The effective grouping, or partitioning, of semistructured data is of fundamental importance when providing support for queries. Partitions allow items within the data set that share common structural properties to be identified efficiently. This allows queries that make use of these properties, such as branching path expressions, to be accelerated. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of several partitioning techniques by establishing the number of partitions that each scheme can identify over a given data set. In particular, we explore the use of parameterised indexes, based upon the notion of forward and backward bisimilarity, as a means of partitioning semistructured data; demonstrating that even restricted instances of such indexes can be used to identify the majority of relevant partitions in the data.


In the past decade, culture has been a focus of several studies in the information systems (IS) field. While the literature on the role of culture in information systems is growing, due to the breadth of the concept of culture, the research involving culture remains challenging. The main challenge pertains to the definition of culture which is evidenced by the presence of more than 150 definitions of culture in literature, yet there is no consensus on one. Another challenge is the existence of various cultural frameworks, and consequently the presence of multiple measures of culture. However, despite the challenges associated with the lack of agreement on the definition of culture and the existence of various measures of culture, the notion of culture is considered a critical factor to understand the national, organizational, and individual-level behaviors in IS and other business disciplines. This dissertation consists of three studies where each study investigates the role of culture in three different information systems-related contexts. The first study focusses on two national cultures, Indian and the United States, and investigates if deception can be detected across cultures, especially when the communication between individuals is mediated by computers. The second study investigates the relationship between different forms of organizational culture (group, developmental, rational, and hierarchical) and the implementation of agile practices, which in turn may lead to organizational creativity. The third study explores the role of data-driven decision making culture, which is defined as a culture in which decisions are made based on data rather than on the beliefs or opinions of organizational members, in creating a firm-specific big data capability.


Voltage sags have always been a huge threat to sensitive industrial and commercial electrical consumers; and deep sags with long duration time are usually more intolerable. In this paper, a new topology of series-connected compensator is presented to mitigate long duration deep sags, and the compensation ability is highly improved with a unique shunt converter structure acting as a DC-Link capacitor boosting circuit that has been theoretically analyzed. Additionally, the proposed active voltage equality regulator is a cost effective solution for long duration sags that are lower than 50% of the nominal voltage as it is compared with the traditional dynamic voltage restorer. High operation efficiency is ensured by applying the dc-link voltage adaptive control method. Analysis, along with simulation and experimental results, is presented to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed topology. Keywords—Dynamic voltage restorer (DVR), dynamic sag correction, long duration deep sag, DC-Link capacitor boost circuit, seriesconnect compensator.


BACKGROUND
Approximately 20% of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated systemic vasculitis (AASV) develop end-stage renal failure (ESRF). It is not clear whether continuation of immunosuppression, with its associated risks, is beneficial because relapse rates after the development of ESRF are reported to be low.

STUDY DESIGN
Case series.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS
Single tertiary-care referral center. 46 patients with AASV who developed ESRF from 1971 to 2004.

OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS
Treatment, relapse rates before and after dialysis therapy, patient outcome after dialysis therapy, and infection (defined as admission to hospital or intravenous antibiotics) were recorded.

RESULTS
Patients with AASV on dialysis therapy had 1- and 5-year survival rates of 82% and 55%, equivalent to current 1- and 5-year survival rates of dialysis patients reported by the UK renal registry, respectively. Infection rates in patients with ESRF were high in those with AASV on dialysis therapy; 106 events in 35 patients (dialysis patients with AASV, 0.89 infections/patient-year; confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 1.08). Eight of 9 patients who died of infection were receiving immunosuppressive therapy. No patient died of active disease. Relapse rates after dialysis commencement were less than those predialysis (6 relapses in 4 patients; 0.05 relapses/patient-year postdialysis; CI, 0.02 to 0.1 compared with 18 relapses in 11 patients; 0.13 relapses/patient-year predialysis; CI, 0.07 to 0.19).

LIMITATIONS
This is a retrospective study spread over 3 decades with no control group.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients with AASV and ESRF are less likely to experience relapse than before dialysis therapy. Patients with AASV on dialysis therapy have a high rate of infection. These results may not be applicable to patients with pulmonary involvement.


This paper discusses the role of metathesis and vowel epenthesis in Arabic loanword adaptation in Sabzevari, a Persian vernacular spoken in the Sabzevar area of Northeast Iran. This role is accounted for using the framework of Optimality Theory (OT). The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the extent to which metathesis and vowel epenthesis, as repair strategies, are used for adapting Arabic loanwords in Sabzevari in the light of OT. This study mainly relies on data taken from extant literature including books, articles and theses. In addition, some videos on YouTube peculiar to this dialect and its speakers are taken into consideration for verifying data already harvested from the literature. The conclusion of the paper is that metathesis and vowel epenthesis are motivated by word-final clusters in Arabic loanwords that constitute Reversal Sonority, as a manifestation of Sonority Sequencing Violation. Metathesis targets word-final clusters in Arabic loanwords of the forms /plosive+fricative/ and /fricative+lateral/ while word-final clusters in Arabic loanwords of the forms /fricative+ rhotic/, /stop+nasal/, /stop+ liquid/, /nasal+ rhotic/, /stop+ nasal/, and /fricative + nasal/ are not immune to vowel epenthesis. OT is shown in this study to be a framework which is capable of analysing metathesis and vowel epenthesis with regard to Arabic loanwords in Sabzevari.


In this paper, to increase the execution speed in face emotion recognition instead Sobel edge detector of Frei-Chen edge detector is used. The advantages Frei-Chen method are accurate and better detection, low overhead, detect corners beside with edges and less sensitive to noise than other edge detector. The Frei-Chen algorithm works on a part of image with size 3*3 similarly like the Sobel filter but instead of two masks of 4 masks are used. Of important characteristics this filter can be pointed to 4 masks of unique. For edge detection suitable masks are selected and selected mask is applied on image. This filter such as sobel filter can be used for multi-channel images. Furthermore we know Facial expression gives important information about emotion of a person. Face emotion recognition is one of important issues that widely attended in recent years. It can be used in areas of security, control, entertainment and machine vision. Nowadays for emotion recognition use of science image processing, speech signal processing, gesture signal processing and physiological signal processing. Use of image processing science than other methods can be very useful and helpful. Our proposal uses of an objective function for minimization of sum of Euclidean distance from the given points to the eye and lip curve that PSO algorithm will be used to optimize objective function. We recommend use of ellipse form as eye and lip in face emotion recognition. Face emotion recognition process like presented previous papers involves three stages pre-processing, feature extraction and classification. One of biggest problems in classification of emotions is overlap in range of values. To increase success rate in face emotion recognition we in this paper for another experience of neural networks use of LVQ neural network. We also show experiments face emotion recognition with Sobel filter and Frei-Chen filter. The results show that using Frei-Chen filter against Sobel filter reduces run time.


Psoriasis has long been regarded to be one entity, comprising both plaque-type and non plaque-type manifestations. Genetic studies now provide evidence that some pustular forms should be classified separately: a mutation in the gene encoding for the interleukin 36 receptor antagonist (IL36Ra) was f6und to be associated with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) in several Tunesian families. This finding was subsequently confirmed in different psoriasis cohorts around the world. Additionally, gain-of-function mutations in the gene for CARD 14 were identified. Clinical implications comprise a different approach to treat GPP through blocking interleukin 1beta.


The aim of this work is to design efficient bandpass filters for multistandard software defined radios. Software Defined Radio (SDR) based applications which demand high sampling rate to eleminate the most of the analog components require high-performance technology and digital signal processing methods to handle and process the high sample rate data. State of the art technology such as FPGAs can support several hundred MHz of I/O data transfer rate. The internal hardware architecture, however, would limit the maximum operating frequency of the design. An alternative is therefore to use advanced DSP methods to overcome this bottleneck. Polyphase channelizers having spectral shifter to move the filter position are used in a scenario of dual standard (WLAN and UMTS) SDR receiver for the bandpass filtering. It will not only split the data in multiple paths to reduce the per arm data rate but the filter also operates at lower rate than the input sample frequency. Furthermore it can also eleminate the need of IQ demodulator.


Abstract: The objective of the study is to empirically investigate the dispute resolution in the restructuring of defaulted corporate sukuk in Malaysia. Under Malaysia law system, the disputing parties may resolve their business dispute through the court or various Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. The ADR includes negotiation, mediation and arbitration mechanism. The finding suggests that the disputing parties may utilize a combination of dispute resolution mechanisms to restructure the defaulted sukuk. The negotiation tends to be used as the first option, then followed by the court trial or mediation. The finding implies that the disputing parties should consider any possible dispute resolution method under the jurisdiction where a sukuk is structured to resolve the defaulted sukuk.


Objective: The research and development of potent bioactive components with pharmacological properties has received much attention in the recent years. So, the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and gastroprotective activities of the organic extract and its polar fractions (F2 and F3) from the Mediterranean white gorgonian Eunicella singularis were investigated. Methods: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were evaluated, using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model and the acetic acid writhing test in mice. The gastroprotective activity was determined using HCl/EtOH induced gastric ulcers in rats. Results: The organic extract exhibited interesting anti-inflammatory, analgesic and gastroprotective activities in a dose dependent manner. Similarly the fractions F2 and F3 showed, respectively, an interesting anti-inflammatory activity associated with significant analgesic and gastroprotective activities, efficacies that correlated with their bioactive components and total phenol content. Conclusions: Our findings confirmed that the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and gastroprotective activities of Eunicella singularis organic extract and its polar fractions could be correlated with their bioactive components and total phenol content.


Aims. We establish a criterion for the stability of planetary orbits in stellar binary systems by using Lyapunov exponents and power spectra for the special case of the circular restricted 3-body problem (CR3BP). The criterion augments our earlier results given in the two previous papers of this series where stability criteria have been developed based on the Jacobi constant and the hodograph method. Methods. The centerpiece of our method is the concept of Lyapunov exponents, which are incorporated into the analysis of orbital stability by integrating the Jacobian of the CR3BP and orthogonalizing the tangent vectors via a well-established algorithm originally developed by Wolf et al. The criterion for orbital stability based on the Lyapunov exponents is independently verified by using power spectra. The obtained results are compared to results presented in the two previous papers of this series. Results. It is shown that the maximum Lyapunov exponent can be used as an indicator for chaotic behaviour of planetary orbits, which is consistent with previous applications of this method, particularly studies for the Solar System. The chaotic behaviour corresponds to either orbital stability or instability, and it depends solely on the mass ratio μ of the binary components and the initial distance ratio ρ0 of the planet relative to the stellar separation distance. Detailed case studies are presented for μ = 0.3 and 0.5. The stability limits are characterized based on the value of the maximum Lyapunov exponent. However, chaos theory as well as the concept of Lyapunov time prevents us from predicting exactly when the planet is ejected. Our method is also able to indicate evidence of quasi-periodicity. Conclusions. For different mass ratios of the stellar components, we are able to characterize stability limits for the CR3BP based on the value of the maximum Lyapunov exponent. This theoretical result allows us to link the study of planetary orbital stability to chaos theory noting that there is a large array of literature on the properties and significance of Lyapunov exponents. Although our results are given for the special case of the CR3BP, we expect that it may be possible to augment the proposed Lyapunov exponent criterion to studies of planets in generalized stellar binary systems, which is strongly motivated by existing observational results as well as results expected from ongoing and future planet search missions.


Facial expression plays an important role in understanding human emotions. Most recently, deep learning based methods have shown promising for facial expression recognition. However, the performance of the current state-of-the-art facial expression recognition (FER) approaches is directly related to the labeled data for training. To solve this issue, prior works employ the pretrain-and-finetune strategy, i.e., utilize a large amount of unlabeled data to pretrain the network and then finetune it by the labeled data. As the labeled data is in a small amount, the final network performance is still restricted. From a different perspective, we propose to perform omni-supervised learning to directly exploit reliable samples in a large amount of unlabeled data for network training. Particularly, a new dataset is firstly constructed using a primitive model trained on a small number of labeled samples to select samples with high confidence scores from a face dataset, i.e., MS-Celeb-1M, based on feature-wise similarity. We experimentally verify that the new dataset created in such an omni-supervised manner can significantly improve the generalization ability of the learned FER model. However, as the number of training samples grows, computational cost and training time increase dramatically. To tackle this, we propose to apply a dataset distillation strategy to compress the created dataset into several informative class-wise images, significantly improving the training efficiency. We have conducted extensive experiments on widely used benchmarks, where consistent performance gains can be achieved under various settings using the proposed framework. More importantly, the distilled dataset has shown its capabilities of boosting the performance of FER with negligible additional computational costs.


Despite substantial research exploring the interplay between living with a mentally ill parent and schooling, there is very little qualitative research on the child's experiential perspective of school. However, schools provide a crucial context for children and their development (Yan et al., 2016) and hence, researchers such as Sollberger (2002) plead for more extensive research on this so that we are able to understand more about their experiences and support them accordingly. Therefore, the present study aimed to build on this gap and explored adults' retrospective experiences of school whilst growing up with a parent experiencing mental health problems. Seven participants aged between 18-24 years participated in a semi-structured interview. Narrative analysis was employed to explore the stories participants narrated, and study meaning and identity. Three main themes emerged: School as a Place of Escape, Schools' Lack Of Mental Health Awareness and Role Reversal: Taking on the Parent Role. The overall analysis suggests school becomes a significant place for these children to escape and recover from home difficulties and the responsibilities in relation to their ill parent; however that a lack of understanding and knowledge around mental health issues still exists


The aerobic oxidative cleavage of 1,2-diols using a heterogeneous catalyst only based on earth-abundant metals manganese and sodium is reported for the first time. This reusable catalyst cleaves a variety of substrates into aldehydes or ketones with high selectivity. The reaction requires small catalytic loadings and is performed under mild conditions using ambient pressure O2 or air as the oxidant while producing water as the only by-product. Mechanistic investigations reveal a monodentate, two-electron oxidative fragmentation process involving a MnIV species. The eco-friendly, innocuous catalyst is compatible with a wide range of functional groups and conditions, making it highly competitive with classical reagents, such as periodic acid or lead tetraacetate, as a preferred method for activated 1,2-diols.


We extend a class of a one-dimensional smooth map. We make sure that for each desired interval of the parameter the map's Lyapunov exponent is positive. Then we propose a novel parameter perturbation method based on the good property of the extended one-dimensional smooth map. We perturb the parameter r in each iteration by the real number xi generated by the iteration. The auto-correlation function and NIST statistical test suite are taken to illustrate the method's randomness finally. We provide an application of this method in image encryption. Experiments show that the pseudo-random sequences are suitable for this application.


The time-dependent degradation (aging) of device characteristics caused by Bias Temperature Instability (BTI) and Hot-Carrier Injection (HCI) are one of the major threats to the reliability of nanoscale digital CMOS designs. To address this challenge, a novel built-in aging "detection" and "compensation" technique is proposed. Performance degradation is detected using a novel area- and power-efficient sensor. Then, to improve the reliability, an adaptive Time-Borrowing (TB)-based compensation technique is employed, which decreases the timing failure probabilities in spite of aged transistors. It is shown via simulations that by employing these techniques, the reliability of circuits can be improved by approximately 10X.


ESTRO 35 2016 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) protocol 1306. Determination of isocentre, beam arrangement and dose constraints were kept constant in each case. All plans were computed using Varian Eclipse version 11.0 treatment planning system. The plans were then evaluated based on the target coverage, homogeneity, conformity, number of monitor units (MU) to be delivered and dose-volume constraints for various organs at risk (OARs).


Abstract Carney Complex (CNC) is an extremely rare multiple endocrine neoplasia caused by germline inactivating mutation in protein kinase A type I-alpha regulatory subunit (PRKAR1A gene). Mode of inheritance is mostly autosomal dominant; 25% of cases are due to de novo mutations. Only 750 world-wide cases have been reported. Most patients are diagnosed in the second or third decade. Clinical features include cutaneous myxomas, angiomyxoid nodules, lentiginous skin pigmentation, cardiac myxomas, and benign and rare malignant endocrine tumors. These endocrine tumors include and are not limited to prolactinomas, thyroid tumors, primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD), and large cell-calcifying Sertoli cell tumors (LCCSCT). Diagnosis is often challenging as disease manifestations can occur sporadically over a large span of time, and patients may present with various conditions such as Cushing syndrome, like our case. We present a case that demonstrates the importance of early recognition of this rare disorder. A 28-year-old Caucasian male with PMH of HFrEF, HTN, Sertoli cell tumor status post orchiectomy, vertebral fractures, and surgical removal of lip angiomyxoma presented to clinic for hypogonadism. Physical examination revealed marked Cushingoid features and facial lentigines above his eyes and on his lips. His eclectic medical history and unique exam findings lead to finding of a unifying diagnosis. His labs revealed severe Cushing syndrome, and computed tomography (CT) of his abdomen was performed due to ACTH independent hypercortisolism, demonstrating a bilateral lobular appearance of the adrenal glands. Combination of labs and physical exam findings of lentigines, skin myxomas, cushingoid features, rare angiomyxoma, LCCSCT and hypercortisolism lead to diagnosis of Carney Complex. He was misdiagnosed with Peutz-Jeghers in his adolescence due to LCCSCT and mucosal lentigines; therefore, hormonal screening was not routinely performed. Untreated Cushings led to severe osteoporosis with vertebral fractures and heart failure. Treatment included bilateral adrenalectomy. Pathology report confirmed rare PPNAD. PPNAD and LCCSCT are extremely rare tumors almost exclusively linked to Carney Complex. Interestingly, family history did not reveal endocrine disorders, cancers, or severe illnesses. Genetic testing returned positive for the PRKAR1A gene mutation. Given the consequences of untreated hormonal aberrations seen in this disorder, an early and accurate diagnosis is imperative.


OBJECTIVE
The cognitive characterization of Alzheimer's disease risk states, such as amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD), is fundamental for timely diagnosis and interventions. The Face Name Associative Memory Exam (FNAME) is sensitive to early Alzheimer's disease brain changes, and an extended version captures a fuller range of associative memory abilities. We aimed to assess group effects in the extended FNAME in older adults with SCD, aMCI, and older adult controls (CON).

METHOD
Two concurrently created versions of the extended FNAME were used to test three groups of older adults (CON = 35, SCD = 37, aMCI = 31) at two sites (Mexico = 59, Netherlands = 44). Extended FNAME memory abilities were analyzed in five analyses of variance. Group and site were considered as independent variables. For the recall ability, subtest levels were entered as a within-subject variable. The remaining abilities (Face Recognition, Name Recognition, Spontaneous Name Recall, and Face-Name Matching) were analyzed in independent models.

RESULTS
In all models, the main effect for group was significant with large effect sizes, driven by a worse performance of aMCI participants. No significant differences were found between SCD and CON. The main effect for site was only significant in Face Recognition.

CONCLUSIONS
The worse performance of aMCI in the extended FNAME implies an impairment in associative memory abilities beyond recall. The similar performance of CON and SCD might be explained by the recruitment of SCD participants that did not spontaneously seek help for memory decline. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the change in serum visfatin level after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to explore the relationship between visfatin insulin resistance and diabetes.

METHODS
Thirty-three patients with Type 2 diabetes were studied before and after the gastric bypass surgery. The level of fasting serum visfatin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting insulin (FINS) were measured before and after the gastric bypass surgery.

RESULTS
Compared with before the operation, the indicators of HbA1c, FINS, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were decreased after the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The body mass index (BMI) [(24.53 ± 0.62) kg/m² vs (26.71 ± 0.69) kg/m2] was decreased, with significant difference (P<0.001). The serum visfatin level [(9.79 ± 0.64) ng/mL] was significantly lower than before the operation [(38.24 ± 5.32) ng/mL], with significant difference (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION
Serum level of visfatin is decreased in T2DM patients who undergo gastric bypass surgry, reflecting an improvement in insulin resistance and diabetes.


The divergence of mediation practice from dominant paradigms of mediation is widely recognised.
Mediation practice within the context of general civil litigation is particularly prone to
diverge from the dominant theoretical notion of mediation. It is likely that the perspectives of legal
participants, who are influenced by the legal world view, contribute to this divergence. Lawyer
perceptions of the purpose of court-connected mediation are likely to align with the goals of the
formal civil justice system.


Inclusive curriculum development in Higher Education is increasingly witnessing the development of institutional inclusive curriculum frameworks and toolkits. This short paper introduces one such framework recently developed at a modern university in the South East of England. The IDEAS model (Inclusive learning and teaching, Digital inclusion, Employability learning, assessment for learning, Sustainability mindset) involves a range of distinctive features in both design and scope, and was likewise co-created by colleagues working in the educational development and access and participation domains of academic practice. In a discussion structured by the stages of a traditional quest narrative, the paper relates the genesis, development and early implementation of the IDEAS model and draws attention to some of its distinctive emphases as well as its points of correspondence with wider sectoral initiatives on inclusive curriculum development.


The possibility that the 12 alpha-hydroxylase involved in formation of bile acids is of regulatory importance for the ratio between cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid in bile was studied with an in vivo technique. [4-14C]7 alpha-Hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and [6 beta-3H]7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one were synthesized, and a mixture of these two bile acid intermediates was administered intravenously in five healthy subjects and in one patient with severe liver cirrhosis. The patient with liver cirrhosis was included in the study because of a considerable reduction in biosynthesis of cholic acid. Since the [4-14C]-labeled steroid is an intermediate just proximal to and since the [6 beta-3H]-labeled steroid is an intermediate just distal to the 12 alpha-hydroxylase step, the 3H/14C ratio in the cholic acid formed should reflect the relative 12 alpha-hydroxylase activity. The 3H/14C ratio varied between 1.8 and 3.9 in the cholic acid isolated from the healthy subjects and was 3.6 in the cholic acid isolated from the patient with liver cirrhosis. The ratio between cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid varied between 0.6 and 3.9 in the bile from the control subjects and was only 0.4 in the bile from patients with liver cirrhosis. There was no correlation between the 3H/14C ratios and the ratios between cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid in bile.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


As part of an effort to evaluate water-based nanofluids for nuclear applications, preparation and characterization has been performed for nanofluids being considered for MIT's nanofluid heat transfer experiments. Three methods of generating these nanofluids are available: creating them from chemical precipitation, purchasing the nanoparticles in powder form and mixing them with the base fluid, and direct purchase of prepared nanofluids. Characterization of nanofluids includes colloidal stability, size distribution, concentration, and elemental composition. Quality control of the nanofluids to be used for heat transfer testing is crucial; an exact knowledge of the fluid constituents is a key to uncovering mechanisms responsible for heat transport enhancement.


The effect of continuous epidural analgesia with bupivacaine 0.125% and sufentanil 0.83 μg·ml−1 on the plasma cortisol concentration and postoperative pain relief was compared with that of intermittent intravenous peroperative and on-demand intramuscular postoperative analgesia with nicomorphine 0.2 mg·kg−1. The study was performed on two groups of ten patients for three consecutive days after thoracic surgery. In the epidural group, a better quality of analgesia was found as measured with the Inverse Linear Analgesia Scale (ILAS) (1 = severe pain, 10 = no pain) than in the group that received intramuscular analgesia. The mean ILAS scores in the epidural group were: day 1, 8.1 (SD, 1.26); day 2, 8.3 (SD, 0.87); day 3, 8.6 (SD, 0.71). The corresponding mean ILAS scores in the systemic group were 7.3 (SD, 1.38), 7.4 (SD, 1.16), and 7.6 (SD, 1.15). There was a significant difference between the ILAS scores for the two groups on all days ( p < 0.01). The mean plasma cortisol concentration was not significantly different between the groups during the period of investigation. In the epidural group, the highest measured mean cortisol concentration of 520.2 (SD, 266.4) nmol·L−1 was on day 2, whereas that in the systemic group was 738.3 (SD, 255.1) nmol·L−1 on day 1. The measured mean plasma cortisol concentration was found to exceed normal limits (150-700 nmol·L−1) only in the systemic group and only on day 1.


As a part of the TRUST (TRansparent Underground STructure), an industry-academia partnership project, a multicomponent broadband based on digital sensors, seismic landstreamer system has been developed. The system is particularly geared for noisy environments and areas where high-resolution images of the subsurface are needed. The streamer has been tested in various locations (e.g. parts of Stockholm Bypass project) and for various other targets one of which was the planned underground train tunnel in the city of Varberg, southwest Sweden. Potential targets were bedrock surface and weakness zones, such as fracture and shear zones. During nearly three weeks, 25 seismic profiles totally about 7.5 km long, using a source and receiver spacing of 2-4 m, were acquired. A novel approach in the data acquisition was to combine the landstreamer with wireless sensors in areas where accessibility was restricted and, to provide crucial information seismic sensors had to still be placed but not in the form of streamer. Although the area is highly noisy especially in the city center and areas close to the train station, the seismic data successfully allowed mapping the bedrock surface and its undulation and areas where potentially rocks have poor quality. Based on these results and modeling work conducted in the area, a detailed and complementary investigation has been recommended and optimal locations for a second phase drilling campaign have been identified. Complementary to this study, new approaches to quantify uncertainty in the seismic data, models and interpretations were developed and tested. The uncertainty estimates and the seismic results are currently being used in BIM (building information modeling) together with geotechnical and geological observations and serve as one of the main ingredients for the planning and construction of the tunnel.


Background Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major challenge for humankind. Because regions with the highest incidence also have a high prevalence of helminthiasis and nutritional scarcity, we wanted to understand the impact of these on TB progression. Methods We have developed an experimental murine model for active TB in C3HeB/FeJ, coinfected with Trichuris muris and Heligmosomoides polygyrus nematodes, and exposed to an environmental mycobacterium (M. manresensis) and intermittent fasting. Cause-effect relationships among these factors were explored with Partial Least Squares Path modelling (PLSPM). Results Previous parasitization had a major anti-inflammatory effect and reduced systemic levels of ADA, haptoglobin, local pulmonary levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL-1, CXCL-5 and IL-10. Oral administration of heat-killed M. manresensis resulted in a similar outcome. Both interventions diminished pulmonary pathology and bacillary load, but intermittent food deprivation reduced this protective effect increasing stress and inflammation. The PLSPM revealed nematodes might have protective effects against TB progression. Conclusions Significantly higher cortisol levels in food-deprivation groups showed it is a stressful condition, which might explain its deleterious effect. This highlights the impact of food security on TB eradication policies and the need to prioritize food supply over deworming activities.


Background: Increasing evidence suggests that many breast cancers may be "overdiagnosed" due to intensive screening and would not cause harm if left untreated. More research is needed on risk factors for the most harmful tumors that go on to become lethal. Alcohol is the strongest dietary risk factor for breast cancer, but whether alcohol consumption increases risk of lethal breast cancer specifically is unknown. Methods: We assessed alcohol intake (drinks/week) in 88,759 women in the Nurses9 Health Study (NHS; 1980-2010) and 93,911 women in the NHSII (1991-2009). Women reported beer, wine, and liquor intake on semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires administered every four years. The main exposure was cumulative average alcohol consumption in grams/day; we also assessed baseline and updated current consumption. Breast cancer cases were confirmed with pathology reports and deaths were confirmed by next of kin or the National Death Index. We defined lethal cases as women with invasive breast cancer for whom the primary cause of death was breast cancer or a metastasis from breast cancer. Person-time for each participant was calculated from the date of return of the baseline questionnaire to the date of breast cancer diagnosis, date of any other cancer diagnosis, death from any cause, or the end of follow-up, whichever came first. We pooled the NHS and NHSII data and used Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for breast cancer risk factors. To determine whether the association differed for lethal versus nonlethal breast cancer, competing risks models were used; we conducted likelihood ratio tests to compare models assuming different versus the same associations of alcohol (defined continuously) with lethal and nonlethal tumors. We tested for an interaction between alcohol and folate intake using a likelihood ratio test. Results: 1,452 women developed lethal breast cancer over follow-up. Cumulative average alcohol intake was associated with higher risk of lethal breast cancer [hazard ratio (HR) per 10 g increase: 1.13 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.18, p-trend Conclusions: In these two prospective cohort studies, alcohol intake was positively associated with lethal breast cancer, but the association was not significantly different for lethal versus nonlethal breast cancer. Citation Format: Caroline E. Boeke, A. Heather Eliassen, Wendy Y. Chen, Michelle D. Holmes, Bernard Rosner, Walter C. Willett, Rulla M. Tamimi. Alcohol intake in relation to lethal breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1269. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1269


Editorial Note: The following article by J M. Greene discusses one view of "The Parker Challenge," which asks whether magnetospheric plasma physics, for example, can best be understood in terms of magnetic fields and flows (the B,v paradigm), or in terms of electric fields and currents (the E,j paradigm). As with any such challenge, the resultant debate can be quite heated. Nevertheless, in my opinion, this type of debate will ultimately provide greater insight into the physics of space plasmas. This debate is not well suited for journals such as the Journal of Geophysical Research, since it is necessarily more anecdotal in nature, whereas Eos provides an appropriate forum. Motivated by J. M. Greene's article, I am therefore soliciting brief articles from members of the space physics and aeronomy community that demonstrate the usefulness of either paradigm. To this end, anyone who wishes to submit a brief contribution to this debate should send me an e-mail message to that effect. I will coordinate such submissions for publication together in a future issue of Eos.


We use Zagier's method to compute the critical values of the symmetric square L-functions of six cuspidal eigenforms of level one with rational coefficients. According to the Bloch-Kato conjecture, certain large primes dividing these critical values must be the orders of elements in generalised Shafarevich-Tate groups. We give some conditional constructions of these elements. One uses Heegner cycles and Ramanujan-style congruences. The other uses Kurokawa's congruences for Siegel modular forms of degree two. The first construction also applies to the tensor product L-function attached to a pair of eigenforms of level one. Here the critical values can be both calculated and analysed theoretically using a formula of Shimura.


The optical elements of femtosecond high peak power lasers have to fulfill more and more strict requirements in order to support pulses with high intensity and broad spectrum. In most cases chirped pulse amplification scheme is used to generate high peak power ultrashort laser pulses, where a very precise control of spectral intensity and spectral phase is required in reaching transform-limited temporal shape at the output. In the case of few cycle regime, the conventional bulk glass, prism-, grating- and their combination based compressors are not sufficient anymore, due to undesirable nonlinear effects in their material and proneness to optical damages. The chirped mirrors are also commonly used to complete the compression after a beam transport system just before the target. Moreover, the manufacturing technology requires quality checks right after production and over the lifetime of the mirror as well, since undesired deposition on the surface can lead alteration from the designed value over a large part of the aperture. For the high harmonic generation, polarization gating technology is used to generate single attosecond pulses [1]. In this case the pulse to be compressed has various polarization state falling to the chirped mirrors. For this reason, it is crucial to measure the dispersion of the mirrors for the different polarization states. In this presentation we demonstrate a simple technique to measure the dispersion of arbitrary mirror at angles of incidence from 0 to 55 degree, even for a 12" optics. A large aperture 4" mirror has been scanned over with micrometer accuracy and the dispersion property through the surface has been investigated with a stable interference fringes in that robust geometry. We used Spectrally Resolved Interferometry, which is based on a Michaelson interferometer and a combined visible and infrared spectrometer. Tungsten halogen lamp with 10 mW coupled optical power was used as a white-light source so with the selected spectrometer we could investigate over the 500-1300 nm spectral range. We also measured the mirrors with broadband oscillator pulses, and we found that the dispersion was the same for both light source. Group Delay Dispersion was obtained with a ±2 fs^2 accuracy from the Fourier Transform method of the interference fringes. Using an adjunct mirror, we made possible to change continuously the angle of incidence at the chirped mirror within 3 and 55°. On the input part of the interferometer we placed a wire-grid polarizer, and sensitivity of the chirp mirrors to the polarization state have been measured at different incidence angles. To present the flexibility of the device we scanned two different compressor mirrors with +100 fs^2 and -500 fs^2 at the 800 nm central wavelength. We separately developed an optical arrangement to detect Group Delay shift between s and p polarization reflections of large aperture chirped compressor mirrors and we found that it's below the detection limit, so further investigation will be necessary. 1. M. Ivanov, P. B. Corkum, T. Zuo, and A. Bandrauk, Routes to Control of Intense-Field Atomic Polarizability, Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 1995


The presence of certain autoantibodies in the serum of patients facilitates the diagnosis of particular autoimmune diseases. Some antibodies may also be significant for the progno sis of the disease development and internal organs involvement. In the case of Sjögren's syndrome, it is known that overactivity of B-lymphocytes leads to the production of a number of autoantibodies—both markers for pSS (such as antibodies to ribonucleopro- teins) and nonspecific antibodies (such as rheumatoid factor). The range of autoantibod ies found in pSS is constantly expanding, but their significance is not fully established. At present, only anti-SS-A antibodies are introduced to the criteria for the pSS diagnosis. However, this does not stop an interest in other autoantibodies and the significance of their presence for the course of this disease. This chapter outlines the autoantibodies found in pSS and discusses their importance in clinical practice.


The article presents a study of the mechanical processes occurring during the aluminothermic reaction using experimental methods (strain gauges, digital image correlation, thermography, scanning electron microscopy, profilometry). The aluminothermic reaction is a highly efficient welding method due to its exothermic behaviour, however, it places considerable demands not only on the welding technique, but also on the capabilities of the experimental methods used; these limitations are also discussed in the article. The aluminothermic reaction is associated with the formation of a localised heat source with a time evolution dictated by the technological procedure, which manifests itself in heat propagation to the surrounding weld material. The unequal evolution of the temperature field is the fundamental cause of the appearance of the heat affected zone or local deformations or surface curvature, which was the focus of the experimental methods deployed above and the results of which are shown in the article.


This study aims to report a 57-year-old male cadaver with a rare muscular variation of the sterno-pectoral region. An unusual sternalis muscle was observed on both sides, arising from the external oblique muscle aponeurosis. The fibers converged upwards and medially in a curved course, producing a bundle 99.50 mm long on the right side and 74.60 mm on the left. The muscles on both sides were supplied by the second, third, and fourth intercostal nerves. In the right pectoralis major (PM) muscle, the sternocostal head was completely absent, and the clavicular head arose from the medial two-thirds of the clavicle, whereas abdominal fibers arose from the aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique muscle and ran upward and laterally and joined the clavicular fibers with a wide triangular gap. On the left side, there was an anatomically normal PM muscle. The origin of the pectoralis minor was unusually high on both sides. The morphological variations of sterno-pectoral musculature have significant implications for clinical practice, which allows more precise surgical or radiological outcomes. Clinicoradiological evaluation of these variations is important to achieve appropriate dissection planes during chest wall surgery.


BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy representing in Europe the 3-5% of all malignant tumors. Metabolic pathway of Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is influenced by various cytokines delivered during inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. Liver seems to be the main site of Lp(a) synthesis.

METHODS
A group of patients affected by HCC was studied in order to evaluate the changes in serum Lp(a) levels and their significance.

PARTICIPANTS
40 patients (25 males and 15 females) affected by primary HCC and 25 control healthy subjects (12 males and 13 females). In HCC patients we evaluated the following serological parameters: Lp(a), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), albumin, (pseudo)cholinesterase (CHE), aspartate amino-transpeptidase (AST), alanine amino-transpeptidase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (g-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ferritin, alpha fetoprotein, partial thromboplastin time (PTT), Quick time, prothrombinic activity (PA) and fibrinogen. Statistical analysis of the data obtained was performed using the variance analysis (ANOVA method) and Student's OtO for non-paired data test. For Lp(a), Wilcoxon's non parametric test was used. The correlations between examined parameters were performed by Pearson's correlation test.

RESULTS
In patients with HCC, mean serum TC, LDL-C TG and Lp(a) levels were significantly lower than in controls. HDL-C did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups studied. Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between: Lp(a) and CHE, Lp(a) and albumin, CHE and LDL-C; while a negative correlation has been found between: Lp(a) and alpha-fetoprotein, Lp(a) and ferritin, CHE and alpha-fetoprotein.

CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the relationship with alfa fetoprotein and ferritin serum levels, Lp(a) seems to represent an indirect index of liver damage. Lp(a) is a risk factor for vascular diseases and seems to have an interesting role in the liver functions. We conclude that the evaluation of Lp(a) serum levels may contribute, among other markers, to a more complete evaluation of the liver function in patients with HCC suggesting a predictive role for this lipoprotein.


ABSTRACT Ni(OH)2/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) core-shell hybrid nanostructure has been synthesized employing a facile and inexpensive chemical-precipitation technique. The synthesized core-shell nanostructures, comprising Ni(OH)2 at the core and RGO as shell, were then coated on commercially available Ni foam used as an electrode. Prepared Ni(OH)2/RGO nanospheres were analyzed by Raman analysis for structural information. In the Raman spectrum, the peaks at 1323 and 1612 cm−1 correspond to the D and G bands of RGO, respectively. The peaks at 468 and 335 cm−1 depict the characteristic bands of Ni(OH)2 . The core-shell morphology of the hybrid was established from Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images. The lattice fringes are measured to be 0.33 nm for RGO layers and 0.22 nm for Ni(OH)2 core, which correspond to (002) plane of RGO and (101) plane of Ni(OH)2. For electrochemical studies, the as-prepared Ni(OH)2/RGO hybrid was used as a battery-type electrode in supercapacitor. The results indicate that the Ni(OH)2/RGO core-shell hybrid nanostructure exhibits a maximum specific capacity of 513.8 Cg−1 at 10 mV/s with a maximum energy density of 119.4 Whkg−1 at 1250 Wkg−1 power density.


Fetal growth is normally constrained by maternal factors. This constraint is demonstrated by the usual inverse linear relationship between litter size and mean fetal weight. Cross-breeding experiments between mice of lines selected for high or low plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) levels suggested that elevations in maternal IGF-I abolish (P less than 0.01) this constraining effect and reverse the usual positive relationship between fetal and placental size in late gestation. This was confirmed by treating mice and rats throughout pregnancy with IGF-I. In normal mice and in low IGF-I line mice treatment with IGF-I (10 micrograms 8-hourly s.c. from day 1 to 19 of pregnancy) abolished maternal constraint whereas 0.9% (w/v) NaCl treatment did not. In Wistar rats osmotic pumps were implanted to deliver IGF-I (1 microgram/g body weight per day), bovine GH (bGH; 0.6 microgram/g body weight per day) or saline from day 1 to 19 of pregnancy. IGF-I therapy but not bGH or saline abolished (P less than 0.01) maternal constraint and altered (P less than 0.01) the relationship between placental and fetal weight. When high or low IGF-I line mice embroys were transplanted into a normal line of mice, the expected negative relationship (P less than 0.05) between mean fetal weight and litter size was maintained. However, the embryos of the high line were heavier (P less than 0.05) than those from the low line irrespective of fetal number, suggesting a direct role for IGF-I in the regulation of fetal growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Hadronic production of heavy-quark mesons is revisited in the framework of a fusion model built up to neutralize the color charge in quark fragmentation.


A trend that is likely to continue in 2018 is the rise of consumerism and expansion of the consumer-driven marketplace. But investing in this is pricey and in an era of shrinking margins is "better for patients" always "better for business?" The Advisory Board's Zachary Hafner answers with a resounding "yes!"


This article proposes a new class of Real Elliptically Skewed (RESK) distributions and associated clustering algorithms that integrate robustness and skewness into a single unified cluster analysis framework. Non-symmetrically distributed and heavy-tailed data clusters have been reported in a variety of real-world applications. Robustness is essential because a few outlying observations can severely obscure the cluster structure. The RESK distributions are a generalization of the Real Elliptically Symmetric (RES) distributions. To estimate the cluster parameters and memberships, we derive an expectation maximization (EM) algorithm for arbitrary RESK distributions. Special attention is given to a new robust skew-Huber M-estimator, which is also the approximate maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) for the skew-Huber distribution, that belongs to the RESK class. Numerical experiments on simulated and real-world data confirm the usefulness of the proposed methods for skewed and heavy-tailed data sets.


Schlagworter: Palmol, Umkampfte Raume, TPSN-Ansatz, Migrant_innen, Alltagswiderstand ----- The Contested Spaces of the Palm Oil Industry. Abstract This article uses the "Territory, Place, Scale, Network" (TPSN) Framework  developed by Jessop et al. (2008) to uncover the historically specific  ensemble of TPSN that characterizes the socio-spatial dynamics of the palm oil industry. First it looks at how the dialectic between flows of capital  at the global scale and fixed capital at the regional scale drives territorial expansion across Southeast Asia. A specific mill-estate-scale forms the basic unit of production along transnational production networks and  accelerates the totalitarian transformation of eco-social landscapes that then produces the first category of conflicts around environmental justice. The scale of the national state is spatially at odds with the economic  space, but is politically crucial for the territorialisation of palm oil expansion. Despite this, the main political dynamic in recent years has been the production of a contested transnational political space between Southeast Asia and Europe which has been defined by non-governmental  organization (NGO) campaigns and networked corporate governance. The main focus of the article is on the new social spaces created by the  everyday resistance of migrant palm oil workers in Malaysia to the  precarious labour regime and system of political control pursued by the  Malaysian national state. Workers defy systems of control by circumventing border regulations, by absconding from work in a systematic fashion (lari), and with wildcat strikes. The paper argues that workers' practices of  migration autonomy not only produce new transnational social spaces but they also offer potential for transnational organizing strategies and  alliances between workers and the environmental justice movement. Keywords: Palm oil, contested spaces, TPSN framework, migrant workers, everyday resistance


Using the OM-10.1 promyelocytic model of inducible human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, we tested a panel of known protein kinase inhibitors for an ability to block tumour necrosis factor-α-induced HIV-1 expression. Among the compounds tested, the broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitor H-7 uniquely blocked HIV-1 expression at the level of viral transcription, but did not inhibit nuclear factor κB activation or function. In structure—activity analysis this inhibitory activity of H-7 on HIV-1 expression corresponded with the known structural requirements for the interaction of H-7 with the ATP-binding region of protein kinase C, suggesting that it was indeed related to the kinase inhibitory properties of H-7. The mechanism of H-7 transcriptional inhibition did not involve chromatin remodelling at the HIV-1 long terminal repeat promoter, as shown by nuc-1 disruption, and appeared to involve HIV-1 RNA elongation but not initiation. Therefore, H-7 and related isoquinoline-sulphonamide analogues are most likely inhibiting a kinase target essential for HIV-1 transcriptional elongation whose identity may provide new therapeutic targets for intervention.


Introduction: After the birth of the baby if the placenta is not expulsed within 30 minutes of the delivery, it is termed as retained placenta. The incidence of retained placenta is 2% of deliveries world-wide and is an important cause for maternal mortality and morbidity. Nitroglycerine (NTG) is an organic nitrate that relaxes smooth muscles and produces a generalized vasodilatation. As it relaxes the smooth muscle, it is also used as a uterine relaxant for manual placental removal. Aims and Objectives: To know the efficacy and safety of intravenous NTG in manual removal of placenta and to know the hemodynamic effects during the procedure. Materials and Methods: Total number of patients included in this study were 40. Patients were divided in two groups, each group having 20 patients each. Group 1 patients were administered with 100 microgm of NTG and group 2 patients with 150 microgm of NTG. Clinical parameters and complications were studied and compared between the two groups. Placenta was observed for separation and graded as easily separated, separated with assistance, difficult to separate, failed to separate. The clinical parameters like hypotension, tachycardia, headache after awakening, palpitation after awakening were compared between the two groups. Results: In group 1, we observed that placenta was easily separatedin 12 patients (60%), separated with assistance in 3 patients (15%), difficult to separate in 3 patients (15%) and in 2 patients (10%) placenta was not separated. In group 2, we observed that, placenta was easily separated in 14 patients (70%), separated with assistance in 2 patients (10%), difficult to separate in 2 patients (10%) and in 2 patients (10%) placenta was not separated. Conclusion: Intravenous NTG is an effective and safe method for manual removal of placenta with a dose of 100 microgram.


Cardiac fibrosis is the major hallmark of adverse cardiac remodeling in chronic heart failure (CHF) and its therapeutic targeting might help against cardiac dysfunction during chronic conditions. Diuretic agents are potentially useful in these cases, but their effects on the cardiac fibrosis pathogenesis are yet to be identified. This study was designed to identify and compare the effects of diuretic drugs torasemide and furosemide on cardiac fibrosis in a rat model of dilated cardiomyopathy induced by porcine cardiac myosin mediated experimental autoimmune myocarditis. Gap junction proteins, connexin-43 and N-cadherin, expressions were downregulated in the hearts of CHF rats, while torasemide treatment has upregulated their expression. Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis for various cardiac fibrosis related proteins as well as histopathological studies have shown that both drugs have potential anti-fibrotic effects. Among them, torasemide has superior efficacy in offering protection against adverse cardiac remodeling in the selected rat model of dilated cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, torasemide treatment has potential anti-fibrotic effect in the hearts of CHF rats, possibly via improving the gap junction proteins expression and thereby improving the cell-cell interaction in the heart. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(2):187-194, 2017.


Hybrid nanocomposites of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized via surface thiol-lactam initiated radical polymerization by following the grafting from strategy. Initially, TiO2 nanoparticles were modified by 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane to prepare thiol functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2SH). Subsequently, surface initiated polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was conducted by using TiO2SH and butyrolactam as an initiating system. The anchoring of PHEMA onto the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles was investigated by FTIR, 1H-NMR, XPS, TGA, and XRD analyses. The experimental results indicated a strong interaction between PHEMA and TiO2 nanoparticles owing to covalent bonding. The TEM and SEM images of PHEMA-g-TiO2 showed that the agglomeration propensity of TiO2 nanoparticles was significantly reduced upon the PHEMA functionalization. The molecular weight and polydispersity index of the cleaved PHEMA from the surface of TiO2 nanocomposites were estimated by GPC analysis. An improved thermal property of the nanocomposites was observed from TGA analysis. PHEMA-g-TiO2 nanocomposites were found to be highly dispersible in organic solvents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013


This article outlines the report Turning the Corner: Improving Diabetes Care on the progress made since the launch of the National Service Framework for Diabetes. It highlights some of the challenges still to be met and provides up-to-date information on prevalence and treatment levels.


Arrhythmias often complicate the course of patients with severe respiratory disease; the frequency of arrhythmias in patients with this condition approaches that seen with acute myocardial infarction. No one rhythm disturbance predominates, but rapid atrial and ventricular rhythms are characteristic. In the setting of acute respiratory failure, several conditions may predispose to arrhythmias. Hypoxemia, a serum pH that is too high or too low, and a low serum potassium may produce arrhythmias by disturbing the myocardial cellular milieu. Drugs such as digitalis, epinephrine, and theophylline may also act as myocardial irritants. The first step in therapy is to careful examination, it is helpful to note the specific effect of the arrhythmia on the patient. Some rhythm disturbances are well tolerated, while others are associated with serious problems in ventilation and perfusion. In many cases the control of respiration, correction of pH and electrolyte imbalance, and provision of bronchial hygiene will restore a normal sinus rhythm. Such measures are essential even when antiarrhythmic drugs or cardioversion are needed.


The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of product quality, brand image and perception of the price of the consumer buying decision process matic Honda motorcycles. The population in this study were matic Honda motorcycle users. The samples in this study using purposive sampling, which means that sample based on specific criteria, namely: those who are older and those who use and have matic Honda motorcycles. The analytical tool used is multiple linear regression analysis. The results of the analysis can be concluded that: product quality, positive influence on consumer buying decision process matic Honda motorcycles. Brand image positive influence on consumer buying decision process matic Honda motorcycles. Perception price positive influence on consumer buying decision process matic Honda motorcycles. Keywords: product quality, brand image, perception of price and consumer purchase decision process


This article presents Monte Carlo techniques for estimating network reliability. For highly reliable networks, techniques based on graph evolution models provide very good performance. However, they are known to have significant simulation cost. An existing hybrid scheme (based on partitioning the time space) is available to speed up the simulations; however, there are difficulties with optimizing the important parameter associated with this scheme. To overcome these difficulties, a new hybrid scheme (based on partitioning the edge set) is proposed in this article. The proposed scheme shows orders of magnitude improvement of performance over the existing techniques in certain classes of network. It also provides reliability bounds with little overhead.


The linear-quadratic controller is one of the fundamental problems in control theory. The optimal solution is a linear controller that requires access to the state of the entire system at any given time. When considering a network system, this renders the optimal controller a centralized one. The interconnected nature of a network system often demands a distributed controller, where different components of the system are controlled based only on local information. Unlike the classical centralized case, obtaining the optimal distributed controller is usually an intractable problem. Thus, we adopt a graph neural network (GNN) as a parametrization of distributed controllers. GNNs are naturally local and have distributed architectures, making them well suited for learning nonlinear distributed controllers. By casting the linear-quadratic problem as a self-supervised learning problem, we are able to find the best GNN-based distributed controller. We also derive sufficient conditions for the resulting closed-loop system to be stable. We run extensive simulations to study the performance of GNN-based distributed controllers and showcase that they are a computationally efficient parametrization with scalability and transferability capabilities.


SUMMARY This paper discusses the development of an optimal wheel-torque controller for a compliant modular robot. The wheel actuators are the only actively controllable elements in this robot. For this type of robots, wheel-slip could offer a lot of hindrance while traversing on uneven terrains. Therefore, an effective wheel-torque controller is desired that will also improve the wheel-odometry and minimize power consumption. In this work, an optimal wheel-torque controller is proposed that minimizes the traction-to-normal force ratios of all the wheels at every instant of its motion. This ensures that, at every wheel, the least traction force per unit normal force is applied to maintain static stability and desired wheel speed. The lower this is, in comparison to the actual friction coefficient of the wheel-ground interface, the more margin of slip-free motion the robot can have. This formalism best exploits the redundancy offered by a modularly designed robot. This is the key novelty of this work. Extensive numerical and experimental studies were carried out to validate this controller. The robot was tested on four different surfaces and we report an overall average slip reduction of 44% and mean wheel-torque reduction by 16%.


Humor, both verbal and visual, is culture-specific. This essay examines humorous visual representations in their original archaeological and social contexts to understand Roman attitude-formation, or acculturation. Social theories of humor that distinguish between humor meant for individuals within a group (intragroup humor) and humor targeting individuals outside one's group (intergroup humor) help explain the dynamics of the humor in Roman visual culture. Pompeii offers two examples of intragroup humor: representations in the Tavern of Salvius make fun of the non-elite people who frequented the tavern; the parodies of Aeneas and Romulus from an elite house make fun of the cultural pretensions of other elites with regard to Augustus' propaganda. The Tavern of the Seven Sages at Ostia uses intergroup humor, with non-elite men mocking the Seven Sages. In this case Mikhail Bakhtin's hermeneutic of the carnivalesque enriches the analysis by revealing multiple strategies employed to elicit laughter, including the world-turned upside down, analogies between bodily and spatial representation, and oppositions between philosophical and colloquial speech. In both the Tavern of Salvius and that of the Seven Sages written texts, ranging from crude Latin speech-bubbles to elegant iambic senarii, indicate the levels of literacy of the audiences.


Background Lymphadenopathy is one of the common clinical presentations in outdoor patient department, especially in pediatric age group. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the lymph nodes has become an integral part of initial diagnosis and management of patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic utility of FNAC of lymph nodes and to study the spectrum of diseases in pediatric patients with superficial lymphadenopathy. Methods This study was carried out in Department of Pathology, Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat from July 2012 to June 2015. A total of 217 cases of superficially palpable lymph nodes in pediatric age group (0-14 years) were included in this study. Observation In this study, M: F ratio is 1.4:1. Most common cause of lymphadenopathy was non-specific reactive hyperplasia 118 (54.88%) followed by granulomatous lymphadenitis 79 (36.74%), acute suppurative lymphadenitis 14(6.51%), and neoplastic 4 (1.86%). Among malignant group, all 4 cases are primary lymphoma. Male showed preponderance for reactive hyperplasia and suppurative lymphadenitis while tuberculous lymphadenitis was more common in females. Cervical group of lymph nodes were most frequently involved by all causes of lymphadenopathy. Conclusion FNAC is a simple, reliable, rapid and safe diagnostic modality for the etiologic workup in significant lymphadenopathy in children.


Assertions are recognized as a powerful tool for automatic run time detection of software errors. However, existing testing methods do not use assertions to generate test cases. We present a novel approach of automated test data generation in which assertions are used to generate test cases. In this approach the goal is to identify test cases on which an assertion is violated. If such a test is found then this test uncovers an error in the program. The problem of finding program input on which an assertion is violated may be reduced to the problem of finding program input on which a selected statement is executed. As a result, the existing methods of automated test data generation for white box testing may be used to generate tests to violate assertions. The experiments have shown that this approach may significantly improve the chances of finding software errors as compared to the existing methods of test generation.


Extreme UV (XUV) frequency comb generation in the wavelength range of 51 to 85 nm is reported based on high-order harmonic generation of two consecutive IR frequency comb pulses that were amplified in an optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier. The versatility of the system is demonstrated by recording direct XUV frequency comb excitation signals in He, Ne, and Ar with visibilities of up to 61%.


Many of the policies that shaped Argentinean politics and society in the second half of the nineteenth century, most notably the project behind the 1853 constitution and its proposed immigration policies, can be traced to lawyer, publicist and political thinker Juan Bautista Alberdi (1810-84). In this article I chart the modifications in the way Alberdi appropriates French Doctrinaire thought. I argue that while in the young Alberdi we see a strong emphasis on the historicist element of Doctrinarism, on later stages Alberdi reduces Doctrinaire thought to its central sociological thesis. It is this impoverished version of French Doctrinaire thought conjoined with a number of negative appraisals about the Argentinean population, which led eventually to his proposal to rely on demographic engineering as a means for infusing life into Argentina's democratic constitution.


Gold electrodes of thickness-shear mode acoustic wave sensors were modified with poly[(mercaptopropyl)methylsiloxane]. The flow-through adsorption of three major plasma proteins (human serum albumin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulin G) was detected by acoustic network analysis. The elution of fibrinogen and albumin from coated and unmodified gold surfaces by sodium dodecyl sulfate was studied with respect to different adsorption times and protein concentrations. Both sequential and competitive adsorptions of the three proteins on polymer-modified surfaces of sensors were examined as were simultaneous adsorptions from binary and ternary mixtures. The experimental results confirm that the competitive behaviors of proteins in terms of adsorptive processes are explained by factors other than displacement phenomena.


Efficient and accurate network simulation techniques are critical for evaluating protocols and systems at scale. For example, the magnitude of modern data center deployments requires the use of fast simulation techniques in order to evaluate newly proposed algorithms and system architectures. Unfortunately, efficient simulation can come at the cost of accuracy and realism. In this work-in-progress paper, we examine specific limitations of existing closed-form models of TCP throughput, which are commonly used to simulate aggregate performance of TCP flows. We evaluate two models in particular, comparing predictions of the models with actual performance measured using the Mininet platform. We find that the open-loop nature of these models and sensitivity to different parameters contributes to significant inaccuracies, which may in turn lead to incorrect conclusions when using such models as the basis for simulation. We describe our ongoing work on a new method for scalable TCP flow simulation that is based on ideas from XCP. Our proposed technique is highly efficient, incorporates network feedback in a closed-loop manner, and in our initial experiments shows appreciable improvement in accuracy over prior models.


Abstract Background In context of the multidisciplinary German scientific guideline "Use of extracorporeal circulation (extracorporeal life support [ECLS]/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) for cardiac and circulatory failure," a nationwide survey should depict the status of organization and application of ECLS therapy in Germany. Methods Between June and October 2017, a standardized questionnaire consisting of 30 items related to ECLS therapy was sent to all German cardiosurgical departments, and all returned results were analyzed and evaluated. Results The return rate amounted to 92.9% (78 out of 84 departments). In the participating departments, ECLS therapy is subject to different responsibilities, and exhibits divergent processes and various ways for specialization of the involved personnel. This also concerns local application standards, such as cannulation strategies, anticoagulation management, left ventricular unloading, antiwatershed treatment, and weaning from circulatory support. Conclusion This nationwide survey underlines the necessity of a multidisciplinary guideline concerning ECLS therapy.


We quantify the systematics in the size–luminosity relation of galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey main sample (i.e. at z ∼ 0.1) which arise from fitting different one- and two-component model profiles to the r-band images. For objects brighter than L_*, fitting a single Sersic profile to what is really a two-component SerExp system leads to biases: the half-light radius is increasingly overestimated as n of the fitted single component increases; it is also overestimated at B/T ∼ 0.6. For such objects, the assumption of a single Sersic component is particularly misleading. However, the net effect on the R-L relation is small, except for the most luminous tail. We then study how this relation depends on morphology. Our analysis is one of the first to use Bayesian-classifier-derived weights, rather than hard cuts, to define morphology. For the R-L relation Es, S0s and Sas are early types, whereas Sbs and Scds are late, although S0s tend to be 15 per cent smaller than Es of the same luminosity, and faint Sbs are more than 25 per cent smaller than faint Scds. Neither the early- nor the late-type relations are pure power laws: both show significant curvature, which we quantify. This curvature confirms that two mass scales are special for both early- and late-type galaxies: M_* ∼ 3 × 10^10 and 2 × 10^11 M_⊙. Also, although the R_disc-L_disc and R_disc-M_*disc relations of discs of disc-dominated galaxies run parallel to the corresponding relations for the total light in late types (i.e. they are significantly curved), R_bulge-L_bulge and R_bulge-M_*bulge for bulge-dominated systems show almost no curvature (i.e. unlike for the total light of early-type galaxies). Finally, the intrinsic scatter in the R-L relation decreases at large L and/or M_* and should provide additional constraints on models of how the most massive galaxies formed.


Low-complexity error concealment techniques for missing macroblock (MB) recovery based on the boundary matching principle are extensively studied and evaluated. In this paper, an improved boundary matching algorithm (BMA) using adaptive search is presented to conceal channel errors in inter-frames of video images. The proposed scheme adaptively selects proper candidate regions to conceal the artifact of a lost block. The candidate regions are examined based on analyzing motion activity of the neighboring MBs. Simulations show that the proposed scheme outperforms both on PSNR and visual quality obviously of about 1–4dB compared to existing methods.


To obtain the inverses of time-varying matrices in real time, a special kind of recurrent neural networks has recently been proposed by Zhang et al. It is proved that such a Zhang neural network (ZNN) could globally exponentially converge to the exact inverse of a given time-varying matrix. To find out the effect of time-derivative term on global convergence as well as for easier hardware-implementation purposes, the ZNN model without exploiting time-derivative information is investigated in this paper for inverting online matrices. Theoretical results of both constant matrix inversion case and time-varying matrix inversion case are presented for comparative and illustrative purposes. In order to substantiate the presented theoretical results, computer-simulation results are shown, which demonstrate the importance of time derivative term of given matrices on the exact convergence of ZNN model to time-varying matrix inverses.


This survey deals with the problem of linguistic diversity in Europe. In what way does the Council of Europe react to what is commonly called there the « new minorities » composed of immigrants and refugees ? The Director for Human Rights at the Council of Europe first covers guarantees provided to members of minorities under the European Convention on Human Rights (article 14), then describes attempts made by the Council of Europe to protect minorities as such. As for the new minorities, the Council is taking action to favour intercultural education. Its policy aims a both preserving European languages in their diversity and encouraging multilingualism which is of such nature as to facilitate communication and understanding between different peoples


Abstract A new crocodylid is described on the basis of fragmentary, but diagnostic, material from the Quaternary of Aldabra Atoll. It differs from all other known crocodylians, living or extinct, in having a prominent semicircular crest, or "horn," on the dorsolateral margin of the squamosal. Unlike the horns seen in some living Crocodylus, the apex of each horn was at its midpoint anterior to the external otic aperture and not near its posterior end. It also has a highly vaulted premaxillary palate and an anterodorsally-oriented external naris, and dorsal exposure of the supraoccipital on the skull table was extensive. Phylogenetic relationships of the new form are unclear, making its biogeographic origins difficult to trace, but it was very likely an immigrant from elsewhere and not endemic to Aldabra Atoll, as it occurs in deposits formed shortly after a period of submergence ended 120,000 years ago.


This paper compares returns of ETFs holding physical commodities and ETFs holding derivative products to their respective spot commodity returns to identify significant performance differences based on the ETF assets. We regress ETF returns on spot commodity returns to estimate beta and R2 values. We use these Beta and R2 values to evaluate the relationship between the ETFs and their spot prices. We found that the physical ETFs perform more consistently with their spot commodities; these products are more likely to provide the expected risk exposure investors desire. Also this paper performs two mean comparison tests: the first compares the returns of the ETFs with their spot commodities; while the second compares the Sharpe Ratios of the ETFs with the Sharpe Ratios generated by their spot commodities. Our analysis of the Sharpe Ratios found that futures based ETFs have considerable performance divergence from the physical commodity depending on if the futures market is in backwardation or contango. Finally this paper evaluates the performance of the stack and strip methods used by WTI Crude Oil based ETFs. We found that the use of a strip method improved the performance of the WTI Crude Oil ETF when the contango in the futures market became more severe, and eroded performance as the market became flat or backwardated.


Firms generally begin as privately owned entities. When they grow large enough, the decision to go public and its consequences are among the most crucial times in a firm's life cycle. The first time a firm is a reporting issuer gives rise to tremendous responsibilities about disclosing public information and accountability to a wide array of retail shareholders and institutional investors. Initial public offerings (IPOs) offer tremendous opportunities to raise capital. The economic and legal landscape for IPOs has been rapidly evolving across countries. There have been fewer IPOs in the United States in the aftermath of the 2007–2009 financial crisis and associated regulatory reforms that began in 2002. In 1980–2000, an average of 310 firms went public every year, while in 2001–2014 an average of 110 firms went public every year. At the same time, there are so many firms that seek an IPO in China that there has been a massive waiting list of hundreds of firms in recent years. Some countries are promoting small junior stock exchanges to go public early, and even crowdfunding to avoid any prospectus disclosure. Financial regulation of analysts and investment banks has been evolving in ways that drastically impact the economics of going public—in some countries, such as the United States, drastically increasing the minimum size of a company before it can expect to go public. This Handbook not only systematically and comprehensively consolidates a large body of literature on IPOs, but provides a foundation for future debates and inquiry.


Background: Inhalation of lead oxide fumes may cause lead poisoning. Lead has been proven to have harmful effects on different organs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the concentration of lead fumes and the levels of reproductive hormones among exposed welders. Methods: A total number of 165 individuals of a construction industry of water pipelines, including 85 welders as the exposure group and 80 administrative staff as the non-exposure group were selected for study. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 7300 method was used for the purpose of sampling and analysis of lead fumes. Likewise, the NIOSH 8003 method was employed to determine the blood lead level. The level of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were measured by Chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLIA) test. Data analyses were done by SPSS ver.21 using descriptive statistics, Student›s t-test and Spearman›s correlation test. Results: The average concentration of lead fumes in the breathing zone and blood were 0.57 ± 0.12 mg/m3 and 460.28 ± 93.65 μg/L, correspondingly, which both were significantly higher than threshold limit values (TLV) and biological exposure index (BEI) recommended by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)(P < 0.05). The mean levels of LH and FSH were higher in the exposed group than those in the control group (P < 0.05), however, the mean levels of testosterone were lower in the exposed group compared to non-exposed ones (P < 0.05). A strong correlation was found between the concentration of lead fumes and the blood lead levels (r = 0.82; P = 0.003). Blood lead levels were inversely related to the testosterone levels and directly related to LH (r = 0.72; P = 0.004) and FSH (r = 0.78; P = 0.001) levels. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to metal fumes containing lead among welders may alter the level of sexual hormones and potentially harm the reproductive system.


We have carried out a spectroscopic survey of 750 sources that are strong 25-μm emitters from the IRAS Faint Source data base. Many of these sources are previously unknown active galactic nuclei including new IRAS quasars, three of which we describe here: F21382−2659, Z06367−6845 and Z05558−5008. They are all radio and X-ray quiet, and compared to the known IRAS quasars they have similar 25-μm luminosities, L(25 μm), but lower values of L(25 μm)/L(B). Their F(25 μm)/F(60 μm) IRAS colours lie in the range 0.33 to 1.08, indicating the presence of relatively warm dust, presumably in a dusty torus surrounding the central source, and with temperatures similar to those of the known IRAS quasars. The quasar with the warmest dust, F21382−2659, exhibits broad (full width at half-maximum ~4000 km s^(−1)) asymmetric Balmer lines with Hγ having an opposite asymmetry to the other broad lines; also Hβ (only) is double-peaked. Fe ii is very weak in F21382−2659 but strong in the other two quasars, and the anticorrelation between Fe ii and [O iii] holds as anticipated. Two of the quasars are unpolarized: although F21382−2659 is optically polarized (2.1 per cent at 4950 A), we argue that this provides little insight into the orientation of its dust torus relative to the line of sight.


AIM
To explore the correlation between Twist-related protein (Twist)1, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)2 and gastric adenocarcinoma differentiation and progression.

METHODS
We evaluated Twist1 and FGFR2 in 52 gastric adenocarcinoma samples by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, and analyzed the correlation between Twist1, FGFR2 and cancer differentiation. We also detected Twist1 and FGFR2 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines, and evaluated Twist1 influence on FGFR2 expression. In addition, we studied the role of FGFR2 in Twist1-promoted cancer progression, including proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

RESULTS
Twist1 and FGFR2 were detected in almost all the gastric adenocarcinoma samples. Twist1 (P = 0.0213) and FGFR2 (P = 0.0310) mRNA levels had a significant association with gastric adenocarcinoma differentiation. Moreover, Twist1 and FGFR2 expression in poorly differentiated cells (SNU-1 and SNU-16) was notably higher than in well-differentiated cells (MKN-7 and MKN-28). In poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas, FGFR2 mRNA level was significantly positively correlated with Twist1 mRNA level (P = 0.004). Twist1 was proved to promote FGFR2 by regulating Twist1 expression by knockdown and overexpression. Additionally, Twist1 could induce proliferation, invasion and EMT in gastric cancer; of these, FGFR2 was required for invasion and EMT, rather than proliferation.

CONCLUSION
Twist1 and FGFR2 are highly associated with differentiation of gastric adenocarcinoma; Twist1 can facilitate invasion and EMT in gastric adenocarcinoma via promotion of FGFR2 expression.


Native trees and shrubs are essential components of rural landscapes in the semi-arid inner-Andean valleys of Bolivia. They can be found as hedges and bushes in various agroecosystems such as terrace walls, slopes, field boundaries and fallow land. Their distribution and floristic composition are the result of dynamic spatial and temporal interactions between local farmers and the environment. Local uses of natural resources and biodiversity reflect the constantly evolving Andean culture, which can be generally characterised as an intertwining of the human, natural, and spiritual worlds. The aim of the present ethnobotanical study was to analyse the dynamics of traditional ecological knowledge, to ascertain local farmers' perceptions and uses of native woody species in Andean communities and to associate the results with local conservation activities for the trees and shrubs concerned. Our case study was carried out within two communities of the Tunari National Park (Dept. Cochabamba) in Bolivia. For data collection, research methods from social science (semi-structured interviews, participative observation, participatory mapping) as well as vegetation surveys were combined. Local actors included women and men of all ages as well as families from different social categories and altitudinal levels of permanent residence. Our study indicates that, due to a multitude of socio-economic pressures (e.g. migration of young people) as well as changes in use of biodiversity (e.g. replacement of native by exotic introduced species), the traditional ecological knowledge base of native trees and shrubs and their respective uses has become diminished over time. In many cases it has led to a decline in people's awareness of native species and as a consequence their practical, emotional and spiritual relationships with them have been lost. However, results also show that applied traditional ecological knowledge has led to local conservation strategies, which have succeeded in protecting those tree and shrub species which are most widely regarded for their multifunctional, constant and exclusive uses (e.g. Schinus molle, Prosopis laevigata, Baccharis dracunculifolia). The presentation will discuss the question if and how applied traditional ecological knowledge positively contributes to local initiatives of sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in rural areas.


In this study, we developed an assay system for missense mutations in human phenylalanine hydroxylases (hPAHs). To demonstrate the reliability of the system, eight mutant proteins (F39L, K42I, L48S, I65T, R252Q, L255V, S349L, and R408W) were expressed in a mutant strain (pah(-)) of Dictyostelium discoideum Ax2 disrupted in the indigenous gene encoding PAH. The transformed pah- cells grown in FM minimal medium were measured for growth rate and PAH activity to reveal a positive correlation between them. The protein level of hPAH was also determined by western blotting to show the impact of each mutation on protein stability and catalytic activity. The result was highly compatible with the previous ones obtained from other expression systems, suggesting that Dictyostelium is a dependable alternative to other expression systems. Furthermore, we found that both the protein level and activity of S349L and R408W, which were impaired severely in protein stability, were rescued in HL5 nutrient medium. Although the responsible component(s) remains unidentified, this unexpected finding showed an important advantage of our expression system for studying unstable proteins. As an economic and stable cell-based expression system, our development will contribute to mass-screening of pharmacological chaperones for missense PAH mutations as well as to the in-depth characterization of individual mutations.


Dietary and lifestyle change is a recognised strategy for the management and prevention of socio-economically important non-infectious diseases. Dietary fibre is composed largely of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), and greater consumption of NSP-rich foods relieves simple constipation very effectively. Starch (as resistant starch, RS) is also receiving attention for its potential role in promoting colonic function. Resistant starch is that fraction of starch which escapes human small intestinal digestion and enters the large bowel where (together with a variable fraction of NSP) it is fermented by the resident microflora. The resulting short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are taken up by the large bowel and metabolised. SCFA mediate many of the health benefits ascribed to NSP and RS. Starch consumption is low in affluent westernised countries, despite recommendations by health agencies. In Australia, foods enriched in RS as a high amylose maize starch have gained consumer acceptance. However, scope remains for additional products and ingredients and a company, Ascentia Pty Ltd, has been established to develop a novel barley cultivar (Hordeum vulgare var. himalaya 292) for this purpose. This cultivar has a specific gene alteration leading to a loss of starch synthetase lla activity resulting in a grain which is low in starch but disproportionately higher in amylose and also NSP. Animal and human studies have shown that Himalaya 292 is high in RS relative to existing products and has a low glycaemic index and the cultivar offers promise as a vehicle to deliver health benefits to consumers.


Background Patent foramen ovale (PFO) and/or patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are common findings on echocardiograms carried out in the newborn period for heart murmurs or family history (FH) of congenital heart disease (CHD). Our routine practice has been to offer follow-up by Neonatologists with echo skills in case of a missed diagnosis. Aims and objectives We sought to assess the outcome PFO or PDA detected on an early echocardiogram carried out in the newborn period. Methods Retrospective observational analysis of all patients attending neonatal cardiac follow-up clinics at Jessop Wing, Sheffield, between August 2007 and December 2008. PFO and PDA were defined as small (<2 mm), moderate (2–4 mm) and large (>4 mm). Results 113 patients with no significant cardiac pathology on echo were followed up in the neonatal cardiac outpatient clinics. 34 had a FH of CHD and 65 had a newborn murmur. Two had a large PDA, one had a large PFO. The rest were normal or small or moderate PDA's and PFO's. Three patients (all with positive FH) were found to have an ASD. Two had long term follow-up for persistent moderate PFO. One developed mild aortic stenosis, one mild pulmonary stenosis. One with congenital rubella syndrome needed duct ligation. Conclusions An early scan performed for newborn murmur which shows PFO and or PDA is likely to resolve. A clinical assessment for murmur by a GP could detect those infants who may need a repeat echo for evolving or missed initial diagnosis.


Background: We reported the anesthesia management of the patients with head and neck hemangiomas associated with the Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon (KMP).Methods: All 12 young patients with KMP involving the head and neck region who admitted in Henan Provincial Hospital for surgery between June 2012 and December 2016 were included in the study. The data during preoperative preparation including platelet infusion and glucocorticoid treatment, anesthetic management and postoperative recovery were were harvested and analysed.Results: Of the 12 patients, the platelet counts were less than 40× 109/L on admission but no gender difference and three of them responded to glucocorticoid treatment extremely well. The patients who did not respond glucocorticoid treatment well and whose platelets <40× 109/L were transfused platelets 12 hours prior to surgery to correct the platelet count to be equal or more than 100 × 109/L. The patients who had pneumonia before surgery had a prolonged hospital stay. All 12 patients had surgical excision successfully. After surgery, the platelet counts were increased rapidly in all patients.Conclusion Careful pre-anesthesia assessment and preparation, and thoughtful anesthesia management are needed for KMP patients to receive surgical excision.


In this paper, as a part of the comprehensive deterioration evaluation of the concrete structure, a method of evaluating the impact sound by machine learning was studied. The recorded impact sound data are converted into spectrograms, and the images are recognized by supervised learning, whereby the state of the defect in concrete. With concrete test specimens having voids in different depth (from 35 to 80 mm) and diameter (from 80 to 350 mm), the spectrograms of the Impact-Echo sound are taken and converted into grayscale pictures in different frequency-time range and resolutions. Neural networks were created with the grayscale images with supervised learning on the specification of voids, and the estimation results are evaluated. It was confirmed that the image recognition of spectrogram of Impact-Echo sound by machine learning could possibly estimate the state of the defects in concrete. Also, adequate specification of frequency-time range and image resolution were examined and discussed.


This paper describes SIM (Systems Interference Monitor) which was developed to demonstrate compliance of the man-rated Gemini launch vehicle to the interference control requirements of MIL-E-6051C. The SIM incorporates simultaneous monitoring and remote control of many widely separated test points from a central location. The system includes a self-verification capability, two-wire high-input impedance signal conditioners, a plug-In capability for adapting to on-the-spot criteria changes, and data that are immediately presented in permanent record for a quick-look 'go-no-go' review and comprehensive analysis at a later date.


Two new cyclodepsipeptides have been isolated from a population of the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula collected at Piti Bomb Holes, Guam. They appear to be unique to this particular Guamanian collection and have been named pitipeptolides A (1) and B (2). Their structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic techniques and by characterization of degradation products. Distinctive features include the presence of a 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-7-octynoic acid residue in 1 and a 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-7-octenoic acid residue in 2, previously shown to be biosynthetic signatures of cyanobacterial metabolites. Pitipeptolides A (1) and B (2) exhibit weak cytotoxicity against LoVo cancer cells, but possess moderate antimycobacterial activity and stimulate elastase activity.


In the variational principle leading to the Euler equation for a perfect fluid, we can use the method of undetermined multiplier for holonomic constraints representing mass conservation and adiabatic condition. For a dissipative fluid, the latter condition is replaced by the constraint specifying how to dissipate. Noting that this constraint is nonholonomic, we can derive the balance equation of momentum for viscous and viscoelastic fluids by using a single variational principle. We can also derive the associated Hamiltonian formulation by regarding the velocity field as the input in the framework of control theory.


PURPOSE
To compare three physical activity (PA) measures in pregnant women and examine mood correlates of physical activity changes during pregnancy.

METHODS
A sample of 12 pregnant women (PW) was recruited during their first trimester and 12 nonpregnant women (NPW) (baseline age = 30.7 +/- 4.4 yr) were matched to the PW (29.8 +/- 4.2 yr). Once monthly, for seven consecutive months, total weekly energy expenditure (TWEE) was assessed using a physical activity diary (PAD) and a recall interview (PAR). Accelerometers were worn for 3 d each month. Mood was also assessed. A two-factor mixed-model ANOVA was used to analyze the data (2 groups [PW vs NPW] x 7 times across pregnancy).

RESULTS
Mean PAR TWEE and daily mean MTI counts were positively and moderately correlated with mean PAD TWEE (PW: r = 0.40 and NPW: r = 0.50, P < 0.001). The MTI counts decreased significantly in PW by 23% from gestational weeks 12 to 36 compared with a 5% decrease in NPW. Fatigue and vigor scores improved from gestational weeks 12 to 16 and worsened from weeks 32 to 36 in PW. Changes in PA were not correlated to changes in mood in either group.

CONCLUSIONS
The results provide some evidence for the validity of the 7-d PAR and accelerometer as measures of physical activity in pregnancy. Healthy women who maintain an above average level of physical activity during the second and third trimesters can enjoy mood stability.