In the present work, the effect of exposure to cigarette smoke on male fertility in rats, as characterized by changes in the relative weight of sex organs, epididymal sperm count, activity of marker enzymes and DNA damage was evaluated. Exposure of rats to cigarette smoke caused a gradual decrease in total body weight gain and relative weight of the epididymis and seminal vesicles by 30 and 40% respectively. Epididymal sperm count was reduced significantly by 25% (P 0.05) after 2 weeks and by 41% (P 0.001) after 4 weeks of exposure. Exposure to cigarette smoke had reduced the activity of sorbitol dehydogenase by 18% (P < or = 0.05) and increased the activity of lactate dehydrogenase by 28% (P < or = 0.05). The changes in both key enzymes were significant, which reflected the inhibitory effect of cigarette smoke on spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. The toxic effect of exposure could be explained partially due to induction of DNA damage and oxidative stress as shown by the significant increase in serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine from 22.83 to 37.33 ng ml(-1) blood.


The origins of the coercive force in amorphous rare-earth-transition metal films have been investigated. The results are discussed in terms of how the growth conditions of the sputter-deposited films determine the pinning features that cause the coercive force. A model has been developed for the variation of coercive force with film thickness that enables a local pinning force per unit area to be deduced. This suggests that it should be possible to increase the coercive force by breaking up the microstructure with a multilayered structure. An increase in coercive force obtained by making such structures with tungsten is described. A reduction in coercive force obtained when the films are deposited in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field is also reported and interpreted in terms of a growth annealing model. >


This guide supports your research needs wherever you are and provides resources and ideas for ways you can work with the Library to continue your teaching and research remotely. Primary Sources


Despite the turmoil of globalization, national identity becomes a compelling issue since globalization has affected numerous national aspects including education sphere. One of affected educational elements is foreign language since teaching a foreign language will be definitely accompanied by the recognition of foreign culture. Based on this concern, this qualitative study was aimed to explore the moral values of traditional folklores and to integrate them in the teaching English for young learners. Another purpose was to formulate the effort to maintain the learner of national identity through learning local wisdom with focus on traditional folklores. The findings showed that there were a number of values could be explored from the traditional folklores. The values were classified into three categories, namely religious, individual, and social values. It is expected that by learning the traditional folklore in foreign language, the young learners will learn both English and their own culture, simultaneously.


Background/Aim: Combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, oxaliplatin, and itraconazole (GnPO-ITC) was administered as first-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The efficacy and toxicity of these treatments were retrospectively investigated. Patients and Methods: A total of 81 patients (mean age=64 years) with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1 were enrolled in the study, and administered nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/m2), gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2), and oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2) on day 1 and itraconazole (400 mg) on days −2 to +2, repeated every 2 weeks. Results: Metastatic sites observed in patients included the liver (n=55, 68%), peritoneum (n=23, 28%), distant lymph nodes (n=24, 30%), and lungs (n=18, 22%). Within 28 days after initiation of chemotherapy, 15 patients (19%) experienced common ≥3 grade hematological adverse events. The major reason for discontinuation of treatment among the responders was peripheral sensory neuropathy in 36 patients (44%). The overall response rate to treatment was 64% [95% confidence interval (CI)=54-75%]. The median progression-free survival and median overall survival were 8.3 months (95% CI=6.8-9.8 months) and 14.4 months (95% CI=11.4-17.3 months), respectively. Among the 52 responders, 24 (46%) underwent conversion surgery, which did not improve survival (p=0.279). Second-line treatment with irinotecan was required in 71 (88%) patients. Hepatic arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy were administered to 33 (41%) and 27 (33%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: The GnPO-ITC regimen showed promising efficacy with manageable toxicities for controlling disease progression and improving overall survival.


I n this study, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was used as functional monomer and diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA) and polyethylene glycol (200) diacrylate (PEG(200)DA) were used as crosslinking agents to imprint D(+)glucose. D(+)glucose imprinted polymers were prepared in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) /isopropyl alcohol (IPA) (3/1, v/v) at room temperature, in the air by radiation-induced polymerization/ crosslinking. The control polymers were synthesized by the same procedure in the absence of D(+)glucose. In order to evaluate the recognition and separation properties of the imprinted system high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) experiments were carried out where β (-) lactose, D(+)glucose and glycerol were used as analytes. To increase the affinity of the template to the stationary phase polarity of the mobile phase was decreased by the addition of acetonitrile into water. Optimum composition of acetonitrile/water (1/5 v/v) was determined according to the swelling experiments. The sizes of the cavities in the polymeric networks were determined by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The average radii of cavities were found as 0.254 and 0.279 nm for freeze-dried imprinted polymers prepared by using PEG(200)DA after swollen in water and acetonitrile/water mixture (1/5 by volume), respectively.


We compute B → Kη (′) branching ratio using perturbative QCD approach. We show that a triangular relation among amplitudes for B 0 → K 0 π 0 , B 0 → K 0 η, B 0 → K 0 η ′ receives large corrections from SU(3) breaking effects. If experimental value will come closer to the lower limit of the present BELLE data there will be a possibility to understand the large branching ratio of B 0 → K 0 η ′. Otherwise, we perhaps need to modify our understanding of η ′ meson, for example, inclusion of a possible admixture of gluonium state.


The governance of socio-technical systems has preferentially been associated with advancement and innovation. Discontinuation of socio-technical systems is, at most, discussed as regime change, innovation setback or failure—as if advancement and innovation was the only direction in which socio-technical development and its governance would go. This paper aims at a better understanding of the governance of the abandonment of socio-technical systems. As observed since Schumpeter's (1942) insight concerning the symmetry of creation and destruction, the anticipation of discontinuation and fading out is as important as the driving force of expectations about innovation and progress itself. It is crucial to see how technologies are recombined, getting unpopular, liquidated, how promises dissolve—in short: disappear over the horizon of a different future than the one, which was anticipated in the past.


The Forest Inventory and Analysis program of the United States Forest Service has been operational since the 1930's. Data collected prior to 1977 is unavailable in electronic format. More recent data is available for downloading from the Internet. Reporting tools such as the forest inventory mapmaker Web-application have been developed to generate population estimates of forest area, numbers of trees, timber volume, growth, removals and mortality for a wide variety of stand and/or tree characteristics. The fuel treatment evaluator (FTE) Web-application links forest inventory data to both fire hazard and socio-economic geo-spatial data. Linking this information aids planners in identifying potential fire hazard hotspots and evaluating alternative fuel treatment options. The FTE program can also generate inputs to systems such as the spatial resource support system and growth and yield programs such as the Forest Vegetation Simulator.


Mango was introduced to the Caribbean in the XVlllth century and became a popular garden tree. A regional programme for the inventory and conservation of fruit genetic resources undertaken in the French West Indies allowed the collection of 128 land races of mango in the Guadeloupe archipelago and in Martinique. Labelled accessions were selected according to local names, location and morphology. Microsatellite markers were developed for studying genetic diversity within this sample and within the germplasm bank maintained in Guadeloupe (Cirad) and for detecting duplicates. Nineteen microsatellite markers were selected and used to analyse a total of 307 accessions from India, South-East Asia, Florida, Africa and the Caribbean. Diversity was high within the sample with a total number of 140 alleles displayed. Results demonstrated the presence of duplicates in the germplasm bank and among the collected accessions, helping genetic resources management. Nevertheless, collecting efficiency was satisfactory with 73% of the material displaying distinct genetic profiles. Dissimilarities were calculated and a diversity representation was constructed using Neighbour Joining methodology. Accessions clustered in accordance with their geographical origin and their known history. The collected Caribbean accessions displayed a high variability, but shared some specific alleles and clustered together along with cultivars grown in Central (Mexico) and South America (Colombia) introduced from the South-East Asia, but also with cultivars from former French colonies in the Indian Ocean, indicating two introduction routes of mango to the French West Indies. (Resume d'auteur)


A wind farm usually consists of a large number of wind turbine generators (WTGs) connected through an internal electrical network and operating simultaneously. In order to study the impact of a wind farm on the dynamics of the power system, a major issue is to develop adequate equivalent models that allow characterizing the dynamics of all individual WTGs. In this sense, with the advance of power electronics, direct-driven permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs) have drawn increased interest to wind turbine manufacturers due to its advantages over other variable-speed WTGs. This paper presents a comprehensive dynamic equivalent model of a wind farm with direct-driven PMSG wind turbines and its control scheme. The proposed simplified modeling is developed using the state-space averaging technique and is implemented in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. The dynamic performance of the wind farm and its impact on the power system operation is fully evaluated using the phasor simulation method.


Statistical Learning Theory focuses on the machine learning theory for small samples. Support vector machine (SVM) are new methods based on statistical learning theory. There are many kinds of function can be used for kernel of SVM. Wavelet function is a set of bases that can approximate arbitrary functions in arbitrary precision. So Marr wavelet was used to construct wavelet kernel. On the other hand, the parameter selection should to be done before training WSVM. Modified chaotic particle swarm optimization (CPOS) was adopted to select parameters of SVM. It is shown by simulation that the CPOS algorithm can derive a set of optimal parameters of WSVM, and WSVM model possess some advantages such as simple structure, fast convergence speed with high generalization ability.


Whipple's disease (WD) is a rare systemic disease of infectious etiology which involves the small intestine but can virtually affect any organ. We present here five cases (four males and one female) ranging in age from 20 to 59 years. All patients had intestinal involvement associated or not with clinical manifestations linked to this organ. Vegetation in the tricuspid valve was observed in one patient, suggesting endocarditis caused by Tropheryma whippelii, with disappearance of the echocardiographic alterations after treatment. In one of the male patients the initial clinical manifestation was serologically negative spondylitis, with no diarrhea occurring at any time during follow-up. Ocular involvement associated with intestinal malabsorption and significant weight loss were observed in one case. In the other two cases, diarrhea was the major clinical manifestation. All patients were diagnosed by histological examination of the jejunal mucosa and, when indicated, of extraintestinal tissues by light and electron microscopy. After antibiotic treatment, full remission of symptoms occurred in all cases. A control examination of the intestinal mucosa performed after twelve months of treatment with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim revealed the disappearance of T. whippelii in four patients. The remaining patient was lost to follow-up.


Food allergy incidence has increased worldwide over the last 20 years. For prevention of food allergy, current guidelines do not recommend delaying the introduction of allergenic foods. Several groundbreaking studies, such as the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy study, showed that the relatively early introduction of this allergenic food between 4–6 months of age reduces the risk of peanut allergy. However, less is known about the introduction of cow's milk, as many children already receive cow's-milk-based formula much earlier in life. This can be regular cow's milk formula with intact milk proteins or hydrolyzed formulas. Several recent studies have investigated the effects of early introduction of cow's-milk-based formulas with intact milk proteins on the development of cow's milk allergy while breastfeeding. These studies suggest that depending on the time of introduction and the duration of administration of cow's milk, the risk of cow's milk allergy can be reduced (early introduction) or increased (very early introduction followed by discontinuation). The aim of this narrative review is to summarize these studies and to discuss the impact of early introduction of intact cow's milk protein—as well as hydrolyzed milk protein formulas—and the development of tolerance versus allergy towards cow's milk proteins.


PurposeThis study seeks to identify the main determinants of the optimal capital structure by reexamining the interpretation of the conventional set of explanatory variables used as proxies for the costs and benefits of debt in the context of the dynamic tradeoff theory.Design/methodology/approachThe authors isolate the variation in leverage due to different targets from that caused by deviations by aggregating the data across a dimension identifying firms with similar targets – credit rating category.FindingsContrary to theoretical priors, large and profitable rated firms have lower targets. The authors show that size and profitability proxy for non-financial risk and that, for rated firms, non-financial risk is positively correlated to the optimal leverage. The benefits of a better rating outweigh the costs of foregone tax shields for firms with relatively low non-financial risk. The authors find support for that theory in institutional trading – institutional investors do not punish highly rated firms when credit downgrades occur.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the capital structure literature by developing a new approach based on data aggregation. This study is the first, to the authors' knowledge, to find a positive effect of the firm's non-financial risk on target leverage among rated firms. The authors argue that the benefit of a better credit rating is an increasing function of the rating itself. The authors also contribute to the literature on the impact of credit ratings on the capital structure choices of the firm.


: Many automotive accidents are reported every year, some of which are attributed to fallen debris on road. For road debris detection, it would be difficult to find with imaging sensor while driving, especially in case of bad weather conditions such as rain and fog. The use of 79GHz-band ultra-wideband automotive radar is hence expected for road debris detection because of the high range-resolution and good weather resistance. The detection performance basically depends on the radar cross section (RCS) of road debris. For example, the maximum detection range is proportional to one quarter of the RCS. However, there is no report regarding to the RCS as far as the authors know. This paper presents the RCS characteristics of 11 typical road debris for 79GHz-band radar available in automotive radar which is also compared with 24GHz-band.


Robotic systems have been successfully applied in the nuclear industry for several decades as a safe approach to minimize the exposure dose of human operators. As nuclear waste management and decommissioning gathers pace, there is an emerging interest integrating modern off-the-shelf industrial robots in nuclear robotic systems which make use of complex electronics and software to improve functionality over traditional machines. The use of the industrial robots will significantly increase the pace of development of automated waste management systems at a reduced cost, and although these off-theshelf robots are proven robust in typical industrial environments, performance in radioactive environments is less clear. This paper investigates the performance degradation of a lightweight industrial robot (KUKA iiwa 7 LBR 800) in a controlled radiation field, aiming to simulate conditions in highly radioactive nuclear waste handling facilities. The degradation of the industrial robot's performance is identified while measuring the air kerma dose-tolerance of sensitive components, via a systematic experimental methodology. The experience from this experiment has demonstrated the significant capabilities of industrial robots, which tolerated a large gamma dose of 164 Gy before a system failure. Future tests are planned, aiming to enable faster, safer and sooner waste management and decommissioning using complex robotic systems


A new approach to fabricating hemispherical-cavity arrays on silicon substrates using laser-assisted nanoimprinting of self-assembled particles has been developed. Monolayers of silica or polystyrene particles, with different diameters ranging from 160 nm to 5 /spl mu/m, were deposited on silicon substrates by self-assembly. A quartz plate, which is transparent to the laser wavelength of 248 nm, was tightly placed on the surface of each sample, which has been preheated. A KrF excimer laser beam with a wavelength of 248 nm was vertically irradiated on the quartz / nanoparticle / silicon structure. The silica particles were imprinted into silicon substrates by the quartz due to the transient Si surface melting during the laser irradiation. Ultrasonic cleaning and hydrofluoric-acid (HF) solution were then used to remove the silica particles. Hemispherical cavities on the silicon substrate were formed on the substrate surface. The effects of silica particle size, different laser fluence, laser pulse number and substrate temperature will be discussed in detail. It was found that polystyrene particles could not be used for the laser-assisted imprinting due to their low melting point. Raman spectroscopy will be used to analyze the material properties in the fabricated structures. Periodical multiple-layer structures (3-D structures) will also be made on silicon substrates.


Equimolecular doses of Ampicillin and Bacampicillin were administrated orally, of Ampicillin also by i.v. injection to 10 healthy adult volunteers (cross over study). By comparison of areas under serum level curves after i.v. and oral administration absorption rate of Bacampicillin which is hydrolysed rapidly to Ampicillin in the body was determined as 95%. Peaks of serum levels after 0.8 g. Bacampicillin administered orally were higher (15,9 microgram/ml) and earlier (after 60 min) than after 0.556 g. Ampicillin administered orally (3.5 microgram/ml after 150 min). Concentrations of Ampicillin in skin blister fluid 1 h after i.v. injection of Ampicillin were 20 times higher than after oral administration of Ampicillin and 3-4 times higher than after oral administration of Bacampicillin; after 3 and 4 hours skin blister levels after i.v. injection were only a half of skin blister levels after oral administration of Bacampicillin. Determination of antibiotic concentrations in saliva and tears showed similar relations. Since higher peaks in serum resulted in higher concentrations in the extravascular space Bacampicillin which is absorbed compeltely and more rapidly should be prefered for oral administration.


The method studied in this paper is developing latent fingerprints based on ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4) method. Ruthenium tetroxide fuming promptly react with various organic compound, particularly oils or fats contained in sebaceous secretions in latent print and producing brownish black or black ruthenium dioxide (RuO2).   Ruthnium Tetroxide is yellow, volatile crystails (melting point; 25.5°C, boiling point; 100.8°C) at room temperature.   Conventional methods using RuO4 have been almost impractical because it is very difficult to handle by its strong oxidizability. Additionally because of the two liquid method, it is not only troublesome to produce RuO4 fumes immediately before developing latent fingerprints, but also is difficult to produce necessary ammounts of RuO4 fumes.   In this method, these problems were resolved by utilizing a saturated hydrocarbon halogenid solution of RuO4


The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of heat transfer on a non-uniform inclined asymmetrical channel with couple stress fluids via a porous medium using incline magnetohydrodynamics. The governing equation is studied while using low Reynolds approximations and long-wavelength assumptions. Mathematical expressions for (pressure gradient), (temperature), (axial velocity), (heat temperature coefficient), and (stream function). A precise set of values for the various parameters in the present model has been used. The mathematical expressions for axial velocity, stream function, pressure gradient, and pressure rise per wavelength have been derived analytically. "MATHEMATICA" is used to present the computational results in the form of graphs. It has been noticed that both the pressure rise and the pressure gradient decrease with the rise of the inclination magnetic field angle and Darcy number, while as the Grashof number increases, the pressure gradient reduces and the pressure also increases. According to this study, the heat transfer coefficient and temperature rise when the Brinkman number and the Hartman number are up. As the Hartman number and couple stress increase, the incidence of trapped boluses diminishes in size and vanishes in the direction downstream. The bolus size can also be increased by raising the non-uniform channel's Darcy number.


Introduction
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has evolved as a key skill to be taught and learnt in medical education. There are several methods for teaching EBM1–3 but the aim of teaching should be to impart knowledge, attitudes and skills to improve clinician performance and patient care. Without an adequate assessment it is difficult to know whether a teaching intervention has the desired effect. How frequently is teaching directed to achieve these objectives and how good are we at measuring learning achievement? An overview of assessments used in studies evaluating outcomes of EBM teaching was undertaken to address this question.

There are many publications on the outcomes of EBM teaching but little has been written about the coverage of educational domains in tools used for assessing outcomes. A systematic review4,5 on this subject failed to examine if studies covered established educational domains grounded in Bloom's taxonomy6 and Kirkpatrick's hierarchy,7 which allow examination of the impact of teaching on a sliding scale from a simple record of attendance to application of evidence in practice leading to improvements in health outcomes. We evaluated how existing EBM assessments rank on these scales. We also examined measurement quality of tools in terms of validity.


Abstract Perhaps no single Justice fashioned as many changes to the law of standing as that most gifted originalist, Antonin Scalia. It was Justice Scalia who first deployed twentieth century standing rules to invalidate a citizen suit provision; who promoted the prudential rule against the adjudication of generalized grievances to constitutional status; who pressed to constitutionalize the adverse-party rule; who reconfigured informer litigation to preserve the injury-in-fact requirement; and who recently re-packaged the Court's old prudential standing doctrine as a merits-based inquiry into the plaintiff's statutory right to sue. That he has done so much to re-work modern litigation in the name of fidelity to the workways of eighteenth century lawyers "in the English courts at Westminster" testifies to his considerable rhetorical skills. In this essay, I evaluate Justice Scalia's contributions to this important body of jurisdictional law and then step back to consider his legacy.


As one of the Ca2+ sensors, calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK) plays vital roles in immune and stress signaling, growth and development, and hormone responses, etc. Recently, the whole genome of apple (Malus × domestica), pear (Pyrus communis), peach (Prunus persica), plum (Prunus mume) and strawberry (Fragaria vesca) in Rosaceae family has been fully sequenced. However, little is known about the CPK gene family in these Rosaceae species. In this study, 123 CPK genes were identified from five Rosaceae species, including 37 apple CPKs, 37 pear CPKs, 17 peach CPKs, 16 strawberry CPKs, and 16 plum CPKs. Based on the phylogenetic tree topology and structural characteristics, we divided the CPK gene family into 4 distinct subfamilies: Group I, II, III, and IV. Whole-genome duplication (WGD) or segmental duplication played vital roles in the expansion of the CPK in these Rosaceae species. Most of segmental duplication pairs in peach and plum may have arisen from the γ triplication (~140 million years ago [MYA]), while in apple genome, many duplicated genes may have been derived from a recent WGD (30~45 MYA). Purifying selection also played a critical role in the function evolution of CPK family genes. Expression of apple CPK genes in response to apple pathotype of Alternaria alternata was verified by analysis of quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qPCR). Expression data demonstrated that CPK genes in apple might have evolved independently in different biological contexts. The analysis of evolution history and expression profile laid a foundation for further examining the function and complexity of the CPK gene family in Rosaceae.


The electrochemical reduction of an aryl diazonium tetrafluoroborate salt, dissolved in acetonitrile, at a carbon electrode surface allowed the grafting of aryl groups with the formation of a carbon-carbon bond. Groups such as 4nitrophenyl and 4-bromophenyl were grafted at a glassy carbon electrode surface. The stability of these grafted groups, present at the glassy carbon electrode surface, was studied at various electrode potentials in aqueous media. In appropriate experimental conditions, the as-grafted groups severely inhibit the cyclic voltammetry response of selected redox probes. Thus, the reappearance and/or increase of an electrochemical response, after polarization, were taken as an indication that a modification of the grafted layer occurred. The results of this work demonstrated that polarization at very positive (ca. 1.8 V) and negative (ca. -2 V) potential is needed to observe and electrochemical response. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also used to investigate the stability of the grafted layers. The impedance data usually tracks fairly well the cyclic voltammetry results, although the former appears to be more sensitive to changes that are occurring upon polarization of the modified electrode.


This case study is a contribution to the Global Report on Human Settlements 2009 chapter on planning education with the objective of assessing the capacity of planning education to respond to the changing needs of the country. The paper discusses the origins of planning education in Ghana and the various theoretical debates that have shaped planning to the point as it is taught and practiced today. The Ghana case study illustrates the legacy of colonial planning education, the ability of planning to respond to the contextual issues and paradigm shifts, a strong relation between planning education and planning institutions, the benefits of north-south cooperation among educational institutions, and the extent to which the availability of resources can facilitate or hinder planning education and practice. The paper calls for the need to develop the capacity of planning educators, involve professional associations and bodies in the reshaping of curricula, and the allocation of funds both at the governmental level and at the University level to support planning education.


In this document is described the OceanVAR software (a three- dimensional variational data assimilation system, 3dvar) developed at the CMCC for use with the NEMO modeling system and SLA, ARGO, XBT and GLIDER observations.OceanVar software was developed using Fortran90 and it uses the NetCDF library to read the input files provided from NEMO software.This document has the aim to provide a guide for the installation and the use of the OceanVar software. So, here is provided a brief description of the 3dvar model developed, the main steps of the algorithm implemented are shown, and above all how you can use the software is explained: how to install it, what you need to know to install it, where are located the routine, where to find the sources codes, how to edit the Makefile, how to write the input files etc. Regarding the input files we devoted some Sections to show the structure of these file. We provide the schemes you need follow to build the various input files.A brief tour around the OceanVAR code is provided. Significant efforts have been made to make the code documenting, so this note should be seen as a prelude to looking at the code itself.The system described here is the release 2006 of the software.


For the multiple attribute decision making problem(MADM) with alternative values in uncertainty information, a evaluation rule of the describing language levels which change the uncertainty information into interval number expression is formulated, and the model of Grey Relational Ideal Method (GRI) Based on Equilibrium Point whose results are more reasonable than before is established. The subjective preferences of decision makers to increase the satisfaction are reflected in the method. The feasibility and effectiveness of the method is verified by a risk assessment example.


This chapter details the development and implementation of an Introduction to Digital Humanities course (ENGL 695) at Kansas State University (K-State). The course originated with a tenure-track professor with a research specialty in British Romantic-period Literature and the digital humanities. In conjunction with a host of librarians at K-State Libraries, a course was developed that drew on both library resources and librarian knowledges and skills. Over the course of the semester, the professor and the students worked closely with librarians in many areas of the library, including public services, technical services and special collections. The result was four innovative and sustainable digital projects that highlighted the resources and research interests at K-State. In addition to introducing students to the digital humanities, the course also served to establish a framework for future initiatives, including hosting a digital humanities symposium and establishing a digital humanities center.


Due to the great evolution in digital commercial cameras, several studies have addressed the using of such cameras in different civil and close-range applications such as 3D models generation. However, previous studies have not discussed a precise relationship between a camera resolution and the accuracy of the models generated based on images of this camera. Therefore the current study aims to evaluate the accuracy of the derived 3D buildings models captured by different resolution cameras. The digital photogrammetric methods were devoted to derive 3D models using the data of various resolution cameras and analyze their accuracies. This investigation involves selecting three different resolution cameras (low, medium and high) and evaluating their calibration accuracies. Assessing the accuracy of the three selected cameras in capturing indoor and outdoor objects; and analyzing the accuracy and the quality of the produced models. The study revealed that:1) It is recommended to use the photos of a high-resolution camera for producing precise 3D models of objects in the outdoor environment especially when the camera/object distance is more than 40 m because the accuracy of the  produced models can be  precise (RMSE ±10.36mm) with excellent quality; 2) The Low-resolution camera can be utilised to produce adequate 3D models of object in the indoor environment (RMSE ±6.32mm) especially when the camera/object distance is less than 40 m.


OBJECTIVES
Autoantibodies may play a role in the pathogenesis of primary vasculitides (PVs) like giant cell arteritis (GCA). We recently identified 3 cytoskeletal proteins (lamin C [laC], nuclear autoantigen of 14kD [NA14] and cytokeratin 15 [CK15]) as autoantigens in GCA and postulated a frequent autoantibody response against these antigens in PVs.

METHODS
To test this hypothesis we studied a cohort of patients with PVs (n=61) and healthy individuals (n=27) for the presence of these autoantibodies using a recombinant cDNA expression library. To define their specifity for PV, we also examined patients with other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and connective tissue diseases (CTD).

RESULTS
We found no statistically significant differences in autoantibody responses between patients with PV and healthy controls, although there was a trend for an association between PVs and the occurrence of antibodies against laC and CK15. However, in patients with RA (n=33) or Sjögren's syndrome (SS, n=11) with vasculitides we observed more frequently autoantibodies against NA14, laC and CK15 compared to healthy controls. In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n=23) autoantibodies against laC were more frequent. The presence of autoantibodies in RA, SS and SLE was associated with systemic secondary vasculitis (SSV). In RA, laC- and NA14-seropositive patients were in a more advanced disease stage than seronegative patients with more frequent extraarticular manifestations (p=0.004). In SLE laC-autoantibody-positive patients had a higher SLE activity index (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Serum autoantibodies against laC and NA14 are frequent in patients with RA and CTD and are associated with extensive disease and SSV. The potential pathogenic and prognostic role of these antibodies should be further investigated.


The rheological properties of starch dough are important for the production of mung bean starch noodles. In this paper, the rheological behavior of mung bean starch dough (MBSD) was measured at different concentrations, temperatures, shear rates and temperature ramp. The results showed that MBSD is a thixotropic fluid, characterized by a viscosity that decreases with increasing shear rate, and increases with decreasing shear rate. However, the initial viscosity value was not restored, indicating the presence of unclosed hysteresis loops with different areas in corresponding plots. The rheological behavior of MBSD could be better explained by the Cross equation than by the Power Law equation. The Herschel-Bulkley equation made good predictions of flow behavior of pure starch slurry. MBSD was temperature-sensitive and suitable for the Arrhenius equation. MBSD with moisture content of 44w/w%, starch paste content of 24w/w%, shear rate of 10s-1 and temperature of 40°C exhibited a better flow performance for stirring and hanging during starch noodle production.


OBJECTIVES
To determine whether sodium thiosulfate (STS) produces a clinically significant decline in sodium nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia in an in-vitro model.

METHODS
This was an in-vitro, controlled study where methemoglobinemia was induced by the addition of sodium nitrite (0.4 mg/mL) to 35-mL aliquots of blood obtained from ten healthy volunteers. Methemoglobin (MetHb) concentrations were measured at 5-minute intervals for 30 minutes by co-oximetry, and each aliquot was then subdivided into six 5-mL samples (time zero). Sample 1 served as control. The remaining samples received serial dilutions of STS (0.125 mg, 1.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 125 mg, 1,250 mg). MetHb concentrations were measured by co-oximetry at baseline, 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Areas under the MetHb concentration-time curve (AUC) between time zero and 60 minutes were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS
Methemoglobin concentrations increased from 0.07 g/dL (+/-0.06) at baseline to 8.42 g/dL (+/-0.69) at time 0 (the addition of STS). No significant difference was detected between baseline and time 0 hemoglobin concentrations (15.8 +/- 0.5 vs. 16.1 +/- 0.6 g/dL). There was no detectable difference found between the AUCs (measured in g min/dL) of any of the STS serial dilutions or control groups (0.125 mg STS = 576.01 +/- 42.53; 1.25 mg STS = 573.47 +/- 40.82; 12.5 mg STS = 583.68 +/- 42.29; 125 mg STS = 554.75 +/- 42.68; 1,250 mg STS = 566.95 +/- 38.08; p = 0.81).

CONCLUSIONS
Sodium thiosulfate was not found to be an effective reducing agent for the acute treatment of methemoglobinemia.


Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for 75% of kidney cancers. Due to the high recurrence rate, and treatment options that come with high costs and potential side effects correct prognosis of patient survival is essential for the successful and effective treatment of patients. Novel biomarkers could play an important role in the assessment of the overall survival of patients. COL7A1 encodes for collagen type VII, a constituent of the basal membrane. COL7A1 is associated with survival in many cancers; however, the prognostic value of COL7A1 expression as a standalone biomarker in ccRCC has not been investigated. We used Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards model to investigate the prognostic value of COL7A1, as well as Gene Set Enrichment Analysis to investigate genes that are co-expressed with COL7A1. COL7A1 expression was used to stratify patients into four groups of expression, where the 5-year survival probability of each group was 72.4%, 59.1%, 34.15%, and 8.6% in order of increasing expression. Additionally, COL7A1 expression was successfully used to further divide patients of each stage and histological grade into groups of high and low risk. Similar results were obtained in independent cohorts. In-vitro knockdown of COL7A1 expression significantly impacted ccRCC cells' ability to migrate and proliferate. To conclude, we identified COL7A1 as a new prognosis marker that can stratify ccRCC patients.


OBJECTIVE
Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is one indicator of hypoxia in the tumor and its expression is associated with more aggressive forms of breast cancer. The aim of this study is to point out its own set of correlation between CA IX expression and selected morphological and biological indicators.

TYPE OF STUDY
Cohort prospective study.

SETTING
Department of Pathology of Slovak Medical University and St. Elisabeth Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.

METHODS
These were 145 cases of breast cancer aged 25 to 85 years (median 59 years) from the Register of the Institute of Pathology and Slovak Medical University and St. Elisabeth Cancer Institute in Bratislava for the period 1. 9. 2012 to 28. 2. 2013. In all cases were examined CA IX, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, p53 and Ki67 by immunohistochemistry. Typing, grading and staging of the disease were evaluated according to the classification systems currently in place.

RESULTS
CA IX expression was demonstrated in 51 cases (35.2%). CA IX positivity correlated with the degree of differentiation (p = 0.0001), with ER status (p <0.0001) and PR (p <0.01) and HER2 (p <0.01) and proliferative activity as measured by Ki67 (p <0.001). HER2-positive cancers and triple-negative cancers were more frequently associated with the expression of CA IX compared with luminal subtypes (p <0.0001). The state of CA IX and age range of the tumor - pT and lymph node status - pN and p53 have not been shown statistically significant correlations.

CONCLUSION
CA IX examination in breast cancer provides valuable information on the state of hypoxia in the tumor, thereby supplementing view of prognosis of the disease.


The presence of heavy metals in water is of concern due to the risk toxicity. Thus there is need for their removal for the safety of consumers. Methods applied for removal of heavy metals include adsorption, membrane filtration and co-precipitation. However, studies have revealed adsorption is highly effective technique. Most adsorbents are expensive or require extensive processing before use and hence need to explore for possible sources of inexpensive adsorbents. This research work investigated the use an algal biomass (pediastrum boryanum) as an adsorbent for removal of Lead, Cadmium and Copper in waste water in its raw and modified forms. The samples were characterized with FTIR and was confirmed a successful modification with tetramethylethlynediamine (TMEDA). Sorption parameters were optimized and the material was finally applied on real water samples. It was found that the sorption was best at lower pH values (4.2-6.8). Sorption kinetics was very high as more that 90% of the metals were removed from the solution within 30 minutes. The adsorption of copper fitted into the Langmuir adsorption isotherm indicating a monolayer binding mechanism. Cadmium and lead fitted best the Freundlich adsorption mechanism. Sorption of lead and cadmium was of pseudo-second order kinetics, confirming a multisite interaction whereas copper was pseudo-first order indicating a single site adsorption. The adsorption capacity did not improve upon modification but the stability of the material was improved and secondary pollution of leaching colour was alleviated. This implies that the modified material is suitable for application on the removal of metals from water. © 2017 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2017 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


Polarized neutron diffraction experiments on YbAl3 have revealed the following: (i) a field-induced magnetic moment on the ytterbium site only, which is well described by a Yb3+ free-ion form factor; (ii) a second maximum at T 15 K in the temperature dependence of the localized magnetic moment in addition to the well-known maximum at T = 130 K; and (iii) a small temperature-independent positive conduction electron polarization. The possible microscopic origin of those observations is discussed. A comparison with the isostructural intermediate-valence compound CeSn3 reveals important differences which increase our understanding of the ground state in those compounds.


The locomotion biomechanics study provides very extensive and interesting material for investigating the physiological process involved and the neural mechanisms controlling the systems. Over the past few decades, multiple advances in bioengineering technology have permited precise analysis of many specific gait characteristics, such as joint angles, angular velocities and angular accelerations (kinematic analysis), as well as ground reaction forces, joint forces, moments and powers (kinetic analysis). In this paper, we present and discuss the results of measured ground reaction force data analysis, with emphasis on comparison between left and right leg. The tests were conducted on 40 subjects from student and employee population of our faculty, differing in age, sex, height and weight, using the AMTI force platform.


UNLABELLED
Acute coronary occlusion as well as restenosis still represent the major limitations of coronary interventions. Either event seems to be related to thrombus formation. The purpose of this overview is to summarize the current status of the usefulness of conventional and newer antithrombotic drugs regarding the prevention of acute occlusion and restenosis (excluding stents).

ANTICOAGULATION
For ethical reasons, no placebo-controlled studies were conducted to prove the usefulness of heparin in preventing acute occlusions. The dosage mostly used is 10,000 U, although a relationship between dosage and complication rate has not been documented. A prolonged heparin infusion in patients with low risk and uncomplicated PTCA has no advantages. Restenosis is not influenced by prolonged infusion of heparin or administration of coumadin as well. Low molecular weight heparin is currently under investigation. Hirudin and hirulog have shown promising results with less acute occlusions; however, their therapeutic range must be considered. ANTIAGGREGATION: In controlled studies, ASA significantly reduced acute occlusions during PTCA when given in addition to heparin. Ticlopidin is as effective as ASA, but due to its side effects should only be administered when contraindications to ASA exist. ASA significantly reduced restenosis in only 1 of 4 studies with limited number of patients. Thromboxane inhibitors such as ridogrel or clopidogrel showed promising initial results. Trapidil significantly reduced restenosis in 2 studies; quantitative stenosis analysis, however, was not performed. Inhibition of platelets by glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists represents an innovative therapeutic concept: numerous controlled trials have documented a significant reduction in cardiac ischemic events and therefore indirectly in restenosis rates. The recombinant monoclonal antibody c7E3 Fab seems to be more effective than the synthetic integrelin. Unfortunately, efficacy appears to be in direct relationship to the risk of bleeding complications. The clinical role of oral GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors has yet to be established. For patients with high risk PTCA, the use of hirudin instead of heparin as well as the addition of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors should be considered.


A new beamline, fully dedicated to X-ray powder diffraction (XPD) measurements, has been installed after the exit port B of the bending magnet D10 at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) and commissioned. The technical characteristics of the beamline are described and some performance indicators are listed, such as the incoming photon flux and the angular/energy resolutions obtainable under typical experimental conditions. The results of a Rietveld refinement for a standard sample of Y2O3 using high-resolution data are shown. The refined parameters match those found in the literature, within experimental error. High-resolution XPD measurements on Ba2FeReO6 demonstrate a slight departure from the ideal cubic double-perovskite structure at low temperatures, not detected by previous powder diffraction experiments. The onset of the structural transition coincides with the ferrimagnetic ordering temperature, Tc approximately equal to 315 K. Subtle structural features, such as those reported here for Ba2FeReO6, as well as the determination and/or refinement of complex crystal structures in polycrystalline samples are ideal candidate problems to be investigated on this beamline.


We have developed a method for fabricating epitaxial CoSi 2 nanowires using only conventional optical lithography and standard silicon processing steps. This method was successfully applied to ultrathin epitaxial CoSi 2 layers grown on Si ~100! and silicon-on-insulator substrates. A nitride mask induces a stress field near its edges into the CoSi 2 /Si heterostructure and leads to the separation of the CoSi 2 layer in this region during a rapid thermal oxidation step. A subsequent etching step and a second oxidation generate highly homogenous silicide wires with dimensions down to 50 nm. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. @DOI: 10.1063/1.1390318 #


The aim of the study was to assess financial liquidity management in basic local government units of Eastern Poland. Aspects that were mostly considered include the awareness of the importance of financial liquidity among the chief accountants of the surveyed units, the occurrence of possible problems with the timely payment of liabilities and liquidity management instruments used. The research covered 210 local government units (100 rural municipalities, 100 urban-rural municipalities and 10 cities with district rights) from five voivodeships located in the Eastern Poland macroregion. The research methods that have been used include analysis of the subject literature and the method of the diagnostic survey using a questionnaire. The survey was conducted among chief accountants of the budget of selected local government units of the Eastern Poland macroregion. Based on the conducted surveys, it was found that the majority of managers of local government units noticed the importance of financial liquidity and in recent years did not notice problems with the timely payment of liabilities. Approximately 30% of respondents admitted to problems with financial liquidity. The main reason for the occurrence of disturbances in the timely payment of liabilities was achieving lower income and revenue than planned, as well as improper management. When analyzing applied liquidity management instruments, it was found that these were most often multi-annual financial forecasts and detailed schedules of income and expenses.


Hydraulic fineblanking press is a kind of high-end hydraulic metal forming devices and 5 widely applied in automotive and appliance industry. However, it suffers from the defeat of high energy 6 consumption low energy efficiency. To solve the problem, this study proposed a power-matching 7 strategy by using a novel controllable accumulator which can control the precharge pressure, output 8 flow with high precision. Firstly, the energy characteristics and working performance requirements of 9 the large-sized fineblanking press in a working cycle were investigated. Then, the energy consumption 10 mathematic model coupling with the controllable accumulator was built for designing the key 11 parameters of the accumulators. Based on the load characteristic and the energy model, a controlling 12 strategy of the controllable accumulator was proposed to reduce the imbalance degree of the supplied 13 and demanded power and improve working performance by designing working route of the 14 controllable accumulator. Finally, a detailed hydraulic schematic was designed and applied on the 1000 15 ton hydraulic fineblanking press, which was validated with simulation model. The results show that 16 compared to the traditional system, the energy efficiency of the novel system is improved by 20.35% 17 with lowering the input energy by 169.4 kJ. Besides, the vibration magnitude of the slide block is 18 decreased a lot and the working production efficiency is improved by 10% compared to the traditional 19 system. 20 # The authors Lin Hua and Zhicheng Xu contributed equally to this work.  Corresponding author. firstname.lastname@example.com (Zhicheng Xu), firstname.lastname@example.com (Yanxiong Liu )


Abstract In this paper we analyze how the dynamics of a class of superlinear indefinite reaction–diffusion equations varies as the nodal behavior of a coefficient changes. To perform this analysis we use both theoretical and numerical tools. The analysis aids the numerical study, and the numerical study confirms and completes the analysis. The numerics in addition provides us with some further results for which-at-first glance analytical tools are not available yet. Our main analytical result shows that the problem possesses a unique positive solution which is linearly asymptotically stable if the trivial state is linearly unstable and the model admits some positive solution. This result is a relevant feature for superlinear indefinite problems, since our numerical computations show how these models can have an arbitrarily large number of positive solutions if the trivial state is unstable.


The bottleneck of today's airspace is the Terminal Maneuvering Areas (TMA), where aircraft leave their routes to descend to an airport or take off and reach the en-route sector. To avoid congestion in these areas, an efficient design of departure and arrival routes is necessary. In this paper, a solution for designing departure and arrival routes is proposed, which takes into account the runway configuration, the surroundings of the airport and operational constraints such as limited slopes or turn angles. The routes consist of two parts: a horizontal path in a graph constructed by sampling the TMA around the runway, to which is associated a cone of altitudes. The set of all routes is optimized by the Simulated Annealing metaheuristic. In the process and at each iteration, each route is computed by defining adequately the cost of the arcs in the graph and then searching a path on it. The costs are chosen so as to avoid zigzag behaviors as much as possible. Two tests were performed, one on an instance taken from the literature and the other on an artificial problem designed specifically to test this approach. The obtained results are satisfying with regard to the current state of air operations management and constraints.


— As the number of vehicles is increasing day by day, the infrastructure requirements associated with vehicles are also become complex. Hence the count of ECU used in vehicles, in order to satisfy these requirements are growing. As a result complexity increases. The complexity of ECU can be reduced to a great extend by using a standardized architecture. Hence AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System Architecture) came into existence and got much popularity in the automotive domain. AUTOSAR is an open and standardized platform for automotive software. By using AUTOSAR standardization, scalability, increased quality and safety of E/E systems can be achieved. EcuM (ECU State Manager) implements the Ecu state management in AUTOSAR platform. EcuM is module present in system services layer of AUTOSAR. EcuM is responsible for initialization and de-initialization of OS and other basic software modules. It also manages all the wakeup events associated with ECU. This paper focuses on the design and development of EcuM module based on AUTOSAR 4.0. Index Terms :API, AUTOSAR, ECU, EcuM.


The tench Tinca tinca is a freshwater species with human-mediated translocations, aquaculture interest and limited information on its genetic structure. mtDNA sequencing analysis of control region and two genes in 50 individuals from five European populations identified two phylogroups, with greater variability than that reported until now, and a hybridization zone in the Danube River region. Restriction analyses of additional samples reveal the complicated genetic structure characteristics of tench's wild and translocated populations, supporting future breeding practices.


Photograph of the 82nd field artillery marching by the Masonic Hospital. In the photograph are soldiers dressed in uniform; they are riding horses and walking with heavy weaponry. The Masonic Hospital stands in the background. Before becoming the Masonic Hospital, the hospital was known as the Rolston Hospital located at 918 N Pieras Street, corner of Montana Avenue in central El Paso. The hospital was bought by the Masons in 1923 and renamed the Masonic Hospital in that same year.


We developed time-domain interferometry (TDI) using 57Fe nuclear resonant scattering and applied to the study of the dynamics of ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide (BmimI). By using a multi-element avalanche photo diode as a detector, four TDI time spectra reflecting different momentum transfers were obtained at 250 K. By considering additional Gaussian broadening of resonant energy in stainless steel foils, the relaxation times of the density correlation in super-cooled BmimI were successfully obtained. The momentum transfer dependence of those relaxation times was confirmed to follow the Gaussian behaviour. Moreover, we discussed the trends of the TDI development in the future.


Traditional reflectance spectrum classification algorithms are based on comparing spectrum across the electromagnetic spectrum anywhere from the ultra-violet to the thermal infrared regions. These methods analyze reflectance on a pixel by pixel basis. Inspired by high performance that Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) have demonstrated in image classification, we applied a neural network to analyze directional reflectance pattern images. By using the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) data, we can reformulate the 4-dimensional into 2 dimensions, namely incident direction × reflected direction × channels. Meanwhile, RIT's micro-DIRSIG model is utilized to simulate additional training samples for improving the robustness of the neural networks training. Unlike traditional classification by using hand-designed feature extraction with a trainable classifier, neural networks create several layers to learn a feature hierarchy from pixels to classifier and all layers are trained jointly. Hence, the our approach of utilizing the angular features are different to traditional methods utilizing spatial features. Although training processing typically has a large computational cost, simple classifiers work well when subsequently using neural network generated features. Currently, most popular neural networks such as VGG, GoogLeNet and AlexNet are trained based on RGB spatial image data. Our approach aims to build a directional reflectance spectrum based neural network to help us to understand from another perspective. At the end of this paper, we compare the difference among several classifiers and analyze the trade-off among neural networks parameters.


This paper investigates the disappearing residential geography of Detroit, Michigan, between 1975 and 2005 by examining the relationship between the 'greenness' of the urban landscape and the structural thinning of residential areas via satellite imagery and census data. The study uses normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and key housing variables as a proxy for observed changes in neighbourhood structure that correspond to the neighbourhood life cycle. Ordinary least squares and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were used to visualize the observed trends and performance of the models across space. Results from GWR analyses suggest the shifting residential geography of Detroit has changed from uniformly developed residential blocks to neighbourhoods that have experienced severe structural thinning across an urban landscape characterized by uneven development. The performance of the study models and parameters demonstrate how the relationships among NDVI and housing indicators, though significant, have diminished over time; this trend runs counter to green models applied to other urban landscapes, particularly those that follow the standard neighbourhood life cycle. Based on the empirical results, the study demonstrates the importance of understanding local histories and the broader socio-spatial context of cities when designing and implementing socio-spatial applications of remote sensing technologies.


Current language models achieve low perplexity but their resulting generations still suffer from toxic responses, repetitiveness, and contradictions. The standard language modeling setup fails to address these issues. In this paper, we introduce a new architecture, Director, that consists of a unified generator-classifier with both a language modeling and a classification head for each output token. Training is conducted jointly using both standard language modeling data, and data labeled with desirable and undesirable sequences. Experiments in several settings show that the model has competitive training and decoding speed compared to standard language models while yielding superior results, avoiding undesirable behaviors while maintaining generation quality. It also outperforms existing model guiding approaches in terms of both accuracy and efficiency. Our code is made publicly available.


OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate dog bite-related injuries and associated medical documentation and (2) to compare these results with a study of dog bites from the same institution 10 years prior.

METHODS
Data were retrospectively collected from a pediatric emergency department from July 2007 to July 2011 for patients treated for dog bites. These data were then compared with data from the same institution from 10 years prior.

RESULTS
A total of 1017 bite injuries were treated (average, 254.25 bites/year), which represents a 25% increase compared with 10 years prior. Comparing the 1997 and 2007 to 2011 cohorts, patient demographics, bite rate among children less than 5 years old, rate of dog breed documentation, and setting of injury were similar. Dog breed was reported in 47% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40.2-53.9) and 41% (95% CI, 38.0-44.0) of cases, respectively, in the 2 cohorts. Bites to the craniofacial region were most common (face only reported for 1997: 43.2%; 95% CI, 36.4-50 versus 2007-2011: 66.1%; 95% CI, 63.2-69.0). In both cohorts, the child's home was the most frequent setting, accounting for 43% of bites (1997: 95% CI, 30.2-55.9 and 2007-2011: 95% CI, 39.3-46.7).

CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric dog bites continue to occur frequently, and the associated factors did not change over the 10-year period: young age of child, bites to the craniofacial region, and dogs familiar to the child. Although accurate medical documentation of dog bites is a prerequisite to develop effective prevention strategies, current medical documentation of dog bites may be misguided.


This study explored the adoption of preemployment drug testing by 360 organizations. Survival models were developed that included internal organizational and labor market factors hypothesized to affect the likelihood of adoption of drug testing. Also considered was another set of variables that included social and political variables based on institutional theory. An event history analysis using Cox regressions indicated that both internal organizational and environmental variables predicted adoption of drug testing. Results indicate that the higher the proportion of drug testers in the worksite's industry, the more likely it would be to adopt drug testing. Also, the extent to which an organization uses an internal labor market, voluntary turnover rate, and the extent to which management perceives drugs to be a problem were related to likelihood of adoption of drug testing.


This paper aims to identify challenges to achieving sustainable and smart transport in a city whose form has been produced mainly by tourism urbanisation: the Gold Coast, Australia. The first part of the paper investigates urban transport sustainability, reviewing how urban density, travel behaviour and lifestyles, and the availability of various trans- portation services and modes influence urban transport sustainability. This is followed by an empirical analysis of trans- port trends, modal splits, and basic community profiles in the Gold Coast, to identify challenges to sustainable transport development therein. The paper also introduces and acknowledges potential positive outcomes of the current public trans- port policies and projects, and then explores the concept of smart transport focussing on automated people movers. The paper concludes by stating more actions for a sustainable transport system in the Gold Coast needs to be done including adaptation of smart transport options.


The rich ethnic diversity in the SNNP region is being managed by different mechanisms of constitutional, institutional, and political practice. Yet, this has not been able to contain new questions of identity, not only seeking for recognition as a distinct ethnic group, but also a desire to establish ethnic territorial administrations. Moreover, ethnic groups that are already recognized are also laying claims to various self-determination rights, inter alia , to territorial autonomy, equitable participation, and the redrawing of internal (ethnic) boundaries. Based on legal analysis of cases from the SNNP region, the article critically discusses the quest for identity and self-determination, and provides an overview of the experience of the region. In dealing with the existing dilemma, we argue that there is a need to maintain the balance between constitutional rights to identity recognition and self-determination with the threat of ethnic and territorial fragmentations. Key terms Identity · Self-determination · Federalism · Ethnic groups · SNNP region


With the advent of the Internet era, the media structure is experiencing an unprecedented shock and integration. To respond to the market shocks, the design idea and style are gradually changing in the traditional paper media. It's showing many new trends. The audience's initiative and participation has been referred to an unprecedented height. At the same time, with the technologies and concepts progressing, the paper products design has more possibilities and expansion. The purpose of writing this paper is to explore the new trends of small paper products innovative design, and through the case analysis to help designers find the main design methods of small paper products. Research methods: Pick up some best current design works in calendar design, through the induction, analysis and summary, find out the latest design methods of small paper products. Conclusion: The key of design in the future is to unified the following parts: content and form, plane and 3D, technology and innovation, interaction and experience, style and emotion. And more important is to emphasize spiritual style and sublimation. These key parts will help to show the beauty and charm of paper products. Paper Products will burst out of their irreplaceable function and vitality in the information era.


Fossils are the data for evolution. The fossil record was already well known 150 years ago, when Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, and it is central to Darwin's theories; yet it is commonly claimed that the fossil record is woefully incomplete. Creationists say that it does not show the missing links that evolution predicts. Michael Benton asks if the gaps are too big to fill in.


Background Guidelines from the U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network have recommended use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), followed by a 3-cycles combination of platinum and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy as standard treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The benefits of CCRT for treatment of locally advanced NPC have been established. Whether platinum and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy should be routinely added to locally advanced NPC after CCRT is still open to debate. Whether adjuvant chemotherapy provides an additional survival benefit for the subgroup of patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have undergone CCRT is also unclear. This retrospective study was initiated to determine the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in residual NPC patients who have undergone concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Methods The retrospective study included 155 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who had local residual lesions after the platinum-based CCRT without or with AC. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to estimate overall survival (OS), failure-free survival (FFS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Results Median follow-up was 47 months. Adjuvant cisplatin or nedaplatin plus 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy did not significantly improve 3-year OS, LRFS, FFS, and DMFS for patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma after undergoing CCRT. The 3-year OS rates for the no-AC group and AC group were 71.6% and 73.7%, respectively (P= 0.44). The 3-year FFS rates for no-AC group and AC group were 57.5% and 66.9%, respectively ((P= 0.19). The 3-year LRFS rates for no-AC group and AC group were 84.7% and 87.9%, respectively ((P= 0.51). The 3-year DMFS rates for no-AC group and AC group were 71.4% and 77.4%, respectively ((P= 0.23). Conclusions Since we did not find sufficient data to support significant survival in 3-year OS, LRFS, FFS, and DMFS, whether Adjuvant cisplatin or nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy should be routinely added to residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after undergoing CCRT remain uncertain.


Movement disorders are a prominent and common feature in many autoantibody-mediated neurologic diseases.1 Anti-IgLON5 disease is a recently discovered antibody-mediated neurodegenerative disorder with antibodies against extracellular epitopes for IgLON5, a neuronal cell adhesion protein of unknown function.2 The disorder shows a remarkable association with the HLA-DQB1*0501 and HLA-DRB1*1001 alleles, and postmortem studies demonstrate a novel neuronal tauopathy involving predominantly the hypothalamus and tegmentum of the brainstem. The core symptoms that led to its discovery were the distinct sleep-related breathing disorders characterized by REM and non-REM parasomnias.2 Initial descriptions of the syndrome suggested that 4 symptoms made up the phenotype of this disorder: sleep disorders, a bulbar syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy, and cognitive decline with or without chorea.3 However, the spectrum of this disease continues to expand. One subsequent case study reported a motor neuron disease-like phenotype, and another reported peripheral involvement.4,5 Regardless of phenotype, anti-IgLON5 disease has an insidious onset and protracted clinical course spanning months to years. With an estimated incidence of 1 in 150,000 people, it affects people between 45 and 75 years of age.6 Only 10% of patients have a history of autoimmune disease,7 and the disorder is not clearly paraneoplastic, with a history of malignancy present in only 11% of individuals.


Changes in soil C and N concentrations and contents in four samplings during a 32-yr period on Walker Branch watershed in Tennessee were determined and compared with previously measured C and N fluxes and with changes in ecosystem C and N pools during this period. Soils showed significant increases in C and N concentrations in surface horizons from 1972 to 2004, and most of this increase occurred between 1972 and 1982. A previously observed decline in soil C and N contents between 1982 and 1993 was reversed in 2004 such that the latter increased to near 1982 values. The changes in soil C content could be approximately accounted for by previously measured litterfall and soil C0 2 -C fluxes. Changes in soil N could not be accounted for by leaching, increments in vegetation, or by laboratory bias, changes during sample storage, or reasonable estimates of field sampling errors. We conclude that, although vegetation C and N pools increased steadily during the sampling period in most cases, changes in soil C and N pools on Walker Branch watershed are highly variable in both space and time, and there has been no unidirectional trend during the time period of this study.


SiC nanocrystals were prepared using waste poly(vinyl butyral) sheet as a carbon source. SiO2/poly(vinyl butyral) mixtures are converted to SiO2/pyrolytic carbon composites via pyrolysis at low temperatures (500°C) in an Ar atmosphere. Subsequently, low-temperature magnesiothermic reduction and purification processes result in the formation of tiny SiC nanocrystals. The size of the synthesized SiC nanocrystals ranged from 3 to 12 nm, i.e., they are smaller than the SiO2 precursor offering large specific surface area of 175.76 m2/g and are single phase as 3C–SiC. Hence, 3C–SiC nanocrystals were successfully synthesized using waste poly(vinyl butyral) through this simple, inexpensive, and scalable process, which will be a new application in the recycling industry.


The development of motor function is related to the development of neural pathways in the white matter. Children with developmental delay (DD) and hypotonia have reduced motor function, and their neural pathways are observed differently from those of typically developed children. We investigated changes in neural pathways through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) after utilizing the Vojta approach. The participant was a child with DD and hypotonia, and had delayed motor function. Although he had no brain damage on magnetic resonance imaging findings, damage to the neural pathway was confirmed through DTI due to cytomegalovirus infection in the mother's womb. From 11 months of age, the Vojta approach was performed for a total of 8 months. In this study, we found that in CST, the left FA and right TV increased in follow-up DTI more than in the initial DTI. In CRP, Wallerian degeneration was observed in the left FA, MD, and TV in follow-up DTI. GMFM-88 improved after intervention. The structural change of neural pathways through the Vojta approach influenced the improvement of gross motor function. Therefore, it is thought that the Vojta approach can be suggested as a meaningful intervention for children with DD and hypotonia.


In this article, we propose a new hybrid approach with Fourier technique well known as Fourier descriptor and HU moments to detect hand gesture signatures for vision-based applications. Fourier descriptors are efficient specifications of image feature extraction. They can be used for shape characterization by preventing the scale, translation, and rotation invariance, as well as their independent from small shape deviations. To obtain good results for hand images, they converted into HSV color space. HSV unlike RGB color space has some features help users understand the nuances in the images; since, if one color be similar to another color, HSV can get better results. After that, Hand image will be extracted from HSV image by implementing the threshold operation. The Fourier Descriptors of extracted hand images are hybridized with HU moments and are compared with the reference dictionary to perform gesture recognition. Experiments are performed on the Bochum Gestures database. Finally the performance of the gesture recognition using Euclidean distance investigated. Results show that proposed hybrid method gives a high performance for hand gesture applications.


Fasting for medical purpose (fasting therapy) has a long tradition in Europe and is established as a defined therapeutic approach in specialized fasting hospitals or within clinical departments for integrative medicine. In 2002, the first guidelines for fasting therapy were published following an expert consensus conference; here we present a revised update elaborated by an expert panel. Historical aspects and definitions, indications, methods, forms, and accompanying procedures of fasting as well as safety and quality criteria of fasting interventions are described. Fasting has shown beneficial effects in various chronic diseases with highest level of evidence for rheumatic diseases. Preliminary clinical and observational data and recently revealed mechanisms of fasting and caloric restriction indicate beneficial effects of fasting also in other chronic conditions such as metabolic diseases, pain syndromes, hypertension, chronic inflammatory diseases, atopic diseases, and psychosomatic disorders. Fasting can also be applied for preventing diseases in healthy subjects. In order to guarantee successful use of fasting and to ensure adherence of all safety and quality standards it is mandatory that all interventions during fasting are guided/accompanied by physicians/therapists trained and certified in fasting therapy.


Beaconless geo-routing protocols have been traditionally analyzed assuming equal communication ranges for the data and control packets. This is not true in reality, since the communication range is in practice function of the packet length. As a consequence, a substantial discrepancy may exist between analytical and empirical results offered in beaconless geo-routing literature. Furthermore, performance of beaconless geo-routing protocols has typically considered using single-hop metrics only. End-to-end performance is considered in literature only occasionally and mainly in terms of simulation only. In this paper, we re-examine this class of protocols. We first incorporate practical packet detection models in order to capture the dependency of the communication range on the packet's length. We then develop a detailed analytical framework for the end-to-end delay and energy performance of beaconless geo-routing protocols. Finally, we present two different application scenarios and study various tradeoffs in light of the framework developed.


Background:
 Hemophilia A is caused by deficiency of factor VIII (F.VIII), an essential blood-clotting cofactor. The current standard of care involves prophylactic or on-demand use of F.VIII. However, approximately 30% of severe hemophilia A patients develop inhibitory antibodies against the replacement factor VIII. Additionally, venous infusion of F.VIII is burdensome especially in pediatric patients. Hemlibra®, a humanized bispecific antibody (BiAb) that mimics the action of factor VIII, has been developed and approved for treating hemophilia A patients with or without inhibitors. Using Kymab's IntelliSelect® Bispecific antibody discovery platform, a fully human common light chain (CLC) bispecific antibody was developed and optimized to mimic the function of F.VIII. The biological activity of the CLC bispecific antibody was characterized using clinically relevant hemostatic assays.
 Methods:
 Kymab IntelliSelect® Transgenic mice were immunized with human factor IX (F.IX) or factor X (F.X). Isolated F.IX and F.X arms were combinatorially expressed as 2-heavy-2-light (2H2L) BiAbs. Light chain of a biologically active F.IX arm was chosen to generate CLC transgenic mice. CLC transgenic mice were immunized with F.X to identify F.X heavy chains pairing with CLC. The isolated F.X heavy chains were co-expressed with the heavy and light chains of the selected F.IX arm as CLC BiAbs and re-screened by functional assays. Biologically active BiAbs were further optimized to generate a lead BiAb, KY1049. KY1049 heterodimer was purified by a two-step method using Protein A and cation ion exchange chromatography (cIEX). The purified BiAb was analyzed by analytical HPLC and mass spectrometry (MS). The purified BiAb was also characterized using a combination of in vitro and ex vivo hemostatic assays including chromogenic FXase (FXase), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin generation assay (TGA). Binding of KY1049 to F.IX and F.X was studied using surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
 Results:
 More than 8,000 2H2L BiAbs were first screened by high-throughput chromogenic FXase assay. Functionally active 2H2L BiAbs were identified, consisting of one F.IX arm and different F.X arms. The light chain of this promiscuous F.IX arm was chosen to generate CLC transgenic mice expressing the light chain exclusively. More than 400 F.X heavy chains isolated from the CLC transgenic mice were screened to identify functionally active CLC BiAbs. Further work to iteratively and combinatorially optimize the variable domains resulted in KY1049, a lead BiAb which demonstrates robust hemostatic activity. KY1049 demonstrates a dose-dependent reduction in clotting time and a dose-dependent increase in thrombin burst, thereby functionally restoring the hemostatic activity of F.VIII-depleted plasma. Compared with a sequence identical analog (SIA) of Hemlibra®, KY1049 shows comparable efficacy in a range of concentration of IgG (0.1 to 300 nM). Importantly, KY1049 can be purified using a routine purification process. The purity and the identity of KY1049 was confirmed by mass spectrometry. KY1049 was shown to simultaneously bind F.IX and F.X using SPR in confirmation of its mode of action.
 Summary/conclusions:
 KY1049, developed using Kymab's IntelliSelect® Bispecific platform, is a potent F.VIII mimetic bispecific antibody with activities comparable to a SIA of Hemlibra®. This fully human CLC bispecific antibody can potentially provide a new treatment option for hemophilia A patients.

 Wang: Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Blackwood:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Magliozzi:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Moraes:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hollins:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sinopoli:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chi:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mitchell:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sellick:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Pearce:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Theurl:Kymab Ltd.: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Sierra Oncoloy: Research Funding. Germaschewski:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Galson:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Badiali:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dickson:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Bradley:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Lee:Kymab Ltd.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties.


BACKGROUND
Investigations of suspected child abuse must be conducted thoroughly to protect the abused child and to bring the abuser to trial. We have reviewed the literature on child abuse by burning and have synthesized, from the experience of ourselves and others, an algorithm that can be used by physicians, social workers, and nurses involved in the investigation of alleged child abuse by burning.

METHODS
A MEDLINE search was conducted for the years 1966 through 2000 for human studies written in the English language using the key terms "child abuse" and "burns."

RESULTS
Information from these articles was reviewed and included in this article. On the basis of our own experience and that cited in the literature, an algorithm was constructed to guide hospital-based personnel in their management of child abuse by burning.

CONCLUSION
Medical investigation of suspected child abuse by burning can be performed systematically using an algorithm, thereby minimizing the chance of either false-positive or false-negative reporting.


SUMMARY OF OFFENDER ASSESSMENTS FOR TREATMENT NEEDS AND FUNCTIONING The first protocol approved for implementation in CJ-DATS was the Performance Indicatorsfor Corrections (PIC) study. Its initial wave of findings is described in this journal volume. Themulticenter PIC protocol is led by the Texas Christian University (TCU) Research Center andincludes collaborating teams from the National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.(NDRI), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Delaware, andUniversity of Kentucky. The PIC study evaluated instruments for assessing offender function-ing, including the TCU Criminal Justice Client Evaluation of Self and Treatment (CJ CEST),TCU Criminal Thinking Scales (CTS), and the NDRI Client Assessment Inventory (CAI).Specific aims were to establish methodological evidence for these assessments that focus onclient functioning and treatment engagement, criminal thinking patterns, client responses to 1106 CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR


Fertile fern foliage described as Lophosoria cupulatus sp. nov. contains the distinctive spore Cyatheacidites annulatus. The fossil foliage is morphologically similar to the Early Cretaceous form-genera Gleichenites and Microphyllopteris, whose time and space distribution in Gondwana matches that of the dispersed spore Cyatheacidites. Some of the Cretaceous southern hemisphere material assigned to Gleichenites and Microphyllopteris is probably allied to families such as the Lophosoriaceae rather than the Gleicheniaceae as had been previously supposed. The nearest living relative, Lophosoria quadripinnata, grows within a mean annual temperature range of 8–22° C, and a mean annual precipitation range of 195–1977 mm. The presence of Lophosoria cupulatus at palaeolatitudes of 55–65° S implies that during the Aptian the southern high latitudes were a minimum of 12° C warmer than the present day.


With reference to the results of Hungarian economics, sociology, political science and geography, the paper calls for a comprehensive approach in geographical research which should rely on there results and attempt to summarize the spatial impacts of the praxis of the organisation of society in ex isting socialism. The author herself does attempt to analyse the impacts of economic and administrative reforms on regional development on the basis of relevant Hungarian literature and the 'reform histories' in three socialist countries. In the first chapter the author theoretically clarifies the relationship between economy, administration and regional development. The second chapter briefly reviews how economic and administrative measures related to each other and to regional development in the history of Hungary and two 'extremist' socialist countries: Yugoslavia and Romania. The third part draws general conclusions from contrasting similarities and dissimilarities between countries. The most important statement here is the following: besides significant differences, there are many common features in the development of the three socialist countries. Balkings in economic and administrative reforms and their contradictions had repercussions on each other and as a result, centralized hierarchical control has remained strong in all three countries. Spatial policy objectives and spatial planning appeared in vain from the mid-1960s: the realization of spatial— and settlement development objectives has been limited, spatial disparities have not diminished to significant extent, moreover, interventions in the natural course of spatial development often led to new spatial tensions.


Prodrug nanoassemblies have emerged as a promising platform for the delivery of anticancer drugs. PEGylation is a "gold standard" to improve colloidal stability and pharmacokinetics of nanomedicines. However, the clinical application of PEG materials is challenged by in vivo oxidative degradation and immunogenicity. Rational design of advanced biomaterials for the surface modification of nanomedicines is the hot spot of research. Here, a zwitterionic sulfobetaine surfactant is constructed as a novel surface modifier to coassemble with 10‐hydroxycamptothecin‐linoleic acid conjugate, with the classical PEGylated material as control. Interestingly, both the type and ratio of surfactants have profound impacts on the molecular mechanisms of the assembly of prodrugs, thereby affecting the pharmaceutical properties. Compared with PEGylated spherical prodrug nanoassemblies, zwitterion‐modified prodrug nanoassemblies have distinct rod shape and superhydrophilic surface, and exhibit potent antitumor activity due to the combination of multiple advantages in terms of colloidal stability, cellular uptake, and pharmacokinetics. The findings illustrate the crucial role of zwitterionic surfactants as the surface modifier in the determination of in vivo fate of the prodrug nanoassemblies, and pave the way for the development of advanced nanomedicines.


Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a complex group of neurodevelopment disorders steadily rising in frequency and treatment refractory, where the search for biological markers is of paramount importance. Although red blood cells (RBCs) membrane lipidomics and rheological variables have been reported to be altered, with some suggestions indicating an increased lipid peroxidation in the erythrocyte membrane, to date no information exists on how the oxidative membrane damage may affect cytoskeletal membrane proteins and, ultimately, RBCs shape in autism. Here, we investigated RBC morphology by scanning electron microscopy in patients with classical autism, that is, the predominant ASDs phenotype (age range: 6–26 years), nonautistic neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e., "positive controls"), and healthy controls (i.e., "negative controls"). A high percentage of altered RBCs shapes, predominantly elliptocytes, was observed in autistic patients, but not in both control groups. The RBCs altered morphology in autistic subjects was related to increased erythrocyte membrane F2-isoprostanes and 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts. In addition, an oxidative damage of the erythrocyte membrane β-actin protein was evidenced. Therefore, the combination of erythrocyte shape abnormalities, erythrocyte membrane oxidative damage, and β-actin alterations constitutes a previously unrecognized triad in classical autism and provides new biological markers in the diagnostic workup of ASDs.


Highly selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol with 2-propanol was achieved using SiC-supported Au nanoparticles as photocatalyst. The hydrogenation reached a turnover frequency as high as 487 h(-1) with 100% selectivity for the production of alcohol under visible light irradiation at 20 °C. This high performance is attributed to a synergistic effect of localized surface plasmon resonance of Au NPs and charge transfer across the SiC/Au interface. The charged metal surface facilitates the oxidation of 2-propanol to form acetone, while the electron and steric effects at the interface favor the preferred end-adsorption of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes for their selective conversion to unsaturated alcohols. We show that this Au/SiC photocatalyst is capable of hydrogenating a large variety of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to their corresponding unsaturated alcohols with high conversion and selectivity.


Abstract With the exception of responses to semiochemicals, host selection behaviors of D. frontalis are largely unstudied. To better understand the host finding behavior of D. frontalis, and to identify potential visual disruptants, we evaluated the response of D. frontalis to multiple-funnel traps of eight different colors. Multiple-funnel traps provide an attractive vertical silhouette, similar to a host stem, that aids in capturing bark beetles and allows for controlled evaluation of visual cues. Evaluation of mean trap catch of each color by analysis of variance (ANOVA) produced two separate groups: white and yellow traps caught significantly fewer D. frontalis than the other six colors tested (black, blue, brown, gray, green, red). Examination of spectral reflectance curves showed that the eight colors could be naturally placed into two groups, those with high peak reflectance (white and yellow) and those with low peak reflectance (black, blue, brown, gray, green, red). When high and low peak reflectance were substituted for color in a separate ANOVA, reflectance group was as good as color at explaining the variability in trap catch (r2 = 0.88 versus 0.92). Therefore, hue (dominant wavelength) was unimportant in affecting D. frontalis host finding behavior at the reflectance levels we tested and, thus, we found no strong evidence that differential wavelength sensitivity affected the response of D. frontalis. These results show that dark colored silhouettes (those with low reflectance values), regardless of hue, are best for capturing D. frontalis, while white or yellow are the best candidate colors for disrupting host finding.


The achievement gains of California students with disabilities (SWDs) on the California Standards Test (CST)-English Language Arts have surpassed the achievement gains of students with no reported disabilities in recent years, and so the special education achievement gap seemed to be closing. However, the reported achievement for SWDs has not factored in changes in the tested student populations that resulted from the introduction of modified assessments, suggesting that the achievement gains of SWDs are misleading. In this descriptive study I identified population characteristics of California students taking the various assessments and described how achievement trends were influenced as alternative assessment tests were implemented and as the numbers of students taking the various Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests fluctuated. Using published data from the California Department of Education STAR and DataQuest systems, I developed scenarios to evaluate the achievement of SWDs by exploring how the reported results were affected by changes in tested populations. I found that the achievement of all SWDs has improved only marginally and that the achievement gap has continued to increase, contradicting reports that the gap is closing. I also examined whether tests have been administered to appropriate students, according to NCLB regulations, and identified weaknesses in the federal regulations and state guidelines associated with assessing SWDs. I anticipate that these findings will provide policymakers, administrators, and special educators with a better assessment of the progress made by the State of California toward closing the special education achievement gap and of the consequences of current regulations, guidelines, and practices.


This paper presents a modular architecture for a scalable ATM-switch. The cell routing function, as well as the associated queueing, are distributed over many small clusters of nodes, called basic modules. These basic modules are hierarchically interconnected to form larger switches. In a basic module, every node is interconnected with adjacent nodes in the same module with three of its four links. The fourth link is used to connect either to an external port or to other basic modules at higher levels of the hierarchy. From a hardware implementation perspective, the simplicity of the architecture stems from the fact that each node in the switch consists of two small crossbar switches of low complexity, a buffer, and a controller. The hierarchial nature of the topology allows for modular growth of the switch. Further, the interconnection topology of the switch makes it suitable for three-dimensional (3-D) (stacked VLSI) implementation.


The lymphatic vasculature drains lymph fluid from the tissue spaces of most organs and returns it to the blood vasculature for recirculation. Before reaching the circulatory system, antigens and pathogens transported by the lymph are trapped by the lymph nodes. As proposed by Florence Sabin more than a century ago and recently validated, the mammalian lymphatic vasculature has a venous origin and is derived from primitive lymph sacs scattered along the embryonic body axis. Also as proposed by Sabin, it has been generally accepted that lymph nodes originate from those embryonic primitive lymph sacs. However, we now demonstrate that the initiation of lymph node development does not require lymph sacs. We show that lymph node formation is initiated normally in E14.5 Prox1-null mouse embryos devoid of lymph sacs and lymphatic vasculature, and in E17.5 Prox1 conditional mutant embryos, which have defective lymph sacs. However, subsequent clustering of hematopoietic cells within these developing lymph nodes is less efficient.


Cover image This participant in the ARDSI day care centre in Cochin, India, was diagnosed with dementia at age 68 and was initially taken care of at home by family and domestic servants. Her aggressive behaviour became problematic, and she was enrolled in the daycare centre. At the centre she chats, tells stories and benefits from trained staff members and volunteers, such as Geetha, who are understanding and kind. 2009 2 Demographic ageing is a worldwide process that shows the successes of improved healthcare over the last century. Many are now living longer and healthier lives and so the world population has a greater proportion of older people. We all agree that ageing brings some challenges as well. Many international meetings have touched on this issue and adopted statements, for instance the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing from 2002. A clearly negative effect of ageing is the significant increase in the number of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) has commissioned this report in order to support Alzheimer associations around the world in working with their governments on strategies to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers, and to increase research efforts. To encourage the development of those national strategies, it is very important that the World Health Organization makes dementia a global health priority. If a country is in the business of supporting or spurring medical research, its portfolio ought to include funding Alzheimer's disease research in a proportion that matches its burden to the country. To make clear why this is important and why it is urgent, we wanted to put together updated information on the prevalence and impact of the disease and offer a framework for solutions. Some recent experiences have been very encouraging. In 2004, Australia was the first country to make dementia a national health priority, and national dementia strategies have been launched in France, South Korea, England, Norway and the Netherlands. We also want to highlight a very recent initiative from the European Commission as the first international action plan on dementia. This report gives an overview and analysis of the situation, based on the currently available research data. The 2009 World Alzheimer Report confirms that there are many millions of people living with Alzheimer's or another dementia. This report and all earlier studies indicate that the current number of people living with dementia …