Introduction: The human Herpesviridae have been described as a leading cause of infectious uveitis. The most common manifestations are keratouveitis and iridocyclitis. The diagnosis is usually made on clinical grounds. The present therapy is based upon the inhibition of viral replication and the use of anti-inflammatory medications.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on the records of 206 patients with uveitis from the Clinic of Ophthalmology at University Hospital Alexandrovska, Sofia, Bulgaria. The study period was from January 2012 until August 2019. The diagnosis was based on the clinical exam and, when necessary, on specialized testing – PCR on aqueous humor or vitreous material. We used descriptive statistical methods.
Results: Out of 206 patients with intraocular inflammation, 46 (22.3%) were diagnosed with herpetic uveitis. Of them, 35 (76.1%) had anterior uveitis, 7 patients (15.2%) had panuveitis, and 4 patients (8.7%) had posterior uveitis. The mean age was 45.3 years. The leading complications were ocular hypertension, corneal leucoma, retinal detachment, and cataract. Antiviral therapy with acyclovir or valaciclovir, alone or with corticosteroids, was used in all groups.
Conclusion: The herpesviruses are important causative agents of infectious uveitis. In our study, non-granulomatous, hypertensive anterior uveitis was the most common clinical entity. There were also a few patients with posterior and panuveitis. VZV was the most common etiologic agent. The panuveitis cohort had the worse prognosis for visual acuity, mostly as a result of retinal detachment. The posterior uveitis presented most frequently as focal retinochoroiditis with a good prognosis.


An electrocardiogram (ECG) quantifies the electrical activity of the heart to screen for different heart diseases, although it can be impacted by noise. ECG signal filtering is a crucial pre-processing step that reduces noise and emphasizes the characteristic waves in ECG data. In real-world applications, the ECG signal is contaminated by different types of noise. Separating the desired signal from noises produced by artifacts such as muscle noise, power line interference (PLI), baseline wandering (BW), and motion artifacts (MA) is a complicated task. In this paper, a quick review of various ECG signal denoising methods is introduced.


The Arabidopsis SOS2 family of twenty-six protein kinases (CIPKs), their interacting activators, the SOS3 family of ten calcium-binding proteins (CBLs) and protein phosphatases type 2C (PP2C), function together in decoding calcium signals elicited by different environmental stimuli. Biochemical data suggest that stable CBL-CIPK or CIPK-PP2C complexes may be regulating the activity of various substrates controlling ion homeostasis. The available structural information provides a general regulatory mechanism in which calcium perception by CBLs and kinase activation is coupled. The structural basis of this molecular mechanism and the specificity of the network is reviewed and discussed in detail.


The paper considers the problem of parallel external sorting in the context of a form of heterogeneous clusters. We introduce two algorithms and we compare them to another one that we have previously developed. Since most common sort algorithms assume high-speed random access to all intermediate memory, they are unsuitable if the values to be sorted don't fit in main memory. This is the case for cluster computing platforms which are made of standard, cheap and scarce components. For that class of computing resources a good use of I/O operations compatible with the requirements of load balancing and computational complexity are the key to success. We explore three techniques and show how they can be deployed for clusters with processor performances related by a multiplicative factor. We validate the approaches in showing experimental results for the load balancing factor.


Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a flowering evergreen tree and a controversial crop in Ethiopia. By accounting 13.4 % of the export earnings; khat is the third largest export crop, next to coffee and oil seed. Hence, it plays a considerable role in the national economy, and it is a means of income to millions of producers and small and large scale traders who directly or indirectly depends on it. But on the other hand, its psychoactive action has largely hampered the socio-economic and health status of the society. Thus, with aim of identifying its beneficial and harmful socio-economic effects, a multistage sampling technique was used in the study. To this effect, a total of 51 chewers and 51 non-chewers were selected for comparing its socio-economic impacts in the District. To this effect semi-structured interview schedule was used for quantitative data collection and focused group discussion, key informant's interviews and personal observations was used for qualitative data collection. The result showed youths were more accustomed to khat chewing; and the mean age difference was statistically significant at 5 % (SD=4.23). Similarly 84 % of youngsters spent a session of 6.1±3.13 hours for khat chewing per day. These behaviors had undesirably affected the labor productivity of the study area. Similarly, among regular chewers, 44 % had a daily habit, while 5 %, 7 %, 9 % of them chewed once, twice and trice a week, respectively. The logistic regression result also showed that, odds of khat were two times higher in males than females; and singles were more inclined to khat chewing than married chewers [OR and (95 %CI) = 2.08 (1.01, 4.26)]. Alcohol use after khat chewing [OR and (95 %CI) = 3.14 has also adversely affected the socio-economic and health status of chewers. But in the paradox, the country is earning a lot of foreign income with a tradeoff of socio-economic ills. Hence, 28.4 7 % of khat producers earned an average annual income of about 500 USD, while 5.49 % of producers earned an average income of more than 3000 USD per year per household, respectively. This helped the farmers to earn income for the household in pay off of deterring impacts. However the ills by far overweigh the merits, since the former disintegrates the socio-economic and health status of the community at large. Therefore to reduce such impacts awareness should be provided to change the behavior of new generations who are more inclined to use this psychoactive drug and thereby decrease the chewing habit. Educational campaigns should also be in place to reduce prevalence of khat chewing by inserting its core elements in the curriculum of elementary school; since most of chewers were from illiterate and lower school people. However banning of khat chewing especially at school and higher learning institution should be more encouraged to reduce the tendency of chewing habits and thereby to institute sustainable development.


The therapeutic efficacy of higher plants viz. Camellia sinensis L. (Theaceae) and Chamaesyce hirta Millsp. (Euphorbiaceae) was studied against experimentally-induced shigellosis in guinea pigs. The aqueous extract of black tea, polyphenon 60 (mixture of catechins), quercetrin (flavonoid glycoside) and quercetin (aglycone of quercetrin), the two latter compounds being obtained from Chamaesyce hirta showed promising in vitro antibacterial activity against Shigella flexneri 2452 and when tested in the in vivo model of experimental shigellosis, all of them completely cured the guinea pigs within three days. In the untreated group, all the guinea pigs died within 24 h.


Data processing techniques are becoming more innovative as the amount of data grows. Here we are exploring such techniques to process big data one is the traditional RDBMS approach and the other distributed approach. We came across certain advantages and disadvantages of both the approaches. RDBMS is a very highly used technology for data processing by various organizations and replacing it with new technology has a lot of challenges. Distributed processing is the need of the hour and technologies like Hadoop, map reduce etc. [1] is being used for processing Big Data. There is a debate on which technology to use for processing data and we have just explored some possible results measuring both the technologies.


The chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) of developing chick embryos infected with artificially excysted sporozoites of Eimeria tenella, were dispersed with trypsin-versene. These cells were cultured in Leighton tubes and observed at different times after cultivation. In this experiment, a closed culture system was applied in place of the CO2 gas phase system [7]. Results obtained were as follows. Schizogony: Five types of mature schizonts were found in cultured cells derived from CAM 3 to 6 days after inoculation. The morphological characters of these schizonts and merozoites coincided with those described by Long [7], though type 1 schizonts in this experiment were rather small in size (Fig. 1). Gametogony: All the developmental stages, including both sexual forms and oocysts, were found in cultured cells derived from CAM 4 to 6 days after inoculation. No attempts were made, however, to subinfect susceptible chickens with newly produced oocysts, for no sufficient number of materials could be harvested in this experiment.


A two‐year‐old female with the Pierre Robin anomaly and bilateral index finger malformations is described. Hypertelorism, full cheeks, posteriorly rotated ears with prominent antihelix, short neck, simian creases, bilateral fifth finger clinodactyly, and short toes with hypoplastic small nails were also present. Her mother had a subsequent pregnancy that resulted in the delivery at 26 weeks, of a stillborn female fetus with cleft palate, index finger anomalies and congenital heart disease. These two patients are the first females reported with this group of anomalies. The etiology of this combination of malformations, the Catel‐Manzke syndrome, is unknown.


An analog InGaAs-InAlAs multiple-quantum-well electroabsorption waveguide modulator operating at 1.32-μm wavelength has been designed, fabricated, and characterized for the first time on a GaAs substrate. A typical 3-μm-wide 115-μm-long device exhibits a high optical saturation power in excess of 17 mW and a 3-dB electrical bandwidth of 20 GHz. An equivalent half-wave voltage V/sub /spl pi// of 2.8 V has also been achieved.


WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT
Abacavir is used to treat HIV infection in both adults and children. The recommended paediatric dose is 8 mg kg(-1) twice daily up to a maximum of 300 mg twice daily. Weight was identified as the central covariate influencing pharmacokinetics of abacavir in children.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS
A population pharmacokinetic model was developed to describe both once and twice daily pharmacokinetic profiles of abacavir in infants and toddlers. Standard dosage regimen is associated with large interindividual variability in abacavir concentrations. A maximum a posteriori probability Bayesian estimator of AUC(0-) (t) based on three time points (0, 1 or 2, and 3 h) is proposed to support area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) targeted individualized therapy in infants and toddlers.

AIMS
To develop a population pharmacokinetic model for abacavir in HIV-infected infants and toddlers, which will be used to describe both once and twice daily pharmacokinetic profiles, identify covariates that explain variability and propose optimal time points to optimize the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) targeted dosage and individualize therapy.

METHODS
The pharmacokinetics of abacavir was described with plasma concentrations from 23 patients using nonlinear mixed-effects modelling (NONMEM) software. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination was developed. The final model was validated using bootstrap, visual predictive check and normalized prediction distribution errors. The Bayesian estimator was validated using the cross-validation and simulation-estimation method.

RESULTS
The typical population pharmacokinetic parameters and relative standard errors (RSE) were apparent systemic clearance (CL) 13.4 () h−1 (RSE 6.3%), apparent central volume of distribution 4.94 () (RSE 28.7%), apparent peripheral volume of distribution 8.12 () (RSE14.2%), apparent intercompartment clearance 1.25 () h−1 (RSE 16.9%) and absorption rate constant 0.758 h−1 (RSE 5.8%). The covariate analysis identified weight as the individual factor influencing the apparent oral clearance: CL = 13.4 × (weight/12)1.14. The maximum a posteriori probability Bayesian estimator, based on three concentrations measured at 0, 1 or 2, and 3 h after drug intake allowed predicting individual AUC0–t.

CONCLUSIONS
The population pharmacokinetic model developed for abacavir in HIV-infected infants and toddlers accurately described both once and twice daily pharmacokinetic profiles. The maximum a posteriori probability Bayesian estimator of AUC(0-) (t) was developed from the final model and can be used routinely to optimize individual dosing.


Using non-equilibrium computer simulations, it is shown that various phenomenological criteria for melting and freezing hold not only in equilibrium but in steady-state non-equilibrium as well. In particular, we study the steady state of charge-polydisperse Brownian particles shaken by a time-dependent oscillatory electric field. Among these criteria are the Lindemann melting rule, the Hansen-Verlet freezing rule and the dynamical freezing criterion proposed for colloidal fluids by Lowen, Palberg and Simon.


Abstract Development and selections of appropriate parents' are perquisites for hybrid variety development and need knowledge of heterotic grouping and combining ability. The research was investigated to identify good general combiner inbred lines and good specific combiner three-way crosses using randomized complete block design with three replications. Sixteen crosses (eight inbred lines crossed with two testers) and three standard checks were evaluated for yield and yield components. Analysis of variance disclosed significant differences among genotypes for most traits indicating existence of variability among genotypes. General combining ability (GCA) for grain yield demonstrated five inbred lines and T2 was good general combiner for grain yield. Specific combining ability (SCA) analysis revealed eight hybrids were good specific combiner for grain yield. Three hybrids explained good correspondence between mean grain yield and SCA. Four inbred lines (L1, L2, L5 and L7) were grouped in to heterotic group A and the remaining four lines were classified in to heterotic group B. Inbred lines from different heterotic group can be used for hybrids development and lines within a heterotic group and good GCA can be used for synthetic varieties development. Crosses with desirable SCA and better yield performance will be tested in multi-location trials.


Prevailing views of adolescent self-regulation (ASR) as a relatively stable disposition or skill that an individual possesses in various degrees stand in contrast to a complementary, situational perspective from family systems theory casting ASR as intertwined with ongoing family processes and malleable depending on interpersonal interactions. Using observational data from a large, ethnically diverse sample of substance-using adolescents (N = 458), the current study examines the social context of ASR across 3 increasingly conflictual family interaction tasks. Coders rated ASR and 3 concurrent family interaction patterns: enmeshment, conflict avoidance, and negative affect. ASR declined across the 3 tasks, and independent of this systematic change, family-level negative affect in the first task exerted a strong lagged statistical effect on subsequent declines in ASR. The findings are consistent with family systems theory in both the context-dependent nature of ASR behavior and the modulating role of family interaction. In addition to its well-established dispositional properties, ASR may be of interest as a context-specific and potentially modifiable dependent variable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).


We experimentally investigate propagation dynamics of a wavepacket through a high finesse optical cavity. Narrow-band and quasi-percussional excitations of a cavity field by a wavepacket are studied. When the spectral width of an incident wavepacket is narrowed compared with the cavity linewidth, the transmitted pulse is adiabatically followed the time evolution of the incoming pulse. For the quasi-percussional excitation of very short pulse in time, the cavity is excited on the time duration of the incoming pulse. The falling edge of the wavepacket loses its original information and experiences a characteristic decay determined by the intracavity photon lifetime. The measured time delay of the pulse peak, in contrast to the constant delay predicted, greatly depends on the pulse width of the incoming wavepacket. We also examine the cavity high-reflected transient spike of optical precursors at the excitation of a step-modulated pulse. The experimental results show a very good agreement with a simple theoretical calculation.


Following a based-on-questionnaire survey on the role of sport in the process to autonomy of adolescents in Reunion, the implementation of a comparative survey on a similar thematic among young people from South Africa revealed several methodological difficulties. These specifically include those related to the choice of the indicators of autonomy. Indeed, the transition to adolescence does not have the same meaning in a society of individuals as in another one made of communities. How then is it possible to build a subject of survey common to both societies given that paths to adulthood are different from one society to another, in terms of maturity and aims?


In this study, a novel bi-order model combined with zero- and first-order kinetics was proposed for the decomposition of PMMA (MW = 120,000 g/mol) in concentrated HNO3 by microwave irradiation. To develop and validate this model, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fractional-life method, the gravimetric analysis and Newton's method were utilized. Rate constants, activation energies, the pre-exponential factors and the weight fractions (ϕ) via main-chain scission for the decomposition at 423–453 K were derived from this model. The zero-order reaction was observed dominant at 423–443 K, while the first-order reaction dominated at 453 K and 473 K. The digestion efficiency increased as HNO3 was increased to >3 mL at 423 K–443 K. At 473 K, the digestion was almost 100% when HNO3 volume was >3 mL. The estimated ϕ values increased with HNO3 volume at 423 and 443 K, but varied insignificantly at 453 and 473 K. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009


We define a pair of simple combinatorial operations on subshifts, called existential and universal extensions, and study their basic properties. We prove that the existential extension of a sofic shift by another sofic shift is always sofic, and the same holds for the universal extension in one dimension. However, we also show by a construction that universal extensions of two-dimensional sofic shifts may not be sofic, even if the subshift we extend by is very simple.


Central giant cell tumors (CGCTs) of jawbones in pediatric patients present some particular characteristics with regard to their biological behavior. Such lesions are benign, locally aggressive, non-odontogenic, relatively uncommon tumors of the oral cavity, of unknown etiology accounting for less than 7 % of all benign jaw lesions in tooth bearing areas. Such a tumor usually occurs in the first three decades of life and has a predilection for females with predominance of the anterior portion of the mandible, usually crossing the midline. We report an interesting case of CGCT of the anterior maxilla in an 8-year-old boy with a follow up of two years.


Despite the huge investments by organizations in ERP implementation, maintenance, and user training, ERP implementation failures and less-than-satisfactory productivity improvements are common. End-users' reluctance or unwillingness to adopt or use the newly implemented ERP system is often cited as one of the main reasons for ERP failures. To examine factors leading to the lack of end-user acceptance of ERP systems, we reviewed the literature on user adoption of IT in mandatory contexts, developed hypotheses to explain ERP user acceptance, and conducted a survey study to test the hypotheses. In particular, we examined end-users' attitudes toward system use and symbolic adoption, which refers to users' voluntary mental acceptance of a system, to understand user acceptance in the ERP context. Four cognitive constructs-perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived compatibility, and perceived fit-were hypothesized as the antecedents. The research model was tested through a survey of end-users' perceptions concerning adopting and using a newly implemented ERP system. The findings support most of our hypotheses. Specifically, perceived compatibility and perceived ease of use have both direct and indirect effects mediated by attitude on symbolic adoption, while perceived fit and perceived usefulness influence symbolic adoption by being fully mediated through attitude. The study provides managerial implications for organizations that are striving to engender user acceptance of newly adopted enterprise systems and applications.


Ultralow temperature processing of Ba2Ti9O20 thin-film ceramics and the attachment of a porous dielectric resonator cylinder on a conducting prepatterned silicon substrate have been accomplished using a hydrothermal process at 150degC/3 h. Enhanced densification and mechanical strength at the bulk ceramic-thin-film interface were induced by a dissolution-crystallization process involving a sol-gel solution under 13-15 atm pressure. Recrystallization forms electrical bridges between powder particles to form an interconnected microstructure, which eliminates grain boundary defects and, hence, improves the dielectric properties. This method has potential for growth of dielectric resonators on integrated circuits for system-on-chip applications and is implemented for the fabrication of an integrated dielectric resonator antenna.


THE EXPULSION protective gap consists of a fiber tube of proper bore and dimensions so arranged with an internal gap that lightning discharges are conducted within the tube and the power follow current is stopped through the expulsion action of the tube. Its action during interruption of follow current is similar to that of the expulsion fuse. In practice the expulsion gap is provided with a series gap, the whole assembly being electrically in parallel with the insulation to be protected.


This paper assesses the contribution of Choice Advice to making admissions to English secondary schools fairer. The initiative characterises the unfairness of admissions as unequal opportunity for poorer parents to access good schools because they are less able to negotiate the admissions process. A major objective of Choice Advice is to enable more poor parents to gain access to popular and high performing secondary schools. The results of an evaluation in 15 Local Authorities are presented showing that Choice Advice provided a valuable service to some families but the proportion of poorer families helped was too small to make a significant impact on the numbers of poorer parents gaining access to popular schools. The characterisation of the problem is, we argue, flawed and, as a consequence, so is the way this policy was designed. Choice Advice is an example of a discursively complex initiative that is ambivalent in its effects. It provides a symbol of political will and is of real benefit to some parents, but it sustains a way of characterising the problem that plays a part in labelling poorer parents as deficient while making no significant impact on the unfairness of admissions.


The dependence of neuronal discharge on the position of the eyes in the orbit is a functional characteristic of many visual cortical areas of the macaque. It has been suggested that these eye‐position signals provide relevant information for a coordinate transformation of visual signals into a non‐eye‐centered frame of reference. This transformation could be an integral part for achieving visual perceptual stability across eye movements. Previous studies demonstrated close to veridical eye‐position decoding during stable fixation as well as characteristic erroneous decoding across saccadic eye‐movements. Here we aimed to decode eye position during smooth pursuit. We recorded neural activity in macaque area VIP during steady fixation, saccades and smooth‐pursuit and investigated the temporal and spatial accuracy of eye position as decoded from the neuronal discharges. Confirming previous results, the activity of the majority of neurons depended linearly on horizontal and vertical eye position. The application of a previously introduced computational approach (isofrequency decoding) allowed eye position decoding with considerable accuracy during steady fixation. We applied the same decoder on the activity of the same neurons during smooth‐pursuit. On average, the decoded signal was leading the current eye position. A model combining this constant lead of the decoded eye position with a previously described attentional bias ahead of the pursuit target describes the asymmetric mislocalization pattern for briefly flashed stimuli during smooth pursuit eye movements as found in human behavioral studies.


OBJECTIVE
To identify the most relevant problems to be addressed in the multi-disciplinary care of patients with acute arthritis using focus groups of health professionals followed by a Delphi process.

METHODS
Focus group and Delphi methodology were applied. The focus groups were conducted at three specialist rheumatology hospital clinics in Germany, each group comprising rheumatologists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and social workers. The participants were asked to decide which categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) are relevant to the care of patients with acute inflammatory arthritis. The results from the focus groups were then followed by an anonymous Delphi process.

RESULTS
Twenty-six health professionals participated in the 3 focus groups. 167 of the second-level ICF categories (63% of all second-level categories) were considered as relevant by the rheumatology health professionals. Items from all four components, Body Functions, Body Structures, Activities and Participation and Environmental Factors were represented. Agreement between focus groups and between different health professional groups was substantial for all components with the exception of Environmental Factors (Cohen's kappa 0.23).

CONCLUSION
The involvement of experts from different health professions is a valuable tool to identify typical patient characteristics, expressed as distinct ICF categories, to aid in patient care in the acute rheumatology setting. Acute patient care cannot and should not be separated from ongoing long-term management.


Primary central nervous system lymphoma of T-cell lineage (PCNSTL) is an extremely rare entity, with relatively few cases reported in the literature. Presented here is a case of a 44-year-old, HIV negative woman found to have a solitary cerebellar lesion following presentation to the Emergency Department with a fall. The lesion responded to emergent dexamethasone and was followed with serial MRI imaging, which continued to show lesion regression. The lesion was shown to have recurred on MRI 14 months post-presentation and found to be T-cell lymphoma following immunophenotyping and TCR gene rearrangement studies of tissue specimen obtained via excisional biopsy.


This study explores on how Indonesian people use Twitter. Only one hundred and forty (in one tweet) characters are able to create unlimited tweets expressing an agenda, Twitter has a role as canalization of desire that their users cannot devote in offline world. This study will focus on the prosumption practice toward the use of Twitter behind tweeting to spread a variety of opinions, including hate speech, because the characters of cyberspace allow the formation of habitus toward virtual users that they can devote freely a certain emotion in cyberspace. This study critically analyzes the prosumption practices of creating hate speech behind tweeting. This study also discusses on how Twitter's characters are able to express hate speech by the users. The interaction of users to use Twitter in expressing hate speech has played a role on how the users construct the world.


Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the rotation and translation of each joint in the hindfoot and compare the load response in healthy feet with that in stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) flatfoot by analysing the reconstructive three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) image data during simulated weight-bearing. Methods CT scans of 15 healthy feet and 15 feet with stage II PTTD flatfoot were taken first in a non-weight-bearing condition, followed by a simulated full-body weight-bearing condition. The images of the hindfoot bones were reconstructed into 3D models. The 'twice registration' method in three planes was used to calculate the position of the talus relative to the calcaneus in the talocalcaneal joint, the navicular relative to the talus in talonavicular joint, and the cuboid relative to the calcaneus in the calcaneocuboid joint. Results From non- to full-body-weight-bearing condition, the difference in the talus position relative to the calcaneus in the talocalcaneal joint was 0.6° more dorsiflexed (p = 0.032), 1.4° more everted (p = 0.026), 0.9 mm more anterior (p = 0.031) and 1.0 mm more proximal (p = 0.004) in stage II PTTD flatfoot compared with that in a healthy foot. The navicular position difference relative to the talus in the talonavicular joint was 3° more everted (p = 0.012), 1.3 mm more lateral (p = 0.024), 0.8 mm more anterior (p = 0.037) and 2.1 mm more proximal (p = 0.017). The cuboid position difference relative to the calcaneus in the calcaneocuboid joint did not change significantly in rotation and translation (all p ≥ 0.08). Conclusion Referring to a previous study regarding both the cadaveric foot and the live foot, joint instability occurred in the hindfoot in simulated weight-bearing condition in patients with stage II PTTD flatfoot. The method used in this study might be applied to clinical analysis of the aetiology and evolution of PTTD flatfoot, and may inform biomechanical analyses of the effects of foot surgery in the future. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2013;2:255–63.


The growth and flower production of×Aranda Christine cv. "130" grown under tropical field conditions were studied. On the average, an Aranda orchid produced 2-5 leaves and an increase of 7cm in height per month for the first 18 months after transplanting. Cut flower production was evident only 5 months later. Aranda has 3 major flower peaks-April, June and December. Cut flower production of×Aranda Christine could be successfully staggered by floral bud removal. Through bud removal, it is possible to shift the flower production peak for 2 weeks. No apparent effect of bud removal on flowering and flower quality was observed as the subsequent flowering behaviour was normal.


Leaf litter affects seed germination in many ways and past studies have shown greater impacts on relatively small seeds, both within and among species. In this shade-house experiment I examined the impact of forest litter on seed germination in Chrysophyllum sp. nov. (Sapotaceae), a large-seeded (2.4 g) rainforest tree from north Queensland. Seed mass varies more than 30-fold in this species, making it useful for studying the role of litter as a possible selective pressure in the evolution of seed size in large-seeded species. Seeds of varying size (small, medium, large) were sown in planting boxes containing one of three litter levels (low, medium, high) and placed either below or on top of the litter. Seed size and litter biomass had no significant impact on the number of germinating seeds or the time to germination but seeds placed below the litter germinated around twice as frequently, and 20% sooner, than seeds placed on top of the litter. There were no significant interactions between any of the three factors. This shade-house experiment suggests that leaf litter is not an important selective pressure in the evolution of seed size in this species. However, if litter disturbance under field conditions differentially affects the probability of seed germination in relation to seed size and/or litter biomass, then litter could still act as a selective pressure in the evolution of seed size in Chrysophyllum and other large-seeded species.


The paper describes the comprehensive testing of the digital photogrammetric modules forming parts of the image processing systems available from a number of remote sensing system suppliers - PCI, ERDAS, R-WEL, etc. - for use with SPOT stereo-pairs. The tests have been conducted over a large area of 12,000 sq.km forming part of the Badia, a desert area located in the north-east of Jordan that is covered by a block of five SPOT stereo-pairs. The terrain data available for calibration and testing has included a very high accuracy test field comprising 130 ground control points, whose positions and heights have been established using differential GPS. This is supplemented by 150km of profile data measured using real-time kinematic GPS and by digitized contour data derived from existing 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 scale topographic maps of the area produced using aerial photogrammetric techniques. The results of a comprehensive series of geometric accuracy tests are given for both Level 1A and 1B image data. This is followed by the results of a series of tests to validate the DEMs and the contours derived from the elevation data produced by each of the packages that have been tested. The final results from this validation are surprisingly good, but only after extensive use of filtering techniques to remove the artefacts and spurious features generated by the image matching routines employed by the different systems. The results achieved during tests of the individual orthoimages and the orthoimage mosaics produced using the SPOT DEM data sets are also given, both in terms of their radiometric quality and their geometric accuracy. This comprehensive series of tests revealed a number of flaws and shortcomings in all of the image processing systems that have been calibrated and tested. Some of the more serious flaws are described and discussed in the paper. The findings from the tests resulted in the flawed parts of the various systems being modified and then re-tested via a highly interactive interchange of programs and data between the authors and the system suppliers - to the benefit of future users of these systems. The test area, having proven its worth, is available for testing of other space image data - including that from the forthcoming commercial high-resolution satellites - in a similar manner to that described in the paper.


Abstract The anti-plane shear deformation problem of a half-space coated by a soft or a stiff thin layer is considered. The two-term asymptotic analysis is developed motivated by the scaling for the displacement and stress components obtained from the exact solution of a model problem for a shear harmonic load. It is shown that for a rather high contrast in stiffness of the layer and the half-space Winkler-type behaviour appears for a relatively soft coating, while for a relatively stiff one, the equations of plate shear are valid. For low contrast, an alternative approximation is suggested based on the reduced continuity conditions and the fact that the applied load may be transmitted to the interface. In case of a stiff layer, a simpler problem for a homogeneous half-space with effective boundary condition is also formulated, modelling the effect of the coating, while for a relatively soft layer a uniformly valid approximate formula is introduced.


Purpose
This paper aims to analyse the adoption of sustainable development goals (SDGs) disclosure via the lens of the diffusion of innovations theory, legitimacy theory and the theory of planned behaviour and presents insights into perceptions held by preparers on their decision to adopt or reject SDG disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a mixed-methods approach, combining content and statistical analysis as well as interviews, to examine SDG disclosure and preparer perceptions.

Findings
The analysis reveals low, but growing SDG disclosure. Although SDG disclosure is perceived as relatively advantageous for a variety of reasons, perceptions of incompatibility and complexity may limit diffusion of SDG disclosure. Trialability and observability of SDG disclosure, on the other hand, may support or hinder the decision to adopt or reject SDG disclosure.

Research limitations/implications
Findings generated may not be generalisable across all populations. A smaller sample of companies were interviewed.

Practical implications
This paper offers insight into attitudes which must be altered if greater diffusion of SDG disclosure is to be achieved by the United Nations 2030 deadline.

Social implications
Sustainability reporting (SR) has a pivotal role to play in supporting the achievement of the SDGs, and innovations in accounting and reporting are particularly needed. This paper raises issues that should be considered by both preparers and practitioners, if innovations are to succeed.

Originality/value
This paper contributes the application of an underutilised theoretical framework in SR research, the first longitudinal analysis of the diffusion of SDG disclosure to provide evidence of adoption over time and an extension of similar studies on diffusion of reporting innovations.


Carbon dots (CDs) due to their ultrasmall size, excellent optical properties, chemical stability, biocompatibility and most importantly possession of low toxicity have been widely used as a fluorescent probe. However, many studies on CDs are focused on their biomedical applications, the cellular behavior of CDs remains unrevealed and poorly understood. In this study, we used our recently synthesized highly photoluminescent CDs (ca. 1–5 nm) and studied their cellular uptake mechanism, intracellular distribution and exocytosis in neural cells with the help of various techniques such as confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence activated cell sorter, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Our results suggest that CDs exhibit low cytotoxicity and highly efficient internalization in neural cells. Cellular uptake of CDs is dose, time and partially energy-dependent along with the involvement of passive diffusion. CDs are endocytosed via caveolae-mediated and clathrin-mediated pathways. Internalized CDs are dispersed in cytoplasm and nucleus, and most of them accumulate in endo-lysosomal structures and Golgi apparatus. CDs were actively transported to the cell periphery and exocytosed with a half-life of 2 h.


The scope of this work is to measure downhole fracture-initiation pressures in multiple carbonate reservoirs located onshore about 50 km from Abu Dhabi city. The objective of characterizing formation breakdown across several reservoirs is to quantify the maximum gas and CO2 injection capacity on each reservoir layer for pressure maintenance and enhance oil recovery operations. This study also acquires pore pressure and fracture closure pressure measurements for calibrating the geomechanical in-situ stress model and far-field lateral strain boundary conditions.
 Several single-probe pressure drawdown and straddle packer microfrac injection tests provide accurate downhole measurements of reservoir pore pressure, fracture initiation, reopening and fracture closure pressures. These tests are achieved using a wireline or pipe-conveyed straddle packer logging tool capable to isolate 3 feet of openhole formation in a vertical pilot hole across five Lower Cretaceous carbonate reservoirs zones. The fracture closure pressures are obtained from three decline methods during the pressure fall-off after fracture propagation injection cycle. The three methods are: (1) square-root of the shut-in time, (2) G-Function pressure derivative, and (3) Log-Log pressure derivative. The far-field strain values are estimated by multi-variable regression from the microfrac test data and the core-calibrated static elastic properties of the formations where the stress tests are done.
 The reservoir pressure across these carbonate formations are between 0.48 to 0.5 psi/ft with a value repeatability of 0.05 psi among build-up tests and 0.05 psi/min of pressure stability. The formation breakdown pressures are obtained between 0.97 and 1.12 psi/ft over 5,500 psi above hydrostatic pressure. The in-situ fracture closure measurements provide the magnitude of the minimum horizontal stress 0.74 - 0.83 psi/ft which is used to back-calculate the lateral strain values (0.15 and 0.72 mStrain) as far-field boundary condition for subsequent geomechanical modeling.
 These measurements provide critical subsurface information to accurately predict wellbore stability, hydraulic fracture containment and CO2 injection capacity for effective enhance oil recovery within these reservoirs. This in-situ stress wellbore data represents the first of its kind in the field allowing petroleum and reservoir engineers to optimize the subsurface injection plans for efficient field developing.


According to the aviational definition, the fog is an obscuration phenomenon when prevailing visibility becomes less than 1,000m. Fog defined above causes so many aviation traffic problems like detour, flight delay and cancel. Therefore this study investigated quantitatively the fog effects on flight operation using flight delay and cancel statistic data during last four years from 1st Jul. 2001 to 30th Jun. 2005 at the Incheon Int'l Airport. The results of this study show that the hazardous meteorological condition is a important cause of flight delay and cancel, especially fog phenomenon. And it is expected that the results of this study give us the necessary and importance of fog prediction at the Incheon Int'l Airport.


Inspections in areas of difficult access or hostile to the human, pattern recognition, surveillance and monitoring, are some of the many applications in with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), can be a solution, opening up new perspectives for the use of this technology. The navigation and the position of the UAVs can be made by autonomous method through the computational vision, which is a technology of construction of artificial systems capable of read information from images or any multidimensional data and making decisions. This work presents a review of the use of computer vision systems by UAVs, with a focus on its many applications. The main objective is to analyze the latest technologies used for the development of computer vision in UAVs, through the tools of data search, information storage and, mainly, processing and analysis of data. The researches encompasses a publication of recent works, 2011 onwards, from the Science Direct portal. For each work were analyzed the objectives, methodology and results. Based in this analysis, was made a comparison between the techniques and their challenges. From this, future outlook scenarios of UAVs using computational vision are mentioned.


My article is a reading of Genga-Idowu's Lady in Chains with an intention to show how she attempts to rewrite the presentation of the prostitute figure in a Kenyan urban space by figuring prostitution as an institution that is useful in questioning and revising economic power relations between men and women. Genga-Idowu shows that women can reliably accumulate income from prostitution and emancipate themselves from the economic disadvantages of postcolonial Kenya. I examine specific traits of the prostitute figure and the spaces within the city that this writer utilizes to revise and disavow Kenyan male writers and socio-cultural conception of the prostitute. Thus prostitution will be projected as a business and a potential alternative road that makes women economically powerful and frees them from other kinds of disadvantages that characterize their lives.


friction model resulting from investigations into macro-roughness elements in fishways has been compared with a broad range of studies in the literature under very different bed configurations. In the context of flood modelling or aquatic habitats, the aim of the study is to show that the formulation is applicable to both emergent or submerged obstacles with either low or high obstacle concentrations. In the emergent case, the model takes into account free surface variations at large Froude numbers. In the submerged case, a vegetation model based on the double-averaging concept is used with a specific turbulence closure model. Calculation of the flow in the roughness elements gives the total hydraulic resistance uniquely as a function of the obstacles' drag coefficient. The results show that the model is highly robust for all the rough beds tested. The averaged accuracy of the model is about 20% for the discharge calculation. In particular, we obtain the known values for the limiting cases of low confinement, as in the case of sandy beds.


Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) in the midbrain resulting in progressive impairment in cognitive and motor abilities. The physiological and molecular mechanisms triggering dopaminergic neuronal loss are not entirely defined. PD occurrence is associated with various genetic and environmental factors causing inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain, leading to oxidative stress, proteinopathy, and reduced viability of dopaminergic neurons. Oxidative stress affects the conformation and function of ions, proteins, and lipids, provoking mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation and dysfunction. The disruption of protein homeostasis induces the aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) and parkin and a deficit in proteasome degradation. Also, oxidative stress affects dopamine release by activating ATP-sensitive potassium channels. The cholinergic system is essential in modulating the striatal cells regulating cognitive and motor functions. Several muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed in the striatum. The nAChRs signaling reduces neuroinflammation and facilitates neuronal survival, neurotransmitter release, and synaptic plasticity. Since there is a deficit in the nAChRs in PD, inhibiting nAChRs loss in the striatum may help prevent dopaminergic neurons loss in the striatum and its pathological consequences. The nAChRs can also stimulate other brain cells supporting cognitive and motor functions. This review discusses the cholinergic system as a therapeutic target of cotinine to prevent cognitive symptoms and transition to dementia in PD.


Compact, multi-deep (3D) automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) are becoming increasingly popular for storing products. We study such a system where a storage and retrieval (S/R) machine takes care of movements in the horizontal and vertical directions of the rack, and an orthogonal conveying mechanism takes care of the depth movement. An important question is how to layout such systems under different storage policies to minimize the expected cycle time. We derive the expected single-command cycle time under the full-turnover-based storage policy and propose a model to determine the optimal rack dimensions by minimizing this cycle time. We simplify the model, and analytically determine optimal rack dimensions for any given rack capacity and ABC curve skewness. A significant cycle time reduction can be obtained compared with the random storage policy. We illustrate the findings of the study by applying them in a practical example.


Supercritical water gasification (SCWG) is a challenging thermo-chemical conversion route for wet biomass and waste streams into hydrogen and/or methane. At temperatures and pressures above the critical point the physical properties of water differ strongly from liquid water or steam. Because of the physical properties of supercritical water, SCWG is considered to be a promising technology for the thermo chemical conversion of wet biomass. Anticipated applications for supercritical gasification of wet biomass are for example:
• The on-site production of a fuel gas in industry, vehicles, buildings.
• The production of pure hydrogen for the process industry.
• The production of a hydrogen or methane rich gas from manure or sewage sludge.
• The production of syngas, mainly consisting of CO and H2, at high pressure.

Although the results on a laboratory scale show that SCWG is a very promising technique, the process is still in an early stage of development. A lot of work remains to be done to get a full understanding of the complex process and to bridge the gap between small-scale testing in laboratories to demonstration on full-scale. For this purpose, adequate design rules for SCWG need to be developed.

The primary objective of this thesis is to study the mechanisms and key param- eters of SCWG and to develop design rules for adequate reactor and process design. The following approach is chosen to meet these objectives:
1. Investigation of the influence of key process parameters on the thermal efficiency of supercritical gasification of wet biomass.
2. The development of heat transfer models for water at supercritical pressures.
3. The development of a new high throughput batch reactor for conversion rate measurements of supercritical gasification of wet biomass.
4. The evaluation and experimental validation of sorption enhanced supercritical gasification of wet biomass.


We propose and experimentally demonstrate a polarization-selective waveguide hologram at optical wavelengths, based on an all-dielectric metamaterial multilayer system. We show that two spatially separated or overlapped holographic images can be produced with two orthogonally polarized beams, incorporated into a binary computer generated hologram (CGH). These two images can be combined into a single 3D stereoscopic image observable using linearly or circularly polarized glasses. The two polarized beams can also be utilized to construct radially and azimuthally polarized "vortex" beams. The fundamental and first higher-order TM and TE modes of an optical waveguide are used to guide the two polarization states with distinct propagation constants. The two guided waves act as spatially distinct reference waves such that the integrated, on-chip hologram can distinguish the two and provide two independent images corresponding to the two polarizations. Polarization selective waveguide holograms can be used in a diverse set of applications, from chip-scale displays and augmented reality (AR) to optical trapping.


Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu Tampere University of Applied Sciences Degree Programme in Tourism POKRYSHKINA, MARIA: The Impact of Customer Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction in Tourism Sector Bachelor's thesis 52 pages, appendix 1 page November 2015 Customer satisfaction with a company's products or services is often considered as the key factor to the company's success and competitiveness focused on a long-term period. According to a common opinion, customer satisfaction determines customer retention in the relationship marketing context allowing the generation of larger profit. The overall purpose of this thesis was to study the general correlation between the quality of services in tourism, namely in accommodation sector, and the level of customer satisfaction, by applying personal experience and gained knowledge, based on statistical data and examples of the case company. This paper involves a critical examination of the relation between service quality and service satisfaction and an analysis of the research. The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methods. In terms of quantitative method, a questionnaire was used as a tool for collecting data from tourists who were using accommodation services. For qualitative analysis, users' feedback and company's performance analysis were utilized along with individual experience. The theoretical framework explores conceptual models and techniques for a better understanding of service quality characteristics and customer satisfaction. Key results of the research indicated the positive correlation between customer service quality and customer satisfaction. The results revealed that customers tend to have various expectations regarding the potential service experience and it is important to be thoughtful towards the clients in order to succeed and benefit in the market through implementation of various marketing and operational techniques.


We report on the observation of remarkable room-temperature ferromagnetism in epitaxial (Zn,Mn)O films grown by a pulsed-laser deposition technique using high-density targets. The optimum growth conditions were demonstrated from x-ray measurements, microstructure, Rutherford backscattering, micro-Raman, and magnetic studies. Superior ferromagnetic properties were observed in (Zn,Mn)O films grown at a substrate temperature of 500°C and with an oxygen partial pressure of 1mTorr. Ferromagnetism becomes weaker with increasing substrate temperature due to the formation of isolated Mn clusters irrespective of higher crystalline quality of the film.


. We present the results of a kinematic survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud, performed with a scanning FP interferometer mainly at Ha. These data allow us to study the overall dynamics of the ionized hydrogen of this galaxy as well as the kinematics of classes of objects. In this presentation we exemplify how the availability of data in several wavelengths can be very useful in establishing the nature of large nebular complexes of the Small Magellanic Cloud. Our kinematic study allows us to discriminate faint shocked nebulae (such as supernova remnants) inside bright HIT regions. This is confirmed by recently available radio and X-ray data.


OBJECTIVES
To evaluate an implanted thermal ablation device that can be heated with high efficiency using a resonant circuit as the implant.

METHODS
16 rats were used. The implants, adjusted at a resonance frequency of 4 MHz, were fixed on the surface of the liver of rats under laparotomy. In 14 of 16 rats, an alternating magnetic field (AMF) was applied for 6 min with an output of 300 W from outside the body using a ferrite core applicator. The implant temperature during AMF exposure was measured. The 14 rats were divided into 5 groups, depending on time from AMF application until they were sacrificed (1 h, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days and 1 month after application). Two rats not exposed to AMF were used as controls. Livers were removed and evaluated; the cross-sectional area and width of the ablated region were measured.

RESULTS
During AMF exposure, the implant temperature rose to 127.8±39.3 °C (mean±standard deviation). The cross-sectional area of the ablated region was largest after 1 day and tended to decrease with time. The widths of the ablated region were 4.87±0.22 mm, 4.15±0.36 mm, 3.67±0.58 mm and 3.24±0.16 mm in the 1 day, 3 day, 7 day and 1 month groups, respectively. No significant differences (p<0.05) were seen in either cross-sectional area or width of the ablated region.

CONCLUSION
Sufficient heat for ablation was obtained in vivo using a newly developed implanted thermal ablation device. This device may be a new option for thermal ablation therapy.


The Advances in Pediatrics has always served to present a balance between the theoretical and the practical while summarizing the recent contributions to knowledge in several broad areas of pediatrics. The most recent volume is no exception and should serve as an excellent review for the practitioner and as a source reference for the academician. The reports on neonatal bilirubin metabolism, viral infections of the fetus and newborn, and calcium and phosphorus metabolism present extensive reviews of many current principles of physiology, biochemistry, and immunology. In addition numerous practical applications of this basic scientific information, such as the role of drugs in the production of neonatal jaundice or the usefulness of cortisone in hypercalcemic conditions, are described. Generally the clarity of the writing and the organization have succeeded in making the information readily available and utilizable. In particular the chapter on the chemotherapy of malignant disease in children concisely summarizes


Background: The incidence of depression is 0.9% in preschoolers, 1.9% in school age children, and 4.7% in adolescents. Current antidepressant treatment of mood disorders in children and adolescents is still in the early phases of being validated with double-blind efficacy studies. In this study the efficacy of nortriptyline has been compared with fluoxetine in the treatment of major depression in children and adolescents. Methods: This was a double–blind clinical trial for 8 weeks, undertaken in the Isfahan Child and Adolescent Guidance outpatient Clinic, Isfahan, Iran. Subjects were 40 outpatients children and adolescents (20 boys and 20 girls) aged 7-16 years of old who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Forth Edition, for Major Depression. To determine the scores of two groups (Baseline and after treatment), we used Children Depression Inventory (CDI). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive nortriptyline 2mg/kg/day for 8 weeks (group A) or fluoxetine 1mg/kg/day for 8 weeks, (group B). Paired t-test was used to compare the mean of CDI score of each group before and after treatment. To compare the reduction in the Children Depression Inventory score, an unpaired t-test was used. Results: The mean depression score was 28.9 (SD±8.46) before intervention in fluoxetine group while that was 28.4 (SD±8.76) in nortriptyline group. Independent t-test showed a significant difference between after treatment mean depression scores in both groups (t=2.97, df=38, P=0.004). The changes at the endpoint compared with baseline were 10.95±2.61 and –2.6±0.8 for fluoxetine and nortriptyline, respectively. t- Paired test showed a significant decrease in mean depression score in fluoxetine group (P≤0.0001) while that was not significant one in nortriptyline group (P=0.34). At the endpoint (8th week), 10 cases 50% didn't meet the criteria of Major Depression based on DSM-IV in fluoxetine group. Although, it was only 2 cases (10%) for nortriptyline group. Conclusion: The present study suggest that the treatment with fluoxetine in subsiding depression was significantly preferable compared with nortriptyline. The general conclusion of this study provides evidence in favor of an efficacy advantage of fluoxetine over nortriptyline in the treatment of depression in children and adolescents.


The successful administration of protein and peptide drugs by oral route maintaining their active conformation remains a key challenge in the field of pharmaceutical technology. In the present study, we propose the use of a nanosize ceramic core-based system for effective oral delivery of acid-labile model enzyme, serratiopeptidase (STP). Ceramic core was prepared by colloidal precipitation and sonication of disodium hydrogen phosphate solution and calcium chloride solution at room temperature. The core was coated with chitosan under constant stirring and Fourier-Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed phosphoric groups of calcium phosphate linked with ammonium groups of chitosan in the nanoparticles; then the enzyme was adsorbed over the preformed nanocore. Protein-loaded nanocore was further encapsulated into alginate gel for enzyme protection. Prepared system was characterized for size, shape, loading efficiency, and in vitro release profile (pH 1.2 and pH 7.4). The effect of processing variables on the size of the core was evaluated to form small, uniform, and discrete nanocores. Stability and integrity of enzyme during processing steps was assessed by in vitro proteolytic activity. The prepared system was examined to be spherical in shape with diameter 925 ± 6.81 nm using TEM. The in vitro release data followed the Higuchi model, showing a low amount (26% ± 2.4%) of diffusion-controlled drug release (R2 = 0.9429) in acidic buffer up to a period of 2 to 6 hours, signifying the integrity of alginate gel in acid. In the alkaline medium sustained and nearly complete first order release of protein was observed up to a 6 hours. It is inferred that the protein-loaded ceramic core acts as a reservoir of the adsorbed enzyme and alginate gel provides protection to STP for controlled release in intestinal pH when compared to the enzyme solution.


Heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Churg-Strauss syndrome. However, few clinical follow-ups have been published. In this case report, in which the diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome was made based on histologic criteria and clinical features, heart failure with globally depressed left ventricular function was present. Aggressive therapy (prednisone and cyclophosphamide) was instituted. In the follow-up a prompt clinical response and eventual recovery of the indices of cardiac function as evaluated by echocardiography and radionuclide ventriculography were observed.


In this article I analyze two of Ibn Quzmān's'Īd al-Adhā zajal s in terms of theme, structure, and import. I show that the poems are carefully constructed wholes, through which the poet subtly mocks his patron while obligating him to give up a ram. I furthermore demonstrate that these super ficially simple and lighthearted zajals have multiple layers of meaning, and that fundamentally they contain — of particular relevance to the ruling elites in twelfth-century al-Andalus — sharp social criticism about the practice of religion.


Introduction: Pancreatic cancer (PC) has the worst prognosis of all the major cancers. The role of inflammation in tumor progression and metastasis, particularly in PC, is widely accepted. Our lab has recently shown that levels of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and associated proteins (histones, HMGB-1, etc.) are elevated in PC patients at baseline and increase in response to standard therapies. It is also known that components of the innate immune system respond to cfDNA and associated proteins. Specifically, the toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been shown to be activated by cfDNA and associated proteins. These TLRs, specifically TLR-4 and TLR-9, have been shown to promote tumor progression and metastasis in other cancers such as breast, colorectal, and skin cancers. We wanted to investigate the role of TLRs in PC by characterizing receptor expression and downstream function. We also attempted to inhibit the downstream effects of TLR signaling using nucleic acid binding polymers (NABPs) that our lab has previously utilized in other disease models such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: Three human (MiaPaCa-2, BxPC-3, PANC-1) and one murine (KPC-4580P) PC cell line were characterized for TLR-4 and TLR-9 expression by western blot. Briefly, cells were plated and lysed using RIPA buffer. Total protein concentration was quantified using bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay and normalized prior to running the cell lysates on SDS-PAGE. The protein bands were then transferred to immunoblotting membrane and probed with specific primary antibodies, followed by fluorescent secondary antibodies. Blots were exposed and quantified via LI-COR. Downstream function of TLR expression was tested using Transwell-matrigel invasion assays wherein cells were plated in the Transwell system in the presence of TLR-4 and TLR-9 specific agonists (LPS and CpG or mtDNA, respectively). These cells were also treated with NABPs to inhibit TLR activation. Results: All PC cell lines expressed TLR-4 and TLR-9. The invasion assays indicated that in the presence of TLR-4 and TLR-9 specific agonists, PC cells exhibited increased invasion. Moreover, PC cells that invaded in response to TLR-9 agonists were inhibited in the presence of NABPs. Our lab has also prepared conditioned media (CM) from cells treated with clinically relevant doses of radiation. Our PC cell lines displayed increased invasiveness in response to CM and decreased with NABP treatment. Conclusion: We have previously shown that there are elevated levels of cfDNA and associated proteins in PC patient serum and have now shown that these factors can have direct effects on PC cells via TLRs that are expressed by the cancer cells. Treating cells with NABPs in the presence of TLR agonists can abrogate TLR mediated invasion in vitro. Our goal is to further characterize the effects of TLR signaling on cancer cells including RNA transcription and protein translation profiling. Citation Format: Ibtehaj A. Naqvi, Jessica McDade, Jaewoo Lee, Rebekah White. Toll-like receptor expression and ligation promotes in vitro invasion in pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4554.


UK compliance with its international obligations in the area of bribery and corruption is in question. Recent domestic and international developments have brought this issue to the fore. This article addresses UK compliance. In doing so it highlights the multi-faceted nature of the obligations upon the UK and its wide-ranging responses. It is concluded that the UK is in general compliant with the particulars of international law but perhaps not with its spirit.


Nociceptive signals conveyed to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord by primary nociceptors are subject to extensive modulation by local neurons and by supraspinal descending pathways to the spinal cord before being relayed to higher brain centers. Descending modulatory pathways to the spinal cord comprise, among others, noradrenergic, serotonergic, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic, and dopaminergic fibers. The contributions of noradrenaline, serotonin, and GABA to pain modulation have been extensively investigated. In contrast, the contributions of dopamine to pain modulation remain poorly understood. The focus of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of the contributions of dopamine to pain modulation. Hypothalamic A11 dopaminergic neurons project to all levels of the spinal cord and provide the main source of spinal dopamine. Dopamine receptors are expressed in primary nociceptors as well as in spinal neurons located in different laminae in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, suggesting that dopamine can modulate pain signals by acting at both presynaptic and postsynaptic targets. Here, I will review the literature on the effects of dopamine and dopamine receptor agonists/antagonists on the excitability of primary nociceptors, the effects of dopamine on the synaptic transmission between primary nociceptors and dorsal horn neurons, and the effects of dopamine on pain in rodents. Published data support both anti-nociceptive effects of dopamine mediated by D2-like receptors and pro-nociceptive effects mediated by D1-like receptors.


A hands-on tutorial on multicast in third-generation networks! In this book, the authors describe how to perform multicast, the one-to-many delivery of data to a group of destinations, in third-generation mobile networks. The authors provide an overview of the services that can be realized with multicast in third-generation networks, describe the mechanisms required to support these services and highlight the performance of several multicast mechanisms. The focus of this book is on multicast in UMTS and CDMA2000 networks, the dominant third-generation network standards. In addition to describing the standards for multicast, the authors also provide extensive performance results of multicast in third-generation networks. Key Features: Provides an in-depth review of the fundamentals of multicast Describes in detail the MBMS and BCMCS standards for multicast in UMTS and CDMA2000 networks, respectively Provides a comprehensive overview of the services that can be realized with multicast in third-generation networks Highlights the performance of multicast in third-generation networks Investigates how multicast can be achieved in heterogeneous networks consisting of cellular and broadcast networks This book is an invaluable resource for professional engineers and researchers working in the area of third-generation networks. Postgraduate and graduate students on networking and communications courses will also find this book an insightful and valuable reference.


We present a male infant with campomelic dysplasia syndrome (McKusick 21197) in whom no bowing of the tibiae or femora was seen, but widely set nipples and long upper segment of the arm were observed. In accordance with two previous case reports, the present findings suggest that a campomelic dysplasia variant without campomelia may exist.


This paper highlights the use of situated artificial institution (SAI) within a hybrid, interactive, normative multi-agent system to regulate human collaboration in crisis management. Norms regulate the actions of human actors based on the dynamics of the environment in which they are situated. This dynamics results from both environment evolution and actors' actions. Our objective is to situate norms in the environment in order to provide a context-aware crisis regulation. However, this coupling must be a loose one to keep both levels independent and easyto-change in order to face the complex and changing crisis situations. To that aim, we introduce a constitutive level between environmental and normative states providing a loose coupling of normative regulation with environment evolution. Norms are thus no more referring to environmental facts but to status functions, i.e., the institutional interpretation of environmental facts through constitutive rules. We present how this declarative and distinct SAI modelling succeeds in managing the crisis with a context-aware crisis regulation.


This dissertation contains an edition of Dyalogus super Reuelacionibus beate Birgitte, which is a discussion and defence of the Revelations (Reuelaciones) of St. Birgitta of Sweden (ca. 1303-1373). In legal proceedings at the Council of Basle (1431-1449), the Reuelaciones were accused of heresy, examined and defended. Among the defenders was Heymericus de Campo (1395-1460), who at that time was professor of theology at the University of Cologne. In addition to the formal examination reports, Heymericus wrote a dialogue on the subject. The Dyalogus, which was probably composed as a contribution to a debate, is tentatively dated to have been written between October 1434 and February 17, 1435. The main part of Dyalogus consists of 123 text passages extracted from the Reuelaciones and accused of heresy, and Heymericus' defence of these text passages. The aim of the defence is to prove that the Reuelaciones are truly orthodox and thus inspired by God. In addition, Heymericus intends to display the reasons and arguments the impugners had for questioning the Reuelaciones. Dyalogus and the other defences were read and copied foremost within the Birgittine order. The judgement passed at the proceedings called for a commentary before the Reuelaciones could be disseminated to the whole of their extent. To the Birgittines the defences of Basle filled this purpose, at least for some time.The extensive introduction of the thesis deals with the historical context of the text, its use and importance, its place within the author's literary production, the contents and language of the text, and finally the textual transmission. Vadstena Abbey's copy of the text is chosen as base manuscript for the edition.


The reduction of peak power, peak power differential, average power and energy are equally important in the design of low-power battery driven portable applications. In this paper, we introduce a parameter called "cycle power function" (CPF-DFC) that captures the above power characteristics in the context of multiple supply voltage (MV) and dynamic frequency clocking (DFC) based designs. Further, we present ILP formulations for the minimization of CPF-DFC during datapath scheduling. We conducted experiments on selected high-level synthesis benchmarks for various resource constraints. Experimental results show that significant reduction in power, energy, and energy delay product, can be obtained using the proposed method.


The human erythroleukemia (HEL) cell line is a cultured hematopoietic cell line reported to express platelet membrane glycoproteins and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. The present studies were designed to determine if functional thromboxane A2 (TXA2)/prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) receptors exist in HEL cells. Radioligand binding assays were performed using [125I]PTA-OH, a TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist. Scatchard analysis revealed one class of binding sites for 1-PTA-OH with a Kd = 122 +/- 18 nM and maximum binding = 1.7 +/- 0.3 x 10(5) sites/cell. Competition for [125I]PTA-OH binding with the TXA2/PGH2 receptor agonists SQ26655 and U46619 revealed one class of binding sites for SQ26655 with a Kd = 17 nM and two classes of binding sites for for U46619 with a Kd = 45 nM for the high-affinity site and a Kd = 450 nM for the low-affinity site. Competition for [125I]PTA-OH by the steroisomeric TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonists L657925 and L657926 revealed two classes of binding sites for the more potent L657925 with a Kd = 8 nM for the high-affinity site and a Kd = 400 nM for the low-affinity site whereas L657926 bound to one class of sites with a Kd = 380 nM. Stimulation of the TXA2/PGH2 receptor by SQ26655 and U46619 resulted in concentration-dependent increases in [Ca++], as measured by FURA-2 fluorescence, with EC50 values of 28 +/- 2 and 149 +/- 32 nM, respectively. I-PTA-OH, L657925 and L657926 antagonized this response to U46619 with IC50 values similar in rank potency to that seen in the binding studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Striatal cholinergic interneurons are tonically active neurons and respond to sensory stimuli by transiently suppressing firing that is associated with sensorimotor learning. The pause in tonic firing is dependent on dopaminergic activity; however, its cellular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report evidence that dopaminergic inhibition of hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) is involved in this process. In neurons exhibiting regular firing in vitro, exogenous application of dopamine caused a prolongation of the depolarization-induced pause and an increase in the duration of slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) after depolarization. Partially blocking Ih with specific blocker ZD7288 (4-ethylphenylamino-1,2-dimethyl-6-methylaminopyrimidinium chloride) reduced firing and mimicked the effects of dopamine on sAHP. The Ih, being active at membrane potentials negative than −50 mV, was inhibited by dopamine via activation of the D2-like receptor, but not D1-like receptor. The inhibitory effects of the D2 receptor activation on Ih were mediated through a protein kinase A-independent cyclic AMP pathway. Consistently, D2-like receptor agonist quinpirole showed comparable effects on sAHP and firing rate as those induced by Ih channel blocker. Moreover, dopamine was unable to further affect the sAHP duration in neurons when Ih was blocked. These findings indicate that D2 receptor-dependent inhibition of Ih may be a novel mechanism for modulating the pause response in tonic firing in cholinergic interneurons.


The automated reaction mechanisms and kinetics (AutoMeKin) program evolved from a transition state search using chemical dynamics simulations (TSSCDS). It combines a series of empirical, semi-empirical and ab initio calculation methods to provide a two-step transition state search process from low-level calculation to high-level calculation. However, in this process, with the lack of solution keywords, low-level calculation has the problem of low accuracy or high computational cost. To address this problem, the gau_xtb interface that combines the high efficiency of xTB and the comprehensiveness of Gaussian09 was incorporated into the AutoMeKin2020 in this work and after adding some keywords, the AMK-gau_xtb software was obtained. Meanwhile, to adapt to the interface, the MD sampling results used Quadratic Synchronous Transit 3 (QST3) for the low-level transition state search. As an application, the reaction in which the nitroso group is replaced by hydroxide anion during the alkaline hydrolysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in the water phase was studied with AMK-gau_xtb. The results of Intrinsic Reaction Coordinate (IRC) calculations revealed that the reactions on the front side and back side are different, with higher energy barriers obtained for the reactions on the front side. In addition, the hydrogen atom of the hydroxide anion has a slightly higher energy barrier for motion toward the inside of the benzene ring than for motion out of the benzene ring. Examination of the transition state structures of the low-level and high-level results showed that all reactions involve the stretching and restoration of the benzene ring. This process will lead to the incorrect identification of several transition states by the gau_xtb-based low-level calculation, while high-level calculation eliminates these incorrect results. The results of this research showed that AMK-gau_xtb has high efficiency and high fault tolerance, and has potential for use in large-scale system transition state searches.


The arrangement of cellulose microfibrils and cortical microtubules in transfer cells depositing flange wall ingrowths have been determined with field emission scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. In xylem transfer cells of wheat (Triticum aestivum) stem nodes and transfer cells of corn (Zea mays) endosperm tissue, cellulose microfibrils were aligned in parallel bundles to form the linear wall ingrowths characteristic of flange ingrowth morphology. In both cell types, linear bundles of cellulose microfibrils were deposited over an underlying wall composed of randomly arranged microfibrils. Acid extraction of wheat xylem transfer cells established that flange ingrowths were composed of crystalline cellulose. Immunofluorescence labelling of microtubules in wheat xylem transfer cells showed that bundles of microtubules were positioned directly below and parallel with developing flange ingrowths, whereas more mature ingrowths were flanked by bundles of microtubules. These results show that the parallel organisation of cellulose microfibrils in flange wall ingrowths is similar to those in secondary wall thickenings in xylem elements, and that deposition of these structures in transfer cells is also likely to involve bundling of parallel arrays of microtubules. Our observations are discussed in terms of the possible role of microtubules in building flange-type wall ingrowths and the consequences in terms of predicted mechanisms required to build the fundamentally different reticulate-type wall ingrowths.


This paper investigates the performance of flash solid state drives (SSDs) as an extension to main memory with a locality-aware algorithm for stencil computations. We propose three different configurations, swap, m map, and aio, for accessing the flash media, with data structure blocking techniques. Our results indicate that hierarchical blocking optimizations for three tiers, flash SSD, DRAM, and cache, perform satisfactorily to bridge the DRAM-flash latency divide. Using only 32 GiB of DRAM and a flash SSD, with 7-point stencil computations for a 512 GiB problem (16 times that of the DRAM), 87% of the Mflops execution performance achieved with DRAM only was attained.


The lack of precise numerical information for the values of biological parameters severely limits the development and analysis of models of genetic regulatory networks. To deal with this problem, we propose a method for the analysis of genetic regulatory networks under parameter uncertainty. We consider models based on piecewise-multiaffine differential equations, dynamical properties expressed in temporal logic, and intervals for the values of uncertain parameters. The problem is then either to guarantee that the system satisfies the expected properties for every possible parameter value-the corresponding parameter set is then called valid-or to find valid subsets of a given parameter set. The proposed method uses discrete abstractions and model checking and allows for efficient search of the parameter space. However, the abstraction process creates spurious behaviors in the abstract systems, along which time does not progress. Consequently, the verification of liveness properties, expressing that something will eventually happen, and implicitly assuming progress of time, often fails. A solution to this second problem is proposed using the notion of transient regions. This approach has been implemented in a tool for robust verification of gene networks and applied to the tuning of a synthetic network built in E. coli.


PURPOSE
This article describes satisfaction that persons with mild cognitive impairment (PwMCI) and their caregivers had with the Daily Enhancement of Meaningful Activity (DEMA) intervention.

METHODS
This randomized controlled pilot study compared satisfaction (usefulness, ease of use, and acceptability) with DEMA (n = 17 dyads) to an information support (IS) control group (n = 19 dyads). Six biweekly sessions (two in person and four by telephone) were delivered by trained nurses. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent-sample t tests, and content analysis.

FINDINGS
PwMCI receiving DEMA rated their satisfaction significantly higher (p = .033) than did the control group; there was no difference in satisfaction between caregivers across groups. Qualitative interview data supported the usefulness, ease of use, and acceptability of DEMA for both PwMCI and caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS
Results documented PwMCI's satisfaction with DEMA as implemented by nurses to support PwMCI-caregiver dyads' engagement in meaningful activity. DEMA may need revision to increase satisfaction for caregivers.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The DEMA intervention was evaluated as useful, easy to use, and acceptable to PwMCI and their caregivers based on positive mean ratings. The study findings provide preliminary support of DEMA as a means to improve quality of life by helping to support patient and caregiver engagement in meaningful activities and problem solving.


While looking through laterally displacing prisms, subjects pointed 60 times straight ahead of their nose at a rate of one complete movement every 2 or 3 s, with visual feedback available early in the pointing movement or delayed until the end of the movement. Sagittal pointing was paced such that movement speed covaried with pointing rate. Aftereffect measures (obtained after every 10 pointing trials) showed that when the limb became visible early in a pointing movement, proprioceptive adaptation was greater than visual, but when visual feedback was delayed until the end of the movement, the reverse was true. This effect occurred only with the 3-s pointing rate, however. With the 2-s pointing rate, adaptation was predominately proprioceptive in nature, regardless of feedback availability. Independent of the availability of visual feedback, visual adaptation developed more quickly with 3-s pointing, whereas proprioceptive adaptation developed more rapidly with 2-s pointing. These results are discussed in terms of a model of perceptual-motor organization in which the direction of coordinative (guidance) linkage between eye-head (visual) and hand-head (proprioceptive) systems (and consequently the locus of discordance registration and adaptive recalibration) is determined jointly by pointing rate and feedback availability. An additional effect of pointing rate is to determine the rate of discordant inputs. Maximal adaptive recalibration occurs when the input (pointing) rate matches the time constant of the adaptive encoder in the guided system.


The alpha subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (alpha‐hCG), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) were measured in the serum of 25 women with chromosomally abnormal fetuses between 18 and 25 weeks of gestation and in 74 normal pregnancies. AFP levels less than 0.5 multiples of the median (MoM) or greater than 2.5 MoM were observed in 24 per cent of the abnormal pregnancies and in 6.76 per cent of the normal pregnancies. A low concentration of hCG (< 0.25 MoM) was observed in 8 per cent of abnormals and in 2.7 per cent of normals while an elevated concentration of hCG (>2.5 MoM) was observed in 56 per cent of abnormals and in 1.35 per cent of normals. Elevated hCG‐alpha (>2.5 MoM) was observed in 28 per cent of abnormals and in none of the normals. Determination of elevated levels of hCG‐alpha or hCG resulted in detection of 68 per cent of pregnancies with chromosomally abnormal fetuses with a false positive rate of 1.35 per cent. Determination of both elevated and depressed gonadotropin levels resulted in detection of 76 per cent of abnormal pregnancies with a false positive rate of 4.05 per cent. Measurement of hCG and hCG‐alpha in maternal serum samples can be used as a screening procedure for detecting pregnancies at risk for fetal chromosome abnormalities.


Newton's standard theory of gravitation is reformulated in terms of a generally Galilei-covariant action principle as a gauge theory of the extended Galilei group. A suitable modification of Utiyama's method for gauging the projective realization of the Galilei group associated with the free mass-point, together with the connections between the consequent 11 external gauge fields and known facts about Galilean and Newtonian geometrical structures, are discussed from a unified point of view. Then the problem of the existence of an action principle for the dynamical evolution of the gauge fields is analysed. Since it is not known how to extend Utiyama's method from the case of `invariance' to the case of `quasi-invariance, modulo the equations of motion', which turns out to be the key factor in the Galilean case, an action principle is derived, starting from a suitable power expansion of the 4-metric tensor, as a contraction, for , of the ADM-De-Witt action of general relativity. The Galilean action depends on 27 fields (i.e. it contains 16 auxiliary fields besides the 11 gauge fields) and is indeed quasi-invariant, modulo the equations of motion under general Galilean coordinate transformations. The physical equivalence of this theory and Newton's theory of gravity is shown explicitly, by analysing its first- and second-class constraints. Finally, we discuss the feasibility of a symplectic reduction of the 27-fields theory to a minimal theory depending on only the 11 gauge fields, in the sense of Utiyama's method.


The mechanisms responsible for collateral development have attracted considerable attention in cellular and molecular research because these vessels have the capacity to protect against myocardial infarction and reduce exercise-induced ischemia. This has led to a number of phase I trials employing angiogenic peptides, genes and cell transplantation. However, there are significant differences in the degree of collateral development among patients even with similar patterns of coronary disease. Understanding the factors responsible for this heterogeneity has important implications for the efficacy of future therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this review will examine these factors from the clinical perspective integrating the clinical evidence with recent molecular and cellular studies. The role of specific pharmacological agents and novel investigational strategies will be discussed.


In this study an effective method has been developed to automate a process implemented in manufacturing industry "CNC system", it details the research and development of a mechatronic system to overcome one of the most difficult tasks in today's manufacturing industry which is to reduce number of rejected parts of NG parts. This problem mainly occurs when the metal workpiece is disturbed or not properly attached to the fixture and due to that small change in location, it gets improperly machined, which leads to part getting rejected. A gap inspection sensor is included in the design to confirm that the workpiece is properly seated on the fixture and all the components needed for module assembly are designed and tested on a VMC machine. As the gap check sensor uses the principle of back pressure sensing to monitor the gap or distance, the sensor is supplied with pneumatic pressure through a regulator to ensure stabilized input, and outlet of sensor is connected to the orifices on the fixture plate under clamping points, so when the job is placed properly there is no air leakage and the change in pressure will respond to sensor. The developed module gets linked to PLC and needed changes were also made in ladder logic program to incorporate the new module in machine running cycle. This developed architecture is flexible and can be used on many other machines and applications. Doing so automates the machine and prevents potential tool damage and material wastage. Keywords - Mechatronic System, Sensor, Automation, Back pressure Sensing, CNC Programming, PLC program (Ladder Logic), Precision manufacturing


Abstract Background Cruise travel contributed to SARS-CoV-2 transmission when there were relatively few cases in the United States. By March 14, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a No Sail Order suspending U.S. cruise operations; the last U.S. passenger ship docked on April 16. Methods We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on cruises in U.S. waters or carrying U.S. citizens and used regression models to compare voyage characteristics. We used compartmental models to simulate the potential impact of four interventions (screening for COVID-19 symptoms; viral testing on two days and isolation of positive persons; reduction of passengers by 40%, crew by 20%, and port visits to one) for 7-day and 14-day voyages. Results During January 19–April 16, 2020, 89 voyages on 70 ships had known SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks; 16 ships had recurrent outbreaks. There were 1,669 RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and 29 confirmed deaths. Longer voyages were associated with more cases (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.17, p < 0.0001). Mathematical models showed that 7-day voyages had about 70% fewer cases than 14-day voyages. On 7-day voyages, the most effective interventions were reducing the number of individuals onboard (43-49% reduction in total infections) and testing passengers and crew (42-43% reduction in total infections). All four interventions reduced transmission by 80%, but no single intervention or combination eliminated transmission. Results were similar for 14-day voyages. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on cruises were common during January-April 2020. Despite all interventions modeled, cruise travel still poses a significant SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk.


The innovativeness of the African immigrant-entrepreneurs hampers the growth and progress of their various business enterprises. Hence, the need arises to investigate the innovation factors that influence the success of the African immigrant-owned micro businesses in Durban, South Africa. Cluster sampling technique was employed in order to determine the sample size of three hundred and sixty-four from the entire population. In this study, questionnaire was used to collect the required information from the 364 African immigrantentrepreneurs that was sampled. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Subsequently, the results of the study revealed that the entrepreneurial innovation factors positively influenced African immigrant-owned micro businesses in Durban towards achieving business success and sustainability. The study therefore, recommends formal entrepreneurship education, training and development to the entrepreneurs.


Tracey Emin's My Bed (1998) presents an alternative representation to normative notions of the body, offending hegemonic propriety so greatly that it caused a tabloid media sensation when it was shortlisted for the 1999 Turner Prize. Emin applies certain feminist notions as she continues the motif of the reclining nude, offering semiotic gestures that indicate evidence of the body rather that the body itself. My Bed is the site of trauma and disgust, with all of the abjection left intact, and above all, a self expressionist piece documenting her personal trauma. The expressionist qualities harkens back to cultural discourse of hysteria, reinforcing the legitimacy of the feminist lens. Hysteria is a performance that Emin represents through confessing her traumatic history. Like the archetypal reality television star, she confesses personal emotions and histories, but breaks the status quo by offering an alternative representation with the abjected authenticity of the bed.


Background: In the United States, diabetes mellitus (DM) is among the most common chronic diseases, with approximately 34 2 million people affected DM has also emerged as a commonly reported risk factor among people hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) In this study, we sought to evaluate whether people with DM who are hospitalized with COVID-19 were more likely to experience poor early outcomes and whether this association remained after adjustment for obesity status Methods: We analyzed data from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) COVID-19 Data Registry The sample included 450 people with PCR-confirmed SARSCoV- 2 infection who were hospitalized at MGH between March 11, 2020 and April 30, 2020 The primary outcomes were (1) admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and (2) need for mechanical ventilation or death, both within 14 days of presentation to care Data were obtained by manual chart review and via an EMR-associated database Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between diabetes and these outcomes All models were adjusted for age, sex, race, BMI category and key comorbidities Results: In this study, 178 (39 6%) of 450 participants had DM and 346 (76 9%) were overweight or obese People with DM were on average older and had a higher BMI than those without DM A higher percentage of patients with DM were admitted to the ICU (42 1% vs 29 8%, p=0 007) and required mechanical ventilation or died (46 6% vs 27 7%, p< 0 001), compared with patients without DM (Figure 1) In adjusted models, DM was associated with a greater odds of ICU admission (aOR: 1 58 [95% CI: 1 01- 2 46]) and mechanical ventilation or death (2 15 [1 38-3 34) Obesity was associated with a greater odds of ICU admission (2 15 [1 20-3 86]) but not with mechanical ventilation or death (1 52 [0 87-2 67]) Table 1 provides the model results in full Conclusion: Diabetes was associated with poor outcomes within 14-days of presentation to care for COVID-19 These findings remained after adjustment for obesity Our findings can help guide risk mitigation efforts and patient-centered care decision making for people with DM and obesity, particularly in areas of the US that have a high prevalence of DM and obesity and are in early phases of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak (Table Presented)


22 In view of violent changes of thermo-physical properties, the segmental design method 23 is adopted to explore the heat exchange performances of the transcritical nitrogen (T-N 2 ) 24 evaporator used for liquid air energy storage, in which cold N 2 is heated up successively by 25 hot propane and methanol in two wide temperature sections. The local heat capacity rate ratio 26 between cold and hot fluids has crucial effects on the local heat exchange performance of 27 evaporator, such as local effectiveness, local entransy dissipation, and local required heat 28 conductance or local heat transfer rate. They have extremums near the positions where the 29 local heat capacity rate ratio equals one, but their optimal values need to be determined by 30 combining the changing trend of the local heat capacity rate ratio. The total heat exchange 31 performance of evaporator is evaluated using total entransy dissipation and total exergy 32 efficiency. When the heat load is fixed, the total performance is improved with the decrease 33 in the mass flow rate of methanol, but at the expense of the required total heat conductance; 34 The total performance can be optimized by precisely tailoring the heat load ratios between the 35 two temperature sections. When the heat conductance is given, the optimum total 36 performance can be obtained by adjusting the mass flow rate of hot fluids at a fixed heat 37 conductance ratio; Increasing the heat conductance ratio of the low temperature section can 38 further elevate the optimum total performance whereas the affordable heat load or the outlet 39 temperature of N 2 is notably decreased. Increasing N 2 pressure elevates the total performance 40 of evaporator but diminishes the extractable cold amount from the liquid N 2 in the same 41 temperature rise. This work is beneficial for selection of key parameters to achieve optimal 42 operation of the T-N 2 evaporator.


Cigarette excise taxes are widely viewed by health economists as an effective tool to reduce cigarette consumption. However, those opposed to increasing cigarette excise taxes often state that the taxes unfairly target certain segments of the population, notably the poor and minorities. Some of this opposition may have been fueled by a lack of understanding of how the tax will affect the health and welfare of various demographic groups of interest. This article provides guidance to policy makers by estimating price elasticities among adults by gender, income, age, and race or ethnicity. Women, adults with income at or below the median income, young adults, African-Americans, and Hispanics are most responsive to cigarette price increases. For example, adults with income at or below the median are more than four times as price-responsive as those with income above the median.