Vision-based event analysis is extremely difficult due to the various concepts (object, action, and scene) contained in videos. Though visual concept-based event analysis has achieved significant progress, it has two disadvantages: visual concept is defined manually, and has only one corresponding classifier in traditional methods. To deal with these issues, we propose a novel automatic visual concept learning algorithm for social event understanding in videos. First, instead of defining visual concept manually, we propose an effective automatic concept mining algorithm with the help of Wikipedia, N-gram Web services, and Flickr. Then, based on the learned visual concept, we propose a novel boosting concept learning algorithm to iteratively learn multiple classifiers for each concept to enhance its representative discriminability. The extensive experimental evaluations on the collected dataset well demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for social event understanding.


A client was experiencing trust and information quality problems in his structured Internet communication with potential and existing customers. Customer information entered online was typically of very poor quality and a lot of effort had to be exerted to cleanse the data before it incurred costs (such as printing and sending physical mail, etc.). Additionally, the interaction with clients, both on the portal and through the newsletter, was such that there was a high risk to the trust in the client's brand. We were asked to redesign the whole Internet-based interaction processes with his prospective and existing customers. This paper is a case study of how we changed the way this client communicated and thereby achieved better information quality, less irrelevant information and higher levels of trust.


The tensor contribution to the V-mode polarization induced by a magnetized plasma at last scattering vanishes exactly when the magnetic field is parallel to the direction of propagation of the gravitational wave. For propagation perpendicular to the magnetic field orientation the effect depends on the ratio between the Larmor frequency of the electrons and the observational frequency. If the source term of the V-mode equation is averaged over the directions of the magnetic field, the circular polarization evolves independently from all the other Stokes parameters.


The study seeks to prepare an educational curriculum by employing the mixing strategies of mental and knowledge maps and learning about its effect on learning the performance of the skill of overwhelming hitting with volleyball and its accuracy among fifth-graders students. The two researchers assumptions the experimental approach by designing the experimental groups and controlling (51) students who were deliberately selected at a rate of (55.914%) from Al-Mustansiriya prep in Salah Uddin Governorate for the academic year (2019-2020). The approved scores were the skill performance tests for the overwhelming multiplication skill and accuracy after being photographed before and after and evaluated, as they applied the learners in the experimental group by (4) educational units according to the weekly lessons schedule, they were devoted(3) groups for learning the performance and (1) to learn the accuracy as it was employed The concepts of mixing the two strategies in (2 x 3) flexes are presented with the application of educational exercises to activate the role of learners in the lesson and according to the specifics and steps mentioned. After completing the experiment according to the mentioned experimental design determinants, the researcher has verified the results with the Social Statistical Bag System (SPSS-V26) To be the first You will conclude and applications that the application of mixing strategies of mental and cognitive maps helps in improving the learning of the performance of the overwhelming beating skill of the plane and its accuracy among the fifth preparatory students, and excels at improving learning of its performance and accuracy among students who are educated in the methods used in the lesson of physical education, and attention must be taken to adopting practical applications to mix the teaching strategies That is concerned with the cognitive structure and further strengthening the link between the performance experiences of the skill of overwhelming and accurate information in the main section of the physical education lesson, and it is necessary to pay attention to the availability of differentiated flex C mental and cognitive mapping strategies in volleyball halls in middle schools.


The non-linear aero-thermal model of civil aero-engine established by the component method has the characteristics of complex structure and strong coupling of parameters, which is difficult to directly use in the design of control law. Aiming at the problem that civil aero-engine control law design is difficult, heavy workload, and can only be used for nominal point linearization model, a civil aero-engine modeling method oriented to control law design is proposed.
Simplify the structure according to the aero-engine control function, and use rotor dynamics modeling and combustion reaction dynamics modeling to establish aero-engine control standard model in differential form, which establishes the corresponding relationship of the parameters required for the control of the aero-engine full envelope. With this control standard model, the nonlinear control method can be directly used in the design of the aero-engine control law, which reduces the workload and difficulty of the control law design to certain extent. The control standard model is established by taking DGEN380 aero-engine as an example, whose accuracy is verified through experiments, and an example of the control law design is given. The civil aviation engine modeling method oriented to control law design has achieved the expected goal.


Tamiflu is currently the most effective drug for the treatment of influenza, but the insufficient supply and side-effects of this drug demand urgent solutions. We present a practical synthesis of Tamiflu by using novel synthetic routes, cheap reagents, and the abundantly available starting material D-glucal. The strategy features a Claisen rearrangement of hexose to obtain the cyclohexene backbone and introduction of diamino groups through tandem intramolecular aziridination and ring opening. In addition, this synthetic protocol allows late-stage functionalization for the flexible synthesis of Tamiflu analogues. By using the synthesized Tamiflu and its active metabolite (oseltamivir carboxylate), we investigated their influences on neuroendocrine PC12 cells in various aspects. It was discovered that oseltamivir carboxylate significantly inhibits the vesicular exocytosis (regulated secretion) of PC12 cells, and suggests a mechanism underlying the Tamiflu side-effects, in particular its possible adverse influences on neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system.


Type-2 fuzzy reasoning relations are the type-2 fuzzy relations obtained from a group of type-2 fuzzy reasonings
by using extended t-(co)norm, which are essential for implementing type-2 fuzzy logic systems. In this paper an
algorithm is provided for constructing type-2 fuzzy reasoning relations of SISO type-2 fuzzy logic systems. First,
we give some properties of extended t-(co)norm and simplify the expression of type-2 fuzzy reasoning relations in
accordance with different input subdomains under certain conditions. And then different techniques are discussed
to solve the simplified expressions on the input subdomains by using the related methods on solving fuzzy relation
equations. Besides, it is pointed out that the computation amount level of the proposed algorithm is the same as that
of polynomials and the possibility of applying the proposed algorithm in the construction of type-2 fuzzy reasoning
relations is illustrated on several examples. Finally, the calculation of an arbitrary extended continuous t-norm can be
obtained as the special case of the proposed algorithm.


Tanzania has become one of the best choices for foreign direct investment (FDI) in East Africa and sub-Saharan Africa in general. The country has been pulling in an average of US$627 million a year and it is one of the continent's top foreign direct investment (FDI) performers. In 2011, the FDI value in the country reached $1,095,401,000.00 and the trend has been increasing. The booming of FDI is believed to have created jobs, increased incomes and contributed significantly to the national economy. Despite that, a large number of ordinary citizens have indicated dissatisfaction with this boom in FDI, which has caused a lot of conflict between investors and the surrounding communities where projects are taking place. In addition, environmental pollution has been observed in connection with a number of new investments. This paper assesses the contribution of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in informing the policy and decision-making process with regard to the boom in FDI in the country. The main focus of the study was to investigate the quality of the EIA undertaken and the extent to which they have influenced decision making with regard to the investments in Tanzania. This was done by reviewing EIA reports and having consultations with developers and regulatory authorities. The main findings are that, despite the existence of EIA for almost all development projects in the country, few of the mitigation measures proposed in the EIA reports are implemented by the developers. The study also revealed a number of EIA reports which were weak in terms of informing decision and policy makers to ensure that FDI would result in a win-win outcome. In addition, the enforcement and monitoring of environmental management plans by the authorities responsible was weak, partly due to inadequate resources.


Digital humanities make it possible to approach traditional academic topics (such as Hispanic linguistic historiography) from a novel and revelatory perspective. Using tools such as Voyant Tools or Gephi, one can study both primary and secondary sources from the history of linguistics and extract various theoretical and historical values subject to historiographical and meta-historiographical reflection. To that end, combining corpora that facilitate analysis using digital tools is necessary. This article explains the steps that have been followed to create a corpus based on more than 3,000 abstracts gathered in the Bibliografía Temática de Historiografía Lingüística Española: fuentes secundarias [BiTe]. In doing so, researchers have access to a set of data which can be analysed in order to continue advancing in the history of Hispanic linguistics, thus offering a working methodology that can be exported to other traditions and currents in the field of linguistics.


The appearance and cooking quality of rice determine its acceptability and price to a large extent. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for 12 grain quality traits were mapped in 2 mapping populations derived from Oryza sativa cv Swarna × O. nivara. The BC(2)F(2) population of the cross Swarna × O. nivara IRGC81848 (population 1) was evaluated during 2005 and that from Swarna × O. nivara IRGC81832 (population 2) was evaluated during 2006. Linkage maps were constructed using 100 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in population 1 and 75 SSR markers in population 2. In all, 21 QTLs were identified in population 1 (43% from O. nivara) and 37 in population 2 (38% QTLs from O. nivara). The location of O. nivara-derived QTLs mp1.2 for milling percent, kw6.1 for kernel width, and klac12.1 for kernel length after cooking coincided in the 2 populations and appear to be useful for Marker Assisted Selection (MAS). Four QTLs for milling percent, 1 QTL each for amylose content, water uptake, elongation ratio, 2 QTLs for kernel width, and 3 QTLs for gel consistency, each explained more than 20% phenotypic variance. Three QTL clusters for grain quality traits were close to the genes/QTLs for shattering and seed dormancy. QTLs for 4 quality traits were associated with 5 of the 7 major yield QTLs reported in the same 2 mapping populations. Useful introgression lines have been developed for several agronomic traits. It emerges that 40% O. nivara alleles were trait enhancing in both populations, and QTLs for grain quality overlapped with yield meta-QTLs and QTLs for dormancy and seed shattering.


Based on the measured spectra of rail roughness and track structures longitudinal roughness, the rail grinding limit is studied with the help of an established coupled dynamic metro vehicle–track model and a rolling contact fatigue model. The results indicate that metro rail grinding control should be regulated according to corrugation wavelength range and operating speed. Based on the rolling contact fatigue model, longer wavelength of rail corrugation has less influence on the wheel rolling contact fatigue. For the metro lines with a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h, the average levels of rail corrugation in the wavelength ranges of 30–65 mm, 65–125 mm, and 125–250 mm should be less than 5.4, 24.8, and 33.8 dB re 1 μm, respectively; for the ones with the operating speed of 80–120 km/h, the corresponding average corrugation levels in the three wavelength ranges should be less than 4.4, 9.8, and 29.8 dB re 1 μm, respectively.


Background: Early diagnosis is an important aspect of quality of cancer care.Analysis of the diagnostic delays and the reasons for delay helps to plan strategies to improve cancer care. Objectives: To determine the primary, secondary, and total diagnostic delay of patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer and to explore the reasons for the delay from the patient perspective. Methods: Explanatory mixed method design was used. Two hundred persons with a confirmed diagnosis of head and neck cancer attending the ENT (ear, nose, throat) cancer clinic in a teaching hospital before the initiation of treatment were included in the study. The median delay and the association of the delay with the various factors were analyzed. Sixteen one-to-one interviews of patients were done to identify the reasons for the delays from the patient perspective. Results: Median primary, secondary, and total diagnostic delays were 30 days, 30 days, and 73 days, respectively. Statistically, primary delay was found significantly longer among ever users of smokeless tobacco and significantly longer secondary delay was found among those with age less than 60 years. The reasons for the delay were grouped in the categories (i) Symptom appraisal delay due to low perceived seriousness and (ii) health-seeking behavior delay. Conclusions: The diagnostic delay was considerable. Measures to enhance symptom appraisal by improving health literacy, opportunistic screening, and strengthening the referral system would decrease diagnostic delay.


Red yeast rice flour, which is a natural functional material, was used in muffin production at different concentrations ranging from 0 to 10%. The initial pasting temperature was not affected by the addition of red yeast rice flour, whereas peak viscosity and final viscosity decreased with increasing concentrations. The lightness value of the muffins decreased, however, the redness value increased with increasing amounts of red yeast rice flour. The bulk of the muffins was generally reduced by the addition of red yeast rice flour. At the 10% concentration, hardness and viscosity were similar to the control, and there were no changes in springiness or cohesiveness. For the sensory evaluation, parameters such as appearance, color, texture, taste, and overall acceptability increased significantly from the control at the 3% concentration of red yeast rice flour, but flavor decreased with increasing amounts of red yeast rice flour. Based on these results and the sensory evaluation specifically, the optimal amount of red yeast rice flour added to the muffins was the 3% concentration.


To survive winter, many perennial plants become endodormant, a state of suspended growth maintained even in favorable growing environments. To understand vegetative bud endodormancy, we collected paradormant, endodormant, and ecodormant axillary buds from Populus trees growing under natural conditions. Of 44,441 Populus gene models analyzed using NimbleGen microarrays, we found that 1,362 (3.1%) were differentially expressed among the three dormancy states, and 429 (1.0%) were differentially expressed during only one of the two dormancy transitions (FDR p-value < 0.05). Of all differentially expressed genes, 69% were down-regulated from paradormancy to endodormancy, which was expected given the lower metabolic activity associated with endodormancy. Dormancy transitions were accompanied by changes in genes associated with DNA methylation (via RNA-directed DNA methylation) and histone modifications (via Polycomb Repressive Complex 2), confirming and extending knowledge of chromatin modifications as major features of dormancy transitions. Among the chromatin-associated genes, two genes similar to SPT (SUPPRESSOR OF TY) were strongly up-regulated during endodormancy. Transcription factor genes and gene sets that were atypically up-regulated during endodormancy include a gene that seems to encode a trihelix transcription factor and genes associated with proteins involved in responses to ethylene, cold, and other abiotic stresses. These latter transcription factors include ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 3 (EIN3), ETHYLENE-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING PROTEIN (EBP), ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF), ZINC FINGER PROTEIN 10 (ZAT10), ZAT12, and WRKY DNA-binding domain proteins. Analyses of phytohormone-associated genes suggest important changes in responses to ethylene, auxin, and brassinosteroids occur during endodormancy. We found weaker evidence for changes in genes associated with salicylic acid and jasmonic acid, and little evidence for important changes in genes associated with gibberellins, abscisic acid, and cytokinin. We identified 315 upstream sequence motifs associated with eight patterns of gene expression, including novel motifs and motifs associated with the circadian clock and responses to photoperiod, cold, dehydration, and ABA. Analogies between flowering and endodormancy suggest important roles for genes similar to SQUAMOSA-PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL), DORMANCY ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX (DAM), and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1).


This issue of the Monitor contains reflections on Think20 2014. The Think20 involves think tanks and academics from G20 countries, and aims to feed policy ideas into the G20 process. The Monitor contains papers covering the four policy areas discussed at Think20 2014: The G20's economic and finance challenges, trade liberalisation, infrastructure and development. The papers are not a summary of the meeting nor do they reflect the agreed views of participants. Key findings The development of a combined G20 growth strategy, which outlines how G20 members are working together to lift growth, along with the release of each member's individual growth strategy, should be elevated as top priorities for Brisbane. The multilateral trading system remains the strongest force for economic growth and the best defence against distorting protectionism. As part of embracing the importance of trade to growth, G20 leaders should aim to provide strategic guidance on the future of the multilateral trading system. The renewed focus of the G20 on infrastructure is a positive development given the global infrastructure shortfall, however the first question for the G20 should be where or whether it can actually add value to the efforts of international organisations and individual countries in facilitating increased infrastructure investment. The G20's primary development goal, under Australia's presidency, should be to strengthen the links between the major, but currently uncoordinated, development processes underway in 2014/15. These include the G20's own framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth, UNFCCC COP21, the post-2015 MDGs, and the UN's sustainable development agenda. By establishing a strategic convergence group, the G20 could 'assist upstream' to these processes by "shaping coherent, convergent outcomes".


This dissertation considers on acoustics and noise control features and methods. This thesis presents design and control of active mufflers used in engine exhaust systems. Boundary element method is employed to investigate noise attenuation performances of various active muffler structures. Based on these performance evaluations, an active muffler having only one loudspeaker inclined at 45 degree with the muffler centerline is constructed and tested for active noise control (ANC). The feedback ANC with two controller tuning algorithms, the filtered-x least mean square (FXLMS) algorithm and Godart modified algorithm is applied independently for engine exhaust noise attenuation. Experimental investigation reveals that feedback ANC with FXLMS algorithm can attain an averaged 23.6 dB noise attenuation for pure tone excitation and over 6 dB noise reduction for motorcycle and automobile exhaust noises. It is also shown that feedback ANC with Godart modified algorithm has faster transient response compared to FXLMS algorithm for a pure tone noise, but has inferior noise attenuation capability than the FXLMS algorithm for the engine exhaust noise at fixed speeds (about 5 dB noise reductions) as well as during run-up tests.


A technique for stable and reproducible electrochemically generated SBSL events (eSBSL) is presented. This approach is shown to have some advantages over conventional seeding methods. These include control of the initial gas flux and control of the initial SBSL bubble composition within the same media (e.g. the ability to seed with H2 and O2 for example). Comparison of different cell types shows that a cell setup based on conventional round bottomed flasks is the most appropriate for eSBSL generation. Typically a critical current (-0.11 mA) is required to generate a hydrogen seeded eSBSL event from a 50 ?m diameter Pt electrode while oxygen seeding requires +0.15 mA under the same conditions. Two types of bubble dynamics are observed when high-speed imaging is employed to study the eSBSL event behaviour. Most of the bubbles oscillate repetitively in a non-linear fashion as expected. However, some bubbles fragmented into clusters of smaller bubbles before coalescing in a repetitive fashion. The eSBSL event is shown to be extremely sensitive to experimental parameters such as the acoustic pressure amplitude, solution temperature, solution composition, applied frequency and local environment. In particular trace noble gase (Ar) is shown to affect the eSBSL event characteristics. At Ar concentrations below 0.3 ?mol dm-3 (determined by a residual gas analyser) short-lived (10-40 s) and fading eSBSL events are observed. The emission spectra showed a red centred 'black body like' character in disagreement with the available literature. In addition some evidence for OH* emission is presented for these short lived events. It is proposed that these eSBSL events contain primarily gas they were seeded with. At higher Ar concentrations (0.3-1.5 ?mol dm-3), long-lived SBSL events are observed. These tend to produce two kinds of emission spectra. One is a blue centred spectrum and second is a double-peaked red-blue spectrum. It is postulated that these eSBSL bubbles initially contain the gas they were seeded with but are gradually converted to an Ar rich noble gas SBSL event from the solution. At higher solution gas concentrations no stable SBSL could be observed. Emission lifetime is measured using time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC). The FWHM values for hydrogen/oxygen seeded eSBSL events are in the range of 290-315 ps under the conditions employed.


The purpose of the present investigation is to study the effect of the figure configuration upon the brightness contrast by testing how the phenomenal brightness of a small gray patch placed within or outside the figure changes with (a) the differences in configuration, and (b) locations of the small patch, when the brightness contrast between the figure and the background is kept constant. The author took a field-theoretical approach.The apparatus is shown by Fig. 1 in the text. Method of adjustment was used. First under two conditions, (i.e., the black figure on the white background, and the white figure on the black background, ) the gray patch was placed, (1) near the angle, near the side, and in the center within the same figure (a square, a regular triangle and a circle), (2) in the center of the same figure but with three different sizes. Secondly, for the purpose of studying more closely the changing process of the phenomenal brightness of the gray patch, its location was changed gradually within and outside the figure (a square, a regular triangle and a circle).The results may be summarized as follows: (1) the field-force has an effect of making the gray patch darker, when the patch is placed within the black solid figure on the white background, (2) it has also an effect of making the patch brighter, when it is placed within the white solid figure on the black background and (3) the phenomenal brigntness of the gray patch changes in proportion to the fieldforce, and its changing process roughly corresponds with that based on light threshold value. These results may suggest that the effect of the figure configuration upon the brightness contrast can be explained and predicted quantitatively from the viewpoint of the field-force.


In this paper the mechanism of silicon convex corner (CC) undercutting at etch masks in pure aqueous KOH solutions is explained in a new way by the proposed `step flow model of 3D structuring'. The basic idea is to apply the general atomic explanation of the Si{111} anisotropic etching as a `peeling' process of {111} planes at 110 oriented steps with kink site atoms in order to understand the arising shape in Si{100} etching. By means of this proposed model, we are able to explain and to calculate the microscopic 3D shape of the characteristic CC undercutting in the case without compensation etch mask structures. The stepped morphology of the arising surfaces at a CC were shown by SEM and the quantitative predictions of the model were experimentally confirmed.


We establish the optimal quantization problem for probabilities under constrained Renyi-$\alpha$-entropy of the quantizers. We determine the optimal quantizers and the optimal quantization error of one-dimensional uniform distributions including the known special cases $\alpha = 0$ (restricted codebook size) and $\alpha = 1$ (restricted Shannon entropy).


Many factors influence the minimum time required to achieve an easy and successful tracheal intubation after a non-depolarizing relaxant. The ideal study design has never been achieved in practice: an overall picture of the efficacy of rocuronium depends on careful interpretation of studies with different methodologies, which have usually compared the new drug with vecuronium or suxamethonium, currently the best alternatives. Despite lack of supporting animal data, the rapidity of onset of rocuronium in man appears to be due to an early presynaptic effect. Observations which are difficult to explain are that increasing the dose above about 2 x ED90 does not shorten the time to onset and 'priming' also has no beneficial effect. Although some studies have produced evidence that rocuronium can produce smooth easy intubation conditions in 60 s, 90 s would appear to be closer to the time when excellent conditions can be guaranteed. Whether this is an acceptable alternative to the 45 s or so needed after suxamethonium is a matter of clinical judgement which only testing in practice will answer.


Cannulation procedures have shown that alpha-amylase is produced primarily by the parotid gland, whereas lysozyme is produced mainly by the submandibular and sublingual glands. In this study, the ratio of lysozyme to alpha-amylase was determined in whole human saliva following challenge with various gustatory and mechanical stimuli. Comparison of this ratio with the immediately preceding "baseline" value, and knowledge of the salivary glandular origin of these enzymes, gives an indication of the level of activation of these differing glands. This methodology obviates the need for invasive cannulation techniques. The findings also show that strong taste stimuli, such as salt, activate the submandibular/sublingual glands more as compared to the parotid gland.


Native speakers of a lexical accent system (Russians) were tested on their second language (L2) acquisition of a phonological stress system (Polish). In Russian, a sizeable part of the lexicon is underlyingly marked for accents and claims on the position of default stress vary. This makes it interesting to investigate which L1 characteristics (distribution of lexical accents vs. phonological default) are transferred to L2 (if any). 35 Russian subjects were tested on their L2 production of Polish stress. The data shows a very consistent and almost uniform pattern of mistakes: the stem-final position. These results mirror one of the claims on the default stress in Russian suggesting that L2 errors originated from L1 transfer of that default. L1 transfer generally did not reflect the distribution of all lexical accent positions (though the latter were not completely excluded, they were restricted in their type). Results on the individual level show that various subjects possibly followed two alternative L2 learning paths.


The economic effects of environmental policies are of central interest to policymakers. The traditional
approach sees environmental policies as a burden on economic activity, at least in the short to medium
term, as they raise costs without increasing output and restrict the set of production technologies and
outputs. In contrast, the Porter Hypothesis claims that well-designed environmental policies can provide a
'free lunch' – encouraging innovation, bringing about gains in profitability and productivity that can
outweigh the costs of the policy. This paper reviews the empirical evidence on the link between
environmental policy stringency and productivity growth, and the various channels through which such
effects can take place. The results are ambiguous, in particular as many of the studies are fragile and
context-specific, impeding the generalisation of conclusions. Practical problems related to data,
measurement and estimation strategies are discussed, leading to suggestions how they can be addressed in
future research. These include: improving the measurement of environmental policy stringency;
investigating into effects of different types of instruments and details of instrument design; exploiting
cross-country variation; and the complementary use of different levels of aggregation.


We find an upper bound for the Gromov width of coadjoint orbits of U(n) with respect to the Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau symplectic form by computing certain Gromov-Witten invariants. The approach presented here is closely related to the one used by Gromov in his celebrated non-squeezing theorem.


PURPOSE
To determine the association of cigarette smoking with pterygium.

METHODS
Potentially eligible studies published from the year 1946 to December 28, 2013 were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, and reference lists. All studies that evaluated smoking as an independent factor for pterygium were identified. Study-specific odds ratios (ORs) were combined using the random-effects model when P < 0.1 in the test for heterogeneity, or otherwise the fixed-effects model was used. Meta-regression, sensitivity analysis, and evaluation of potential biases were undertaken. The ORs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of smoking as an associated factor for pterygium were analyzed.

RESULTS
We included 24 articles incorporating 95,279 participants from 20 cross-sectional studies, 2 hospital-based case-control studies, and 2 population-based cohort studies. The combined OR of cigarette smoking (current or ever smoked) for risk of pterygium was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.69-0.97; P = 0.025). The results remained consistent among current smokers (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.61-0.76; P = 4.57 × 10(-12)), but not in ex-smokers (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.87-1.27; P = 0.59). The impact of ultraviolet light (UV) exposure (P = 0.082) and sex (P = 0.553) on the effect of smoking was insignificant in meta-regression. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the protective effect and nonrelevance of these two study-level variables. Begg's funnel plots and Egger's test showed minimal publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS
The results of this meta-analysis show that cigarette smoking was associated with a reduced risk of pterygium, especially in current smokers. This effect may be independent of UV exposure and sex. Investigations are needed to unveil its molecular basis serving therapeutic purposes.


Purpose
Unsafe food can lead to various foodborne diseases and even death, especially among children. This paper aims to assess food safety knowledge and changes in practices and concerns among adults ≥ 18 years during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted among 325 adults living in Northern India. Demographic data and information regarding their knowledge, practices and concerns about various food safety issues were collected to see if there were any changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings
The results showed that the participants had slightly higher than average knowledge and good food safety practices with mean scores of 9.75 ± 2.23 and 24.87 ± 2.28, respectively. Contracting COVID-19 from food and food packaging materials was of high concern for more than 70% of the participants. Majority (> 80%) of them reported an increase in the frequency of handwashing. About 16% of the participants used chemical disinfectants for washing fruits and vegetables. An increase (57.5%) in the frequency of food label reading was also noted during the pandemic. Freshness and the general quality of food items (49.5%), safety of food (30.8%) and cost (18.2%) were the top drivers that influenced the purchase decision.

Originality/value
This study highlighted the need to send out clear messages on safe food handling practices and keeping the tempo up for sustaining good hygienic practices. This will help in reducing the risk of foodborne diseases.


Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by extracellular deposits of a material composed of aggregates of amyloid--a poorly coupled protein--far from the site of synthesis, causing target organ dysfunction and clinical disease. Systemic amyloidosis A (AA), secondary to infections and chronic inflammation, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is the most common form of amyloid deposition. Treatment of AA consists in the control or resolution of the baseline condition. The objective of the present study was to report a case of secondary renal amyloidosis in a patient with long-term refractory RA who presented sustained clinical improvement after the use of anti-TNFα (etanercept).


Distributed work is an increasingly common phenomenon in a number of technical and professional settings, and the complexity of this work requires high degrees of knowledge sharing and integration that move beyond assembly-line approaches to collaboration. Since participants in distributed-work settings rely almost exclusively on written and spoken language to mediate their collaborative relationships, professional communication faculty need educational approaches that empower students with language practices designed specifically to support effective teaming in these complex environments. To address this need, we employ discourse analysis and Speech Act Theory to identify these language practices in a case study of two cohorts of distributed, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural student teams. The findings show correlations between language practices and successful collaboration. These correlations have significant implications for teaching and practice.


Raman experiments were performed on Rb2WO4 crystals, between room temperature and 850 K, including the high-temperature incommensurate phase. The experimental results observed in the incommensurate (TI = 746 K) and the lock-in (TC = 660 K) phase transitions can be explained by an order-disorder apex model, where the gradual up/down ordering of the WO42- apexes is responsible for the structural changes. The as-grown sample exhibits a monoclinic-orthorhombic phase transition that is suppressed by heat treatment of the sample, and this result is confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry measurements.


Background A paucity of data exists regarding the prevalence and relationship of hypomagnesaemia with clinical symptoms of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in pediatric patients. Objective In this study we evaluated the prevalence of magnesium (Mg) deficiency in pediatric patients with MVP syndrome and attempted to clarify the effect of Mg therapy on alleviating their symptoms. Methods The present study was conducted from April 2010 to January 2012, and included 230 patients (90 males and 140 females) with symptoms of mitral valve prolapse and mean age of 11.6±3.66. Serum magnesium (Mg) level less than 1.5 mg/dl was defined as hypomagnesaemia. Patients with 2 mm leaflet displacement and maximum leaflet thickness of 5 mm in echocardiography were considered to have classic MVP, while those with leaflet thickness less than 5 mm were considered as non-classic MVP. Patients with hypomagnesaemia were orally treated with 4.5 mg/kg/day Mg chloride for 5 weeks followed by re-evaluation of symptoms of chest pain, palpitation, fatigue and dyspnea. Results Hypomagnesaemia was found in 19 (8.2 %) of 230 patients with mitral valve prolapse. The re-evaluation of patients with Hypomagnesaemia after 5 weeks of Mg therapy, showed statistically significant relief of chest pain (P=0.01). However, no significant changes was detected in regard to palpitation (P=0.06), fatigue (P= 0.5) and dyspnea (P=0.99). Conclusion This study revealed that the prevalence of hypomagnesaemia in pediatric patients with mitral valve prolapse is relatively low compared to adults, but treatment with oral Mg in patient with hypomagnesaemia decreases chest pain.


The influence of a prophylactic regimen consisting of ciprofloxacin 250 mg bid, was examined by surveillance cultures from nose, throat, axilla, gingiva, exit site of central venous catheters, blood, rectum and urine of 60 patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation during a 6-year period. None of the 60 patients developed any infectious with Gram-negative rods belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae, or deep fungal infections, during hospitalization. All patients were neutropenic. Febrile episodes were seen in all patients but 3. From 13 patients, microorganisms in the blood, mostly nonhaemolytic streptococci (9/13), were cultured. Surveillance cultures did not predict later infections, but revealed the marked influence of the prophylactic antibiotics on the normal flora. Thus, mainly streptococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci and yeasts were cultured from the sites examined. It is concluded that the future objective of the microbiological surveillance should be restricted to monitoring the possible selection of drug-resistant microorganisms, and that routine cultures of blood and urine are unnecessary.


There is growing evidence to support the notion of two vascular routes within, or closely associated with skeletal muscle. One route is in intimate contact with muscle cells (hence is known as 'nutritive') and the other functions as a vascular shunt (and has had the interesting misnomer of 'non-nutritive'). Recent findings suggest that the 'non-nutritive' route may, in part, be those vessels in closely associated (interlacing?) connective tissue that nourishes attached fat cells, and may form the basis of 'marbling' of muscle in obesity. In addition, embolism studies using various size microspheres indicate that the 'non-nutritive' vessels are likely to be capillaries fed by terminal arterioles that branch from the same transverse arterioles as those supplying terminal arterioles of the muscle capillaries (i.e. two vascular systems operating in parallel). The proportion of flow distributed between the two routes is tightly regulated and controls muscle metabolism and contraction by regulating hormone and substrate delivery as well as product removal. Because a high proportion of nutritive flow may elevate the set point for basal metabolism, a low proportion of nutritive flow in muscle at rest confers an evolutionary advantage, particularly when food is scarce. In addition, the proportion of flow that is carried by the non-nutritive routes at rest affords a flow reserve that can be switched to the nutritive route to amplify nutrient supply during exercise. Alternatively the non-nutritive route may allow flow to escape when active muscle contraction compresses its nutritive capillaries. Thus rhythmic oscillation of blood flow between the non-nutritive and nutritive networks may aid the muscle pump.


: The research method used is descriptive quantitative approach with the type of research used is descriptive correlational research. Determination of the sample of this study is population research because the sample is less than 100. The level of learning motivation of adolescents who experience a broken home is 96.93% in the high category, the level of student learning achievement is 83.57% in the high category, the level of the relationship between adolescent learning motivation which multiplies broken home with student learning achievement is 0.331> 0.284. This shows that there is a relationship between adolescent learning motivation who multiplies broken home and student learning achievement. Based on the discussion and data analysis, it can be concluded that the hypothesis which states "there is a positive and significant relationship between the relationship between adolescent learning motivation who multiplies broken home and student achievement" can be accepted. Where, the higher the relationship of adolescent learning motivation who multiplies broken home with student learning achievement. This shows that there is a relationship between adolescent learning motivation who multiplies broken home and student learning achievement. Based on the discussion and data analysis, it can be concluded that the hypothesis which states "there is a positive and significant relationship between the relationship between adolescent learning motivation who multiplies broken home and student achievement in students class VII SMP Negeri 1 Perbaungan" can be accepted. Where, the higher the relationship of adolescent learning motivation who multiplies broken home with student learning


The disputed endorsement of inherited visceral and universal aesthetic preferences justifies the scientific validity of Alexander's living structure. Apart from implying a resource-efficient way to promote well-being through urban design, the premise favors a collective approach to human self-perception and social justice. To better understand the contributions of Alexander, this article explores current knowledge about visceral and universal aesthetic preferences for living structure and if and how the new kind of city science, a mathematical model describing living structure, can be used for further testing. It also elaborates on the social impact of living structure, including its premise, and the potential of the new kind of city science to support social sustainability. A literature synthesis on living structure, the new kind of city science, and the premise showed a positive link between well-being and exposure to living structure. Limitations in research design nevertheless precluded conclusions about the associated visceral and universal aesthetic preferences. The new kind of city science was found appropriate for further research by holistically representing living structure. Moreover, like the hypothesized biological origin, social learning and sociocultural transmission were found to theoretically support the premise of universality and a collective approach to human identity and social justice, with further societal implications. For the concept of living structure to support social sustainability, it must be coupled with the promotion of empowerment and community mobilization. Hence, the operationalization of the new kind of city science should align with Alexander's call for bottom-up approaches.


Background: A high prevalence of hypogonadism among men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been reported worldwide. This in turn creates a substantial public health burden in terms of inadequate sexual function and potential infertility. However, the status of this health problem is not well established in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess hypogonadism and its associated risk factors among men with T2DM. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Tikur Anbesa Specialized Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from February to May 2017 on 115 male patients with T2DM aged 40–80 years. Symptoms of hypogonadism were assessed using the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Men (ADAM) questionnaire. Total testosterone (TT), luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid profiles were measured at the clinical chemistry laboratory of Ethiopian Public Health Institute. Hypogonadism was defined as the presence of clinical symptoms and low TT [TT < 12.1 nmol/l] according to International Society for the Study of the Aging Male. Results: Of the total 115 study subjects, hypogonadism was seen in 23.5%, of whom 74.1% and 25.9% had secondary and primary hypogonadism, respectively. TT showed a significant negative correlation with waist circumference (WC) (r = −0.465, p < 0.001), BMI (r = −0.363; p < 0.001), FBG (rho = −0.328, p < 0.001) and TG (rho = −0.357, p < 0.001) respectively but a significant positive correlation with HDL-C (r = 0.339, p < 0.001)]. WC and FBG were independently associated with hypogonadism. Conclusion: According to our study, visceral obesity and hyperglycaemia were found to be independent risk factors associated with hypogonadism.


Several hydrocarbon-bearing areas in the world have been examined using custom processed Landsat imagery along with geologic interpretations to determine potential hydrocarbon resources. Project areas are located along the Texas Gulf Coast, the western Overthrust Belt, the Athabasca Canadian region, and the South China Sea area. Digital Landsat data were processed to produce 1:250,000 scale edge-enhanced, false-color, and high pass filter images. All the images were geometrically corrected with topographic controls and nonlinear deconvolution techniques (coverage = 13,000 sq mi or 33,800 sq km). These specially processed images have been used to map surface geology, lineament systems, and geomorphic anomalies in relation to subsurface geologic and geophysical data. Project areas are defined in terms of their tectonic genesis, structural trends, and hydrocarbon potential. Numerous exploration targets and several modes of hydrocarbon entrapment are identified by image interpretation. The pressing need for more energy resource demands an accelerated large-scale exploration program. Landsat imagery has been utilized as a tool in the four project areas for structural, stratigraphic, and geomorphic analysis to locate geologic anomalies. Image analysis provides a better understanding of the regional stress-strain relations for tectonic correlation. This information can be used to identify a suite of exploration targets to be integrated into industry seismic programs. End_of_Article - Last_Page 960------------


Professional voice users often present to otolaryngologists with specific voice complaints. The contributions of pathologic lesions to the patients' vocal complaints are not always clear on examination, and often, premorbid routine examinations of the larynx are not available for review. Videolaryngostroboscopy is the examination that offer and preserve all the data useful by the doctor.


Psychological disorders like anxiety, depression or insomnia are common in children's diagnosticated with neoplasms with mediastinal compression syndrome and predict worse quality of life. The aim of the study is to highlight the main aspects regarding the psychological disorders found in the evolution of the mediastinal compression syndrome in children diagnosticated with cronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma and to emphasize the role of applying basic principles of medical ethics to improve mediastinal compression patients quality of life. 60 subjects aged between 4 and 17 years, wore closely observed for a period of 5 years. The most frequent psychological disorders found in this patients was: depression, anxiety, pathological panic, insomnia, delirium, anorexia, and a few cases of suicidal tendencies. It was noted that these disorders have negatively infl uenced the ability of decision-making of both the children and adolescents with mediastinal compression syndrome, regarding the informed consent for the ideal medical approach. The degree of success of the ethical measures in the day to day relationship between the oncologist and patient relies heavily in the former's ability of taking under consideration the physical, emotional and social needs of the latter.


Abstract The aim of this research is to investigate the relation between musical aptitude and the acquisition of L2 rhythm by Polish advanced learners of English. A longitudinal study was conducted among 50 Polish students of English reading the "Please Call Stella" passage before and after an intensive two-semester accent training course supplemented by an extensive practical course in English phonetics and phonology. Participants also completed two musical hearing tests (Mandell 2009) and a survey on musical experience. Automated alignment was performed in DARLA (Reddy and Stanford 2015) and reviewed in Praat (Boersma and Weenink 2019). We compared the rhythm metrics calculated in Correlatore (Mairano and Romano 2010) before and after training and juxtaposed them against the pronunciation teachers' results. We reported a significant difference between the scores for vocalic intervals across all rhythm metrics, indicating that participants' produced higher vocalic variation after training, more similar to their teachers. However, we observed no significant relationship between the participants' rhythm metric scores and their musical hearing test scores or musical experience, suggesting that musical aptitude might not play a crucial role in the L2 rhythm production in a formal academic learning environment.


Dear Editor

In recent times, there has been a declining trend in bedside teaching as part of the medical teaching curriculum.1 It is clear that this fundamental issue presents a potential barrier to the development of both current and future generations of doctors. Agreeable explanations for the decline in bedside teaching include a more rapid patient turnover, increased reliance on technology in the diagnostic process, and the limited availability of clinician time.

In addition to the aforementioned, it is important to consider other contributing factors, such as the increased availability and use of patient simulators. Some studies have even suggested that use of simulators should be prioritized ahead of bedside teaching for "struggling students" as a way of increasing confidence, proficiency, and long-term patient care.2 Alternatively, resource and time constraints may provide an explanation for the reduced amount of bedside teaching received by medical students.3 With health care budgets being widely cut and numerous targets being introduced, it is difficult for medical professionals to balance these external pressures and at the same time provide clinical opportunities for future doctors. An example of such a restriction is the National Health Services' "A&E four-hour target", which has left minimal time for bedside teaching opportunities. With severe financial sanctions arising from missing one's targets, it is understandable that doctors are having to prioritize short-term clinical care over bedside teaching in such settings.

Moreover, in endeavoring to overcome the decline in bedside teaching, it may be appropriate to implement innovative strategies. One possible suggestion is to introduce clinical examinations earlier in medical school programs, hence increasing the pressure on students and teachers alike to gain and provide clinical opportunities, respectively. Whilst some universities have clinical examinations throughout medical school training, a significant number do not have clinical examinations or provide clinical experience for the first 2 years of study. As part of the wider strategy, there should be incentives and award schemes for clinicians who participate in bedside teaching, and at the grass root level more opportunities should be provided for trainees and senior students to get involved in teaching bedside skills to junior students. Finally, a shift towards regular assessment of observed history and clinical examinations of "real patients" in both the inpatient and outpatient settings should be implemented as part of each clinical rotation in the medical curriculum.

Currently we are experiencing a dynamic change in the medical curriculum, as there is a shift from traditional bedside teaching to more technology-focused clinical learning tools. In conclusion, we believe bedside teaching should be preserved at any cost and should form the core of clinical teaching. However, the role of technology should not be underestimated and where appropriate, online and mobile virtual tools should be utilized to supplement and thus enhance each student's learning experience.


Purpose To identify a potential pathogenic mutation in a four-generation Chinese family with X-linked congenital nystagmus (XLCN). Methods Routine clinical examination and ophthalmic evaluation were performed on normal controls, two patients and two healthy members of the family. Genomic DNA was prepared from the peripheral blood of members of the family and from 50 normal controls. All coding exons and the intronic boundaries of the four-point-one (4.1), ezrin, radixin, moesin (FERM) domain-containing 7 (FRMD7) gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct sequencing. Results A previously unreported splicing mutation, c.163–1 G→T transversion (c.163–1 G>T), was detected preceding exon3 of FRMD7 in the patients but not in the unaffected family members and 50 unrelated healthy individuals. Conclusions We identified a novel mutation (c.163–1 G→T) of FRMD7 in this Chinese family with XLCN. Our finding is the first report related to c.163–1 G→T mutation in FRMD7. The result expands the mutation spectrum of FRMD7 in association with congenital nystagmus.


Ionic liquid (IL) based H2 storage for H2 generation from NH3BH3 derivatives is shown. These systems promote H2 generation at low temperature, with good reaction rates and high total H2 yields. The effects of ILs and the H2 yield in correlation with the basicity, the cations of the ILs, and the role of carbenes are discussed. Furthermore, mechanistic findings on the dehydrogenation are described. IL material blends are competitive with conventional H2 storage materials with experimental efficiencies of at least 6.5 wt % H2.


Network inference algorithms are powerful computational tools for identifying potential causal interactions among variables from observational data. Fuzzy logic has inherent capability of handling noisy data, so it becomes a tool we use to develop our inference algorithm. Here, we use a simulation approach to test and improve the algorithm. Our fuzzy logic inference algorithm works reasonably well in recovering the underlying regulatory network.


This paper presents a reconfigurable approach to implement decision and control systems for complex dynamic processes. The proposed supervisory control system is a reconfigurable hybrid architecture structured into three functional levels of hierarchy, namely, execution, supervision, and coordination. While the bottom execution level is constituted by either reconfigurable continuously varying or discrete-event systems, the top two levels are necessarily governed by reconfigurable sets of discrete-event decision and control systems. Based on the process status, the set of active control and supervisory algorithm is chosen. The underlying concept of the proposed reconfigurable hybrid decision and control is described along with its implementation on the feedwater system at the Experimental Breeder Reactor II of the Argonne National Laboratory. The performance of the hybrid system to accommodate component failures is then evaluated in an in-plant experiment. >


Condenser microphones are more commonly used and have been extensively modeled and characterized in air at ambient temperature and static pressure. However, several applications of interest for metrology and physical acoustics require to use these transducers in significantly different environmental conditions. Particularly, the extremely accurate determination of the speed of sound in monoatomic gases, which is pursued for a determination of the Boltzmann constant k by an acoustic method, entails the use of condenser microphones mounted within a spherical cavity, over a wide range of static pressures, at the temperature of the triple point of water (273.16 K). To further increase the accuracy achievable in this application, the microphone frequency response and its acoustic input impedance need to be precisely determined over the same static pressure and temperature range. Few previous works examined the influence of static pressure, temperature, and gas composition on the microphone's sensitivity. In this work, the results of relative calibrations of 1/4 in. condenser microphones obtained using an electrostatic actuator technique are presented. The calibrations are performed in pure helium and argon gas at temperatures near 273 K and in the pressure range between 10 and 600 kPa. These experimental results are compared with the predictions of a realistic model available in the literature, finding a remarkable good agreement. The model provides an estimate of the acoustic impedance of 1/4 in. condenser microphones as a function of frequency and static pressure and is used to calculate the corresponding frequency perturbations induced on the normal modes of a spherical cavity when this is filled with helium or argon gas.


The purpose of this paper is to show the effect of high troposphere winds and currents on low troposphere events at sea level. For this study, precipitation data from atmospheric stations in South Asia and west of the Zagros Mountains were used. After preparing these data, 500 and 300 hectopascal level maps were used to interpret the weather conditions. Vertical transect flow maps were used to identify the position of the jet stream. The results showed that the merger of the polar front jet stream and the subtropical jet stream provide the conditions for accelerating atmospheric currents and reaching more humidity and stronger ascent conditions to South Asia. Jet streams merger have three major effects on low pressure. If the Jet stream vorticity is the same as the curvature vorticity, the low-pressure centers on the low level will be strengthened, otherwise they will weaken due to the opposite effects. The low pressure under the Jet stream divergence area helps to strengthen it. The difference in wind speed in the jet stream with low pressures, stranger low pressures in the low level.


This study designed, simulated and evaluated the performance of a conceptual framework for ambient ad hoc home network. This was with a view to detecting malicious nodes and securing the home devices against attacks. The proposed framework, called mobile ambient social trust consists of mobile devices and mobile ad hoc network as communication channel. The trust model for the device attacks is Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy ANF that considered global reputation of the direct and indirect communication of home devices and remote devices. The model was simulated using Matlab 7.0. In the simulation, NSL-KDD dataset was used as input packets, the artificial neural network for packet classification and ANF system for the global trust computation. The proposed model was benchmarked with an existing Eigen Trust ET model using detection accuracy and convergence time as performance metrics. The simulation results using the above parameters revealed a better performance of the ANF over ET model. The framework will secure the home network against unforeseen network disruption and node misbehavior.


A procedure used for analyzing urea–formaldehyde resins by NMR spectroscopy was developed. Using this procedure, the condensation of dimethylolurea under acidic and alkaline conditions was sudied. It was confirmed that polymerization under acidic conditions proceeds via the formation of methylene linkages and under alkaline conditions, via the formation of dimethylene ether groups. The more highly condensed water-soluble urea resins were found to contain hemiformal groups, which could be quantitatively determined. Two butylated urea–formaldehyde resins with varying degrees of butylation were also studied and were found to differ in the number of methylene and dimethylene ether groups and degree of butoxylation. Both were found to contain hemiformal groups. The resin with lower degree of butylation was also found to contain dimethyl ether linkages. None of the resins studied showed any detectable amounts of fully substituted amide groups.


The physiological tradition of biological research analyzes biological systems using reduced descriptions much as an engineer uses a 'black box' description of an amplifier. Simple models have been used by physiologists for a very long time. Physiologists have successfully analyzed a broad range of biological systems using a 'device-oriented' approach similar to the approach an engineer would use to investigate her devices. The present generation views biology through the powerful lenses of structural and (molecular) dynamic analysis, understandably enough because of the beauty and power of the analysis, and the ease of using these structures with present freely available software. The problem is that these powerful lenses offer such magnification that the engineering approach cannot be seen. High magnification means limited field of view, because the (spatial) dynamic range cannot cover everything. The function of the structures and molecular dynamics cannot be seen in the work of many biologists, probably because function cannot be immediately seen in the structures and molecular dynamics they compute. It is just as important for biologists to measure the inputs and outputs of their systems as it is to measure their structures. It seems clear, at least to one physiologist, that this research will be catalyzed by assuming that most biological systems are devices that can be analyzed with the same strategies one would use to analyze engineering devices. Thinking today about your biological preparation as a device tells you what experiments to do tomorrow. An important task for many of us is to transmit the physiological tradition to the next generation of biophysicists to help them adapt traditional questions to the new length scales and techniques of molecular and atomic biology.


To the Editor.— Emmons et al ( Arch Neurol 32:59, 1975) reported the use of a temporary transvenous demand pacemaker to prevent cardiac arrest from severe arrhythmias that developed during tracheal suctioning in an 11-year-old child with Guillain-Barre syndrome receiving continuous mechanical ventilation. Each episode of suctioning was associated with sinus bradycardia (day 6) or idioventricular bradycardia (days 7-12), as well as profuse diaphoresis, restlessness, and an ashen-gray color. Following suctioning, the cardiac rhythm reverted to a sinus tachycardia with systemic hypertension. The authors attributed these arrhythmias to the autonomic dysfunction that may occur with the Guillain-Barre syndrome. Previous work in the management of patients receiving continuous mechanical ventilation suggests a different cause and treatment for the observed arrhythmias. With the widespread use of mechanical ventilation to manage respiratory failure, reports of cardiac arrest during and immediately following endotracheal suctioning are not infrequent. 1,2 Cardiac arrest during prolonged aspiration of the


The computation of perturbative corrections to processes involving heavy quarks is crucial for
the precision program of the LHC and future colliders. In this article, we describe a powerful
approach to calculate higher-orders in QCD skipping the traditional subtraction method. Our
proposal is based on the loop-tree duality (LTD) theorem, which allows to rewrite virtual contributions
in terms of integrals over the real emission phase-space. Then, we proceed to combine
both real and virtual contributions at the integrand level, obtaining regular expressions that can
be numerically integrated in four space-time dimensions. In this way, we avoid dealing with
complicated massive Feynman integrals and introducing infrared counter-terms. Some reference
examples are explained, in order to exhibit the potential of our method.


Through self-assembly monolayer surface treatment, metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) surface are investigated. At first, oxidation treatment was performed to increase O/C ratio of CNTs surface at 250°C for 1 hr under an oxygen atmosphere. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis shows that O/C ratio is a increasing function of oxidating time. Distribution of oxygen functional groups on CNTs surface, i.e., carboxyl, carbonyl, phenolic groups, can be identified and deconvoluted by a symmetrical Gauss function. Experiments indicate that heat time for 5hr can produce a greater O/C ratio on CNTs surface. It is observed that carboxyl groups acts an important role to link with metal ions via an ionic interaction, thus, forming a monolayer adsorption on CNTs surface. By heating the treated CNTs, a completely composite nanostructure is thus formed. In the present work, we successfully fabricate three kinds of nanoparticles including SnO2, and RuO2, with an average diameter of 5-10 nm coated on the CNTs.


This study aims to analyze the dynamics of the published articles and preprints of Covid-19 related literature from different scientific databases and sharing platforms. The PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate (RG) databases were under consideration in this study over a specific time. Analyses were carried out on the number of publications as (a) function of time (day), (b) journals and (c) authors. Doubling time of the number of publications was analyzed for PubMed "all articles" and ScienceDirect published articles. Analyzed databases were (1A) PubMed (01/12/2019-12/06/2020) "all_articles" (16) PubMed Review articles) and (1C) PubMed Clinical Trials (2) ScienceDirect all publications (01/12/2019- 25/05/2020) (3) RG (Article, Pre Print, Technical Report) (15/04/2020 - 30/4/2020). Total publications in the observation period for PubMed, ScienceDirect, and RG were 23000, 5898 and 5393 respectively. The average number of publications/day for PubMed, ScienceDirect and RG were 70.0 +/- 128.6, 77.6 +/- 125.3 and 255.6 +/- 205.8 respectively. PubMed shows an avalanche in the number of publications around May 10, the number of publications jumped from 6.0 +/- 8.4/day to 282.5 +/- 110.3/ day. The average doubling time for PubMed, ScienceDirect, and RG was 10.3 +/- 4 days, 20.6 days, and 2.3 +/- 2.0 days respectively. The average number of publications per author for PubMed, ScienceDirect, and RG was 1.2 +/- 1.4, 1.3 +/- 0.9, and 1.1 +/- 0.4 respectively. Subgroup analysis, PubMed review articles mean review <0 vertical bar 17 +/- 17 vertical bar 77> days: and reducing at a rate of -0.21 days (count)/day. The number of publications related to the COVID-19 until now is huge and growing very fast with time. It is essential to rationalize and limit the publications.


The aim of this study was to assess in rats the effect of protein feeding on the: 1) distribution of endogenous glucose production (EGP) among gluconeogenic organs, and 2) repercussion on the insulin sensitivity of glucose metabolism. We used gene expression analyses, a combination of glucose tracer dilution and arteriovenous balance to quantify specific organ release, and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps to assess EGP and glucose uptake. Protein feeding promoted a dramatic induction of the main regulatory gluconeogenic genes (glucose-6 phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) in the kidney, but not in the liver. As a consequence, the kidney glucose release was markedly increased, compared with rats fed a normal starch diet. Protein feeding ameliorated the suppression of EGP by insulin and the sparing of glycogen storage in the liver but had no effect on glucose uptake. Combined with the previously reported induction of gluconeogenesis in the small intestine, the present work strongly suggests that a redistribution of glucose production among gluconeogenic organs might occur upon protein feeding. This phenomenon is in keeping with the improvement of insulin sensitivity of EGP, most likely involving the hepatic site. These data shed a new light on the improvement of glucose tolerance, previously observed upon increasing the amount of protein in the diet, in type 2 diabetic patients.


The aim of this study was to identify muscle fiber activity based on the wavelet technique during the sprint start. Also, the influence of age, gender and anthropometric parameters was investigated. Sixty young elite sprinters volunteered. Bilateral electromyographic activity was recorded from the Gastrocnemius medialis (GAS), Rectus femoris, Biceps femoris and Gluteus maximus (GLU). During all phases of sprint start, the rear and front GAS muscles showed significantly higher frequencies while the GLU muscles presented lower frequencies than any other muscles. No significant differences were observed between boys and girls, however, the results showed that the older sprinters, the ones with a higher percentage of thigh and calf circumference and skeletal muscle mass have a better capability to recruit more fast twitch fibers, for instance in the GAS.


The necessary recommendations for environmental management can be provided by measuring diversity and distribution of plant species. The relationship between species diversity and environmental variables affecting Furg rangelands, in the East of Iran was examined. A systematic-random approach was employed to sample vegetation and soil characteristics. Vegetation sampling was conducted using a 10×10 m quadrate (10 quadrate per vegetation type). According to the rooting depth of plants, soil samples were taken from 0-30 cm depth and analyzed through standard laboratory approaches to determine physical and chemical properties. Species diversity was measured using the indices Simpson, Shannon-Wiener and Fisher's alpha. To determine factors affecting species diversity, the Canonical Corresponding Analysis (CCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were utilized. The vegetation type Ar.au-Ac.sp (type III) had the highest diversity, which was mainly located on the soils with higher quantities of EC, Ca, Na, Gypsum and sand content. The vegetation type Ar.au-La.or-Co.er (type I) with the lowest diversity was mainly placed on the soils where sand content was higher and soil pH, moisture content, TNV, silt content and slope were lower, as compared with those in other vegetation types. Generally, it could be established that in the studied region, the species diversity of plants was more impacted by soil properties, as compared with topographic characteristics.


We present the results of direct dynamics simulations of surface-induced dissociation for AnK, KAn (n = 1, 3, and 5), AcA7K, and AcKA7 for collisions with a fluorinated self-assembled monolayer surface. Our focus is on elucidating shattering fragmentation events, which takes place in coincidence with the collision event and frequently occurs in a charge remote fashion. Shattering events typically generate a large number of fragmentation products, and hence, are not easily understood through chemical intuition. Our simulations show distinct differences between the AnK/AcA7K and KAn/AcKA7 series of peptides, with the former being more reactive, while the latter is more selective regarding the type of bond that will break. In addition, we examine the possible backbone rearrangements seen as well as sidechain fragmentation.


PURPOSE
Microsurgical excision is the reference treatment of vestibular schwannomas. Yet, morbidity and functional risk of this surgery is significant, as Pellet et al have demonstrated in their study. In order to define the role of gamma knife surgery we have designed a prospective study concerning effectiveness and tolerance of this treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between July 14, 1992 and August, 1997, 400 patients were included. All the treatments were carried out according to a homogeneous methodology, with multiisocentric planning. We use low marginal doses dependent mainly on the treatment volume: 14 Gy for small stade II tumors, 12 Gy or less for larger tumors and 16 Gy for intracanalicular tumors. The evaluation protocol included preoperative examination with clinical examination, House grading, Shirmer's test, tonal and vocal audiometry, brain stem electrical response audiometry (BERA), vestibular caloric and pendular tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scan; control at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years with clinical examination, tonal audiometry and MRI and/or CT scan; at 3 years the preoperative examination was repeated and a questionnaire based on Pellet's concerning functional results was completed.

RESULTS
Among the 400 treatments, 80% were first intended treatment of unilateral vestibular schwannoma. At the time of the analysis, 100 consecutive patients with unilateral schwannoma (treated in first intention) had a 3 year follow-up (results concerned these 100 patients). Average age was 61 years (17-82 years). According to Portmann's classification, five patients presented a stade 1 tumor, 60 a stade 2 tumor, 33 a stade 3, and two a stade 4 tumor. According to House's grading at preoperative examination, there was 86 (86%) grade 1 tumors, 12 grade 2, two grade 3, and at 3 year follow-up: 77 (94%) grade 1 and five grade 2 (17 patients had no House grading). At preoperative examination, three patients presented an hemispasm; at 3 years this had disappeared for all patients. Two others patients presented a transient hemispasm at 8 and 11 months, respectively. At preoperative examination, four patients presented with facial numbness and 14 with hypoesthesia. At 3 year follow-up, trigeminal function was normal for all patients but one, for whom this had only improved. Seven others patients presented a transient numbness or hypoesthesia. At preoperative examination, five patients presented hydrocephalus without cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) shunting. At 3 year follow-up, seven patients presented CSF shunting: three presented a preoperative hydrocephalus, three a hydrocephalus after treatment and one a hydrocephalus secondary to tumor growth. Average age for these six patients was 71 years. Audiological classification was based on Gardner-Robertson's. Seventy percent of patients with normal hearing maintained useful hearing, and 50% of patients with useful hearing maintained serviceable hearing. Three (3%) patients (two with stade 2 tumors and one with a stade 3) had microsurgical excision at 16, 35 and 36 months, respectively. During microsurgical excision no unusual difficulty was encountered. Seventeen questionnaires investigating functional outcome and quality of life were completed: 100% (63% in Pellet's study) of the patients answered they had no facial motion disturbance, 49% (17% in Pellet's study) had no ocular problems, 20% (in Pellet's study 55%) had subjective trigeminal problems, 8% (in Pellet's study 13%) had deglutition problems, none (16% in Pellet's study) had other eating problems, 91% (61% in Pellet's study) had no change in their life. Mean hospitalization stay was 3 days (for 23 days in Pellet's study). All the patients who worked, except one, had the same professional activity (66% in Pellet's study). Mean work cessation was 7 days (130 days in Pellet's study). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)


While some people are too much occupied with their health, others should be more. This double bind makes of the complex issue of medicalisation a question in the strict meaning of the word: we have to ask ourselves why, despite the ongoing the analyses since Ivan Illich, this double sided evolution is still the case in today's society.


The kinetics of complex formation of dopamine, (-)3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine ( Levodopa or LD), with Fe(II) and Fe(III) has been studied spectrophotometrically. The reactions were carried out at a pH range of 3.0 to 9.2, at 25 ± 1oC.Complex formation was not observed below pH 4.0. These investigations showed that the Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes have identical spectra, indicative of same oxidation state of iron in these complexes. Fe(III)-LD complexation was studied only in non-buffered media. The reaction was very fast, and hence was studied using stopped flow technique. This reaction shows a linear dependence on [LD]. While, in case of Fe(II) complexation, a saturation pathway is followed. Rate laws have been deduced.


Non-target effects of Cry1Ab x CP4 EPSPS and Cry1Ab+Cry3Bb1×CP4 EPSPS Bt transgenic new maize hybrids on insidious flower bugs [Orius insidiosus (Say)] was studied in Nebraska (Mead, C lay Center, and Concord) during 2007 and 2008. The Bt effect was compared to CP4 EPSPS maize (isoline), conventional maize, and insecticide applications of permethrin (Pounce® 1.5G) and bifenthrin (Capture® 2EC) to control first and second generations of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), respectively. Yellow sticky cards, visual observations, and destructive samplings were used to evaluate O. insidiosus abundance. The yellow sticky card data in 2007 showed that O. insidiosus abundance was lower on Pounce® 1.5G treated non-Bt isoline maize plots compared to the BT transgenic hybrid s at 60 and 90 days after planting (DAP). From visual observations, numbers of O. insidiosus were lower in Pounce® 1.5G treated plots and no adverse effects of the Bt hybrids was observed. In 2008, no significant differences were found among treatments in the sticky card data, but the O. insidiosus population significantly increased, with increasing DAP, where the lowest and highest numbers were recorded at 30 and 120 DAP, respectively. In the visual observation and destructive samplings, numbers of O. insidiosus were lower at Concord compared to other sites. Results from the visual observation data in 2008 also revealed that O. insidiosus abundance was lower on Pounce® 1.5G treated plots compared to other treatments. This study showed no adverse effects of the new BT transgenic hybrids that included stacked resistance genes on O. insidiosus compared to the non-Bt maize hybrids.


We introduce the Symmetric GGX (SGGX) distribution to represent spatially-varying properties of anisotropic microflake participating media. Our key theoretical insight is to represent a microflake distribution by the projected area of the microflakes. We use the projected area to parameterize the shape of an ellipsoid, from which we recover a distribution of normals. The representation based on the projected area allows for robust linear interpolation and prefiltering, and thanks to its geometric interpretation, we derive closed form expressions for all operations used in the microflake framework. We also incorporate microflakes with diffuse reflectance in our theoretical framework. This allows us to model the appearance of rough diffuse materials in addition to rough specular materials. Finally, we use the idea of sampling the distribution of visible normals to design a perfect importance sampling technique for our SGGX microflake phase functions. It is analytic, deterministic, simple to implement, and one order of magnitude faster than previous work.


Abstract The ecology of a biofilm is a complex function of different factors, including the presence of microbial metabolites excreted by the inhabitants of the biofilm. This study aimed to assess the effect of patulin, and N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C12-HSL) on inter-kingdom biofilm formation between a filamentous fungus and bacteria isolated from drinking water. The filamentous fungus Penicillium expansum and the bacteria Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Methylobacterium oryzae were used as model species. M. oryzae biofilm formation and development was more susceptible to the presence of the quenching molecules than A. calcoaceticus biofilms. Patulin reduced M. oryzae biofilm growth while 3-oxo-C12-HSL caused an increase after 48 h. The presence of P. expansum had a detrimental effect on M. oryzae cell numbers, while an advantageous effect was observed with A. calcoaceticus. The overall results reveal that quorum sensing and quenching molecules have a significant effect on inter-kingdom biofilm formation, especially on bacterial numbers.


: In this study, we conducted an investigation on administrators designated by local authorities for managing and maintaining public parks in the country to find the implementation system, their types of revenue sources and their use of revenue. Then, we identified challenges in creating park management and designated administration operation systems which enable administrators to offer high-quality maintenance and management with their business know-how, and lastly showed the direction for dealing with the challenges. The study revealed that the fact that their own revenue must be allocated to the expenses for managing and maintaining the park without enough the expenses only for the usage fees and designated administration fees is a big problem related to the foundation of the systems. The study also found important challenges that the re-investment should be evaluated in the annual evaluation of the administrators' performance based on the situation that designated administrators of more than half have re-invested in the park maintenance. The study also found that, to obtain their own revenue sources, deepening the cooperation by utilizing the advantages of each, such as the advantage of getting revenue from businesses in profit organizations and the advantage of receiving contributions in non-profit organizations, is the effective direction.


Cloud computing aims to give users virtually unlimited pay-per-use computing resources without the burden of managing the underlying infrastructure. We claim that, in order to realize the full potential of cloud computing, the user must be presented with a pricing model that offers flexibility at the requirements level, such as a choice between different degrees of execution speed, and the cloud provider must be presented with a programming model that offers flexibility at the execution level, such as a choice between different scheduling policies. In this paper, we present a framework called FlexPRICE (Flexible Provisioning of Resources in a Cloud Environment) where for each job, the user purchases a virtual computer with the desired speed and cost characteristics, and the cloud provider optimizes the utilization of resources across a stream of jobs from different users.


Introduction: Fractures of the proximal femur including the intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric region which are commonly encountered in Orthopaedics especially in elderly population having porotic and weak bones. In elderly these occur even with minimal or trivial trauma ,whereas in the younger population these result from high velocity trauma. These injuries are in association with a high incidence of mortality and morbidity. These injuries were treated conservatively prior to the early 1970's and are now treated totally surgically now. The goal of any treatment in fracture is stable fixation, ultimately leading to early mobilization and decreased incidence of morbidity and mortality. Many surgical interventions like Gamma Nail, Jewet Nail, Condylar plates had been tried but the outcomes were not very satisfactory, so we conducted a study to determine the clinical and radiological outcome in treating such fractures with PFN. Aim of the Study: Clinical And Radiological Outcome Analysis of Proximal Fractures of femur when Treated with Proximal Femoral Nail Materials and Methods: A prospective study done in the Department of Orthopaedics at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College And Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital , Datta Meghe Institute Of Medical Sciences ,Sawangi. Patients with Proximal femoral fractures managed with PFN and subsequent follow up at regular intervals for a duration of 1 year. ExpectedResults:The functional assessment shall be done on the basis of Modified Harris Hip scoring, and at subsequent followed up radiologically with serial X-rays. These patients with proximal femoral fractures that include intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures, treated with Proximal Femoral Nail are expected to have a shorter incision and subsequently less intraoperative blood loss than the previously used implants. Patients are expected to bear weight earlier.


The ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) is a key brain area within the descending pain modulatory pathway and an important target for opioid-induced analgesia. The vlPAG contains heterogeneous neurons with respect to neurotransmitter content, receptor and channel expression, and in vivo response to noxious stimuli. This study characterizes intrinsic membrane properties of vlPAG neurons to identify which neuron types respond to inflammation and determine whether the pain-responsive neurons are inhibited by opioids. Surveying 382 neurons identified 4 neuron types with distinct intrinsic firing patterns: Phasic (48%), Tonic (33%), Onset (10%), and Random (9%). Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) expression was determined by the ability of a selective MOR agonist (DAMGO) to activate G protein-coupled inwardly-rectifying potassium channel (GIRK) currents. Opioid-sensitive and -insensitive neurons were observed within each neuron type, except Random neurons which were all opioid-sensitive. Opioid sensitivity did not correlate with other intrinsic firing features, including low-threshold spiking that has been previously proposed to identify opioid-sensitive GABAergic neurons in the vlPAG of mice. Complete Freunds Adjuvant (CFA)-induced acute inflammation (2 h) had no effect on vlPAG neuron firing. However, persistent inflammation (5-7 d) selectively activated Phasic neurons through a significant reduction in their firing threshold. Further evaluation uncovered that the opioid-sensitive neurons were strongly activated compared to the opioid-insensitive Phasic neurons. Overall, these findings provide a new target to investigate the time-dependent mechanisms driving selective Phasic neuron activation by inflammation. Furthermore, this study provides a framework to identify cell-type-specific pharmacological manipulations to reverse the physiological activation induced by persistent inflammatory pain states.


The survival of 35 patients with AIDS or advanced HIV infection on zidovudine treatment was related to the viral sensitivity to the drug and to the CD4+ cell count. Fourteen patients died, the survivors were followed up for an average of 804 days. In a univariate Cox model, survival was strongly related to log IC90 (p = 0.0003) and to the CD4+ count (p = 0.0002). In a bivariate model, log IC90 and the CD4+ count contributed to the prediction of survival (p = 0.12 and 0.06, respectively). Large studies of combination or alternation therapy with several anti-HIV-drugs should be given high priority.


In this article, Dean Erwin Chemerinsky describes the two key aspects to the vision for UCI Law School: being a top 20 law school, by every measure, from the outset and preparing students for the practice of law at the highest levels of the profession. He describes the early history of the law school and the many choices that have been made to realize these goals.


Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), a promising energy harvesting technology for distributed power sources, faces inevitable issues regarding long‐term wear and durability. However, current low‐wear TENGs are impaired by lower performances due to low charge density. Here, both issues are addressed using a double charge supplement TENG (DCS‐TENG). Adding two low friction charge brushes allows the DCS‐TENG to achieve a high surface charge density (76.5 µC m−2) and power density (697.5 mW m−2 Hz–1), setting a new record among previously reported low‐wear TENGs. Moreover, the device exhibits unprecedented durability with an attenuation of only 5% after continuous operation for 110 h (3 960 000 cycles). Using a customized energy management module, a 3 × 7 hygrothermograph array, a high‐power vehicle's radar and accelerometer modules are stably powered, demonstrating the DCS‐TENG's strong electrical load capacity. This strategy provides a facile and effective path to conjointly boost power output and durability of TENGs, taking them to the next level for practical applications.


Nearly 35% of all mutations identified in the muscle glycogen phosphorylase gene (PYGM) in patients with McArdle disease result in premature termination codons (PTCs), particularly the p.R50X mutation. The latter accounts for more than 50% of the mutated alleles in most Caucasian patient populations. Mutations resulting in PTC could trigger the degradation of mRNA through a mechanism known as nonsense mediated decay (NMD). To investigate if NMD affects the levels of transcripts containing PYGM mutations, 28 Spanish patients with McArdle disease, harboring 17 different mutations with PTCs in 77% of their alleles, were studied. Transcripts levels of PYGM were measured and sequenced. We assessed that 92% of patients showed NMD. The most frequent mutation (p.R50X) elicited decay in all the genotypes tested. Other PTC producing mutations resulting in NMD were: p.L5VfsX22, p.Q73HfsX7, p.E125X, p.N134KfsX161, p.W388SfsX34, p.R491AfsX7, and p.D534VfsX5. Located in the last exon, the mutation p.E797VfsX19 was not affected by NMD. Missense mutations did not appear to be affected by NMD. In the cDNA sequences they appeared as homozygous, despite being heterozygous in the genomic DNA sequences. Exceptions to the rules governing NMD were found in the mutations p.A704 V and p.K754NfsX49. Hum Mutat 29(2), 277–283, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Anticoagulant rodenticides are widely used pesticides globally. They act by inhibiting vitamin K epoxide reductase in the liver, decreasing the synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X. Sixty six cases of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis were found during a retrospective study conducted at the Veterinary Hospital and the Pathology Department of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, in a period between January 2010 and June 2015.The inclusion criteria were: clinical signs of exposure, coagulation testing result and typical pathological findings characteristic for bleeding syndrome. History, clinical and pathological data were collected from the medical records of the dogs presented to our units. In the present study, 66 cases of anticoagulant toxicosis in dogs were described, the animals ranging in age from 2 months to 12 years. 31 dogs were male and 35 female. Two cases followed exposure to brodifacoum, 4 cases exposure to warfarin and in the other cases the type of anticoagulant was unknown. The most common clinical signs were dyspnea, lethargy, weakness, anemia/palor, melena, spontaneous subcutaneous and muscular hematoma, sublingual hematoma and ecchymoses. The most important lesions were represented by haemothorax, thymic hematoma in juvenile dogs, subcutaneous and muscular hematomas, hemoperitoneum, severe anemia, and ecchymotic hemorrhages in different tissues. In cases were coagulation testing was performed, prolonged partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and coagulation time were recorded. Anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis is frequently found in our region, the most important diagnostic tools being coagulation testing and toxicological exam.


Fátima Martinez Slomp Tiago S Bara Gledson Luiz Picharski Mara L Cordeiro 1–4 1Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, Brazil; 2Guarapuava Centre-West University, Guarapuava, Brazil; 3Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, Brazil; 4Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA Background: Several studies worldwide have pointed to depression and anxiety symptoms as being related to adolescent smoking. The aim of this study was to investigate, the potential link of cigarette smoking with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and the influence of gender on these relationships in Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Associations of smoking with Children Depressive Inventory version 2 (CDI2) scores, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) scores, and poor school performance (i.e., grade retention) were examined in 988 Brazilian students (age range, 11–17 years) enrolled in 82 public and private schools. Logistic regression modeling was employed and the resultant odds ratios (ORs) are reported with 95% CIs. Results: Of 988 participants, 240 (24.3%) were smokers. Mean (±standard error) HAM-A scores were higher for smokers (21.1 ± 9.7) than nonsmokers (15.4 ± 8.6; p < 0.0001). Relative to nonsmokers, smokers had higher total CDI2 scores (p = 0.033), and higher scores for the CDI2 domains of Emotional Problems (p = 0.023), Negative Self-esteem (p < 0.001), and Functional Problems (p = 0.046). Suicidal ideation was common among smokers with depressive symptoms (54.2%). Smoking was associated with being held back three grades (p < 0.001). Female smokers were more likely to report suicidal ideation than male smokers (p = 0.020). Logistic regression modeling revealed significant associations of suicidal ideation with being female (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.38–2.37), being a female smoker (OR, 2.05; 95%CI, 1.51–2.80), and having a HAM-A score > 16 (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.66–2.86). Conclusion: Smoking was found to be associated with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and poor school performance in Brazilian adolescents; and female smokers reported more suicidal ideation than male smokers.


Abu Zakariya al-Azdi's "Ta'rkh al-Mawsil" suggests to that it is about the local history of Mosul. However,after investigating and reading the book ,it is seen that its material is beyond the domain of the history of the city ,especially the remaining part of it which concern the period (101-224 A.H./719-838 A.D.) It is full of historical events from the late period of Umayyad history(41-132A.H./661-749A.D.):and the starting of remaining part to the Abbasid reign (132-656 A.H./661-1258 A.D.) Hence forth ,many questions should raise ,What are the sources that Al-Azdi had depended on in recording the outer events of Mosul? Among those sources is Ta'rkh Khalifa bin Khaiat (Died 240A.H/854A.D) ; its name appeared many times in Al-Azdi"s book .hence forth,the importance of this research comes through treating many points required by the method of the research . These Points are the modes adopted by Al-Azdi in quoting from Khalifa and the comparison between two historian's recounting in order to access the method adopted by Al-Azdi .


The paper presents a procedure to measure the dynamic range of digital X-ray image visualization systems, which is used for acceptance and certification tests of this class of equipment. The procedure is based on the use of experimental dependences of transmission of a narrow X-ray beam on the thickness of an aluminium or copper absorber (filter).


This essay considers how we might come to understand social constructionism sociologically. It examines a number of related approaches to gender and sexuality that speak to sociological concerns and might be termed social constructionist: historicism, symbolic interactionism, ethnomethodology and materialist feminism. By recognising that social constructionism is multifarious rather than unified, we find that each social constructionist approach offers particular strengths for analysing the complexities of gender and sexuality. Through closely analysing these approaches and some of the criticisms of them we can reassert sociology's specific contribution, and embrace social constructionist analyses which address the multilayered characteristics of the social in general and gender and sexuality in particular.


Tumors are formed by aggregates of cells of various origins including malignant, stromal and immune cells. The number of therapies targeting the microenvironment is increasing as the tumor microenvironment is more and more recognized as playing an essential role in tumor control. In the era of precision medicine, it is essential to precisely estimate the composition, organization and functionality of the individual patient tumor microenvironment and to find ways to therapeutically modulate it. To quantify the cell populations present in the tumor microenvironment, many tools are now available and the most recent approaches will be reviewed herein. We provide an overview of experimental and computational methodologies used to quantify tumor-associated cellular populations, including immunohistochemistry, flow and mass cytometry, bulk and single-cell transcriptomic approaches. We illustrate their respective contribution to characterize the microenvironment. We also discuss how these methods allow to guide therapeutic choices, in relation to the predictive value of some characteristics of the microenvironment.