Context This quality improvement work was carried out at a tertiary paediatric hospital in the UK. All paediatric junior doctors in the hospital were involved and the overall goal was to improve trainee satisfaction. Problem Junior doctors in the hospital sometimes felt unable to feedback issues surrounding their work to higher management. This was reflected in the feedback provided via the National GMC survey. On carrying out a local questionnaire amongst 48 trainees, 77% felt that they were not confident enough to approach senior management regarding work-related issues. The commonest issue was regarding the rota for trainees, with 85% expressing some dissatisfaction due to large gaps without cover. Another issue highlighted by 73% was the lack of formal educational opportunities during training posts. Assessment of problem and analysis of its causes When analysed, 100% of trainees surveyed felt that having a lead registrar would make the process of feedback easier. The main root of the problem was the lack of a link person between trainees and management. Intervention The role of Chief Resident in the hospital was introduced to improve communication and enhance continuity between the management and trainee teams. The role involved being formally responsible for the following: Delivering a robust channel of communication to and from the trainees Regular drop in sessions to address trainees' issues regarding workplace Providing representation of trainees at formal trust meetings including hospital management board meetings Ad hoc one to one meeting with senior consultant colleagues regarding issues raised by or about trainee medical staff Study design This process of improvement was qualitative in nature. Questionnaires were used regularly to analyse problems and these were then addressed according to priority. Strategy for change To implement this plan, a job role for Chief Resident of the hospital was advertised internally. Interviews were carried out by a senior consultant involved in service improvement. Measurement of improvement As this was mainly a qualitative process of service improvement, questionnaires were used 3 months after the role was established to obtain feedback from trainees. 43 questionnaires were completed and 95% of trainees now felt confident that they were able to communicate issues around their training to higher management via the Chief Resident. 91% also felt that they were better informed about hospital management issues as this was being relayed to them after hospital board meetings via email communication. Effects of changes Questionnaire results have demonstrated a dramatic improvement in trainee satisfaction. Better communication between management and trainee teams has also improved the relationship between the two. Regular monthly meetings organised by the Chief Resident are now carried out between the management and trainee teams to address training issues. An active project to revise the trainees working pattern and rota structure is also being carried out, involving participation of junior doctors. Regular questionnaires every 3 months amongst trainees internally aim to assess the progress of this long-term improvement project. Lessons learnt The main lesson from this process of quality improvement is the importance of having a consistent link between trainee and management teams in a hospital. Improving trainee experience inevitably leads to safer and better patient care. Message for others Developing a formal role of Chief Resident should be considered in hospitals to improve the experience of junior doctors. Trainees should lead and address their educational needs and workplace issues with support from higher management via this system. This role should be longstanding with continual assessments, as it ultimately provides long-term service improvement.


Human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infections have been recorded in Greece since 2010, with seasonal outbreaks (summer-autumn) on an almost annual basis, caused mainly by the WNV lineage 2 strain (Nea Santa-Greece-2010). National Public Health Organization (NPHO) in Greece is annually implementing enhanced surveillance of human WNV infection, in order to promptly identify human cases of WNV infection and monitor distribution in terms of time and place. Entomological surveillance activities were carried out on a national basis in 2019 and 2020, under NPHO coordination and the collaboration of several private subcontractors, along with the Unit of Medical Entomology, Laboratory for Surveillance of Infectious Diseases (LSID). The aim was to monitor mosquito species composition, abundance, and WNV circulation in mosquito pools of Culex pipiens s.l. species. Adult mosquito traps were placed in selected sites; collected samples were morphologically characterized and pooled by date of collection, location, and species types. Female Culex pipiens s.l. pools were tested for WNV and WNV infection rates (MIR and MLE) were estimated. Highest mean number of female Culex pipiens s.l. species was recorded in Central Macedonia both for 2019 and 2020. Six hundred and fifty-nine mosquito pools (147 in 2019 and 512 in 2020) of female Culex pipiens s.l. were examined for WNV presence. The highest MLE was detected in Western Macedonia in 2019 and in Thessaly in 2020. Here, we present data on the mosquito species composition in the studied areas and WNV detection in mosquitoes from areas in Greece where the specific national mosquito surveillance program was implemented, for two years, 2019 and 2020.


This contribution focuses on the short-term corrosion protection production materials. Conservative ability of coatings applied on materials metallurgical performance for short term anticorrosive protection study is a current topic. Experimental section deals with testing of coating system on the substrate. The choice of the protective coating system depends primarily on the expected or planned service life of corrosion protection provided by barrier method restrictive access to water and corrosive components from the environment to the substrate material. The coating system was paint by nano inhibitor water-soluble acrylic based which has been based on sample STANDARD from low carbon steel. STANDARD samples were supplied with a defined surface treatment and roughness used for laboratory tests and to develop of coating systems. The coating system was applied by pneumatic spraying. The purpose of mechanical surface treatment is mainly to get rid of the surface material impurities. The relief of the substrate surface, cleanliness of the substrate surface before coating application and the appropriate technique of coating application on the substrate are important factors influencing the quality and service life of coatings. Applied coating system was exposed to artificial salt spray atmosphere and a corrosive solution which is used for testing by the so-called accelerated immersion test. Following was the evaluation of degradation and adhesion of the tested coating system. The results of the experimental part showed that the coating showed high ability of adhesion to the base material. Also corrosion test in corrosion chamber and immersion test showed very interesting results.


Migraine is one of the most common types of primary headaches worldwide (about 20%) besides a tension-type headache. Several types of migraine medications have been introduced and used. Drugs acting on calcitonin gene-related protein have been developed recently and have shown positive results. We conducted an updated meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of eptinezumab as a migraine preventive therapy. Eight studies were found eligible and included in this review. We found that the use of eptinezumab (100 mg and 300 mg) for 24 weeks reduced the mean monthly migraine days (−1.89 vs . −1.52). The use of eptinezumab 100 mg also reduced the mean Headache Impact Test-6 score for 12 weeks significantly [−7.36 (95% CI −8.25 to −6.48), p < 0.00001]. The summarized results of the incidence of any events at each dose showed no significant difference ( p = 0.07), and nasopharyngitis was the most frequently reported adverse event ( n = 245). In conclusion, eptinezumab is safe and effective and can be considered as a migraine preventive therapy.


We present the exact computer simulation of transient space-charge limited transport under double injection in disorder materials. In this study, we focus on the phenomena related to the application of electro luminescence. We studied both the transport, i.e., charge carrier generation, their delocalized transport, trapping and detrapping, and the recombination currents, where we concentrated on the energy, time and spatial dependence of the recombination. In connection with the experiment, we modeled a situation after excess carriers generated by short pulses of a a strongly absorbed light in a sandwich sample. An implicit (backward) Euler numerical method is utilized to obtain the transient solution of the nonlinear partial differential equations that describe charge carrier transport, trapping and recombination processes. We used amorphous hydrogenated silicon (a-Si:H) as an example material for the application of this method.


This work presents the results of a immunohistochemical study, performed in order to identify the cells in human dental pulp which express neural markers. Population of cells expressing neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A, which were stained by paraldehyde-fuchsin, was demonstrated in subodontoblastic layer of the dental pulp. Changes the number, morphological and functional characteristics during development of caries and pulpitis in combination with periodontitis are described.


Recently, the evolvement of globalization era has been the globalchallenges that cannot be avoided either by private or government sectors, and theyare requested to be survived encountering such the condition. The implementation ofQuality Management System (QMS) in the operational company is the way how toguarantee the quality of products or services offered to the people. One of thepurposes of QMS implementation is to provide a prime satisfaction to the customers.The impact of QMS implementation is expected to increase job performance of theemployees. Besides the implementation of Quality Management System (QMS), theimpact of global challenges has been increasing the competitive efforts to executemore effective production process. However, it has required manpower protectionaccordingly. This research aims to find out whether the implementation of qualitymanagement system and safety and healthy at work management system haveimpacted on the job performance of employees. Objects of this research are theemployees in the production department at PT Guna Senaputra Sejahtera Plant 1Bogor. Data analysis technique of this research has applied software Smart PLS(Partial Least Square). PLS has estimated a model of correlation among the latentvariables and correlation between latent variables and its indicators. Result of dataprocessing has indicated that the implementation of Quality Management System(QMS) and system of safety and healthy at work have positively and significantlyimpacted job performance of employees.


A reactor vessel consists of carbon/low alloy steel (SA508) as the structural material, and a cladding layer (SS309) as a protective layer. Cladding layer experiences damage by accidents such as thermal sleeve detachments. Carbon/low alloy steel is weak to corrosion when exposed to the primary water especially during refueling time, which is a potential threat against the integrity of a reactor vessel. Therefore, the damaged cladding part should be repaired. Repairing the inside of the reactor vessel is difficult because of high radiation levels, poor accessibility, and the underwater condition. One promising repair technology is the electrochemical deposition (ECD) of nickel.Nickel plating through ECD has a lot advantages such as excellent corrosion resistance, no heavy thermal effect (near room temperature process), and proper mechanical properties for long-term nuclear operation. Moreover, the plating layer can be easily removed and is applicable to underwater conditions. The ECD technology used to repair the inside of the steam generator tube has been approved in the ASME code case N-569, titled "Alternative Rules for Repair by Electrochemical Deposition of Class 1 and Class 2 Steam Generator Tubing." It is expected that an ECD layer can protect the corrosion/erosion of the exposed surface of damaged cladding/ carbon steel.The ECD process consists of many processes, such as surface cleaning, strike layer formation for the adhesion between ECD layer and cladding/carbon steel, activation, and a main electrodeposition process. "Alternative Rules for Cladding Repair by Underwater Electrochemical Deposition in Class 1 and 2 Applications" is proposed based on the Code Case N-569. This proposed code case includes material requirements, qualification, essential variables, and examination requirements.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


There is limited knowledge about which internal and external factors influence respiratory effects of occupational endotoxin exposure. Relationships between endotoxin exposure, work-related respiratory symptoms, and acute peak flow changes were studied in 97 shift workers in the potato processing industry. For each worker, across-shift peak flow changes were determined for morning, afternoon, and night shifts. A higher endotoxin exposure was associated with an increased prevalence of work-related symptoms, a smaller peak expiratory flow (PEF) increase across the morning shift, and a larger PEF decrease across afternoon and night shifts. The largest effects occurred during the afternoon shift. No consistent differences between smokers and nonsmokers, and between atopics and nonatopics were observed. We conclude that endotoxin exposure in the potato processing industry is related to across-shift peak flow changes and the occurrence of work-related respiratory symptoms. The host factors smoking and atopy are not important confounding or effect-modifying factors in these relationships. In respiratory health studies among shift workers, it is important to investigate all work shifts before drawing definitive conclusions about exposure-response relationships.


ABSTRACT Trichogramma fuentesi Torre was identified attacking Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg), a serious pest of Opuntia spp. in North America, raising the possibility of using this egg parasitoid as an inundative biological control agent. Studies were conducted to assess the biological parameters of this parasitoid under laboratory conditions. Nutritive quality influence of the rearing supplement on the parasitoid's longevity, mating, and age was evaluated based on the level of parasitism. The presence and type of food source had a positive impact on female longevity, and female parasitoids given a diet composed of pure honey lived the longest; an average of 11 d. Mated females parasitized a greater number of C. cactorum host eggs than did unmated females. Percent parasitism significantly decreased with female age. Two- to 3-day old female parasitoids had the highest level of parasitism. Two-day old host eggs were the optimal host egg age for parasitization by T. fuentesi. In the context of implementing an inundative biological control program against C. cactorum, two-day old mated and honey fed Trichogramma females should be released to increase level of control.


The traction power supply system consists of the feeder, trolley, rails and static conductors. The traction load is applied between the trolley and rails as a single phase load. In order to maintain near constant voltage along the traction-route, the paralleling stations are equipped with auto-transformers along the track. Further, there are structures such as bridges and platforms along the traction route. The substation and the paralleling stations are provided with grounding grids, which are in turn connected to the static wires. The bridge and the platform grounds are connected to the rails or static wires. The rails and the static wires are connected at certain locations to provide continuity of the return system. The grounding system along the entire power system is designed so that safety of personnel and passengers is assured. The performance of the grounding system is assessed by analysis of the integrated power and grounding system. The maximum touch voltages at different locations are computed and compared with the IEEE Standard 80 values to ensure safety.


Purpose: To investigate the influence of meteorological factors on the esophagogastric variceal bleeding. The rhythmicity and variation mechanism of the onset of esophagogastric variceal bleeding were determined by large sample study. Methods: 572 patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding confirmed by endoscopy were enrolled in the study, and the gender, age, onset date and Child-Pugh grading of liver function were recorded, the meteorological data were provided by the Shiyan Meteorological Bureau, which included temperature, air pressure, air speed, precipitation, sunshine duration and so on. Results: The onset numbers in the four seasons were 130, 122, 144 and 176, respectively, and differences of the onset number in different seasons were significant (X2 = 11.888, p = 0.008), and the onset number in winter reached to maximum, while it decreased to minimum in summer. The results of Child-Pugh grading were as follows: Grade A 113 (19.8%), Grade B 234 (40.9%), and Grade C 225 (39.3%). There was no significance among the different grades by crosstabs analysis (X2 = 4.463, p = 0.107). The Spearman correlation analysis concluded the result of (r > 0 and p ?C accumulated temperature. The p value was more than0.01 inthe other factors. Conclusion: The onset of esophagogastric variceal bleeding was rhythmical, which rose to the maximum in winter and decreased to minimum in summer. The onset of the disease correlated positively with daily air pressure (mean, maximal, minimal), daily mean temperature, ten days' air pressure (mean, daily difference, maximal, minimal and range) and ten days' temperature range, and correlated negatively with daily maximal temperature, daily minimal temperature, ten days' temperature (mean, maximal and minimal) and ten days' ≥0°C accumulated temperature, and had no relationship with other factors. The mechanism of the onset may associate with the increase of portal venous flow through vasoconstriction induced by chill factors. It also may be the variation of air pressure which influenced the intraesophageal pressure and led to intraesophageal hemangiectasia that may increase the risk of bleeding.


Outcome of 333 children with acute myeloid leukaemia relapsing after a first allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation was analyzed. Four‐year probability of overall survival (4y‐pOS) was 14%. 4y‐pOS for 122 children receiving a second haematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 31% and 3% for those that did not (P = <0·0001). Achievement of a subsequent remission impacted survival (P = <0·0001). For patients receiving a second transplant survival with or without achieving a subsequent remission was comparable. Graft source (bone marrow vs. peripheral blood stem cells, P = 0·046) and donor choice (matched family vs. matched unrelated donor, P = 0·029) positively impacted survival after relapse. Disease recurrence and non‐relapse mortality at four years reached 45% and 22%.


Computer games research has focused strongly on improving the tactical intelligence of computer opponents. However, the social aspect of gaming has been largely ignored. We claim that, in many cases of multi -player gaming, the simple knowledge that one's opponents are emotional creatures is far more important than the opponents' skill or intelligence. We also claim that conveying this emotion in online games can be achieved through simple and cheap mechanisms. As proof of concept, we present a non -player character system for the game Counter-Strike that begins work in this direction.


Nineteenth- and twentieth-century Protestant missionaries considered themselves exemplars of the Christian home. They devoted considerable energy to writing about domesticity and to constructing model homes in the mission field. In spite of their good intentions there was often a large gap between their ideals and the realities of life on mission stations. By means of a case study of a Pentecostal faith mission in Katanga, Belgian Congo, this essay demonstrates how models of the Western Christian home were unsustainable and examines the manner in which missionaries coped with unfulfilled domestic dreams. It shows how Western notions of the Christian home were undermined by the harshness of the tropical environment, the disparity in numbers between male and female missionary vocations, and the persistence of African notions of domesticity. The missionaries endured the material and emotional deprivations of life in the bush through faith in a providential God and by constructing intimate but tense relationships with African Christians. The essay begins with a discussion of some of the most pertinent scholarship on missionaries and domesticity.


Abstract 4251

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable clonal plasma cell malignancy. At least 50% of all MM patients are older than 70 years of age and 20% are older than 80 years of age (Siegel R, Naishadham D, Jemal A. CA Cancer J Clin. 2012 Jan-Feb;62(1):10–29). The approach to treatment of patients with MM depends on a multitude of factors including age, underlying comorbidities, and disease characteristics. Elderly patients are under-represented in clinical trials. The purpose of our study was to assess the overall outcomes and impact of novel agents in the treatment of newly diagnosed elderly (≥75 years of age) patients with MM in a community setting.

We conducted a retrospective review of the records of MM patients seen at Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, who were 75 years of age or older at the time of diagnosis of MM. The study period was from January 2001 to August 2012. Sixty-six patients met the study criteria. Patients with smoldering MM were excluded. Demographic information, comorbid conditions, disease characteristics, laboratory data, first line treatment given, response to treatment, and disease- and treatment-related complications were collected from medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 14. Univariate analysis was performed and the mean, median, and standard deviation were calculated. A statistically significant difference between variables was denoted by a p value < 0.05. Response to treatment was calculated using Blade Criteria. Overall survival was estimated by using Kaplan-Meier curves. Grade III and IV toxicity was determined according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) version 4.0.

Sixty-six patients (median age 81 years, range 75–95 years) with symptomatic MM were studied. Sixty-two percent were males. Twenty-seven percent had underlying diabetes mellitus, 29% had experienced a prior stroke or MI, and 68% had hypertension. Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI) was high (3–4) in 46% and very high (≥5) in 31%. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) was ≥3 in 27% of patients. Sixty-five percent of patients had IgG subtype, while 28% had IgA subtype. There was a predominance of kappa light chains over lambda (55% versus 42%). Twenty percent, 34%, and 40% of patients had International Staging System (ISS) stages 1, 2, and 3, respectively, while in 6% ISS could not be determined. The median hemoglobin level was 10.5 g/dL (range 6.1–14.8 g/dL), the median serum creatinine level was 1.3 mg/dL (range 0.1–8.0 mg/dL), the median serum albumin level was 3.2 g/dL (range 1.4–4.8 g/dL), and the median serum calcium level was 8.7 mg/dL (range 8.0–17.3 g/dL). As first line treatment 75% received standard therapy, while 25% received novel agents. The most commonly used standard therapies were cyclophosphamide + steroid (36%), melphalan + steroid (25%), and steroid alone (8%). First line therapy included bortezomib in 12%, thalidomide in 10%, and lenalidomide in 3% of patients. Median duration of first line treatment was 26 weeks (range 3–103 weeks). The median overall survival was 72 weeks (range 10–406 weeks). In those who received a novel agent as first line therapy the median overall survival was 127 weeks (range 38–318 weeks). Overall response rate (≥ partial response) was 55% in patients treated with a novel agent versus 23.6% in patients treated with standard therapy. There was no significant correlation between grade III/IV toxicity and the use of a novel agent (p=0.68). When including all non-transplant patients (> 65 years of age), there was a positive correlation between the use of a novel agent and overall survival at one year (Correlation coefficient, CC 0.281, p=0.01). The CC for elderly patients (≥ 75 years of age) was 0.175. The CC in 65–74 year-olds was 0.387. Percentage survival at one year was 59.6 % in patients ≥75 years of age versus 70.6% in those aged 65–74 years.

In conclusion, our study shows that very elderly patients (≥75 years of age) with MM, who are considerably ill at baseline with a high or very high CCI and poor PS continue to experience shortened survival despite the use of new agents. However, notwithstanding this, the early use of novel agents has a positive impact on survival at one year, with improved response rates to new therapies, and without an increase in toxicity.

Disclosures: Patel: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Speakers Bureau; Eli Lilly and Company: Speakers Bureau.


The results of computational simulations may supplement MR and other in vivo diagnostic techniques to provide an accurate picture of the hemodynamics in particular vessels, which may help demonstrate the risks of embolism or plaque rupture posed by particular plaque deposits. In this study, a model based on an endarterectomy specimen of the plaque in a carotid bifurcation was examined. The flow conditions include steady flow at Reynolds numbers of 300, 600, and 900 as well as unsteady pulsatile flow. Both dynamic pressure and wall shear stress are very high, with shear values up to 70 N/m2, proximal to the stenosis throat in the internal carotid artery, and both vary significantly through the flow cycle. The wall shear stress gradient is also strong along the throat. Vortex shedding is observed downstream of the most severe occlusion. Two turbulence models, the Chien and Goldberg varieties of k-epsilon, are tested and evaluated for their relevance in this geometry. The Chien model better captures phenomena such as vortex shedding. The flow distal to stenosis is likely transitional, so a model that captures both laminar and turbulent behavior is needed.


Recent advances in lipoprotein metabolism were reviewed. The scavenger receptor for acetyl-LDL cloned by Kodama et al. was immunohistochemically demonstrated to exist in the human atherosclerotic lesions. LDL-receptor related protein (LRP) and VLDL receptor which would recognize apoE but not apoB have been recently cloned. Transgenic mice expressing high levels of apolipoproteins such as apoA-I and apoE or apolipoprotein deficient mice produced by gene targetting technique are providing important information on the function of apolipoproteins.


BACKGROUND
Tracheal agenesis (TA) is a rare congenital defect that consists of a complete or partial absence of the trachea below the larynx, with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). It is a severe congenital defect with a very high mortality rate. The recommended surgical approach is esophageal ligation and gastrostomy. Despite the progress in reconstructive surgical techniques, the outcome of the anomaly is still very poor. We described a case of TA with a TEF in a female newborn with a hemivertebra, single ventricle, single atrioventricular valve, single atrium, and cardiac left isomerization.

CASE
The patient, who was born at 37 weeks of age, was diagnosed with imaging methods, as the cyanosis did not improve despite being intubated many times in the delivery room; the cyanosis improved after esophageal intubation. Despite all life support treatment, the patient died on the fourth day of life. At autopsy, tracheal agenesis was diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS
In newborns who cannot be intubated in the delivery room or whose lungs cannot be ventilated despite being intubated and whose cyanosis cannot be corrected, tracheal agenesis should be considered and ventilation with esophageal intubation should also be tried.


The objective of this study is to develop students' capacity for self-directed learning by adopting andintegrating three separate technologies. The study encourages students to take greater responsibility for theirown learning by challenging them to take control of their own continuous assessment marks.This study takes place in semester 2. I have produced a series of short tutorials on a digital whiteboardcovering three major sections of the mathematics course. These were recorded and later edited usingCamtasia, a screen recording software package. I also developed a set of quizzes in Moodle, the V.L.E. used inAthlone I.T., one quiz for each section. The questions were arranged in ten or more categories, with aminimum of five questions per category. The quiz selects one question at random from each category toproduce a personalised test. I uploaded the video tutorials onto Moodle and advised students to watch thevideos before attempting the relevant quiz.Students are allowed to take the quiz as often as they wish although penalties accumulate with each attempt.The combined highest marks scored by a student in the three tests forms their continuous assessment markfor the semester. The students may attempt the tests whenever and wherever they like as the tests areunsupervised open-book tests. If a student is unhappy with the C.A. mark they have achieved, they can opt tosit a traditional end of term test. I chose first year students for this study because it promotes independentlearning, a skill that is lacking in many school leavers, and as it is not an award year, it will not affect their finalmark. The results will be fully gathered by the last week of March and will be analysed with regard to findinganswers to the following questions:• How often was each quiz taken?• Did results improve on repeated attempts?• Did the students watch the videos between successive attempts?• What is the students' view of a satisfactory result?• Within what range of C.A. percentages were students more likely to sit the traditional end ofsemester test?


Abstract. A Monte Carlo simulation of light propagation through the retina has been developed to understand the path-length distributions within the retinal vessel. For full-field illumination, the path-length distribution within the vessel comprises directly backscattered light and light that has passed once or twice through the vessel. The origins of these light path-length distributions can be better understood by investigating different combinations of single-point illumination and detection positions. Perhaps the most significant observation is that illumination at the edges of the vessel, rather than over the whole field of view, and detection directly above the vessel capture only the light that has taken a single pass through the vessel. This path-length distribution is tightly constrained around the diameter of the vessel and can potentially provide enhancements for oxygen saturation imaging. The method could be practically implemented using an offset-pinhole confocal imaging system or structured light illumination.


Abstract Loose smut [Ustilago tritici (Pers) Rostr.] of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) causes losses in grain yield roughly proportional to the incidence of the disease. Efforts to control this disease utilizing genetic resistance are being made in breeding programmes around the world. DNA markers for genetic resistance would greatly enhance breeding efforts by reducing the substantial time and labour resources necessary to screen for resistant lines using traditional inoculation methods. The objective of this study was to identify DNA markers associated with resistance. Doubled haploid progeny from the four crosses 'Glenlea'/'AC Taber', 'SC8021V2'/'AC Karma', 'Diamant'/TD12A, and 9340-CP*/'AC Vista' were evaluated with individual races of U. tritici and simple sequence repeat markers. Simple interval mapping was performed using MQTL software and single point analysis. 'Glenlea', which has complete and broad resistance to all known races of U. tritici in Canada, contributed a QTL for resistance to races T2, T10, T15, T19 and T39 at Xwmc160 on chromosome 5B. 'Glenlea' also contributed QTL for resistance to races T2, T9 and T15 at Xgwm302 on chromosome 7B and to races T9, T19 and T39 on chromosome 3A at marker Xwmc559. The chromosome 5B QTL from 'Glenlea' coincided with a race T39 resistance locus from 'AC Karma'. The 7B QTL from 'Glenlea' coincided with resistance to race T9 from 9340-CP* and T2, T9 and T27 resistance from TD12A. The QTL on 3A from 'Glenlea' was coincidental with T9 resistance from 9340-CP*. When evaluated with race T10, a QTL was identified near Xbarc183 on chromosome 6D from 'SC8021V2'. A QTL to race T9 from 'SC8021V2' within the interval Xcfa2019 to Xgwm344a was identified on 7A. A third QTL from 'SC8021V2' was located on 6B at Xbarc223 and Xbarc332b. The chromosome 5B locus together with either the 7A or 7B genetic loci would provide resistance to predominant races of loose smut found on the Canadian prairies.


Building an intelligent defect segmentation system for textured images has attracted much increasing attention in both research and industrial communities, due to its significance values in the practical applications of industrial inspection and quality control. Previous models learned the classical classifiers for segmentation by designing handcrafted features. However, defect segmentation of textured surface images poses challenges such as ambiguous shapes and sizes of defects along with varying textures and patterns in the images. Thus, hand-crafted features based segmentation methods can only be applied to particular types of textured images. To this end, it is desirable to learn a general deep learning based representation for the automatic segmentation of defects. Furthermore, it is relatively less study in efficiently extracting the deep features in the frequency domain, which, nevertheless, should be very important to understand the patterns of textured images. In this paper, we propose a novel defect segmentation deep network – Main-Secondary Network (MS-Net). Our MS-Net is trained to model both features from the spatial domain and the frequency domain, where wavelet transform is utilized to extract discriminative information from the frequency domain. Extensive experiments show the effectiveness of our MS-Net.


Science learning in elementary schools is the important foundation in instilling scientific knowledge, skills, and attitudes. However, one of the problems faced by teachers in elementary schools is that students have difficulty understanding concepts in science subjects which result in low learning outcomes. This study aims to improve students' understanding of the concept of simple aircraft in science subjects by using experimental methods. The research is a classroom action research involving 20 students of fifth grade year 2016/2017 in SDN. No. 033/XI Tanjung Muda, Hamparan Rawang Subdistrict, Sungai Penuh City, Jambi Province. This research was conducted from January to May 2017. This research was conducted in two cycles and each cycle consisted of two meetings with four activities namely planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. Understanding of concepts is measured by student activity in class and learning outcomes. Data was collected by tests and observations. Data was processed and analyzed by descriptive analysis and simple statistical test. The results showed that the use of experimental methods can improve the understanding of students about the concept of simple aircraft. The use of experimental methods increases students' activity and learning outcomes. Increased student learning activity seen from the increasing percentage of students who ask questions, working together in groups, able to conduct experiments independently, cleaning and storing tools and materials that have been used in the experiment, and deliver the results of experiments. The results showed that the mean grade increased from 47,5 (before action) to 60,5 (cycle I) and 75,0 (cycle II). The percentage of completed students in learning also increased from 45,0% (before action) to 60,0% (cycle I) and 85,0% (cycle II). Thus, the experimental method can be an alternative in improving students' understanding of the concept in science subjects.


As solid state drives (SSDs) are increasingly replacing hard disk drives, the reliability of storage systems depends on the failure modes of SSDs and the ability of the file system layered on top to handle these failure modes. While the classical paper on IRON File Systems provides a thorough study of the failure policies of three file systems common at the time, we argue that 13 years later it is time to revisit file system reliability with SSDs and their reliability characteristics in mind, based on modern file systems that incorporate journaling, copy-on-write and log-structured approaches, and are optimized for flash. This paper presents a detailed study, spanning ext4, Btrfs and F2FS, and covering a number of different SSD error modes. We develop our own fault injection framework and explore over a thousand error cases. Our results indicate that 16% of these cases result in a file system that cannot be mounted or even repaired by its system checker. We also identify the key file system metadata structures that can cause such failures and finally, we recommend some design guidelines for file systems that are deployed on top of SSDs.


To the Editor.— Dr Lewy points out a number of valid objectives for an occupational health program but did not include what is probably the most important one, whether it be for a hospital or industry, that is, to facilitate the placement of a worker in a job that can be performed without endangering the worker or others. Management, including that in hospitals, has a responsibility to ensure this is accomplished, particularly with regard to the health of others such as fellow employees and patients. Most, if not all, mandated examinations are primarily for the benefit of others. Education and voluntary participation are the obvious best approaches, but failure of the employee to comply does not relieve management of its responsibility and more importantly does not provide patients or fellow employees a safe environment to which they are entitled.


A stable lyophilized protein formulation is described which can be reconstituted with a suitable diluent to generate a high protein concentration reconstituted formulation which is suitable for subcutaneous administration. For example, anti-IgE and anti-HER2 antibody formulations have been prepared by lyophilizing these antibodies in the presence of a lyoprotectant. The lyophilized mixture thus formed is reconstituted to a high protein concentration without apparent loss of stability of the protein.


Patient. —M. D., aged 25, married about five years. History. —The patient had a miscarriage about three years ago, probably self induced. The uterus had to be "scraped out" about three weeks later. She has always been healthy and has had no disorders of menstruation up to this time. The flow occurred every thirty days, until May 30, 1905, since which time it has been decidedly irregular. On June 29 and 30, she had severe attacks of nose bleed, but no signs of menstrual flow. July 30 and 31, the same thing occurred. On August 19 she became alarmed at the non-appearance of menstruation and consulted me. I made a diagnosis of probable pregnancy from the symptoms then discernible. On August 30 and 31, she had a return of the menstrual flow but no nose bleed. In September and October, however, she again had severe attacks of epistaxis. On November


Isoscalar dipole strength distributions in spherical medium-and heavy-mass nuclei are calculated within random phase approximation (RPA) or quasiparticle RPA. Different Skyrme-type interactions corresponding to incompressibilities in the range 200-250 MeV are used. The results are discussed in comparison with existing data on isoscalar giant dipole resonances. Two main issues are raised, firstly the calculated giant resonance energies are somewhat higher than the observed ones, and secondly a sizable fraction of strength is predicted below 20 MeV which needs to be experimentally confirmed.


High resolution sampling of the upper 10 m of Hole 722B has provided information on the extent of 234 U/ 230 Th disequilibrium in Owen Ridge sediments accumulating over the last 250 k.y. High biological productivity in surface waters is sustained by seasonal upwelling driven by the Southwest Monsoon. Evidence from the Owen Ridge suggests that there has been significant variation in this productivity over the late Pleistocene, and that greater biological production occurred during interglacial episodes. The resulting organic matter flux drives a variety of redox-related reactions in the sediment, including the reduction and fixing of U. High precision measurements of U/Th trace the paleoproductivity record of enhanced organic matter input during the interglacials. Sedimentary 230 Th, produced by 234 U decay in the water column, is a sensitive indicator of water column scavenging by particulates, and sediment winnowing and focusing. The decay-corrected flux of excess 230 Th at the Owen Ridge is substantially less than that recorded at other upwelling margins. The historical record of 230 Th flux suggests that erosion and winnowing of fine sediment has occurred at the ridge site by active intermediate water circulation, and that this was most prevalent during mid isotope Stage 5 to Stage 3.


Micro-scale two-phase flow heat transport involves specialized devices that are used to remove large amounts of heat from small surface areas. They operate by circulating a working fluid through a heated space which causes phase change from liquid to vapor. During this process, a significant amount of heat is transported away from the heat source. Micro-scale heat transport devices are compact in size and the heat transfer coefficient can be orders of magnitude higher than in macro-scale for similar operating conditions. Thus, it is of interest to develop such devices for cooling of next-generation electronics and other applications with extremely large heat fluxes. The heat transport device presented in this paper is driven by electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pumping. In EHD conduction pumping, when an electric field is applied to a dielectric liquid, flow is induced. The pump is installed in a two-phase flow loop and has a circular 1 mm diameter cross section with electrode spacing on the order of 120 μm. It acts to circulate the fluid in the loop and has a simple yet robust, non-mechanical design. Results from two-phase flow experiments show that it is easily controlled and such electrically driven pumps can effectively be used in heat transport systems.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


It has long been noted that the human female birth canal is well adapted to giving birth to large‐brained neonates. However, several species of nonhuman primates give birth to large‐headed neonates compared to the maternal birth canal. The presence of such large cephalopelvic proportions in nonhuman primates presents the question of whether dimorphism in the birth canals of these other species is related to obstetric demand, as such dimorphism is presumed to be in humans. In this study, the hypothesis that either the presence or magnitude of dimorphism in the birth canal is related to large cephalopelvic proportions among anthropoid primates is directly tested. This study shows that birth canal dimorphism is common among anthropoids regardless of cephalopelvic proportions, but taxa with large cephalopelvic proportions have a higher magnitude of dimorphism than those that give birth to relatively small‐headed neonates. Furthermore, humans have exceptionally high levels of dimorphism that cannot be explained based on our large cephalopelvic proportions alone. Anat Rec, 300:870–889, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


The Maxwell equations in a heterogeneous medium are studied. Nguetseng's method of two-scale convergence is applied to homogenize and prove corrector results for the Maxwell equations with inhomogeneous initial conditions. Compactness results, of twoscale type, needed for the homogenization of the Maxwell equations are proved.


Echocardiography is the technique of choice for the assessment of replacement aortic valves. Hemodynamic function depends on the design and size of the valve. This review summarizes the published information available to the end of 2005. The most obstructive valve was the caged-ball, followed by the stented porcine and single tilting-disc valves. The stented bovine pericardial valves were slightly less obstructive than these, and similar to the intra-annular bileaflet mechanical valves. Stentless valves appeared slightly less obstructive still, and similar to reduced-cuff mechanical bileaflet valves. Homografts were the least obstructive. Approximate guide thresholds suggesting obstruction were derived.


Author(s): McKinley, Stephen Alan | Advisor(s): Goldberg, Ken | Abstract: A new era of robotic surgery is poised to begin when critical patents held by Intuitive Surgical (IS) expire in 2016. IS market dominance for decades has led to an effective monopoly that will be challenged by several commercial enterprises working on next generation general robotic surgery systems. Robotic surgery has the potential to alleviate the skill-gap between experienced and inexperienced surgeons through the automation of sub-tasks within surgicalprocedures.The primary objective of this dissertation is to explore the process of design itself through the presentation of these devices. The common intention throughout the presented case studies is Frugal Design.Secondarily, this dissertation explores limitations of current surgical automation and addresses the design considerations of hardware modifcations to the daVinci Research Kit which enable automation.Part I (Chapter 1) of this dissertation describes the considerations that make a design frugal and the methodology used by the author across three conceptual examples including:- an inexpensive physical environment for machine learning,- a device for cloud-enabled irrigation optimization, and- an interchangeable tool interface for surgical robotics.Part II of this dissertation presents frugal design case studies for system components that enable an automated silicone-phantom tumorectomy.Chapter 2 provides an overview of existing technology and related work in the field of surgical automation.Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 describe designs for devices that enable automation of the four subtasksinvolved in a tumorectomey: Palpation, Incision, Debridement, and Closure. Specifically, these devices include:- an inexpensive palpation probe to locate tumors (Chapter 3),- an interchangeable tool interface for surgical robotics (Chapter 5),- a fluid injector for surgical robotics (Chapter 4), and- a passive needle orientation texture (Chapter 6).Part III of this dissertation describes the design theory behind the author's work presented in Part 1 (examples) and Part 2 (case studies). In Chapter 7, a short history of design theory in the Bauhaus school of (1919-1933) is presented through examples taken from the author's work. Chapter 8 serves as a link to future efforts by the author by bridging the presented frugal design work into the global development effort of frugal innovation.The design theory material in Part 3 is presented for three reasons:First: Conceptual design depends on the practitioner's ability to abstract design criteria into diverse functional solutions. The author's practice in this area involves the artistic study of functionalist abstraction as unconstrained exploration of the design space. That practice is presented to elucidate the creative origins of the solutions presented herein, and to provoke creative problem solving in others.Second: A socially-progressive responsibility, inherent in the Bauhaus ideology, is modernized in Chapter 8 as Frugal Design, which borrows its motivation from a new trend indevelopment for emerging markets known as Frugal Innovation.Third: A parallel is drawn to the climate of artificially intelligent automation in present-day Bay Area research in Berkeley, Stanford, and Silicon Valley to the Bauhaus, which was founded as a reaction to increasing automation during the first machine age in Germany.


Abstract Home-based care messages were part of behavioral modification interventions to mitigate COVID-19 spread early in the pandemic. What remains unclear is the types of home-based care knowledge people have and whether different kinds of home-based care knowledge influence a person's self-efficacy and response efficacy in managing mild cases. Using a cross-sectional online survey, this exploratory study investigated differences in biomedical and alternative knowledge about COVID-19 home-based care and their association with self and response efficacy from respondents in Ghana and the US. With a total sample of 736 made up of 50.3% from Ghana and 49.7% from the US, the average age range was of 39–48 years. Sixty two percent were females and 38% males. Using chi-square goodness of fit tests, t-tests, and multiple regression for analysis, we found that US respondents had higher biomedical knowledge while Ghanaian respondents had higher alternative knowledge. Although self-efficacy and response efficacy were high in both countries, both kinds of knowledge did not independently improve respondents' self-efficacy or response efficacy. However, a combination of biomedical and alternative home-based care knowledge items predicted self and response efficacy. Health promoters need to consider ways of utilizing both knowledge types in a complimentary manner during disease outbreaks.


This study was a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of technology-based career interventions. Meta-analysis was performed using Cohen's effect size in 10 experimental research results in The Career Development Quarterly, Journal of Career Assessment, Journal of Career Development, Journal of Psychologists and Counselors in Schools published between 1988 – 2018. Participants in the studies were children and/or adolescents ranging from kindergarten through to adults of 25 years. The calculations show the modest effect (d= 0.305). It shows that technology-based career intervention has diverse effectiveness to measure any career-related variable.


TO MEET the increasing demands from its patrons for automation equipment, the Western Union Telegraph Company has completed the design of an extremely versatile data control system for use with high-speed electronic computers at centralized integrated data-processing (IDP) centers. This system serves as the main artery for data information which can be transmitted simultaneously from cities throughout the country over a Western Union telegraph network. As each unit of classified information is received, it is automatically processed into the proper data category for efficient and high-speed programming by modern computers.


Eutypella parasitica was recently reported in Europe for the first time, and this study reports the molecular evaluation of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1/5.8S/ITS2 regions of 68 isolates of the fungus obtained in pure culture with polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The RFLP patterns of all isolates proved identical and the restriction profiles served to differentiate E. parasitica from Eutypa lata, another pathogenic member of the family Diatrypaceae. Low intraspecific variability was detected in the sequenced ITS1/5.8S/ITS2 regions of eight Eutypella parasitica isolates originating from different hosts and geographical locations. Based on this ITS region, EpR/F primers specific to E. parasitica were constructed and tested with a wide range of fungal isolates. The EpR/F primer pair successfully amplified the expected fragment size of 341 bp from isolates of E. parasitica and also directly from infected maple wood shavings. The RFLP patterns and species-specific primers represent a step toward routine, large-scale, and rapid molecular diagnostics and identification of E. parasitica.


The detection of Leishmania spp. in skin lesion aspirates, using a puncture technique, was evaluated in 76 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) who were referred to a Leishmaniasis Reference Centre in Brazil. CL was defined based on skin lesions suggestive of the disease and on a positive result of the Montenegro skin test or Giemsa-stained imprints of biopsy fragments. The aspirates were cultured using a vacuum tube device containing culture medium and evaluated for the presence of Leishmania spp. The biphasic medium culture was examined once a week for three weeks. Promastigotes were observed in 53/76 (69.7%) cultures. Stained smears from 60 of the 76 patients were evaluated using PCR-RFLP to detect the conserved minicircle region of Leishmania spp. and to classify the parasite. Of these patients, 45 (75%) showed positive results in aspirate culture and 15 presented negative results. The PCR was positive in 80% (53/60) samples. The PCR-RFLP profile was determined in 49 samples, of which 45 (92%) showed a pattern compatible with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The aspirate culture is a sensitive and feasible method for diagnosing CL and may be routinely adopted by health services for L. (V.) braziliensis isolation and identification.


Primary reninism is a rare cause of hypertension manifesting along with hypokalemia. A high level of plasma renin activity and a high level of serum aldosterone are the whole markers of primary reninism. Upon making the diagnosis of primary reninism, other more common causes of aldosteronism must be differentiated, such as renovascular hypertension and primary aldosteronism. Primary reninism is commonly caused by juxtaglomerular cell tumor, which is one of the curable causes of hypertension, and this can be successfully treated by conservative surgery. We report here on a case of primary reninism that was caused by juxtaglomerular cell tumor that developed in a 22-year-old female patient. She was recently diagnosed with hypertension and hypokalemia. She had markedly elevated plasma renin activity and an increased serum aldosterone concentration. Computed tomography revealed a mass located in the right kidney and selective renal vein sampling suggested that the mass was secreting an excess of renin. Right nephrectomy was done and her hypertension with hypokalemia was successfully treated. We report here a case of primary reninism that presented with juxtaglomerular cell tumor along with a review of the literature (J Kor Soc Endocrinol 20:168 ~173, 2005).


Background: Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) was widely used in Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Ensuring a sustained supply of clean and reusable PAPR masks for frontline medical team is an immediate challenge. The Central Sterile Supplies Unit (CSSU) adopts existing disinfection methods and technology for the reprocessing of reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) such as PAPR masks and goggles. Objective: To determine an effective disinfecting method for protective devices used in the course of treating SARS-CoV2–positive patients. Method: A comparison on surface disinfection and modified thermal disinfection outcome was conducted on 30 PAPR masks through detecting the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by swab following both disinfecting methods. Results: The modified thermal cycles emerged as the recommended disinfection method. Discussion: The outcome of this study has enhanced understanding on the risk imposed on frontline healthcare personnel who perform surface disinfecting on masks for reuse during the work shift. Leveraging on the current expertise from existing instrument logistics, CSSU takes charge of the processing and stock management of SKH's PAPR masks. An additional workflow is needed to establish reprocessing methods for other reusable PPEs such as face shields or overalls.


Computer numerical controlled machines (CNC) are playing a huge role in the Industry today. It is capable of producing complex parts in large volumes along with keeping high level of accuracy. This paper presents a simple design of a 3 axis CNC routing Machine. The machine is driven by stepper motors utilizing lead screws and guides manufactured in a local workshop using conventional manufacturing techniques. The machine is controlled by Mach-3 open source software connected to the machine via parallel port and a breakout board which is connected directly to stepper motors. The hand calculation for the design of the lead screws and the sizing of the motor were carried out. The 3D model was built using Computer aided design software. After the fabrication experimental tests were conducted to measure the performance and the accuracy of the CNC.


Abstract Boron-added steel has been used in several automotive components in which the energy absorbed in impact testing is an important requirement. Previous thermodynamic studies have shown that boron addition promotes significant change in equilibrium phases, increasing the volume fraction of precipitated phases, mostly due to increased carbide stability and formation of borocarbides. As volume fraction, size and distribution of precipitates influence the absorbed energy in impact testing of steels, it is important to study M23(B,C)6 borocarbide precipitation and coarsening kinetics and its effects on Charpy V-notch absorbed energy of boron steels. In the present work, borocarbide coarsening kinetics were evaluated using optical microscopy in samples heat-treated at 880 0C for different times. The borocarbide coarsening kinetics data suggest that growth is controlled by an interfacial reaction mechanism. The Charpy V-notch absorbed energy decreases with increasing borocarbide section size and the embrittlement was successfully described by an empirical equation.


Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 can spread rapidly. Surgery in the oral cavity poses a high risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the use of mouthwash containing 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or 0.2% povidone iodine (PI) to reduce the viral load in the upper respiratory tract and decrease the risk of transmission. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of mouth rinsing and gargling with mouthwash containing 1% PI, 0.5% PI, 3% H2O2, or 1.5% H2O2 and water on the cycle threshold (CT) value obtained by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methods: This study is a randomized single blind controlled clinical trial which has been registered in the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) registry on the 3rd February 2022 (Registration number: ISRCTN18356379). In total, 69 subjects recruited from Persahabatan General Hospital who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups or the control group. The subjects were instructed to gargle with 15 mL of mouthwash for 30 s in the oral cavity followed by 30 s in the back of the throat, three times per day for 5 days. CT values were collected on postprocedural days 1, 3, and 5. Results: The results of the Friedman test significantly differed among the groups (n=15). The CT values increased from baseline (day 0) to postprocedural days 1, 3, and 5. Conclusions: Mouth rinsing and gargling with mouthwash containing 1% PI, 0.5% PI, 3% H2O2, or 1.5% H2O2 and water increased the CT value.


The design and the validation of an automatic plaque characterization technique based on Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) usually requires a data ground-truth. The histological analysis of post-mortem coronary arteries is commonly assumed as the state-of-the-art process for the extraction of a reliable data-set of atherosclerotic plaques. Unfortunately, the amount of data provided by this technique is usually few, due to the difficulties in collecting post-mortem cases and phenomena of tissue spoiling during histological analysis. In this paper we tackle the process of fusing in-vivo and in-vitro IVUS data starting with the analysis of recently proposed approaches for the creation of an enhanced IVUS data-set; furthermore, we propose a new approach, named pLDS, based on semi-supervised learning with a data selection criterion. The enhanced data-set obtained by each one of the analyzed approaches is used to train a classifier for tissue characterization purposes. Finally, the discriminative power of each classifier is quantitatively assessed and compared by classifying a data-set of validated in-vitro IVUS data.


Background Iron deficiency anemia is a global health problem, and approximately 50% of anemia is caused by iron deficiency. According to studies, iron supplementation in young females improves iron status by increasing concentration of hemoglobin. To compare of prescribing two methods of iron supplementation administered either on a weekly basis or during menstruation, on hemoglobin level and menstrual blood¸ this double blind Randomized clinical trial study was carried out among female students in Tabriz, Iran. Materials and Methods In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 150 female students allocated randomly in two groups. (75 students took an iron tablet weekly and 75 students took an iron tablet for first four days during their menstruation cycle for 16 weeks). Before and after intervention, the level of hemoglobin was measured and Higham chart was completed by participants in each group. Chi-square, independent t-Test, paired t-Test and ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Results There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of demographic characteristics, hemoglobin level and amount of menstrual bleeding before and after intervention (p>0.05). Taking iron supplement increased significantly the level of hemoglobin in each group (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in amount of menstrual bleeding (p>0.05) when comparing the data before and after intervention in each group. Conclusion The two iron supplementation methods (menstrual bleeding period and weekly) have similar results on Hemoglobin level and menstrual bleeding.


Modesto Paroletti's remark about the salone in Stupinigi, "c'est une architecture qui se prête aux illusions de la nuit" (Paroletti 1817, 70), clears up an aspect that is often disregarded by literature: the important role and influence of lighting in the planning and in the living of the magnificent rooms in aristocratic palaces. It is a very large and complex topic, which regards the ways and "times" of living and, more generally, it is closely intertwined with social and ceremonial aspects of aristocracy: the possibility of lighting artificially – which means to extend the times of living until then marked by the sun light – is not within the reach of everybody and therefore it defines behaviour and habits of an elite. This research is focused on the typical technical aspects of artificial lighting inside aristocratic palaces; besides the lighting devices – which had greatly increased and had continuously undergone significant modifications – and their disposition in important reception halls and rooms, the research proposes to define the results of a lighting project that was becoming closely integrated with the buildings, thus influencing their planning. The study is carried out with a careful analysis of some buildings that were significant in the Duchies of the Este and Farnese families, and extended to examples and experiences in other areas of northern Italy such as Turin, Genoa and Milan, proposing in the paper the more interesting case-studies. The period which is taken into account goes from the end of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th, which had evidenced a few changes and aroused questions of a certain interest. Due to the lack of fittings in buildings or their replacements during the time, other sources – such as archival documents, iconography as well as chroniclers' and travellers' descriptions – are considered, and they are compared to the definition of inner spaces and the material traces of disappeared devices. Starting our survey from some palaces in Emilia dated back to the half of the 17th century, first evidences come out from the reading of their inventories; we are aware of the limits inherent in these sources of information.1 Documents describe buildings almost without permanent candleholding fittings or other devices for artificial lighting, whereas there is an important presence of candlesticks. This is the case, e.g. of the residences of the Marquis Rangoni in Parma and Modena, of the counts Costa's city palace in Piacenza;2 moreover, going up in the rank, of Este and Farnese's countryside buildings in Colorno and Sassuolo. On this topic, a very detailed inventory describes the Marquis Rangoni's residences in Parma and in Roccabianca, a feud of the family. In the guardaroba of the countryside one, there were 29 candlesticks, of different materials, sizes and manufacture. Among the materials, there were brass and painted wood; otherwise both silver and silvered-wood and silveredstucco are only mentioned in the city residence. Besides, the specific use of candleholders is often recognized, such as the "candeglieri per tavola," for the kitchen, for the chapel, for playing the "truccho" and for decorating the "bucintoro." It suggests how the use of these objects could fully respond to the daily needs of artificial lighting of the residence. Candlesticks also seem to be fit representational needs. In the early decades of the 18th century, when the Marquis suddenly was informed that


Summary Anger has often been portrayed as a destructive social emotion in the literature. However, research conducted with a social functional approach has also revealed the functionality of anger and called for a shift toward understanding the conditions in which anger can have interpersonal utility at work. Given the complicated role and inevitability of anger in work teams, it is important to understand when team members can reap the interpersonal utility of anger and promote adaptive social interactions. Contributing to this approach, we developed a contingency model to postulate when and why anger displays can produce integrative behavior among co-worker dyads in teams. Drawing on regulatory fit theory we conducted three studies (one laboratory study and two field studies with a round-robin design) to examine our hypotheses. Results indicated that co-workers' anger displays were positively related to focal workers' (targets of anger) integrative behavior toward angry co-workers (expressers) when targets had a high level of prevention focus and perceived a low level of team goal interdependence. As expected, moreover, targets' problem identification with expressers was found to be the mechanism of this conditional relationship. Implications of our research are discussed.


Aging is a process which operates at many levels of physiological, genetic and molecular organization and leads inevitably to death. Brain macroscopic changes by MRI investigation during aging were observed in humans and dogs but chimpanzees did not display significant changes. This suggestion led to the statement that brain aging is different in various species. Although human brain changes, e.g. β-amyloid storage, neurofibrillary tangle formation, lipofuscin, are relatively well known, we are still looking for a suitable animal model to study the mechanisms of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, this paper presents a comparative analysis of the changes described in the brains of senile dog, horse and gorilla. In addition we present the latest, non-invasive methods that can be applied in the diagnosis of old age in mammals. Our considerations have shown that the best animal model for further studies and observations on aging is the dog.


HSV1 induced encephalitis in susceptible mice such as 129 and BALB/c mice is characterized by CNS inflammation associated with pathogenic Ly6Chigh macrophages and neutrophils. Mortality in this model correlates with degranulation by these cells rather than virus mediated cytopathology. IVIG, composed of pooled human IgG protects these mice by induction of regulatory CD4 T cells including IL-10 secreting Tregs and Tr1 cells secreting IL-10 and IFNγ. Surprisingly, IFNγ has an anti-inflammatory role in this model as infection of IFNγKO mice results in severe early morbidity and mortality associated with unabated CNS inflammation by neutrophils and Ly6Chigh monocytes suggesting that IFNγ is critical in the control of expansion of these cells. Interestingly, IVIG cannot protect IFNγKO mice despite control of infectious virus but not CNS inflammation typified by the inflammatory Ly6Chigh macrophages, indicating that IFNγ is crucial to IVIG's anti-inflammatory activities. Adoptive transfer of T cells subsets from either WT or IFNγKO mice into Rag recipients reinforced the importance of IFNγ on CNS inflammation. Furthermore, IFNγ appears to have a role in the IVIG induced expansion of Tregs while in the absence of IFNγ, there was an increase in γδ T cells secreting IL-17, which may contribute to the early unmitigated expansion of the neutrophils and monocytes. IFNγ related effects on CEACAM1a and iNOS on monocytes, on Tregs, and the cell subset that secretes IFNγ will be discussed.


OBJECTIVE
Clinicians do not often employ washout periods before prescribing a change in therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As a result, the observed effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of a new drug actually represents the effectiveness of that drug had the patient been taking placebo minus the residual effectiveness of the old drug.

METHODS
We studied new starts of selected disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) and prednisone in 2,898 patients with RA from 8 ARAMIS data bank centers, broken into subgroups on the basis of immediately prior therapy. Therefore, we examined the hypothesis that the chances of a treatment being observed effective depend upon the immediately preceding treatment. Using intent-to-treat analysis, we analyzed the effects upon Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability and pain scores an average of 9 months after the new drug start.

RESULTS
Methotrexate reduced disability significantly except after intramuscular gold or hydroxychloroquine and it reduced pain significantly after all prior therapies. Hydroxychloroquine reduced disability significantly after nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) only, but disability increased after intramuscular gold; pain was decreased only after NSAID only. Prednisone had no consistent effect upon disability but was consistently associated with decreased pain. Greatest effectiveness was always seen with a new drug start after NSAID only treatment versus after DMARD treatment.

CONCLUSION
The effectiveness of a newly started RA treatment after 9 months may be substantially influenced by immediately prior treatment. This finding provides an additional reason for concern about direct extrapolation of clinical trial data into clinical practice.


Abstract Mechanical and time-dependent mechanical properties of lyocell fibers have been investigated as a function of depth at a nano-scale level in longitudinal and transverse directions. The nanoindentation technique was applied and extended to continuous stiffness measurement. Lyo10 and Lyo13 lyocell fibers were investigated. The individual fiber properties were measured using a nano-tensile testing system to obtain reference data for mechanical properties. The hardness and elastic modulus obtained from nanoindentation test are described using two different approaches. The first uses mean values for a depth of 150–300 nm, while the second uses unloading values at the final indentation depth. There is no significant difference between modulus values inferred from nanoindentation and those obtained from single fiber tensile testing. Hardness and elastic modulus values were higher in the longitudinal direction than those in the transverse direction and Lyo13 values were higher than those for Lyo10 in both directions. The time-dependent mechanical properties were also investigated as a function of the holding time. Increasing the holding time led to an increase in indentation displacement and a decrease in hardness. Stress exponents were calculated from the linear relationship between contact stress and contact strain using a power-law creep equation.


Osteosarcoma is a rare primary malignant bone tumor with considerable variations not only in clinical and histologic appearance, but also in the course and prognosis of the disease. It mainly occurs in the metaphyseal region of long bones. Jaw osteosarcomas are relatively rare as compared to those occurring in long bones and share similar histopathologic features, but biologically behave in a different manner. Early diagnosis and complete resection of the lesion are necessary for better prognosis. This report highlights an aggressive and fatal case of mandibular osteosarcoma in a 23-year male patient, which, if diagnosed earlier, would have added some valuable years to the patient's life.


We use polyoxometalates as precursors for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts. In the starting molecular precursor [{Ru(C6Me6)}(2)Mo5O18{Ru(C6Me6)(H2O)}], three ruthenium arene fragments are supported on a formally lacunary Lindqvist-type polyoxomolybdate. This species was introduced by incipient wetness impregnation into the porosity of a SBA-15-type mesoporous silica. The evolution of the system under reducing atmosphere is followed by several methods, such as temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), Raman, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The results indicate that the polyoxometalate structure is retained after grafting on silica and allows the stabilization of Ru(0) nanoparticles after reduction. The resulting system exhibits interesting catalytic activity in benzene hydrogenation.


This study was carried out to validate the measures for community factors, face book intensity, individual differences, social capital and academic performance of university students. A factor analysis was carried out with reliability test to determine whether the measurements had construct validity and reliability. In this regard, the instrument were administered to 100 undergraduate students in Sirte University. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted for all items measuring the constructs which include Community factor (interacting with peers, interacting with lecturer and engaging with students), face book intensity (emotional connection, face book friends, time use on facebook); Individual differences; academic performance and social capital. The principal component analysis (PCA) was used to perform exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to find uncorrelated linear combinations of observed variables. The result of the analysis confirmed that Community factor has three dimension: interacting with peers, interacting with lecturer and engaging with students; face book intensity also has three dimension; emotional connection, face book friends, time use on face book. The loadings of all the retained items are above the threshold value and the Cronbach alpha of all the constructs are also above .8 which shows that the instrument is valid and reliable and thus, can be adopted by future researcher. Keywords: Community factors, Facebook intensity, Social capital, Academic performance


We investigate a differential duopoly game where each firm, through capital accumulation over time, may invest both in persuasive advertising campaigns aimed at increasing the willingness to pay of consumers and in an R&D process aimed at increasing the level of own product quality. In contrast with the acquired wisdom based on static models, the firm providing the market with the inferior variety may earn higher profits than the rival. More than this, we show that there exists a range of parameters wherein the low quality firm commands monopoly power.


BACKGROUND: Since the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in Nigeria in 1986, HIV/AIDS has continued to penetrate the fabrics of all sectors of the Nigerian population. The plight of HIV/AIDS patients in Nigeria is made worse by inadequate supply of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. METHODS: A prospective study was done between April and October 2013. Using a systematic sampling technique, 290 adult consenting male and female HIV/AIDS patients aged between 18 and 69 years who were on ARV drugs were recruited. They were assessed for use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) along with ARV drugs. Two research assistants assisted in data collection in a rural hospital using a semistructured questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 290 subjects recruited, 259 (89.3%) had their data analyzed, while data for 31 (10.7%) subjects were discarded due to incomplete information. Subjects consisted of 101(39.0%) males and 158(61.0%) females. Of the 101 males 50(19.3%) used CAM; compared to 100(38.6%) females who also used CAM (p= 0.028). The mean age of CAM users was 34.39 (sd=10-62) years. Subjects between 29 and 49 years constituted the largest number of HIV- infected respondents who also used CAM. Subjects in the low income cadre patronized CAM more than those in the middle or higher income cadre (p=0.004). Herbal products were the most preferred CAM used by subjects in this study (31.7%); and was followed by faith and prayer healing (14.7%). Five (1.9%) subjects drank urine as a form of therapy. Most subjects in this study preferred CAM because of the naturalness of their source and also because of concern that ARV drugs alone may not effectively manage their HIV/AIDS infection. CONCLUSIONS: CAM use is high among HIV/AIDS patients on ARV drugs in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Because of the possible risks of interactions following the concurrent use of CAM and ARV drugs, care givers involved in the care of HIV/AIDS patients should be vigilant in this regard.


Background We evaluated volumetric differences of syringe brand compatibilities, and investigated the impact of false brand settings on target-controlled infusion (TCI) and their methods of correction. Methods Gravimetric measurement of 10 ml bolus infusions was performed using BD Plastipak (BDP) and Terumo compatible syringes, while setting to 7 different kinds of brand compatibilities (BDP, Sherwood Monoject, BD Perfusion, Braun Perfusor, Braun Omnifix, Fresenius Injectomat, and Terumo). To investigate the performance of TCI using BDP with a false setting to Terumo (BDPTERUMO) and Terumo to BDP (TERUMOBDP), 24 TCI targeting 4.0 µg/ml of effect-site concentration (Ceff) of propofol were performed. Subsequently, another 24 TCI were evaluated for simple corrections of false settings at 30 min. We also investigated 24 TCI using active corrections (fill-up for BDPTERUMO, evacuation for TERUMOBDP) based on the pharmacokinetics of propofol. The Ceff at 30 min of TCI and time to normalize to ± 5% of target concentration (T±5%target) were compared. Results The Ceff of BDPTERUMO showed negative bias and 17.2% inaccuracy, and the Ceff of TERUMOBDP showed positive bias and 19.5% inaccuracy. The Ceff at 30 min showed no difference between the methods of correction in BDPTERUMO or TERUMOBDP. The T±5%target in both the active corrections was significantly shorter than that of each simple corrections (P < 0.001). Conclusions False brand setting of syringe proportionally maintained different predicted concentrations as much as the volumetric differences of syringe brand. Based on the results, it is proposed that correction methods based on pharmacokinetics could effectively normalize the differences, without giving up the wrong TCI.


HPV-DNA fragments were detected in biopsy specimens (29 cases of cancer of uterine cervix, 2 cervical dysplasia and 9 normal cervix) using DNA hybridization technique. It was demonstrated that 52% of biopsy specimens of the cancer of uterine cervix was positive for HPV 16 DNA probe, while 9% was positive for HPV 18 DNA probe. 11% of non-cancerous biopsy specimens had a positive result for HPV 16 DNA probe. It was also demonstrated that the positive rate of HPV 16 DNA was 75% in grossly cauliflower and nodular type tumors but only 25% in erosion type. It seems that the positive rate of HPV 16 DNA is correlated to gross appearance of the tumor. The positive rates of HPV 16 DNA were different in 6 provinces in China. It was 64% in Shanxi Province, a high incidence area but 36% in Sichuan Province, a low incidence area. These results suggest that the carcinogenesis of cancer of the uterine cervix, be related to HPV infection.


Tracheal Na+-K+-ATPase activity is positively correlated with in vivo airway responsiveness to histamine. We wondered whether this were a chance association or whether it was directly related to the mechanism of hyperreactivity. Therefore, we obtained dose-response curves to aerosols of histamine and ouabain in guinea pigs to determine whether an in vivo relationship existed between the excitatory effects of histamine and the enzyme-inhibiting effect of ouabain. Airway responsiveness to ouabain was measured as the ouabain concentration producing a 30% decrease in specific airway conductance (ED30) or that producing a half-maximal response (ED50). Responsiveness to histamine was measured either as ED30 or as ED50. Significant positive correlations were noted between the log ED50 of ouabain and log histamine ED30 or ED50 (r = 0.81 and 0.83, respectively; P less than 0.001), and between log ouabain ED30 and log histamine ED30 and ED50 (r = 0.76 and 0.77, respectively; P less than 0.002). Pretreatment with ouabain increased airway responsiveness to histamine (P less than 0.05). We suggest that in hyperreactive airways Na+-K+-ATPase serves a homeostatic function of preventing Na+ and Ca2+ loading of the cell and that it is not directly responsible for the hyperreactivity.


The principles of classical mechanics have shown that the inertial quality of mass is characterized by the kinetic energy. This, in turn, establishes the connection between geometry and mechanics. We aim to exploit such a fundamental principle for information geometry entering the realm of mechanics. According to the modification of curve energy stated by Amari and Nagaoka for a smooth manifold $\mathrm{M}$ endowed with a dual structure $(\mathrm{g},\nabla,\nabla^*)$, we consider $\nabla$ and $\nabla^*$ kinetic energies. Then, we prove that a recently introduced canonical divergence and its dual function coincide with Hamilton principal functions associated with suitable Lagrangian functions when $(\mathrm{M},\mathrm{g},\nabla,\nabla^*)$ is dually flat. Corresponding dynamical systems are studied and the tangent dynamics is outlined in terms of the Riemannian gradient of the canonical divergence. Solutions of such dynamics are proved to be $\nabla$ and $\nabla^*$ geodesics connecting any two points sufficiently close to each other. Application to the standard Gaussian model is also investigated.


Background: Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a famous flower with high ornamental value. Flower color and flower morphology are two main factors for flower lotus breeding. Petaloid is a universal phenomenon in lotus flowers. However, the genetic regulation of floral organ petaloid in lotus still remains unclear. Result: In this study, transcriptomic analysis was performed among five organs, including petal, stamen petaloid, stamen, carpel petaloid, and carpel in lotus. Using WGCNA analysis, 37 candidate genes were found to be related to carpel petaloid. Additionally, one floral homeotic gene encoded MADS box transcription factor, AGAMOUS (AG), was identified as candidate gene for petaloid in lotus. Conclusion: The above results explored the candidate genes related to petaloid, setting a theoretical basis for the molecular regulation of petaloid.


THIS ARTICLE REPORTS ON THE PRIMARY STEPS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARENT ADVICE FOR POPULAR DISSEMINATION: (a) developing advice for one specific problem situation, family shopping trips; (b) testing the advice program for benefit to children and convenience to adults; and (c) packaging the advice so it can be used successfully by interested parents. Systematic observation of 12 families using the written advice package on shopping trips revealed its effectiveness in reducing child disruptions and increasing positive interactions between parents and children. These findings, along with interview information from families, showed that the package is usable, effective, and popular with both parents and children, and thus is ready for dissemination to a wide audience of parents-a step that in itself should involve research and evaluation.


In primates, retinal inputs are relayed through the magno‐ and parvocells of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) indirectly to extrastriate visual cortex. The most direct pathway identified to the extrastriate cortex is a disynaptic one that provides robust magno‐ and parvocellular inputs to the middle temporal area (MT). The inclusion of parvocells in this projection is somewhat surprising because of their importance for color and form vision, whereas MT is more strictly tuned to velocity. This raises the question of whether areas more involved in color and form processing, such as V4, receive similar projections. We report here on experiments that use rabies virus injections into V4 to retrogradely label mono‐ and disynaptic inputs. We find only a small number of labeled neurons in the LGN in a pattern consistent with monosynaptic labeling of koniocells, rather than disynaptic labeling of magno‐ and parvocells. The lack of robust magno‐ and parvocellular label was not due to ineffective viral transport because in the same cases we find hundreds of neurons labeled in the thalamic reticular nucleus, a structure that can only be labeled disynaptically from the cortex. We also find a complete absence of neurons labeled in V1, but thousands in adjacent areas V2 and V3. This result helps explain the absence of labeled magno‐ and parvocells in the LGN because disynaptic transport from an extrastriate visual area should require a relay through V1. Taken together, these results suggest that ascending magno/parvocellular inputs to V4 are more hierarchically organized than the relatively direct inputs to MT. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2500–2511, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


To examine the effects of eccentric and concentric progressive resistance training on muscle torque–angle relationship, 30 young adults were randomly allocated into three groups of 10, control (CTL), eccentric training (ECC) and concentric training (CON). The ECC and CON groups performed seven sessions over 3 weeks of progressive resistance training of the right hamstrings muscle, using a standard barbell and a leg curl machine. Torque–angle relationship was measured before and 4, 11 and 18 days after the end of training. Voluntary isometric torque was recorded at seven test angles, with the subject prone (20–80°; 0° is full extension). In the CON group, the angle of peak isometric torque increased from 46.0±5.2° pre‐training to 53.0±14.9° on day 4 following training (P<0.05). In the ECC group, peak torque was increased over baseline on days 4 and 11 post‐training, particularly at extended knee angles (P<0.05). The angle at which peak torque occurred was decreased on day 4 (50.0±8.2° pre‐training, 29.0±7.4° on day 4) and on day 11 (both P<0.01), but was similar to baseline 18 days after training. ECC therefore induced a temporary change in torque–angle relationship.


Abstract : Creation Dance is a cultivation of new dance work made in accordance with the needs of the consumption of the audience and is the result of creative ideas of the choreographer, especially in this study, the created creations dance is the result of the learning of dance art in the PGSD class that is devoted for children with mild mental retardation at SLB Pembina Yogyakarta. This study describes the learning of Creation Dance of Mild Mental Retardation Children through The Imitative Process, This type of research is qualitative descriptive that describes the process of  children creation dance. The data of this research is from the learning of children dance creation through imitative method. According to Sutjihati Somantri, children with mental retardation are children who have below average intellectual ability, whereas children with mild mental reatardation are children who can still do simple work and do it in full. Through this research, it is expected that children with mild mental reatardation can learn creation dance by imitation or imitative method. The source of research data comes from events, places, and behaviors associated with the study. The resource persons are teachers and students with mild mental retardation in SLB Pembina Yogyakarta.


This study investigates the impact of the Kolawole Problem Solving (KPS) method on students' attitudes towards Biology in secondary schools in Ondo State, Nigeria. The study addresses three specific objectives: (i) examining the difference in attitudinal mean scores between students exposed to KPS and those using conventional methods in Biology, (ii) analyzing gender-based variations among students using the KPS method, and (iii) evaluating differences in attitudinal mean scores between students in rural and urban schools using the KPS strategy. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, control group structure was employed, involving an experimental group using the KPS technique and a control group using traditional methods. The study's population comprised Senior Secondary School Two (SSS II) students enrolled in Biology courses at public secondary schools in Ondo State. The sample included 139 SSS II students from six public schools, selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using the Students' Attitude Towards Biology Scale (SATBS). The results revealed a significant difference in attitudinal mean scores between students exposed to KPS and those using conventional methods, with the KPS group exhibiting a more positive attitude toward Biology. However, no significant gender-based differences were observed among students using the KPS method, and there were no significant variations in attitudinal mean scores based on geographical location. In conclusion, the implementation of the Kolawole Problem Solving approach positively influenced students' attitudes toward Biology, without gender bias and regardless of location. This suggests the potential benefits of incorporating the KPS method into Biology curricula and providing comprehensive teacher training to effectively utilize this approach.


The interventional therapy of vascular stent implantation is a popular treatment method for cardiovascular stenosis and blockage. However, traditional stent manufacturing methods such as laser cutting are complex and cannot easily manufacture complex structures such as bifurcated stents, while three-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides a new method for manufacturing stents with complex structure and personalized designs. In this paper, a cardiovascular stent was designed, and printed using selective laser melting technology and 316L stainless steel powder of 0-10 µm size. Electrolytic polishing was performed to improve the surface quality of the printed vascular stent, and the expansion behavior of the polished stent was assessed by balloon inflation. The results showed that the newly designed cardiovascular stent could be manufactured by 3D printing technology. Electrolytic polishing removed the attached powder and reduced the surface roughness Ra from 1.36 µm to 0.82 µm. The axial shortening rate of the polished bracket was 4.23% when the outside diameter was expanded from 2.42 mm to 3.63 mm under the pressure of the balloon, and the radial rebound rate was 2.48% after unloading. The radial force of polished stent was 8.32 N. The 3D printed vascular stent can remove the surface powder through electrolytic polishing to improve the surface quality, and show good dilatation performance and radial support performance, which provides a reference for the practical application of 3D printed vascular stent.


Nucleolar antigen P120 is detected in rapidly proliferating cells but not in normal resting cells or in many benign and slowly growing malignant tumors. The objective of the study was to determine whether the expression of P120 in breast cancer correlated with histopathological or biological properties associated with prognosis. In this retrospective study, 120 primary breast tumors were analyzed for P120; 114 of these tumors were also stained for the erbB-2 protein. Immunopositive staining was correlated with patient survival, nodal status, estrogen receptor levels, and number of mitoses. Sixty-nine % (83 of 120) of the tumors were positive for P120; 25% (28 of 114) stained positively for erbB-2. Of the 28 erbB-2 positive tumors 26 were also positive for the P120 protein. Forty-six % (55 of 120) of the specimens were from patients who later died from recurrent breast cancer; P120 was detected in 89% (49 of 55) of these specimens. In 52% of the survivors the P120 protein was also expressed. P120 negative tumors were highly correlative with survival (P = 0.0001); 84% (32 of 37) of patients with P120 negative tumors survived more than 7 years without evidence of recurrent disease. Multivariate analysis showed that the worst prognosis was for patients who had tumor positive nodes and expressed P120 (P = 0.0001); death occurred in 73% (30 of 41) of these patients. For the node negative patients who did not express P120, 5-year survival was 90% (19 of 21 patients); 5-year survival for the node negative patients who expressed P120 was significantly less (67%; 28 of 42 patients). Patients with P120 negative tumors had a good prognosis, irrespective of their nodal status. In this group, survival of node negative patients was 86% (18 of 21) and for those with positive nodes survival was 82% (13 of 16). A poor prognosis was found for patients with intense erbB-2 stained tumors (5 of 7 patients died). Weak staining of erbB-2 tumors (21 specimens) was not correlated with patient survival. Compared to P120 negative tumors, P120 positive tumors had greater numbers of mitoses (9.06 versus 6.65) and an almost 2-fold increase in the occurrence of positive nodes (one of every 4.67 versus one of every 8.81). The number of P120 positive tumors was greater in estrogen receptor positive tumors (75%) than in estrogen negative tumors (54%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


This article investigates the combined use of compound-specific isotope analyses, hydrogeologic data, contaminant concentrations, and site history to investigate sources of benzene and chlorobenzene contamination in a shallow and deep aquifer. For benzene, δ13C and δ2H values suggested two source areas in the northeastern and southeastern portion of the shallow aquifer and possible contaminant migration from the shallow to the deep aquifer consistent with local hydraulic gradients. Conversely, uniform δ13C chlorobenzene values on the eastern portion of the shallow aquifer suggested a potential single source for this compound in this area of the site. Isotopically 13C-depleted values for benzene and chlorobenzene in wells downgradient of the northeastern source zone were inconsistent with the effects of biodegradation, suggesting other sources of contamination in the western portion of the shallow aquifer. Only one well showed an enrichment in 13C in the downgradient wells relative to proposed source areas, which was observed only for chlorobenzene, suggesting that biodegradation is not a major influence on isotopic signatures at this site.


Thirty-one patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder were treated either by infusion of tumour immune pig mesenteric lymph node cells into the tumour blood supply, followed 6 weeks later by 5500 rad, or by radiotherapy alone. The patients were paired prior to treatment, using 4 criteria: age (nearest decade), sex, clinical stage (T3 or T4) and histological grade (average or high). The first patient in each pair then received combined treatment and the second radiotherapy alone. Administration of pig cells before radiotherapy offered no advantage to the patient in terms of the incidence of remission or the length of survival after treatment.


An acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 188.8.131.52) was purified from the head of the insecticide susceptible oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), by affinity chromatography of Triton X-100 extract. The degree of purification was about 8183-fold with recoveries of 52%. The molecular mass of purified AChE was 116 kDa for its native protein (nonreduced form) and 61 kDa for its subunits (reduced form) as revealed on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), suggesting that the homodimer of AChE linked with disulfide bonds. Nondenaturing PAGE of the purified AChE revealed only one molecular form. The maximum velocities (V(max)) for hydrolyzing acetylthiocholine (ATC), propionylthiocholine, and S-butyrylthiocholine were 833.3, 222.2, and 57.5 micromol/min/mg, and the Michaelis constants (K(m)) were 87.9, 26.9, and 195.3 microM, respectively. More than 97% of AChE activity was inhibited by 10 microM eserine or BW284C51, but only 53% of the activity was inhibited by ethopropazine at the same concentration. On the basis of the substrate and inhibitor specificities, the purified enzyme appeared to be a true AChE. Nevertheless, the purified AChE exhibited some distinctive characteristics including (i) a lack of the substrate inhibition phenomenon when using ATC as the hydrolyzing substrate and (ii) a higher V(m) value for ATC than AChE from other insect species. These biochemical properties may show that AChE purified from the oriental fruit fly may have structural differences from those of other insect species.