The presence or absence of a chemoreceptive capacity in marine mammals has drawn relatively little attention from the research community outside the Soviet Union. Toothed whales are typically labelled anosmic (lacking a sense of smell) since they do not have the peripheral olfactory structures typically associated with terrestrial mammals. Baleen whales are known to possess reduced olfactory tracts; their olfactory bulbs also may be reduced or absent. Although the neural structures that mediate taste in terrestrial mammals have been reported to be present in both groups of whales, cetaceans have been considered to have a poor sense of taste because typical mammalian taste receptors have been thought to be absent. Soviet researchers, however, recently have reported that gustatory receptors are present on some cetacean tongues and that the tongue of Tursiops truncatus appear to be well innervated. These workers also have been conducting investigations which seem to be aimed at describing a specialized gustatory capability in cetaceans. No experimental work has been reported by Western scientists. Little work has been done by either Western or Soviet researchers with regard to chemoreception among the other orders of marine mammals (Pinnipedia, Carnivora and Sirenia). Pinnipedia are typically labelled microsmatic (having a poor sense of smell); research has been restricted to histological examination of the nasal pathways, and neural anatomy. Sea otters are credited with a keen sense of smell, but no quantitative work has been reported. The chemosensory abilities of Sirenia remain unknown. The tongues of non-cetacean marine mammals have been histologically examined and found to resemble those of terrestrial mammals. No other investigations of gustation in non-cetacean marine mammals have been reported.


Man creates maps of land, of earth, of sky, of real or imaginary worlds, of micro- and macro-cosmos, of everything, including his own body. Maps are useful for knowledge and for practice, linking one another these two kind of relation with the mapped space. When we say "body maps" we can mean both "maps of body" (representing body) and "maps on body" (representing something else that is projected on body, even forced to be adapted for coinciding with body). Maps are not simply a double of a country or of a body. Mapping gives a different and further ontology to the represented objects by a cause-effect circle, by a dialectic relation between two extended territories (the concrete one and the mapped one). Human body has been mapped as a land to orient our own or other's navigation. To do this we need marks, references, directional systems: polarities, oriented lines, preferential protocols. Marks may be based on existing anatomical features or on projection of conceptual/symbolic elements, transcending somatic concreteness, relatively heterogeneous to flesh. The anatomical features can regard soft or hard tissues, similarly to " complexio " and " constitutio " of ancient physiognomy. This navigation is aimed to find signs, to read text(s) that is/are written on its surfaces and in its deepness, to act on it. The body maps taxonomy can be based on supports: skin, paper or bit or to contexts/purposes: official medicine (that presents iconographic maps as 4D body imaging and not iconographic maps as DNA), alternative medicine, figurative arts, physiognomics, mantics, motion capture in cinema, erotic contexts (the ancient ars erotica and the modern scientia sexualis ) mystic cosmology and so on. A particular case of neuronal mapping is related to movements. This perspective leads us toward a precise direction, grounding the study of the human movement in a very interesting way. This study is still looking for its own center that can define its specificity, its epistemic identity. The term "anthropokinetcs" (from the Greek words anthropos and kinesis) seems to be fully capable of indicating this recently established (in Anglophonic world, but still not existing in Italy) disciplinary area. This term is obviously related to "anthroposomatics", that indicates the field of the studies related to human body. We aim neither to erase the legitimacy of existing studies of many different sciences that are referred to moving human body nor to create a double of these studies. Instead, we would like to offer them an organic frame to organize their contents and their methods, in order to apply and to communicate them in the best way. This line of study has the purpose of understanding human action thanks to researches that are capable of integrating biomechanical approach with neuronal one (definable "neuro-mechanics"). First of all this approach originates a dialectic play be- tween these two areas (but many others must be involved, as robotics, semiotics, EEC, IIB) and shows that the Nervous System is a "black box" that, after motor learning, manages sensory-motor information as space-time derivatives and integrals. So the CNS is competent (it owns the necessary acquaintance) as an engineer, even if according to a different formalization, it is based on neuronal sources. Anyway it solves real time and with efficacy the interaction problems, managed as input-output patterns. Here we propose to follow and to empower the recent establishment of the anthropokinetics, a knowledge of human action that can be applied in many fields: ergonomics, therapy, motor techniques (in work, in sport, etc.), didactics and so on. Engineering can offer adequate and effective models for the study of the execution of human action. The connecting rod-crank mechanism and, generally, the mathematical-physical approach to moving bodies are meaningful examples. Writing the " trait-d'union " to link one another the biomechanical and the neuronal data means reaching the heart of the matter. When we speak about neural functionality we have to interpret this as the biological datum correlated with the abstract thinking and cultural elements. The natural location of this researches could be seen in the motor sciences academic departments.


This paper examines general transmission networks, of which I/O subsystems are a special case. By using the maximum entropy principle, we answer questions such as what is the probability that a path to a given node is free when that node is ready to transmit. Systems with both dynamic and fixed path selection mechanisms are treated. Approximate methods for large networks are proposed, and numerical examples are given.


In Poland 28 cases of animal rabies were reported in 2008. Since 1993, when mass oral vaccination of wild animals against rabies was introduced in our country, a positive impact of fox immunisation has been visible on the epizootic situation of rabies in Poland. However, sources of wild and domestic animal rabies are still present, mainly in the east part of the country. In Poland in 2008 the total 6 495 of people were vaccinated against rabies but only 60 (0.9%) were bitten by or had contact with a rabid animal. The main reason for vaccination against rabies was exposure to an animal with not excluded rabies (5 806 cases, 89%).


The x-ray crystal structure of pea lectin, in complex with a methyl glycoside of the N-linked-type oligosaccharide trimannosyl core, methyl 3,6-di-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside, has been solved by molecular replacement and refined at 2.6-A resolution. The R factor is 0.183 for all data in the 8.0 to 2.6 A resolution range with an average atomic temperature factor of 26.1 A2. Strong electron density for a single mannose residue is found in the monosaccharide-binding site suggesting that the trisaccharide binds primarily through one of the terminal alpha-linked mannose residues. The complex is stabilized by hydrogen bonds involving the protein residues Asp-81, Gly-99, Asn-125, Ala-217, and Glu-218, and the carbohydrate oxygen atoms O3, O4, O5, and O6. In addition, the carbohydrate makes van der Waals contacts with the protein, involving Phe-123 in particular. These interactions are very similar to those found in the monosaccharide complexes with concanavalin A and isolectin 1 of Lathyrus ochrus, confirming the structural relatedness of this family of proteins. Comparison of the pea lectin complex with the unliganded pea lectin and concanavalin A structures indicates differences in the conformation and water structure of the unliganded binding sites of these two proteins. Furthermore, a correlation between the position of the carbohydrate oxygen atoms in the complex and the bound water molecules in the unliganded binding sites is found. Binding of the trimannose core through a single terminal monosaccharide residue strongly argues that an additional fucose-binding site is responsible for the high affinity pea lectin-oligosaccharide interactions.


Diabetes mellitus (DM), a worldwide high prevalence disease, is associated with a large variety of rheumatic manifestations. For most of these affections, pathophysiologic correlations are not well established. Some of them, such as diabetic cheiroarthropathy, neuropathic arthritis, diabetic amyotrophy, diabetic muscle infraction, are considered intrinsic complications of DM. For others, like diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis or reflex sympathetic dystrophy, DM is considered a predisposing condition. In most cases, these affections cause pain and disability, affecting the quality of life of diabetic patients, but once correctly diagnosed, they often respond to the treatment, that generally requires a multidisciplinary team. This article reviews some epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of these conditions.


The filming of 'significant others' (other cultures or other animals) is subject to different filmmaking styles and generally viewed by different audiences. My research encompasses people from another culture, Mongolian herders, and their engagement with non-human animals, horses, cattle, sheep and goats. A documentary that features human interaction with other animals is unusual, as most ethnographic films focus on the social relationships and dialogue between people, while wildlife films focus on animals with sparse reference to human influence. In this paper, I make a comparison between two genres, ethnographic and wildlife filmmaking, using British television series Natural World and Disappearing World as example. This paper is supplemented by digital footage, featuring Mongolian herders and their social interaction with sheep and goats in spring. The short clip that accompanies this paper is illustrative of my own approach to filmmaking.


Neuropeptides related to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) are potent regulators of neurobehavioral functions. In humans, ACTH and its behaviorally active fragment ACTH 4-10 have been consistently found to diminish event-related brain potential (ERP) signs of focussing attention. This study aimed at (1) evaluating effects of ACTH 4-10 on ERP indicators of attention in healthy controls after intranasal administration of the peptide. This route of administration has been proposed to provide a more direct access to the brain than the intravenous administration of the peptide, (2) comparing acute effects and effects of a subchronic treatment with ACTH 4-10, and (3) comparing effects of ACTH 4-10 with those of desacetyl-alpha-MSH (corresponding to ACTH 1-13 amide) which like ACTH 4-10 binds to subgroups of the melanocortin receptor family. Double-blind placebo-controlled experiments were completed in 54 healthy young subjects. ERPs were recorded while the subject performed an auditory selective attention task. Moreover, a modified Stroop interference test including motivational (food, sex) and nonmotivational words was performed. Acute intranasal administration of ACTH 4-10 (1 mg) reduced the processing negativity (PN) of the ERP over frontal and central cortical areas (p < 0.05) indicating diminished focussing of attention. Moreover, on this condition subjects were more prone to interference on the Stroop task especially with motivational words (p < 0.05). Subchronic administration of ACTH 4-10 (1 mg/day over 6 weeks) did not affect PN and Stroop performance. Acute intranasal administration of desacetyl-alpha-MSH at equimolar doses (1.68 mg) also remained ineffective. However, some measures of Stroop performance appeared to improve after subchronic desacetyl-alpha-MSH treatment. Results confirm an acute decrease in focussing of attention after ACTH 4-10. These effects of intranasal administration are likely to reflect a direct action of the peptide on respective brain functions. Moreover, they were specific to ACTH 4-10 and were not obtained after equimolar doses of desacetyl-alpha-MSH, thus excluding a mediation via the known melanocortin receptors.


Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) provides direct methods to characterize the chemical composition of III-V materials at major, minor and trace level concentrations as a function of layer depth. SIMS employs keV primary ions to sputter the surface and sensitive mass spectrometry techniques to mass analyze and detect sputtered secondary ions which are characteristic of the sample composition. In-depth compositional analysis of these materials by SIMS relies on a number of its unique features including: (1) keV primary ion sputtering yielding nanometer depth resolutions, (2) the use of MCs+ detection techniques for quantifying major and minor constituents, and (3) ion implant standards for quantifying trace constituents like dopants and impurities. Nanometer depth resolution in SIMS sputtering provides accurate detection of diffusion of dopants, impurities and major constituents. MCs+ refers to the detection of molecular ions of an element (M) and the Cs+ primary beam. MCs+ minimizes SIMS matrix effects in analysis for major and minor constituents, thus providing good quantification. This paper presents a SIMS study of AlxGa(1-x)As structures with three different x values. MCs+ (M=Al or Ga) data are presented for the accurate determination of major and minor components. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) data were cross-correlated with the MCs+ results. Three specimens with different x values were ion implanted with H, C, O, Mg, Si, Zn and Se to study quantification of trace levels. SIMS data acquired on a double focusing instrument (CAMECA IMS-4f) and a quadrupole instrument (PHI ADEPT 1010) are also compared. Lastly, we discuss our efforts to improve the analysis precision for p- and n-type dopants in AlGaAs which currently is +/- 3% (1 sigma).


Iain M. Banks's The Algebraist (2004), a Hugo Award nominee for Best Novel in 2005, has attracted far less critical attention than his Culture novels despite being a remarkable work. Born of the author's wish to develop his science fiction beyond the Culture's universe, The Algebraist is a complex novel displaying in its dense pages Banks's wondrous imagination. Here I consider the ways in which the main civilizations he depicts in it, the Mercatoria and the Dwellers, connect with key issues raised in the Culture novels: the ethics of intervention in other civilizations, the use of AIs, and the nature of utopia. The Culture, as I argue, casts a long shadow but Banks's decision to explore another narrative universe allows him to examine these fundamental issues from a different angle. The Algebraist complements, nonetheless, his main tenets in the Culture series.


We aim to develop a rapid, easy-to-use, inexpensive and accurate radiation dose-assessment assay that tests easily obtained samples (e.g., blood) to triage and track radiological casualties, and to evaluate the radioprotective and therapeutic effects of radiation countermeasures. In the present study, we evaluated the interleukin (IL)-1 family of cytokines, IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-33, as well as their secondary cytokines' expression and secretion in CD2F1 mouse bone marrow (BM), spleen, thymus and serum in response to γ-radiation from sublethal to lethal doses (5, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 12 Gy) at different time points using the enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting, and cytokine antibody array. Our data identified increases of IL-1β, IL-18, and/or IL-33 in mouse thymus, spleen and BM cells after total-body irradiation (TBI). However, levels of these cytokines varied in different tissues. Interestingly, IL-18 but not IL-1β or IL-33 increased significantly (2.5–24 fold) and stably in mouse serum from day 1 after TBI up to 13 days in a radiation dose-dependent manner. We further confirmed our finding in total-body γ-irradiated nonhuman primates (NHPs) and minipigs, and demonstrated that radiation significantly enhanced IL-18 in serum from NHPs 2–4 days post-irradiation and in minipig plasma 1–3 days post-irradiation. Finally, we compared circulating IL-18 with the well known hematological radiation biomarkers lymphocyte and neutrophil counts in blood of mouse, minipigs and NHPs and demonstrated close correlations between these biomarkers in response to radiation. Our results suggest that the elevated levels of circulating IL-18 after radiation proportionally reflect radiation dose and severity of radiation injury and may be used both as a potential biomarker for triage and also to track casualties after radiological accidents as well as for therapeutic radiation exposure.


Column selection row parity (CPRS) diagnosis is an X-tolerant and low aliasing technique that is suitable for the BIST environment. A row selection LFSR randomly selects outputs of multiple scan chains so that unknowns can be tolerated. Column and row parities of selected outputs are observed to solve linear equations for the error positions. Experimental data show that CPRS achieves nearly perfect diagnosis, even in the presence of 1 percent unknowns. CPRS compresses the diagnosis data because only parities of circuit responses, instead of responses themselves, are observed. Two error distribution models (scattered and clustered) are developed and analyzed to show the effectiveness of CPRS. The analytical results are demonstrated to be accurate by more than 10,000 experiments


Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is manifested by synovial inflammation and cartilage destruction that is directly linked to synovitis, joint swelling and pain. In the light of the role of synovium in the pathogenesis and the symptoms of OA, synovium-targeted therapy is a promising strategy to mitigate the symptoms and progression of OA. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), a secreted homodimeric protein, possesses unique and potent anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory properties in many cell types. Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is an inducible anti-inflammatory and stress responsive enzyme that has been proven to prevent injuries caused by many diseases. Despite the similar anti-inflammatory profile and their involvement in the pathogenesis of arthritic diseases, no studies have as yet explored the possibility of any association between the expression of TGF-β1 and HO-1. Methodology/Principal findings TGF-β1-induced HO-1 expression was examined by HO-1 promoter assay, qPCR, and Western blotting. The siRNAs and enzyme inhibitors were utilized to determine the intermediate involved in the signal transduction pathway. We showed that TGF-β1 stimulated the synthesis of HO-1 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, which can be mitigated by blockade of the phospholipase (PLC)γ/protein kinase C alpha (PKC)α pathway. We also showed that the expression of miRNA-519b, which blocks HO-1 transcription, is inhibited by TGF-β1, and the suppression of miRNA 519b could be reversed via blockade of the PLCγ/PKCα pathway. Conclusions/Significance TGF-β1 stimulated the expression of HO-1 via activating the PLCγ/PKCα pathway and suppressing the downstream expression of miRNA-519b. These results may shed light on the pathogenesis and treatment of OA.


Numerical chromosomal aberrations (aneuploidy) are a major factor in pregnancy wastage, birth defects, and mental retardation. Consequently, effective cytogenetic procedures in mammalian gamates are required for studying mechanisms and causes of chromosomal nondisjunction. Our aims were to determine for oocytes from superovulating prepubertal mice: (1) the yield of chromosomally scorable ova, following application of a double fixation procedure: (2) the background level of aneuploidy, and (3) the sensitivity to induction of aneuploidy (by methotrexate). Superovulation was induced in C129F1 hybrid mice, 22-24 days old, with pregnant mare serum and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Diurnal photoperiodicity and injections were scheduled to assure HCG-induced ovulation of known timing. Methotrexate (200 mg/kg) was given at 3 hr and ova were recovered at 15 hr after HCG. We describe the adaptation of a double fixation procedure to mouse oocytes. Methotrexate led to significantly increased hypoploidy (2 1/2-fold) but not to the hyperploidy reported by others for adult mice. There was a high yield of ova with exactly countable chromosomes (average of 9.5 ova per mouse). Concomitantly, the background level of aneuploidy was very low (0/465 scorable ova were hyperploid). Given the additional advantages of economy and convenience, the superovulating 3-week-old mouse could be an effective source of ova for testing environmental agents for their aneuploidy-inducing potential; however, further studies are needed to establish the degree to which such ova are susceptible to aneuploidy induction.


Cid del Prado, V. I. and B. L. Miranda. 2008. A second cyst- forming nematode parasite of barley (Hordeum vulagre L. var. Emeralda) from Mexico. Nematropica 38:105-114. A new species of cyst nematode, Cactodera rosae n.sp., is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from roots of barley, Hordeum vulgare L. variety Esmeralda, and associated soil, from San Juan Ixtilmaco, Apan Hidalgo State. Cactodera rosae n.sp. cysts are characterized by their lemon shape, dark brown to black color, 460-840 um length, with a length / width ratio of 1.2-2.1, strongly striated pattern on the cuticle, a prominent vulval cone with circumfenestrate vulva, and an anus located 25-60 um from the fenestra in a depression in the cuticle. Egg surfaces bear conspicuous punctations. The second stage juvenile is characterized by the presence of 4-5 lip annulations on the head, a strong stylet 16-26 um long with rounded stylet knobs, a tail 31-68 um long and 6-14 um wide with a hyaline portion of 11.2-28 um in length, and lateral fields with four incisures and incomplete areolation. A key to the species of Cactodera is presented.


Leishmania infantum, the sand fly-transmitted protozoan parasite responsible for leishmaniasis in humans, dogs, and cats, is endemic in the Iberian Peninsula. However, the impact of L. infantum infection on the conservation of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is unknown. Herein, we describe for the first time the occurrence of L. infantum infection among a population of reintroduced and wild-born L. pardinus living in the Portuguese Guadiana Valley Park. The presence of infection was addressed by molecular detection of Leishmania kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) in 35 lynxes, with further confirmation of L. infantum species performed by an internally transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 sequencing. Eight blood samples were positive for kDNA, and ITS-1 sequencing confirmed the presence of L. infantum in two of those samples. Exposure to Leishmania was screened in a group of 36 lynxes using an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and a multi-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using SPLA, rK39, and CPX as Leishmania-specific antigens. Four animals presented a positive IFAT at a dilution of 1:40. Eight samples were considered seropositive to all ELISA Leishmania-specific antigens. Agreement between PCR, IFAT, and all ELISA antigens was found for 1 in 27 samples. These results highlight the susceptibility of autochthonous L. pardinus to L. infantum infection. Further investigation is required to assess the impact of L. infantum infection on this wild species conservation.


At the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, central banks and supervisors introduced dividend restrictions as a new policy instrument aimed at supporting lending to the real economy and strengthening banks' capacity to absorb losses. In this paper we estimate the impact of the ECB's dividend recommendation on bank lending and risk-taking. To address identification issues, we rely on credit registry data and a direct measure that captures variation in compliance with the recommendation across banks in the euro area. The analysis disentangles the confounding effects stemming from the wide range of monetary and fiscal policies that supported credit during the Covid-19 downturn and investigates their interaction with the dividend recommendation. We find that dividend restrictions have been an effective policy in supporting financially constrained firms, adding capital space to banks, and limiting procyclical behaviour. The effects on lending are larger for small and medium enterprises and for firms operating in Covid-19 vulnerable sectors. At the same time, we do not find evidence of a significant increase in lending to riskier borrowers and "zombie" firms.


Three cases of specific agraphia were reported, which showed Kanji agraphia without showing Kana reading and writing disturbances. Case NK demonstrated pure Kanji agraphia and left parietal lesion. Case TO revealed Kanji agraphia and left temporal lobe lesion. Case MY had Kanji agraphia with alexia and left temporal lobe lesion. These three cases demonstrated Kanji writing disturbance although they had no aphasic disturbance and Kana (Japanese phonogram) reading or writing disturbances. Error-pattern analyses show that these three cases demonstrated different patterns. Case NK had morphologically similar errors. Case TO shows no response and Case MY demonstrated homophonic errors in using Kanji. These results indicate that the disturbance of Kanji writing occurs at many levels of information processing. The results also suggest that the processing of Kanji and Kana involved different neural mechanisms.


The employee is an integral part of any organization, the job performance of the employee is linked to his/her job satisfaction, and this influences the employee's level of motivation on the job which directly reflects on the organizational productivity. The human resource management (HRM) has the key role of ensuring that the rights of each employee are respected as well as ensuring the protection of interests and job satisfaction of the employees. This study seeks to examine the relationship between the human resource management, ethnic diversity, job satisfaction, and organizational productivity, highlighting the role of the human resource management on the management of ethnic diversity, job satisfaction as well as organizational performance. This paper is based on previous research studies data from google scholar from the year 2010 to 2020. 19 articles were found related to the search keywords. This paper would be relevant for further study on the relevant areas to tackle to improve the organizational performance as well as its productivity.


Objectives: This study was performed to develop a standard instrument of Pattern Identification for jing ji and zheng chong. Methods: The advisor committee on this study was organized by 15 neuropsychiatry professors of oriental medical colleges. The items and structure of the instrument were based on review of published literature. We took consultation 2 times from the advisor committee and we also took additional advices by e-mail. Results: 1. We divided the symptoms and signs of jing ji and zheng chong into 9 pattern identification. - heart deficiency with timidity(心膽虛怯), heart qi deficiency(心氣虛), heart blood deficiency(心血虛), heart yang inactivity(心陽不振), heart blood stasis(心血瘀阻), phlegm turbidity obstructing(痰濁阻滯), yin deficiency with effulgent fire(陰虛火旺), water qi intimidating the heart(水氣凌心), dual deficiency of the heart and spleen(心脾兩虛). 2. We got the mean weights that reflect standard deviation to each symptom of 9 pattern identification which had been scored on a 100-point scale. 3. We made out the Korean instrument of the pattern identification for jing ji and zheng chong. It was composed of 17 questions in question-and-answer form. Conclusions: Instrument of Pattern Identification for jing ji and zheng chong was developed through experts` disscussion. If the validity and reliability of this instrument is confirmed through additional clinical trial, the instrument of pattern identification for jing ji and zheng chong is expected to be applied to the subsequent research.


The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center in diamond has demonstrated great promise in a wide range of quantum sensing. Recently, there have been a series of proposals and experiments using NV centers to detect spin noise of quantum materials near the diamond surface. This is a rich complex area of study with novel nano-magnetism and electronic behavior, that the NV center would be ideal for sensing. However, due to the electronic properties of the NV itself and its host material, getting high quality NV centers within nanometers of such systems is challenging. Band bending caused by space charges formed at the metal-semiconductor interface force the NV center into its insensitive charge states. Here, we investigate optimizing this interface by depositing thin metal films and thin insulating layers on a series of NV ensembles at different depths to characterize the impact of metal films on different ensemble depths. We find an improvement of coherence and dephasing times we attribute to ionization of other paramagnetic defects. The insulating layer of alumina between the metal and diamond provide improved photoluminescence and higher sensitivity in all modes of sensing as compared to direct contact with the metal, providing as much as a factor of 2 increase in sensitivity, decrease of integration time by a factor of 4, for NV $T_1$ relaxometry measurements.


In this study, we examined 28 somatization disorder (SD) and 23 conversion disorder (CD) diagnosed according to DSM-III-R criteria to compare their demographic variables and family histories. The majority of CD patients (69.56%) and large majority of SD patients (89.28%) were women. There were no alchool and drug dependence, and attemted suicide among the patients. 46.43 percent of SD patients and 34.78 percent of CD patients had visited a traditional mistic healer places and persons before going to the psychiatric treatment. There was no differences between the family history of SD and CD patients in respect to similar somatoform disorder (SD: 17.86%, CD: 13.04%), depressive disorder (SD: 7.14%, CD: 8.70%), alchool abuse/dependence (SD:10.71%, CD: 17.39%), antisocial behavior/personality disorder (SD:14.28%, CD: 17.40%). The rate of chronic physical illness in the family of the CD patients (56.52%) were more than SD families (21.43%). Key words: Somatization disorder, conversion disorder, sociodemographics


Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) is one of the most common pathogenic Vibrio species to humans; therefore, the establishment of timely and credible detection methods has become an urgent requirement for V. vulnificus illness surveillance. In this study, an assay combining droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) with propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment was developed for detecting V. vulnificus. The primers/probes targeting the V. vulnificus hemolysin A (vvhA) gene, amplification procedures, and PMA processing conditions involved in the assay were optimized. Then, we analyzed the specificity, sensitivity, and ability to detect live cell DNA while testing the performance of PMA-ddPCR in clinical samples. The optimal concentrations of primers and probes were 1.0 and 0.3 μM, respectively. The annealing temperature achieving the highest accuracy in ddPCR assay was 60°C. With an initial V. vulnificus cell concentration of 108 CFU/mL (colony-forming units per milliliter), the optimal strategy to distinguish live cells from dead cells was to treat samples with 100 μM PMA for 15 min in the dark and expose them to LED light with an output wavelength of 465 nm for 10 min. The specificity of the PMA-ddPCR assay was tested on 27 strains, including seven V. vulnificus strains and 20 other bacterial strains. Only the seven V. vulnificus strains were observed with positive signals in specificity analysis. Comparative experiments on the detection ability of PMA-ddPCR and PMA-qPCR in pure cultures and plasma samples were performed. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) in pure culture solutions of V. vulnificus were 29.33 and 53.64 CFU/mL in PMA-ddPCR, respectively. For artificially clinical sample tests in PMA-ddPCR, V. vulnificus could be detected at concentrations as low as 65.20 CFU/mL. The sensitivity of the PMA-ddPCR assay was 15- to 40-fold more sensitive than the PMA-qPCR in this study. The PMA-ddPCR assay we developed provides a new insight to accurately detect live cells of V. vulnificus in clinical samples, which is of great significance to enhance public health safety and security capability and improve the emergency response level for V. vulnificus infection.


Chronic rhinosinusitis is a very prevalent disorder with significant societal impact and economic burden1,2 . It is defined by a number of symptoms which last for more than 12 weeks and by inflammatory signs which are observed through anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy. Computed tomography imaging may also be used to document the disease1 . The pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis remains largely unknown3 . One of the possible etiological factors is the involvement of bacterial biofilms which has received much attention by many authors in the past few years4,5 . Infections associated with these biofilms have proven refractory to prolonged treatment with antibiotics4,6 . Biofilms have been implicated in several head and neck infections such as dental and periodontal disease, otitis media with cholesteatoma, typanoplasty tube otorrhea and chronic tonsillitis7 . Recently, various authors have confirmed the involvement of biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis2-7 . Furthermore, in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis associated with biofilms, structural alterations of the sinonasal mucosa are observed by electronic microscopy3,6 . Various stages of severity have been detected from ciliar disorganization to total absence of cilia and goblet cells6 . This paper presents a systematic review of the published medical literature in the Portuguese and English language. Current concepts of chronic rhinosinusitis and the role of biofilms in this pathology are discussed.


The hierarchical heterostructure of NiMoO4@NiMnCo2O4 (NMO@NMCO) with furry structures of NMCO juxtaposed with NMO nanowires are endowed with multiple electrochemically active and accessible sites for ion storage, thus delivering an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 2706 F g-1, nearly two-fold times greater than that of sole NMCO. Electrodeposition of an overlayer of a highly robust and electrically conducting polymer, poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT), not only improves the energy storage performance but also assists the binary oxide cathode in retaining its structural integrity during redox cycling. Coupling with an anode of porous flaky carbon (FC) derived from groundnut shells results in an asymmetric supercapacitor of FC//PProDOT@NiMoO4@NiMnCo2O4, which delivers an outstanding capacitance of 552 F g-1, energy and power density ranges of 172-40 Wh kg-1 and 0.75-10 kW kg-1, respectively, and a remarkable cycle life of 50 000 cycles, with ∼97.8% capacitance retention, over an operational voltage window of 1.5 V. From an application perspective, the charged supercapacitor was connected to a complementary coloring reversible electrochromic device (ECD) of Prussian blue//PProDOT, and the ECD state transformed from a pale-blue to a deep blue hue, thus signaling the efficient utilization of energy stored in the supercapacitor. The energy-saving attribute of the ECD was realized in terms of an integrated visible-light modulation of 39% that accompanied the optical transition. Deployment of low-cost devices at homes and commercial spaces, capable of storing and saving energy, is the way forward, and this is one significant step in this direction.


[full article and abstract in English] In this study, we propose to examine some of the challenges and opportunities afforded to the translators by the culturally rich "Running in the Family" (1982) by Michael Ondaatje and "Funny Boy" (1994) by Shyam Selvadurai, through a comparison of the initial texts – which are laden with Sri Lankan cultural content – and their French translations: "Un air de famille" (1991) by Marie-Odile Fortier-Masek and, respectively, "Drôle de garcon" (2000) by Frédéric Limare and Susan Fox-Limare (2000). After a brief discussion of audience design and communication in translation, we focus on the interplay of implicitation and explicitation, drawing on examples from the texts, in particular from the culinary domain. We consider the translators' options in light of the imperative to design for a new readership and suggest that relevance – which is a matter of degree – is pursued through a mix of choices of unequal suitability.


A central controller in Software Defined Networks (SDN) enables a flexible traffic engineering by setting traffic flow rules to switches. Considering the fact that quality of service and fault management requirements further increase the memory capacity need in the switches, reducing the number of traffic flow rules in SDN switches is an important research topic. In this paper, we propose a new mechanism which decreases the number of traffic flow rules stored in SDN switches when Multi Topology Routing based proactive fast re-route technologies are employed. Experimental results show that the number of traffic flow rules stored in SDN switches by the proposed approach decreases about %18 to %27.


Three extruded diets were formulated and used to cultivate Macrobrachium rosenbergii prawns. For ninety days, the prawns were fed on the similarly balanced isonitrogeneous and isoenergetic diets, based on albumin and linseed (Linseed diet), on whey proteins concentrate (WPC) and soybean oil (Whey proteins diet), and on albumin and soybean oil (Control diet). Every thirty days, the shrimps were weighed and submitted to analyses. The results showed that the average body weights for the shrimps fed on the Linseed and Whey proteins diets were approximately sixty percent higher than for those fed on the Control diet. No significant differences were found for the protein content and the total lipid content in shrimps fed on the diets. However, the Linseed diet led to the lowest cholesterol level and improved the ratio between the sum of n-6 and the sum of n-3 fatty acids in the whole body of shrimps. WPC was used for the first time as a protein source for shrimp feeds, and may be considered as a component to be used in extruded diets for aquaculture. The results suggested that the experimental diets succeeded to provide shrimps with greater weight gain and nutritional value.


Entropy, alpha, and anisotropy (H/alpha/A) of the polarimetric target decomposition have been an effective and popular tool for polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image analysis and for a geophysical parameter estimation. However, multilook processing can severely affect the values of these parameters. In this paper, a Monte Carlo simulation is used to evaluate and remove the bias generated by the multilook effect on these parameters for various media composed of grassland, forest, and urban returns. Due to insufficient averaging, entropy is underestimated, and anisotropy is overestimated. We also found that the bias in the alpha angle can be either underestimated or overestimated depending on scattering mechanisms. Based on simulation results, efficient bias removal procedures have been developed. In particular, the entropy bias can be precisely corrected, and the amount of correction is independent of the radar frequency and SAR systems. Data from L-band Advanced Land Observing Satellite/phased array type L-band SAR, German Aerospace Research Center (DLR)/enhanced SAR, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)/airborne SAR, and X-band polarimetric and interferometric SAR are used for demonstration in this paper.


Through the combined study of Hittite cuneiform texts and the iconography of Hittite relief vases (Anatolia of the second half of the second millennium BCE), this paper addresses the ceremonial garments of key participants in cultic ceremonies, namely the royal couple, priests and priestesses, as well as festival entertainers. The paper also discusses a particular gesture which is frequently mentioned in Hittite religious texts: the act consisting of seizing someone else's šeknu-garment. We argue that such a gesture might be related to the purity rules regarding the Great King's body. Throughout this paper, several correspondences between the iconography and the textual evidence are also suggested.


Salmonella is recognized as one of the most common microbial pathogens worldwide. The bacterium contains the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems, providing adaptive immunity against invading foreign nucleic acids. Previous studies suggested that certain bacteria employ the Cas proteins of CRISPR-Cas systems to target their own genes, which also alters the virulence during invasion of mammals. However, whether CRISPR-Cas systems in Salmonella have similar functions during bacterial invasion of host cells remains unknown. Here, we systematically analyzed the genes that are regulated by Cas3 in a type I-E CRISPR-Cas system and the virulence changes due to the deletion of cas3 in Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. Compared to the cas3 gene wild-type (cas3 WT) Salmonella strain, cas3 deletion upregulated the lsrFGBE genes in lsr (luxS regulated) operon related to quorum sensing (QS) and downregulated biofilm-forming-related genes and Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) genes related to the type three secretion system (T3SS). Consistently, the biofilm formation ability was downregulated in the cas3 deletion mutant (Δcas3). The bacterial invasive and intracellular capacity of Δcas3 to host cells was also reduced, thereby increasing the survival of infected host cells and live chickens. By the transcriptome-wide screen (RNA-Seq), we found that the cas3 gene impacts a series of genes related to QS, the flagellum, and SPI-1-T3SS system, thereby altering the virulence phenotypes. As QS SPI-1-T3SS and CRISPR-Cas systems are widely distributed in the bacteria kingdom, our findings extend our understanding of virulence regulation and pathogenicity in mammalian hosts for Salmonella and potentially other bacteria.


Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major microvascular complication of diabetes, has a significant impact on the world's health systems. Globally, the number of people with DR will grow from 126.6 million in 2010 to 191.0 million by 2030, and it is estimated that the number with vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy will increase from 37.3 million to 56.3 million if prompt action is not taken. Lack of early diagnosis and management is the leading cause of blindness in working-age populations The gap between demand and annual eye examinations has been a big challenge. Furthermore lack of availability of cost effective simplified retinal imaging tools has limited the diabetic retinopathy screening program in many parts of the world in last few decades. This has led to the development of innovative ideas and availability of cost effective simplified retinal imaging tools. In this chapter we will be describing some of the well known commercially available emerging simplified (Non Tabletop, Hand Held, Portable) retinal imaging tools that have potential to help in screening diabetic retinopathy with ease and without increasing financial burden.


Herein, a simple, facile, and label-free electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor platform was constructed by integration of aptamer-gated systems and vertically ordered mesoporous silica films (MSFs) grown in suit of indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode. In this aptasensor platform, aptamer could be effectively adsorbed on the surface of aminated MSFs by noncovalent electrostatic attraction and then employed as an ideal gate material to control the blocking and releasing of luminescence reagents (Ru(bipy)32+) entrapped within the pores of MSFs. In the presence of target, the specific aptamer-target binding could trigger the uncapping the pores, releasing the Ru(bipy)32+ with detectable reduced of ECL signal. The feasibility and universality of this design was validated by employing three aptamers that bind to lysozyme, adenosine, and K+ as gate materials, and the detection limits were determined to be 0.06 nM, 0.75 nM, and 0.5 μM, respectively. This ECL aptasensor, based on the simple competitive procedure, was simple design, undemanding, and fast in operation. In addition, no other chemical modification of the aptamer was required, suggesting that this ECL aptasensor could be applied to many other target detections just by altering the aptamer sequence.


The recombinant amino-terminal fragment of human parathyroid hormone (Teriparatide) is a bone anabolic agent which reduces fracture risk by increasing bone mass and improving bone microarchitecture. Teriparatide reduces vertebral fracture risk by 65 % and non-vertebral by 50 %. Its efficacy is higher as bisphosphonates to prevent corcicosteroid-induced osteoporosis. Teriparatide may also have a direct effect on bone pain. Teriparatide may be initiating immediately after an anticatabolic agent. However, it is not recommended to associate both treatments. At the end of teripatide treatment, an anticatabolic agent may be given. According to cost-effectiveness studies, Teriparatide should be considered as first line treatment for postmenopausal women and for men with severe osteoporosis.


The present study evaluates the short-term effect of cochlear implantation on the fundamental frequency (F0) of 13 deaf patients. All patients were provided with the Combi 40+ cochlear implant. Voice recording was made pre- and 3 months post-implantation. The F0 was analysed using X-Tools software. The results showed that 38 per cent of our subjects had a statistically significant decrease of their mean F0 (p=0.001) at 3 months following implantation. It was also observed that the patients tended to have a lower F0 postoperatively approaching the normal range of F0. A large variability in F0 was noticed among the deaf subjects but no correlation with the duration of deafness was seen. There was also no correlation between speech recognition and speech production.


Using feminist new materialist theory and based on ethnographic field work, the monograph examine the (im) possibilities of young menstruants bodily becomings, as they navigate everyday youth life in a predominantly white upper-middle class suburb to Copenhagen, Denmark. To explore menstruation as a socio-material phenomena, the study pays attention to the meanings of whiteness, class and gender in relation to menstruation and zooms in how affects, bodies, blood, slime, pads and tampons matters to young menstruants bodily becomings. The study finds that the ignorance of menstruation in everyday life infrastructures, school pedagogics and peer relations can be limiting to young menstruants possibilities for joyfull participation in everyday life activities. It however also shows how menstruation can matter for subversions of power and catalyze change, and how the leaky body can act as critique against neoliberal logics of bodies.


Given the rarity of sural nerve mononeuropathy, this retrospective study reports 20 cases observed during the last 12 yr, with some cases having especially unusual mechanisms of the nerve lesion. Five of the 20 cases were considered S1 root disease until electrodiagnostic findings. In the 14 other cases, the nerve lesion was suspected because of concomitant trauma. This series is the largest sample of sural nerve lesions so far reported, and it underlines the importance of iatrogenic lesions, which account for 12 of the 20 cases. Some lesions are due to unusual conditions, such as small saphenous vein stripping and compression by the deep fascia. This series also demonstrates that even when lower limb trauma exists, some cases can be considered S1 root disease and that when the area of impaired sensation corresponds exactly to the cutaneous territory of a nerve trunk, one should first consider a truncular origin of the nerve lesion.


This paper presents a current-sensorless active rectifier specifically designed for low cost applications. Both the control and the modulation use fuzzy logic. A simple model of the system is given in order to explain the current feedforward control using fuzzy logic and the fuzzy logic-based modulation. In this paper, the new algorithm has been deeply analysed looking to obtain the highest performance with the smallest passive elements and the lowest switching frequency. Performance has been compared with those of a closed loop PI-based rectifier with space-vector modulation. This comparison has been carried out either considering the whole systems or a combination of their components (PI control + fuzzy modulation or fuzzy feedforward control + SVM). The results show that, even without current sensors, the low frequency distortion of line currents and the DC voltage oscillations produced by the proposed system are very limited ensuring performance similar to those of more expensive PI-based, closed loop active rectifiers.


The curing kinetics of a vinyl ester (VE) resin has been investigated as a function of curing temperature by using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The curing reaction was monitored by the decrease in double bond intensities for both VE and styrene (St). This allowed us to estimate the fractional conversion (degree of cure) by different methods. DSC was used to determine the overall degree of cure at different temperatures as well as the rate of the curing reaction. A good correlation between the degree of cure obtained by the two above techniques was observed in high temperature isothermal curing, in particular at 120°C. No complete cure was recorded by either FTIR or DSC. This was traced to the vitrification phenomenon making the curing reaction diffusion controlled.


Summary The development of inhibitors to factor VIII in patients with haemophilia A remains as a serious complication of replacement therapy. An apparently analogous condition has been described in a canine model of haemophilia A (Giles et al., Blood 1984; 63:451). These animals and their relatives have now been followed for 10 years. The observation that the propensity for inhibitor development was not related to the ancestral factor VIII gene has been confirmed by the demonstration of vertical transmission through three generations of the segment of the family related to a normal (non-carrier) female that was introduced for breeding purposes. Haemophilic animals unrelated to this animal have not developed functionally significant factor VIII inhibitors despite intensive factor VIII replacement. Two animals have shown occasional laboratory evidence of factor VIII inhibition but this has not been translated into clinical significant inhibition in vivo as assessed by clinical response and F.VIII recovery and survival characteristics. Substantial heterogeneity of inhibitor expression both in vitro and in vivo has been observed between animals and in individual animals over time. Spontaneous loss of inhibitors has been observed without any therapies designed to induce tolerance, etc., being instituted. There is also phenotypic evidence of polyclonality of the immune response with variable expression over time in a given animal. These observations may have relevance to the human condition both in determining the pathogenetic factors involved in this condition and in highlighting the heterogeneity of its expression which suggests the need for caution in the interpretation of the outcome of interventions designed to modulate inhibitor activity.


Malignant mesothelioma is one of the rare tumors of pleura. One such case in a 57-year-old male, who presented with hemorrhagic pleural effusion and had no history of asbestos exposure, is reported here. The rarity, unusual presentation, and implications are discussed.


This study analyses how the translations of 'best efforts' under Article 17 of the Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market (DCDSM) may affect transposition in Member States and impact users of online content-sharing service providers (OCSSPs). The analysis finds that 'best efforts' was inaccurately translated into most of the official languages in the EU Official Journal, scoring poorly especially under the terminology and outcome parameters. The investigation was based on a combination of methods, including translation quality assessment (TQA) techniques, literature review, and semi-structured interviews with legal experts in key Member States. 'Best efforts' is legal terminology and should be translated as such. The overall context of the original English language version of the DCDSM is also of utmost importance. The intended meaning of 'best efforts' is lost if the expression is interpreted as everyday language. A better strategy is to keep the 'foreignness' of the original expression in more 'literal' translations or to find equivalents in the target languages. The two words, 'best' and 'efforts', are not the only indication given by the provisions. Article 17 refers to the concepts of 'proportionality' (§5) and 'cooperation' (§§7-8 & §10) to set the context and boundaries for the interpretative framework defining the scope and breadth of 'best efforts'. Moreover, the EU institutions have further defined these boundaries by clarifying that the 'best efforts' required are part of an obligation of means, limited by the obligation of result to not obstruct the limitations and exceptions of users (§7). The combination of these parameters requires that transpositions keep a fair balance between the right to intellectual property and the other fundamental rights concerned, especially freedom of expression and the right to conduct a business. Failing to do so, creates a catch 22 dilemma for OCSSPs when some Member States adopt an excessive threshold, by leaving them no other option than to block content under the obligation of means set out under Article 17(4) and breach Article 17(7)'s obligation of result to not impede users' exceptions and limitations. This would not only impact users' fundamental rights but also jeopardize OCSSPs' functioning, especially hurting smaller (EU) ones. The required solutions hence go beyond amending the translated texts. For clarity's sake and to avoid any doubt stemming from the inaccurate translations in the EU Official Journal and future impediments to the Digital Single Market, the way forward would be for the European Commission to issue the necessary corrigenda of the incorrect language versions. This should not however stop Member States from implementing 'best efforts' correctly, as the translation errors are manifest.


OBJECTIVES
to define an Italian national protocol of post-occupational health surveillance for asbestos workers according to effectiveness, appropriateness, saving, and social utility.

DESIGN
data for 1,071 former asbestos workers from several Italian Regions were collected and analysed. For these workers, a retrospective estimate of asbestos exposure was carried out. A cohort study of 1,588 asbestos workers recruited from 2000 onward during statutory health examinations in Veneto and followed-up for lung cancer mortality until December 2010 was executed. A literature search on methods of follow-up of asbestos workers (imaging, spirometry, and questionnaires) and diagnosis of non-malignant (asbestosis and pleural plaques) and malignant (lung cancer) asbestos disease was done. A consensus, i.e., a process of agreeing on one result among the participants, was made.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
19 Italian Regions (North: Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardia, Piemonte, Valle d'Aosta, Autonomous Province of Trento, Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria; Centre:Toscana, Umbria; South and Islands: Calabria, Abruzzo, Puglia, Campania, Basilicata,Marche, Sicilia, Sardegna), Department of Occupational Medicine at Italian National Institute for Compensation ofWork-Related Diseases and Accidents (INAIL), and Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences at University of Padova.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
analysis of current regional experiences on health surveillance; retrospective estimate of asbestos exposure; data collection and analysis of a cohort of asbestos workers; search of the relevant literature; final report with the consensus document.

RESULTS
the results obtained in each of the above areas of research, along with the relevant findings of the literature, were presented and discussed among the participants. The several phases of expression and evaluation of the participants' opinions were conducted according to an iterative method of investigation (Delphi method), which allows a progressive converging of different views into one shared result.

CONCLUSION
based on all the above, a consensus has been reached on a proposal for an Italian national protocol of health surveillance for asbestos workers.


Regular health monitoring of bridges is a vital process to prevent serious structural damage. Marker-based systems, which follow the trajectory of objects by placing a well-characterized pattern on their surface and identify them on photos or videos taken of these objects, have proven to be a cheap and flexible alternative for such tasks. In this work, we extend our previous laboratory implementation with a low-cost, fully automatic on-site installation at the bridge at Arosa Island, Galicia, Spain. Preliminary results presented in this paper show that our system is highly robust for the harsh climate of the installation site.


Dermatophytosis (tinea) infections are superficial fungal diseases caused by dermatophytes, a genus of fungus that penetrates and develops in dead keratin. Fungal infections are more likely to recur and, if left untreated, can result in the emergence of more serious illnesses. Even though there are many antifungal medications available to treat tinea infection, relapses and recurrences show that the pathogenic organism is not easily destroyed, necessitating more study to develop new therapeutic choices. In Ayurveda, many drugs are claimed to have the krimighna effect, which can lead to a more efficient course of treatment. Dermatophytosis can be simulated with dadru kushtha since the clinical characteristics of the disease are more closely related to dermatophytosis. Material and Method: In this case report, a 30-year-old female patient was successfully treated with the Ayurvedic interventions of chakramarda beeja churna, vidanga beeja, kampillaka, rala, tankana bhasma, and aaroyavardhini vati after being diagnosed with dadru kushtha (tinea corporis) based on symptoms. Result: After 45 days of consistent treatment, there was total relief from the symptoms of kandu (itching), daha (burning sensation), raga (erythema), pidika (eruptions), and utsanna mandala (elevated circular skin lesion), and there was no recurrence in the 15-day follow-up period. Conclusion: Dermatophytosis can be effectively treated with Ayurvedic bahiparimarjana (external application) and shamana chikitsa, along with dietary restrictions and personal hygiene.


This study investigated the relationship between the female singers' singing voice classification and their vocal tract length, volume, and vowel formant frequencies. Acoustic pharyngometer (ART) was used to measure the vocal tract length and volume of Twenty-seven sopranos, and Twenty-three mezzo-sopranos. The first three formant frequencies of vowels produced by these singers were also obtained. Results showed that sopranos had shorter oral and vocal tract length, smaller oral and vocal tract volume than mezzo-sopranos significantly. Sopranos had higher first three and averaged first three vowel formant frequencies than mezzo-sopranos generally. These preliminary findings indicated that, besides vocal tract length, vocal tract volume may also affect the formant frequencies of the singers, and thus the classification of different types of singing voices.


High output stomas lead to a myriad of complications for patients including dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, poor skin integrity & altered bowel function. However, this issue is not well recognised amongst junior doctors. This audit's aim was to improve awareness of high output stomas including their implications and management according to the Association of Stoma Care Nurses' (ASCN) national guidelines amongst junior doctors.

 An electronic survey was distributed to 20 junior doctors working in General Surgery at Southend University Hospital, assessing their knowledge on recognition and management of high output stomas. A checklist summarising the ASCN guidelines was then created. A post-intervention survey was then distributed to assess for improvement in knowledge and application of ASCN guidelines as well as use of the checklist.

 Overall, 51% answers were correct in the first survey compared to 72% answers correct in the post-intervention survey, and 83% of participants used the checklist. There was improvement in use of IV fluids (50% to 100%), monitoring fluid balance (80% to 91%), fibre restriction (37% to 70%), fluid restriction (50% to 70%), checking & replacing Mg (65% to 87%) & use of regular codeine (70% to 77%), as well as moderate improvement in appropriate doses of loperamide being given (5% to 30%).

 The above audit resulted in an improvement of knowledge and application of evidence-based guidance provided by ASCN, with ultimate intent to improve patient outcomes. Further work includes distribution of the checklists throughout the hospital and to other hospitals.


A visit to Rome can reveal not only the uniqueness and the grandeur of the touristic objectives in the capital of Italy, like other cities along the way, but also the way they are emphasized. Rome, Florence, Venice, Wien... each of them represents a chapter in the history of art and not only. Names like Michelangelo and Bernini left their mark forever in towns like Rome and Florence.


Article describes features of digital transformations that affect global economy as a whole and national economy of Ukraine, changing business models of industrial enterprises and quality of life societies. Stages of transition Ukrainian society, business and state institutions to digital technologies have been determined. Selected Agenda and Concept of Digital Economy as the main directions in way of digitalization national economy of Ukraine. It is stated that digital transformation influences business models and national economy by initiating synergistic and emergent effects. Stages of integration innovative technologies and their influence on development country are outlined. Central to digital transformation is process of automation in lives of everyone, society, businesses, organizations, government organizations and government agencies. Key elements of conceptual scheme of digital transformation business model of industrial enterprises, which allow focusing on social and industrial block, which gives opportunity to adapt the activity of industrial enterprises as effectively as possible and provides flexibility of response management decisions in transformation environment. Predicted results of digital transformation of the country and industrial enterprises are highlighted.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the application of small intestine double stoma and succus entericus reinfusion in the patients with severe intra-abdominal infection.

METHODS
Ten patients with high intestinal perforation from February 2005 to November 2014 were enrolled in the study. All the cases received emergency operation. Small bowel with intestinal perforation was resected, and double stoma was applied in the proximal and distal small intestine. When abdominal infection under control, total enteral nutrition was successfully administered from nasogastric tube. The succus entericus from the proximal intestine was collected and transfused back to the distal intestine. Stool was collected and fecal nitrogen, fat and carbohydrate contents were determined. Related serum protein levels were measured.

RESULTS
As compared to pre-reinfusion, the absorption rate of carbohydrate [(90.9±7.8)% vs. (82.7±15.2)%], fat [(87.6±6.4)% vs. (59.1±10.8)%], and nitrogen [(82.4±9.8)% vs. (67.2±15.4)%] increased after succus entericus reinfusion (P<0.05). The serum protein levels increased significantly as well[fibronectin: (285.6±3.6) vs. (157.0±22.6) mg/L, P<0.01; transferrin: (4.86±0.21) vs. (3.60±0.25) g/L, P<0.05; pre-albumin: (291.3±112.5) vs. (199.1±53.3) mg/L, P<0.05].

CONCLUSION
Small intestine double stoma and succus entericus reinfusion are effective in improving the absorption of carbohydrate, fat and nitrogen in the patients with severe intra-abdominal infection.


SMART (Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool) is an online resource (http://smart.embl.de/) for the identification and annotation of protein domains and the analysis of protein domain architectures. SMART version 7 contains manually curated models for 1009 protein domains, 200 more than in the previous version. The current release introduces several novel features and a streamlined user interface resulting in a faster and more comfortable workflow. The underlying protein databases were greatly expanded, resulting in a 2-fold increase in number of annotated domains and features. The database of completely sequenced genomes now includes 1133 species, compared to 630 in the previous release. Domain architecture analysis results can now be exported and visualized through the iTOL phylogenetic tree viewer. 'metaSMART' was introduced as a novel subresource dedicated to the exploration and analysis of domain architectures in various metagenomics data sets. An advanced full text search engine was implemented, covering the complete annotations for SMART and Pfam domains, as well as the complete set of protein descriptions, allowing users to quickly find relevant information.


Abstract Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs can occur in the background of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF-1), where chemotherapeutic treatment is not optimal and surgical intervention is the only management option. In this case report, we present a case involving a 61-year-old gentleman with NF-1. The patient presented with acute blood loss anemia that was initially controlled with embolization of a hyper-vascular mass abutting the distal jejunum. The patient was taken to the operating room for excision of the mass. All macroscopic disease was excised and the pathology noted GISTs. Surgical decision making is not clearly delineated in the literature for GISTs in patients with NF-1, where targeted therapy is not a treatment option. Resection of all disease should be considered, since NF-1 associated GISTs generally do not have harbor mutations that can be targeted.


Magnetic reconnection is a primary mechanism for particle energization in space and astrophysical plasmas. By carrying out two-dimensional (2D) fully kinetic simulations, we study particle acceleration during magnetic reconnection in plasmas with different plasma β (the ratio between the thermal pressure and the magnetic pressure). For the high-β cases, we do not observe significant particle acceleration. In the low-β regime ( β < 0.1 ), we find that reconnection is efficient at energizing both electrons and ions. While the distribution of accelerated particles integrated over the whole simulation box appears highly non-thermal, it is actually the superposition of a series of distributions in different sectors of a 2D magnetic island. Each of those distributions has only a small non-thermal component compared with its thermal core. By tracking a large number of particles, we show that particles get energized in X-line regions, contracting magnetic islands, and magnetic island coalescence regions. We obtain the particle energization rate j · E by averaging over particle drift motions and find that it agrees well with the particle kinetic energy change. We quantify the contribution of curvature drift, gradient drift, polarization drift, magnetization, non-gyrotropic effect, and parallel electric field in different acceleration regions. We find that the major energization is due to particle curvature drift along the motional electric field. The other particle motions contribute less but may become important in different acceleration regions. The highly efficient particle energization in low-β plasmas may help us understand the strong particle energization in solar flares and accretion disk coronae.


It is well known that transmit power control is an essential component of any CDMA system. In conventional cellular systems, the interface between the wired network and wireless medium is the base station antenna (or closely located antennas if there is microdiversity) placed at the geographic center of the cell area. With such a "centralized" antenna, however, it is often impossible to maintain perfect power control (even if the power levels are adjusted in a precise and instantaneous manner) due to the fact that the required transmit power levels would occasionally (or often) be beyond practical limits; this is especially true for environments that yield high path losses. We investigate the peak and median transmit power requirements in a CDMA system that employs power control with a distributed antenna architecture. Computer simulations show that by using such an antenna architecture with only 4 antenna elements, the median and peak transmit power levels can be reduced by 13 dB and 20 dB, respectively. This may yield a substantial increase in system capacity, as well as a prolonged subscriber battery usage that may be critical in high data rate applications.


Let S=(P, B, I) be a generalized quadrangle of order (q, q2), q>1, and assume that S satisfies Property (G) at the flag (x, L). If q is odd then S is the dual of a flock generalized quadrangle. This solves (a stronger version of ) a ten-year-old conjecture. We emphasize that this is a powerful theorem as Property (G) is a simple combinatorial property, while a flock generalized quadrangle is concretely described using finite fields and groups. As in several previous theorems it was assumed that the dual of the generalized quadrangle arises from a flock, this can now be replaced, in the odd case, by having Property (G) at some flag. Finally we describe a pure geometrical construction of a generalized quadrangle arising from a flock; until now there was only the construction by Knarr which only worked in the odd case.


Examination of isolates of Petriella setifera and Oidiodendron setiferum revealed new diagnostic morphological charactcristics. Chlamydosporcs formed by P. setifera , isolated from twigs of sessile oak ( Quercus petraea ) showing symptoms of oak decline, are described for the first time. The first pictures of P. setifera anamorphs since the publication of its original description in 1912 are presented. Isolates of O. setiferum , from sessile oak twigs and from a log of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ), were found to have swollen, hyaline, thin-walled, sterile apices on the non-fertile hairs surrounding the fertile heads of conidiophores. They also had numerous coils formed by thin hyphae in the submerged mycelium in agar culture. The taxonomy of both fungi was confirmed by rDNA sequence analysis.


Abstract The present paper documents the wealth of 62 medicinal plant species used by the indigenous Nath community of Assam in different types of health treatment. The botanical name, family name, vernacular name, parts used and their application has been provided in the present paper. Out of 62 plants studied, parts of 8 (13%) plants are found to be used in snakebite, 7 (11.3%) are in asthma, 6 (9.6%) in jaundice, 5 (8.0%) each in dropsy and gynecological problems, 3 (4.8%) each in piles, elephantiasis, bronchitis, rheumatism, 2 (3.2%) in leprosy, one (1.6%) each in cancer, pneumonia, paralysis, hysteria, pharyngitis and the rest for curing different other ailments like ulcer, skin disease, fever etc. The present documentation can be used for the betterment of human society.


Background Our neonatal unit was reviewed by the GIRFT team (Getting It Right First Time) in 2019. One of the recommendations from their report was the introduction of probiotics, to help reduce the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). NEC is a devastating illness, which contributes to significant morbidity and mortality in the neonatal population. A variety of probiotics were assessed for safety and clinical efficacy.1–3 Labinic was chosen as it contained an optimum combination of probiotic organisms to minimise the risk of NEC developing. In January 2021, Labinic was added to the hospital formulary and Trust guidelines for babies aged < 32 weeks and/or weighing <1.5kg at birth.4 Aims To assess whether premature babies on the neonatal unit were receiving Labinic probiotic drops, as per recently published Trust guidelines. Objectives To identify whether babies were prescribed and administered Labinic at the correct dose, frequency and timing according to the guidance. Methods A report was run via Badgernet and Medchart to identify patients eligible for inclusion in the study, from January 2021 to October 2021. Inclusion Criteria Patient was prescribed Labinic Patient was born at our hospital Patient was born <32 weeks or was born aged 32–36 weeks and weighed <1.5kg Badgernet was used to collect patient-related data: time of the patient's first feed/colostrum birth weight time of delivery location of birth Medchart was used to gather data about Labinic prescribing and administration. Patient information was held in a password protected Excel spreadsheet to maintain confidentiality. A pilot data collection form was trialled for 1 week, then adapted. Ethics approval was not required for this study. The audit was registered with the Trust. Results Data was collected for 76 patients who were prescribed and administered Labinic on the neonatal intensive care unit from January 2021 to October 2021. The mean gestational age of the patients was 28 weeks (23–36 weeks) and the mean weight was 990 grams (500–2200 grams). 76/76 (100%) babies eligible to receive Labinic were prescribed and administered the probiotic. 76/76 (100%) patients were prescribed the correct dose according to their age/weight. The recommendations are that Labinic should be administered either with the first feed or within 12 hours of birth, whichever comes first. Only 17/76 (22%) of infants received Labinic within the first 12 hours. Conclusions The introduction of Labinic probiotics has been widely accepted and well implemented on the neonatal unit. Within 2 years of the GIRFT report's recommendations, the unit has gone from having 0% of eligible patients receiving probiotics to 100% of babies receiving them. Unfortunately, the number of patients included in the study was too low to assess the overall impact on NEC rates. Further education and training will be provided to nursing staff about the importance of administering the first dose of Labinic within the first 12 hours of life. The Trust guidance and electronic prescribing tools will be updated and re-circulated, to highlight that the first dose should be administered within 12 hours, and not delayed until after colostrum or expressed breast milk is available. The audit will be repeated in future to check good practice is maintained and timing of first dose is improved. References Morelli L, Capurso L. FAO/WHO guidelines on probiotics. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 2012;46:S1-S2. Allin B, Long A, Gupta A, Knight M, Lakhoo K. A UK wide cohort study describing management and outcomes for infants with surgical necrotising enterocolitis. Scientific Reports 2017;7:41149. Available from: http://www.nature.com/articles/srep41149 Jin Y, Duan Y, Deng X, Lin J. Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants – an updated review. World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics [Internet] 2019 [cited 20 December 2021];8(2):23–32. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6477149/ Probiotics Guidance, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.


A large group of glucocorticosteroid formulations were assayed by the vasoconstriction test in normal skin sites and paired comparison studies in patients with psoriasis. Excellent correlation between the vasoconstriction assay and selected paired comparison studies occurred in 20 of 23 instances. In three instances, involving two glucocorticosteroid formulations tested, correlation was absent. The vasoconstrictor assay is an inexpensive and reliable method for screening glucocorticosteroid formulations for clinical activity in psoriasis.


The set $\mathscr{F}(2;2)$ of quadratic foliations on the complex projective plane can be identified with a \textsc{Zariski}'s open set of a projective space of dimension 14 on which acts
$\mathrm{Aut}(\mathbb{P}^2(\mathbb{C})).$ We classify, up to automorphisms of $\mathbb{P}^2(\mathbb{C}),$ quadratic foliations with only one singularity. There are only four such foliations up to conjugacy; whereas three of them have a dynamic which can be easily described the dynamic of the fourth is still mysterious. This classification also allows us to describe the action of $\mathrm{Aut}(\mathbb{P}^2(\mathbb{C}))$ on $\mathscr{F}(2;2).$ On the one hand we show that the dimension of the orbits is more than 6 and that there are exactly two orbits of dimension $6;$ on the other hand we obtain that the closure of the generic orbit in $\mathscr{F} (2;2)$ contains at least seven orbits of dimension~7 and exactly one orbit of dimension $6.$


In this paper, we investigate the stability analysis and the feedback stabilization design problem for multiphase chemical systems using a nonequilibrium thermodynamics formalism. We first present a compartmental model for multiphase systems far from thermodynamic equilibrium. The modeling framework allows us to describe irreversible multiphase systems as a differential-algebraic equation (DAE) system. The differential part of the model corresponds to macroscopic balance equations. The algebraic system of equations represents the interface thermodynamic subsystem that occurs between bulk phases. Integrating the DAE model is equivalent to fixing the degrees of freedom prescribed by the Gibbs phase rule. A linear stability analysis and numerical simulations for the resulting differential-algebraic model are presented. We stabilize the system by fixing the pressure to a constant value. Following this result, we present a feedback structure that fixes the pressure of the system using the proposed modeling framework.


Increasing complexity within broadband telecommunications networks means that the management of such networks presents an ever-evolving challenge. Due to the amount of data, its inconsistent and incoherent nature, and time constraints associated with management tasks, many aspects of telecommunications network management lend itself to the use of Artificial Intelligence techniques. In particular, within ATM networks, Virtual Path (VP) management functions, principally bandwidth and restoration management, are necessary. and some approaches, which highlight the complexity of these tasks, pointed to. These functions are inherently distributed and represent a situation where distributed artificial intelligence (DAI) can be applied. The aim of this work is not to propose new schemes to cope with restoration or bandwidth management, but rather to propose a new approach to managing the virtual paths by including the interrelationships between several management functions. The main objectives of this approach are the scalability and management system robustness which are achieved through the use of Distributed Artificial Intelligence in the form of intelligent agents,. The presented approach uses two different multi-agent systems: the first comprises several simple and small reactive agents that control and monitor the network, while the second is an independent multi-agent system made up of more complex agents that monitor and control the smaller reactive agents and carry out management decisions. The multi-agent system re-allocates network resources based on the current traffic load and, eventually, on the predictions of the future load. Control functions, as Connection Admission Control and Routing are carried out using 'traditional' approaches.


The paper introduces the concept of labour equivalence and determines the index of the intensity of labour use in its terms. The measure thus defined is shown to be analogous to the predefined labour multiplier with the necessary incorporation of prices and wages. The explicit inclusion of price-wage parameters gives it the advantage of being a more efficient planning tool.


Haloarchaea (halophilic microbes belonging to the Archaea domain) are microorganisms requiring mid or even high salt concentrations to be alive. The molecular machinery of these organisms is adapted to such conditions, which are stressful for most life forms. Among their molecular adaptations, halophilic proteins are characterized by their high content of acidic amino acids (Aspartate (Asp) and glumate (Glu)), being only stable in solutions containing high salt concentration (between 1 and 4 M total salt concentration). Recent knowledge about haloarchaeal peptides, proteins, and enzymes have revealed that many haloarchaeal species produce proteins of interest due to their potential applications in biotechnology-based industries. Although proteins of interest are usually overproduced in recombinant prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression systems, these procedures do not accurately work for halophilic proteins, mainly if such proteins contain metallocofactors in their structures. This work summarizes the main challenges of heterologous and homologous expression of enzymes from haloarchaea, paying special attention to the metalloenzymes involved in the pathway of denitrification (anaerobic reduction of nitrate to dinitrogen), a pathway with significant implications in wastewater treatment, climate change, and biosensor design.


As both 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)- and psilocybin-assisted psychedelic psychotherapy near U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and gain acceptance as efficacious clinical approaches, concerns have been raised about the likelihood of sexual violation of a client and other relational boundary transgressions. In the current study, 23 practitioners who have administered MDMA and psilocybin to clients in underground (i.e., extralegal) healing contexts were interviewed about their experiences navigating multiple relationships, nonsexual touch, and sexual boundary-setting in their work. Of these practitioners, 12 had undergone formal, graduate-level training in psychotherapy, 10 identified as female, and 13 identified as male. A phenomenological research design was used to assess what unique relational challenges they have faced in this work and what practices they have found helpful in doing so. Two sets of themes addressing these two questions were developed from the data. Descriptive themes represent the unique challenges that psychedelic practitioners have encountered in their work, and prescriptive themes are made up of the practices they have found most useful in confronting these challenges. Some themes are unique to psychedelic work (e.g., client nudity, the use of touch, the belief that therapists must continue to have their own psychedelic experiences), while others represent a psychedelic-specific take on standard ethical considerations (e.g., transference, supervision, staying within one's scope of competence). Discussion of these results includes implications for the training of psychedelic psychotherapists and other regulatory decisions facing the field.


Ultra wide band (UWB) systems based on impulse radio have the potential to provide very high data rates over short distances. This paper presents the analysis of an UWB multi-band on-off keying (MB-OOK) transceiver in the 6-8.5 GHz band, and the simulations of the non uniform filter bank using BAW (bulk acoustic wave) technology. The use of a BAW filter bank in the transceiver is analyzed with aluminum nitride film bulk acoustic resonators. Finally, system performance in terms of throughput, error probability and covered distance are estimated for the proposed architecture.


Measures of reproductive success have been recognized in many fields as essential tools to assess the status of populations, species, and communities. However, difficulties in gathering data on reproductive success often prevent researchers from taking advantage of the information offered by those measures. For example, most of habitat selection studies do not include reproductive success in their analysis even though doing so would highly improve our understanding of the habitat selection process. In our study, we aimed to assess to what extent habitat selection choices made by adult individuals are directed to increase their annual reproductive success. We tested this idea by first developing habitat selection models and then relating the results of those models to two measures of reproductive success. Using wolves, Canis lupus, as the study species, we determined that not all habitat selection choices performed by adult wolves were related to their annual reproductive success. The results varied also in relation to the measure of reproductive success used in the analysis and other individual-, group-, and population-level factors. Likely, adult female wolves select habitat characteristics to increase not only their annual reproductive success but also their lifetime reproductive success, for example, by ensuring their own survival and reproductive abilities in subsequent years. Our study suggests that a variety of motivations may govern habitat choices performed by adult individuals and including different measures of fitness in habitat selection studies can improve our understanding of these complex processes.


Objectives Children in the emergency department (ED) often require sedation for head computed tomography (CT) to ensure adequate image quality. Image acquisition time for a head CT using a conventional single-source CT scanner is approximately 12 seconds; however, after installation in November 2017 of 2 new dual-source dual-energy CT scanners, that time decreased to 1 to 3 seconds. We hypothesized that fewer patients would require sedation using the faster CT scanners. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients aged 0 to 18 years undergoing head CT at 2 pediatric EDs within 1 hospital system, 2 years before and 2 years after installation of the faster CT scanner. Patients undergoing multiple CTs or other procedures were excluded. Demographic information, diagnosis, disposition, sedatives (chloral hydrate, dexmedetomidine, etomidate, fentanyl, ketamine, midazolam, methohexital, pentobarbital, and propofol) administered before imaging, and ED length of stay were analyzed. Results A total of 15,175 patient encounters met inclusion criteria, 7412 before and 7763 after installation of the new CT. The median age was 7 years and 44% were female. Before the new CT scanner was installed 8% required sedation, compared with 7% after (effect size, 0.0341). Midazolam was the most commonly administered sedative. Fewer patients required deep sedation using the faster CT scanner. Conclusions After installation of a dual-source dual-energy CT scanner, fewer patients required sedation to complete head CT in the pediatric ED. Faster image acquisition time decreased the need for deep sedation.


The video captioning task is to describe the video contents with natural language by the machine. Many methods have been proposed for solving this task. A large dataset called MSR Video to Text (MSR-VTT) is often used as the benckmark dataset for testing the performance of the methods. However, we found that the human annotations, i.e., the descriptions of video contents in the dataset are quite noisy, e.g., there are many duplicate captions and many captions contain grammatical problems. These problems may pose difficulties to video captioning models for learning. We cleaned the MSR-VTT annotations by removing these problems, then tested several typical video captioning models on the cleaned dataset. Experimental results showed that data cleaning boosted the performances of the models measured by popular quantitative metrics. We recruited subjects to evaluate the results of a model trained on the original and cleaned datasets. The human behavior experiment demonstrated that trained on the cleaned dataset, the model generated captions that were more coherent and more relevant to contents of the video clips. The cleaned dataset is publicly available.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a significant number of cases of fistulae of the lower lip with the light microscope in order to investigate the histological variation and to attempt to define the histopathological pattern of the lesion.

METHODS
Congenital fistulae of the lower lips of 17 patients with Van der Woude syndrome were analyzed by light microscopy.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
The walls of most of the fistulae consisted of stratified nonkeratinized squamous epithelium and a lamina propria of dense connective tissue with areas of lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrates. Bundles of striated muscle fibers, blood vessels, nerves, adipose tissue, and mixed acinar glands were observed. These glands surrounded the entire wall of the lesion, and their excretory ducts opened into the lumen of the fistula, explaining the clinical observation of elimination of mucous secretion through the opening of the fistula. Two microform cases of fistula were analyzed that presented only a depression in the epithelium at the site corresponding to the opening of the fistula.


Although vancomycin heteroresistance exists in enterococci, it is not easily detected using routine methods and the mechanism is not clearly understood. In this study, we characterized the molecular mechanism underlying vancomycin heteroresistance in a clinical vanM-type Enterococcus faecium strain. The original E. faecium isolate, hVREm7, was susceptible to vancomycin by broth microdilution and Etest. However, vancomycin-resistant subcolonies were present within the Etest zone of inhibition. Three passages of hVREm7 were carried out to eliminate the possibility of contamination. hVREm7 and three resistant variants were selected to study the heteroresistance mechanism. Sequence analysis revealed that all four strains contained an unaltered vanM cluster. Southern blot analysis showed that vanM was present both chromosomally and extrachromosomally in the three variants, but only extrachromosomally in hVREm7. The size of the vanM-bearing extrachromosomal DNA fragments in the three variants was larger than that in hVREm7, indicating a variation of vanM gene amplification in the variants. Consistently, vanM copy number and expression level were increased in variant strain VREm7-1. These results suggest that partial or complete amplification/transfer of the vanM gene cluster by an as-yet-unidentified mechanism leads to increased copy number and augmented expression of the vanM gene, which contribute to the transformation of vancomycin-heteroresistant E. faecium into high-level vancomycin-resistant variants.


T-Method is one of the techniques governed under Mahalanobis Taguchi System that developed specifically for multivariate data predictions. Prediction using T-Method is always possible even with very limited sample size. The user of T-Method required to clearly understanding the population data trend since this method is not considering the effect of outliers within it. Outliers may cause apparent non-normality and the entire classical methods breakdown. There exist robust parameter estimate that provide satisfactory results when the data contain outliers, as well as when the data are free of them. The robust parameter estimates of location and scale measure called Shamos Bickel (SB) and Hodges Lehman (HL) which are used as a comparable method to calculate the mean and standard deviation of classical statistic is part of it. Embedding these into T-Method normalize stage feasibly help in enhancing the accuracy of the T-Method as well as analysing the robustness of T-method itself. However, the result of higher sample size case study shows that T-method is having lowest average error percentages (3.09%) on data with extreme outliers. HL and SB is having lowest error percentages (4.67%) for data without extreme outliers with minimum error differences compared to T-Method. The error percentages prediction trend is vice versa for lower sample size case study. The result shows that with minimum sample size, which outliers always be at low risk, T-Method is much better on that, while higher sample size with extreme outliers, T-Method as well show better prediction compared to others. For the case studies conducted in this research, it shows that normalization of T-Method is showing satisfactory results and it is not feasible to adapt HL and SB or normal mean and standard deviation into it since it's only provide minimum effect of percentages errors. Normalization using T-method is still considered having lower risk towards outlier's effect.


After September 11 and March 11 in Madrid the fight against, terrorism becomes a priority for all European Union Member States. The causes of terrorism, often originate outside the European Union and are linked to external regional conflict or humanitarian crises. Regional insecurities can fuel the organised crime, lead to extremism and reinforce the international terrorism. The ambition of the European Commission ASTRO+ project was to give the first Space global response to this overall challenge. At a time when Space technologies are often perceived as a domain of experts, ASTRO+ demonstrated that Space can be more accessible for security players. ASTRO+ has been a first stage, with the development of the first integrated Space platform for security operations: ldr Through a capacity process, the different type of European operational users has been positioned in the heart of the project: to identify the needs, to elaborate an operational scenario, to map the space technologies and to support the demonstration. About 150 operational users where associated: civil protection, police forces, military staff and NGO's from different EU countries. ldr This represents the first consistent integration of the different space assets such as Earth Observation, Navigation and Satellite Telecommunication in a coordinated way. The exercises done in Poland show to the 25 EU members the first common vision of the Space contribution to security operations. The aim of this paper is, firstly, to recall the overall restitution of the project in terms of operational users networking, space technologies response and with a realistic on-the-field demonstration.


Brown, Elkins, and Larson's article on prolonged grieving after induced abortion properly alerts physicians to the need for vigilance to emotional difficulties following this procedure. However, the authors appear to have an implicit political agenda in publishing their material, and the absence of scientific method in the presentation of this material is reckless given the political volatility surrounding the abortion issue. The article is based on an analysis of 61 letters solicited by the pastor of a Protestant church in Florida known for its anti-abortion activities; only negative experiences were sought. Cited are long-term negative sequelae such as anger, loss, depression, masking of emotion, regret, shame, guilt, fantasizing, and suicidal ideation. It is impossible for the authors to make psychiatric diagnoses on the basis of letters alone. More importantly, these same reactions can be found, to an even greater extent, among women suffering forced continuation of an unwanted pregnancy and subsequent nonvoluntary parenthood. Feelings of guilt and loss can be expected both among women who choose to abort and those who opt to continue with an unplanned pregnancy. The very fact that abortion is legal in the US allows physicians to help those women who do experience emotional difficulties after the procedure.


In the article are shown the results of quantitative evaluation of Flavonoids using Chromatospectrophotometric method, based on color reaction with aluminium chloride. The optimized conditions of Flavonoid's extraction from complex tablets were developed: the right substance, time and temperature for extraction were selected, accordingly - alcohol of 95%, 90 min time and the room temperature. The selected Chromatospectrophotometric method makes possible the accurate evaluation of the content of Flavonoids in complex tablets. Relative error of measurement in the state of confidence probability equal to 95 doesn't exceed ± 5,0%. The margines for content of Flavonoids in one tablet were defined as 20 to 50 mg.


"Outer-Art" is a movement set up as a protest against, or to ridicule, the random modern art which states that everything is… art! It was initiated by Florentin Smarandache, in 1990s, who ironically called for an upside-down artwork: to do art in a way it is not supposed to be done, i.e. to make art as ugly, as silly, as wrong as possible, and generally as impossible as possible!