− This paper presents the test results of small dipstick-gage-type engine-oil-deterioration-detection sensor. The measured sensor signal characteristics for the capacitance and temperature are analyzed. The engine oil deterioration condition correlates with the electrical property of the dielectric constant that comprised with physical properties such as TAN (Total Acid Number), TBN (Total Base Number) and viscosity. Several problems encontered during the test of the sensor system are improved. The results of vehicle tests show that the capacitance signal is stable after the engine stops. Therefore, the sensor should start measuring the parameters for monitoring the engine oil condition after the engine stops. The engine is considered to be in a stopped state if the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the oil capacitance measured every 1 min is below 0.02 pF. The key test results in this paper will help in the development of an engine oil change warning algorithm.


Background: Few studies have measured both the costs and the effectiveness of different combinations of sampling techniques when bronchoscopies of peripheral lung lesions are evaluated.

Objective: To find the most cost effective combination of sampling techniques for peripheral lung lesions not visible by bronchoscopy.

Methods: 289 patients were included in an open prospective trial performed at the Haukeland University Hospital and Aalesund Hospital in Norway, from June 2005 to January 2008. All sampling techniques (biopsy, brushing, trans-bronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), and washing) were performed in 178 cases (study sample). The costs from the Department of Thoracic Medicine and the Department of Pathology were calculated for each sampling technique. The combined diagnostic yield for benign and malignant disease was the effectiveness measurement. The willingness to pay for one additional positive sample was estimated to be 2800 euro, based on the cost for 5 days in a day ward and the cost of one additional investigation. The combination was cost-effective when the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was below the willingness to pay.

Results: The detection rate for cancer increased from 36.7% for biopsy alone to 43.8% for biopsy and brushing. The ICER was 1211 euro for biopsy and brushing compared to biopsy alone. Addition of washing or TBNA to biopsy and brushing was not cost-effective for peripheral lesions (ICER washing: 4761 euro, ICER TBNA: 8262 euro)

Conclusion: Biopsy and brushing was the most cost-effective combination of sampling techniques for peripheral lesions.


Die-to-die and within-die variations impact the frequency and power of fabricated dies, affecting functionality, performance, and revenue. Variation-tolerant circuits and post-silicon tuning techniques are important for minimizing the impacts of these variations. This paper describes several circuit techniques that can be employed to ensure efficient circuit operation in the presence of ever-increasing variations.


Due to some applied problems of recent interest significant effort has been devoted to developing the technology of the transient and broad-band electromagnetic response of various objects such as antennas and scatterers as well as the production mechanisms for such transient fields. This paper addresses the various types of approaches which have been used for understandiag such transient/broad-band properties. While initially various approaches aid in analysis of such fields, in some cases other properties of the approaches lead to more powerful results such as synthesis of transient/broad-band properties.


The observation of the glottis and the vocal fold mobility during phonation enables the diagnosis of larynx pathology. Videolaryngostroboscopy (VLSS) facilitates acquiring a precise endoscopic picture and an evaluation of the vocal fold vibratory movements. This method is recognised as an objective, repetitive and non-invasive approach to accelerate early diagnosis in laryngeal carcinoma, vocal nodules, vocal fold paresis, larynx oedema, functional dysphonia and presbyphonia. The mucosal wave is a particularly important parameter in the stroboscopic examination. The absence of mucosal wave indicates microinfiltrations in the T1 stage of glottic carcinoma and vocal hard nodules, the complete form of paretic dysphonia and the severe form of atrophic presbyphonia. The recurrent mucosal wave suggests re-innervation in the paretic dysphonia. Aberrations in the vocal fold vibrations indicate a supraepithelial oedema of the laryngeal mucosa and a functional type of dysphonia, requiring differential therapy. The larynx image recorded on a video tape is a valuable diagnostic evidence that allows monitoring of therapeutic effects and phoniatric rehabilitation.


Abstract. This paper presents a subjective search for North Sea Draupner-like freaque waves from wave measurement data available in the northeastern coastal waters of Taiwan during Typhoon Krosa, October 2007. Not knowing what to expect, we found rather astonishingly that there were more Draupner-like freaque wave types during the build-up of the storm than we ever anticipated. As the conventional approach of defining freaque waves as H max / H s >2 is ineffective to discern all the conspicuous cases we found, we also tentatively proposed two new indices based on different empirical wave grouping approaches which hopefully can be used for further development of effective indexing toward identifying freaque waves objectively.


Background: To reduce disease exposure, telemedicine has been used to help healthcare systems that have been faced with challenges since the COIVD-19 outbreak in managing emergency departments, outpatient care clinics and providing ongoing care to those with chronic illnesses such as epilepsy Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the emergency implementation of virtual consultations among neurologists in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to September 2020 in survey format distributed electronically to neurologists practicing in Saudi Arabia Descriptive and correlative statistical analyses were performed to identify factors associated with onsite and virtual clinic visits in those treating patients with epilepsy Results: A total of 92 neurologists participated in the study The majority of neurologists (75%) care for COVID-19 patients along with their regular clinic duties There was statistical significance between the duration of the virtual visit in comparison to the onsite clinic visit and the neurologists' views on the future of teleneurology for epilepsy patients(G(2)(4, N = 92) = 18 673, p = 0 001) Conclusion: Virtual consultations have been a way to decrease personal contact and disease exposure since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic For those suffering with chronic conditions such as epilepsy, telemedicine may be a useful resource in following up with a neurologist and medication changes may be successfully made


The lack of authentication in the Internet's data plane allows hosts to falsify (spoof) the source IP address in packet headers, which forms the basis for amplification denialof-service (DoS) attacks. Current approaches to locate sources of spoofed traffic lack coverage or are not deployable today. We propose a mechanism that a network with multiple peering links can use to coarsely locate the sources of spoofed traffic in the Internet. More precisely, the network can monitor and map spoofed traffic arriving on a peering link to the set of sources routed toward that link. We propose mechanisms the network can use to systematically vary BGP announcement configurations to induce changes to Internet routes and to the set of sources routed to each peering link. A network using our technique can correlate observations over multiple configurations to more precisely delineate regions sending spoofed traffic. Evaluation of our techniques on the Internet shows that they can partition the Internet into small regions, allowing targeted intervention.


Abstract In order to examine race differences in nutritional risk among participants in rural home-delivered meals programs, we conducted a secondary analysis using routinely collected data on 245 participants from two rural North Carolina counties. After constructing three categories of High Nutritional Risk from the putative High Risk category of the Nutrition Screening Initiative's (NSI) DETERMINE Checklist and using adjusted logistic regression, we found black participants 3.7 times more likely than white participants to be at the highest level of nutritional risk, with a further increase in odds when economic need was present. This underscores the importance of understanding racial and cultural differences in the development and delivery of targeted and tailored nutritional services to older adults.


For better monitoring and controlling influenza, WHO has launched FluNet (recently integrated to FluMART) to provide a unified platform for participating countries to routinely collect influenza-related syndromic, epidemiological and virological data. However, the reported data were incomplete.We propose a novel surveillance system based on data from multiple sources to accurately assess the epidemic status of different countries, especially for those with missing surveillance data in some periods. The proposed method can automatically select a small set of reliable and informative indicators for assessing the underlying epidemic status and proper supporting data to train the predictive model. Our proactive selection method outperforms three other out-of-box methods (linear regression, multilayer perceptron, and long-short term memory) to make accurate predictions.


This study presents a novel detection method in optical low-coherence reflectometer for the simultaneous measurement of the reflectivity and birefringence characteristics of a sample. By implementing analog electronics in a standard two-channel time domain low-coherence reflectometer, the ratio of the envelope amplitude between two orthogonal interferometric signals, which is used for calculating the retardation angle, can then be analog-decoded using a differential detection scheme based on the quotient rule of a logarithmic function. The proposed method for direct retardation measurement benefits from common-mode noise suppression advantages that support efforts to improve the accuracy of phase retardation measurement. Furthermore, a full interferometric signal to extract the phase information is not needed for calculating fast-axis angle. Reductions in data acquisition rates and processing time are expected. The results from a calibrated test plate were correspondingly presented.


Time series forecasting is essential for agents to make decisions in many domains. Existing models rely on classical statistical methods to predict future values based on previously observed numerical information. Yet, practitioners often rely on visualizations such as charts and plots to reason about their predictions. Inspired by the end-users, we re-imagine the topic by creating a framework to produce visual forecasts, similar to the way humans intuitively do. In this work, we take a novel approach by leveraging advances in deep learning to extend the field of time series forecasting to a visual setting. We do this by transforming the numerical analysis problem into the computer vision domain. Using visualizations of time series data as input, we train a convolutional autoencoder to produce corresponding visual forecasts. We examine various synthetic and real datasets with diverse degrees of complexity. Our experiments show that visual forecasting is effective for cyclic data but somewhat less for irregular data such as stock price. Importantly, we find the proposed visual forecasting method to outperform numerical baselines. We attribute the success of the visual forecasting approach to the fact that we convert the continuous numerical regression problem into a discrete domain with quantization of the continuous target signal into pixel space.


Eighteen patients with Hodgkin's disease received chemotherapy and 40 Gy mantle-field irradiation. Radiation-induced lung injuries were studied 5 times during one year for each patient by chest x-ray, CT examination of the thorax and pulmonary function tests. Homogeneous and inhomogeneous densities developed within the radiations ports. They were more often and more easily detected by CT than by chest x-ray (39% vs 11% at the end of the irradiation). CT changes suggested that homogeneous lung density increase and lung nodules corresponded to the radiation pneumonitis phase, also that linear aspects and/or lung condensation aspects corresponded to irradiation-induced lung fibrosis. The displacement of the vessels and the fissures were seen more precisely by CT than by chest x-ray. There was a highly significant correlation between the number of modified areas and the increase in the coefficient of retraction (p less than 0.001).


Cross domain object detection is a realistic and challenging task in the wild. It suffers from performance degradation due to large shift of data distributions and lack of instance-level annotations in the target domain. Existing approaches mainly focus on either of these two difficulties, even though they are closely coupled in cross domain object detection. To solve this problem, we propose a novel Target-perceived Dual-branch Distillation (TDD) framework. By integrating detection branches of both source and target domains in a unified teacher-student learning scheme, it can reduce domain shift and generate reliable supervision effectively. In particular, we first introduce a distinct Target Proposal Perceiver between two domains. It can adaptively enhance source detector to perceive objects in a target image, by leveraging target proposal contexts from iterative cross-attention. Afterwards, we design a concise Dual Branch Self Distillation strategy for model training, which can progressively integrate complementary object knowledge from different domains via self-distillation in two branches. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments on a number of widely-used scenarios in cross domain object detection. The results show that our TDD significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on all the benchmarks. The codes and models will be released afterwards.


Appendicitis and incarcerated hernia are frequently encountered reasons of emergency surgery for acute abdomen. The treatment in early stages of each condition is generally simple, but when these conditions are combined, the symptoms become slightly complicated, obscuring specific symptoms. Especially the lack of symptoms for appendicitis leads to delayed diagnosis, resulting in high morbidity. Amyand hernia, which contains appendix in its inguinal hernia sac, is perhaps more familiar to the general surgeons than De Garengeot hernia, which is an incarcerated femoral hernia with an appendix in its sac. We report the case of a 90-year-old female with incarcerated femoral hernia who underwent emergency hernioplasty only to reveal an inflamed appendix in its sac. The patient underwent both appendectomy and hernia repair simultaneously with synthetic mesh and was discharged on postoperative day 7 without any complications. We will also discuss the physical and radiological findings of De Garengeot hernia.


In a mobile information dissemination network mobile users, equipped with wireless devices, exchange information in a spontaneous manner whenever they come into communication range. Users have to specify what kind of information they are looking for and what kind of information they can offer. A priori there is no relation between users, literally spoken, they don't know each other and confidence in newly collected information might be low. This work presents two reputation schemes, a simple and an extended version, for mobile information dissemination networks that, based on user ratings, increase a user's confidence in some information source. As reputation systems collect sensitive personal information and monitor users' behavior, privacy is an essential requirement — especially in a mobile scenario — that is neglected by many existing approaches. Using cryptographic group signatures and the concept of an observer, our extended reputation scheme guarantees high user privacy.


This paper describes the use of an Evolutionary Strategies optimization scheme to optimize the rotor blade section of a high-pressure turbine stage for minimum fuel burn. The goal is to determine if the blade optimization can result in an overall engine performance upgrade by minimizing the fuel required. To ascertain the overall effect of turbine improvement on fuel burn specifically, the remainder of the engine is modeled using the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation tool. The result is a 0.082% improvement in fuel burn. The paper details the resulting configuration and identifies some strategies which are emerging for improving turbine design.


We prove that pillage games (Jordan in J Econ Theory 131.1:26–44, 2006, "Pillage and property", JET) can have multiple stable sets, constructing pillage games with up to 2 n−1 3 stable sets, when the number of agents, n, exceeds four. We do so by violating the anonymity axiom common to the existing literature to establish a power dichotomy: for all but a small exceptional set of endowments, powerful agents can overcome all the others; within the exceptional set, the lesser agents can defend their resources. Once the allocations giving powerful agents all resources are included in a candidate stable set, deriving the rest proceeds by considering dominance relations over the finite exceptional sets—reminiscent of stable sets' derivation in classical cooperative game theory. We also construct a multi-good pillage game with only three agents that also has two stable sets.


ABSTRACT DNA metabarcoding is a molecular technique frequently used to characterize diet composition of insectivorous birds. However, results are sensitive to methodological decisions made during sample processing, with primer selection being one of the most critical. The most frequently used DNA metabarcoding primer set for avian insectivores is ZBJ. However, recent studies have found that ZBJ produces significant biases in prey classification that likely influence our understanding of foraging ecology. A new primer set, ANML, has shown promise for characterizing insectivorous bat diets with fewer taxonomic biases than ZBJ, but ANML has not yet been used to study insectivorous birds. Here, we evaluate the ANML primer set for use in metabarcoding of avian insectivore diets through comparison with the more commonly used ZBJ primer set. Fecal samples were collected from both adult and nestling Purple Martins (Progne subis subis) at 2 sites in the USA and 1 site in Canada to maximize variation in diet composition and to determine if primer selection impacts our understanding of diet variation among sites. In total, we detected 71 arthropod prey species, 39 families, and 10 orders. Of these, 40 species were uniquely detected by ANML, whereas only 11 were uniquely detected by ZBJ. We were able to classify 54.8% of exact sequence variants from ANML libraries to species compared to 33.3% from ZBJ libraries. We found that ANML outperformed ZBJ for PCR efficacy, taxonomic coverage, and specificity of classification, but that using both primer sets together produced the most comprehensive characterizations of diet composition. Significant variation in both alpha- and beta-diversity between sites was found using each primer set separately and in combination. To our knowledge, this is the first published metabarcoding study using ANML primers to describe avian diet, and also the first to directly compare results returned by ANML and ZBJ primer sets. LAY SUMMARY DNA metabarcoding is a popular technique for characterizing diet composition by sequencing DNA of prey items found in fecal samples. Molecular primer sets used to detect and identify prey DNA differ in efficacy, resulting in different conclusions about diet composition depending on the primer set selected. We tested whether the recently developed ANML primer set may improve our ability to comprehensively describe diet composition for insectivorous Purple Martins as compared to the commonly used ZBJ primer set. ANML has been shown to outperform ZBJ for characterizing diet in insectivorous bats, but ANML has not yet been tested against ZBJ for characterizing diets of insectivorous birds. We found that the new ANML primer set detected and identified more insect prey than the ZBJ primer set, but that using both together provided the most comprehensive approach. This study is the first to test ANML primers with bird diet samples and also to compare results between the use of ANML and ZBJ.


A large number of design pattern recovery techniques supplemented with tool support are presented in the past to extract patterns from source code of legacy applications. Different tools present their results in different formats. The maintenance activities can yield to true benefits of pattern recovery if the results of pattern recovery tools are comprehensible and reusable. The comprehension of relationships between the results is important because most of pattern based designs use different patterns which are connected with each other. Visualization of overlapping in recognized design patterns plays a key role for comprehension, maintenance, reverse engineering and reengineering. This paper focuses on detection, analysis and visualization of overlapping in recognized design pattern instances which is important for the maintenance and comprehension of legacy applications. The scope of work in this paper is limited only to structural design patterns. Based on the results of experimental examples the concept of the approach is validated.


Podoplanin (PDPN) is expressed in type I alveolar cells, kidney podocytes, and lymphatic endothelial cells. We have characterized the PDPNs of various animal species using specific anti-PDPN monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In this study, we investigated whether these anti-PDPN mAbs cross-react with goat PDPN (gPDPN). Flow cytometry demonstrated that the anti-bovine PDPN mAb PMab-44 (IgG1, kappa) reacts with gPDPN, which is overexpressed in CHO-K1 cells. Using immunohistochemical analysis, type I alveolar cells of goat lung were strongly detected by PMab-44. These results indicate that PMab-44 is useful for investigating gPDPN.


Most blood plasma zinc is bound to albumin, but the structure of the binding site has not been determined. Zn K-edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and modeling studies show that the major Zn2+ site on albumin is a 5-coordinate site with average Zn-O/N distances of 1.98 Å and a weak sixth O/N bond of 2.48 Å, consistent with coordination to His67 and Asn99 from domain I, His247 and Asp249 from domain II (residues conserved in all sequenced mammalian albumins), plus a water ligand. The dynamics of the domain I/II interface, thought to be important to biological function, are affected by Zn2+ binding, which induces cooperative allosteric effects related to those of the pH-dependent neutral-to-base transition. N99D and N99H mutations enhance Zn2+ binding but alter protein stability, whereas mutation of His67 to alanine removes an interdomain H-bond and weakens Zn2+ binding. Both wild-type and mutant albumins promote the safe management of high micromolar zinc concentrations for cells in cultures.


We propose a model to construct the phase diagram for type-II superconductors through molecular-dynamics simulation. In this model, the Abrikosov vortices interact with long-range repulsion and short-range attraction. We are able to obtain the phase diagrams consisting of the vortex lattice, the intermediate-mixed phase (IMP), and the disordered vortex phase in the B-T, B-?, and B-q planes, where B is induction, ? is the Ginzburg-Landau parameter, and q is the relative strength of the attraction to repulsion interactions between vortices. The IMP is in the form of a superlattice of either vortex bubbles or parallel vortex stripes, agreeing excellently with experimental results that have not yet been explained by existing models.


[Purpose] The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate the diversity in infant crawling and examine the quantitative regularity in crawling variations necessary for the acquisition of walking in infants with typical development. [Participants and Methods] Infants with no neurological or orthopedic problems participated in this study. Using Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, crawling was simultaneously filmed from six different angles. Filming was continued until the acquisition of independent walking. The crawling movement in the video was coded. We considered the number of different completed codes as the number of variations and examined the cumulative number during the filming period in each participant. [Results] Nineteen infants completed the study. The pattern of change in the cumulative number of variations with increasing age (in days) varied between cases. Although the cumulative number of crawling variations at the time of acquisition of independent walking was inconsistent, it was negatively correlated with the crawling start age (in days). [Conclusion] Diversity exists in infant crawling. Infants who start crawling at a younger age tend to express more variation, whereas infants who start crawling when older tend to express less variation.


Abstract Case managers (CMs) facilitate continuity of care for persons living with HIV (PLWH) by coordination of resources and referrals to social services and medical care. The complexity of the management of HIV drives the need for more coordination, which can be achieved through the use of health information technology (HIT). However, HIT has not been well studied in the context of HIV services. The primary aim of this qualitative study was to assess CMs' perceptions regarding factors that influence acceptance and use of an electronic continuity of care record (CCR) for PLWH. Focus group methodology was used to gather perceptions from 37 CMs. Major themes related to factors for CCR adoption and use included: predisposing (system functionality and confidentiality), enabling (user training and computer access), reinforcing (work efficiency, continuity of care, information quality, and communication). Electronic CCRs have the potential to improve coordination of services and information sharing for PLWH. Careful attention must be paid to factors that predispose, enable, and reinforce use of HIT such as CCRs so that potential benefits in terms of quality and efficiency can be realized.


We deal, in this paper, with the short queries (containing one or two words) problem. Short queries have no sufficient information to express their semantics in a non ambiguous way. Pseudo-relevance feedback (PRF) approach for query expansion is useful in many Information Retrieval (IR) tasks. However, this approach does not work well in the case of very short queries. Therefore, we present instead of PRF a semantic query enrichment method based on Wikipedia. This method expands short queries by semantically related terms extracted from Wikipedia. Our experiments on cultural heritage corpora show significant improvement in the retrieval performance.


H igh-intensity-also called low-calorie or artificialsweeteners are increasi~ gly being used in a wide range of "diet'' foods and beverages. In fact, their growth has firmly established them as a third major sweetener option, along with sugar and com sweeteners. The high-intensity sweeteners approved for use in the U.S. food supply are aspartame, saccharin, and acesulfame-K (see box on these leading products). Other high-intensity sw~eteners---sucralose and alitame-have approval petitions pending before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prospects are strong that these sweeteners---and possibly some additional ones-will continue to expand both in their total level of use and in the variety of foods and beverages they sweeten. Soft drinks and fountain syrups combined are by far the leading use of high-intensity sweeteners. Tabletop use is second in importance. Other products containing high-intensity sweeteners include powdered gelatin desserts, canned fruit, ice cream and similar dairy products, confectionery, and chewing gum.


India has a unique climate system dominated by the monsoon, and the major physiographic features that drive this monsoon are its location in the globe, the Himalayas, the central plateau, the western and Eastern Ghats and the oceans surrounding the region. The country is considered highly vulnerable to climate change, not only because of high physical exposure to climate-related disasters, but also because of the dependency of its economy and majority of population on climate-sensitive sectors (e.g. agriculture, forests, tourism, animal husbandry and fisheries). The Himalayan Region comprises of the highest mountain system of the world, the Himalayas and the North- Eastern hill states. Being the home of some very large and important glaciers (viz. Gangotri, Ponting, Milam, Pindari etc) the state of Uttarakhand has remained in centre of climate change discussions since over three decades. In addressing this debate and to eliminate confusions, the paper examines emerging climate trend scenarios in the region by measuring temperature and rainfall variabilities during the past century. The results indicate unanimous warming of the entire region but are more critical in mountainous parts. On the other hand the plain areas have received more rainfall, while it has declined in hilly districts.


Abstract In an earlier paper, a second-moment turbulence closure model was applied to the problem of the dynamic and thermodynamic interaction of sea ice and the ocean surface mixed layer. An overly simplistic parameterization of the molecular sublayers of temperature and salinity within the mixed layer was used. This paper investigates the use of a more recent parameterization by Yaglom and Kader which is supported by laboratory data. A relatively low melt rate results in the case where ice overlays warm water. This agrees with some recent observations in the interior of the marginal ice zone. A surface heat sink drives the freezing case which, due to the large difference in heat and salt molecular diffusivities, produces a strong supercooling effect. This is converted into an estimate of frazil ice production through a simple scheme. The model results provide an explanation for high frazil ice concentrations observed in the Arctic and Antarctic.


The vibration frequencies and infrared absorption intensities for the fluoranthene molecule (C16H10) and their positive and negative radical ions have been calculated using ab initio method according to the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP / 6-311G basis set, in addition to PM3 semi-empirical quantum chemical method. Although, the importance of this molecule due to their presence in interstellar space and their environmental contaminating properties, the literatures miss to a complete classification for (3N-6) vibration modes and the vibration frequencies and infrared absorption intensities calculations for the negative radical ion. For these reasons our calculation and classification considered to be assignment. All calculated vibration frequencies rearrangement as the Hertzberg convention, then classified symmetrically and assigned by valence for (3N-6) modes depending on graphical pictures obtained by using Hyperchem program. Generally, the calculated vibration frequencies values showed a good agreement and compatible with values measured experimentally and those calculated by other theoretical methods.


The purpose of this study is to describe the results of a try-out of Grehaigne, Godbout, and Bouthier's (1997) team sport performance assessment procedure in elementary and junior high school physical education classes and to expose issues related to its potential implementation. Six elementary and junior high school teachers were asked to use this assessment procedure with their Grade 5 to 8 class-groups for a 6-week period in order to gather data for the establishment of performance norms. As it was developed for peer assessment purposes, the teachers instructed their students in observing and coding. Teachers and their students then proceeded to collect team sport performance data. Following this process, interviews were conducted in order to gather the teachers' perceptions and opinions regarding the potential integration of this assessment procedure. From the collected data, topics focusing on the possible applications in a team sport teaching-learning context are presented and discussed.


Among biodegradable polymers, polylactides (PLAs) have attracted considerable interest because the monomer can be produced from renewable resources. Since their initial degradability strongly affects commercial application fields, it is necessary to manage the degradation properties of PLAs to make them more commercially attractive. To control their degradability, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) copolymers of glycolide and isomer lactides (LAs) were synthesized, and their enzymatic and alkaline degradation rates of PLGA monolayers as functions of glycolide acid (GA) composition were systematically investigated by the Langmuir technique. The results showed that the alkaline and enzymatic degradations of PLGA monolayers were faster than those of l-polylactide (l-PLA), even though proteinase K is selectively effective in the l-lactide (l-LA) unit. Alkaline hydrolysis was strongly affected by their hydrophilicity, while the surface pressure of monolayers for enzymatic degradations was a major factor.


The life support system in a tactical aircraft provides necessary supplemental oxygen to the aircrew. However, interactions among its various components may generate unexpected breathing loads. We focus here on the interactions between a regulator and breathing mask commonly used together in the U.S. Navy, the CRU-103 regulator and MBU 23/P mask, and some effects of the interactions on the user. The data reported were collected during a larger research effort examining potential physiological and cognitive effects of low regulator inlet pressures. Seventeen participants completed a series of tasks under mild exercise while breathing 40% O2 (balance N2) from an MBU-23/P mask supplied by a CRU-103 regulator with supply pressures 10, 6, 4, and 2 psig (CRU-103 specifications are for inlet pressures from 5 to 120 psig). Variables measured included flow to the mask and pressures at the regulator supply, in the hose to the mask, and in the mask. In addition to restricting inspiratory flow, low inlet pressure to the CRU-103 caused a counterintuitive overshoot in gas delivery pressure at end-inspiration, a mean increase of 1.5 cm H2O between the 10- and 2 psig conditions. The added pressure to the exhalation valve increased the expiratory threshold, the pressure to start expiratory flow, by approximately 2 cm H2O, increasing the effort needed to exhale.


Two reliability studies were performed on a recently developed cognitive assessment battery for severe dementia. The method, the Modified Ordinal Scales of Psychological Development (M-OSPD), is based on the Piagetian developmental model of sensorimotor functions. Procedures have been adapted from this test battery, which was originally applied to infants and small children, for the assessment of remaining cognitive capacity in severe dementia. Two independent interrater reliability studies were conducted. In these studies, two different raters simulataneously evaluated patients with severe dementia. One interrater reliability study was performed in a nursing home setting (Study 1), and the other reliability study consisted of a sample of community-residing patients (Study 2). The Global Deterioration Scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination were used to assess dementia severity. Study 1 (N = 22) resulted in an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of .99 (p < .01) for the M-OSPD total score. Study 2(N = 19) resulted in an ICC of .96 (p < .01) for the M-OSPD total score. The M-OSPD proved to be a reliable instrument in these studies. This cognitive assessment measure can provide meaningful information regarding the cognitive abilities of late-stage dementia patients. Until recently, these late-stage dementia patients had been considered untestable in studies that utilized conventional psychometric and mental status evaluation measures.


Changes in soluble carbohydrate compounds and their amounts were analysed during the somatic embryo maturation and seed development of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). The data were correlated to the localisation of key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism (invertase, EC 188.8.131.52; sucrose synthase, EC 184.108.40.206; phosphoglucomutase, EC 126.96.36.199). The decrease in total carbohydrate content as well as the accumulation of sucrose in later stages was a common feature in both systems. At the beginning of somatic embryo maturation the activity of sucrose synthase was low, and it gradually increased during development. At the final cotyledonary stage the SuSy localisation in somatic embryos resembled the pattern observed in cotyledonary stage zygotic embryos. Activity of invertase (pH 6.0) was detected in the early stages of somatic embryo development. Afterwards the activity decreased to almost undetectable levels in mature cotyledonary embryos. Very low invertase activity was detected during the period of seed development studied. The activity of phosphoglucomutase was high throughout the whole process of maturation in both zygotic and somatic embryos. The results are discussed in respect to the transition of developing embryos from metabolic to storage sink and the possible signalling potential of the changes.


Due to social and individual conditions and access to health services, Amazonian riverside populations are highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, including Chlamydia trachomatis. The aim is to estimate the seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and analyze the associated factors among riverside dwellers in a capital city in the Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional study was carried out with residents of the Combu Island, Belém. The study sample was calculated using the population survey technique in the EPI INFO. Only people aged 18 and over were included. ELISA serology was performed to detect antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis. For data collection, a form containing vulnerability factor questions was applied. Binary regression analysis was performed using the Minitab 20 program. The study sample consisted of 325 participants. The prevalence of IgG/IgM antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis was 22.2% and 5.5%, respectively. In the multiple regression, only participants with a broken condom were more likely to have antibodies against the bacteria (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.01; 3.37; p = 0.046). Seroprevalence was associated with condom breakage. This factor demonstrates that despite having an attitude towards condom use, probably, they may have inadequate knowledge about the correct practice of introduction.


A radical re-examination of Oscar Wilde's plays, Revising Wilde challenges long-established views of the writer as a dilettante and dandy, revealing him instead as a serious philosopher and social critic who used his plays to subvert the traditional values of Victorian literature and society. By tracing Wilde's painstaking revisions and redrafting of his plays, Sos Eltis uncovers themes subsequently concealed in successive versions which demonstrate that Wilde was in fact an anarchist, a socialist and a feminist. Wilde borrowed plots and incidents from numerous contemporary French and English plays, but he then subtly rewrote his plagiarized material in order to mock the conventions he imitated. By analysing previously unconsidered manuscript drafts, and comparing the finished plays with their sources, Eltis displays a surprising depth and complexity to Wilde's work. The little-known early play, Vera; or, The Nihilists is revealed as a politically radical drama, the society plays are shown to challenge Victorian sexual and social mores, and The Importance of Being Earnest is interpreted as an anarchic farce, which reflects the Utopian vision of Wilde's political essay, 'The Soul of Man Under Socialism'. Taking into account the more recent scholarship and criticism, this accessible study will be of interest to Wilde specialists and enthusiasts alike.


We present an analytical model for the maximum throughput of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), considering the presence of uncorrelated bit errors and the impact of a key BLE parameter that defines the time between the start of two consecutive connection events. The derived analysis models the generic application of master-to-slave unidirectional data transmission, which also forms an upper bound for bidirectional data transmission throughput. Simulation results show that our model accurately predicts the maximum BLE throughput for all bit error rates and BLE parameter settings evaluated.


YAG laser (2 J/pulse) for vaporizing, the KrF laser (34 mJ/pulse) for optically pumping, a laser chamber and an optical cavity. The laser chamber has two quartz windows for the YAG and KrF laser irradiations and two Brewster windows for the Fe laser output, and it is filled with helium gas of a few Torr. The maximum output energies of the ultraviolet and visible Fe lasers are 1.08 p,J/pulse and 135.3 nJ/pulse, respectively, and the optical gains at 299.951, 303.164, 304.043, 532.418 and 562.455 nm are 1.53, 1.04, 1.77, 0.66 and 0.41 /cm, respectively. In order to elucidate the dynamics of the laser-induced Fe vapor plasma, population densities of Fe atoms, a temperahire and an electron density in the vapor plasma have been measured experimentally. By using the experimental data, the population inversion density between the laser upper and lower states atoms is calculated. On the basis of these results, the oscillation process of the Fe vapor laser is discussed. A tantalum vapor laser oscillation has also been obtained on five lines (292.519, 322.732, 328.087, 330.438 and 351.361 nm) in an ultraviolet region. The experimental arrangement is essentially the same as the Fe vapor laser. The maximum output energy of 160 nJ/pulse is obtained, and the optical gains at 292.519, 322.732, 328.087, 330.438 and 351.361 nm are 0.35, 0.24, 0.09,0.09 and 0.20 /cm, respectively.


Astroviruses are small RNA viruses associated with pediatric gastroenteritis. A latex agglutination (LA) test is more convenient and rapid than electron microscopy, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of astroviruses in stool specimens was developed by using polyclonal antibody against cultured serotype 1 astrovirus, and tested on astrovirus positive- and negative- samples collected between 1985 and 1993 in Ehime, Japan. Cultured serotype 1 astrovirus was detected by the LA test, but serotype 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 viruses could not be detected, although they yielded high titer of the viruses. When tested on the 27 clinical samples, all 8 serotype 1 astroviruses determined previously by EIA were positive by the LA test, however, 9 other serotype astroviruses and 10 astrovirus negative-samples were all negative. PT-PCR was found to be the most sensitive followed by EIA and LA test. Further development of LA test with other serotypes is necessary.


The high costs of using electric vehicles (EVs) is hindering wide-spread adoption of an EV-centric decarbonisation strategy for urban freight transport. Four opportunity charging (OC) strategies—during breaks and shift changes, during loading activity, during unloading activity, or while driving on highways—are evaluated towards reducing EV costs. The study investigates the effect of OC on the lifecycle costs and carbon dioxide emissions of four cases of different urban freight transport operations. Using a parametric vehicle model, the weight and battery capacity of operationally suitable fleets were calculated for ten scenarios (i.e., one diesel vehicle scenario, two EV scenarios without OC, and seven EV scenarios with four OC strategies and two charging technology types). A linearized energy consumption model sensitive to vehicle load was used to calculate the fuel and energy used by fleets for the transport operations. OC was found to significantly reduce lifecycle costs, and without any strong negative influence on carbon dioxide emissions. Other strong influences on lifecycle costs are the use of inductive technology, extension of service lifetime, and reduction of battery price. Other strong influences on carbon dioxide emissions are the use of inductive technology and the emissions factors of electricity production.


QUESTION
I have several patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who are pregnant or planning pregnancies. What information can I give them regarding the possible effects of IBD on pregnancy and the medications used to treat IBD during pregnancy?

ANSWER
Women with IBD appear to be at increased risk of giving birth prematurely, having low-birth-weight infants, and having cesarean sections. Neither 5-aminosalicylic acid nor sulfasalazine has been found to increase the rate of major malformations, fetal mortality, or morbidity. There is conflicting evidence regarding the use of corticosteroids and azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine. There are limited data on the use of infliximab during pregnancy, although no pattern of defects or complications has been reported to date.


SUMMARY This study proposes a classification of Argentina's cypress forests into three types: marginal, compact and mixed forests (the latter with Nothofagus spp.). The classification is based on the information from seventy eight plots of cypress forest. Significative differences were found in density, basal areas and tree heights among forest types. Analysis of the allometric relationship of the trees included in this study shows that: 1) the existing linear relationships between diameter and age are not that close, and 2) height growth is faster in the first years of development than in the later ones. Size distribution of the compact and mixed forest stands show inverted "J". Finally a positive linear relationship was found between stand height and mean annual volume increment. From the latter, it could be concluded that stand height could indicate site quality of cypress forests.


We have grown film structures by molecular beam epitaxy which include GaAs buffer layers grown at low substrate temperatures (250 °C). The film structures have been examined using transmission electron microscopy. The layers grown at normal temperatures (600 °C) were free of defects or clusters. In contrast, the layer which was grown at low substrate temperatures contained precipitates which have been identified as hexagonal arsenic. The density of the arsenic precipitates is found to be very sensitive to the substrate temperature during growth.


Widespread application of lightweight magnesium and titanium alloys sheet is limited mainly because of their poor-workability issues, both in primary processing by rolling and secondary sheet forming. This study describes a hybrid cutting–extrusion process, large-strain extrusion machining (LSEM), for producing sheet and foil. By utilizing a constraining edge placed across from the cutting tool edge, the usual cutting process is transformed into continuous shear-deformation process, wherein the thickness of the sheet at its exit from the deformation zone is directly controlled. The confinement of the deformation field in LSEM enables near-adiabatic heating in the deformation zone. Consequently, external workpiece heating, intrinsic to sheet manufacturing by multistage rolling in alloys of poor workability (e.g., hexagonal close packed (hcp) alloys and cast materials), is minimized. Furthermore, the deformation parameters, such as strain, strain rate, and strain path, can be controlled to refine the microstructure and induce shear-type crystallographic textures that enable enhanced sheet mechanical properties (strength and formability). This application of LSEM is demonstrated using magnesium alloy AZ31B as a model system. Since LSEM is a single-stage process for sheet production, it is potentially attractive in terms of production economics and energy. Implications for process scale-up and control of plastic flow localization are briefly discussed.


Canonical immunoassays rely on highly sensitive and specific capturing of circulating biomarkers by interacting biomolecular baits. In this frame, bioprobe immobilization in spatially discrete three-dimensional (3D) spots onto analytical surfaces by hydrogel encapsulation was shown to provide relevant advantages over conventional two-dimensional (2D) platforms. Yet, the broad application of 3D systems is still hampered by hurdles in matching their straightforward fabrication with optimal functional properties. Herein, we report on a composite hydrogel obtained by combining a self-assembling peptide (namely, Q3 peptide) with low-temperature gelling agarose that is proved to have simple and robust application in the fabrication of microdroplet arrays, overcoming hurdles and limitations commonly associated with 3D hydrogel assays. We demonstrate the real-case scenario feasibility of our 3D system in the profiling of Covid-19 patients' serum IgG immunoreactivity, which showed remarkably improved signal-to-noise ratio over canonical assays in the 2D format and exquisite specificity. Overall, the new two-component hydrogel widens the perspectives of hydrogel-based arrays and represents a step forward towards their routine use in analytical practices.


We studied dry stony habitats with metalliferous soils (with various amounts of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) at low to moderate altitudes in 22 localities in northern Greece using 193 original phytosociological releves with vascular species composition, species abundance and topographical data. Soil samples were collected in 86 plots and analysed for acidity, heavy metal content and other parameters. The aims of the study were to classify the releves, describe the plant communities, assign species and communities to syntaxa, relate environment, distribution and species composition, and to compare the relative importance of soil metal content and the other environmental variables for species composition. We found 16 vegetation clusters and assigned them to 12 associations and corresponding plant communities. Each community is defi ned with respect to species composition and richness, ecology and distribution. The range of communities is heterogeneous and comprises 8 vegetation alliances belonging to the orders Alysso alyssoidis-Sedetalia, Astragalo-Potentilletalia, Hyparrhenio-Brachypodietalia ramosi, Sedo -Scleranthetalia, Thero-Brometalia and Tuberarietalia guttati. Two alliances and fi ve associations are described as new syntaxa, and several more syntaxa, including some orders, have not been recorded from Greece and the southern Balkans before. Soil acidity and, secondly, the degree of substrate consolidation and vegetation development were identifi ed as most important environmental factors explaining the chief fl oristic gradients in the data set. Heavy metal content turned out to be of secondary explanatory value, relevant in partial data sets of acidic base-poor soils or calcareous/ultramafi c soils. Most species found on metalliferous soils are therefore facultative metallophytes, while obligate metallophytes are few and characteristic of ophiolithic substrates (serpentinophytes).


The workshop demonstrates how Vietnamese ELT teachers facilitate communicative competence among adolescent learners. It is grounded on an aim to promote the benefits of EFL on cultivating the learners' pride in maintaining their identities. The talk is based in the high-school learning environment, which helps address the over-reliance on Grammar-Translation Method as well as teachers' low skills of assessment as causes of learners' limited language use and decreased motivations (Bui, 2016). Inspired by the presenters' research on a small-scaled project that reports on the benefits of employing students' cultural background in order to create an inclusive learning and learner-centered environment. The presenters, adopting Canale & Swain (1980), will justify by an example which involves teaching the adjectives' order based on an integration of cultural dimensions. This expectedly allows a maximum of opportunities to encourage learners to recognize, include and negotiate their personal and cultural identities with other peers through Speaking meaning-making processes. Around the underlying weakness of language instruction as aforementioned, before a deeper analysis of steps, the presenters will inform quickly theoretical concepts which guide the indicated analysis. Especially, the concepts are meant to be related specifically to teaching English language in which culture is embedded. Before ending the session, the presenters will also share some tips on how to comment on students' work effectively to encourage learners' motivation and confidence in actively using English as an additional language.


ABSTRACT Oncogenic KRAS engages multiple effector pathways including the MAPK cascade to promote proliferation and survival of pancreatic cancer cells. KRAS-transformed cancer cells exhibit oncogene addiction to sustained activity of RAS for maintenance of malignant phenotypes. Previously, we have shown an essential role for the RHO guanine exchange factor ARHGEF2 for growth and survival of RAS-transformed pancreatic tumors. Here, we have determined that pancreatic cancer cells demonstrating KRAS addiction are significantly dependent on expression of ARHGEF2. Furthermore, enforced expression of ARHGEF2 desensitizes cells to pharmacological MEK inhibition and initiates a positive feedback loop which activates ERK phosphorylation and the downstream ARHGEF2 promoter. Therefore, targeting ARHGEF2 expression may increase the efficacy of MAPK inhibitors for treatment of RAS-dependent pancreatic cancers.


The authors fabricated GaAs-based width-reduced photonic-crystal (PC) slab line-defect waveguides with asymmetric cladding, characterized optically by broadband transmission spectral results. These waveguides were vertically sandwiched between air and oxide claddings. Transmission peaks originating from the guided mode located within the bandgap were observed, thereby showing the presence of a bandgap effect for the transverse-electric (TE)-like guided mode even with the coexistence of a fundamental transverse-magnetic (TM)-like mode. Propagation loss spectra were derived from transmission spectra for both TE and TM polarization inputs. Comparing the obtained spectra to band diagrams, the authors detected a mini-stopband effect in the transmission spectra arising from a folding of the fundamental TM-like mode at the Brillouin zone boundary. The coupling coefficient was then estimated to be /spl sim/0.01 [a/sup -1/] (with a being a lattice constant). Dips in spectral intensity were also observed and were attributed to TE-TM mode conversion based on a comparison to the band diagram.


ABSTRACT Meirelles, S., Horner-Devine, A.R., Henriquez, M., Stive, M., Pietrzak, J., Souza, A.J., 2014. Middle shoreface sand transport under stratified regimes. In: Green, A.N. and Cooper, J.A.G. (eds.), Proceedings 13th International Coastal Symposium (Durban, South Africa), Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 70, pp. 182–186, ISSN 0749-0208. Observations from a field experiment along the south-Holland coast, the Netherlands, were carried out in order to obtain new insights about the impacts of the Rhine ROFI (Region of Freshwater Influence) on the sand transport patterns. The net alongshore sand transport is generally governed by tides. The sediment concentration in the middle shoreface increased significantly with approaching waves of higher than ~1 m and Tm0 > 5 s. The southward net transport of the alongshore component does not agree with the literature. Modulations of the net cross-shore transport direction were observed. The net transport is more relevant during the neap tides where the velocity magnitudes are smaller.


Thanks to an innovative plate crushing test fixture, elementary crushing modes of CFRP laminates have been observed and analysed for static and dynamic loading. These analyses enabled to propose a 2D explicit finite element model at mesoscale for the simulation of splaying mode, with a good correlation between model and test data.


Durian is economically important for local livelihoods in Indonesia. Our study investigated the identity of pollinators of semi‐wild durian and subsequently estimated the economic contribution of these pollination services. We conducted pollination exclusion experiments and deployed camera traps at durian trees from October 2017 to January 2018 in an area where the local economy depends on durian production in West Sulawesi, Indonesia. Durian flowers in the experiment that were accessible to bats had significantly higher fruit set compared with flowers that were completely closed to animal visitors or those that could only be visited by insects, suggesting that bats were the primary durian pollinator. The small, highly nectarivorous cave nectar bat (Eonycteris spelaea) visited more inflorescences (n = 25) and had visits of much longer duration ( X¯ = 116.87 sec/visit) than the two species of flying foxes: Pteropus alecto (n = 7 inflorescences visited, X¯ = 11.07 sec/visit) and Acerodon celebensis (n = 6 inflorescences visited, X¯ = 11.60 sec/visit). Visits by large and small bats were influential in differentiating successful durian fruit production from unsuccessful. Using a bioeconomic approach, we conservatively estimate that bat pollination services are valued at ~$ 117/ha/fruiting season. By demonstrating an ecological link between bats and the local economy, this research provides an urgent message for Southeast Asian governments regarding the need to promote bat conservation in order to increase the production of durian grown under semi‐wild conditions.


This study experimentally examined whether unrepresentative news about a single foreign country is likely to reduce the accuracy of people's judgments about what is typical of all countries in the same geographic region. Respondents consisted of 150 U.S. residents. Those who read an unrepresentative news story about a single European or SouthAmerican nation made less accurate judgments about au average characteristic of all countries in either region than did participants who read no story. The type of region that the story and inferences concerned appeared to make no difference. The study also found no evidence that how generally oriented a person is toward world affairs mediates the impact of news upon the accuracy of judgment about groups of countries. THE MASS MEDIA AND AUDIENCE GENERALIZATION ABOUT GROUPS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES The mass media often are accused of contributing to audience stereotypes of women and members of various ethnic groups. Claims that Western news agencies need to present a larger and more representative picture of developing countries, which are part of calls for a New International Information Order (NII0) (Masmoudi, 1979), imply that these agencies may contribute to stereotyped audience images of Third World societies, as well. As Rosemary Righter (1978, p. 215) put it: "Third World leaders complain, with justification, that their diverse and complex societies are stereotyped by the Western use of the word "developing"." An old axiom of social-science research, however, holds that one should not infer audience effects from claims about, or descriptions of, media content. Evidence that the content of Western press stereotypes countries may not tell us much about the impact of this on the generalizations people actually make about groups of nations. In fact, the media may contribute as much to audience generalizations about foreign countries by sparse coverage of individual nations as by using single adjectives to refer to groups of countries. For example, a person may form impressions of all countries in a region from news descriptions of a single nation, simply becaota little other news about the other countries is available to her or him. The purpose of the present study is to examine experimentally the


This study attempts to formalize and explain the process through which Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is created incorporating it into a production model as one of the outputs comprising the technology. Our framework allows for analyzing technical efficiency and deriving a system of internal shadow prices to quantify the overall value as well as the marginal impact of implementing socially responsible activities. The empirical application focuses on the food and beverage manufacturing sector where we encounter high levels of technical efficiency among the firms included in the analysis. Our findings also document a positive average shadow price of CSR activities, implying that the net value of implementing these activities is positive as their benefit exceeds the cost. Regarding the value at the margin, we show that increasing the socially responsible commitment positively contributes to the creation of firm value. Conversely, reducing the CSR engagement has a negative marginal impact, indicating that firms perceive lower levels of CSR as very costly and damaging.


In certain conditions, especially with diotic headphone presentation, hearing sensations are located inside the head. Dichotic headphone presentation can result in lateralization: delaying one of the headphone input signals or reducing its amplitude typically pushes the hearing sensation inside the head towards the contralateral ear. Systematic connections between physical stimulus parameters and hearing-sensation positions provide insight into auditory-localization mechanisms and are helpful in designing and evaluating models. However, typical paradigms of addressing lateral displacement, magnitude estimation or pointing, may suffer from response biases. This study aims at evaluating the suitability of a two-alternative forced choice paradigm: eight normal-hearing subjects were asked to indicate, by pushing one of two buttons, whether the hearing sensation associated with a pure interaural phase or intensity difference occurred "left or right", without any reference or further instructions. Posing a notably simple task without internal mapping, this procedure appears advantageous regarding response biases. The results indicate a high intra-individual reproducibility and plausible inter-individual agreement. None of the participants encountered or reported difficulties using the inherently assumed "internal center" in their decision process. The data suggests the existence of an inter-individually similar decision criterion. Descriptively speaking, the results support the existence of a similar lateralization midpoint.In certain conditions, especially with diotic headphone presentation, hearing sensations are located inside the head. Dichotic headphone presentation can result in lateralization: delaying one of the headphone input signals or reducing its amplitude typically pushes the hearing sensation inside the head towards the contralateral ear. Systematic connections between physical stimulus parameters and hearing-sensation positions provide insight into auditory-localization mechanisms and are helpful in designing and evaluating models. However, typical paradigms of addressing lateral displacement, magnitude estimation or pointing, may suffer from response biases. This study aims at evaluating the suitability of a two-alternative forced choice paradigm: eight normal-hearing subjects were asked to indicate, by pushing one of two buttons, whether the hearing sensation associated with a pure interaural phase or intensity difference occurred "left or right", without any reference or further instructions. Posing a nota...


BACKGROUND Prior studies reported large decreases in US life expectancy during 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionately affecting Hispanic and Black populations and vastly exceeding the average change in life expectancy in other high-income countries. Life expectancy estimates for 2021 have not been reported. This study estimated changes in life expectancy during 2019-2021 in the US population, in three US racial/ethnic groups, and in 19 peer countries. METHODS US and peer country death data for 2019-2021 were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics, the Human Mortality Database, and overseas statistical agencies. The 19 peer countries included Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England and Wales, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Life expectancy was calculated for 2019 and 2020 and estimated for 2021 using a previously validated modeling method. RESULTS US life expectancy decreased from 78.86 years in 2019 to 76.99 years in 2020 and 76.60 years in 2021, a net loss of 2.26 years. In contrast, peer countries averaged a smaller decrease in life expectancy between 2019 and 2020 (0.40 years) and a 0.28-year increase between 2020 and 2021, widening the gap in life expectancy between the United States and peer countries to more than five years. The decrease in US life expectancy was highly racialized: whereas the largest decreases in 2020 occurred among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black populations, in 2021 only the non-Hispanic White population experienced a decrease in life expectancy. DISCUSSION The US mortality experience during 2020 and 2021 was more severe than in peer countries, deepening a US disadvantage in health and survival that has been building for decades. Over the two-year period between 2019 and 2021, US Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black populations experienced the largest losses in life expectancy, reflecting the legacy of systemic racism and inadequacies in the US handling of the pandemic. Reasons for the crossover in racialized outcomes between 2020 and 2021, in which life expectancy decreased only in the non-Hispanic White population, could have multiple explanations.


Abstract Purpose Goal setting is key to stroke rehabilitation, but access for people with aphasia is challenging. Based on the Goal setting and Action Planning (G-AP) framework, we developed an accessible goal setting resource (Access G-AP). Methods Access G-AP was designed using a three-phase, user-centred design process. Phase 1: Access G-AP Draft A was designed using evidence-based recommendations. Phase 2: Draft A was reviewed by stroke survivors with aphasia (focus groups 1&2) and rehabilitation staff (questionnaire). Phase 3: Suggested recommendations informed Access G-AP Draft B, which was further reviewed by stroke survivors with aphasia (focus group 3). The final version of Access G-AP was approved by stroke survivors with aphasia at a debrief meeting. Data were analysed using content analysis. Results Recommended design improvements included reducing text, adding bullet points, and diversifying images. Both participant groups highlighted that Access G-AP should be used collaboratively to support stroke survivor involvement. Staff recommended Access G-AP training and additional resources to support stroke survivors with severe aphasia. Conclusions Access G-AP was co-developed to support people with aphasia to access and engage in stroke rehabilitation goal setting. Further research is required to establish the feasibility of Access G-AP in clinical practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Evidence-based accessible formatting strategies and an iterative design process can inform the design of accessible goal setting resources. Accessible goal setting materials should be relevant to stroke survivors with aphasia and responsive to their needs. Rehabilitation staff require training and support to use accessible goal setting resources (like Access G-AP) with stroke survivors with aphasia, especially those with severe aphasia. Evaluation of the feasibility of Access G-AP in clinical practice is now required.


Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden constitute a geographical and cultural entity referred to as the Nordic countries. These countries all enjoy a high standard of living, and the health of their children can be characterized as good in comparison to that of earlier generations and that of many other nations. In the Nordic countries, school health services constitute a compulsory component of school systems and are free to all students. During the past decade, the World Health Organization's "Health for All by the Year 2000" goals were adopted, including goals for Nordic school health programs. However, school health programs are a neglected area compared to the emphasis placed on other health services. Reasons to improve health education and health services provided within the school setting in the Nordic countries are presented. Several interpersonal, intrapersonal, and organizational barriers to a more active health promotion effort also are identified.


The diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis (IP) depends on clinical data, especially the chief complaint of the patient, visual inspection, response to the application of stimuli, and radiographic examination. The characterization of nerve fibers (NF) in IP may contribute to better interpret painful symptoms, but has been barely explored. This study sought to characterize the density and integrity of NF in 16 samples of IP and in five healthy pulps (HP) using S-100 and PGP 9.5 markers. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the density/mm2 of S-100+ and PGP 9.5+ in NF. The amount of degenerated NF was obtained by subtracting the total NF density from the amount of intact NF. Associations between NF density and integrity and symptomatology were calculated. All samples were positive for S-100 and PGP 9.5. Compared to HP samples (38.20/mm2), IP samples had a lower density of intact NF (6.24/mm2). A significantly higher density of degenerated NF was found in IP samples with spontaneous pain (39.59/mm2) compared to those with provoked pain (23.96/mm2) (p = 0.02). No association was observed between intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate and NF density and integrity (p > 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that pulpitis may involve different stages of degeneration and may be more advanced in cases with spontaneous pain. The symptoms reported by affected individuals do not appear to depend on the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate, but rather on the integrity of NF.


Background: Silane-containing universal adhesives (UAs) are marketed as adhesion promotors for glass-ceramics. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the priming capacity of γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γMPTS)-containing and γ-methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane (γMPTES)/3-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES)-containing universal adhesives (UAs) for lithium disilicate ceramic (LDC). Materials and Methods: Etched LDC discs were distributed into four groups according to the priming material used: (control), no priming; (MBN), LDC was primed with a universal primer (Monobond N); (SBU), γMPTS-containing UA (Single Bond Universal Adhesive) was used as a primer; and (SBP), γMPTES/APTES-containing UA (Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive) was used as a primer. LDC discs were cemented using a dual-cure resin cement, then sectioned into microbeams for microtensile bond strength (μTBS) evaluation. Failure modes were assessed. Results: MBN application showed the highest μTBS among all groups. γMPTES/APTES-containing UA (SBP) resulted in considerably higher μTBS compared with γMPTS-containing UA (SBU) or the control group. The mixed failures were the most predominant among all groups. Conclusions: The effect of silane-containing UAs on resin-ceramic μTBS is material dependent. Although γMPTES/APTES-containing UA improved bonding to LDC, the priming of LDC with either of the UAs tested cannot be considered as an alternative to a separate silanization (priming) step using a universal primer.


Abstract : The FY06-07 goal was to advance the development of the Triosyn Super HEPA (TSH) media as an enhanced filtration material to be included in individual protection and collective protection end-use applications. Work was also done to pursue the development of the Triosyn T-series respirators. The objectives were achieved and resulted in a mature Triosyn Super HEPA filter material. A manufacturing process to incorporate Triosyn particles to glass fiber HEPA was developed to produce a material which maintains standard HEPA performance but also displays enhanced antimicrobial and chemical protection properties due to the presence of Triosyn. The antimicrobial performance of this media was demonstrated under a variety of testing conditions and following exposure to different microbial challenges. The Triosynated material's safety profile was also well-defined as measured by the iodine levels released in the effluent air under several exposure conditions. The chemical protection capability of the TSH was demonstrated following exposure of the media to surrogates of chemical warfare agents and potential incompatibilities originating from adverse interactions between iodine and the ASZM-TEDA carbon were investigated. This advanced TSH filter material is now ready for the next research steps which involve prototype designing for insertion into various individual and collective protection applications.


Cadmium (Cd), a transitional metal, is an important industrial & environmental toxicant, adversely affecting various organs like liver, lungs, pancreas, testis, kidneys, etc., It has been found to cause a definitive oxidative stress on the kidneys of studied rats. Moringaoleifera, a perennial softwood herbal plant, having anti-oxidant, anti- inflammatory properties, etc., which has been advocated for centuries for its nutritional, medicinal & industrial uses, is most oftenlyused to combat toxicity of these materials.The present study was designed to find out the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Moringaoleiferaon kidney functions in cadmium exposed adult wistar rats. Four groups were allotted, with group I being the control. Pre-treatment with Moringaoleiferaleaf extract in cadmium exposed rats showed a significant decrease in the levels of serum urea&serum creatinine levels as compared to the cadmium alone treated rats. Therefore, the present study suggests that pre-treatment with Moringaoleiferaleaf extract improves the kidney functions which were affected by the toxic effect of cadmium. However, further investigations are needed to know the detailed mechanisms triggering these effects.


The present work describes an experimental study about the shear strength and the mode I fracture toughness of adhesive joints with substrates pre-treated by pulsed laser ablation. An ytterbium-doped pulsed fiber laser was employed to perform laser irradiation on AA6082-T4 alloy. Morphological and chemical modifications were evaluated by means of surface profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Thick adherend shear tests were carried out in order to assess the shear strength while the mode I fracture toughness was determined using the double cantilever beam. For comparison, control samples were prepared using classical surface degreasing. The results indicated that laser ablation has a favorable effect on the mechanical behavior of epoxy bonded joints; however, while a + 20% increase was recorded for shear strength, a remarkable threefold enhancement of fracture toughness was observed with respect to control samples. XPS analyses of treated substrates and SEM observations of the fracture surfaces indicated that laser pre-treatment promoted chemical and morphological modifications able to sustain energy dissipation through mechanical interlocking. As a result cohesive failure within the adhesive bond-line was enabled under predominant peel loading.


Introduction: Recent studies suggest that smoking exposure in pregnancy period might be a risk agent for childhood overweight and obesity. We examined associations between maternal smoking in pregnancy period and children's weight and the possible obesogenic effects of maternal smoking. Methods: The present study was designed as a cross-sectional analysis of a survey. A 31-question survey was administered to mothers to learn the nutrition and smoking habits in Turkey from January to March 2020. Also, a 25-question survey was administered to children to study their diet. Participants were classified as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. The smoking status of mothers was also recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The research group consisted of 454 participants (227 mothers, Mage=38.73±6.23 years and 227 children, Mage=10.39±4.96 years). In this study, 60.3% of children were underweight, 27.9% normal, 8.8% overweight, and 2.9% obese. Overall, 6.3% of children had smoking exposure and were overweight, whereas 1.4% were obese. Our results show that the relationship between maternal smoke exposure and body mass index (BMI) was non-significant (P>0.05). Children whose mothers did smoke in pregnancy period were at low risk for obesity (odds ratio [OR]=0.66, 95% CI: 0.07, 6.11) compared with children whose mothers never smoke. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the BMI of children not increased with maternal smoking exposure. In future, taking into consideration the health of mother and child, new studies should be performed to investigate the relationship between maternal or paternal smoking exposure and childhood overweight or obesity.


This paper introduces a new measure of a firm's exposure to systematic distress risk--the probability of a recession at the time of a firm's failure. For stocks in the top quintile of the probability of failure, a median hedge portfolio based on our measure generates a positive risk premium of 5%-8% per annum. Our results differ from the previously documented distress-risk anomaly--a negative correlation between the probability of failure and stock returns. We argue that the probability of failure does not capture systematic distress risk well because it does not differentiate between failures occurring in recessions and expansions.


We have used femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to examine the photodissociation dynamics of doubly charged anions IrBr(6)(2-) after excitation at h nu(pump) = 1.6 eV and with a detachment photon energy of h nu(probe) = 4.8 eV. Excited state dynamics proceed by successive decay of the initially excited state, by way of an intermediate and back to the electronic ground state. This is associated with lifetimes of tau(1) = 2.1+/-0.3 ps and tau(2) = 21+/-2 ps, respectively. After nonadiabatic relaxation, the internal energy of the dianion is sufficiently large to induce fragmentation and delayed emission of Br(-) over the repulsive Coulomb barrier with a 79+/-21 ps time constant. As both fragments are negatively charged, Coulomb repulsion at early times (and correspondingly small separations) is reflected in the transient photoelectron spectra. Analysis of both shifts and intensities of the time-dependent bromide detachment features allows determination of the shape of the dissociation barrier. A lower limit of the outer height was retrieved from the kinetic energy release of KER > or = 1.6 eV. Modeling of the dissociation rate with statistical rate theory results in an inner barrier height of E(RCB) = 0.95 eV.


for an Invited Paper for the MAR11 Meeting of The American Physical Society Magnetic Core-Shell Morphology of Structurally Uniform Magnetite Nanoparticles KATHRYN KRYCKA, NIST Center for Neutron Research Magnetic nanoscale structures are intriguing, in part, because of the exotic properties that emerge compared with bulk. The reduction of magnetic moment per atom in magnetite with decreasing nanoparticle size, for example, has been hypothesized to originate from surface disordering to anisotropy-induced radial canting, which are difficult to distinguish using conventional magnetometry. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is ideal for probing structure, both chemical and magnetic, from nm to microns across an ensemble of particles. Adding polarization analysis (PASANS) of the neutron spin orientation before and after interaction with the scattering particles allows the magnetic structure to be separated into its vector components. Application of this novel technique to 9 nm magnetite nanoparticles closed-packed into face-centered crystallites with order of a micron revealed that at nominal saturation the missing magnetic moments unexpectedly interacted to form well-ordered shells 1.0 to 1.5 nm thick canted perpendicular to their ferrimagnetic cores between 160 to 320 K [1]. These shells additionally displayed intra-particle "cross-talk", selecting a common orientation over clusters of tens of nanoparticles. However, the shells disappeared when the external field was removed and interparticle magnetic interactions were negligible (300 K), confirming their magnetic origin. This work has been carried out in collaboration with Ryan Booth, Julie Borchers, Wangchun Chen, Liv Dedon, Thomas Gentile, Charles Hogg, Yumi Ijiri, Mark Laver, Sara Majetich, James Rhyne, and Shannon Watson. [1] K.L. Krycka et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 207203 (2010)


Complex software intensive simulation systems must respond to changing technology, environments, and requirements. Hence, dynamic extensibility and adaptability is a significant concern in an application domain. However, existing interoperability and composability solutions are limited in dealing with (1) dynamically evolving content needs of existing simulations and (2) run-time inclusion of new components into a simulation system. Simulations that are dynamically extensible, while being interoperable require principled designs that facilitate engineering extensibility, interoperability, and composability in the first place. We propose and examine the utility of a strategy based on an agent-mediated meta-simulation architecture.


Abstract Background Significant lower limb wounds often require soft tissue coverage using vascularized flaps. Traditionally, local muscles have been used for the proximal lower extremity and free flaps for the distal leg and foot, but perforator flaps over the past decade have been shown to be a reliable alternative. Methods The evolution of our lower limb flap selection for the period 1996 to 2000 was retrospectively compared with our current approach using perforator flaps. Flap selection was never random, but based according to wound location, severity, and flap availability. Results In the preperforator flap era, 101 of 122 (82.8%) flaps were muscle flaps. Over the last 5 years, this relative usage decreased to 36.4%, whereas perforator flaps were chosen almost half the time (49.6%). Local flaps still predominated as the choice for the proximal lower limb, and free flaps more distally, with perforator free flaps chosen twice as often as muscle flaps. Major complications occurred most commonly in the more distal lower extremity and were related to microsurgical catastrophes and not flap subtype. Conclusions Perforator flaps can be another soft tissue choice for all zones of the lower extremity, recognizing that function preservation is their major asset as no muscle need be included. Peninsular, propeller, or advancement perforator flaps proved to be valuable local nonmicrosurgical flap alternatives.


Background: Electronic health record (EHR) applications improved quality and diminished health services cost. Aims: Project aimed to determine utilization and barriers of EHR by physicians. Settings: Three governmental hospitals in Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia adopted EHR system with the same software and functionalities. Design: Study was cross-sectional. Materials and Methods: EHR functionalities tool of a previous study was used. Additionally, tool included physicians′ data and barriers of utilizing functionalities. Response scale of using functionalities was ′used′ or ′not used′. Questionnaires were distributed among physicians working in departments adopting EHR. Overall response rate was 57.5% (319/555). Results: There was under-utilization of almost all functionalities. The least one was ′data back-up and disaster recovery′ (18.2%) and the highest was ′enter pharmacy orders′ (96.2%). There was no use of communication tools with patients as e-mails, facsimile and short messages. Physicians had no access to charts while they are outside hospital. Patients had no access to records. There was under-utilization of Automatic International Classification of Diseases (ICD) (27.6%). Most common barriers were system hanging up (86.5%), loss of access to records transiently if computer crashes or power fails (85.6%), fastness in utilizing system (84.3%), and system takes additional time for data entry (83.4%). Lack of continuous training/support from IT staff in the hospital (79.3%), lack of customizability of the system according to users′ needs (78.1%), complexity of technology (74%), disturbing patient-doctor communication (71.2%, P < 0.05), and lack in belief in EHR adoption (63.6%, P ≤ 0.05) were cited. Conclusions: Under-utilization of most of functionalities. Physicians should be encouraged to use it via overcoming the obstacles.


Decreasing of the learning concentration was defined as a decreasing ability to concentrate on
learning activity which was reflected through one's behavior (Ahmadi Abu, 2003). This condition affects a
person's understanding. This study aimed to analyze the effect of time, types of subject and types of room
factor to the decrease of students' concentration in learning and analyze the maximum point of the students to
concentrate in learning and propose ergonomic systems (GWM H02C05 room and H02A07 room,
Department of Industrial Engineering, Maranatha Christian University, Bandung).
Data that were collected in this study were Visual Analogue Scale, Group Bourdon Test and field observations
with 48 total respondents. The further observations were processed using ANOVA test with between-subjects
design (3-ways interaction)
ANOVA test results showed that the time factor and the types of subject factor affected to the learning
concentration of students. Types of room factor did not affect to the learning concentration of students. The
result of Visual Analogue Scale, Group Bourdon Test and observations gave the same result, that learning
concentration of the students was decreased. The proposals that could be given were doing a good course
scheduling such as mathematical subject should be placed in the morning time (at 07.00 am - 11.00 am) and
theoretical subjects placed on the day time (at 11.00 am - 03:00 pm).


Abstract The US healthcare systems is struggling to keep pace with increasing demand, as the burden faced by providers and healthcare organizations expands. While care delivery models continue to evolve in the post-reform era, many barriers stemming from capacity constraints, regulation, shortages of manpower and, misallocation of resources persist. In this paper, we provide an analysis of unmet demand in the US system healthcare system. We contribute a deep dive of the literature to elucidate the reasons for which imbalanced and unmet demand, including the heavy use of the emergency department for non-emergent conditions, continues to burden healthcare organizations. We use these findings to motivate recommendations about how to address critical shortcomings in order to better address the needs of patients with both emergent and non-emergent conditions.


OBJECTIVES:
Phenotypic and molecular characterization of the carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli causing blood stream infections by
1. Phenotypic differentiation of carbapenemase and non-carbapenemase mediated mechanisms by the CarbaNP test.
2. Molecular characterization of the isolates for blaNDM, blaKPC, blaOXA48 like, blaIMP, blaVIM genesby multiplex-PCR.
3. To sequence a proportion of the positive isolates to determine the enzyme variants.
METHODS:
During the study period 122 consecutive non- duplicate carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates causing blood stream infection were included in the study. The isolates were identified by cultural and biochemical characteristics. Carbapenemresistance was tested by imipenem and meropenem disk diffusion testing. CarbaNP test was done for the detection of carbapenemase production. Molecular characterization of the carbapenem resistant isolates was performed using amultiplex-PCR forblaNDM, blaKPC, blaOXA48 like, blaIMPand blaVIM genes. 20 random isolates positiveforblaOXA48 like and 7 isolates positive forblaNDM genes were sequenced to identify the enzyme variants.
RESULTS:
Of the 122 isolates 97% were positive for carbapenemase production by CarbaNP test. blaNDM was found to be the predominant gene seen in 40% of the isolates. This was followed by blaOXA48like gene in 39%. 12% of the strains showed co-existence of both blaNDM and blaOXA48likegenes. None of the isolates showed blaVIM, blaKPCand blaIMPgenes. All the 20 (100%) of the blaOXA48 like genes were found to be blaOXA181 a variant of the blaOXA48 like gene. The 7 blaNDM gene positives were found to be theblaNDM 1 variant.


The fundamental frequency is an important parameter required for efficient power system control and protection functions. Prony's method gives fast and accurate frequency estimation when input signal has very high signal to noise ratio. For practical measurements when signal to noise ratio is low, frequency estimation based on Prony's method is very sensitive to noise and results are biased. This paper proposes a modified Prony's method for frequency estimation that eliminates bias and produces very accurate estimates. The proposed algorithm adds some computational burden because a few additional iterations are required to correct initial biased result produced by the classical Prony's method. This paper concludes with simulation and practical examples that are demonstrating application of the unbiased modified Prony's method for frequency estimation.


BACKGROUND
Preventing preterm labour is the most important step in preventing preterm birth. Prostaglandins play an important role in labour and birth. Prostaglandin production can be obstructed by inhibition of the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme and this may arrest uterine contraction. A Cochrane review on COX inhibitors for the treatment of preterm labour found insufficient data to draw conclusions about its effectiveness.

OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness and safety of COX inhibitors for preventing preterm labour in high-risk women.

SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trial Register (30 June 2012).

SELECTION CRITERIA
All published and unpublished randomised trials evaluating administration of any COX inhibitor for prevention of preterm labour in pregnant women at gestational age less than 36 weeks at risk of, but not experiencing, preterm labour. Cluster-randomised trials were eligible for inclusion. Quasi-randomised trials and studies with cross-over designs were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors (T Khanprakob and U Sangkomkamhang) independently assessed all potential studies for inclusion. Disagreement was resolved by discussion and, where necessary, by consultation with a third review author. Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Data were checked for accuracy.

MAIN RESULTS
We included one randomised trial (involving 98 women) that evaluated the effectiveness of one type of COX inhibitor (rofecoxib) for preventing preterm birth. The included study did not report any data for one of our primary outcomes: preterm labour. Rofecoxib use was associated with an increased risk for preterm birth and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Rofecoxib was associated with a higher risk of oligohydramnios and low fetal urine production but the effects were reversible after stopping treatment. There were no differences in the number of women who discontinued treatment before 32 weeks of gestation. There was no difference in neonatal morbidities and admission to neonatal intensive care unit. There were no maternal adverse effects or perinatal mortalities in either group.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There was very little evidence about using COX inhibitors for preventing preterm labour. There are inadequate data to make any recommendation about using COX inhibitor in practice to prevent preterm labour. Future research should include follow-up of the babies to examine the short-term and long-term effects of COX inhibitors.


The objective of this report is to account for some of the factors that affected the delivery of the Summer Institute 2004 and to document some of the ideas and issues that we seek to pursue during the Summer Institute process. The report therefore, accounts for the planning stage during 2003 and spring 2004 as well as the actual delivery June 6 – 11, 2004. As one of the additions to the Summer Institute 2004 was to introduce a second meeting after the fall term, this report also offers a brief account of the delivery of the Winter Institute 2005 and the ideas informing that institute. The report also outlines a number of issues for the future and presents a financial report. In addition, the avid reader will find some of the information and material as well as the guidelines for the admissions board and some minutes from meetings with the reference group among the appendices.


The data security in the information exchange process is one of the major critical factors that justice sector professionals must cope with, particularly in international cooperation. The J-WeB project, running in the frame of the Information Society and Technology Programme of the European Union, intends to offer a new solution for secure and reliable multimedia document exchange and storage among judicial operators of different Member States working at joint cross-border pre-trial investigations on criminal matters. The J-WeB Judicial Collaboration Platform aims at the provision of Governmental bodies with more safe, easy-to-use and cost-effective working instruments, but also, through the involvement of the Italian and the Montenegrin Ministries of Justice as pilots, at the factual contribution to the policy and technology transfer from Europe to Western Balkans. This paper is meant to present the project and its technical features.


Background and Aims: According to the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery, the occurrence of lymphoid tumor among mediastinal tumours is not many: 5.3% in 2000 and 6.4% in 2008. It is said to be difficult to differentiate lymphoid tumor from other mediastinal tumours based only on the image findings. Methods: We operated on two cases of anterior mediastinal tumours which were eventually diagnosed as malignant lymphoma. Results: One of the cases was a 50-year-old woman who had undergone operation for sigmoid colon cancer. In a follow up, anterior mediastinal tumor of 15 mm in diameter was detected on chest CT scan. Chest MRI revealed the low intensity mass on T1 imaging, and high intensity on T2 imaging at the anterior mediastinum. We suspected it to be thymoma and performed VATS-thymectomy. The histopathological findings revealed lymphoepithelial lesion, and CD20(+) and CD3(−) by immunostaining. Thus we diagnosed her as MALT lymphoma. There is no report of recurrence 21 months after the operation. Another case was a 45-year-old woman who was pointed out an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray in a medical check-up. A mass of 10 cm in diameter was detected on chest CT scan and MRI, and we suspected it to be thymoma. As invasion to pericardium and left lung was found during the operation, we performed VATS-extended thymectomy, partial pericardiectomy and left upper lobectomy. The histopathological findings revealed alveolar aggregation of tumor cells. Based on the immunostaining, we diagnosed her as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Because surgical margin was partially positive, combined modality therapy has been planned following the operation. Conclusion: We experienced two cases of primary thymic malignant lymphoma which were first considered to be thymoma. We will report them with some literature consideration.


21 patients having lumbar spinal stenosis were evaluated clinically and with computed tomography. In computed tomographic evaluation of the lumbar vertebrae, the dural sac transverse area, the width of lateral recesses and ligamentum flavums were measured. The herniated disks compressing the central canal and other causes of spinal stenosis were investigated. The most common computed tomography finding was disk hernia- bulging (85.7%) and narrowing of spinal canal transverse area less than 100 mm2 (85.7%). In computed tomography, instead of canal measurements, spinal stenosis should be evaluated with the shape of the spinal canal and whether there is enough space for the thecal sac and nerve roots or not. [Journal of Turgut Ozal Medical Center 1998;5(1):55-59] Key words: Spinal stenosis, computed tomography


In the presence of human driven vehicles (HDVs), traffic shock waves are a naturally occurring phenomena, which contributes to congestion and efficiency degradation in highway networks. The introduction of connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) with advanced sensing, actuation and communication capabilities allow new approaches in control to be applied in order to solve the problem of shock waves. This work on shock wave dissipation, introduces a communication-based cooperative control method for CAVs in multi-lane highways in a mixed traffic setting. The method allows for proactive control application and exhibits good shock wave dissipation performance even with low CAV penetration levels. Results are verified on a three lane circular highway loop using realistic traffic simulation software.