A new multiscale method for wave simulation in 3D heterogeneous poroelastic media is developed. Wave propagation in inhomogeneous media involves many different scales of media. The physical parameters in the real media usually vary greatly within a very small scale. For the direct numerical methods for wave simulation, a refined grid is required in mesh generation to maintain the match between the mesh size and the material variations in the spatial scale. This greatly increases the computational cost and computer memory requirements. The multiscale method can overcome this difficulty due to the scale difference. The basic idea of our multiscale method is to construct computational schemes on two sets of meshes, i.e., coarse grids and fine grids. The finite-volume method is applied on the coarse grids, whereas the multiscale basis functions are computed with the finite-element method by solving a local problem on the fine grids. Moreover, the local problem only needs to be solved once before time stepping. This allows us to use a coarse grid while still capturing the information of the physical property variations in the small scale. Therefore, it has better accuracy than the single-scale method when they use the same coarse grids. The theoretical method and the dispersion analysis are investigated. Numerical computations with the perfectly matched layer boundary conditions are completed for 3D inhomogeneous poroelastic models with randomly distributed small scatterers. The results indicate that our multiscale method can effectively simulate wave propagation in 3D heterogeneous poroelastic media with a significant reduction in computation cost.


PURPOSE
To ascertain the effectiveness of variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis in areas with a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB), we examined the combination of comprehensive VNTR analyses and field epidemiological investigation results in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, where estimated incidence of new TB cases per 100,000 population was 11.3 in 2011.

METHODS
We collected Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from 184 (69.2%) of 266 pulmonary TB patients across the whole of Yamagata Prefecture between 2009 and 2011. Next, 24 loci [JATA (12), QUB-11a, ETR A, QUB-18, QUB3232, v3820, v4120, MIRU04, MIRU16, MIRU40, ETR C, Mtub30, Mtub39] in VNTR genotypes were determined. The relationships among TB patients derived from the respective clusters were surveyed using field epidemiological investigation results provided by the Public Health Center.

RESULTS
Seventeen clusters were formed by 49 (26.6%) of the 184 isolates. We found 3 hospital infection cases, 3 family infection cases, and 1 nursing home infection case forming 6 clusters. Among these cases, two relationships among patients were revealed after additional epidemiological investigation at the Public Health Center. The VNTR pattern of the largest cluster, which was formed by 12 isolates, was identical with that of an incipient patient of a TB mass infection that occurred in 2007.

DISCUSSION
In areas with a low incidence of TB, a combination of comprehensive VNTR analysis and field epidemiological investigation is useful to find unknown transmission routes, identify for new risk groups, and trace mass infections.


The phytochrome (phy) family of sensory photoreceptors (phyA to phyE) in Arabidopsis thaliana control plant developmental transitions in response to informational light signals throughout the life cycle. The photoactivated conformer of the photoreceptor Pfr has been shown to translocate into the nucleus where it induces changes in gene expression by an unknown mechanism. Here, we have identified two basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, designated PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR5 (PIF5) and PIF6, which interact specifically with the Pfr form of phyB. These two factors cluster tightly with PIF3 and two other phy-interacting bHLH proteins in a phylogenetic subfamily within the large Arabidopsis bHLH (AtbHLH) family. We have identified a novel sequence motif (designated the active phytochrome binding [APB] motif) that is conserved in these phy-interacting AtbHLHs but not in other noninteractors. Using the isolated domain and site-directed mutagenesis, we have shown that this motif is both necessary and sufficient for binding to phyB. Transgenic expression of the native APB-containing AtbHLH protein, PIF4, in a pif4 null mutant, rescued the photoresponse defect in this mutant, whereas mutated PIF4 constructs with site-directed substitutions in conserved APB residues did not. These data indicate that the APB motif is necessary for PIF4 function in light-regulated seedling development and suggest that conformer-specific binding of phyB to PIF4 via the APB motif is necessary for this function in vivo. Binding assays with the isolated APB domain detected interaction with phyB, but none of the other four Arabidopsis phys. Collectively, the data suggest that the APB domain provides a phyB-specific recognition module within the AtbHLH family, thereby conferring photoreceptor target specificity on a subset of these transcription factors and, thus, the potential for selective signal channeling to segments of the transcriptional network.


Based on analysis of the processed data and on research based on the variable first and second variable that impacts the development of Basic Infrastructure Improvement Against Public Welfare. From the construction of roads and bridges have a positive impact on the Education, Health and Economic Income society. Due road and bridge the basic facilities needed by the public to access a wide range activities  in education, health, and livelihoods of others. In addition to the construction of roads and bridges, clean water is Also a basic need that is in need by the community in Kiren Village. But until now the Development of clean water tub in Kiren Village has not done well. Now the people in Kiren Village still use the water borehole and Rainwater for consumption. Due to the impact of the construction of clean water bath, influence on people's lives in Kiren Village. Until now, people who are at Kiren Village still hope that the government can build a clean water bath at Kiren Village. In addition to road and bridge construction, as well as the Clean Water community in Kiren Village Also expect Reviews their hometown of adequate lighting. Until now, people still use diesel power for lighting villages in each lane at Kiren Village. Also Kiren Village lighting is impacting on Education, Health, and Economic Income society.  Then the activities conducted in the evenings such as learning, good lighting IS ALSO Reviews their very helpful nurses and other health workers to work in the evening as night striker duty to keep the patient. In addition to health education in economics lighting darting Also in need, with good lighting community can the make ice cubes, made cakes, and various other activities at night. If people's basic needs such as roads and bridges, Water Supply and Lighting. Perform well then Welfare Society in Kiren Village would be good. This study uses a method of describing the nature of an ongoing state of current research is conducted, and the search for the causes of a phenomenon / phenomena to be studied and made any particular conclusion (Husein Umar, 1999: 20).


The first considerations about increasing a person's media competence as part of lifelong learning in post-modern society had already appeared in post-war Europe. International institutions, however, only began paying attention to media education in the 1990's. At the beginning of the 21st century the topic of media education has been implemented into the content of general education in most countries of the European Union. In most countries, this topic has been integrated into compulsory subjects, in some countries it is a cross-cutting theme in several subjects, while in some places the increase of media competence is a part of extracurricular education. The situation across countries is differentiated —Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian countries have the longest history and the highest scores in the Union—. The presented research study deals with comparing the implementation of media education in Western and Central Europe.


It is inevitable in a complex discipline, that expression should sometimes appear obscure. In the legal field it is agreed that such obscurity should be reduced to a minimum. However, the avoidance of (unnecessary) obscurity will not eliminate problems of interpretation. It is shown that problems of ambiguity may arise even where the language is clear. A study of celebrated English cases shows that common words are more ambiguous than specialised terms. It is argued that, because "what is said" is not determined (merely) by the words, but also depends on the context of discourse, there can be no purely literal meaning. Where the contextual features are unavailable or inadmissible, the sense may appear indeterminate. A consideration of the classical rules of legal construction as applied in common law judgments shows that although ambiguity is an integral part of the law, it may be seen not as a defect, but as an essential tool of


Three‐dimensional microstructured scaffolds provide a means for cells to be cultured in vitro in a way that resembles natural conditions more closely than flat tissue culture polystyrene. In the presented work, two‐photon polymerization (2PP) is applied as a tool for the engineering of high‐resolution 3D scaffold structures with a well defined microarchitecture made of biocompatible photo resins. 2PP is a novel photolithographic technique using femtosecond laser pulses which enables free 3D microstructuring of liquid photo resins due to the relationship of the axial and lateral spatial confinement of the photoreaction to the focal volume of a focused laser beam. A set of photo resins were tested with regard to 2PP processability and three different classes of methacrylated photopolymerizable monomers (methacrylated oligolactones, urethane dimethacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate)) were found to be efficient 2PP materials. 3D microstructures based on computer models were produced and tested for biocompatibility. The initial cell adhesion and the viability of bovine chondrocytes on the polymeric scaffolds were evaluated morphologically by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) after three‐day culture on 2PP derived microstructures. 2PP derived scaffolds were fabricated in different sizes and geometries, starting from the 100 µm‐range reaching out to the cm‐range showing the actual possibilities to produce large volume scaffolds even for implantation purposes.


The construction of an operating room (OR) suite represents an important intermediate- and long term investment. The planning process starts with the quantitative estimation of the procedures to be carried out which defines the operative capacity for the life time of the facility. This permits the calculation of the number of ORs and the definition of the resources for the recovery room, the intermediate care and intensive care unit.The projectors should integrate the new facility into workflow, workload and logistics of the entire hospital. The simulation flow of patients and accompanying persons and of the routes of the personnel is helpful for this purpose. Separating structures for outpatients from those for inpatients and avoiding de-centralized rooms helps designing an efficient and safe OR suite.The design of the single ORs should be flexible to permit changes or technical innovations during their use period. Mobile equipment is preferable to permanently installed devices. We consider an expanse of at least 45 m(2) for any location adequate for general ORs. The space requirements are elevated for hybrid ORs and rooms dedicated for robotic surgery.The design of the suite should separate the flow of personnel, patients and logistics. Surgical instruments and their logistics should be standardized. Dedicated locations for a simultaneous preparation of the instrumentation tables permit parallel processing. Thus an adequate capacity of preparation rooms and storage rooms is necessary. Dressing rooms, rest rooms, showers and lounges are important for the working conditions and should be planned in an adequate size and number.


Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a disease similar to Alzheimer's in humans. This progressive neurodegenerative disease affects senior dogs, causes many behavioral changes and decreases welfare in both the dog and owner. Even with its high impact, many studies have shown CDS is underdiagnosed. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of CDS in Thailand and to identify its risk factors. In this study, 622 senior dogs (seven years old and older) were randomly recruited. After an initial interview, 389 dogs were excluded from the study due to clinical and/or sensory impairment. Owners of the remaining dogs (233 dogs) completed a questionnaire that listed behavior related to CDS. Behavior was grouped by category: disorientation, interaction, sleep-wake cycle and activity and house soiling. Consequently, 122 dogs (52.4%) showed signs consistent with CDS. The percentage of dogs with CDS signs significantly increased with age and neutered dogs had a 2.3 fold higher odds of developing CDS than intact dogs. Sex and body weight/size did not significantly correlate with cognitive decline. The study also revealed sleep-wake cycle and activity was the most impaired behavior category. Only 30 % of the owners of dogs in the study were aware of CDS. Our study concluded that advanced age and reproductive status were the most obvious risk factors. The prevalence of CDS reported here was similar to that in previously reported findings. The questionnaire can be useful in screening for CDS. However, definitive CDS diagnosis requires observation and detailed owner feedback.


In this report, an attempt was made to describe what is presently known about the biological activities of tumor virus DNAs, their regulatory regions, and some factors which interplay with their oncogenic potential. In light of current knowledge, it is likely that the gene transfer risks of using continuous cell lines expressing known oncogenes, or cells containing oncogenic virus-recombinant DNA vectors, are minimal.


Abstract Chromosome abnormalities represent the leading cause in many human genetic disorders. Gain or loss of genetic material can disrupt the normal expression of genes important in fetal development and result in abnormal phenotypes. Approximately 60% of first-trimester spontaneous abortions exhibit karyotype abnormalities. The majority of these abnormalities consist of numerical chromosomal changes, such as autosomal trisomy, monosomy X and polyploidy. In our current study, 411 cases were analyzed over a period of 5 years, which reflected the incidence of cytogenetic abnormalities in Romania. Down syndrome showed the highest frequency at 79%. At 2.6% structural chromosome abnormality syndromes and Turner syndrome followed suit. Next were the Edwards and Patau syndromes with an incidence of 1.2%. Klinefelter, Cri du chat and Wolf-Hirschhorn syndromes all had an incidence of 0.7%. Finally, the lowest frequencies were shown by Williams at 0.4% and only one case of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome with abnormal karyotype. The average maternal age at childbirth was 31.15 years (SD = 6.96) and the average paternal age was 33.41 years (SD = 7.17).


PURPOSE
To evaluate the flexibility and efficacy of the Willis covered stent in the treatment of distal internal carotid artery (DICA) aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was approved by the authors' institutional review board, and the research was conducted by the authors' institution and the MicroPort Medical Company (Shanghai, China). Thirty-one patients with 33 DICA aneurysms were considered for treatment with a Willis covered stent. The angiographic assessments were categorized as complete or incomplete occlusion. The data on technical success, initial and final angiographic results, mortality, morbidity, and final clinical outcome were collected, and follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and yearly after the procedures.

RESULTS
Navigation and deployment of the covered stents were successful in 97.6% (41 of 42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 93%, 102%) of the attempted stent placement procedures. The initial angiographic results showed a complete occlusion in 23 patients with 25 aneurysms (of 32 aneurysms, 78.1% [95% CI: 63%, 93%]) and an incomplete occlusion in seven patients with seven aneurysms (21.9%). The angiographic follow-up (mean, 14 months [95% CI: 12, 15 months]) findings exhibited a complete occlusion in 27 patients with 29 aneurysms (of 31 aneurysms, 93.5% [95% CI: 84%, 103%]) and an incomplete occlusion in two aneurysms (6.5%), with a mild in-stent stenosis in two patients. The clinical follow-up (mean, 27 months [95% CI: 23, 30 months]) demonstrated that 15 patients experienced a full recovery and 14 patients improved.

CONCLUSION
The preliminary results demonstrate good flexibility and efficacy of the Willis covered stent in the treatment of DICA aneurysms in selected patients; longer follow-up and expanded clinical trials are needed.


Two components, designated I and II, of botulinum C2 toxin were injected separately into the same animal. The intravenous injection of one component at different time intervals after intravenous injection of the other component, irrespective of the sequence, was lethal to mice. When components I and II were injected intradermally into separate sites, vascular permeability increased only at the site where component II was injected. The sizes of blued areas were smaller with increased distance between the injection sites of components I and II. When one component was injected intravenously and the other intradermally, an increase in vascular permeability was induced at the intradermal site of injection of component II but not at that of component I. These results indicate that the simultaneous injection of components I and II is not always required to elicit the biological activity of C2 toxin. The vascular permeability response induced by separate injections of the two toxin components suggests that the activity of C2 toxin results from component II binding to the tissue around its injection site and component I recognizing the altered tissue.


In this paper, we have investigated the influence upon the modification of the theory of equivalent spectrum of photons by Wei/sacker-Williams, given by the electromagnetic structure of the nucleon. To overcome the difficulty caused by the divergence in the calculation with the form factor of the Clementel-Villi's type, we have suggested also a way of modifying the form factor.
The results of the calculation show that within the region in which the method of equivalent spectrum of photons works, our results conform to Weizsacker-Williams' theory, if the masses for the two particles in collision are considerably different; however, the influence of the structure is very evident, if the masses of the two particles are approximate to each other.


This survey was undertaken to portray the level of library involvement in library skill instruction courses taught in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Survey instrument used involved construction and distribution of questionnaires. These were distributed to professional librarians. The result of the data analysis indicate that library skill instruction courses are taught in most tertiary institutions in Nigeria, but this has not attained a firm footing. Time allocated for lectures and involvement in the mode of students' assessment is not determined by library instructors even when they are fully responsible for teaching the course. Allocation of time period for lectures and opportunity to be involved in assessment of students' performance in the course has not been fully granted to the library skill instructors. Information technology is not fully developed in most of these tertiary institutions. It is only 13% of all the universities surveyed in this report that have reached 70% compliance in information technology. Consequently, not much has been offered by library skill instructors on the application of information and communication technology (ICT) to their users. However, there is visible and encouraging beneficial impact of library instruction on library user. The library skill instructors have awakened the interest of the students towards library use. The much they have done in all areas has had visible and encouraging results. KEY WORD: Library Skill, Library Use Instruction, Nigeria, Library in Tertiary Institutions


This paper proposes a method to reconstruct the pitch angle data of F15C aircraft through the data of roll angle, roll rate, yaw angle and yaw rate. It mainly includes data generation, data preprocessing, network training and network prediction. The flight data of F15C generated based on FlightGear software is divided into a training set and a test set. Through optimizing the calculation method of neural network learning rate, an adaptive learning rate calculation method is designed. Neural network is trained by roll angle, roll rate, yaw angle and yaw rate data of the training set, and its parameters are obtained which represent the weight between layers in the network. The data of roll angle, roll rate, yaw angle and yaw rate in the test set is imported into the network to get the reconstruction value of pitch angle data. This method can more accurately describe the complex nonlinearity of the sensor and has high accuracy of the reconstructed value without the model of the sensor. The simulation results explain the validity of the proposed method.


The authors present conductivity and magnetoresistance data for a range of a-Si1-yNiy:H alloys near the metal-insulator transition. In the metallic regime, weak-localization and interaction effects are identified, the latter being of normal sign. In the activated regime, conductivity results imply variable-range hopping in a parabolic density of states but quantitative analysis shows that if this density of states results from a Coulomb gap then the localized states extend over large clusters of nickel atoms. The magnetoresistance data generally show positive magnetoresistance attributed to spin splitting in interaction effects, but negative magnetoresistance attributed to suppression of weak-localization-type interference, is seen on the insulating side of the transition at not too low temperatures where interaction effects are partially suppressed.


A new technique is presented for continuous measurements of hydrogen contamination by air in the upper explosive limit range. It is based on the application of a catalytic combustion sensor placed in a cell through which the tested sample passes. The air content is the function of the quantity of formed heat during catalytic combustion of hydrogen inside the sensor. There is the possibility of using the method in industrial installations by using hydrogen for cooling electric current generators.


Heterogeneous information network (HIN) has been widely used to characterize entities of various types and their complex relations. Recent attempts either rely on explicit path reachability to leverage path-based semantic relatedness or graph neighborhood to learn heterogeneous network representations before predictions. These weakly coupled manners overlook the rich interactions among neighbor nodes, which introduces an early summarization issue. In this article, we propose GraphHINGE (Heterogeneous INteract and aggreGatE), which captures and aggregates the interactive patterns between each pair of nodes through their structured neighborhoods. Specifically, we first introduce Neighborhood-based Interaction (NI) module to model the interactive patterns under the same metapaths, and then extend it to Cross Neighborhood-based Interaction (CNI) module to deal with different metapaths. Next, in order to address the complexity issue on large-scale networks, we formulate the interaction modules via a convolutional framework and learn the parameters efficiently with fast Fourier transform. Furthermore, we design a novel neighborhood-based selection (NS) mechanism, a sampling strategy, to filter high-order neighborhood information based on their low-order performance. The extensive experiments on six different types of heterogeneous graphs demonstrate the performance gains by comparing with state-of-the-arts in both click-through rate prediction and top-N recommendation tasks.


Research on automated domestic appliances, categorized as Smart Home Technology (SHT), has increased exponentially over the last decade and has taken various guises, from qualitative descriptive investigation to empirically based analysis. Given the unresolved uncertainties surrounding the SHT acceptance literature and concern regarding the relatively low smart home device uptake, there is a need to reappraise the existing literature to delve deeper and search for solutions. Based on the research method PRISMA, a systematic literature review on SHT acceptance was undertaken to evaluate its different models and develop a hypothetical model. Twenty-three papers were selected in the review, and the results indicate that the Technological Acceptance Model was the most applied model when investigating SHT acceptance. Moreover, the most significant variables used to measure SHT acceptance were compatibility and perceived usefulness. The systematic literature review also revealed some significant patterns including the uptake of non-Western research and the use of sales and market share as a metric of SHT acceptance. Future directions on how researchers, smart home developers and governmental agencies can utilize the findings conclude the systematic review.


In many computer vision applications, a desired model of some type is computed by minimizing a cost function based on several measurements. Typically, one may compute the model that minimizes the L2 cost, that is the sum of squares of measurement errors with respect to the model. However, the Lq solution which minimizes the sum of the qth power of errors usually gives more robust results in the presence of outliers for some values of q, for example, q = 1. The Weiszfeld algorithm is a classic algorithm for finding the geometric L1 mean of a set of points in Euclidean space. It is provably optimal and requires neither differentiation, nor line search. The Weiszfeld algorithm has also been generalized to find the L1 mean of a set of points on a Riemannian manifold of non-negative curvature. This paper shows that the Weiszfeld approach may be extended to a wide variety of problems to find an Lq mean for 1 ≤ q <; 2, while maintaining simplicity and provable convergence. We apply this problem to both single-rotation averaging (under which the algorithm provably finds the global Lq optimum) and multiple rotation averaging (for which no such proof exists). Experimental results of Lq optimization for rotations show the improved reliability and robustness compared to L2 optimization.


In this paper, we introduce three new iterative methods for finding a common point of the set of fixed points of a symmetric generalized hybrid mapping and the set of solutions of an equilibrium problem in a real Hilbert space. Each method can be considered as an combination of Ishikawa's process with the proximal point algorithm, the extragradient algorithm with or without linesearch. Under certain conditions on parameters, the iteration sequences generated by the proposed methods are proved to be weakly convergent to a solution of the problem. These results extend the previous results given in the literature. A numerical example is also provided to illustrate the proposed algorithms.


We report the influence of short-period superlattice (SPSL)-inserted structures in the underlying undoped GaN on the characteristics of GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The measurements of current-voltage (I-V) curves indicate that GaN-based LEDs having pseudomorphic Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/N(2 nm)-GaN(2 nm) SPSL-inserted structures exhibit improvements in device characteristics with the best LED being inserted with two sets of five-pair Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/N(2 nm)-GaN(2 nm) SPSL structure. Based upon the results of etch pit counts, double-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements and transmission electron microscopic observations of the GaN-based LEDs, it was found that the Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/N(2 nm)-GaN(2 nm) SPSL-inserted structures tended to serve as threading dislocation filters in the LEDs so that the improved I-V characteristics were achieved.


BACKGROUND
We conducted a process evaluation of a multifaceted outreach facilitation intervention to document the extent to which the intervention was implemented with fidelity. We also hoped to gain insight into how facilitation worked to improve preventive performance.

METHODS
We used 5 data collection tools to evaluate the implementation of the intervention, and a combination of descriptive, quantitative, and qualitative analyses. Triangulation was used to attain a complete understanding of the quality of implementation. Twenty-two intervention practices with a total of 54 physicians participated in a randomized controlled trial that took place in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. The key measures of process were the frequency and time involved to deliver intervention components, the scope of the delivery and the utility of the components, and physician satisfaction with the intervention.

RESULTS
Of the 7 components in the intervention model, prevention facilitators (PFs) visited the practice most often to deliver the audit and feedback, consensus building, and reminder system components. All the study practices received preventive performance audit and feedback, achieved consensus on a plan for improvement, and implemented a reminder system. Ninety percent of the practices implemented a customized flow sheet, and 10% used a computerized reminder system. Ninety-five percent of the intervention practices wanted critically appraised evidence for prevention, 82% participated in a workshop with opinion leaders in preventive care, and 100% received patient education materials in a binder. Content analysis of the physician interviews and bivariate analysis of physician self-reported changes between intervention and control group physicians revealed that the audit and feedback, consensus building, and development of reminder systems were the key intervention components. Ninety-five percent of the physicians were either satisfied or very satisfied with the intervention, and 90% would have been willing to have the PF continue working with their practice.

CONCLUSIONS
Primary care practices in Ontario can implement significant changes in their practice environments that will improve preventive care activity with the assistance of a facilitator. The main components for creating change are audit and feedback of preventive performance, achieving consensus on a plan for improvement, and implementing a reminder system.


We present a unified view of modulation and spreading for both UTRA FDD and UTRA TDD in the digital baseband. Particular aspects such as monocode and multicode transmission, symbol mapping for uplink and downlink as well as spreading and despreading are discussed in detail. Parameterized software radio is employed to realize all necessary layer 1 signal processing blocks. We develop a systematic view of symbol mapping and spreading which is based on the processing of hierarchical data field structures and which exhibits a remarkable symmetry with respect to transmitter and receiver. This symmetry is only revealed if both monocode and multicode are being addressed by a single simulation setup. We provide a brief review of the respective software radio concepts in order to give a better understanding of our approach.


Background: The Tinnitus Questionnaire is commonly used to evaluate the psychological impact of tinnitus and has been translated into Mandarin. The original English version of the Tinnitus Questionnaire was translated into Mandarin (Mandarin Tinnitus Questionnaire [MTQ]). The MTQ included not the same items compared with original version. Thus, MTQ should have its own severity categorization. Aims/Objectives: The objective of this research was to develop a method to categorize tinnitus patients by clinical severity using scores from the MTQ. Material and Methods: A total of 192 participants with primary complaint of tinnitus were enrolled. Cross-tabulation was used to compare 2 categorization approaches of tinnitus severity. With the first approach, categories were assigned based purely on quartiles of MTQ scores. In the second approach, severity was determined based on ordinal logistic regression. The 2 approaches were verified by comparing the consistency with clinical judgment. Results: Categorization based on quartiles showed low consistency with clinical assessment (κ = 0.33), while categorization based on ordinal logistic regression showed good consistency with clinical assessment (κ = 0.86). Regression-based MTQ score cutoffs were <21 for no problem with tinnitus, 21 to 36 for mild tinnitus, 37 to 47 for moderate tinnitus, and >47 for severe tinnitus. Conclusions and Significance: Tinnitus severity can be categorized accurately using ordinal logistic regression analysis of MTQ scores.


Introduction: An adequate balance of movement behaviors, including physical activity (PA), sleep, and screen time, is important for preventing excess weight gain in children. This study examined the relationship between the infant home environment and movement behaviors later in life. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited for a cohort study related to maternal and child development. The home environment was assessed for developmental stimulation, organization, and toys by the Pediatric Review of Children's Environmental Support and Stimulation (PROCESS) questionnaire when the child was 6 months of age. At 2 years of age, mother-reported child screen time, and child PA and sleep duration were estimated by accelerometry. Child behaviors were compared with the 24-hour Movement Guidelines (≥180 minutes/day of total PA, 11-14 hours/day of sleep, and ≤1 hour/day of screen time). Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between the home environment and movement behaviors, adjusting for maternal and child covariates. Results: Mother/child dyads (n = 141) were mainly white (84.4%), and middle (32.8%) or low income (48.9%). All children (100%) met the PA guideline, some met the sleep guideline (71.6%), fewer met the screen-time guideline (44.7%), and only one-third (34.0%) met all three guidelines. Children who met the screen-time guideline lived in homes with more developmental stimulation and toys (p < 0.05). Children who met all 3 guidelines lived in homes with more organization and toys (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The infant home environment was associated with appropriate amounts of movement behaviors at 2 years. Promoting organization (i.e., routines) and toys in infancy may help facilitate nonscreen-based habits and healthy development. The clinical trial registration number is NCT01131117.


Biodegradable nanoscale-reinforced starch-based products were prepared from an in situ chemically modified thermoplastic starch and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) through reactive processing. Natural montmorillonite (hydrophilic Cloisite Na) and organophilic Cloisite 30B were studied. In situ chemically modified thermoplastic starch (MTPS) was first prepared starting from (nano)clay (previously swollen in glycerol as plasticizer), and maleic anhydride (MA) as an esterification agent. Then, these nanoscale-reinforced MTPS was reactively melt-blended with PBAT through transesterification reactions promoted by MA-derived acidic moieties grafted onto the starch backbone. The tensile and barrier properties of resulting (nano)composites were studied. High-performance formulations with superior tensile strength (>35 MPa as compared with 16 MPa for the PBAT-g-MTPS copolymer) and break elongation (>800%) were obtained, particularly with Cloisite30B. Better water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of nanoscale-reinforced MTPS-g-PBAT were achieved rather than the PRECURSORS. Wide angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electronic microscopy analyses show that partial exfoliation of the clay platelets was observed within the PBAT-g-MTPS graft copolymer-Cloisite 30B nanocomposite. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011


An increasing number of studies have emphasized the role of autophagy in cancer cell metastasis and treatment of malignant tumors. Autophagy inhibitors have been widely used in combination therapies to treat advanced malignancies. Several lung adenocarcinoma cells harbor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations, and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are routinely used in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma. However, a number of lung adenocarcinoma tumors do not respond or develop resistance to EGFR TKIs. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of autophagy inhibition on the biological behavior of lung adenocarcinoma cells. In addition, whether autophagy inhibition increases the efficacy of gefitinib in lung adenocarcinoma was investigated. The activation of autophagy was inhibited via the reduction of the expression of ATG5 in A549, H1975 and HCC827 cells. ATG5 knockdown using ATG5 siRNA partially suppressed the LC3B-II expression, decreased the LC3B-I/II conversion rate and enhanced the P62 expression. Cell scratch test and Transwell assay showed that the inhibition of autophagy could impair the migration and invasion ability of cells. These studies suggested that autophagy may play a pro-survival role in lung adenocarcinoma.


more the female scholar conforms to the host society's image of the female role, the less she participates in the total society and the less she is able to know about male activities. The essays report on such diverse cultures with such a variety of attitudes toward women's role and status that generalizations about a common response to female anthropologists are not possible. But because of the diversity, intelligence, and sensitivity with which these women anthropologists recorded their experiences, we are offered a fascinating and very useful set of professional autobiographies. RUBY W. MORRIS University of Washington Seattle


Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a possible target molecule for energy dissipation. Many dietary fats, including safflower oil and lard, induce obesity in C57BL/6 mice, whereas fish oil does not. Fish oil increases UCP2 expression in hepatocytes and may enhance UCP2 activity by activating the UCP2 molecule or altering the lipid bilayer environment. To examine the role of liver UCP2 in obesity, we created transgenic mice that overexpressed human UCP2 in hepatocytes and examined whether UCP2 transgenic mice showed less obesity when fed a high-fat diet (safflower oil or lard). In addition, we examined whether fish oil had antiobesity effects in UCP2 knockout mice. UCP2 transgenic and wild-type mice fed a high-fat diet (safflower oil or lard) developed obesity to a similar degree. UCP2 knockout and wild-type mice fed fish oil had lower rates of obesity than mice fed safflower oil. Remarkably, safflower oil did not induce obesity in female UCP2 knockout mice, an unexpected phenotype for which we presently have no explanation. However, this unexpected effect was not observed in male UCP2 knockout mice or in UCP2 knockout mice fed a high-lard diet. These data indicate that liver UCP2 is not essential for fish oil-induced decreases in body fat.


The tourism industry in Indonesia has been growing rapidly for a long time. Although the pandemic Covid-19 has passed now, the presence of social media influencers (SMI) in the tourism sector still exists because their existence is considered effective in promoting Indonesian tourism. They can discuss travel activities, tourist destinations or just give appreciation through emojis in the comment space. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the interactions that occur between different SMI characters and their followers through posts and comments uploaded on Instagram from January to March 2023. This period was chosen because it was the momentum of the revival of Indonesian tourism after the pandemic. The research approach used is qualitative with a virtual ethnography research method, with data collection techniques in the form of observation and online data collection. The data analysis techniques used are: 1) Elicitation stage which is the collection of raw data; 2) Reduction stage which consists of 3 stages, namely: Selection-Coding-Clustering; and 3) Visualization stage. Data collection of comments was carried out using the IGCommentExporter program, meanwhile data analysis conducted by Voyant Tools program. Furthermore, the discussion themes that emerged from the findings will be discussed with the concept of Cyberculture that has been discussed previously. The unit of analysis used in this research is the text message in the comment section of the Instagram accounts of two top female travel influencers in Indonesia @medinakamil and @puanindya. By using the concept of Cyberculture, this research concludes that the interaction that occurs between travel influencers and their followers is based on the followers' interest in the influencer's figure itself and also the online friendliness that displays in the comments column.


The early Christian presence in Inner Mongolia forms the subject of this book. These Nestorian remains must primarily be attributed to the Ongut, a Turkic people closely allied to the Mongols. Writing in Syriac, Uighur and Chinese scripts and languages, the Nestorian Ongut drew upon a variety of religions and cultures to decorate their gravestones with crosses rising from lotus flowers, dragons and Taoist imagery. This heritage also portrays designs found in the Islamic world. Taking a closer look at the discovery of this material and its significance for the study of the early Church of the East under the Mongols, the author reconstructs the Nestorian culture of the Ongut. The reader will find many newly discovered objects not published before. At the same time this study demonstrates how many remaining objects were appropriated and, in many cases, vanished after their discovery. 'I find myself obliged to make a special effort to avoid over-praising this book, a treasure-house of information, drawn on a comprehensive array of sources, some of them hitherto untapped, and splendidly presented on the important subject of Christian presence in East Asia.' DENIS SINOR, (Indiana University), Journal of Asian History, 43/1 (2009)


There is increasing recognition that the education systems of England and Wales are separating, while the policy differences are leading to inevitable comparisons in terms of performance indicators. A straightforward comparison of the two regions on almost any indicator of initial‐education flatters England, and such comparisons have led some commentators to see this as a failing of the education system in Wales. This paper compares the GCSE benchmarks of all LEAs in England and Wales in the light of various social and geographical factors that have been shown to affect school performance. When these factors are used as the independent variables in a multiple regression analysis, no evidence is found of poor school performance in Wales.


The effect of intrajejunal fat infusion on meal-stimulated gastric acid and gastrin secretion was studied in 8 healthy volunteers. Intrajejunal fat significantly reduced the acid response to a meal, measured by intragastric titration, as compared to intrajejunal infusion of saline. While serum gastrin concentrations rose from fasting levels to a constant plateau after the meal when saline was infused, fat infusion resulted in a transitory decrease in serum gastrin concentration followed by a significant increase. It is concluded that inhibition of gastrin release only plays a minor role, if any, in the observed fat-induced jejuanl inhibition of meal-stimulated acid secretion.


ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore prevalent health issues, perceived barriers to seeking health care, and utilization of health care among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations in New Jersey. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 438 self-identified LGBT people. Results identified health needs, which included management of chronic diseases, preventive care for risky behaviors, mental health issues, and issues related to interpersonal violence. Barriers to seeking health care included scarceness of health professionals competent in LGBT health, inadequate health insurance coverage and lack of personal finances, and widely dispersed LGBT inclusive practices making transportation difficult. There is a need for better preparation of health care professionals who care for LGBT patients, to strengthen social services to improve access and for better integration of medical and social services.


Background Few RCTs have investigated long-term (>10 years (yrs)) outcomes of goal-directed synovitis suppression in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The CIMESTRA trial was a 2-year double-blinded Danish multicenter study on aggressive treatment with csDMARDS (methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX and cyclosporine) in combination with intra-articular glucocorticoids (1+2). Disease control after 2 yrs was excellent with $≈ $50% in remission and halted radiographic progression in both groups. We present 11 yr follow-up data. Objectives The aims were to 1) investigate the clinical and radiographic status and 2) identify baseline predictors of functional status and erosive progression. Methods Of 160 patients (pts) included, 130 pts also had MRI of the wrist performed at baseline. 17 pts had died since baseline. All living pts were contacted and 120 signed informed consent to participate in a 11 yrs' follow-up visit assessing e.g. treatment, disease activity (DAS28, CRP, 4 variables), physical function (HAQ), X-ray of hands and feet. Baseline MRI was scored by OMERACT rheumatoid arthritis MRI scoring (RAMRIS) system, X-rays by Sharp-van der Heijde total Sharp Score (TSS). Multivariable linear regression analyses of a panel of baseline variables (see foot note in table) with backward selection were performed with HAQ at 11 yrs (HAQ11) and radiographic progression since baseline (ΔTSS0–11) as dependent variables. Results 120 of 160 pts (75%) completed the 11 yrs visit. 96 pts with available baseline MRI and X-rays of both time points were included in the prediction models. Withdrawal analysis comparing the 160 pts with the 40 and 64 pts who were not included showed similar baseline characteristics except for higher DAS28 and HAQ score for withdrawers. Follow-up was after 11.6 yrs (10.7–12.2) (median (IQR)). Pts were 63 yrs (55–72) and 70% females. 20% received biologics (+/- csDMARD), 53% csDMARD alone, 27% were in drug free remission. DAS28 was 2.0 (1.5–2.6); pain score: 1 cm (0.3–3); pt. global: 1.1 cm (0.2–2.9); swollen joint count (28SJC): 0 (0–0); tender joint count (28TJC): 0 (0–1). 76% of pts were in DAS28 remission; HAQ-score was 0.25 (0–0.75); ΔTSS0–11(median (IQR)):4 (0–13); ΔTSS0–11(mean±SD): 10.9±16.9). The annual progression rate since baseline was median (IQR):0.4 (0–1.1); mean±SD:0.96±1.52. Multivariable linear regression analyses are shown in Table. Conclusions 11 years after diagnosis 75% were in DAS28 remission. HAQ-score was low, and mean radiographic progression was <1 TSS unit/year. High DAS28 and positive anti-CCP at baseline were independent predictors of poorer functional status. Baseline MRI bone marrow edema and anti-CCP positivity were independent predictors of radiographic progression. References Arthritis Rheum 2006; 54: 1401–9. Ann Rheum Dis 2008; 67: 815–22. Disclosure of Interest M. L. Hetland Grant/research support from: AbbVie, BMS, MSD, Pfizer, Orion, Novartis, Biogen, Eli Lilly, K. Stengaard-Petersen: None declared, P. Junker: None declared, H. Lindegaard: None declared, T. Ellingsen: None declared, J. Pødenphant: None declared, H. Skjødt: None declared, A. Vestergaard: None declared, B. Ejbjerg: None declared, S. Jacobsen: None declared, N. S. Krogh: None declared, M. Østergaard Grant/research support from: Abbvie, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Centocor, GSK, Hospira, Janssen, Merck, Mundipharma, Novartis, Novo, Orion, Pfizer, Regeneron, Schering-Plough, Roche, Takeda, UCB, K. Hørslev-Petersen: None declared


Commercially cultivated vanilla (V. planifolia) is native to Mexico and its cultivation and breeding programmes face major bottlenecks. This study reports presence of important agronomic characters in two important and endangered species of Vanilla, V. aphylla and V. pilifera, indigenous to India. V. aphylla was tolerant to Fusarium wilt and had longer flower life than the cultivated vanilla. V. pilifera flowers were fragrant, showed signs of insect pollination and had large fruit size. The species were amenable to interspecific hybridization and successful reciprocal crosses were done. Sequence similarity studies indicated the clustering of leafy and leafless species separately.


The reassortment in proteins from influenza A viruses among human, swine, and Eurasian avian strains formed a new influenza A virus leading to the first pandemic in this century, which suggests that the barrier between species and between subtypes would not be strong enough to prevent the cross-species infection and cross-subtype reassortment from occurring. In this study, we intensively used the ANOVA including its model I and model II to analyze 2430 polymerase basic proteins 2 (PB2) of influenza A viruses in order to determine whether there is a barrier between species and between subtypes. The results show that (i) there is a barrier between HA subtypes, between NA subtypes and between hosting species in some cases, however, there is no barrier in most cases, which can lead to cross-species infection and cross-subtype reassortment, and (ii) the intra-subtype/species variation is larger than the inter-subtype/species variation in most cases, which can lead mutations/reassortments in PB2 to easily jump from species to species or from subtype to subtype. These results are in agreement with our previous studies along this research line in the hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, matrix protein 1 and 2 from influenza A virus, and provide further explanations for the possible reason for cross-subtype reassortment and cross-species infection.


Tail autotomy is a common phenomenon in lizards that increases the chances of immediate survival during a predation event or agonistic encounter. However, despite short-term benefits, tail regeneration may also impose costs. Several studies have demonstrated that tail loss compromises other vital functions such as lipid storage, reproduction, and the immune system. Several lizard species are hosts of mites and ticks. Here we evaluated in three lizard species from the genus Sceloporus , whether individuals that have lost their tails and invested energy in tail regeneration are more susceptible to ectoparasites. Using a multimodel inference framework, we examined if tail loss and regeneration, as well as sex, body condition, and season (dry or rainy) predict ectoparasite load. Our results indicate that investing energy and resources in tail regeneration compromises defence against ectoparasites. These costs differed between sexes and among species. Overall, ectoparasite load increases during the rainy season and is on average higher in males. In S. grammicus , during the rainy season, males with regenerated tails and in poor body condition had more ectoparasites than males with intact tails in good body condition. In S. megalepidurus , we observed the same effect during the rainy season but in females rather than males. In S. torquatus , we found no effect of tail loss on ectoparasite load. We discuss the possibility that differences observed among species reflect differences in both species-specific physiological trade-offs and local environmental conditions.


From an interdisciplinary point of view, on the basis of a systematic approach, the concept of transferring control to a driver in highly automated vehicles was first formulated, which allows one to determine the potential possibility of regaining control of a highly automated car based on its awareness of the situational situation along the route of movement and monitoring of the current functional state, including readiness for emergency actions, and individual features of the driver. The classification of cross-modal information flows in highly automated and autonomous cars is presented. The definition of cross-modal interaction in highly automated vehicles is given, and the goal of analyzing heterogeneous information flows in on-board vehicle systems is formulated, where automatic analysis of heterogeneous information flows gives a synergistic effect. Examples of relevant driver information are provided.


Baclofen is a commonly used racemic drug and has a simple chemical structure in terms of the presence of only one stereogenic center. Since the desirable pharmacological effect is in only one enantiomer, several possibilities exist for the other enantiomer for evaluation of the disposition of the racemic mixture of the drug. This calls for the development of enantioselective analytical methodology. This review summarizes and evaluates different methods of enantioseparation of (RS)-baclofen using both direct and indirect approaches, application of certain chiral reagents and chiral stationary phases (though very expensive). Methods of separation of diastereomers of (RS)-baclofen prepared with different chiral derivatizing reagents (under microwave irradiation at ease and in less time) on reversed-phase achiral columns or via a ligand exchange approach providing high-sensitivity detection by the relatively less expensive methods of TLC and HPLC are discussed. The methods may be helpful for determination of enantiomers in biological samples and in pharmaceutical formulations for control of enantiomeric purity and can be practiced both in analytical laboratories and industry for routine analysis and R&D activities.


From 1950 to 1970, under the leadership of the central government, workstations for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis were established in the southern Anhui region. In terms of controlling the source of the disease, light and severe epidemic areas were scientifically divided. By opening new ditches to replace old ones, changing paddy fields to dry fields, and using traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine to prevent the intermediate host of schistosomiasis, oncomelania from surviving. By managing the feces from human and animals and controlling the water source, the transmission route of schistosome eggs has been effectively cut off. At the same time, the education of hygiene awareness among susceptible populations were strengthened. In terms of diagnosis, modern physical and biochemical detection were used to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. In terms of treatment, by combining traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, together with the splenectomy, the cure rates were improved. In the process of preventing and controlling schistosomiasis, the governments of Anhui Province and the southern region of Anhui Province achieved good results, providing useful reference for the prevention and control of other diseases.


A study of the reported cases of new growths appearing spontaneously in the rabbit strongly suggests that the usual early death of these animals prevents the appearance of many such tumors. Most rabbits whose viscera are examined have been killed for food while they were young. If they were permitted to live longer the mortality on account of malignant tumors in the rabbit might be similar to that of human beings. Adenocarcinoma of the uterus is one of the neoplasms which appears most often in older rabbits (1). Although this is the most frequently reported type of spontaneous tumor in the rabbit, less than 40 cases have been recorded in the literature. Since recognized cases are uncommon, the description of an additional growth of this type may be of interest.

History of Case

The rabbit under consideration was one of a group which had received injections of histamine in sublethal doses at intervals of five to seven days for a little over a year, in an attempt to study the effects of such a procedure on blood vessels. This animal, a white doe, had been used for three years for breeding purposes by a rabbit fancier before being used for this experiment. She was sold by him because of failure to become pregnant again. A few weeks before death, the animal began to lose weight, which was attributed to the injections of histamine. Following the last injection there was a rapid increase of listlessness which had been present for a number of days, but no typical histamine reaction was observed. The condition of the animal had improved a few hours after the injection, but she died during the following night. No abnormal discharge had been noted from the vagina before death.


Background: Interprofessional collaboration is an important part of palliative care. Effective communication and information exchange is essential for a high quality of care. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a new tool for exchanging information between professionals in palliative care on primary healthcare level. Methods: With suggestions from the experts regarding palliative care needs in an interprofessional team from the Delphi study and community nurses from the field, we developed a paper version of the tool. The paper version was tested in a pilot phase, and subsequently, we conducted ten semi-structured interviews with the users of the new tool to test its feasibility and usability. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, leading to improvement and development of the digital version of the new tool. Results: After completing the pilot phase of the research, we identified the following four categories: a systematic tool for more consistent treatment and better communication during the patient's visit; training and empowerment; quality, safety and digitalization; these categories were later included in the final version of the digital communication tool. Conclusion: Effective palliative care requires a good exchange of information and communication between all care professionals who work with the patient. Effective communication contributes to making patients and their relatives feel safe in their home environment and allows patients to stay in their homes even as their disease progresses. The systematical new tool was assessed as useful to improve interdisciplinary cooperation and prepared in a digital version. Further research after the long-term use of the developed digital tool in everyday work might confirm its sustaining importance.


The Schottky barrier heights (SBHs) of defect-free interfaces of ZnO, CdO, MgO and SrO with various metals and different terminations are investigated by density functional supercell calculations. The oxide bands are corrected for their density functional band gap error by applying U-type treatment to their metal-d and O-p states where necessary. The p-type SBHs are found to decrease linearly with increasing metal work function. The pinning factor S of the non-polar and polar interfaces are similar for each oxide. S is found to be 0.26, 0.56, 0.74 and 0.96 for CdO, ZnO, MgO and SrO, respectively, with S increasing for increased oxide ionicity. The calculated pinning factors are generally consistent with the metal-induced gap states (MIGS) model in terms of variation with ionicity and dielectric constant. A significant shift of SBHs from the non-polar to the polar interfaces of 0.4 eV, 1 eV and 0.5 eV for ZnO, MgO and SrO, respectively, can be explained by an interfacial dipole. Our results are also useful to describe Co,Fe|MgO interfaces in magnetic tunnel junctions.


The authors have sought the existence of cellular hyper-receptivity in susceptible cells in order to explain the transformation of normal uterine muscle fibres into tumours, because of the absence of true biological proof of hyperoestrogenization in fibromyomata. The total of uterine receptors for oestradiol (the total number of accessible receptors or those in which endogenous oestrogens had been taken up) were measured in normal myometrium and in fibroids removed at myomectomy or at hysterectomy. The oestradiol receptors are significantly raised in fibromyomatous tissue when the results are expressed as femtomoles per mg. of protein. All the same, there is no significant difference to be found when the results are expressed in micrograms of DNA, which leads to the supposition that there is no significant difference in the concentration of oestrogen receptors in the two types of cells. The cause of the cellular multiplication of fibromyomatous tissue should therefore be sought at another level.


Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a potent polyphenolic antioxidant extracted from green tea. Due to its antimutagenic and antitumor activities, it is a promising candidate for use in topical formulations for skin cancer prevention. The overall goal of this study was therefore to determine the influence of several factors on the stability of EGCG in solution to obtain information that would facilitate the subsequent development of topical formulations. Our first objective was to determine the influence of pH, temperature, and ionic strength on the aqueous stability of EGCG. A second objective was to determine the stability of EGCG in various solvents in the presence and absence of different antioxidants. A simple and rapid stability indicating high-performance liquid chromatography assay for EGCG was developed. Stability studies were performed in 0.05 M aqueous buffers at pH 3, 5, 7, and 9 at 4, 25, and 50 degrees C. The effect of ionic strength on EGCG stability was evaluated in 0.05 M acetate buffer, pH 5, adjusted to the desired ionic strength with sodium chloride. An accelerated stability study of EGCG was performed at 50 degrees C in the organic solvents glycerin and Transcutol P in the presence of antioxidants. The degradation of EGCG increased rapidly as temperature and solution pH were increased. Ionic strength increases also caused an accelerated degradation. The solution stability of EGCG was prolonged in glycerin and Transcutol P compared with an aqueous environment. The addition of 0.1% concentrations of several antioxidants in combination with 0.025% EDTA caused variable effects on EGCG stability. Butylated hydroxytoluene in glycerin produced the greatest stability improvement for EGCG. The t(90) (time for 10% degradation to occur) was 76.1 days at 50 degrees C. It can be concluded that glycerin-based vehicles are suitable for stabilizing EGCG.


□ The authors have adjusted a jet nebulizer to a mechanical ventilator (Servo Ventilator, Siemens) to deliver an aerosol to rats. They aimed to clarify whether a modified jet nebulizer generating particles with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of 2 µm would be effective and safe in intubated ventilated rats. Fluorescent microspheres (diameter: 1.0 µm) were aerosolized to verify qualitatively and quantitatively intrapulmonary deposition. Particle deposition fraction was 3.8% (1.3%) of the delivered dose (median [interquartile range]). There was no evidence for any adverse event as assessed from heart rate, mean arterial pressure, PaO2 and PaCO2 before, during, and after nebulization. No pulmonary tissue trauma was detected histologically.


Moisture content is one of important soil characteristics in agricultural systems and is
often needed to determine other soil characteristics. Gravimetric method is widely used to
measure soil moisture content. Although the result is quite accurate, however it is very time
consuming. In this research, soil moisture content of arid field has been analyzed by image
processing method using webcam and infrared webcam as the image-captured devices. This
research aimed to estimate soil moisture content from images captured by webcam and infrared
webcam and to define the most appropriate visual properties as the soil moisture content
prediction parameter. Soil samples used in this research was from arid field of Gunung Tugel
Village Banyumas Regency. Thirty samples of arid field soils were collected using soil ring
samplers in 5 cm of soil depth. All samples were wetted until they reached a saturated
condition. After that, the samples were stored for 30 days under room temperature condition
until the soils became dry. Everyday the weight of each soil was measured and the images were
captured by using webcam and infrared webcam. The images were then extracted by using
image processing to obtain visual parameters such as RGB index as well as HSI colour and
texture feature. Each of the visual parameters was then determined its correlation with soil
moisture content and the R2 of the correlations. The final step of the analysis was calculating
the mean percentage error (MPE) of the moisture content estimation. A visual parameter which
has the least MPE would be used as the prediction parameter. The results of this research
showed that soil moisture content of arid field could be predicted by using visual parameters
from images captured by webcam and infrared webcam. Intensity of the soil images captured by
infrared webcam resulted prediction error lower than that by webcam.


Abstract In this study, acoustic emission (AE) measurements were performed during tensile testing of sheets of four magnesium alloys in different orientations with respect to the tensile axis in order to investigate the influence of microstructure and texture on the deformation behaviour. AE measurements could especially be used for analysing the activity of twinning. It was shown that the grain size has an important impact on the AE count rates which was directly related to the activity of deformation mechanisms. Small changes in the texture can significantly affect the activity of twins. It was further shown that a weak texture promotes ductility.


Energy supply and cost come to the forefront more with each passing day. However, the impacts on the environment in the production and consumption have become important as cost and supply. Therefore, wind, solar, wave etc. began to take their place as natural and sustainable with being alternative energy sources. This change in energy use is also reflected in the wood industry. In this study, the performance of drying kiln using solar energy as a heat source was investigated. In this context, Red Pine lumbers with two different thickness groups were dried in a solar kiln located Muğla where is relatively important region about solar energy. The results showed that the desired final moisture contents were achieved by substantially maintaining the lumber quality. Although the drying duration a bit longer than other methods, it can be said that at least 30% energy saving was provided. As a result, compared to other energy types used in drying kilns, it has been seen that drying operations with low cost and good quality can be performed with solar energy which can be described as a clean energy type.


State-of-the-art computer games and psychological tests for symptom monitoring and therapy in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are explored and reviewed. Three foci for research studies are identified: task (human performance) focus; educational focus; medical/clinical focus. It is found that game designs in the literature include a variety of tests of cognition mostly dependent on attention and executive functions (inhibitory motor control, working memory, interference suppression) which involve reactions to stimuli on computer (or mobile phone) screens. In addition, based on the measurement of neural pathways that can be accessed by Brain Computer Interfaces, there are several applications of games that employ biofeedback and demand the user to control aspects of their brain activity to play them, with the aim of improving function. A number of games have been used in clinical studies for self-monitoring and therapy, some of these controlled with comparators such as treatment as usual or cognitive therapies, or with the individual as their own control, where efficacy is evaluated by measuring behavioural and functional outcomes on measurement instruments such as ADHD or behavioural trait questionnaires or other cognitive tests. Other applications of games include education and raising awareness of mental health conditions to reduce stigma. The paper then presents and proposes designs of new games that are based on psychological tests or tasks that aim to monitor or improve attention, inhibitory and/or motor activity including Continuous Performance Tests, Go/No-go and Stop-signal tasks. Keywords—healthcare, gamification, e-Health, m-Health, pervasive and ubiquitous computing


A 62-year-old man complicated with old antero-septal wall myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation suffered from lung and pancreas cancer. He underwent gastro-duodenum bypass surgery under epidural combined with general anesthesia. His ECG and echocardiogram revealed atrial fibrillation and his left ventricular ejection fraction was 35%. After the start of surgery under general anesthesia, EHR was stable between 80-100 beats x min(-1) but rapid atrial fibrillation developed with a rate of over 140 beats x min(-1) after epidural injection of 0.375% ropivacaine 3 ml. Treatment including continuous intravenous diltiazem and several bolus intravenous injections of verapamil failed to decrease the heart rate. Therefore we used landiolol, a short-acting beta blocker, to control heart rate. HR decreased without decreasing his blood pressure. Continuous landiolol infusion was maintained for 3 hours and 30 minutes in the ICU. After finishing infusion, his heart rhythm never became rapid atrial fibrillation. We conclude that landiolol is useful for heart rate control of rapid atrial fibrillation.


Trypanosomiasis was a major problem in Zambia, in particular Eastern Province during the colonial period. For centuries the people of Eastern province of Zambia were subjected to trypanosomiasis. This dissertation examines trypanosomiasis in Eastern Province of Zambia from 1908 to 1964. The dissertation argues that upon the discovery of the disease, the British South African Company expressed fear and great panic and measures had to be taken quickly. It also demonstrates that through the Veterinary Department, B.S.A.Co carried out appropriate measures that were intended to contain and prevent the spread of tsetse flies and trypanosomiasis. The study also argues that the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 limited the availability of funds for tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis control programmes. This exacerbated the situation. It was not until the end of the Second World War in 1945 that the colonial administration became actively involved in the control of the disease. This study also demonstrates that the people of Eastern Province of Zambia developed traditional survival strategies and ethno-veterinary medicines to cope with trypanosomiasis in their communities. The Africans largely depended on their knowledge of the environment to control trypanosomiasis. The study explores various mechanisms that the people of Eastern province of Zambia employed for survival during outbreaks of the disease. Colonial intervention through the Veterinary and Tsetse Control Departments also became a major source of ethno-veterinary medicine.


Materials, methods, and techniques of pelvic resections are discussed. Results, including the complications of nerve damage, infection, and vascular, visceral, and reconstructive complications are tabulated.


Twenty Naieni breed replacement ewe lambs were used to determine the substitution effects of treated wheat straw with exogenous fiber-degrading enzymes for alfalfa hay on wool characteristics. Five treatment diets were included: 1) control (100% alfalfa hay without wheat straw), 2) 10% enzyme treated wheat straw replaced for alfalfa hay, 3) 20% enzyme treated wheat straw replaced for alfalfa hay, 4) 30% enzyme treated wheat straw replaced for alfalfa hay and 5) 30% untreated wheat straw replaced for alfalfa hay. Final fleece weight, and fleece weight index; wool production per day, feed conversion to wool; final staple length, wool and hair crimp per centimeter of length, percent of heterotype, coronal, kemp, reticulate and imbricate fibers and accumulation of scales in 100 μm fiber lengths were not affected by replacing treated wheat straw for alfalfa hay, but feeding untreated wheat straw tended to decrease final fleece weight, wool production, and final staple length. Replacing 20%, and 30% treated, and 30% untreated wheat straw for alfalfa hay numerically increased mean final diameter of fiber. The results of this experiment indicated that treated wheat straw with exogenous fiber-degrading enzymes can be replaced for alfalfa hay in Naieni replacement ewe lamb diets.


Superconducting spintronics is one of the most attractive subjects of spintronics. This article reviews superconducting spintronics based on the superconducting junctions with ferromagnetic semiconducting contact. The authors summarize recent theoretical developments with an emphasis on the interplay between ferromagnetic semiconductor (FS) and superconductor (SC). It is found that the spin-polarized transport in the superconducting junctions exhibits a rich dependence on hole types of FS, mismatches in the effective mass and Fermi velocity of holes between the FS and SC, as well as strengths of potential scattering at the interface. These systems have great intrinsic scientific importance and potential device applications including signal processing and general purpose computing.


An aqueous glycine solution is studied with ab initio molecular dynamics to investigate the structural aspects of the different solvation shells within the zwitterion and their impact on the infrared spectrum. The individual contributions to the total IR spectrum from glycine and solvation water are decomposed systematically using the standard schemes in terms of maximally localized Wannier orbitals to define approximate molecular dipole moments in solution. The IR spectra of the aqueous solution and of the solvated zwitterionic glycine molecule itself are compared to those stemming from neutral glycine in the gas phase and a virtual "isolated" zwitterionic glycine molecule vertically transferred from solution into vacuum. Furthermore, electronic polarization effects due to solute-solvent coupling are discussed in detail for the solute and for the interfacial solvent molecules based on dipole moment distribution functions.


Abstract Double electron–electron resonance (DEER) is a pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique that measures distances between paramagnetic centres. It utilizes a four-pulse sequence based on the refocused Hahn spin echo. The echo decays with increasing pulse sequence length 2(τ1+τ2) , where τ1 and τ2 are the two time delays. In DEER, the value of τ2 is determined by the longest inter-spin distance that needs to be resolved, and τ1 is adjusted to maximize the echo amplitude and, thus, sensitivity. We show experimentally that, for typical spin centres (nitroxyl, trityl, and Gd(III)) diluted in frozen protonated solvents, the largest refocused echo amplitude for a given τ2 is obtained neither at very short τ1 (which minimizes the pulse sequence length) nor at τ1=τ2 (which maximizes dynamic decoupling for a given total sequence length) but rather at τ1 values smaller than τ2 . Large-scale spin dynamics simulations based on the coupled cluster expansion (CCE), including the electron spin and several hundred neighbouring protons, reproduce the experimentally observed behaviour almost quantitatively. They show that electron spin dephasing is driven by solvent protons via the flip-flop coupling among themselves and their hyperfine couplings to the electron spin.


Knowledge of life on the Southern Ocean seafloor has substantially grown since the beginning of this century with increasing ship-based surveys and regular monitoring sites, new technologies and greatly enhanced data sharing. However, seafloor habitats and their communities exhibit high spatial variability and heterogeneity that challenges the way in which we assess the state of the Southern Ocean benthos on larger scales. The Antarctic shelf is rich in diversity compared with deeper water areas, important for storing carbon ("blue carbon") and provides habitat for commercial fish species. In this paper, we focus on the seafloor habitats of the Antarctic shelf, which are vulnerable to drivers of change including increasing ocean temperatures, iceberg scour, sea ice melt, ocean acidification, fishing pressures, pollution and non-indigenous species. Some of the most vulnerable areas include the West Antarctic Peninsula, which is experiencing rapid regional warming and increased iceberg-scouring, subantarctic islands and tourist destinations where human activities and environmental conditions increase the potential for the establishment of non-indigenous species and active fishing areas around South Georgia, Heard and MacDonald Islands. Vulnerable species include those in areas of regional warming with low thermal tolerance, calcifying species susceptible to increasing ocean acidity as well as slow-growing habitat-forming species that can be damaged by fishing gears e.g., sponges, bryozoan, and coral species. Management regimes can protect seafloor habitats and key species from fishing activities; some areas will need more protection than others, accounting for specific traits that make species vulnerable, slow growing and long-lived species, restricted locations with optimum physiological conditions and available food, and restricted distributions of rare species. Ecosystem-based management practices and long-term, highly protected areas may be the most effective tools in the preservation of vulnerable seafloor habitats. Here, we focus on outlining seafloor responses to drivers of change observed to date and projections for the future. We discuss the need for action to preserve seafloor habitats under climate change, fishing pressures and other anthropogenic impacts.


Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and the related Fisher's linear discriminant are very important techniques used for classification and for dimensionality reduction. A certain complication occurs in applying these methods to real data. We have to estimate the class means and common covariance matrix, which are not known. A problem arises if the number of features exceeds the number of observations. In this case the estimate of the covariance matrix does not have full rank, and so cannot be inverted. There are a number of ways to deal with this problem. In our previous paper, we proposed improving LDA in this area, and we presented a new approach which uses a generalization of the Moore-Penrose (MP) pseudo-inverse to remove this weakness. However, for data sets with a larger number of features, our method was computationally too slow to achieve good results. Now we propose a model selection method with a genetic algorithm to solve this problem. Experimental results on different data sets demonstrate that the improvement is efficient.


XML has been intensive investigated lately, with the sentence, that "XML is (has been) the standard form for data publishing", especially in data base area. That is, there are assumptions, that the newly published data take mostly the form of XML documents, particularly when databases are involved. This presumption seems to be the reason of the heavy investment applied for researching the topics of handling, querying and comprising XML documents. We check these assumptions by investigating the documents accessible on the Internet, possible going under the surface, into the "deep Web". The investigation involves analyzing large scientific databases, but the commercial data stored in the "deep Web" will be handled also. We used the technique of randomly generated IP addresses for investigating the "deep Web", i.e. the part of the Internet not indexed by the search engines. For the part of the Web that is accessed (indexed) by the large search engines we used the random walk technique to collect uniformly distributed samplings. We found, that XML has not(yet) been the standard of Web publishing, but it is strongly represented on the Web. We add a simple new evaluation method to the known uniformly sampling processes. These investigations can be repeated in the future in order to get a dynamic picture of the growing rate of the number of the XML documents present on the Web.


In multichannel access networks, nodes must establish a link on a channel before data transmission begins. To find such a channel, either a centralised or a distributed approach may be employed. Presented is a distributed channel rendezvous scheme. The scheme determines the order, in which two nodes visit available channels to rendezvous within 2N+1 slots, where N is the number of channels and a slot is the minimum interval required to establish a link between any pair of nodes that are in a common channel. More notably, the scheme can be implemented without slot synchronisation which is hard to accomplish in a distributed manner.


The material sent to the state serological laboratory Braunschweig for the determination of the rubella titre during antenatal care was found to come from pregnant women who are older than the average age of primi-gravidas in lower saxony. A re-check of the maternity care booklets showed that some rubella titre determinations were done after the first pregnancy. The rubella titre was determined during the present pregnancy earlier in accordance with the early presentation of patients for antenatal care. This followed the unusual well known patterns. Proposals are made for the continued evaluation of the antenatal care program with simple methods.


In this paper we describe a novel methodology for modeling the coating of commercial dichroic beamsplitters based on Zemax optical design software operating in non-sequential mode. The key aspect of this approach is a software routine that automates the generation of the coating definition files, provided data delivered by the manufacturer is available. Different formats are accepted: spreadsheets, text files and graph plots. In order to assess the validity of the coating characterization, a multispectral system was simulated and tested in laboratory. The estimated efficiency of the camera sensors and intensity irradiance were obtained. A comparison of the simulated and experimental results is presented, showing the good performance of the simulation in terms of low cost and error close to real performance, which enables a suitable method for fast prototyping.


The construction and performance of the parallel plate avalanche counters (PPACs) using a spontaneous fission source Cf-252 is described in this paper. The parallel plate circular electrodes are made of aluminum foils having a thickness less than ten microns. After fabrication, the detectors and the source are mounted inside a reaction chamber, the source between the two detectors. A low pressure is created inside the chamber using isobutane (C4H10) and a high voltage is applied to the electrodes. The detectors are first operated at different pressures and voltages to find the optimum values of the pressure and the voltage. This is necessary to avoid the sparking threshold, to achieve a good time resolution and to keep the gain of the detectors high and constant. The. PPACs are operated in 2 pi- and 4 pi-geometries. In 4 pi-geometry the detectors are allowed to function in coincidence and noncoincidence mode. The resulting pulse height and the time spectra are studied using the computer code ROOT and some conclusions are drawn from these analyses. The pulse height spectrum shows a clear separation between the fission fragments and the alpha particles and the time spectrum indicates a good intrinsic time resolution, 0.76 ns. (Less)


A quantitative assay using a neutralization medium was developed to evaluate fungicidal activity of disinfectants. Concentrated Dey-Engley neutralizing broth was used in this study and was demonstrated to inactivate various chemical agents within 5 min when disinfectant concentrations were reduced to specific levels. Addition of this Dey-Engley broth to test tubes containing fungal cells and disinfectants permitted control of the various interactions times. Subsequent concentration of the disinfectant-treated cells to a 1-ml final volume also permitted examination of a larger population for the presence of resistant cells. After timed exposures of 15, 30, and 60 min, only three of seven disinfectant solutions were found to be lethal for quantitative populations of 11 fungi tested. The recommended use dilution formulations of a quaternary ammonium product and an iodophor product were the least effective agents. Various fungi, including Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, and Aspergillus niger, survived 30- to 60-min interactions with these disinfectant solutions. The most resistant organism encountered was Aspergillus fumigatus, which survived 60 and even 90 min of exposure to most disinfectants. Only use dilutions of a chlorine dioxide formulation, a glutaraldehyde formulation, and an ethyl alcohol product were effective against this species and all of the other fungi after a 15-min interaction.


Abstract Vertebrates show a diverse array of social behaviors associated with territoriality. Field and laboratory experiments indicate that underlying themes—including mechanisms—may exist. For example in birds, extensive evidence over many decades has implicated a role for testosterone in the activation of territorial aggression in reproductive contexts. Territoriality at other times of the year appeared to be independent of gonadal hormone control. One obvious question is—why this diversity of control mechanisms for an apparently similar behavior? Control of testosterone secretion during the breeding season must balance the need to compete with other males (that tends to increase testosterone secretion), and the need to provide parental care (that requires lower testosterone concentrations). Regulation of aggressive behaviors by testosterone in the non-breeding season may incur substantial costs. A series of experiments on the male song sparrow, Melospiza melodia morphna, of western Washington State have revealed possible mechanisms to avoid these costs. Song sparrows are sedentary and defend territories in both breeding and non-breeding seasons. Dominance interactions, territorial aggression and song during the non-breeding season are essentially identical to those during the breeding season. Although in the non-breeding season plasma testosterone and estradiol levels are very low, treatment with an aromatase inhibitor decreases aggression and simultaneous implantation of estradiol restores territorial behavior. These data suggest that the mechanism by which testosterone regulates territorial behavior at the neural level remains intact throughout the year. How the hormonal message to activate such behavior gets to the brain in different season does, however, appear to be different.


Recent months have seen two developments in the epidemiology of power-frequency electric and magnetic fields. Firstly, the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) has published a further paper. In December 1999, they had published their main results on magnetic fields (UKCCS 1999 Lancet 354 1925-31), finding no evidence that exposure to magnetic fields increases childhood-cancer risks in the UK. Within the paper was a table which appeared to suggest a risk, not with fields in general, but with fields produced by high-voltage transmission lines in particular. That table, however, did not contain all the relevant data, and the UKCCS has now published a fuller analysis just of proximity to overhead lines (UKCCS 2000 Br. J. Cancer 83 1573-80). This analysis concerns 3380 cases, in contrast to the 2226 with magnetic-field measurements who featured in the earlier paper. It concludes that this full analysis finds `no evidence that either proximity to electrical installations or the magnetic field levels they produce in the UK is associated with increased risk of childhood leukaemia or any other cancer.' Secondly, two pooled analyses of previous studies of magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia have been published. They differ in their details. One, from America (Greenland et al 2000 Epidemiology 11 624-34), includes more studies altogether, but lacks the data from the UKCCS. The other, from Europe (Ahlbom et al 2000 Br. J. Cancer 83 692-8), has confined itself to, broadly, later and therefore better quality studies, and so has fewer studies, but does include the UKCCS. Both analyses, however, come to similar conclusions. Compared to a reference group of average exposures of less than 0.1 µT, the pooled data show no increased risk at intermediate exposures, but at the highest average exposures (greater than 0.3 µT in the American study or 0.4 µT in the European study), affecting very few children (1.4% in the European study), the pooled data show a statistically significant relative risk of around two. Both studies are cautious in their conclusions, e.g. the European paper comments: `The explanation for the elevated risk is unknown, but selection bias may have accounted for some of the increase.' A BBC Radio programme in September 2000, concerning power lines and health, featured suggestions that lung cancer rates are higher downwind from power lines compared to upwind. However, this was based on unfinished and unpublished research, and no information is available on whether and how adjustments were made for smoking rates and age. In June 2001, the International Agency for Research on Cancer will examine and classify electric and magnetic fields as part of their Monographs programme.


Background: Recent studies have supported the use of quadratus lumborum block (QLB) for postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing renal surgery. Aims: The aim was to study the efficacy of posterior QLB for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Settings and Design: This trial was a hospital-based, randomized, double-blind, controlled, prospective study. Materials and Methods: Forty patients aged from 18 to 60 years, belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I–III and scheduled for unilateral PCNL under spinal anesthesia were administered ultrasound-guided posterior QLB with 30 ml of either 0.2% ropivacaine (Group Q) or normal saline (Group C) after the subarachnoid block. Duration of analgesia was the primary outcome variable. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were compiled in Microsoft Excel, and analyses were performed in SPSS (version 18.104.22.168; IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). Unpaired t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test were used for the comparison of continuous, ordinal, and categorical data, respectively. Results: Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group Q (1167.10 ± 89.74 vs. 290.25 ± 47.38 min), as compared to Group C. Except at the end of the surgery, visual analog scale at rest and on movement was significantly lower till 20th h in Group Q. Patient satisfaction was better, and analgesic consumption was lower in Group Q. Side effects were similar in both groups. Conclusions: QLB provides good quality, and prolonged duration of postoperative analgesia compared to placebo for PCNL, but more large-scale studies are needed to recommend it for routine use.


Background: Information on kidney impairment in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. This study aims to assess the prevalence and impact of abnormal urine analysis and kidney dysfunction in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Wuhan. Method: We conducted a consecutive cohort study of COVID-19 patients admitted in a tertiary teaching hospital with 3 branches following a major outbreak in Wuhan in 2020. Hematuria, proteinuria, serum creatinine concentration and other clinical parameters were extracted from the electronic hospitalization databases and laboratory databases. Incidence rate for acute kidney injury (AKI) was examined during the study period. Association between kidney impairment and in-hospital death was analyzed. Results: We included 710 consecutive COVID19 patients, 89 (12.3%) of whom died in hospital. The median age of the patients was 63 years (inter quartile range, 51-71), including 374 men and 336 women. On admission, 44% of patients have proteinuria hematuria and 26.9% have hematuria, and the prevalence of elevated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were 15.5% and 14.1% respectively. During the study period, AKI occurred in 3.2% patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with kidney impairment have higher risk for in-hospital death. Cox proportional hazard regression confirmed that elevated serum creatinine, elevated urea nitrogen, AKI, proteinuria and hematuria was an independent risk factor for in-hospital death after adjusting for age, sex, disease severity, leukocyte count and lymphocyte count. Conclusion: The prevalence of kidney impairment (hematuria, proteinuria and kidney dysfunction) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients was high. After adjustment for confounders, kidney impairment indicators were associated with higher risk of in-hospital death. Clinicians should increase their awareness of kidney impairment in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.


The vaccines against COVID-19 are the best treatment for limiting the spread of the epidemic, and from an individual point of view, for avoiding getting sick. A cross-sectional retrospective survey was conducted from 15 May to 15 July 2021 among healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and students at the Medical University of Lodz (nursing, midwifery and medical students) in Poland. Data were obtained from 1080 participants. The aim of the study was to evaluate vaccination coverage against COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Poland, and to analyze their attitude towards the available vaccines, stress before taking, and side effects after administrating them, and motivation towards continuing vaccination in the future (if necessary). The survey also estimated the frequency and quality of adverse post-vaccination reactions after two doses of BioNTech/Pfizer and two doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. The present study revealed that the vaccination ratio after 6 months from the start of vaccination against COVID-19 in Poland among HCWs was very high at 91.2%. However, doctors and medical students were more likely to be vaccinated than nurses and midwives, and nursing and midwifery students (94.8%, 98.3% vs. 78.9% and 86.3%, respectively). The main reasons that HCWs reported receiving a vaccination were to protect the health of themselves and their families, while the main reasons for avoiding a vaccination were fear of side effects, doubts about effectiveness, and an expedited clinical trial process of vaccines. Furthermore, more than two-thirds of those vaccinated reported side effects after receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. Most of the side effects were short-term symptoms with only slight and moderate intensification. The univariate and multivariate logistic regressions showed that the type of vaccine used had a significant impact on the occurrence of adverse post-vaccination effects and the severity and duration of vaccination symptoms. In addition, chronic disease and fear of vaccination also had some influence. Despite this, most participants (more often older than younger participants; p < 0.001) were in favor of compulsory vaccination against COVID-19 for HCWs.


Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in localized and generalized bone loss. Osteoporosis and anemia are one of the most common complications seen in patients with RA. Objectives The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between inflammation, hemoglobin, BMD loss and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 that is a phosphaturic hormone. Methods This study included 42 patients with rheumatoid arthritis fulfilling the new American college of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and 26 healthy volunteers as controls. All were subjected to a complete blood count, rheumatoid factor and/or anti-cyclic citru-llinated peptide antibody. The concentration of FGF-23 was measured by ELISA (Immuntopics Inc., CA USA). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) at the time of recruitment. Results In comparison with control group, RA patients had elevated FGF-23 (p=0.041) and ESR (p<0.0001). In RA group, BMD (p=0.037), hemoglobin (p=0.004), and albumin (p<0.0001) were lower than control group. In both RA and Non-RA, ESR correlated negatively with BMD (r=-0.425, p=0.001), Hemoglobin (r=-0.473, p<0.0001), and albumin (r=-0.552, p<0.0001) and positively with FGF-23 (r=0.326, p=0.009). Also, Hemoglobin correlated negatively with FGF23 (r=-0.452, p<-0.0001) and positively with BMD(r=0.332, p=0.006). In only RA group, ESR correlated negatively with BMD (r=-0.43, p=0.005), hemoglobin (p=-0.426, p=0.005), and albumin (r=-0.489, p=0.001) but not correlated with FGF-23. However, Hemoglobin correlated negatively with FGF-23 (r=-0.442, p=0.003). Conclusions In this study, Hemoglobin rather than inflammation is a negative predictor of plasma FGF-23 that is a potent regulator of the vitamin D and phosphate metabolism. Therefore, the association between ESR, anemia, FGF-23, and BMD loss in RA suggests a pathway between disease activity and BMD loss. Disclosure of Interest None Declared