2D single-layer sheets is illustrated.


This study reports on formulations and conditions for producing fly ash-based geopolymers with a view to showing that the compressive strength required for construction applications can be obtained without the addition of aggregates, sand, and/or cement. It was shown in a series of experiments constituting at least 73% fly ash that a compressive strength of up to 90 MPa can be obtained depending on the curing conditions. While high alkalinity resulted in stronger materials, the results showed about 40% savings in CO2 emissions without using sand and cement. Such materials are suited for construction applications with minimal environmental impact.


BACKGROUND
Lung carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in China.The increasing incidence of lung cancer has been alerted and multimodality treatments including surgery,radiotherapy,chemotherapy etc.have been highly aware.However,the outcome of treatment in lung cancer remains poor,because there is still no definite molecular targeting drug affecting its biological behavior significantly.To find an useful clinical tool,the aims of this study are to explore the effects of a novel monoclonal antibody targeting at the α-strain of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor(IGF1-αR) on lung adenocarcinoma cell lines.

METHODS
The novel monoclonal antibody targeting at IGF1-αR was exacted by hybrid cell processes and purified by Protein G column.The effects of growth were investigated on SPCA-1 and A549 cell lines by MTT curve lines and the expression of Ki67.

RESULTS
The combination of IGF1 with IGF1-αR could be competitively inhibited by the novel monoclonal antibody significantly.Intervented by the novel monoclonal antibody,SPCA-1 and A549 cell lines proliferated more slowly than that of the respective control,with significant statistic value(P < 0.05).Besides,the expression of Ki67 showed significant downregulation under the invention of the monoclonal antibody.

CONCLUSIONS
The special monoclonal antibody extracted in our laboratory shows good affinity with IGF1-αR,and can inhibit the growth of SPCA-1 and A549 cell lines.


In this communication we present the development of a real time two‐photon absorption microscope, based on parallel excitation with many foci. This pattern of foci is created by a two‐dimensional microlens array. The fluorescence is detected by direct, non descanned detection on a CCD camera. Due to the parallel nature of both excitation and detection it is possible to speed up image acquisition significantly. This makes the instrument especially suitable for studying living specimens and/or real time processes. The optical design of the instrument is discussed and an imaging example is given. We specifically address the relation between the axial sectioning capability and the distance between the illumination foci at the sample.


ABSTRACT
 The early detection of populations of a forest pest is important to begin initial control efforts, minimizing the risk of further spread and impact. Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is an introduced pestiferous insect of ash (Fraxinus spp. L.) in North America. The effectiveness of trapping techniques, including girdled trap trees with sticky bands and purple prism traps, was tested in areas with low- and high-density populations of emerald ash borer. At both densities, large girdled trap trees (>30 cm diameter at breast height [dbh], 1.37 m in height) captured a higher rate of adult beetles per day than smaller trees. However, the odds of detecting emerald ash borer increased as the dbh of the tree increased by 1 cm for trap trees 15–25 cm dbh. Ash species used for the traps differed in the number of larvae per cubic centimeter of phloem. Emerald ash borer larvae were more likely to be detected below, compared with above, the crown base of the trap tree. While larval densities within a trap tree were related to the species of ash, adult capture rates were not. These results provide support for focusing state and regional detection programs on the detection of emerald ash borer adults. If bark peeling for larvae is incorporated into these programs, peeling efforts focused below the crown base may increase likelihood of identifying new infestations while reducing labor costs. Associating traps with larger trees (≈25 cm dbh) may increase the odds of detecting low-density populations of emerald ash borer, possibly reducing the time between infestation establishment and implementing management strategies.


Tourism in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Norway, has increased significantly in the last decade. Cruise ships make landings all around the archipelago, and there are numerous snowmobile, boat and hiking excursions. We describe disturbance effects on the three geese species that breed in Svalbard: the pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus), the barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) and the light-bellied brent goose (Branta bernicla hrota). All three are regarded as highly vulnerable to disturbance. Behavioural responses by geese to humans on foot were analysed by estimating the distances at which geese become alerted, the escape flight distances and the length of escape flights, during pre-nesting, nesting and brood-rearing periods. We evaluate the consequences of human intrusion on the reproductive success in breeding colonies. During all three phases, pink-footed geese responded at longer ranges, and flew/ran longer distances, than both brent and barnacle geese: when disturbed on the nest site, both male and female pink-footed geese flew far away, resulting in a high rate of nest loss to avian predators (35%), compared with the 4 and 0% losses among barnacle and brent geese, respectively. During brood rearing, families of pink-footed geese escaped at an average distance of 1717 m, compared with distances of 620 and 330 m for brent and barnacle geese, respectively. Even though bird sanctuaries have been established on several islets, with no human access during nesting, many core areas for the three species remain without restrictions, such as islets used by brent geese and slopes and valleys with nesting pink-footed geese, broodrearing areas and moulting grounds for non-breeding geese. We propose regulations of human access to goose concentration areas, and address the need to better protect these significant areas. We also discuss the need for further research on the vulnerability of geese to human activity.


Hypoxia is a major feature of most solid tumors. Cells adapt to lower oxygen availability by stabilizing HIF transcription factors, which in turn activate the expression of many genes resulting in the survival and maintenance of cellular functions. In tumor cells, exposure to hypoxic stress results in the activation, via the HIF factors, of a series of genes enabling tumor cells to resist to killing by cytotoxic effectors of the immune system. Tissue hypoxia also controls the functions and differentiation of immune cells. This review describes the hypoxia-induced mechanisms of tumor resistance to killing by cytotoxic effectors, and the functional effects of hypoxia on the immune cells.


A total of sixtynine foraminiferal species have been identified from the sediment samples collected from the Chilka Lake during November 1997 and March, May 1998. These species have been quantitatively studied in regard to their relative abundance and distribution. Frequency distribution study of Foraminifera shows that Miliammina fusca, Ammobaculites exiguus, Trochammina hadai, Jadammina macrescens, Gaudryina exilis, Ammonia beccarii (Linne), A. tepida and Asterorotalia dentata are the dominant species of the fauna. Mean values of number of species (S), Shannon-Wiener index, H (S) and evenness index (H) are highest in summer (May) for the outer channel suggesting very high species diversity of the area as compared with other parts of the lake due to strong marine influence. In contrast, Pielou's index of species dominance (D) decreases towards the sea. Variations in the mean diversity indices for the areas covered in the lake are related to the water characteristics prevailing there during different seasons. The sites dominated by M. fusca and A. exiguus are mostly inside the lagoon, while those dominated by A. beccarii (Linne) besides T. hadai, G. exilis, Hanzawaia asterizans, H. nitidula, A. tepida, A. dentata, Elphidium crispum and E.galvestonense are in the outer channel of the lake. Application of two similarity indices - Bray-Curtis coefficient and Community coefficient - for the data shows very high faunal affinity existing between stations in the northern sector. Furthermore, the degree of faunal variation has been discussed with the data in terms of percent number of species occurring in all the samples of sites (Sc) and of per cent population composed of species occurring in all the samples of sites (Pc) at each of the three areas of the lake.


The main objective of the present study was to identify the determinants of heart rate (HR) and of the low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) components of short-term heart rate variability (HRV) in the population. HF power represents vagal modulation of HRV and LF power predominantly sympathetic modulation. Data were collected in a population-based sample of 614 men and women, aged 25-89 years. Because of the uncertainty on the optimal methodology for power spectral analysis of HRV, we first compared the results obtained with the two most frequently used methods. We found that autoregressive modelling and fast Fourier transform yielded similar overall qualitative results, but that within subject differences between methods could be considerable. Results could also differ according to whether they were expressed in absolute (ms2) or in normalized (%) units. Age and gender significantly influenced HR and various components of HRV. Furthermore we observed significant interactions between age and gender regarding several components of HRV, indicating that men and women differ at younger age, but not after the age of about 50 yrs. Parasympathetic modulation appeared to be greater in women than in men at younger age, but not after the age of menopause. The changes of HR and HRV on standing were attenuated with increasing age. Influences of body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption and habitual physical activity were small to negligible. In conclusion, the employed methodology and several demographic, anthropometric and/or lifestyle characteristics should be taken into account for the interpretation of HRV in cardiovascular disease.


Intestinal parasites, virus and bacterial infections have shown to be positively associated with obesity and adiposity in vitro and in animal models, but conclusive evidence of this relationship in humans is lacking. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to determine if intestinal parasites influence adiposity and obesity in a population that have a high prevalence of both parasitic infection and obesity. Until now, a total of 101 school‐age children (8 ± 1.5 years) of a total of 300 children from a rural area in Querétaro, Mexico, have been evaluated. Anthropometry (weight, height, waist circumference) and body composition by DXA were measured in all children. A stool sample was analyzed by kato katz. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 17.5% and 11.7%, respectively. Protozoa infection was present in 45.7% of the children and 11.2% were infected with helminthes: 9.1% with Ascaris lumbricoides, 1.5% with Hookworm, 1.5% with Hymenolepis nana. Preliminary analysis show no relationship between intestinal parasites and body fat percent, body fat content or BMI‐for‐age in this population.


Lithium evaporation treatments in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) have shown dramatic improvements in plasma performance increasing the viability of lithium as a Plasma Facing Component (PFC) material. In order to understand the complex system of lithiated ATJ graphite, chemical sputtering measurements of plain and lithiated ATJ graphite are conducted in our upgraded IIAX (Ion Surface Interaction Experiment) facility with a differentially pumped Magnetic Sector Residual Gas Analyzer (MSRGA). Chemical sputtering of graphite is dependent on the ion energy and substrate temperature, hence the effects of treating ATJ graphite with lithium in hydrogen plasma is investigated in terms of different target temperatures and bias voltages. For this purpose, lithium was evaporated in situ onto ATJ graphite and chemically sputtered species in hydrogen plasma were measured using MSRGA. The dominant chemical sputtering product was CH4. Initial experiments show that lithium treatments have suppressed the chemical sputtering of ATJ graphite. 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


It is well known that a Quanto Process based on Lognormal Equity and Lognormal exchange rate processes can be easily simulated through a Lognormal process with modified drift. We study here what happens when both processes follow a local volatility model. In addition, we analyze the impact of the choice of the equity volatility in the case of the lognormal formula for the Quanto and the Compo options.


The 1-switch split dc-rail boost converter topology examined uses a symmetrical mutually coupled two winding inductor to balance the voltage drop across both of its capacitor smoothed input and output dc voltage terminals. The converter can regulate its two input and output voltages even under extreme unbalanced load conditions. Analysis of the converter current waveforms is presented to determine how the steady state dc voltage drops across the capacitors changes as a function of the output load imbalance. The analysis identifies that the inductor winding leakage inductance, diode reverse recovery currents and device voltage drops are key factors in determining the range of dc voltage fluctuations experienced. Theoretical predictions are confirmed using simulation and experimental results. This analysis also demonstrates how a simple diode RC snubber can be used to lower the dc voltage changes with the load imbalance.


We used photoplethysmography (PPG) to measure the relative changes in the anterior tibial muscle blood flow (MBF) in response to exercise when intramuscular pressure (IMP) was elevated (the test leg) or when IMP was normal (the control leg). The elevated IMP was induced by applying venous obstruction of 40 mmHg or 65 mmHg (thigh tourniquet) of a casted leg in eight healthy subjects. Subjects performed dorsiflexion of both feet in sitting position with or without venous obstruction. IMP at rest after exercise increased to 39.4±7.9 mmHg or to 58.3±8.4 mmHg, respectively. MBF at rest before exercise was 100%. At rest after exercise, it increased to 184±52.6% in the test leg when IMP was 39.4 mmHg, and to 279±108.3% in the control leg. MBF at rest after exercise was 156±58.2% in the test leg when IMP was 58.3 mmHg and 303±95.3% in the control leg. The abnormally elevated IMP induced by venous obstruction of a casted leg reduced MBF at rest after exercise. PPG seems to be a suitable method to measure changes in MBF in response to exercise and in experimental conditions with abnormally elevated IMP.


This article presents a packaged SiGe BiCMOS reflectometer for 0.01–26-GHz two-port vector network analyzers (VNAs). The reflectometer chip is composed of a resistive bridge coupler and two wideband heterodyne receivers for coherent magnitude and phase detection. In addition, a high-linearity receiver channel is designed to accommodate ~20 dBm of RF input power to the reflectometer. External sources are used to provide stimulus over the entire bandwidth, and a high-linearity shunt 50-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> switch is placed at the input of each reflectometer chip to provide a matched condition for better measurement accuracy. The measured dynamic range (DR) of the heterodyne receiver is 129±3 dB at 0.01–26 GHz at an IF resolution bandwidth (RBW) of 10 Hz. The reflectometer chip is packaged on a low-cost printed circuit board (PCB) and connectorized for repeatable measurements. Several passive and active device-under-test (DUTs), such as filters and amplifiers, are measured in single- and dual-port complex <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$S$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-parameter setup at 0.01–26 GHz. The single-chip reflectometer results in excellent agreement with commercially available test equipment and with minimal magnitude and phase difference. Several definitions (mean deviation and error vector) are used to quantify the measurement accuracy. A measured <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$S_{21}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of −80 dB is obtained using high-rejection filters. An in-depth DR analysis of possible limiting factors in the measurement setup is also presented. This article shows that silicon-based highly integrated reflectometers can be used in low-cost VNAs with excellent DR and accuracy.


Summary To assess the reliability of salivary theophylline concentrations for patient monitoring, concentrations of theophylline in sera and saliva of 50 patients (ages 6–81 years) receiving oral or parenteral theophylline were determined by two methods: a rapid dry-phase apoenzyme reactivation system (ARIS) and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). Saliva production was stimulated by both citric acid (CA) and parafilm (PF). With both analytical methods, there were excellent correlations between salivary theophylline concentration, Cs, and unbound serum theophylline concentration Cu (r2 > 0.95), and between Cs and total serum theophylline concentration, CT (r2 > 0.85). CA- and PF-stimulated Cs by FPIA resulted in concentrations within 2.0 μg/ml of the actual Cu for 100% of the samples measured (n = 47). By ARIS, 100% of the PF-stimulated Cs and 93.6% of the CA-stimulated Cs determinations were within 2.0 μg/ml of the Cu (n = 47). To evaluate the predictive capabilities of PF- and CA-stimulated saliva, one-half (n = 24) of the patients were randomly selected and their data used to predict the CT for the remaining patients. FPIA PF-CS predicted 83.3% (20/24) of CT within ±2 μg/ml, while ARIS CA-CS predicted 75.0% within ±2 μg/ml. There was no difference between FPIA Cs and ARIS Cs results by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), but there was a difference between PF-CS and CA-Cs (p < 0.05). However, when Cu was used as a covariant, there was no significant difference. Using appropriate saliva collection procedures and the FPIA system, we conclude that Cs provides adequate reliability for therapeutic drug monitoring of theophylline.


Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive process of continuing care which takes place at different levels. Individual office-based care, out-patient group activities and in-patient programmes in specialized centres may be complementary or alternatively used according to the needs of individual patients. In Switzerland organized cardiac rehabilitation is available for 6000 patients per year. Formal rehabilitation programmes exert their beneficial effects mainly through exercise training, instruction in relaxation techniques as well as dietary and occupational counseling. These benefits are documented as an overall reduction of cardiovascular mortality by 20%, a slowing of disease progression, an improvement of physical work capacity, the modification of serum lipid fractions, and possibly improved psychosocial adjustment. Patients should be helped to accept coronary disease as a chronic disease, to maintain lifestyle changes in order to halt progression and to avoid complications while enjoying a meaningful life. Future improvements in Switzerland will include the careful selection of patients for the different forms and phases of rehabilitation, more extensive psychosocial counseling, continuity of care and the involvement of family members.


Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis), well known as DongChongXiaCao (DCXC), is one of the most valuable traditional Chinese medicinal species. In this article, we provide a systematic review of natural enemies and diseases encountered in artificial cultivation of DCXC. Unfortunately, DCXC has been endangered over the past decades due to overharvesting and a worsening ecological environment. Therefore, the artificial cultivation of DCXC has been extensively investigated in recent years. Complete indoor artificial cultivation and semi-field cultivation are the two most common strategies used to cultivate DCXC. However, cultured DCXCs are often attacked by various natural enemies and diseases, which have resulted in substantial loss of the valuable medicinal resource. In this study, we have summarized the species of natural enemies and types of diseases confronted by DCXC. Twenty reported natural enemy species are categorized into four classes, one of which is reported for the first time in this study. Moreover, six microbial pathogens are also discussed. The recapitulation of the natural enemies and diseases in DCXC artificial cultivation not only promote the development of integrated pest management of DCXC cultivation but also provide important information to help preserve and develop this valuable resource.


Water use of a dominant desert species, Haloxylon ammodendron, growing in the southern edge of Gurbantünggüt Desert in northwest China, was measured using sap flow technologies at both tree and branch scales. Daily sap flow at whole‐tree scale showed a good relationship with atmospheric evaporation demand (P < 0·001), whereas daily sap flow at branch scale showed good relationships with the variable of transpiration rate (P < 0·01). Hysteresis in hourly sap flow at both scales was observed as a function of micro‐meteorological variables, in which the hysteresis between sap flow and vapour pressure deficit was clockwise rotation, suggesting that the water use of H. ammodendron was related to not just the stomatal behaviour but also use of stored plant water. The hysteresis between sap flow and photosynthetic photon flux density was counter‐clockwise after precipitation, but turned to be clockwise under dry conditions, which was ever clearer at whole‐tree scale. Different responses of sap flows at branch and whole‐tree scale to climate factors were identified, which strongly indicated that H. ammodendron had some mechanisms to reduce whole‐tree water use at high transpiration demand, while maintaining part of canopy under relatively high water use, which resulted in canopy scale patchiness. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Increasing penetration of distributed generation and renewable energy such as wind farms due to various reasons including environmental and economic causes, decentralization and limits on fossil fuels increased the effects of DG on power systems. This paper presents a wide analysis of the effect of wind distributed generation (DG) on voltage stability of distribution networks. Wind farms with having induction generators, are suffering from some voltage stability problems. A test system consists of a wind farm connected to a distribution network is studied. Simulation studies are carried out using MATLAB SIMULINK software. The results show the effect of different factors such as network short circuit capacity and network X to R ratio on voltage stability of the system and the Critical values for the parameters could be determined. There is also a comparison between induction and synchronous generators in a same capacity on voltage stability problem.


Sir,

The tissue cyst-forming coccidian parasites, Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis species are important in humans and animals. The genus Sarcocystis causes intestinal and muscular sarcocystosis infections in human. In the case of intestinal sarcocystosis, human served as a definitive host and infection is often asymptomatic and cleared spontaneously. Occasionally, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach ache, bloat, diarrhea, dyspnea, and tachycardia may occur. In the case of muscular sarcocystosis, human becomes a dead-end intermediate host of Sarcocystis spp. of some carnivorous animals that prey on non-human primates (1). Recently, the International Society of Travel Medicine and the Center of Disease Control (CDC) have reported 32 suspected cases of acute muscular sarcocystosis among cases who recently traveled to malasia. The main symptoms were high fever and severe muscle pain, which started within days or weeks of returning home and had been prolonged. All subjects had peripheral eosinophilia and mostly had higher serum creatinine phosphokinase levels (2). More recently, Abubakar et al., have reported an outbreak of human infection with S. nesbitti in Malaysia and Makhaji reported two cases of muscular sarcocystosis in India (3-4). Nearly all human muscular sarcocystosis cases were recognized by the presence of intramuscular cysts. However, intravascular asexual stages have rarely been demonstrated in human muscular sarcocystosis patients (1, 5). There was only one report which demonstrated merozoites of Sarcocystis spp. in thin blood smear of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who harbored intestinal forms of the parasite at the same time (6). In this report, we demonstrate an organism morphologically similar to merozoites of Sarcocystis spp. in the peripheral blood smear of an immunocompetent woman. The organisms were measured approximately 5 to 11 μm by 2 to 4 μm. They had blue cytoplasm with one or two nuclei and had different shapes. The parasitemia was 28 per 1000 red blood cells (Figure 1).

Fig. 1

Merozoites of Sarcocystis sp on the blood smear of the patient (Giemsa stain, magnification x 1000).

The woman was 47 years old and lived in a rural area. She was admitted to Rohani Hospital, Babol, northern Iran. Her symptoms were mild fever with a relapsing- remitting nature, rigor fatigue and muscle weakness in her arms, legs and paraspinal muscles. Her initial physical examination upon admission revealed a temperature of 38 °C; blood pressure, 120/80 mm Hg; respiratory rate, 20 breaths per minute and pulse, 80 beats per minute. The number of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells were 5.05x106 µl, 248000/µl and 5800/µl (54% neutrophil, 44% lymphocytes and 2% eosinophil), respectively. The hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were low and she had hypochrome anemia. The numbers of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes were 1.535 and 1.017, respectively (CD4/ CD8 ratio: 1.51).

The level of her serum immunoglobulin was normal and the amount of IgG, IgM and IgA was 13.3, 0.99 and 2.1 g/l, respectively. Lymphadeno-pathy was not seen and her serum was negative for anti- T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) [ELFA technique using Mini-VIDAS kit (Biomerio, France)]. In order to confirm that the parasite belonged to Sarcocystis genus, serological tests including direct agglu-tination test (DAT) and indirect immunofluorescent test (IFAT) were performed. The DAT was carried out by Sarcocystis moulei. Zoites were obtained from macro-cysts in the skeletal muscles of goats as soon as the animals were slaughtered as previously described (7).

Positive controls sera were obtained from mice sera (NMRI strain) which were experi-mentally inoculated intraperitoneally with a filtrate calf muscle sample containing micro-cysts of Sarcocystis cruzi (confirmed by PCR and sequence analyzing, Accession No. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KC508514","term_id":"468399225","term_text":"KC508514"}}KC508514) (8). The IFAT was done as usual. Negative controls were un-inoculated mice sera and PBS.

As the diagnosis of muscular Sarcocystis infection should be confirmed through microscopic examination of the muscle biopsy (9) and highly specific PCR, DNA extraction from the stained peripheral blood smear and PCR analysis of partial 18S rRNA using methods previously described, were performed (10-11).

Findings obtained here showed that the parasites were agglutinated by the patient serum and the positive control. The parasites were not agglutinated by any negative control serum or PBS. The DAT was positive with titer of 1: 640 and 1: 1280 for the patient's serum and the two mice sera, respectively (Figure 2).

Fig. 2

Photomicrographs of agglutinated or nonagglutinated zoites derived from goat muscles contaminated with macro-cysts of S. moulei. A) with a mice serum which was previously exposed to micro-cysts of S. cruzi as a positive control (1:20 dilution); B) with ...

The zoites used for the IFAT had autofluorescence, which disrupted the reading of the test. But the fluorescence observed with patient's serum was significantly strong and shiny; and could be easily differentiated from autofluorescence of the parasites (Figure 3). Unfortunately, the DNA extraction of the patient sample obtained from the peripheral blood smear was problematic and no DNA was observed when extraction solution was run on 1% agarose gel. However, PCR amplification of 18S rRNA gene fragment of the parasite using specific primers was performed. No PCR product was detected for the sample. She had been discharged from the hospital without any prescription and her symptoms gradually declined.

Fig. 3

IFAT assay using zoites of S. molei derived from goat muscles. A) 1:160 dilution of the patient's serum; B) negative control; C) mounted antigen without treatment with any serum or PBS (autofluorescence). Note the strong reaction observed with the patient ...

However, definitive confirmation of this infection should be obtained by observing the parasite in muscle biopsy and molecular analysis method which we were not able to do because the case did not agree to provide muscle biopsies and the DNA was not extracted from her peripheral blood smear. On the other hand, the clinical manifestations of the case were comparable with patients reported by Abubakar et al. who demonstrated that fever (having relapse nature in 57% of patients) and myalgia were the most frequent symptoms and increase of eosinophil counts (1.0–2.6 × 109 cells/ L) in those patients (3). Furthermore, the parasite in her peripheral blood smear was morphologically similar to merozoites of Sarcocystis. In addition, the merozoites of Sarcocystis were agglutinated by the case serum. Although, direct agglutination test lacked specificity and the case serum might have antibodies against other coccidian parasite reacting to Sarcocystis species (12) but no history of malaria and Toxoplasma infections in her might be indicating true positive result of the test.

In conclusion, this work suggested that Sarcocystis-like infection should be considered as one of the possible causes of some idiopathic febrile diseases with muscle complications. Consideration of muscular sarcocystosis should be mentioned in differential diagnosis of eosinophilia in areas where the high prevalence of Sarcocystis infection is observed in animals. Also, medical laboratory technicians should be alert to this parasite and keep such samples for molecular analysis.


STUDY OBJECTIVES
As lung volume decreases radial traction on the upper airway is reduced, making it more collapsible. The purpose of this study was to measure change in end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) following sleep onset and to evaluate the relationship between change in EELV and sleep-disordered breathing.

METHODS
Twenty subjects underwent overnight polysomnography, of whom 14 (70%) had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Change in EELV was measured throughout the night using magnetometry. Sleep was staged and respiratory events scored using American Academy of Sleep Medicine criteria. An additional 10 subjects had change in EELV measured simultaneously by magnetometer and spirometer while awake.

RESULTS
In the subjects studied while awake, change in EELV calculated from magnetometer data correlated very strongly (r = 0.89, P < .001) with that obtained by spirometry. In the 20 subjects who underwent polysomnography, there was a decline in EELV for sleep stages N1, N2, N3, and R (REM sleep); 17.9 ± 121.0 mL (mean ± standard deviation), 228.5 ± 151.8 mL, 198.1 ± 122.1 mL, and 316.7 ± 131.9 mL, respectively. Mean EELV reduction during stage R sleep doubled that noted during non-stage R sleep (316.7 ± 131.9 mL versus 150.9 ± 89.7 mL, respectively) (P < .001). The difference in EELV between non-stage R and stage R sleep inversely correlated with mean oxygen saturation (r = -0.56, P = .06). EELV reduction in individuals with moderate and severe OSA was greater than in those with mild SDB but did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS
Magnetometry provides a precise, unobtrusive, and continuous means to study lung volume changes during sleep. EELV declines from sleep onset, reaching its nadir during stage R sleep. The reduction in EELV in stage R sleep was associated with lower mean oxygen saturation but was not associated with greater sleep-disordered breathing.


Due to the shift from conventional reservoirs towards unconventional, ultra-low permeability reservoirs in the last decade, Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test (DFIT) has become one of the dominant and economically practical pressure transient tests. It is crucial to analyze and interpret DFIT data correctly to obtain essential fracture design and reservoir parameters. This study presents the application of wavelet analysis to DFIT falloff pressure data to determine fracture closure pressure and time, to ultimately improve the overall efficiency of hydraulic fracturing designs.
 In this study, DFIT pressure is treated as a non-stationary signal and analyzed by one of the signal processing techniques which is wavelet transformation. The purpose of signal analysis is to extract relevant information from a signal by transforming it. Firstly, the signal is transformed into wavelet domain by Discrete Wavelet Transformation (DWT) to calculate high-frequency wavelet coefficients (details), then change-point detection technique is applied to distinguish major changes within the coefficients trend to determine fracture closure pressure and time.
 DFIT pressure decline data from different wells were analyzed by wavelet transformation. Detail coefficient demonstrates different patterns depending on the formation analyzed and near wellbore activities. This is expected because wavelet analysis is sensitive to any physical changes within the system. From the amplitude changes of the coefficients, wavelet tool demonstrates the fracture closure as a continuing process.
 Because wavelet is sensitive to changes in the system, it detects the fracture closure unambiguously by amplitude change, as compared to slope changes in other conventional methodologies. A comparison with some of the most commonly used diagnostic techniques, conventional log-log diagnostic plot, square root time, G-function and its derivative analysis are also provided in this study.
 There have been several publications discussing various techniques analyzing DFIT pressure decline in unconventional formations and yet there is relatively high uncertainty in before-closure-analysis. However, this methodology is more sensitive to fundamental changes in the system, so application in detecting closure pressure and time decreases the uncertainty compared to other conventional tangential methodologies.


Maximum G Edge-Packing (EPackG) is the problem of finding the maximum number of edge-disjoint isomorphic copies of a fixed guest graph G in a host graph H. This paper investigates the computational complexity of edge-packing for planar guests and planar hosts. Edge-packing is solvable in linear time when G is a 2-path and H is arbitrary, or when H is outerplanar and G is either a 3-cycle or a k-star. Edge-packing is solvable in polynomial time when both G and H are trees. Edge-packing is NP-complete when H is planar and G is either a cycle or a tree with ≥3 edges. The approximability of EPackG is considered. A strategy for developing polynomial-time approximation algorithms for planar hosts is exemplified by a linear-time approximation algorithm for EPack k-star that finds an edge-packing of size at least one-half optimal. Finally, EPackG is shown not to be in the complexity class Max SNP, though it is Max SNP-hard for G a k-star, ≥3.


Importance of supplying qualified and undisturbed electricity is increasing day by day. Therefore, detecting fault, fault type and fault location is a major issue in power transmission system in order to prevent power delivery system security. In previous studies, we observed that faults can be easily determined by extreme learning machine (ELM) and the aim of this study is to determine applicability of ELM in fault type, zone and location detection. 8 different feature sets were exacted from fault data that produced by ATP and these features were assessed by 15 different classifier and 5 different regression method. The results showed that ELM can be employed for detecting fault types and locations successfully.


In the present occasions, because of urbanization and contamination, it has gotten important to screen and assess the nature of water arriving at our homes. Guaranteeing safe inventory of drinking water has become a major test for the cutting edge progress. In this desk work, we present a structure and improvement of a minimal effort framework for continuous checking of the water quality (WQ) in IoT (web of things). The framework comprise of a few sensors are accustomed to guesstimatingsomatic and element limitations of the water. The parameters like temperature, PH, turbidity, conductivity, broke up oxygen of the water can be estimated. The deliberate qualities from the sensors can be prepared by the center controller. The RBPI B+ (RBPI) model can be consumed as a center controller. At last, the instrument facts can be understood on web utilizing distributed computing. Here the information's are handled utilizing AI calculation it sense the water condition if the WQis great it open the entryway divider else it shuts the door divider. This whole procedure happens naturally without human mediation therefore spare an opportunity to contract with the circumstance physically. The uniqueness of our proposed research is to get the water observing framework with high recurrence, high portability, and low controlled.