Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is frequently reported among adolescents and children and a common reason for consultation in primary care. Our aim is to examine its prevalence in 6-year old children in a general population and to assess associations with physical and psychosocial factors. Data from the Generation R Study, a population based cohort, was used. Prevalence and characteristics of MSK pain were assessed with parent-reported questionnaires at 6-years of age (N=6200). Demographics and data on physical activity, sedentary behaviors, previous reported MSK pain and behavioral problems were extracted from questionnaires. The BMI SD score was calculated from objectively measured weight and height. A three-month prevalence of 10.0% was found for MSK pain in children, of which one third was chronic, and 44.6% experienced together with pain at other sites. Univariate analyses showed that boys and children with lower socioeconomic status (SES) reported MSK pain more frequent compared to other pain and no pain. While no associations were found between MSK pain and children's BMI and physical activity level, children with MSK pain were more likely to watch television ≥2 hours/day. Multivariable analysis showed significant associations for MSK pain at 3 years of age (OR 5.10, 95% CI 3.25 to 7.98) and behavioral problems (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.19 to 3.72) with the presence of MSK pain. So, MSK pain is already common in young children and is often chronic or recurrent. Previous reported MSK pain and behavioral problems are independently associated with MSK pain in the studied population.


BACKGROUND
Previous studies have suggested that the presence of visceral metastasis is a parameter useful in predicting the treatment efficacy of fulvestrant in patients with advanced breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
We retrospectively examined the association between treatment efficacy and presence of visceral metastasis in 75 patients with hormone receptor-positive recurrent breast cancer who were treated with fulvestrant or no more than five lines of other endocrine monotherapy after recurrence.

RESULTS
Nineteen patients received fulvestrant, 10 of whom had visceral metastasis. The median time to progression was 4 months for the overall study population; it was significantly longer for patients with non-visceral metastasis (5.4 months; 95% confidence interval=3.7-11.2 months) than for those with visceral metastasis (3.3 months; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-5.3 months; p=0.01). No differences in time to progression were found between the groups of patients with visceral metastasis and non-visceral metastasis who underwent other endocrine therapies.

CONCLUSION
Fulvestrant is more effective for patients with non-visceral metastasis of recurrent breast cancer with than for those with visceral metastasis.


Transcatheter arterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 (90Y)-labeled microspheres has an emerging role in treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Although complication of TARE can be minimized by aggressive pre-evaluation angiography and preventive coiling of aberrant vessels, radioembolization-induced gastroduodenal ulcer can be irreversible and can be life-threatening. Treatment of radioembolization-induced gastric ulcer is challenging because there is a few reported cases and no consensus for management. We report a case of severe gastric ulceration with bleeding that eventually required surgery due to aberrant deposition of microspheres after TARE.


A series of distributed processes usually need to be created in order to complete a user's task in grid environment, and these processes which have been created at different grid site form a process organization (called process-tree). Due to the dynamic of grid resource and some uncertain factors, some process nodes in this tree may be not accessible by the other related ones. It leads to a process-tree broken problem. As a result, it would block further execution of the processes we have created. Up to now, there is no good solution to solve the problem. In this paper we explore this problem and discuss how to handle it if some inaccessible nodes in process-tree happened, and how to ensure the integrity of organization structure of distributed processes. After making a comparison and analysis with the traditional distributed systems, we provide a new mechanism to increase reliability of grid-based computing environments and restore the inaccessible process-node over process tree in grid environment and endeavoring to keep the integrity of the original process organization structure. This new mechanism would adopts two types of additional information and two extra process actions to help restore the original process but not disturb the existing dynamic characters of grid resources, and grid tasks can be performed efficiently as well.


Presented is a case with persistently elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and normal amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein values associated with subsequent fetal-maternal bleeding and fetal death. Fetal-maternal bleeding, with potential for rhesus sensitization and fetal death, should be considered in the presence of elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels.


We applied the multibaric-multithermal (MUBATH) molecular dynamics (MD) algorithm to an alanine dipeptide in explicit water. The MUBATH MD simulation covered a wide range of conformational space and sampled the states of PII, C5, alphaR, alphaP, alphaL, and C7(ax). On the other hand, the conventional isobaric-isothermal simulation was trapped in local-minimum free-energy states and sampled only a few of them. We calculated the partial molar enthalpy difference DeltaH and partial molar volume difference DeltaV among these states by the MUBATH simulation using the AMBER parm99 and AMBER parm96 force fields and two sets of initial conditions. We compared these results with those from Raman spectroscopy experiments. The Raman spectroscopy data of DeltaH for the C5 state against the PII state agreed with both MUBATH data with the AMBER parm96 and parm99 force fields. The partial molar enthalpy difference DeltaH for the alphaR state and the partial molar volume difference DeltaV for the C5 state by the Raman spectroscopy agreed with those for the AMBER parm96 force field. On the other hand, DeltaV for the alphaR state by the Raman spectroscopy was consistent with our AMBER-parm99 force-field result. All the experimental results fall between those of simulations using AMBER parm96 and parm99 force fields, suggesting that the ideal force-field parameters lie between those of AMBER parm96 and parm99.


In this paper we examine the emergence and evolution of computer crime and computer forensics, as well as the crisis computer forensics is now facing. We propose new directions and approaches which better reflect the current objectives of this discipline. We further discuss important challenges that this discipline will be facing in the near future, and we propose an approach more suitable to prepare for these challenges. We focus on the technical aspects, while at the same time providing insights which would be helpful to better understand the unique issues related to computer forensic evidence when presented in the court of law.


In this paper we develop a constitutive model for describing the elastic response of solids that does not stem from either classical Cauchy or Green elasticity. In contrast to the classical theory, we show that it is possible to obtain a constitutive model wherein the linearized strain is related to the stress in a non-linear manner. The specific choice that we make allows for the stress to be arbitrarily large while the strain remains small (consistent with the assumption used in the linearization of the non-linear strain) or below some limiting value. Such models are worth investigating in detail as they have relevance to problems involving cracks as well as other problems wherein one finds strain singularities within the classical theory of linearized elasticity, and to models that exhibit limited stretch.


Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is defined as rupture of membranes before contraction (his). PROM is the case of 5-10% of all deliveries. 70% of cases of PROM occur in term pregnancies. So that PROM in aterm pregnancies is suggested to induce labor to reduce the incidence risk of mother and fetus complications. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cervical ripening by using Misoprostol 25 µg peroral and without using Misoprostol 25 µg at term premature rupture of the membrane with Bishop Score ≤ 4. This study was conducted at the Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. M. Djamil Central General Hospital, and Reksodiwiryo Hospital Padang from November 2013 – August 2014 Simple Random Sampling design. The subject selected based on inclusion criteria, then assess the state of the cervix and laboratory examination and nonstress test, then recapitulated and processed data is computerized using the computer software and statistical test. Significant differences increase bishop scores on 25 mcg misoprostol orally with those not given to premature rupture of membranes at term with less than bishop scores or equal to (≤) 4. The p-value evidence this was 0.000 <0.05. And there is no side effects in this study. Keywords: misoprostol effectivity, premature rupture of membrane


We describe the process leading to the creation of the Cooperative of Reforestation Workers of Far Southern Bahia (COOPLANTAR), a cooperative that specializes in restoration of the Atlantic Forest in the Monte Pascoal–Pau Brasil Ecological Corridor in southern Bahia, Brazil, and provides job and income for members of local impoverished communities. We discuss the achievements of the cooperative, difficulties it has faced, and its prospects for future sustainability and expansion.


This report examines the factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) in a sample of 229 psychiatric patients from two community mental health centers (ages 16 to 85). One-, two-, and three-factor solutions were evaluated. The robustness of an overall intelligence dimension was supported. The two-factor solution proved more informative and showed both that the Verbal and Performance domains are highly correlated and the presence of a second-order factor that may represent a kind of intellectual orientation or style. The three-factor solution provided the least compelling results and was not seen as a viable representation of the WAIS-R factor structure.


Most of the current radiation therapy planning systems, which are based on pre-treatment Computer Tomography (CT) images, assume that the tumor geometry does not change during the course of treatment. However, tumor geometry is shown to be changing over time. We propose a methodology to monitor and predict daily size changes of head and neck cancer tumors during the entire radiation therapy period. Using collected patients' CT scan data, MATLAB routines are developed to quantify the progressive geometric changes occurring in patients during radiation therapy. Regression analysis is implemented to develop predictive models for tumor size changes through entire period. The generated models are validated using leave-one-out cross validation. The proposed method will increase the accuracy of therapy and improve patient's safety and quality of life by reducing the number of harmful unnecessary CT scans.


Efforts to prevent marriages that are considered underage are stated in the revision of the Marriage Law (UUP) in Act No. 16 of 2019 which equates the marriage age limit for men and women to nineteen years. The purpose of the research in this article is to find out how to limit the age of marriage and the suitability of the principle of benefit of the revision of the UUP in the review of Maqashid Syari'ah. The method used in this study is a normative juridical approach and empirical data as a complement. The results showed that the practice of marriage which was considered underage occurred because the community believed that a child who entered the age of puberty should be immediately married, because it was feared that it would cause widespread damage, such as masturbation, adultery or in other forms, namely phone sex.


Our consideration of the future of medical education has properly centered on the new medical school, its relationship to its parent university, and the products we can expect it to turn out. However, I am secretly glad that we did not stop there, and that we have allowed a few additional moments to reflect on a quite different aspect which the new medical school presents, namely, the impact which it can be expected to have on the community in which it is to be located. I am learning rapidly that this is not a minor consideration, and more than once I have been tempted to suggest that the safest way to anticipate the community relationships of a new school of medicine is from the sun deck of a cruise ship in the south Pacific Ocean. However, since we can expect very little from this approach, I will try instead to


We found that a group of rubromycins and their analogues, a class of quinone antibiotics that possesses benzofuran and benzodipyran rings to form a spiroketal system, strongly inhibited human telomerase as assessed with a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol. beta- and gamma-Rubromycins and purpuromycin appeared to be the most potent telomerase inhibitors, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) of about 3 microM, and griseorhodins A and C also showed comparable potencies for the inhibition (IC(50) = 6-12 microM). In contrast, opening of the spiroketal system of beta-rubromycin, giving rise to alpha-rubromycin, substantially decreased its inhibitory potency toward telomerase (IC(50) > 200 microM), indicating the essential role of the spiroketal system in telomerase inhibition. A kinetic study of the inhibition by beta-rubromycin revealed a competitive interaction with respect to the telomerase substrate primer, with a K(i) of 0.74 microM, whereas a mixed type inhibition was observed with respect to the nucleotide substrate. beta-Rubromycin was also potent in inhibiting retroviral reverse transcriptases but had virtually no effect on other DNA/RNA-modifying enzymes including DNA and RNA polymerases, deoxyribonuclease, and topoisomerase. Although beta-rubromycin showed nonspecific cytotoxicities, reducing proliferation of cancer cells (IC(50) approximately 20 microM), we conclude that beta-rubromycin appears to be a lead structure for the development of more potent and selective inhibitors of human telomerase.


We present the case of a 39 years old woman who was referred to our day hospital unit because of anxiety. The patient didn't endorse any past psychiatric symptoms except for an acute psychotic episode in August 2010. In June 2010 she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (likely due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and was started on Methilmazole 30 mg. Shortly after that she reported persecutory ideation and hallucinations which quickly progressed, until she was hospitalized in a psychiatric facility. Upon admittance her lab work revealed severe hypothyroidism. Methilmazole was suspended, she was started on Haloperidol, and the symptoms went into remission after four days. Despite the fact that she self discontinued Haloperidol shortly after discharge, she showed no sign of psychotic symptoms. While it is widely accepted that hypothyroidism can cause depressive symptoms, to the best of our knowledge very few cases of psychotic symptoms associated with this condition have been described. Based on the patient's clinical history, on the rapid onset and remission of symptoms, on the lab values and on the doses of medication that were prescribed, we hypothesize that our patient's psychotic episode was caused by iatrogenic hypothyroidism.


Let S be a finite set of points in the plane, X ⊆ S, and z a point not in S. We say that X is a z–containing set if z is in the interior of the convex hull of X. Also X is a z–avoiding set if z is not contained in the interior of the convex hull of X. Let C(S) and A(S) denote the sets of minimal z–containing and maximal z–avoiding subsets of S. E. Boros and V. Gurvich raised the following question: Is it true that |A(S)| ≤ 2d|C(S)| where d is the dimension of the space? This inequality is obviously true for d = 1. In this paper we verify the inequality for d = 2 by proving the following stronger result: Theorem Let S be a finite set of points in the plane and z a point not in S. Suppose that z is in the interior of the convex hull of S. Then |A(S)| ≤ 3|C(S)| + 1. Moreover, the equality holds if and only if |S| = 4, the convex hull of S is a quadrilateral Q, and z is the point of intersection of the two diagonals of Q.


In this paper, the influence of sintering temperature on the output rate of the mullite which was formed from andalusite ore of Mei County Shaanxi at different constant temperature 1350°C, 1450°C, 1550°C and the mechanism which mullite was transformed were studied. The morphology of mullite formed at 1450°C was obtained by SEM, and the phase composition of andalusite ore sintered at different temperature was analyzed by XRD. The results shows that the mullitization effect of andalusite ore of Mei County Shaanxi is excellent, and the yield of mullite mineral can reach the desired results of 100% after andalusite mineral of Mei County Shaanxi is kept warming for 3 hours at the sintering temperature of 1450°C and cooled naturally with box-type resistance furnace. The mullite phase synthesized by andalusite ore of Mei County Shaanxi depends on not only the decomposition of andalusite, but also the secondary mullitization and the dissolution mechanism.


Ultrasonic studies at 85 kHz on polycrystalline Y Ba2Cu3O7−δ (Y123) below Tc, with an applied magnetic field, have yielded details of the interaction of the magnetic field with the superconductor. When the magnetic field is applied to the sample there is an immediate increase in acoustic damping, which then decreases logarithmically over an extended period of time to a trapped flux value. When the field is turned off a similar process is observed. The results are interpreted in terms of the Anderson–Kim model for thermally assisted flux creep, and they allow the determination of the apparent magnetic flux pinning energy. The results indicate two distinct pinning energies, one for the normal long term flux creep observed over minutes, and another lower value, which predominates during the first 5 s after a magnetic field is applied.


THIS is a welcome addition to the growing corpus of source texts available for the history of the Fulani Jihad in the Western Sudan. The author was the younger, full brother of Shehu Uthman, leader of that Jihad (during which 'Abdullah was his Wazir), and paternal uncle of the Shehu's successor, Sultan Bello. He became first Sarkin Gwandu under the new Fulani regime. Indeed he might have been expected to succeed the Shehu—on the normal Muslim principle of succession—but it has always been thought that the disturbed times virtually necessitated the choice of his nephew, Bello, younger and a stronger character and administrator, who has been called ' the 'Umar of the Jihad '. The author's own tastes were distinctly literary and ascetic (Introduction, p. 8 and pp. 21-22). Being so intimately concerned with the events from 1774 to 1813—the period covered by the text, and its prior background—his first-hand account is, obviously, of great importance. The text is presented in a clear Arabic type, with full annotations and translation by the editor, together with an excellent introduction, which deserves reading in its own right by all interested in the period and place. Indeed all the editing has been most carefully done— a model of its kind, and the result of an amount of work which only those who have had experience of these trying texts will appreciate fully. It is to be hoped that Ibadan University may produce the remaining ' historical' texts connected with the Jihad, in a comparable manner. (The bulk of the Jihad literature is of a legal character, and, though important from a judicial view, of less general interest.) In a short review it is not possible to go into great detail, but, apart from accounts of specific military incidents, much light is thrown by the text on the relations between the senior Fulani leaders of the Jihad, and also on the general atmosphere and ambience of the times. It is in this context that the author's work should be evaluated. As usual in such cases, the historical content is embedded in a literary and religious matrix, but this has its own importance as a demonstration of the cultural standards of the time (see important note 5 at foot of p. 7 of Introduction). The author died in 1828, and the Amirate of Gwandu has remained in his family. He was among the foremost local Arabists of his day, and has been deservedly fortunate in his editor. C. E. J. WHITTING


The LPG electronic control unit (ECU) performs automatic diagnostics of sensors and data signals according to the different load and road conditions of the engine, controls the injectors to prepare the best mix quantity and deliver the prepared mix to the intake manifold at the right time. In order to prepare the amount of LPG fuel, the signals received from LPG pressure sensor, LPG heat sensor, engine speed sensor and gasoline injectors are transmitted to LPG electronic control unit. In this study, components of an existing LPG system were examined. Taking into consideration the operational stages of the system, the functional characteristics of the electronic control unit of the LPG system were analyzed and a new control unit was designed in the light of the analyzed data. The new LPG electronic control unit, designed to control 4 LPG fuel injectors installed on a 4-cylinder spark plug ignition engine, was tested under real road conditions. The performance of the test vehicle, fuel economy and the compatibility of the vehicle with the designed LPG electronic control unit were observed in different road, temperature and speed conditions and the suitability of the product was checked.


Two field experiments in the Great Southern region of Western Australia compared the soil water content under lucerne (Medicago sativa) with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranean) and annual medic (Medicago polymorpha) over a 2-year period. Lucerne depleted soil water (10–150 cm) between 40 and 100 mm at Borden and 20 and 60 mm at Pingrup compared with annual pasture. There was also less stored soil water after wheat (Triticum aestivum) and canola (Brassica napus) phases which followed the lucerne and annual pasture treatments, 30 and 48 mm after wheat, 49 and 29 mm after canola at Borden and Pingrup, respectively. Lucerne plant densities declined over 2 seasons from 35 to 25 plants/m2 (Borden) and from 56 to 42 plants/m2 (Pingrup), although it produced herbage quantities similar to or greater than clover/medic pastures. The lucerne pasture also had a reduced weed component. Wheat yield at Borden was higher after lucerne (4.7 t/ha) than after annual pasture (4.0 t/ha), whereas at Pingrup yields were similar (2 t/ha) but grain protein was higher (13.7% compared with 12.6%) . There was no yield response to applied nitrogen after lucerne or annual pasture at either site, but it increased grain protein at both sites. There was no pasture treatment effect on canola yield or oil content at Borden (2 t/ha, 46% oil). However, at Pingrup yield was higher (1.5 t/ha compared to 1.3 t/ha) and oil content was similar (41%) following lucerne–wheat. The results show that lucerne provides an opportunity to develop farming systems with greater water-use in the wheatbelt of Western Australia, and that at least 2 crops can be grown after 3 years of lucerne before soil water returns to the level found after annual pasture.


Extracellular DNA traps are part of the innate immune response and are seen with many infectious, allergic, and autoimmune diseases. They can be generated by several different leukocytes, including neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes, as well as mast cells. Here, we review the composition of these extracellular DNA‐containing structures as well as potential mechanisms for their production and function. In general, extracellular DNA traps have been described as binding to and killing pathogens, particularly bacteria, fungi, but also parasites. On the other hand, it is possible that DNA traps contribute to immunopathology in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as bronchial asthma. In addition, it has been demonstrated that they can initiate and/or potentiate autoimmune diseases. Extracellular DNA traps represent a frequently observed phenomenon in inflammatory diseases, and they appear to participate in the cross‐talk between different immune cells. These new insights into the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases may open new avenues for targeted therapies.


Introduction: To promote the remineralization by ionic exchange mechanism instead of invasive techniques many remineralizing agents can be used. Objective: To evaluate the remineralization effects of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) on white spot lesions (WSLs) and its inhibitory effect on Streptococcus mutans colonization. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 60 subjects exhibiting at least 1-WSL. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: A test group using CPP-ACP cream (GC-Tooth Mousse, Leuven, Belgium) and a control group using only fluoride containing toothpaste for a period of 3-month. Baseline WSLs were scored using DIAGNOdent device (KaVo Germany) and the saliva samples were collected to measure S. mutans counts. After the 3-month period the WSLs were again recorded and the saliva collection was repeated. Result: DIAGNOdent measurements were increased by time (P = 0.002) in the control group and no statistically significant difference (P = 0.217) was found in the test group by the 3-month period. In both groups, the mutans counts were decreased in the 3-month experimental period. Conclusion: These clinical and laboratory results suggested that CPP-ACP containing cream had a slight remineralization effect on the WSL in the 3-month evaluation period however, longer observation is recommended to confirm whether the greater change in WSLs is maintained.


OBJECTIVE: To measure patient preferences for four different screening strategies: annual fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) alone; flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) every 5 years alone; both annual FOBT and FSIG every 5 years; or no screening. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: University internal medicine clinic. PATIENTS: Convenience sample of 146 adults (aged 50–75 years) with no previous history of colon cancer. INTERVENTION: Three-part educational program on colon cancer screening administered verbally by trained research assistants. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patient preferences for screening were measured at three points: after descriptive information about colon cancer and screening options (testing procedure information); after information about test performance but with no out-of-pocket costs (test performance information); and finally with hypothetical out-of-pocket costs (cost information). After only descriptive test information, the most popular strategies were FOBT alone (45%) or both tests (38%). Fewer patients preferred FSIG alone (13%). After information about test performance, more subjects preferred both tests (47%), and fewer subjects preferred FOBT alone (36%) (p=.12). With hypothetical out-of-pocket costs, the proportion preferring FOBT alone increased to 53%, while those preferring both tests decreased to 31% (p<.001). Less than 5% of patients preferred no screening. CONCLUSIONS: Patient preferences for colon cancer screening were modestly sensitive to information about test performance and strongly sensitive to out-of-pocket costs. The heterogeneity of patients' preferences for how to be screened supports informed shared decision making as a possible means of improving colon cancer screening.


In the early stages of design of complex systems, it is necessary to explore the design space to determine a suitable range for specifications and identify feasible starting points for design. A Robust Concept Exploration Method (RCEM) is developed to improve efficiency and effectiveness while making these early design decisions. An integrated design process is used to introduce quality consideration into the choice of robust top-level design specifications. This is achieved by integrating Taguchi's robust design principles and the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) into one multiobjective mathematical construct, namely, the compromise Decision Support Problem. The proposed approach is demonstrated for determining top-level specifications for airframe geometry and the propulsion system in the design of an integrated airframe/propulsion High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) system. The focus in this paper is on illustrating the approach rather than on the results per se.


Introduction. The paper presents the hygienic assessment of the complex physical and chemical factors affecting patients and staff in the different premises of institutional medical organizations. Material and methods. The comprehensive hygienic assessment of the internal environment of medical institutions was based on three in-patient medical institutions (IMI). The research objects were medical wards, operating rooms, treatment rooms, dressing rooms, physiotherapy rooms, laboratory and diagnostic rooms, utility rooms. The study included measurements of the following parameters: microclimate, noise, electromagnetic fields level in different frequency ranges, ion regime, assessment of natural light, artificial light, insolation, gamma radiation level, measurements of concentrations of carbon dioxide, oxygen, ozone, radon, mercury vapor, and volatile organic compounds. Results. It is shown that in the hospital environment, a person is affected by complex physical factors. Microclimatic parameters are one of the most significant factors in the hospital environment that require constant monitoring. The control of the given factor is exceptionally substantial in IMI buildings that are not equipped with in-patients an air conditioning system. The highest noise levels were found in physiotherapy rooms and diagnostic rooms. The primary source of noise in medical rooms is working equipment, inwards – conversational speech. Both patients and medical workers were established to receive the main electromagnetic load in diagnostic rooms, laboratory rooms, and physiotherapy rooms. The assessment of the light environment showed that each of the examined rooms was provided with a sufficient level of natural light, and the duration of insolation in the treatment rooms corresponded to hygienic requirements. The highest levels of artificial light were in rooms with led lights. In the air of the examined rooms, light ions of both polarities were either absent, or their content was below the minimum required concentration. Higher concentrations of organic acids and chlorine-containing compounds were found in the surveyed premises of IMO compared to the air in other public buildings. The highest concentration of chemical compounds in the air was observed in wards and diagnostic rooms. Conclusion. The need for regular monitoring of physical and chemical factors affecting patients and staff in IMI is justified. A list of physical factors for carrying out risk-oriented control in hospital premises, taking into account their functional purpose, is required.


Fixed and wireless networks are increasingly converging towards common connectivity with IP-based core networks. Providing effective end-to-end resource and QoS management in such complex heterogeneous converged network scenarios requires unified, adaptive and scalable solutions to integrate and co-ordinate diverse QoS mechanisms of different access technologies with IP-based QoS. Policy-Based Network Management (PBNM) is one approach that could be employed to address this challenge. Hence, a policy-based framework for end-to-end QoS management in converged networks, CNQF (Converged Networks QoS Management Framework) has been proposed within our project. In this paper, the CNQF architecture, a Java implementation of its prototype and experimental validation of key elements are discussed. We then present a fuzzy-based CNQF resource management approach and study the performance of our implementation with real traffic flows on an experimental testbed. The results demonstrate the efficacy of our resource-adaptive approach for practical PBNM systems.


BACKGROUND
Dental practitioners can be prone to stress because of the long working hours, high patient expectations, and work environment.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate dimensions of occupational stress among dental practitioners leading to burnout and to model its causality with job satisfaction.

METHODS
An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted for five months. A sample of 302 practicing dental practitioners was selected using the consecutive sample technique. This sample included dental practitioners working in clinical and non-clinical departments of public and private sector universities as well as those doing private general practice. A self-administered structured questionnaire based on the Work Stress Questionnaire was sent using Survey Monkey. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Spearman correlation was applied between stress scores and job satisfaction. A Chi-square test was applied to look into the association between stress levels and different categories. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed.

RESULT
The prevalence of overall occupational stress was high among dental practitioners (83.4%). Occupational stress was greatest in females (55.8%), dental practitioners in the private sector (55.7%), and general dental practitioners (GDPs) (47%). The overall prevalence of job satisfaction among dental professionals was 30% . Occupational stress was significantly associated with burnout and job dissatisfaction in dentistry. Stress levels and working hours were statistically and positively associated, whereas the association between stress levels and job satisfaction was inversely and significantly associated.

CONCLUSION
The prevalence of occupational stress among dental practitioners was high and the level of job satisfaction was moderate. The model between these variables was well-fitted.


Phenomena of coupling of wave paraxial beam and quasi-surface wave at perfectly conducting plane with segment of spatially oscillating surface impedance is considered. Integral equation for perturbed current distribution is obtained. Method of moments is used. Solution was expanded in terms of long harmonic subdomain (middle-domain) basis functions. Two types of discretization were applied. Advantages of complicated test functions in the form of harmonic superpositions of delta-functions were demonstrated.


This paper presents the analyses of nonlinear roll responses of a fishing boat in waves. In addition to roll damping nonlinearity, the nonlinear roll restoring which has seventh order equation has been taken into consideration to accurate control application. To overcome nonlinearity and the effects of uncertainties, LMI (Linear Matrix Inequality) based H2 and H State Feedback Control are applied for the fin roll stabilizer of a fishing boat. The fin characteristics are calculated by Star CCM+ package software. Finally, utilising the studies presented to illustrate the feasibility and efficiency of the H2 and H control methods, the results of the simulations are demonstrated the performance of fin roll stabilizer.


This book of essays presents ideas and opinions from leading VET writers and commentators about what the future might hold for VET in Australia. Half a dozen VET researchers and commentators contemplate the future of the VET sector. Their thoughts point to the need for more effort to articulate the role of VET in tertiary education and to streamline its governance. Copies of The future of VET: A medley of views are available from www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2284.html.


Two related needs are of growing importance in current and future networks: the necessity of defining, managing and storing user-related information and the necessity of uniquely identify a user across different communications technologies and service platforms. This functionality can be exploited on the user side to personalize services, to improve the portability of services over heterogeneous terminals and devices and to adapt services to available networking and terminal technologies. On the network side, the same functionality can give to operators more powerful tools to define self-organizing, and autonomic networking systems. Such systems could be designed so as to be able to react autonomously to changing contexts and environments. In this paper, we first discuss some major trends in the evolution of telecommunications networks and particularize such trends to the case of TISPAN, a committee of ETSI specializing in fixed networks and Internet convergence. Then, we propose a comprehensive solution to manage profiles and identities. More specifically, we: (i) design a distributed architecture to manage users profile information that can be used by operators and third party service providers; (ii) introduce XDI, a data interchange mechanism, which can be used to handle profiles and identities in our approach and (iii) introduce the "Universal Communication Identifier" (UCI), under standardization in ETSI, which can be exploited by our identity management procedures. Our proposed solution is based on legacy standards, and it is fully in line with the choices and design guidelines of TISPAN; thus, it is perfectly fit to be integrated in TISPAN.


OBJECTIVES
Study of the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection and of cohabiting contacts.

DESIGN
A descriptive crossover study.

SETTING
Health District.

PATIENTS
There were a total of 13,500 people with histories opened at our centre. The histories of patients attending for general medical consultations between January 1995 and December 1996 were reviewed for Ac+ to the Hepatitis C (HC) virus.

RESULTS
145 patients were found to be Ac positive for HC (1.07%; CI, 0.9-1.2). 135 were index cases and 10 contacts. The most important items of history were intravenous drug use in 33 carriers (23%), transfusion in 22 (15%), contact with non-disposable material in 97 (67%) and surgery in 119 (82%). 115 (79%) of those infected had Transaminase disorder (< x10).

CONCLUSIONS
The 1.07% prevalence found was similar to other studies. Previous surgery stood out among the factors causing risk of infection. Prevalence among cohabitants was 7%, half through sexual contacts. Since there was a higher prevalence of HC+ among family members (50% sexual partners), we believe the study should be extended and followed up in the family environment.


This paper introduces whole body motion planning for humanoid robots that is fundamentally important for functioning of humanoid robots within the living space of humans. Humanoid robots have multiple degrees of freedom (DOF). Because of this multi-DOF structure, whole body motion planning of humanoid robots is difficult and complex. In this paper, we separated whole body motion of humanoid robots into several partial motions. Separating whole body motion into several partial motions, we can overcome the difficulty and complexity of whole body motion planning for humanoid robots with high degrees of freedom. Each separated partial motion has only 6 DOF: X, Y, Z, Pitch, Yaw, and Roll. Based on these low-degrees of freedom, we can utilize efficient motion planning algorithm. As an algorithm of partial motion planning, the gradient-descent method was used. The correctness and efficiency of our algorithm was established by conducting simulations and experiments on the humanoid robot simulator and physical humanoid robot using the whole body motion planning algorithm developed in this research.


Financial conditions have tightened since the October 2018 Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR), but remain relatively accommodative, notably in the United States.1 After sharp declines in the fourth quarter of 2018, financial markets rebounded in early 2019. This turnaround in market sentiment has been supported by the Federal Reserve's more patient approach to monetary policy normalization. Given buoyant market sentiment, financial vulnerabilities—such as high leverage and liquidity, maturity, and currency mismatches—may continue to build, raising medium-term risks to global financial stability. Vulnerabilities in sovereign, corporate, and nonbank financial sectors are already elevated by historical standards in several systemically important countries that account for a significant share of the global economy. A sudden sharp tightening in financial conditions—triggered by investors' reassessment of the outlook for monetary policy in major advanced economies, a sharper-than-expected growth slowdown, protracted trade tensions, or a no-deal Brexit—could expose these vulnerabilities and raise near-term financial stability risks.


&NA; Gerald Klerman (1928‐1992) made substantial contributions to diagnosis and classification in psychiatry during a time of great change. He understood and appreciated the importance of descriptive, biological, psychoanalytic, social, interpersonal, and behavioral approaches and was uniquely able to integrate them cogently. He demanded that theories and hypotheses be tested empirically, and he spearheaded many key scientific research programs directed toward this goal, including the Clinical Studies of the National Institute of Mental Health Program on the Psychobiology of Depression. This article provides an overview of his contributions.


Data leakage is a budding security threat to organizations, particularly when data leakage is carried out by trusted agents. Using unobtrusive techniques for detecting data .Cloud is the main source for the owners to outsource the data. The data being outsourced to the cloud must be encrypted since the cloud is not trustful. There arises a range of problems, such as granting search capabilities to the data users by the owner, authorization for the data users search over a data owner's out sourced encrypted data, assurance that the cloud is faithfully to execute the search operations on their behalf. Verifiable attribute based keyword search (VABKS) is proposed to overcome the above problems. The solution allows a data user , whose credentials satisfy a data owner' s access control policy to (i) search over the data owner's outsourced encrypted data, (ii) outsource the tedious search operations to the cloud, and (iii) verify whether the cloud has faithfully executed the search operations.


Populations of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), were shown to differ significantly in their ability to transmit an isolate of tomato spotted wilt virus (Tospovirus: Bunyaviridae) (TSWV) collected from potato [Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae)]. To gain an understanding of the basis for this variation, we generated reciprocal crosses between an efficient and an inefficient transmitting population. The resulting F1 progeny and progeny from the parental populations were tested for their ability to transmit TSWV. Our results indicate that the ability to transmit TSWV efficiently by T. tabaci is inherited as a recessive trait.


In The Educational Imagination, Elliot Eisner presents a theory of educational criticism and a form of qualitative research in education. Central to his theory is the notion of the connoisseur, a particular kind of observer who, on the basis of certain qualities, can be trusted to write an incisive and illuminating account of an educational setting. The theory is illustrated by a range of examples of educational criticism in practice. This paper reflects on the author's attempt to apply educational criticism in a self‐reflexive way in the context of a Teaching and Learning Research Initiative project on teaching literature in the multicultural classroom. A number of questions are raised about observation as a data collection instrument, the ethics of observation and reporting, and ways in which a commitment to dialogue can impact on the textual products of criticism. If the observed teacher is an artist, what might they want to say to the connoisseur observer and how might this talking back affect the criticism itself?


The limitation of microscopy, culture and radiology in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, especially smear negative and extra pulmonary, are well known. Hence, attempts have been going on to find a suitable serodiagnostic test. One such test was based on Kaolin Agglutination using tuberculo phosphatide as antigen. A study was done to find out the usefulness of this test in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Serum specimens from 297 newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients and 208 healthy controls, were subjected to Kaolin Agglutination Test (KAT) using tuberculo phosphatide as antigen. Of the 297 X-ray positives, 184 were sputum smear positive and 237 were culture positive for M.tuberculosis. A titre of ≥ 16 was taken to be diagnostic. The test picked up 53.6 percent of the culture positives and 54.0 percent of the microscopy positives correctly. Also, 48.8 percent of the X-ray positives and 14.2 percent of the healthy controls were found positive. The overall sensitivity of KAT was 53.6 percent and specificity 85.8 percent which does not make the test suitable for diagnosis of tuberculosis.


Vocal attack time (VAT), is a parameter which could provide information about vocal folds attack gesture during pre-phonatory phase. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of vocal intensity on VAT. Simultaneously, sound pressure level and electroglottographic signals were collected from 50 participants (25 females and 25 males). The participants were asked to read aloud 12 disyllabic word stimuli using three different intensity levels, comfortable intensity first, then soft intensity and finally loud intensity. The data collected were then subjected to calculation of VAT values using a Matlab-based analysis program. Results indicated that both female and male participants demonstrated the shortest VAT values at loud intensity but the longest VAT values at soft intensity. Both gender groups show similar performance across the three intensity levels. This study provides some empirical data to support the use of VAT as a clinical tool for voice assessment.


The aim of this paper is analyzing the level ratio of tax revenue and GDP depending on different consumer behaviors between two groups of countries: ASEAN-7 plus China (called the Eastern) and eight European countries (called the Western). The study applied the Feasible Generalized Least Square model to confirm the robustness of the Panel Corrected Standard Errors model, and the results indicate that all countries have a positive association between tax revenue with the human capital and FDI variables. In addition, in the Eastern, forest area and broad money has a statistically significantly positive impact on tax revenue while gross savings has a negative one. Further, the Western witnessed the positive impact with gross savings while broad money variables lead to a decrease in tax revenue. The major results indicate that in the East, the Governments should focus on how to improve their taxation by promoting the broad money M2 and expanding the forest area as well as support their consumers spending more instead of saving. In contrast, European countries try to reduce the M2, encouraging their consumers to save more. The Eastern and Western governments may control natural and demographic determinants aimed to support taxation and sustainable economic growth.


Abstract Sidechain liquid-crystalline polymers were prepared by the derivatization of three poly(4-hydroxystyrene) fractions of different molecular weights (Mw = 1.0 × 104, 2.2 × 104 and 3.0 × 104). 4-Cyanoazobenzene and 4-cyanobiphenyl were incorporated as mesogenic groups with ether-linked methylene spacers of varying length. The polymers all exhibited a smectic A phase, with the exception of the propyl member of the cyanobiphenyl series for which no liquid-crystalline behavior was observed. For short spacers the thermal properties were insensitive to molecular weight changes in the backbone, whereas small but consistent differences in the transition temperatures and entropies were observed as the number of methylene groups in the spacer increased.


OBJECTIVES
Leg wound infection is a common complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Suture contamination has been suggested as a mechanism of surgical site infections. Vicryl Plus(®) is a polyglacitin suture coated with the antiseptic chemical substance Triclosan, which has been shown to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. The first aim of the present study was to compare Vicryl Plus with conventional Vicryl(®) sutures with regard to leg wound infections following CABG. The second aim was to examine patient- and operative characteristics, which are assumed to predict leg wound infections.

METHODS
After statistical calculations a priori, 328 CABG patients were prospectively randomized to leg wound closure with Vicryl Plus (164 patients) or conventional Vicryl sutures (164 patients). Incidences of leg wound infection and predictors of infection related to patient- and operative characteristics were examined.

RESULTS
The incidence of leg wound infections was 10.4% (17/163) in the Vicryl group, and 10.0% (16/160) in the Vicryl Plus group (P = 1.00). Patients with leg wound infections had increased body mass index and prolonged extracorporeal circulation and aortic clamping time compared with patients without infections.

CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, we report for the first time that Vicryl Plus did not reduce the incidence of leg wound infections in patients undergoing CABG. Obesity and prolonged time of extracorporeal circulation were both associated with the increased risk of infections. Currently, the clinical role and indication for the use of Vicryl Plus have yet to be defined.


OBJECTIVE
Innate immune responses activate synoviocytes and recruit inflammatory cells into the rheumatoid joint. Type I interferons (IFNs) play a role in autoimmunity, and IFN gene transcription is activated by IFN-regulatory factors (IRFs) in response to innate sensor recognition. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of genetic deficiency of IRF-7 in a passive K/BxN serum-transfer model of arthritis.

METHODS
Passive-transfer arthritis was induced in IRF-7(-/-) mice, and additional groups were treated with IFNβ or poly(I-C). Clinical arthritis scoring, histologic assessment, micro-computed tomography, and synovial tissue quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis were performed. Mouse serum was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS
In the passive K/BxN serum-transfer model, arthritis severity was significantly increased in IRF-7(-/-) mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, expression of IFNβ in synovium and serum was decreased, potentially contributing to increased arthritis. IRF-7(-/-) mice injected with replacement IFNβ had a decrease in arthritis. Poly(I-C) treatment diminished arthritis in IRF-7(-/-) mice, restored synovial IFNβ gene expression, and increased serum levels of IFNβ. In vitro studies demonstrated that poly(I-C) stimulation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from IRF-7(-/-) mice resulted in increased induction of proinflammatory gene expression as compared with FLS from WT mice; however, IFNβ expression was not significantly different. In contrast, peritoneal macrophages from IRF-7(-/-) mice showed significantly less induction of IFNβ in response to poly(I-C) stimulation.

CONCLUSION
IRF-7 deficiency exacerbates arthritis and replacement treatment with IFNβ or poly(I-C) decreases arthritis severity. Both macrophage- and synoviocyte-specific roles of IRF-7 likely contribute to the increased arthritis. IRF-7 might play an antiinflammatory role in passive-transfer arthritis through regulation of macrophage IFNβ production.


This bachelor thesis describes a new method for attempting to solve Sokoban puzzles by means of an efficient algorithm, a task which has proven to be extremely difficult because of both the huge search tree depth and the large branching factor. We present a way of solving Sokoban puzzles that, using several heuristics, starts from the final state of a puzzle, and from there works its way back to the initial state. This method makes the time-consuming checking for a large portion of the undesired deadlocks unnecessary, giving some interesting results.


The question of how the central nervous system can distinguish tilt with respect to gravity from inertial acceleration due to translation in a horizontal plane using vestibular information has long been debated by the scientific community over the past ten years. Recently, it was hypothesized that such discrimination may be based on the multisensory integration of information provided by the otolith organs and the semicircular canals. Some evidence of such processing was found in the neural activity of cells in the fastigial nuclei and vestibular nuclei. To investigate the ability of the central nervous system to build an internal model of self motion based on vestibular signals, we developed an artificial vestibular sensor composed of accelerometers and gyroscopes providing movement data of the same nature as that transduced by the otoliths and canals, respectively. Here we show that the processing of these signals based on the multisensory integration hypothesis can be successfully used to discriminate tilt from translation and that the internal model based on such processing can successfully track angular and linear displacements over short periods of time


As a country that has many islands, Indonesia faces a challenge of inequality electrification ratio. The big islands with dense population such as Java and Sumatra could build large electricity generation plants and distribute electricity with economies scale. On the other hand, it is not economical to build large power plants on small and isolated islands; because of the investment cost per number of population is still very high. Therefore, a strategy to build an independent power plant in small island such as Madura is still a challenge for the government. In addition, to build a power plant in Madura, requires a comprehensive analysis of electricity energy needs in the future and capacity planning to fulfill the demand. Madura has the potential to develop its own power plant. However, Madura still relies on supplies from the island of Java. Therefore, in this research, we use system dynamics as a framework to develop a simulation model to project the future demand and power plant capacity planning based on consideration that system dynamics can conduct the demand projection and capacity planning as well as developing scenarios to fulfill demand in 25 years.


The temperature-dependent behavior of p-type transparent semiconducting oxide CuAlO2 single crystals prepared by using a flux self-removal method in alumina crucibles was investigated through transmittance and photoluminescence (PL) measurements at temperatures from 12 K to room temperature. The low-temperature (12 K) PL spectrum shows two weak, broad emission peaks, one at 3.52 eV and the other at 3.08 eV, which we assign to excitonic emission and to defectrelated emission originating from copper vacancies. The positions of the PL peaks as functions of temperature exhibit a normal behavior satisfying the standard Varshini law, and the Debye temperature is found to be θD = 610 ± 80 K. The exciton-binding energy of the CuAlO2 single crystal is estimated to be 49 meV from the PL intensity change with temperature.


Past research has found that the effect of odd-ending price (e.g., $9.99) can be explained by the left-digit effect whereby the leftmost digits of both prices influence the comparison of a pair of prices. However, research on psychological pricing has mostly focused on low-priced retailing products and the focal product's price per se. Informed by prospect theory, this study extended this line of work by examining how the effect of left-digit pricing varies with the magnitude of hotel room rates (i.e., price level) and the size of prior investment in other travel components (i.e., composite price). The results of 2×2×2 experimental revealed that left-digit pricing was an effective tactic to increase purchase intentions for low-priced hotels. It was also found that tourists who have made a substantial prepayment on other travel components were responsive to the tactic. Additionally, composite price and left-digit pricing were found to moderate the relationship between perceived value and purchase intentions.


This paper explores intersections between film reception and definitions of urban space, particularly the inner-city, gay neighbourhoods of Sydney. The reception in the Australian print media of two American movies is examined in the light of controversies provoked by the geographic location of potential screening venues. Word is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives (1977) and Brokeback Mountain (2007), each inspired discussion in the Australian media about whether they would or would not (should or should not) be screened in areas outside the inner-city. These discussions reveal a great deal about the role of the movies in the history of a city and about the historically and spatially constituted nature of attitudes to homosexuality.


This paper is a review of studies that investigate factors that determine starting wages of university graduates. The focus is laid upon the works addressing the question: To what extent can starting graduate wages be indicative of the quality of education received? We discuss the theoretical conceptions shedding light on the reasons for differences in wages of fresh graduates: the theory of human capital, the job market signaling theory, the theory of compensating wage differentials, and empirical studies aimed at measuring the influence various factors have on the size of starting wages. An analysis of different studies has shown that, despite the important role played by the quality of education, there are many other factors that can have an impact on wages. Such factors include heterogeneity of graduates and jobs, market imperfections, individual preferences of graduates and their strategies of entering the labor market. The provided review and critical analysis of studies designed to assess the correlations between the quality of higher education and the level of starting wages for graduates allows us to define the general requirements to data quality in case of Russia adopts the system of university graduate monitoring.


For two-dimensional many-particle systems first-order, second-order, single step continuous, as well as two-step continuous (KTHNY-like) melting transitions have been found in previous studies. Recent computer simulations, using particle numbers in the $\geq 10^5$ range, as well as a few experimental studies, tend to support the two-step scenario, where the solid and liquid phases are separated by a third, so called hexatic phase. Our simulation studies on the time needed for the equilibration of the systems conclude that the hexatic phase is metastable and disappears in the limit of long times. We also show that simply increasing the particle number in particle simulations does not necessarily result in more accurate conclusions regarding the existence of the hexatic phase, the increase of the system size has to be accompanied with the increase of the simulation time to ensure properly thermalized conditions.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Obesity precedes and is strongly linked to the development of type 2 diabetic nephropathy in most patients, yet little is known about the effects of weight reduction on this disease. This study aimed to establish proof of concept for the hypothesis that weight reduction ameliorates diabetic nephropathy.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS
Six obese individuals with advanced diabetic nephropathy (estimated GFR <40 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), urine albumin excretion >30 mg/d) currently taking a renin-aldosterone axis inhibitor underwent a 12-week very low calorie ketogenic weight reduction diet with encouragement of exercise between March and September 2012. Albuminuria and other parameters of kidney health were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS
There was a 12% reduction in weight (median 118.5 versus 104.3 kg, P=0.03). The intervention was associated with a 36% reduction in albuminuria that did not reach statistical significance (2124 versus 1366 mg/24 h, P=0.08) and significant reductions in the filtration markers serum creatinine (3.54 versus 3.13 mg/dl, P<0.05) and cystatin C (2.79 versus 2.46 mg/l, P<0.05). Improvements were also noted for the diabetes markers fasting glucose (166 versus 131 mg/dl, P<0.05), fasting insulin (26.9 versus 10.4 μU/ml, P<0.05), and insulin resistance (9.6 versus 4.2, P=0.03). Physical function, general health, and the number of diabetes medications also showed statistically significant signs of improvement.

CONCLUSIONS
After a short-term intensive weight reduction intervention in patients with advanced diabetic nephropathy, improvements were observed in markers of glomerular filtration, diabetes status, and risk factors for kidney disease progression, as well as other general indicators of health and well-being.


Recreational, reclaimed and drinking source waters worldwide are under increasing anthropogenic pressure, and often contain waterborne enteric bacterial, protozoan, and viral pathogens originating from non-point source fecal contamination. Recently, the capsid integrity (ci)-qPCR, utilizing the azo-dyes propidium monoazide (PMA) or ethidium monoazide (EMA), has been shown to reduce false-positive signals under laboratory conditions as well as in food safety applications, thus improving the qPCR estimation of virions of public health significance. The compatibility of two widely used human adenovirus (HAdV) qPCR protocols was evaluated with the addition of a PMA/EMA pretreatment using a range of spiked and environmental samples. Stock suspensions of HAdV were inactivated using heat, UV, and chlorine before being quantified by cell culture, qPCR, and ci-qPCR. Apparent inactivation of virions was detected for heat and chlorine treated HAdV while there was no significant difference between ci-qPCR and qPCR protocols after disinfection by UV. In a follow-up comparative analysis under more complex matrix conditions, 51 surface and 24 wastewater samples pre/post UV treatment were assessed for enteric waterborne HAdV to evaluate the ability of ci-qPCR to reduce the number of false-positive results when compared to conventional qPCR and cell culture. Azo-dye pretreatment of non-UV inactivated samples was shown to improve the ability of molecular HAdV quantification by reducing signals from virions with an accessible genome, thereby increasing the relevance of qPCR results for public health purposes, particularly suited to resource-limited low and middle-income settings.


Abstract Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) is not native to Africa. Based on the presence and persistence of A. palmeri populations, its invasive status in southern Africa is classified as "naturalized." Globally, A. palmeri is one of the most troublesome weed species in several crops, including soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], maize (Zea mays L.), and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Certain populations of A. palmeri in various countries were reported to be resistant to herbicides with different sites of action (SOAs). Two biotypes of A. palmeri in the United States reportedly each have resistance to herbicides representing five different SOAs, and between them a total of eight different SOAs are involved. Resistance mechanisms in these biotypes involve target-site and/or non–target site resistance. Here we characterize a specific A. palmeri population that was found in the Douglas district in South Africa and showed resistance to various herbicide SOAs. Initially, this A. palmeri population was discovered in a glyphosate-tolerant cotton field, where it survived glyphosate treatment. Subsequently, greenhouse experiments were conducted to characterize this A. palmeri population for potential resistance to herbicides of additional SOAs, and molecular analyses were conducted to reveal the mechanisms of herbicide resistance. Results indicated resistance to chlorimuron-ethyl and glyphosate in this population, while <90% control (decreased sensitivity) was observed at the label rate for mesotrione, atrazine, saflufenacil, and S-metolachlor. However, glufosinate, tembotrione, acifluorfen, dicamba, 2,4-D, metribuzin, acetochlor, isoxaflutole, diflufenican, and pyroxasulfone were effective at controlling this population. This profiling of herbicide sensitivity has allowed development of programs to control and potentially minimize the spread of this weed. In addition, molecular analysis of EPSPS revealed the role of higher copy number as a mechanism for glyphosate resistance in this population and a Ser-653-Asn target-site mutation likely conferring resistance to the acetolactate synthase–inhibitor chlorimuron-ethyl. No known target-site mutations were identified for the protoporphyrinogen oxidase–inhibitor group.


This study analysed household food vulnerability during harvest and hunger (postharvest) periods in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Primary data were collected through the use of questionnaire. The metropolis was stratified into low, medium and high income settlement areas from each of which 60 households were randomly selected to make a total of 180 households. The data were analysed by descriptive and econometric techniques including 3 Stage Feasible Generalised Least Squares regression methods. Majority of the households in the metropolis were male headed 68.5%) and had an average household size of between 4 and 8 members (71.6%), 95.7% of the households had at least one literate household member. Household per capita food consumption was significantly reduced in Ibadan metropolis by increased use of management coping strategy


AVIATION MEDICINE IN ITS PREVENTIVE ASPECTS. An Historical Survey. By John F. Fulton. New York, Oxford University Press, 1948. 174 pp., illus. $3.00. It seems proper that a physiologist should have wvritten a book about aviation medicine, dealing as it does with I. Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization: The History of Oxygen; II. Decompression Sickness: The Genesis of the Tissue Bubble; III. Pressure Cabins and Explosive Decompression; The Spring of the Air; IV. Effects of Acceleration: DimOut and Black-Out; Protective Measures; and V. Man and the Machine: Problems of Safety in Flight. If you enjoy reading for pleasure, open Dr. Fulton's book at any page and start in. Well-written and readable, it blends history and science in a way which might serve as an example of excellence to many of our medical writers. You will quickly discover that the pilot or the passenger in an aircraft can take to the air and land safely only if the designer as well as the pilot do their work within the limitations of man's physiology. You will find that the pioneer in this field was a man who never saw an airplane. Robert Boyle wrote The Spring of the Air about three hundred years ago, discussed altitude sickness, and first mentioned the occurrence of tissue bubbles in animals confined in low pressure chambers. Since Boyle's time, the practical applications of his and subsequent physiological observations have become apparent. One might conclude with Dr. Fulton that one of the first things to consider in developing a new engineering discovery would be the way in which the human organism nmight be affected by the physical and physiological forces involved. Thus, designers should logically ask for consultation from physiologists and other miiedical scientists early in their labors. That this was not always so is attested to by Dr. Fulton's report of ". . . Air Marshal Harris's expostulations in 1940-1 over the size of the tailgunner's compartment in our early B-17 bombers-compartments which to man would require the development of a race of pygmies-. . . [and] ... his infinite delight on witnessing an aircraft designer stuck and unable to move in attempting to seat himself at the rear-gunner's station." This special medical field in which the environmental factors have a vital bearing upon the health of people who fly has expanded largely through the application of sound scientific principles to the problems at hand. This lesson must be applied to every occupational field if we are to succeed in teaching man to live safely and in good health in his industrialized world.


Studies that have investigated soil carbon dynamics under Mediterranean conditions are scarce and fragmented and contrasting results have often been reported. This study aimed to fill some gaps in our knowledge by: (i) determining annual dynamics of total (RS) and heterotrophic (RH) soil respiration; (ii) estimating annual cumulative RS and RH; and (iii) investigating the relationships between RS and RH and soil temperature and water content. The study was carried out in central Italy, for a plain and a hilly site, with the focus on two main cropping systems: an alfalfa-based forage system and a wheat-based rotation system. RS and RH showed different dynamics, with spatial and temporal variability across these sites. Estimated annual cumulative RS fluxes were 8.97 and 7.43 t C ha –1 yr–1 for the plain and hilly alfalfa-based sites, respectively, and 4.67 and 5.22 t C ha–1 yr–1 for the plain and hilly wheat-based sites, respectively. The RH components of RS were 4.26 and 3.52 t C ha –1 yr–1 for the plain and hilly alfalfa-based sites, respectively, and 3.89 and 2.45 t C ha–1 yr–1 for the plain and hilly wheat-based sites, respectively. A model with a combination of soil temperature and soil water content explained 43 % to 49 % and 33 % to 67 % of the annual variation of RS and RH, respectively. These findings help to extend our knowledge of Mediterranean cropping systems, although further studies are needed to clarify the effects of management practices on the modelling of soil respiration efflux.


Minimizing infant pain has become a significant concern worldwide. However, in Oman there are no standardized, evidence-based (EB) guidelines of care for achieving this goal. Pain management strategies and protocols vary considerably among neonatal health care professionals and between neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and are not evidence based. Moreover, there are no neonatal pain assessment tools to help staff detect and learn how to manage pain.
 This study used an ethnographic approach to explore how nurses approach and interact with babies being cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit in Oman, with a particular focus on pain. There have been very few qualitative studies of NICU nursing, and no studies have been found that focused on neonatal pain.
 An ethnographic approach enabled me to explore how organizational culture informs the management of neonatal pain; for example, how pain was perceived, assessed, and managed by nurses, the barriers or challenges the nursing staff face from implementing appropriate strategies, the impact of NICU environment on how nurses interact with babies.
The study's primary aim was to explore the experiences and understanding of neonatal pain and its management among NICU Nurses caring for babies who have been admitted to NICU in 'Hope' Hospital in Oman. Data collection took place over four months. A range of qualitative data collection methods were used to answer the research questions (observational field work and interviews). Following a period of 6 weeks general observation of nurses' work in NICU, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 20 Omani and Non- Omani Neonatal Nurses until data saturation was reached. The sample included nurses with different levels of training, to explore whether, how and why nurses differ in their behaviours, approaches and beliefs regarding pain and pain management.
 The immediate outcomes of the study were to achieve a better understanding of how neonatal pain was assessed and managed by nurses in NICU, how this was influenced by organizational culture, and to gain insight into nurses' understandings of baby's pain and how it was managed. Four themes emerged from the research data collection, the NICU environment, complexity of organisational culture, lack of professional autonomy and inconsistency of pain practice. In the first theme, the NICU environment has particular environmental stressors (crowded, busy, noisy, and handling). It appeared that the environment is one of the major challenges for nursing staff in their practice and interaction with the babies. The majority of nurses reported that these stressors affect babies' development and cause the NICU nurses to experience stress. In the second theme, the organisational culture appear to have an impact on nurses' performance, as the culture was experienced as unhealthy, blaming and unsupportive to the nursing staff. Due to that, all the nursing staff revealed that they were overwhelmed, depressed and unsatisfied. Lack of training was a major concern to the nurses.
 The third and fourth themes, showed that lack of neonatal policies and guidelines, lack of resources, non-acceptance of evidence based practice, and lack of involving nurses in decision making of patients' care were of major concern to nurses that hindered their care for the babies in NICU. Also, lack of training, the year of experience and doctors' dominance contributed to the nurses' feeling of powerlessness, lack of confidence, and lack of ownership. Although the participants showed themselves to be knowledgeable about pain and its management this varied from one nurse to another, and the majority of the nurses during the observation showed their actions were not consistent with their knowledge. Most importantly, babies' centrality was not visible and was not a priority in the unit's daily routines, which indicates that the concept of patient centred care (PCC) was not applied. The research findings suggest some areas of improvement to implement PCC, in which the health of work environment in NICU needs attention to ensure safety and optimal outcomes for babies and their families. A cultural shift is needed for healthy relationships to support health care providers (nurses) and the baby's families. The culture of patient's care has to shift from task orientation to patient centred care. The hospital organisation has to make PCC a priority and this can be achieved through involvement of family to meet baby's needs, by developing a trusting relationship between nurses and baby's families and by introducing emotional support services. To create a culture of PCC, hospital culture has to be sensitive to reject any behaviours that do not put patients first. Also, neonatal pain education is of great importance to support in PCC implementation, to bridge the gap of knowledge and empower the nurses. Evidence based pain policies and guidelines, and job description at all the levels should be developed and implemented across the country and evaluated periodically to ensure consistency of practice and maintain patient centeredness.


This conceptual paper sets out the community-of-inquiry framework from a distributed perspective. It proposes that considering teaching presence, social presence and cognitive presence from a distributed perspective allows the broadening of the presences to consider the way in which participants, content and tools maintain and advance these presences. Distance education is problematic since the separation of instructor and student necessitates a change of pedagogy. The paper argues that by distributing the typical silos of "teaching" and "learning", more flexible opportunities are enabled. The distribution of the three presences across participants, content and tools is proposed as one way of mitigating distances in distance education. It is recommended that the proposed model be subject to empirical research to ascertain the usefulness of the model in practice.


501 Background: Neoadjuvant therapy produces high rates of pathological complete response (pCR) and is the standard of care in HER2 positive breast cancer; however, the optimal treatment regimen remains to be established. Methods: In this randomized phase II study patients ≥18 years with HER2 positive breast cancer > 20mm or verified lymph node metastases were randomized to 6 courses of docetaxel, trastuzumab and pertuzumab (DTP, group A) or trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1, group B), q 21 days. The protocol allowed switch to the competing treatment upon lack of response or drug-related severe toxicity. Patients received postoperative epirubicin+cyclophosphamide, trastuzumab for a total of one year and endocrine therapy. Accrual was completed in October 2018 after randomization of 202 patients, data on pCR were available for 190 at the time for this abstract submission. Median age, 52 years (26-74), menopausal status, histological type and grade were well balanced between the treatment groups. 62.6% of the tumors were hormone receptor (HR) positive. Results: Primary endpoint was pathological objective response. 190 patients completed the protocol-specified preoperative treatment. pCR was achieved in 45.3% of patients, 46.4% in patients treated with DTP and 44.1% with T-DM1 (chi-sq., p = 0.75). In HR-positive tumors, pCR was obtained in 35.3% of patients, 35.9% in group A vs. 34.6% in group B (p = 0.87); in HR-negative tumors, the overall pCR rate was 62.0%, 66.7% in group A vs. 57.9% in group B (p = 0.45). Severe (grade 3/4) toxicity was reported at 68 occasions related to DTP, compared with 16 related to T-DM1, 26 vs. 3 caused by febrile neutropenia. Significantly better quality of life was reported by patients treated with T-DM1. Conclusions: Our data on TDM-1 demonstrates similar efficacy and less toxicity, in particular for patients with HER2 and HR positive cancers, being a potential new standard for neoadjuvant therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT02568839.


BACKGROUND
In patients with severe degenerative aortic stenosis (DAS) the operative mortality risk is 3% for isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR), but it significantly increases in patients with concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) and internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS).

AIM
To assess the frequency of ICAS > or = 50% and factors determining its occurrence in patients with severe calcified DAS referred for AVR.

METHODS
The study included 104 patients (67 men), aged 63.4+/-8.4 years, with symptomatic moderate-to-severe DAS (aortic valve area <1.5 cm2) undergoing coronary angiography prior to valve surgery. In all patients Doppler ultrasound of carotid arteries was performed with the assessment of lumen stenosis.

RESULTS
Significant CAD, defined as at least one lumen reduction > or = 50% in a main coronary artery, was found in 44 (42.3%) patients and ICAS > or = 50% in 13 (12.5%) patients. Among patients with DAS, 12 (27.3%) out of 44 patients with significant CAD and 1 (1.7%) out of 60 patients without CAD had ICAS > or = 50% (p <0.001). The frequency of ICAS > or = 50% increased with advancing CAD, occurring in 4 (25%) out of 16 patients with 1-vessel CAD, 3 (25%) out of 12 with 2-vessel CAD and (31.3%) out of 16 patients with 3-vessel CAD (p <0.001). The independent ICAS predictors by multivariate regression analysis were identified as: concomitant CAD (p <0.001), diabetes (p=0.054), cigarette smoking (p=0.08) and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.039). ICAS > or = 50% was found to be an independent predictor of CAD (p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS
ICAS > or = 50% occurs in 13% of patients with isolated DAS and in 27% of those with DAS and CAD. Independent ICAS risk factors were identified as CAD, diabetes and cigarette smoking. Duplex ultrasound of carotid arteries should be considered in patients with DAS and concomitant CAD prior to AVR.


Human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) have the capacity to generate a wide range of somatic cells, thus representing an ideal tool for regenerative medicine. Patient-derived hiPSCs are also used for in vitro disease modeling and drug screenings. Several studies focused on the identification of DNA mutations generated, or selected, during the derivation of hiPSCs, some of which are known to drive cancer formation. Avoiding such stable genomic aberrations is paramount for successful use of hiPSCs, but it is equally important to ensure that their epigenetic information is correct, given the critical role of epigenetics in transcriptional regulation and its involvement in a plethora of pathologic conditions. In this review we will focus on genomic imprinting, a prototypical epigenetic mechanism whereby a gene is expressed in a parent-of-origin specific manner, thanks to the differential methylation of specific DNA sequences. Conventional hiPSCs are thought to be in a pluripotent state primed for differentiation. They display a hypermethylated genome with an unexpected loss of DNA methylation at imprinted loci. Several groups recently reported the generation of hiPSCs in a more primitive developmental stage, called naïve pluripotency. Naïve hiPSCs share several features with early human embryos, such as a global genome hypomethylation, which is also accompanied by a widespread loss of DNA methylation at imprinted loci. Given that loss of imprinting has been observed in genetic developmental disorders as well as in a wide range of cancers, it is fundamental to make sure that hiPSCs do not show such epigenetic aberrations. We will discuss what specific imprinted genes, associated with human pathologies, have been found commonly misregulated in hiPSCs and suggest strategies to effectively detect and avoid such undesirable epigenetic abnormalities.


An analysis is made of the phenomenon of self-induced erosion and spectral breaking of ionizing high-power microwave pulses propagating in a gas. The analysis describes in an analytically explicit and physically clear way the consistent interaction between the microwave pulse and the self-induced breakdown plasma. In particular, it clarifies, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the mechanisms behind the pulse erosion and the spectral breaking phenomenon, i.e. the splitting of the pulse spectrum into a redshifted and a blueshifted peak as observed in numerical simulation results as well as in experiments.


Modification of cellular proteins with O-GlcNAc (O-linked N-acetylglucosamine) competes with protein phosphorylation and regulates a plethora of cellular processes. O-GlcNAcylation is orchestrated by two opposing enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase and OGA (O-GlcNAcase or β-N-acetylglucosaminidase), which recognize their target proteins via as yet unidentified mechanisms. In the present study, we uncovered the first insights into the mechanism of substrate recognition by human OGA. The structure of a novel bacterial OGA orthologue reveals a putative substrate-binding groove, conserved in metazoan OGAs. Guided by this structure, conserved amino acids lining this groove in human OGA were mutated and the activity on three different substrate proteins [TAB1 (transforming growth factor-β-activated protein kinase 1-binding protein 1), FoxO1 (forkhead box O1) and CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein)] was tested in an in vitro deglycosylation assay. The results provide the first evidence that human OGA may possess a substrate-recognition mechanism that involves interactions with O-GlcNAcylated proteins beyond the GlcNAc-binding site, with possible implications for differential regulation of cycling of O-GlcNAc on different proteins.


A weight study was conducted of the Ford Fairmont 4-door sedan with 4-cylinder engine and 4-speed manual transmission. The vehicle teardown was limited to the detail necessary to be useful to project near term weight reduction for automotive fuel economy studies. A complete parts list, which includes component description, quantity per car, total weight per car, material description, method of fabrication, and gauge thickness and photographs of the major components, are presented.


Aim: There is need to resolve the continuing difficult question regarding the possible relationship between mammary dysplasia and breast cancer.
Method: This is a 30-year study of the incidences of both mammary dysplasia and breast cancer occurring among the Igbos, a major ethnic group in Nigeria, West Africa.
Results: Out of 1304 cases of breast cancer found in a personal histopathology data pool, 8 (0.6%) had previously presented with mammary dysplasia. This figure falls within the 0.2% – 7% range published in the literature.
Conclusion: It is hypothesized that the true relationship will be discovered through simply promoting thorough doctor-patient communications worldwide.
 Keywords : Breast, Dysplasia, Cancer, Epidemiology. Journal of College of Medicine Vol. 12 (2) 2007: pp. 49-50


This outlines the origin and fundamental principles of International Space University's approach to space education. The three pillars of this approach: international; intercultural; and interdisciplinary are introduced and their role in shaping ISU's programs is discussed. The educational needs of the space community are addressed, as well as ISU's strategy to meet these needs. This article concludes with a brief discussion of some achievements of this strategy and some plans for the future


BACKGROUND
Anticancer drugs for targeted molecular therapies have been applied to the treatment of lung cancer. Since the effects of medicine for adenocarcinoma (ADC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) differ, the ability to discriminate these lesions is important. In the present study, we examined whether ADC and SQCC could be distinguished using low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) to examine cytopathological specimens.

METHODS
Thirty-seven cases of bronchoscopic samples were retrospectively examined using LVSEM on the surface structures of the cancer cells.

RESULTS
Among the Pap-stained slides, 81.1% of the cases could be distinguished: 96.2% of the ADC cases were distinguishable, and 45.5% of the SQCC cases were distinguishable. Among the significant findings for ADC using LVSEM, a spherical shape (73.1%), long filaments (65.4%), dense filaments (80.8%), and depression (57.7%) were seen. Among the significant findings for SQCC as observed using LVSEM, however, a flat shape (81.8%), sparse filaments (72.7%), and non-filament (81.8%) were seen. The overall accuracy of diagnosis using LVSEM was 83.8%: 80.8% for ADC and 90.9% for SQCC. The accuracy of a combination of Papstained slides and LVSEM was 97.3%.

CONCLUSIONS
The LVSEM method is useful as an ancillary examination for cytopathology after the classification of Pap-stained slides.


Transient outward K(+) current density (I(to)) has been shown to vary between different regions of the normal myocardium and to be reduced in heart disease. In this study, we measured regional changes in action potential duration (APD), I(to), and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) transients of ventricular myocytes derived from the right ventricular free wall (RVW) and interventricular septum (SEP) 8 wk after myocardial infarction (MI). At +40 mV, I(to) density in sham-operated hearts was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the RVW (15.0 +/- 0.8 pA/pF, n = 47) compared with the SEP (7.0 +/- 1.1 pA/pF, n = 18). After MI, I(to) density was not reduced in SEP myocytes but was reduced (P < 0.01) in RVW myocytes (8.7 +/- 1.0 pA/pF, n = 26) to levels indistinguishable from post-MI SEP myocytes. These changes in I(to) density correlated with Kv4.2 (but not Kv4.3) protein expression. By contrast, Kv1.4 expression was significantly higher in the RVW compared with the SEP and increased significantly after MI in RVW. APD measured at 50% or 90% repolarization was prolonged, whereas peak [Ca(2+)](i) transients amplitude was higher in the SEP compared with the RVW in sham myocytes. These regional differences in APD and [Ca(2+)](i) transients were eliminated by MI. Our results demonstrate that the significant regional differences in I(to) density, APD, and [Ca(2+)](i) between RVW and SEP are linked to a variation in Kv4.2 expression, which largely disappears after MI.


In loess oil-production areas, oil leakage not only contaminates the loess, but also changes its mechanical properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diesel oil contamination on mechanical behaviors of loess though extensive laboratory tests conducted on loess with different oil contents (0% to 16%) and dry densities (1.35, 1.45, and 1.55 g/cm3). Two different modes of oil contamination were proposed and applied in compression tests, direct shear tests and unconfined compressive strength tests to study the compressibility and strength characteristics of diesel-contaminated loess. Results show that oil-contamination modes have certain effects on the mechanical behaviors of loess. Under the first mode of oil contamination, compared with clean loess, the compressibility of contaminated loess increases and its unconfined compressive strength and shear strength all decrease. The compression modulus, friction angle, unconfined compressive strength of diesel-contaminated loess using the second mode of oil contamination are larger than those in the first mode of oil contamination at the same oil content and dry density. Understanding these effects of oil pollution can significantly guide soil and environment-remediation activities in oil-production areas.


This purposive study selected ten students of different background in order to understand how the educational success of adults was affected by Learning Activity Centers (LAC) in a community college. The ten selected students were all nontraditional students who had at least these three at-risk factors: (a) they scored below the college minimums on a diagnostic test in reading, writing, or mathematics, (b) they were below student financial aid guidelines, and (c) they had an interrupted educational history of two or more years. The ten students were paired into five categories: (a) Sudanese males, (b) Mexican females, (c) single parent females, (d) single females over 40, and (e) males over 40. The ten selected community college students were all graduates or students who were in their final semester who had used the LAC more than 50 hours. Interviews were conducted to determine how the students viewed academic success, how they overcame their at-risk factors, how they interacted with the staff and resources in the LAC, and how the LAC affected their eventual success. First, although students partially agree with institutional definitions of success, such as retention, GPA, and graduation, these non-traditional, at-risk students have additional definitions of success which include increased social status, independence, and stabilizing their life situations. Second, the interviews also review how students use resiliency factors to counter the negative affects of at-risk factors. Third, while the developmental curriculum teaches study skills, reading, writing improvement, mathematics, and English as a second language, students need the additional modeling, mentoring, and advising they receive in the LAC to practice what they learn, improve Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. their skills, and adjust to the social and academic demands of postsecondary education. The research study concludes with suggestions on how to improve staff training in the LAC and that further studies need to focus on additional diverse cultural groups to determine how students can benefit from LACs. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DEDICATION I want to dedicate this work to my wife. I am blessed by her loving support of me. She has encouraged me when I was discouraged, motivated me when I was unmotivated, and reminded me every day how important it is to accomplish what you set out to do. If anyone deserves to have their name on this, it is definitely Inok Kalkwarf. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.


This essay analyzes the Ayotzinapa case int he light of the contributions of psychoanalysis and the critical theory. Regardin the first field, interested return the articulation of sovereignty, power and cruelty, developed in the conversation between Freud and Einstein, in 1932. In regard to critical theory field, we will appeal to Derrida's deconstructive works about Freud's approaches, and his proposal on the event. Also, we will resume the Foucault's works about the "biopolitical", "State racism", and "disciplinary power" concepts, and the Achiller Mbembe's contributions about the "necropolitics". We present the current thesis that the coexistence between logics of power that would seem to be contradictories –as sovereignty and cruelty, biopower and necropolitics- is able in the current situation of mexican state.


Purpose: To evaluate different ultrasound modalities during implantation and follow-up of endovascular grafts for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) exclusion. Methods: Between February 1995 and May 1996, 18 patients (14 men; aged 49 to 80 years, mean 67) were treated with endovascular intervention for infrarenal AAA. Seventeen patients received Mialhe Stentor bifurcated grafts, while one patient was treated with a straight graft for pseudoaneurysm. During and after the implantation, 3.25- and 5-MHz annular array ultrasound probes were used for transabdominal visualization of the endograft. Intravascular ultrasound was applied in combination with angiography for postoperative control. Results: Intraprocedurally, transabdominal two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound successfully monitored guidewire passage from the groin into the main part of the bifurcated endograft for implantation of the second limb. All implantation procedures were technically successful, but four endoleaks were identified intraprocedurally by 2D ultrasound and angiography. One healed spontaneously, two were treated with endovascular techniques at 1 and 4 months, and the last leak was scheduled for repair when the patient died of probable myocardial infarction at 2 months. During follow-up, 2D ultrasound successfully visualized all the endografts; no endoleaks were found in up to 18 months of surveillance. Conclusions: Transabdominal ultrasound imaging could be valuable in bifurcated endograft deployment both for guiding guidewire insertion and for controlling wire position before the second graft limb is connected to the main graft. Provided that satisfactory visualization of the entire endograft can be obtained, ultrasound examination may possibly replace arteriography and computed tomographic scanning as a follow-up investigation.


Accurate assessment of memory functioning is integral in the framework of comprehensive neuropsychological examination. Knowledge of the integrity of memory functioning contributes to decisions regarding diagnoses, competency, rehabilitation and surgery. The Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised is a frequent memory assessment tool in everyday neuropsychological practice. The present study reports the modification and validation of an alternate scoring system for the Visual Reproduction subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised and generation of Australian normative data. This test is frequently used in clinical practice and therefore an improved scoring method and collation of locally appropriate normative data forms a significant contribution to knowledge and extension of the evidence base for the practice of clinical neuropsychology. An alternate scoring system for the Visual Reproduction subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised was previously developed and preliminarily validated in a clinical population by Dowling and Clark (2000). The current research project modified the Alternate Scoring System to improve reliability. Subsequent to its modification, normative data was required to enhance clinical utility in an Australian population. The scoring system was applied to subject responses from a large-scale normative study conducted between 1996 and 1998. The Macquarie University Neuropsychological Normative Study involved 399 Australian adults aged between 18 and 34 years of age and included administration of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised. As hypothesised, the alternate scoring system generated a similar grading of memory to the original scoring system. Major outcomes of the present study include a substantial literature review to support the development of the alternate scoring system, modification of the alternate scoring system in collaboration with original authors, further validation of the alternate scoring system through comparison with the original scoring system, and production of Australian normative data. Implications of the modified alternate scoring system, together with the normative data produced through the present study, have broadened the clinical applications of the WMS-R Visual Reproduction subtest and provided another tool to guide result interpretation in the assessment of visual memory functioning in an Australian population.