This research sought to reveal the extent to which service-learning in design education (SLIDE) provides a mutually beneficial experience for undergraduate design students and community partners. A two-phased, mixed-methods study, employing surveys and case study research, was conducted to address the main research question. During the first phase, an online survey was administered with design educators in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom to better understand the current practice of service-learning in design education. After this broad scan, a second survey was developed to discover the design-related needs that exist in the community, specifically at nonprofit organisations, thereby gaining perspective from the outside in. During the second phase, case study research was conducted at 12 sites to explain the results of the surveys and to holistically examine the university-community partnerships. The intersection of a service-learning taxonomy (Britt, 2009) with the orders of design (Buchanan, 2001) creates the theoretical framework for this research.

The findings demonstrate the benefits and challenges associated with service-learning for three stakeholder groups—undergraduate design students, community partners and design educators. This research confirms and extends theory in design (Buchanan, 2001) and service-learning (Morton, 1995; Britt, 2009). It also offers new insights into the roles that community partners play during design-related service-learning. The study contributes to what we already know about the complexities of design education in the twenty-first century and raises some important questions for the discipline in an effort to improve practice and build knowledge about SLIDE.


The total annual production of synthetic dye is more than 7 × 105 tons. Annually, through only textile waste effluents, around one thousand tons of non-biodegradable textile dyes are discharged into natural streams and water bodies. Therefore, with growing environmental concerns and environmental awareness there is a need for the removal of dyes from local and industrial water effluents with a cost effective technology. In general, these dyes have been found to be resistant to biological as well as physical treatment technologies. In this regard, heterogeneous advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), involving photo-catalyzed degradation of dyes using semiconductor nanoparticles is considered as an efficient cure for dye pollution. In the last two decades TiO2 has received considerable interest because of its high potential as a photocatalyst to degrade a wide range of organic material including dyes. This review starts with (i) a brief overview on dye pollution, dye classification and dye decolourization/degradation strategies; (ii) focuses on the mechanisms involved in comparatively well understood TiO2 photocatalysts and (iii) discusses recent advancements to enhance TiO2 photocatalytic efficiency by (a) doping with metals, non-metals, transition metals, noble metals and lanthanide ions, (b) structural modifications of TiO2 and (c) immobilization of TiO2 by using various supports to make it a flexible and cost-effective commercial dye treatment technology.


The framing effect, identified by Tversky and Kahneman, is one of the most striking cognitive biases, in which people react differently to a particular choice depending whether it is presented as a loss or as a gain. Numerous studies have subsequently demonstrated the robustness of the framing effect in a variety of contexts, especially in medical decision-making. Compared to daily decisions, medical decisions are of low frequency but of paramount importance. The framing effect is a well-documented bias in a variety of studies, but research is inconsistent regarding whether and how variables influence framing effects in medical decision-making. To clarify the discrepancy in the previous literature, published literature in the English language concerning the framing effect was retrieved using electronic and bibliographic searches. Two reviewers examined each article for inclusion and evaluated the articles' methodological quality. The framing effect in medical decision-making was reviewed in these papers. No studies identified an influence of framing information upon compliance with health recommendations, and different studies demonstrate different orientations of the framing effect. Because so many variables influence the presence or absence of the framing effect, the unexplained heterogeneity between studies suggests the possibility of a framing effect under specific conditions. Further research is needed to determine why the framing effect is induced and how it can be precluded.


Cooperative breeding is widely reported across the animal kingdom. In birds, it is hypothesised to be most common in altricial species (where chicks are dependent on parental care in the nest after hatching), with few described cases in precocial species (where chicks are more independent immediately after hatching). However, cooperative breeding may also be more difficult to detect in precocial species and therefore has been overlooked. In this study, we investigate whether vulturine guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum)—which have precocial young—breed cooperatively and, if so, how care is distributed among group members. Using data collected from colour-banded individuals in one social group of vulturine guineafowl over three different breeding seasons, we found that multiple females can attempt to reproduce in the same breeding season. Broods had close adult associates, and most of these associates exhibited four distinct cooperative breeding behaviours: babysitting, within-group chick guarding, covering the chicks under the wings and calling the chicks to food. Further, we found that offspring care is significantly male-biased, that non-mother individuals provided most of the care each brood received, that breeding females differed in how much help they received, and that carers pay a foraging cost when providing care. Our results confirm that vulturine guineafowl are cooperative breeders, which they combine with an unusual plural-breeding social system. Our study also adds to growing evidence that cooperative breeding may be more widespread among species with precocial young than previously thought, thereby providing a counterpoint to the altriciality-cooperative breeding hypothesis.


Endoscopically implantable stents are today the mainstay for therapy of biliary stenoses. It is important to know if a benign or a malignant stenosis is the cause of the biliary obstruction. Generally benign stenoses are treated with plastic-stents whereas malignant stenoses are managed by implantation of a metallic stent. The main indications for plastic stents are postoperative strictures in the biliary tree for example, after biliary tract surgery or liver transplantation, primary sclerosing cholangitis and postoperative biliary leakage. Metallic stents are implanted in palliative circumstances like in stenosing cholangiocarcinoma or in situations where a hepatic metastasis exerts an extrinsic compression on the biliary tract with consecutive cholestasis. The materials used for manufacturing both stent types are biologically inert and thus biocompatible. A current poorly resolved problem is the occlusion of the stent lumen (by sludge, bacterial degradation products etc.) which occurs in both stent types with time. These problems lead to stentocclusion around three to six months after implantation and necessitate endoscopical re-interventions in order to overcome the occlusion. The patency rate for metallic stents is better than for plastic ones. The endoscopic stenttherapy is equivalent to surgical therapy (Intestinal bypass-procedures).


The optimisation and design of any separation processes, such as the extraction of bio
molecules from their natural resources require mathematical modelling. The objective of this
work is to develop a mathematical model based on first order desorption rate of solute into
supercritical solvent containing a mixture of supercritical carbon dioxide and methanol in the
extraction of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata leaves. Numerical calculations
to obtain the adjustable parameter of the model using experimental data obtained from the
supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCDE) of andrographolide at different methanol
concentration and temperature were done using MATLAB software. The calculation results
show that this model agrees well with the experimental data. Therefore, this model is capable
for the optimisation and design of SCDE of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata
leaves with the presence of methanol as co – solvent.


The objective of this study was to develop a flexible and free image processing and analysis solution, based on the Public Domain ImageJ platform, for the segmentation and analysis of complex biological plant root systems in soil from x-ray tomography 3D images. Contrasting root architectures from wheat, barley and chickpea root systems were grown in soil and scanned using a high resolution micro-tomography system. A macro (Root1) was developed that reliably identified with good to high accuracy complex root systems (10% overestimation for chickpea, 1% underestimation for wheat, 8% underestimation for barley) and provided analysis of root length and angle. In-built flexibility allowed the user interaction to (a) amend any aspect of the macro to account for specific user preferences, and (b) take account of computational limitations of the platform. The platform is free, flexible and accurate in analysing root system metrics.


Sardine moist meals were inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae IFO 4202 seed and fermented. Accompanying the growth of the fungus, the chemical composition of the meals significantly changed during incubation. The fermentation contributed to antioxidation of lipids and reduction of histamine. Glucose supplement during fermentation was effective in inhibiting the production of volatile basic nitrogenous compounds. Fermented meals maintained superior quality of the proteins, protecting amino acid residues during incubation. The initial bacterial cell counts in meals were 3×102 CFU/g and reached 108 CFU/g in 72-h incubation. The Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., Moraxella spp. and Acinetobacter spp., were predominant in the initial meals. Gram-positive bacteria, especially Micrococcus spp., gradually became predominant during incubation. Fermentation and glucose supplement enhanced this predominancy of Micrococcus spp. during incubation. Fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae in the presence of glucose was considered to be effective for improvement of the chemical, nutritional and microbiological quality of fish meals.


Human gut microbiome dysbiosis has been associated with the onset of metabolic diseases and disorders. However, the critical factors leading to dysbiosis are poorly understood. In this study, we provide increasing evidence of the association of diet type and body mass index (BMI) and how they relatively influence the taxonomic structure of the gut microbiota with respect to the causation of gut microbiome dysbiosis. The study included randomly selected Alabama residents (n = 81), including females (n = 45) and males (n = 36). The demographics data included age (33 ± 13.3 years), height (1.7 ± 0.11 meters), and weight (82.3 ± 20.6 kg). The mean BMI was 28.3 ± 7.01, equating to an overweight BMI category. A cross‐sectional case–control design encompassing the newly recognized effect size approach to bioinformatics analysis was used to analyze data from donated stool samples and accompanying nutrition surveys. We investigated the microbiome variations in the Bacteroidetes‐Firmicutes ratio relative to BMI, food categories, and dietary groups at stratified abundance percentages of <20%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and ≥70%. We further investigated variation in the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla composition (at the genus and species level) in relation to BMI, food categories, and dietary groups (Westernized or healthy). The Pearson Correlation coefficient as an indication of effect size across Alpha diversity indices was used to test the hypothesis (H0): increased BMI has greater effect on taxonomic diversity than Westernized diet type, (Ha): increased BMI does not have a greater effect on taxonomic diversity than Westernized diet type. In conclusion, we rejected the (H0) as our results demonstrated that Westernized diet type had an effect size of 0.22 posing a greater impact upon the gut microbiota diversity than an increased BMI with an effect size of 0.16. This implied Westernized diet as a critical factor in causing dysbiosis as compared to an overweight or obese body mass index.


Background: A fad diet is a broad term used to describe dieting methods that recommend altering the intake of macronutrients to specific proportions or instruct people to intake or avoid particular foods, often with the goal of rapid weight loss. Previous literature reviews report social influence impacts general diet behaviour, but have yet to examine fad diets, specifically. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize literature related to social influence on an individual's fad diet use and understand the sociocultural factors related to diet use. Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases were searched to identify articles investigating the impact of social on fad diet use. Covidence was used to manage the review process and Garrard's Matrix Method was used to extract data from reviewed articles (n   =   13). Results: A majority of reviewed studies examined interpersonal influence (62%) and reported social influence impacting a variety of fad diet behaviours (92%). Interpersonal and media influence were highlighted as motivating factors for adopting unhealthy dieting methods (54%), and studies showed interpersonal support impacted adoption and maintenance of fad diet use (23%). Also, social norms were reported to influence unhealthy weight control behaviours (15%). Discussion: This review revealed social influence is associated with the adoption, adherence, and termination of fad diets. The prevalence of fad diets in society and the lack of research on this topic warrants further examination of factors related to fad diets use and the spread among interpersonal networks.


When entering high-school, students are met with new requirements and expectations. A lot of students with learning disabilities have poorly developed basic school skills and metacognitive strategies. These difficulties are most expressed with general educational subjects, including English. Difficulties with learning English are most often derived from the native language and therefore expressed in the same manner, but may also arise because of memory problems, anxiety and difficulties with management of grammar.
The importance of knowing foreign languages has increased considerably in the last years. This has led to new challenges in foreign language classes, requiring adaptations and implementing new methods and approaches. Hereinafter I focus on helping a student with learning disabilities with learning English and state different adaptations, approaches and recommendations. Within the frames of strategies, approaches and methods for learning and teaching English, I define metacognition, language learning strategies, multisensory learning, mnemotechinques, graphical organizers and memory cards.

In my empirical part, I included a 1st year student with learning disabilities, attending High school for catering and tourism (three-year program). First, I evaluated his starting knowledge of English and his abilities to learn English with tests, and then set up goals that he must accomplish with his teacher.
The goal of this empirical part was to devise a training aid, which would, through appropriate strategies, activities, assignments and materials, help with better knowledge of English and more efficient learning strategies of the student. The training which lasted 5 months (18 meetings) proved to be effective, as comparison of initial and final testing showed progress in knowledge and selection of more efficient learning strategies.
Increase in performance is also confirmed by the students' final grade in English, dobro (3).


In mobile driven market to carry-on with present technology high speed application requires faster methods of square architecture. In this work high performance binary number squarer using the concept of Vedic mathematic sutras is presented. Vedic multiplier and binary adder circuits are used for the design of Vedic squaring circuit architecture. Different optimizations are presented to design squarer circuit architecture to have low power and high speed. Optimizations are carried-out by Partial Product (PP) folding method and rearrangement of the PPs. The proposed Vedic squarer circuit is synthesized using Xilinx 13.1 version tool for Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) flow and Cadence 12.10 version tool for Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) flow for the analysis of dynamic power consumption and propagation delay and the design is simulated using Modelsim 6.5 version tool for functional verification.


Aim: Sturge–Weber Syndrome, also known as encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis, is an uncommon, nonhereditary developmental anomaly.
Methodology: A 48-year-old woman presented for routine dental treatment. She had a history of seizures and had a port wine stain on the right side of her face, which followed the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Skull radiographs revealed "tram-track" calcifications.
Conclusions: The early diagnosis of Sturge–Weber Syndrome requires a multidisciplinary approach. Oral health care professionals need adequate knowledge and understanding of the disease process to help diagnose and treat these patients.
How to cite this article: Jacob LE, Mathew AL, Omal PM, Abraham T, Thomas J, Varghese S. A Rare Case of Encephalotrigeminal Angiomatosis – A Case Report Int Dent Res 2017;7:13-6.
Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.


A unique case of ALL in three monozygotic triplets diagnosed at the age of 24, 27 and 37 months is described. Archived bone marrow smears were available for molecular analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) and IGK genes and T-cell receptor (TCR)-delta and gamma gene rearrangements. A shared IGH rearrangement was found in triplets "A" and "B", and an identical rearrangement of TCR-delta in triplets "B" and "C". These data suggest a common, monoclonal initiation of ALL in one of these three triplets, followed by dissemination of clonal progeny to the other twins via vascular anastomoses within the single, monochorionic placenta that they shared in utero. Differences in IGH rearrangements in diagnostic samples also indicates divergent subclonal evolution of the original "pre-leukaemic" clone.


A well-known whakataukī (aphorism, proverb) tells us toku toa, he toa rangatira, quite literally 'my courage is inherited'. Wairaka is known as an impressive young wahine from pre-colonial times who, in the face of a life or death situation, stood up to adversity to supersede an important, long held tikanga Māori (protocol) to save the Ngāti Awa iwi. She is my whāea tipuna (ancestress) and because of her bravery, I like to carry her with me in my academic career as a screen studies scholar. Ensuring academic disciplines endure and are relevant throughout the generations requires consistently robust research, dynamic teaching, and leadership; but challenging academia with Indigenous knowledge goes beyond this. As Indigenous academic scholars, we must commit to satiating the academy with our research and teaching to appeal to the discipline's status quo, at the same time as upholding the values, expectations and ideals of our communities, those to whom we return once projects are complete. Therefore, Indigenous research is never truly over. The marriage between the discipline and our respective cultures however is never straightforward. Indigenous scholarship takes a much greater level of fearlessness because we must combat potential exclusion from the discipline that we are carving the outlines of our culture into. Thus, we must choose to either blend into the grooves of the existing disciplinary carvings, or to accept that we are a new adze. This is often met with obstructions. Primarily relying on critical Kaupapa Māori analysis comparing the existing and prospective fields of knowledge, this paper considers the potential of Indigenous research as a collective of holistic research strategies. It underlines some of the challenges associated with implementing Indigenous knowledge and diverting from disciplinary norms. In the way that our whāea tipuna Wairaka did, we can challenge the long held tikanga - the rules and strictures - that have sustained and satiated our disciplines for generations, to save or evolve our disciplines into the future. Like Wairaka, and many of your brave ancestors before you, we must be prepared to stand alone, and to be courageous as per our inheritance.


ABSTRACT This paper examines population trends, age-specific death rates and causes of death for the elderly Sami and settlers during the colonisation era (between 1750 and 1900). The source material is a set of data files from the Demographic Data Base (DDB) at Umeå University that covers parish records from three different parishes. Early in the colonisation period (1750–1840) the Sami had a lower proportion of the elderly population (⩾60 years old), compared to the non-Sami and the rest of Sweden. At the end of the colonisation period (1841–1900), the proportion of elderly Sami increased and was above the proportion of elderly non-Sami and more similar to the rest of Sweden. The analysis also reveals that the differences in mortality rates among the elderly Sami and their non-Sami counterparts diminished during the entire colonisation era (1750–1900), mainly because of an increased infant mortality among the non-Sami. Rather than ethnic differences in causes of death, the results show larger differences between the parishes. The study can conclude that the Sami population's mortality declined, the health improved, and the Sami advanced more rapidly in the model of epidemiologic transition, a milestone not yet reached by other indigenous people around the world.


So far, GNSS-R studies on sea surface wind retrieval from Delay-Doppler Maps (DDM) have focused on the best fitting of the model to the measurements. This paper proposes a new approach to retrieve the sea surface wind using DDM deconvolution. The proposed method is based on the direct restoration of scattering coefficients from two measured DDMs. Using the restored scattering coefficient images, the sea surface slope is estimated, and eventually the wind speed is retrieved from the sea surface slope. This paper presents the performance of the proposed method with the simulation results, and the advantages of the method.


Fecal bacteria peak concentrations and breakthrough times as affected by preferential flow to subsurface (tile) drainage systems following irrigation or rainfall are important when assessing the risk of contamination. Process-based, convective-dispersive modeling of microbial transport through preferential flow has been conducted. Likewise, regression modeling has been used to study solute transport (e.g., nitrate) under agricultural systems and can have advantages over process-based modeling, such as fewer or easier to determine parameters and easier determination of confidence intervals. However, empirical models (e.g., regression) have only rarely been used to investigate microbial transport. In addition, the selection of time response curves to empirically model simple, right skewed, single breakthrough events from field or laboratory data is generally an arbitrary choice and often considers only conventional distribution-shaped response curves, such as lognormal distributions. In this study, we evaluate four rational polynomial functions for modeling bromide and E. coli data from a single breakthrough event from a tile-drained field near Nashua, Iowa. Bromide and liquid swine manure were applied to the plot immediately prior to 42 mm of overhead sprinkler irrigation. E. coli and bromide concentrations were determined in subsurface drainage water samples collected for the next 24 h. Nonlinear iteratively re-weighted least squares regression procedures were used to model the breakthrough data. The maximum event value, time of occurrence, and event total were estimated from the parameters for each model. Selection of the best model was based on multiple performance criteria. A simple rational polynomial with a linear factor in the numerator and quadratic form in the denominator was the overall best choice for E. coli (R² = 0.92). A related fractional order form also known as the Gunary model was the best choice for bromide (R² = 0.93). In comparison, the more commonly assumed lognormal distribution described only 78% of the variation in E. coli and 68% of the variation in bromide, with a weighted mean square error 3.0 to 4.6 times larger than each selected rational polynomial model. In this experiment, the chosen models clearly tracked E. coli and bromide distribution better than the lognormal model.


Context. We report the detection of oxygen-rich circumstellar envelopes in stars of the nearby (700 kpc) starburst galaxy IC 10. The star formation history and the chemical environment of this galaxy makes it an ideal target to observe dust production by high-mass stars in a low-metallicity environment. Aims. The goal of this study is to identify oxygen-rich stars in IC 10 and to constrain their nature between asymptotic giant branch stars (AGBs), red supergiants (RSGs), and other infrared bright sources. We examine the mass-loss rate of the stars and compare to results obtained for the Magellanic Clouds. Our objectives are to (1) assess whether RSGs can be significant dust producers in IC 10, and (2), solve the discrepancy between the star formation history of IC 10 and the relatively low number of RSGs detected in the optical. Methods. We search for silicate dust in emission by using the spectral map observed with the Infrared Spectrograph on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. The optical (UBVRI) and infrared (JHK, Spitzer/IRAC and Spitzer/MIPS) photometry is used to assert the membership of the stars to IC 10 and disentangle between AGBs and RSGs. Radiative models are used to infer mass-loss rates and stellar luminosities. Results. The luminosity and colors of at least 9 silicate emission sources are consistent with stars within IC 10. Furthermore, the photometry of 2 of these sources is consistent with RSGs. We derive dust mass-loss rates similar to the values found in the Magellanic Clouds. Accounting for the sample completeness, RSGs are not important contributors to the dust mass budget in IC 10.


New functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene)s (P3HT) have been designed and synthesized with the aim of increasing the dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in solutions and in thin films of semiconducting polymers. Dispersion in solution has been assessed by sedimentation tests while the thin film morphology has been analyzed by TEM and AFM. Both the physisorption of P3HT chains (via pyrene end-groups) or their chemical grafting (onto amine functions generated on the CNT surface) lead to a much better dispersion in solution and in the solid. In thin films, P3HT fibrils are observed to arrange perpendicular to the CNT surface, which can be understood on the basis of molecular modeling simulations. Finally, the effect of dispersing those P3HT/CNT nanocomposites in bulk-heterojunction P3HT-based photovoltaic devices has been evaluated.


Topology control and routing protocols are used by designers of wireless packet data networks to lower the node degree, simplify routing and lower the nodes' energy consumption, while preserving strong connectivity. We assume a popular fading channel model and study the impact of several topology control schemes on the transmit power of nodes randomly distributed over a large area according to a Poisson point process, where each node controls the pattern of its one-hop neighbors by independently adjusting its transmit power. We provide the distribution of the transmit power of individual nodes under several different topology control algorithms, allowing designers to estimate the life time of battery energized devices, and the implications of choosing the nodes' peak transmit power. We also allow easy comparisons between several different topology control algorithms with respect to the nodes' power consumption.


Ultrasensitive response motifs, capable of converting graded stimuli into binary responses, are well-conserved in signal transduction networks. Although it has been shown that a cascade arrangement of multiple ultrasensitive modules can enhance the system's ultrasensitivity, how a given combination of layers affects a cascade's ultrasensitivity remains an open question for the general case. Here, we introduce a methodology that allows us to determine the presence of sequestration effects and to quantify the relative contribution of each module to the overall cascade's ultrasensitivity. The proposed analysis framework provides a natural link between global and local ultrasensitivity descriptors and it is particularly well-suited to characterize and understand mathematical models used to study real biological systems. As a case study, we have considered three mathematical models introduced by O'Shaughnessy et al. to study a tunable synthetic MAPK cascade, and we show how our methodology can help modelers better understand alternative models.


ABSTRACT Credit for discovery of heparin at the beginning of this century continues to be debated. Although McLean's initial observation eventually led to its discovery, Howell, McLean's mentor, developed the observation and discovered its polysaccharide form. The contributions of both investigators were examined to establish their roles in the discovery of heparin.


This article extends the work by Armstrong and Shi on CUmulative SUM (CUSUM) person-fit methodology. The authors present new theoretical considerations concerning the use of CUSUM person-fit statistics based on likelihood ratios for the purpose of detecting cheating and random guessing by individual test takers. According to the Neyman–Pearson Lemma, the optimality of such statistics relies on how accurately normal and aberrant behaviors are modeled. General and specific models for cheating and random guessing are investigated. The detection rates of several statistics are compared using simulated data. Results showed that the likelihood-based CUSUM statistics that use the proposed models for aberrant behavior performed better than some of the more commonly used statistics, especially for cheating behavior.


Current experience with renal transplantation indicates that projected five-year survival rates greater than 90% can be attained in recipients receiving kidneys from related donors.1,2This achievement, even more remarkable because the basic mechanisms of immunologic rejection remain obscure, has been gained with the sustained use of azathioprine and prednisone. These two drugs, introduced into practice in 1961,3remain to date the primary agents of clinical immunosuppression. The initial use of azathioprine, at dosages of 10 mg/kg body weight, was attended by severe bone marrow depression and a 40% mortality from infection during the first three months.4Long-term survival became possible only after this "high-risk" period was passed. The dosages could then be reduced to levels which maintained immunosuppression, but reduced the risk from infection. As various techniques and auxiliary drugs were developed which eliminated the need for such high doses of axathioprine in the immediate postoperative period,


Information theoretic measures of incremental parser load were generated from a phrase structure parser and a dependency parser and then compared with incremental eye movement metrics collected for the same temporarily syntactically ambiguous sentences, focussing on the disambiguating word. The findings show that the
surprisal and entropy reduction metrics computed over a phrase structure grammar make good candidates for predictors
of text readability for human comprehenders. This leads to a suggestion for the use of such metrics in Natural Language Generation (NLG)


Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) is an innovative technology employed for enhancing the energy sustainability of wireless devices with a limited life span. The idea of integrating WPT in wireless communication leads to the idea of Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer (SWIPT) that transfers information and power to wireless devices simultaneously, thereby resulting in a drastic increase in spectral efficiency of the network. SWIPT aided Cooperative Relaying (CoR) has emerged as a new trend for Fifth Generation (5G) and Beyond 5G (B5G) systems owing to the rapidly increasing challenges faced by these networks. Cooperative relaying combined with SWIPT can be helpful in overcoming the rising demands of next generation wireless networks by providing an enhanced data rate, low latency, shorter coverage, wide spread connectivity of massive number of devices along with energy-efficiency. This article provides a comprehensive review of SWIPT technology that enables the use of CoR networks for 5G and B5G mobile networks including the significance, technologies, and protocols which can be applied. This article also examines the deployment of cooperative SWIPT involving a single relay, multiple relays and optimal relay selection, multi antenna systems and optimal beamforming. SWIPT under the influence of Hardware Impairments (HI), imperfect Channel State Information (CSI), non-linear energy harvesting models, Intelligent Reconfigurable Surface (IRS), massive MIMO, massive access for the Internet of Things (IoT) has been discussed in detail. Meanwhile, this study discusses key challenges being faced in the implementation of SWIPT for future wireless networks that need to be addressed efficiently.


This work evaluated the effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on larviculture of matrinxa, Brycon amazonicus. Oocytes of three females were pooled, fertilized with pooled semen of two males and separated in four batches that were immersed in triiodothyronine solutions as follows: M1 (control – water); M2 (0.01 mg/L T3); M3 (0.05 mg/L T3); and M4 (0.1 mg/L T3). Triiodothyronine did not affect fertilization rate and number of hatched larvae. Weight of hatched larvae was significantly higher in treatments M3 and M4, as well as among larvae sampled at Day 12 in all treatments. After 12 d of rearing, biomass gain was higher in the hormone treatments (M1 688 ± 569 mg; M2 2436 ± 562 mg; M3 3572 ± 569 mg; and M4 4129 ± 770 mg). In general, coefficients of variation of weight (CVw) and length (CVl) did not differ among treatments and cannibalism was registered between 36 and 72 hours post-hatching (h.p.h.) without differences among treatments. Larval survival increased in the hormone treatments (M1 26.5%; M2 37.6%; M3 40.6%; and M4 40.8%). The results indicate that the immersion of matrinxa eggs in triiodothyronine can promote beneficial effects to its larviculture and indicate promising perspectives for culture of this tropical species.


Ureterosciatic herniation, the protrusion of the hernia sac through the sciatic foramen, is an extremely rare cause of ureteral obstruction. We describe a case revealed by severe left back pain in a 72-year-old female. She was referred to our hospital for urological assessment of left hydronephrosis observed by ultrasonography. Intravenous ureterography (IVU) showed findings compatible with a left sciatic ureter, a dilated ureter with a fixed kinking, which is known as the 'curlicue' sign. We decided to attempt recovery of the herniated ureter using a retrograde approach. Ureteral stent placement was performed to decompress the dilated upper urinary tract. The ureterosciatic hernia was relieved with the passage of a flexible guide wire and a double-pigtail stent. Three months after ureteral stenting, she refused continuing to have an indwelling stent and the stent was removed. Thereafter, IVU revealed recurrent ureterosciatic hernia; however, there was no hydroureter or hydronephrosis. The patient is currently being under observation for 6 years after stenting and continues to be without hydronephrosis or symptoms. Placement of an internal stent possibly provides the rigidity to the ureter, thereby reducing the hernia and urinary obstruction. In the previous reports, most symptomatic patients have been treated surgically, with conservative therapy reserved for asymptomatic patients. For the patient who is elderly or a poor surgical candidate, retrograde stenting may provide safe reduction and efficacious treatment. This endourological approach provides a minimally invasive means for the management of urinary obstruction caused by ureterosciatic herniation.


Author(s): Kunitomi, Mark | Advisor(s): Andino, Raul P | Abstract: Arboviruses cause an overwhelming number of clinical cases of disease each year around the world. The kinetics of viral replication is of critical importance to the dissemination of virus within the mosquito and ultimately transmission between hosts. Arboviral replication and dissemination is dependent upon their ability to evade the immune response and modulate cell toxicity in two separate hosts. Although there is a tremendous amount of study on the replication of arboviruses in mammalian hosts, there is much less focus on their replication in insects. In mosquitos the siRNA pathway of RNA interference (RNAi) is an indispensible component of the antiviral immune system and a key repressor of viral replication. In this work, we explore two poorly understood aspects of antiviral RNAi in mosquitoes: systemic dsRNA spread and piRNA mediated immunity. We show that the Aedes aegypti cells, Aag2, effectively take up long dsRNA from the extracellular medium to initiate RNAi. Pharmacological and genetic analyses reveal that dsRNA enters the cell via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Uptake of exogenous dsRNA directed against Sindbis virus (SINV) inhibits viral replication. However, SINV inhibits RNAi initiated by dsRNA soaking after infection by inhibiting acidification of endosomes. Thus, Sindbis virus may control RNAi antiviral immunity in mosquitoes by suppressing exogenous dsRNA uptake. In addition to its biological role, from a technical point of view the observation that RNAi can be initiated by naked dsRNA in Aedes aegypti cells may facilitate studies encompassing a wide variety of biological processes in mosquitoes. We also show that in infected cells and mosquitos, both virally derived siRNAs (v-siRNAs) and piRNAs (v-piRNAs) are detected in Aedes aegypti. Although the piRNA pathway is generally associated with germline defense against selfish genetic elements such as transposons, in Aedes aegypti the piRNA pathway mediates antiviral immunity in vivo in somatic tissues and characterize the mechanism of v-piRNA biogenesis. We show that both retro-transcription dependent synthesis of viral DNA and Piwi4 are essential for the biogenesis of virally derived small RNAs and that disruption of either causes an increase in viral replication. We propose that the synthesis of DNA from non-retroviral RNA viruses form loci termed Endogenous Viral Elements (EVEs) that are transcribed as piRNA precursors and feed into the 'Ping-Pong' mechanism of secondary piRNA synthesis using viral RNA as a target. Our results illustrate a novel somatic function for the piRNA pathway where retro-transcription of viral RNA produces DNA loci that initiate small RNA synthesis to target and degrade RNA viruses. These observations highlight additional complexity to RNAi mediated antiviral immunity in A. aegypti.


Prognostic Value of the Expression of p53 in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Background. The p53 gene is frequently mutated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the effect of p53 gene mutations on patient prognosis remains unclear. Aim. The aim of this study is to determine the association of p53 abnormalities with clinical data and prognosis in patients with NSCLC. Material and Methods. Tumor tissues from 80 patients with NSCLC were assessed by immunohistochemistry for expression of p53. The immunohistochemical study was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections using LCAB immunoperoxidase method with mouse anti-p53 monoclonal antibody (clone DO-7; DAKO). Results. Forty-three (53,75%) of 80 patients revealed aberrant immunostaining for p53. Except to the histological type of tumors, there was no correlation of p53 expression with the clinicopathologic features. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that patients with p53 positive status had poor survival rate (p=0,005 by the Log Rank test= 7,914). In Cox, regression analysis p53 and performance status emerged as independent prognostic factors (p<0,009 and p<0,000 respectively). Conclusion. The results from this study indicated that the aberrant expression of p53 is significant and independent predictable prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC.


Abstract This is the first in a series of "Hemp production notes," presenting an overview of hemp production techniques for a specific region or country. This paper reviews the entire production sequence of hemp in France, from the beginning (soil requirement, fertilization, sowing) to the end (harvesting techniques, yield levels).


ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) encodes proteins required for invasion of gut epithelial cells. The timing of invasion is tightly controlled by a complex regulatory network. The transcription factor (TF) HilD is the master regulator of this process and senses environmental signals associated with invasion. HilD activates transcription of genes within and outside SPI-1, including six other TFs. Thus, the transcriptional program associated with host cell invasion is controlled by at least 7 TFs. However, very few of the regulatory targets are known for these TFs, and the extent of the regulatory network is unclear. In this study, we used complementary genomic approaches to map the direct regulatory targets of all 7 TFs. Our data reveal a highly complex and interconnected network that includes many previously undescribed regulatory targets. Moreover, the network extends well beyond the 7 TFs, due to the inclusion of many additional TFs and noncoding RNAs. By comparing gene expression profiles of regulatory targets for the 7 TFs, we identified many uncharacterized genes that are likely to play direct roles in invasion. We also uncovered cross talk between SPI-1 regulation and other regulatory pathways, which, in turn, identified gene clusters that likely share related functions. Our data are freely available through an intuitive online browser and represent a valuable resource for the bacterial research community. IMPORTANCE Invasion of epithelial cells is an early step during infection by Salmonella enterica and requires secretion of specific proteins into host cells via a type III secretion system (T3SS). Most T3SS-associated proteins required for invasion are encoded in a horizontally acquired genomic locus known as Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). Multiple regulators respond to environmental signals to ensure appropriate timing of SPI-1 gene expression. In particular, there are seven transcription regulators that are known to be involved in coordinating expression of SPI-1 genes. We have used complementary genome-scale approaches to map the gene targets of these seven regulators. Our data reveal a highly complex and interconnected regulatory network that includes many previously undescribed target genes. Moreover, our data functionally implicate many uncharacterized genes in the invasion process and reveal cross talk between SPI-1 regulation and other regulatory pathways. All datasets are freely available through an intuitive online browser. Invasion of epithelial cells is an early step during infection by Salmonella enterica and requires secretion of specific proteins into host cells via a type III secretion system (T3SS). Most T3SS-associated proteins required for invasion are encoded in a horizontally acquired genomic locus known as Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). Multiple regulators respond to environmental signals to ensure appropriate timing of SPI-1 gene expression. In particular, there are seven transcription regulators that are known to be involved in coordinating expression of SPI-1 genes. We have used complementary genome-scale approaches to map the gene targets of these seven regulators. Our data reveal a highly complex and interconnected regulatory network that includes many previously undescribed target genes. Moreover, our data functionally implicate many uncharacterized genes in the invasion process and reveal cross talk between SPI-1 regulation and other regulatory pathways. All datasets are freely available through an intuitive online browser.


One of the persistent challenges in building machine-learned models for mobile health applications of fine-grained activity is the generation of accurate annotations with well-defined start/end time labels. Large amounts of unlabeled data exist, and annotation is often labor-intensive and costly. Moreover, it is not clear whether labeling all the data is even necessary to building the most effective machine-learned model. Active learning approaches harness model uncertainty by selecting the most informative samples, reducing the time and effort in labeling unnecessary segments of the data. Model uncertainty, however, is strongly linked to classifier performance, introducing bias in sample selection and impacting model generalizability. In this paper, we propose and study the effects of a new active learning framework on the Necksense dataset which harnesses intrinsic uncertainty as well as model uncertainty by utilizing the Area Under the Margin (AUM) statistic, leading to a significant reduction in the number of samples needed to annotate. We also show that we are able to design a more generalizable model training on 0.15% (n=192 samples) of the data compared to the original model trained on 85% (n=104,681 samples) of the data.


Developmental dysplasia of the hip is the all-encompassing term used to describe the wide spectrum of disorders of the development of the hip that manifest in various forms and at different ages. Developmental dysplasia of the hip often evolves over time because the structures of the hip are normal during embryogenesis but gradually become abnormal. Such variability in pathology is associated with a similarly wide range in management options and recommendations aimed at preventing hip joint arthrosis. These options may be instituted at any time between birth and adulthood as techniques aimed at preserving the native hip or replacing the arthritic hip. Many of these management options are clearly indicated and considered standard practice. However, with the evolution of the understanding of hip biomechanics, better knowledge of the long-term outcomes of hip joint-preserving surgeries, and ever-improving technology influencing hip arthroplasty come new controversies, especially whether to preserve or replace the mature hip.


In 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Miami Conservancy District investigated the effectiveness of methods used to remove arsenic from drinking water at 11 homes in southwestern and central Ohio. The untreated (raw) groundwater had arsenic concentrations of 7.7–382 micrograms per liter (μg/L), and the median concentration was 30 μg/L. The pH was neutral to slightly alkaline, and redox conditions were strongly reducing, as indicated by high concentrations of iron. The predominant arsenic species was arsenite (As3+), which is difficult to treat because it exists in water as an uncharged compound (H3AsO3). The water-treatment systems included (1) seven singletap reverse-osmosis systems, (2) two whole-house oxidation/ filtration systems, and (3) two systems that included wholehouse anion exchange and single-tap reverse osmosis. All but one system included pretreatment by a water softener, and two systems included preoxidation to convert arsenite (As3+) to arsenate (As5+) before treatment by anion exchange. None of the treatment systems removed all of the arsenic from the drinking water. About one-half of the systems decreased the arsenic concentration to less than the maximum contamination level of 10 μg/L. The effectiveness of the systems varied widely; the percentage of arsenic removed ranged from 2 to 90 percent, and the median was 65 percent. At some sites, the low effectiveness of arsenic removal may have been related to system maintenance and(or) operation issues. At two sites, homeowners acknowledged that the treatment systems had not been maintained for several years. At two other sites, the treatment systems were being maintained, but the water-quality data indicated that one of the components was not working, unbeknownst to the homeowner. EPA research at a small number of sites in Ohio indicated that operation and maintenance of some arsenictreatment systems was not always simple. Another factor that affected system effectiveness was the quality of the raw water. In general, the treatment systems were less effective at treating higher concentrations of arsenic. For five sites with raw-water arsenic concentrations of 10–30 μg/L, the systems removed 65–81 percent of the arsenic, and the final concentrations were less than the maximum contamination level. For three sites with higher raw-water arsenic concentrations (50–75 μg/L), the systems removed 22–34 percent of the arsenic; and the final concentrations were 4–5 times more than the maximum contamination level. Other characteristics of the raw water may have affected the performance of treatment systems; in general, raw water with the higher arsenic concentrations also had higher pH, higher concentrations of organic carbon and ammonia, and more reducing (methanogenic) redox conditions. For sites with raw-water arsenic concentrations of 10–30 μg/L, two types of systems (reverse osmosis and oxidation/filtration) removed similar amounts of arsenic, but the quality of the treated water differed in other respects. Reverse osmosis caused substantial decreases in pH, alkalinity, and concentrations of most ions. On the other hand, oxidation/filtration using manganese-based media caused a large increase of manganese concentrations, from less than 50 μg/L in raw water to more than 700 μg/L in outflow from the oxidation/ filtration units. It is not known if the results of this study are widely applicable; the number of systems sampled was relatively small, and each system was sampled only once. Further study may be warranted to investigate whether available methods of arsenic removal are effective/practical for residential use in areas like Ohio, were groundwater with elevated arsenic concentrations is strongly reducing, and the predominant arsenic species is arsenite (As3+).


We study the potential impact of different kinds of liveness information on the space consumption of a program in a garbage collected environment, specifically for Java. The idea is to measure the time difference between the actual time an object is collected by the garbage collector (GC) and the potential earliest time an object could be collected assuming liveness information were available. We focus on the following kinds of liveness information: (i) stack-reference liveness (local reference variable liveness in Java), (ii) global-reference liveness (static reference variable liveness in Java), (iii) heap-reference liveness (instance reference variable liveness or array reference liveness in Java), and (vi) any combination of (i)-(iii). We also provide some insights on the kind of interface between a compiler and GC that could achieve these potential savings.The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) was instrumented to measure (dynamic) liveness information. Experimental results are given for 10 benchmarks, including 5 of the SPEC-jvm98 benchmark suite. We show that in general stack-reference liveness may yield small benefits, global-reference liveness combined with stack-reference liveness may yield medium benefits, and heap-reference liveness yields the largest potential benefit. Specifically, for heap-reference liveness we measure an average potential savings of 39% using an interface with complete liveness information, and an average savings of 15% using a more restricted interface.


Sparse data and inadequate methodology have limited our ability to characterize disease- caused forest disturbances and their effects on plant communities. We describe the formulation of an empirically derived, stochastic simulation model that predicts tree-by-tree mortality due to oak wilt, an important disease in central United States hardwood forests. Oak wilt has two means of spreading: through root grafts between adjacent trees, and by insect vector over longer distances. The model describes the level of spread from outside the woodlot, the level of within-plot vector spread, and the probabilities of root graft transmission between pairs of trees. Also included are the time between consecutive tree deaths and the spatial characteristics of patch spreading. The model generates stochastic mortality which is highly variable even in runs having identical parameters. As parameters are varied, average mortality is found to be highly sensitive to changes in parameters specifiying insect vector spread in general, and new introductions to a woodlot in particular. This supports the hypothesis that oak wilt dynamics are constrained by the rare occurrences of woodlot introductions. Highly variable damage, as seen both in the field and in model results, follows from this constraint and the positive feedback between the two types of local spread. The model results also explain regional differences in the amount of damage to oaks and average size of disease pockets (foci). Simulations using data from southern Wisconsin stands predict serious damage in both dry and dry-mesic forests, but in view of the advance reproduction, oak wilt disturbance seems likely to shift species composition in only the dry-mesic forests.


The post-crisis economic reforms in South Korea have been uneven. While financial reform has been thoroughly carried out, corporate restructuring and labor market flexibility have not been successfully implemented to transform the micro-behavior of the chaebol and labor unions. The unevenness of economic reform is attributable to sociopolitical dynamics.


Since the late 1990s the popularity of the popular Malay cult novels in Malaysia has grown enormously. Writers of the popular cult novels such as Ramlee Awang Murshid, who were sidelined at one time, began to attract the attention of literary critics. They form the new wave of young writers who are becoming popular very quickly, taking advantage of a new segment of readers born in a society dominated by commercialism, urbanisation and technology. Popular Malay authors who write cult novels have also taken advantage of developments in information and communication technology that enhance the popularity of their works. This journal article is available in Kunapipi: http://ro.uow.edu.au/kunapipi/vol32/iss1/7


Phytotherapeutic effect of some plants leaves, viz., Calotropis procera, Ricinus communis and Azadirachta indica and their paired combinations on the growth of tomato and Meloidogyne javanica infection showed that the plant growth (height and weight) in all the treated plants increased significantly over control with subsequent reduction in the nematode population. However, castor (40 g/kg soil) was the most effective in reducing M. javanica in tomato over control (gall index, second-stage juveniles, number of egg masses/g root and eggs/egg mass).


The aim of this article was to develop scientific activity in Russian universities. Using the survey method, a sample of quantitative indicators of research output for the years 2011–2019 was formed. The respondents were comprised of 934 lecturers from 13 universities in Russia with different work experience, academic degrees, and indicators of scientific activity. The main components method was used to study the structure of scientific activity productivity indicators. Using the method of additive convolution, a five-factor integral model of the structure of scientific activity of a teacher was formed to evaluate the individual and collective productivity of scientific activity. The factor values and the integral indicator of scientific activity output were calculated, showing that the individual growth rates of the young lecturers' output exceeded the growth rates of the older lecturers. Destructive factors relating to the scientific activity output of the lecturers and researchers in Russian universities (divided into two groups of young scientists and senior scientists) were determined and systematized based on the level of dominant influence. The features of the influence of the factor of emotional burnout on the scientific productivity of university teachers were revealed.


To investigate the functional heterogeneity of mouse mast cells, we extracted and purified cutaneous and peritoneal mast cells from 10- to 18-week-old BALB/c mice and compared their responses to secretagogues. Cutaneous mast cells (CMC) were extracted from mouse ears after digestion with hyaluronidase and collagenase in MEM containing 25% fetal calf serum and purified on a discontinuous Percoll gradient. The histamine content of cells obtained from the 30/40% interface was 1.0 +/- 0.1 pg/cell (mean +/- SE), with a mast-cell purity of 68.6 +/- 4.4% and a viability of greater than 93%. Peritoneal mast cells (PMC) were obtained by lavage with modified Tyrode's buffer followed by purification on 22.5% and 3-9% metrizamide gradients. The histamine content of cells was 12.2 +/- 0.8 pg/cell, with a mast-cell purity of 95.9 +/- 0.6% and a viability of greater than 95%. Histamine release induced by A23187 from CMC peaked at 3.0 microM A23187 (19.1 +/- 4.2%), at 3.0 min (22.3 +/- 2.3%), and at 30 degrees C (17.6 +/- 2.6%). In contrast, histamine release from PMC peaked at 8.0 microM of A23187 (49.4 +/- 12.1%) and at 15.0 min (48.5 +/- 12.2%). Release of histamine from PMC was observed at all the temperatures tested from 22 to 45 degrees C. Histamine release from CMC and PMC induced by A23187 was calcium dependent. Histamine release induced by compound 48/80 from CMC peaked at 0.5 micrograms/ml of compound 48/80 (23.0 +/- 7.4%) and at 5.0 min incubation (16.3 +/- 2.0%), whereas release from PMC peaked at 10.0 micrograms/ml (31.9 +/- 2.6%); release from PMC was similar at all the time points examined (1-15 min). Histamine release induced by substance P (SP) from both CMC and PMC peaked at 5.0 microM (18.8 +/- 6.6% and 12.6 +/- 3.7%, respectively); however, the maximal release from CMC occurred at 3.0 min (18.2 +/- 3.2%) and from PMC at 30.0 min (11.4 +/- 2.0%). SP-induced histamine release from CMC was calcium dependent, whereas release from PMC was only partially inhibited by EDTA. This study demonstrated that functional heterogeneity exists between these two populations of mast cells.


ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate evidence in the literature on procedures for measuring gastric tube insertion in newborns and verifying its placement, using alternative procedures to radiological examination. Method: an integrative review of the literature carried out in the Cochrane, LILACS, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Scopus databases using the descriptors "Intubation, gastrointestinal" and "newborns" in original articles. Results: seventeen publications were included and categorized as "measuring method" or "technique for verifying placement". Regarding measuring methods, the measurements of two morphological distances and the application of two formulas, one based on weight and another based on height, were found. Regarding the techniques for assessing placement, the following were found: electromagnetic tracing, diaphragm electrical activity, CO2 detection, indigo carmine solution, epigastrium auscultation, gastric secretion aspiration, color inspection, and evaluation of pH, enzymes and bilirubin. Conclusion: the measuring method using nose to earlobe to a point midway between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus measurement presents the best evidence. Equations based on weight and height need to be experimentally tested. The return of secretion into the tube aspiration, color assessment and secretion pH are reliable indicators to identify gastric tube placement, and are the currently indicated techniques.


Background: The albumin serum level is one of the most important nutritional indices and is directly correlated to the uremic patient's hemodialysis outcome. One of the factors that can interfere with protein metabolism is the possible loss of albumin through the dialysis membrane that can contribute to keeping levels chronically low, especially for high-flux convective treatments requiring high permeability membranes and the removal of high volumes of plasma water. Methods: Twenty stable patients undergoing chronic renal replacement therapy for at least 3 months were included. Each patient performed four hemofiltration treatments, 2 in post-dilution and 2 in pre-dilution (post-D, pre-D) with a polyamide membrane (Poliflux, 2.1 m2). Results: The amount of albumin found in the ultrafiltrate was 2.9 ± 1.5 g in post-D and 1.7 ± 0.8 g in pre-D (p < 0.01). Albumin loss during online HF was lower than 3 g per treatment, and significantly lower in pre-D than in post-D. Furthermore, we observed a correlation between the transmembrane pressure and the albumin loss in both techniques, but with different slopes (y = 0.351x – 10.014 in post-dilution and y = 0.0639x + 8.2403 in pre-dilution; p = 0.01): the same transmembrane pressure determines larger albumin losses in post-dilution than in pre-dilution. Conclusions: Convective treatments that utilize high exchange volume can be performed with no risk of a significant albumin loss, particularly in pre-D where the proteic component's contact with the dialysis membrane is lower. In post-dilution the transmembrane pressure is a relevant factor in determining the protein loss.


Helipad located on ships greatly increases their ability to perform tactical and logistical abilities. They allow performing reconnaissance from the air, transportation of cargos and people to and from the ship. Landing on a moving ship particularly small size during bad weather is not a safe manoeuvre. Article provides an overview of existing solutions that improve safety during the landing manoeuvre of the helicopter to the ship and describes an innovative mechanism with can stabilize helicopter pad in four degrees of freedom. This solution is characterized in that the landing plate is movable and actuated simultaneously by two support plates and two levers. Plates and levers are driven by separate linear motors that move along the guides connected to the base. The main feature of the mechanism is that when the base is not stable, it can reduce the linear movement of the landing platform in the vertical and transverse direction and angular displacement around an axis perpendicular and parallel to the axis of the ship. A preferred feature of the mechanism is that in folded position it occupies relatively little space. In addition, advantageous attribute of the mechanism is its large working area, enabling the reduction of high amplitude vibration. The article contains a calculation of the kinematics for the proposed structure of the mechanism. It also includes speed drives waveforms, which are the result of simulations for the input parameters of the ship movement.


A familiar trope of science fiction is that journeys into alternate realities leave neither the travellers nor their worlds unchanged. In Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall an implanted memory of a fantasy holiday to Mars sets in train a sequence of events through which construction worker Douglas Quaid becomes a secret agent who terraforms the planet's atmosphere. In Tron software engineer Kevin Flynn, digitised and ingested into the virtual worlds he creates, finds he is able to change the system from within, defeating the Master Control Program and ultimately finding justice for himself in the real world. When Alice goes through the looking glass she is promoted from child to monarch, usurping the Red Queen's rule over her domain. The portals through which the characters move have a destabilising effect, and each traveller wonders whether their actions were the dreams of another. But there is a common thread: when narratives are formed where consciousness is a medium, the system itself becomes the subject.


The treatment options for infra-renal arteriosclerotic occlusive (ASO) vascular disease have never been more varied. The history of open revascularization procedures now exceeds 60 years. This represents three generations of vascular surgeons, the most recent of whom have witnessed more than 30 years of endovascular surgery development and dissemination. Both open and endovascular treatments should be considered mature; moreover, we are improving our understanding of the strategies and tactics that lead to the clinical application of one approach instead of the other. There are other important factors in the choice of a treatment modality to be used for a specific patient. Prime among these is evolving patterns of occlusive disease and the increasing severity of arterial calcification.


Using the two basic ecological parameters, temperature and rainfall, water balances on monthly and yearly basis have been computed for assessing the ecological potentialities utilising the revised scheme of Thornthwaite and Mather for three selected stations in Andhra Pradesh viz. 1. The coastal semiarid station - Visakhapatnam. 2. The inland dry subhumid station - Narsipatnam and 3. The moist sub-humid station - Araku. Different components of the water balance of these three faces have been discussed in relation to different crop potentialities. The study records that Visakhapatnam and Narsipatnam do not have water surplus while Araku shows a water surplus of 241 mm annually. The soil moisture at Araku attains saturation. The aridity indices suggest that the coastal areas are seen to prove to "large water defficiency" whereas the Central areas has "moderate water deficiency" and the interior high land has almost "no water deficiency"


Cholelithiasis (cholelithiasis) has become increasingly common in childhood. Currently, the features of the clinical course have been studied, the criteria for the diagnosis and prevention of cholelithiasis in children have been worked out. However, the features of metabolic disorders are still not studied, among which not the least role in the genesis of the formation of gallstones is played not only by the exchange of lipids, but also carbohydrates. The main role in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism is played by insulin. The process of production of insulin in the body in the blood serum fully reflects the concentration of C-peptide. The ratio between insulin and C-peptide is not always constant. It may shift in one direction or another against the background of diseases of the internal organs, including the GI tract. The analysis for C-peptide and insulin allows you to identify not only hypo — or hyperglycemia, but also to determine insulin resistance, calculate the HOMA index and, accordingly, make a forecast for the development of dyslipidemia. In this regard, it was of interest to study the state of carbohydrate metabolism (glucose, insulin, C-peptide) in children with cholelithiasis. The purpose of the study. To improve the early diagnosis of the complicated course of cholelithiasis by studying the features of carbohydrate metabolism for practicing therapeutic tactics and preventive measures. Materials and methods. Under our supervision at the Department of Pediatrics infectious diseases, faculty of postgraduate education of physicians of the Russian national research medical University of Minzdrav of Russia (head.DEP. — M. D., Professor L. A. Kharitonov), city children's polyclinic № 122 (chief doctor — PhD Bragin A. I.) were 140 children aged from birth to 15 years. Carbohydrate metabolism was studied in 140 children of the study group. Boys were 62, average age 10.0±4.9, girls were 78, average age 8.8±4.5. The parameters of serum glucose, insulin, and C-peptide were evaluated. The Homeostatic Model Assessment (NOMA) Insulin resistance Index will be calculated using the formula: NOMA-IR = (fasting plasma glucose (mmol/l) x fasting serum insulin (mkED / ml))/22.5 (Cuartero B., 2007). The physical development of children was evaluated according to WHO standards (2006) using the WHO Anthro Plus program (2009). We evaluated the values of the average values of body weight(MT), height (body length, DT) and body mass index (BMI) in five groups of newborns. The nutritional status was determined by the values of the Z-score value. Mathematical calculation of the results was carried out on a personal IBM — compatible computer using the statistical program Statistica 6.0. Results. In children with GI, there was a tendency to increase the NOME index, both in frequency and in absolute terms, from the age of 8 and persisted until the age of 15(0,65±0,14;0,42±0,04; 4,89±1,12; 4,86±0,44; according to the age periods, p< 0.005). Conclusion. Thus, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism in children with GI depend on the child's age and body weight. In overweight children, an increase in C-peptide, insulin, and the resistance index was observed, which suggests that children with GI occurring against the background of overweight at the age of 8–11 and 12–15 years are threatened by the formation of metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and arterial hypertension.


The various options to store radioactive wastes in deep geological strata considered in France or Switzerland include the use of large volumes of cementitious materials for infrastructure in contact with argillaceous rocks. So-called low-pH binders were developed to minimize disruption to the surrounding rock by the alkaline plume. Studies conducted on the interaction zone between concrete and clay systematically highlighted the formation of magnesium silicate phases including magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) at the interfaces, which can presently be modeled only partially due to incomplete thermodynamic data. The purpose of this study was to characterize these phases in temperature, aluminum, calcium, and alkali conditions in order to provide the thermodynamic data and improve the calculations on physicochemical evolutions of low-pH concretes and possibly Portland concretes.M-S-H phases were synthesized from magnesium oxide and silica fume in batch experiments at different temperatures, for various times and varying Mg/Si. A large number of different techniques such as chemical solid characterizations coupled with suspension investigations and liquid analyses were used to characterize the phases synthesized. Initially a M-S-H phase with Mg/Si equal to 1 was precipitated in addition to amorphous silica and brucite whatever the total Mg/Si used for the synthesis. After long equilibration times, 2 to 3 years at 20°C or 1 year at 50 and 70°C, the Mg/Si in M-S-H ranged from ~0.8 to ~1.4. The temperature had little influence on the M-S-H formed even if the M-S-H formation occurred faster and M-S-H was thermodynamically slightly less stable when the temperature was increased. At or near to equilibrium, M-S-H phases were characterized with ill-defined structure comparable to nano-crystallite, hydrated phyllosilicates with a surface area greater than 200 m2/g. A M-S-H solid-solution model was calculated and implemented in the thermodynamic database.It was observed that M-S-H also form from calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) with a Ca/Si = 0.8 in the presence of additional magnesium. In batch experiments, a low pH of the suspensions (pH ≤ 10) destabilized C-S-H or prevented its formation and favored the precipitation of M-S-H. Detailed investigations showed that small amounts of calcium could be incorporated in M-S-H (Ca/Si ≤0.10), such that also calcium containing end-members were added to the M-S-H solid-solution. At pH ≥ 10-10.5, two separate silicate phases coexist: C-S-H and M-S-H. The interface between a simplified "low-pH" binder mimicked by C-S-H with Ca/Si = 0.8 and a magnesium-rich environment mimicked by M-S-H with Mg/Si = 0.8 confirmed these phenomena. SEM-EDS observations and reactive transport modelling using the thermodynamic data derived in the batch experiments showed the fast deterioration of the C-S-H and the precipitation of M-S-H in the C-S-H disk at the interface and a homogeneous uptake of calcium in the M-S-H disk.The increase of pH favors the sorption. M-S-H with a sodium uptake up to Na/Si ~ 0.20 and without brucite formation were observed at high pH (12.5). The sorption on M-S-H was favored in the order Na+ < Mg2+ < Ca2+. Finally, aluminum was incorporated into M-S-H to form magnesium alumino-silicate hydrate (M-A-S-H). An Al/Si ratio up to 0.2 was observed in presence of sodium aluminate or metakaolin. 27Al MAS NMR data showed that aluminum was present in both tetrahedral and octahedral sites of M-(A-)S-H. The M-(A-)S-H formed had a similar structure as M-S-H with a comparable polymerization degree of the tetrahedral silicates and a similar surface charge.


Smart warehouses aim to increase the overall service quality, productivity, and efficiency of the warehouse while minimizing costs and failures. In recent years, several studies have proposed and discussed different types of smart warehouses, identified key challenges, and proposed several solution directions for coping with these challenges. The objective of this article is to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the relevant studies discussing the design of smart warehouses and the transition to these new types of warehouses. We applied a systematic literature review (SLR) protocol to select primary studies. The SLR resulted in the identification of the domains in which smart warehouses are applied, key motivations for adopting smart warehouses, current distinctive characteristics of smart warehouses, currently adopted technologies for realizing smart warehouses, and challenges and strategies for transitioning to smart warehouses. To the best of our knowledge, no SLR paper has been published yet on smart warehouses, and therefore, this is timely research as organizations are nowadays transitioning to smart warehouses.


The Rh-catalyzed ortho-C-H carbenoid insertion reaction of diarylazines with diazo compounds has been developed. A wide range of ortho-substituted diarylazines have been obtained in moderate to high yields with high regioselectivity at room temperature. The hydrolysis of the products could release ketones or aldehydes, giving access to aromatic 1,5-keto-diesters as valuable synthons for further chemical transformations.


Comprehensive primary health care is integral to meaningful client-centred care, with nurses and midwives central to partnership approaches with individuals, families and communities. A primary health model of antenatal care is needed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in rural and remote areas, where complex social determinants of health impact on pregnancy outcomes, early years and lifelong health. Staff experiences from a community midwifery-led antenatal program in a remote Western Australian setting were explored, with the aim of investigating program impacts from health service providers' perspectives. Interviews with 19 providers, including community midwives, child health nurses, program managers, a liaison officer, doctors and community agency staff, examined elements comprising a culturally safe community antenatal program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, exploring program benefits and challenges. Thematic analysis derived five themes: Organisational and Accessibility Factors; Culturally Appropriate Support; Staff Availability and Competencies; Collaboration; and Sustainability. The ability of program staff to work in culturally safe partnerships with clients in collaboration with community agencies was essential to building meaningful and sustainable antenatal strategies. Midwifery primary health care competencies were viewed as a strong enabling factor, with potential to reduce health disparities in accordance with Australian Government and research recommendations.


[1] Faulting and brittle deformation of mantle rocks occurs in many tectonic settings such as oceanic transform faults, oceanic detachment faults, subduction zones, and continental rifts. However, few data exist that directly explore the frictional properties of peridotite rocks. Improved constraints on the brittle deformation of peridotite is important for a more complete understanding of the rheological properties of the lithosphere. Furthermore, our comparatively detailed understanding of plastic deformation in olivine allows us to explore the possible role of thermally activated intracrystalline deformation mechanisms in macroscopically brittle processes. It has been hypothesized, and some experimental data indicate, that plastic yielding by dislocation glide (low temperature plasticity) determines the direct effect in the rate and state frictional constitutive formulation. Plastic flow may also have important implications for the blunting or necking at asperity contacts that influences the time and/or displacement dependent friction evolution effect and frictional healing. We present results from saw cut experiments on fine grained synthetic olivine fault gouge conducted in a gas-medium deformation apparatus in the temperature range of 400–1000°C with 100 MPa confining pressure. We conducted velocity stepping tests to explore the rate and temperature dependence of sliding stability. We also conducted slide-hold-slide experiments to investigate the time and temperature dependence of fault zone restrengthening (frictional healing). The mechanical data and microstructural observations allow us to explore the role of thermally activated processes in frictional sliding. The data indicate systematic temperature dependenceof rate and state variables that can be attributed to plastic yielding at grain to grain contacts. We explore the implications of such temperature dependent behavior for controlling the base of the seismogenic zone in the oceanic lithosphere, and we seek insight into possible mechanistic models for the interactions between fracture and flow that could lead to improved constraints on the strength of the lithosphere.


Using a potential model for the surface of a metal and the revised Brandt-Reinheimer enhancement factor Gamma (n), the authors have calculated the electron wavefunction, the two-dimensional angular correlation and the lifetime of 2 gamma annihilation from the Al(100), Al(110), Al(111) and Cu(121) surfaces. They conclude that (i) the momenta of the electrons are filtered by the surface potential; (ii) the momentum distribution of 2 gamma annihilation is greatly constricted for both the parallel and perpendicular directions to the surface; (iii) it is possible to obtain simultaneously the observed isotropic angular correlation curve and the long lifetime of the positron surface state; and (iv) within a reasonable range of the authors model parameters, the isotropy of the angular correlation curve is rather insensitive to the parameter values. Their results are consistent with experiment.


Abstract This brief contribution considers some of the ways in which the theme of knowledge is treated in the Old Irish apocalyptic text In Tenga Bithnua. These include: the cyclical nature of the mysteries which baffle mankind and of the realities that are disclosed; the idea that the revelation is made in an angelic language (specimens of which are cited) and the treatment of this celestial speech in the manuscript; the claim that what the text reveals goes beyond what God communicated to Moses; and the evocation of further mysteries that are entirely beyond human (in one case, even angelic) capacities of cognition.


Content-based multimedia information retrieval is never a trivial task even with state-of-the-art approaches. Its mandatory challenge, called "semantic gap," requires much more understanding of the way human perceive things (i.e., visual and auditory information). Computer scientists have spent thousands of hours seeking optimal solutions, only ended up falling in the bound of this gap for both visual and spoken contexts. While an over-the-gap approach is unreachable, we insist on assembling current viable techniques from both contexts, aligned with a domain concept base (i.e., an ontology), to construct an info service for the retrieval of agricultural multimedia information. The development process spans over three packages: (1) building a Vietnamese agricultural thesaurus; (2) crafting a visual-auditory intertwined search engine; and (3) system deployment as an info service. We spring our the thesaurus in 2 sub-boughs: the aquaculture ontology consists of 3455 concepts and 5396 terms, with 28 relationships, covering about 2200 fish species and their related terms; and the plant production ontology comprises of 3437 concepts and 6874 terms, with 5 relationships, covering farming, plant production, pests, etc. These ontologies serve as a global linkage between keywords, visual, and spoken features, as well as providing the reinforcement for the system performances (e.g., through query expansion, knowledge indexing...). On the other hand, constructing a visual-auditory intertwined search engine is a bit trickier. Automatic transcriptions of audio channels are marked as the anchor points for the collection of visual features. These features, in turn, got clustered based on the referenced thesauri, and ultimately tracking out missing info induced by the speech recognizer's word error rates. This compensation technique bought us back 14 % of loss recall and an increase of 9 % accuracy over the baseline system. Finally, wrapping the retrieval system as an info service guarantees its practical deployment, asour target audiences are the majority of farmers in developing countries who are unable to reach modern farming information and knowledge.


Abstract
 Objectives This study sought to present a view of head and neck neoplasms (HNN) prevalence with specific focus on sociodemographic determinants in Al-Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods This was a hospital-based retrospective study based on retrieval of histopathological data for a period of 6 years between 2012 and 2018. Data was collected from the archives of the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory at King Fahad Hospital (the only referral center for biopsy services) in Al-Madinah City. Statistical Analysis An independent t-test and/or nonparametric (Mann–Whitney U test, chi-squared test) tests were used to determine the differences between groups. Statistical significance was set at the p-value < 0.05. Results Out of 96 patients, a total of 58 patients had valid biopsy data with preoperative diagnosis. Over three quarters of the cases (n = 44) were benign with only 24% were malignant. Males were more likely to be diagnosed with a benign tumor than females (54.5 vs. 45.6%, respectively), and malignancy was also more common in males (64.3 vs. 24.1). A significant difference was found in relation to mean age of older patients who were more likely to be diagnosed with malignant tumors (p = 0.001). Conclusions The findings suggest that most of biopsied HNN cases are benign neoplasms. Age is a significant risk factor for head and neck malignancy in this region. Delays in diagnosis of HNN need to be explored.


This study aims to analyze the biophysical potential of Nanggala Community Forest Area by inventorying vegetation types at each growth stage, calculating carbon stock, Important Value Index (IVI), and analyzing the species diversity index, and the types of NTFPs utilized. This research was conducted by taking observation plots and recording plant species and measuring tree diameter, as well as interviews with community forest farmer groups. The results showed that pine type is the most common plant in the growth category of trees, while in the growth category of piles, stakes, and seedlings are dominated by coffee. The total carbon stock of Nanggala community forest area averaged 100,93 ton per ha, the highest IVI value was 78,93% in pine type for tree growth category and 67,85% in coffee for pile growth category. The value of H 'in the community forest area in the Saddang watershed is categorized as being at all levels of growth. The NTFP's potential spread in the location of the research object consists of honey, sugar palm, and bamboo.


Background: Intestinal obstruction is defined as mechanical or functional obstruction of the intestines which prevents the normal passage of the products of digestion. Present study was performed to study the role of Computerized Tomography (CT) in Diagnosis of patients with suspected subacute intestinal obstruction (SAIO), to find out site & cause of obstruction and to diagnose complications of obstruction. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted at Department of Radiodiagnosis, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Science, Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat. Total number of 15 patients with SAIO having equivocal findings on USG was included in this study. All the statistical tests were performed in SPSS version 15 software. Results: Age of the patients in the study range between 14 to 70 years. Out of 15 were 8 male & 7 female patients. On CT scan all 15 patients were found to have obstruction with 12 patients having mechanical obstruction & 3 patients having pseudo obstruction secondary to appendicitis, jejunal perforation. CT scan correctly diagnosed intestinal obstruction with its cause in 14 out of 15 patients. Most common cause of SAIO was ileal stricture followed by intussusceptions. Conclusion: The findings of the study show that CT is a valuable diagnostic procedure in patients with subacute intestinal obstruction with high sensitivity. It is a problem-solving tool in equivocal cases.


The number of students with learning disabilities (LD) has grown substantially in the last three decades. These students account for more than half of the special education programs. As with the growing number, there is a great debate on the identification procedures of students with LD during early years. One of the models to early identify students with disabilities is Response to Intervention (RtI). The purpose of this article is to describe RtI on the identification of students with learning disabilities (LD) in the early years of childhood. First, a brief overview of RtI is provided, including the most popular models. Next, utilization of RtI in the identification of LD is described. Then, an overview of approaches that RtI is used to maximize achievement for a wide range of students is provided. Finally, future research directions in the area of special education within a model of RtI are discussed.


DrugBank is a fully curated drug and drug target database that contains 8174 drug entries including 1944 FDA approved small‐molecule drugs, 198 FDA‐approved biotech (protein/peptide) drugs, 93 nutraceuticals, and over 6000 experimental drugs. Additionally, 4300 non‐redundant protein (i.e., drug target/enzyme/transporter/carrier) sequences are linked to these drug entries. DrugBank is primarily focused on providing both the query/search tools and biophysical data needed to facilitate drug discovery and drug development. This unit provides readers with a detailed description of how to effectively use the DrugBank database and how to navigate through the DrugBank Web site. It also provides specific examples of how to find chemical homologs of potential drug leads and how to identify potential drug targets from newly sequenced tumor samples. The intent of this unit is to give readers an introduction to the field of Web‐based drug discovery and to show how cheminformatics can be seamlessly integrated into the field of bioinformatics. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


The question whether depression is related to trauma as part of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) itself or whether it represents autonomous symptoms occurring separately (from PTSD) has not been answered. We addressed two issues: (a) What is the relationship between PTSD and depression as measured by continuous measures on outcomes? and (b) By removing depression components from the PTSD diagnosis, what is the impact on standard outcomes? Older veterans from World War II or Korea were interviewed and given self-report measures on PTSD and depression. The CAPS-1 and the MMPI-D were used as the continuous measures for PTSD and depression. The outcome measures were health status, overall adjustment, social support, and physiological status. Results showed that depression influenced health status and social support: PTSD did not contribute to the equation. The CAPS-1 also was further divided into CAPS-PTSD and CAPS-D (depression) based on item content. For adjustment and health status, PTSD asserted a greater influence; for social support and heart rate, depression was the greater influence. Discussion addressed the fact that depression is an important consideration in the expression of PTSD.


Using a cross-sectional interview study of 194 women with rheumatoid arthritis, investigated the relationship between health status, social integration, qualitative aspects of social support, and social and psychological functioning in the presence of a chronic, disabling disease. Even after controlling for the influences of current physical limitations and social integration, qualitative dimensions of social support as measured by the Quality of Social Support Scale, a scale developed for this study, explained a significant proportion of the variance in home and family functioning and in depression.


Factor VIII procoagulant activity (VIII:C), factor VIII related antigen (VIIIR:AG) and von Willebrand factor activity (ristocetin cofactor, VIII:WF) were estimated in plasma from 37 patients with acute leukaemia. Of 25 patients in the active state of the disease, before or during cytostatic treatment, 19 (76%) showed abnormally high VIIIR:AG levels, between 240 and 780 U/100 ml. Fifteen of them also had elevated VIII:C and VIII:WF (184--480 U/100 ml and 182--360 U/100 ml respectively). The ratio of VIIIR:AG to VIII:C in this group of patients ranged from 0.53 to 4.39 with a mean of 1.35 +/- 0.8. Of 12 patients in partial or complete remission, only 3 (25%) had elevated VIIIR:AG. Four other patients showed high levels of VIII:C and normal values for VIIIR:AG and VIII:WF. The ratio of VIIIR:AG to VIII:C in the patients during remission ranged from 0.46 to 2.86 with a mean of 0.98 +/- 0.7. No relationship was apparent between the factor VIII-related activities and cytochemical type of leukaemia or leucocyte count in peripheral blood. Crossed antigen-antibody electrophoresis of factor VIII protein which was performed in 5 patients with high levels of VIIIR:AG turned up to be completely normal. In the vast majority of patients, plasma fibrinogen and serum fibrinogen degradation products were within the normal range.


ABSTRACT Six mushrooms, Lentinus sajor-caju, Lentinus sp, Panellus sp. Polyporus grammocephalus, Polyporus cf floccipes and Pseudopiptoporus sp (Pleurotaceae and Polyporaceae Family) were used to study antioxidant properties. Ethanolic extract of the mushrooms showed scavengging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical. In the thyociante method, there is no significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation activities between samples and positive controls. Phytochemical identification on ethanolic extract of Pseudopiptoporus sp showed that terpenes were the major component. This finding suggested that terpenes are resposible for antioxidant activity. Keywords: Antioxidant activity, DPPH, Pleurotaceae, Polycarpaceae, Thiocyanate method


Children live together consuming, producing, and sharing digital content. These are hypermediated communication actions typical of cyberculture, and require training in critical thinking that, even when minors receive it, is not always perceived as necessary, which can put the privacy of children at risk. This study focuses on analyzing the cyber skills of primary and high school students to act critically, and examines the level of conceptual, attitudinal, and procedural competence that children perceive they have acquired to access, consume, create, and share digital content on social media. The specific objective is to understand some of the components that may be related to young people's perception of the training they have received, as well as whether there are differences in terms of their willingness to acquire training to protect themselves when creating and consuming digital content. To this end, a 25-item questionnaire on the knowledge, attitudes, and actions of young people was designed, validated, and administered to a sample of 417 Spanish students completing primary and high school education. The results obtained indicate that, at the conceptual level, there are no differences between the educational stages, while differences were found at the attitudinal and procedural levels. The two factors identified show that, although high school students have acquired certain critical and protective attitudes, they behave more riskily in their self-presentation and posts than primary school students when accessing, creating, and sharing digital content on social media, and that the training received and the willingness to learn about how to create and share were the differentiating variables for increased protection. We conclude that there is a need for introducing education specific to the critical analysis and self-protection of Internet use at the primary education level, as well as additional training that would help to avoid risky behavior during high school.


The population of Japan is aging rapidly, and maintaining the quality of life of elderly people has become an important issue in contemporary Japan. This study was conducted to verify the validity of the self-administered visual analogue scale (VAS) for assessing the health status of elderly people. A survey was conducted in two villages in western Japan in 2003. A total of 2040 participants, aged between 60 and 75 years, completed questionnaires comprising the VAS and six Likert-type items for health status, physical strength, life enjoyment, appetite, sleep, and life satisfaction. Data of the valid participants who properly completed both the VAS and the Likert-type item on health status were analyzed (n=1579, 77.4%). Among the Likert-type items, the VAS score was the most associated with health status (r = 0.532), followed by physical strength (r = 0.509). The VAS score showed a weak negative correlation with age (r = -0.130), but no association with socioeconomic factors such as the number of family members or annual income. The correlations between the VAS and the Likert-type item on health status varied between categories in some attributes. Since the VAS score was moderately correlated with similar questions about health status in the Likert-type health questionnaire, it was considered that the VAS is a valid self-administered instrument for collecting data on the health status of elderly people. However, further investigations need to be conducted to improve the VAS and to establish better explanations for aged respondents.


A novel direct-driven and portable exoskeleton robotic system for the hand is proposed. The system design is based on the multi-parametric optimisation procedure, which considers isotropy, dexterity and exertion of perpendicular forces on the finger phalanges. Actuators for the proposed device were selected based on results of experiments with users having different hand sizes. These experiments measured various parameters including average and maximum force exertion levels of a human hand. The experimental results were used to realise the mechanical design and to develop a prototype. The device can exert force levels (of 45 N) beyond any existing hand exoskeleton. Preliminary trials carried out on the fabricated prototype dictate efficacy and potential of the proposed system.


Abstract Preaxial polydactyly is a common congenital anomaly of the hand. In this anomaly, an additional digit is seen along the preaxial border of the thumb. Several possible types of preaxial polydactyly have been observed and categorized into several types based on the level of duplications. In the present case, we report an unusual type of polydactyly in an approximately 55year-old male cadaver of South Indian origin. An additional non-functional digit was noted along the preaxial border of the thumb, at the level of the base of the distal phalanx. Upon careful dissection of the anomalous digit, a thick cord of connective tissue formed by the fibrous flexor sheath around the flexor pollicis longus tendon was noted in its central core. This cord was surrounded by a mass of fatty tissue. The skeletal, muscle and tendon components were found to be absent in the additional digit.