INTRODUCTION
The Thai traditional health supervision model has been developed since 1991. However, many supervisors lack supervisory knowledge and skills. This study aimed to compare and identify the strengths and challenges of two different supervision models, in order to determine their effects on enhancing the health promotion capacity of health officers in two primary care units (PCU) in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand.

METHODS
The two models were implemented at two PCU in one semi-district, Chiang Mai Province, over a six-month period. The first model involved supervisors from the district level, with the full participation of health officers at the sub-district level. The second model was designed with the addition of community involvement in the supervision process. Before implementing the models, the district supervisors attended a retraining course to enhance their supervisory knowledge and ability. Questionnaires were used to assess health officers' job satisfaction, clients' perceived service quality and care satisfaction. Semi-structured interviews and qualitative observations were used to explore the involvement of health officers and the community, and to determine the strengths and challenges of each supervisory model.

RESULTS
Both before and after the intervention, the PCU health officers appeared to have good and comparable job satisfaction levels. Bivariate analysis indicated that after the intervention, both supervisory models appeared effective in terms of clients' perceived service quality and satisfaction with care, among those who utilized the PCU. However, the second model, which allowed the community to participate in the supervision process, achieved better results. The qualitative findings suggested that the involvement of health officers caused a rapid change and improvement after the supervision. The involvement of the community helped the community itself to identify problems and formulate alternatives to meet the community's needs.

CONCLUSIONS
This study shows positive outcomes for two forms of participatory supervision in a rural setting. There appear to be additional positive outcomes for the model that involved community participation. To ensure successful implementation, several issues, such as the supervisor's knowledge and ability, health officer workload and supervisory communication skills, need to be improved.


Background and Aims: Due to the increasing development of knowledge in today's knowledge-based world, the need for self-directed learning and Meta cognitive strategies is a necessity in medical students. The aim of the present research is to investigate the relationship between Meta cognitive strategies with self-directed learning among students in Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Methods: In this descriptive- correlation study, 303 students were selected from Qom University of Medical Sciences through stratified random sampling method with considering gender. Data were collected through two questionnaires on Meta cognitive inventory of O'neill, and Abedi and self-directed learning questionnaire of Fisher's. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics methods, Pearson correlation, independent t-test and multiple regression. Results: The results of Pearson correlation test showed that there was significant positive relationship between Meta cognitive strategies with total of self-directed learning scale and the components named. According to independent t-test results, there was significant difference between female and male students' in total of self-directed learning scores ( P =0/04) and two components self-control ( p =0/02) and desire to learning ( P =0/01). But there was no significant difference in self-management ( P =0/586). Also there was no significant difference female and male students' in Meta cognitive strategies ( P =0/388). Finally, the results of regression analysis showed that the willingness to learn and self-control skills are positively and significantly predicted metacognitive strategies. Conclusions: According to the results, Practitioners University of Medical Sciences and Professors must try improvement and promotion these skills to student in order to turn them into Thinker, Independent, self-assessment and Lifelong learners.


Nonmycotic peripheral posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are rare. The authors report six cases of peripheral PICA aneurysm. Two of these are unusual; one was fusiform and another was a double aneurysm arising from the peripheral PICA. The previously reported 40 cases of peripheral PICA aneurysm are reviewed.


The Use of In Vitro Fertilization: Is There a Right to Bear or Beget a Child by any Available Medical Means? The prodigious advancements of biomedical science in human reproduction have brought both blessing and cursing in recent years. Many join with child-less couples and hail the opportunity to bear a child, while others fearfully contemplate the moral and ethical consequences that accompany the birth of that child. In view of those consequences, laws limiting access to the new methods of reproduction are bound to be drawn and couples are bound to challenge them as unconstitutionally limiting their right to privacy. This comment examines the arguments of both sides in determining whether the right of privacy protects the use of the new methods from government regulation. It presents the constitutional grounds for such arguments and considers the various factual situations that may confront a court deciding the issue. It ends with an evaluation of interests that might justify regulation even if the use of the methods is protected.


The growth of the hepatic weight was correlated to fetal parameters of maturity (gestational age, crown-rump length and weight) in 70 human fetuses ranging from 14 to 39 weeks post-conception using the allometric method. The growth of the hepatic weight presents moderate positive allometry relative to age and C-R length, and isometry relative to fetal weight. The coefficiens of correlation are very high (p less than 0.001, Table 1). This study presents growth curves of the hepatic weight useful in medical branches such as anatomy, forensic medicine, fetopathology, medical imagery, onstetrics and pediatrics.


BACKGROUND
To investigate the distribution of stenosis of intracranial and extracranial arteries of Han population patients suffering from cerebral infarction in the city of Quanzhou in Fujian and to determine the correlation of apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B with intracranial and extracranial atherosclerosis stenosis.

METHODS
For this study, we enrolled patients with cerebral infarction between December 2009 and October 2012 at the Neurology Department of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. All patients were examined by computed tomography angiography (CTA). Past medical history, demographic data, and biochemical markers were collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between apo A1, apo B, and cerebral atherosclerosis stenosis.

RESULTS
A total of 412 patients were included in this study. 137 cases (33.3%) were classified as the intracranial atherosclerosis stenosis (ICAS) group, 74 cases (18.0%) as the combined intracranial and extracranial atherosclerosis stenosis (COAS) group, 44 cases (0.7%) as the extracranial atherosclerosis stenosis (ECAS) group, and 157 cases (38.1%) as the non-cerebral atherosclerosis stenosis (NCAS) group. Middle cerebral arteries (43.8%) were the most common lesions of intracranial arterial atherosclerosis stenosis. Extracranial carotid stenosis (30.7%) were more likely to be stenoses in the extracranial internal carotid arteries. Compared with the NCAS group, apo B was significantly higher (p < 0.001), apo A1 was significantly lower in the ICAS group and COAS group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.030). Compared with the mild atherosclerosis stenosis group, apo B was higher in the severe extracranial atherosclerosis stenosis group (p = 0.03), apo A1 was lower in the severe intracranial atherosclerosis stenosis group (p < 0.001). The multiple logistic regression analyses showed that when apo A1 > 1.28 g/L, it was an independent protective factor of intracranial stenosis (OR, 0.39), apo B was an independent risk factor of the cerebral atherosclerosis stenosis group, and when apo B > 1.16, it is significantly associated with the cerebral atherosclerosis stenosis group (ICAS: OR, 6.41) (ECAS: OR, 5.15).

CONCLUSIONS
1. The occurrence of atherosclerosis stenosis in intracranial arteries is more frequent than that in extracranial arteries in population with cerebral infarction; 2. Apo B is an independent risk factor of intracranial and extracranial arterial stenosis, apo A1 is associated with the degree of intracranial stenosis and an independent protector of intracranial stenosis.


Objectives To explore the anatomopathological concordance of different diagnosis methods in endometrial cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis of 824 patients with endometrial cancer diagnosis referred to surgical treatment in Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo between January 2009 and February 2019 was performed. Data has been exported from the REDCap database. The proportions of concordance of the exact anatomopathological results (histological type and grade) and the histological grade alone (high or low grade) between the diagnostic biopsy and the surgical specimen were calculated and compared for the following methods: endometrial aspiration, curettage and hysteroscopy (diagnose and operative). Results From the 824 analyzed patients, 628 had histological results from both a diagnostic biopsy and the surgical specimen. The diagnosis methods analyzed were: endometrial aspiration, curettage and hysteroscopy. The proportion of anatomopathological concordance between biopsy and surgical specimen can be seen in table 1. The exact concordance taking into account the histological type and grade was analyzed and in a second analysis the histological grade alone was evaluated. table 2 shows the comparison of the different methods. Abstract 398 Table 1 Hystological concordance between biopsy and final specimen in different diagonsis Abstract 398 Table 2 Proportion concordance diagnose comparison between different diagnosis methods Conclusions Endometrial cancer diagnosis through endometrial aspiration or curettage had a better correlation of the histological grade with the surgical specimen when compared to hysteroscopy. In addition, endometrial aspiration is a cheaper and more accessible method than hysteroscopy and should therefore be stimulated as a diagnostic method for endometrial cancer.


In this paper we present the results of a comprehensive literature survey on the development of collaborative design. We reviewed 324 papers on collaborative design, taken from various sources (conferences, journals, and PhD-theses). We grouped the papers based on common themes, and in that way derived a classification of themes through the last 25 years (1983-2008). Each category is described, its development, and key publications are identified.


In this study, an ultra-wideband (UWB) monopole antenna with a dynamically reconfigurable notch band, along with the associated RF-triggered power management unit (PMU) that enables the dynamic reconfigurability, are presented. The UWB monopole antenna has a rectangular slot which hosts a J-shaped stub, electrically connected with the radiator using one PIN diode switch. When the diode is OFF, the monopole antenna has a UWB characteristic, while when it is turned ON a frequency notch is created at 5.6 GHz. The diode is fed from a PMU that consists of a rectenna and a DC-to-DC active booster. When the rectenna that consists of a patch antenna and a rectifier receives a -11 dBm or higher 5.6 GHz signal, it rectifies the RF signal into a sufficiently high DC voltage. The rectified DC voltage is applied to the cascaded DC-to-DC booster as enabling signal, and the booster provides at its output terminal sufficient DC power to actuate the PIN diode and thus dynamically reconfigure the UWB antenna. The dynamically reconfigurable notch band is created immediately in response to the reception of an external, -11 dBm RF signal at 5.6 GHz, and it disappears in real time immediately after the external RF signal is removed.


Storyville, the red-light district of New Orleans, was the birthplace of jazz. Around 1912 the photographer E.J. Bellocq found a compelling fascination in the women of the district, and the only work to have survived his death were his portraits of these prostitutes. The glass-plate negatives came into the possession of the distinguished American photographer, Lee Friedlander, and his prints from these original plates were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, in 1970. The collection in this book includes a number of previously unpublished photographs, many of which are marked by the patina of their age, with which they are considered to have acquired a heightened and evocative beauty.


Bone regeneration process involves upregulation of various bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their receptors, and several lines of evidence have demonstrated that BMP signaling plays a crucial role in bone regeneration. Recent research using conditional knockout mice of BMP-2 in limb revealed the essential role of BMP-2 during bone regeneration. Recombinant human BMPs and gene therapy of BMPs have been successfully applied to bone repair including application to dental implant.


The messenger RNA level of several MAGE genes, some of which have been proven to encode tumor rejection antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, were examined in 41 benign and malignant lesions of the head and neck region. By a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay and Southern blot hybridization, MAGE-1, -2, -3, -4, and -6 genes were expressed in 25%, 41.7%, 33.3%, 8.3% and 33.3% of 12 non-squamous cell carcinomas, respectively. These tumors consisted of 6 papillary adenocarcinomas, 3 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 2 adenocarcinomas, and 1 mucoepidermoid tumor. Of 7 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, one case from the oropharynx and 2 from the nasopharynx expressed for the MAGE-1 and MAGE-2 genes, respectively. In contrast, none of 12 benign tumors expressed any of these MAGE genes. Interestingly, of 10 other lesions including hyperplasia, keratosis, and ulcer, one histologically diagnosed as dysplasia expressed the MAGE-2, -3, -4, and -6 genes. These results suggest that the MAGE genes may be expressed in malignant tumors and precancerous lesions but not in benign tumors. In addition, non-squamous cell carcinomas may be suitable targets for specific immunotherapy against MAGE gene products.


Three cases of chronic rejection occurring 7.5, 10, and 24 months after transplantation of the heart are analysed. The clinical features of chronic rejection in the late-term periods after transplantation of the heart are discussed. The problems of clinical diagnosis of chronic rejection, the role of endomyocardial biopsy and disorders of lipid metabolism are dealt with. Tactics of saving the patient are recommended. The authors substantiate the necessity for heart retransplantation and, in the absence of a donor's heart, for two-stage transplantation of the heart through an artificial heart or a biventricular approach by means of artificial heart ventricles.


THE ESSENTIALS OF POSTGRADUATE PSYCHIATRY Edited by Robin Murray, Peter Hill & Peter McGuffin Cambridge University Press, 1997. Pp. 843, Pb. ISBN 0-521-57801-9 In the preface the editors set out the philosophy which this book embraces; &dquo;operational definitions of psychiatric conditions have become a part of everyday clinical practice ... dramatic advances in neuroscience have had a major impact on psychiatry ... psychiatric epidemiology has successfully moved to address questions of cause ... the antipsychiatric movement has almost disappeared ... these welcome changes have been accompanied by an almost


Sleep is naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. It is observed in all mammals, all birds, and many reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Sleep is often thought to help conserve energy.
Aims & objective: To find out the correlation of sleep duration with BMI and arterial blood pressure of Medical Students.
Material and method: Cross-sectional study was done on 150 medical students of Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur. Medical students both boys and girls were selected and interviewed for the duration of sleep at night and average duration of sleep per week since last six months was determined. Data regarding age, sex, height, weight and arterial blood pressure per standard methods.
Results: In the present study Observation shows decrease in sleep duration increase in blood pressure values in both boys and girls and did not found any association between sleep duration and BMI.


Eighty patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease were randomized either to treatment with combination of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and prednisone (ABVP), alternating with lomustine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (LOPP)--Group A, or to combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, and low dose of bleomycin (COPP-Bleo)--Group B. Thirty-nine out of 41 patients (95%) in Group A achieved complete remission (CR) as compared to 25 CR in 39 patients (64%) in Group B. Patients with systemic symptoms, bulky disease, and nodular sclerosis achieved significantly more CR after treatment with ABVP/LOPP regimen than with COPP-Bleo regimen. Ninety percent of patients are alive in Group A (median observation time 97+ months) as compared to 58% in Group B (median observation time 97+ months). Ninety-two percent of complete responders are in CR in Group A as compared to 53% of complete responders in Group B. These differences between both groups are significant. More serious (WHO grade III and IV) myelosuppression as well as stomatitis and alopecia were observed in Group A. Gastrointestinal toxicity and neurotoxicity was more frequent in Group A. No patient died due to toxicity in Group A as compared to one patient in Group B. Non-cross-resistant alternating regimen ABVP/LOPP was more effective in the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease than the COPP-Bleo regimen, especially for patients with advanced Stage IVB Hodgkin's disease.


For clinicians who are struggling with the complexities of medical decision‐making, practice guidelines and evidence‐based medicine (EBM) have become increasingly popular and have potential to positively influence the practice of medicine. Nevertheless, they have their limitations. Guidelines are often rigid, based solely on age, and usually do not take into account a patient's comorbidities, life expectancy, and nonmedical preferences. EBM studies may not always include particular patient populations commonly seen by the geriatric clinician (e.g., studies on lipid‐lowering agents or antihypertensive drug usually exclude the very old or patients who are frail, demented, or at the end of life). These limitations have made it difficult for geriatric clinicians to use these guidelines because of the need to individualize evaluation and treatment approaches and take into account the varied preferences of their older patients. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative model of care for geriatric clinicians called The Clinical Glidepaths. The Clinical Glidepaths are outpatient tools intended to assist geriatric clinicians in their decision‐making process. They are based on the following principles. (1) Clinicians need guidance concerning many different types of patients, not rigid guidelines based solely on age. (2) EBM should be used but has some limitations of which to be aware. (3) Clinical experience, which emphasizes individual outcomes instead of populations, is an important component of medical decisions. (4) There needs to be room for patient preferences in medical decision‐making. (5) An approach to patients based on probable life expectancy and function, instead of age, will be more applicable and useful. (6) Making a useful tool will focus on common problems seen in every day geriatric practices.


Standard optimal portfolio choice models assume that investors maximise the expected utility of their future outcomes. However, behaviour which is inconsistent with the expected utility theory has often been observed. In a discrete time setting, we provide a formal treatment of risk measures based on distortion functions that are consistent with Yaari's dual (non-expected utility) theory of choice (1987), and set out a general layout for portfolio optimisation in this non-expected utility framework using the risk neutral computational approach. As an application, we consider two particular risk measures. The first one is based on the PH-transform and treats the upside and downside of the risk differently. The second one, introduced by Wang (2000) uses a probability distortion operator based on the cumulative normal distribution function. Both risk measures rank-order prospects and apply a distortion function to the entire vector of probabilities.


Lidov-Kozai oscillations of planets in stellar binaries, combined with tidal dissipation, can lead to the formation of hot Jupiters (HJs) or tidal disruption of planets. Recent population synthesis studies have found that the fraction of systems resulting in HJs (F_HJ) depends strongly on the planet mass, host stellar type and tidal dissipation strength, while the total migration fraction F_mig = F_ HJ + F_dis (including both HJ formation and tidal disruption) exhibits much weaker dependence. We present an analytical method for calculating F_HJ and F_mig in the Lidov-Kozai migration scenario. The key ingredient of our method is to determine the critical initial planet-binary inclination angle that drives the planet to reach sufficiently large eccentricity for efficient tidal dissipation or disruption. This calculation includes the effects of the octupole potential and short-range forces on the planet. Our analytical method reproduces the resulting planet migration/disruption fractions from population synthesis, and can be easily implemented for various planet, stellar/companion types, and for different distributions of initial planetary semi-major axes, binary separations and eccentricities. We extend our calculations to planets in the super-Earth mass range and discuss the conditions for such planets to survive Lidov-Kozai migration and form close-in rocky planets.


Introduction In September 2004, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) extended their recommendations for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair to all patients from previous guidelines pertaining to bilateral and recurrent hernias. Despite these changes in policy little is known about short-term complications that are encountered in the primary care setting. Method Linked primary (Clinical Practice Research Datalink – CPRD) and secondary (Hospital Episode Statistics – HES) care records were used to evaluate outcomes from inguinal hernia repair in England. Patients undergoing primary inguinal hernia repair between 1997 and 2012 were evaluated. In-hospital complicaitons were measured in HES, out-of-hospital complications were measured in CPRD and reoperation for recurrence was measured in HES. Results From these datasets, 34400 primary hernia repairs performed in 32410 patients were evaluated. Of these repairs, 7.4% (2541/34400) were performed laparoscopically. The proportion of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair increased after the introduction of guidelines in September 2004. Short-term complications were lower for laparoscopic (1.85% – 47/2541) compared with open (3.57% – 1138/31859) repair, but surgery for recurrence was more frequent following laparoscopic repair (laparoscopic 3.31% 84/2541, open 1.15% 366/31859) (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the rate of short-term complications before (3.53% – 18405) and after (3.35% – 536/15995) the introduction of guidelines, while surgery for recurrence was more frequent after the introduction of guidelines (pre-guidelines 1.50% 240/15755, post-guidelines 1.14% 210/18405, p = 0.004). Independent predictors of short-term complications were age (OR = 1.01), body mass index (OR = 1.03), peptic ulcer disease (0.002), respiratory disease (OR = 1.26), bilateral repair (OR = 1.50), open surgery (OR = 1.38) and emergency surgery (OR = 2.13) (p < 0.05). Independent predictors of surgery for recurrence included bilateral repair (OR = 3.67), laparoscopic repair (OR = 1.49), surgery after the introduction of guidelines (OR = 1.24) and wound infection (OR = 1.79) (p < 0.05).Abstract PTU-284 Figure 1 Conclusion Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair was associated with significantly lower short-term complication rates compared with open surgery, but significantly increasaed rates of surgery for recurrence. It is important that further dissemination of the technique is accompanied by adequate training to ensure longer term durability. Disclosure of interest None Declared.


The soundscape is defined as the acoustic environment perceived or experienced by a person or people. Soundscape research, where human perception is at the center, has generally been conducted on unwanted sound sources to identify sounds' negative health effects. Therefore, wanted sound
 sources and their impact on being exposed to soundscapes that may induce positive outputs on health has been neglected. People tend to be in places that reduce stress and increase restoration. However, many indoor places cause stress in our daily lives and decrease the quality of living. This
 study aims to generate the conceptual model that would be used to identify what causes stress indoors and what can be done to transfer these spaces into restorative ones from the soundscape perspective. To generate a comprehensive model, by centering the soundscape framework of ISO, its constructs
 were combined with Attention Restorative Theory (ART), Stress Recovery Theory (SRT), and Biophilic Design approach into positive and negative relations based on their effects on health.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact of continuous plasma perfusion on plasma PQ concentration (PPQ) in acute PQ-poisoning patients for the estimation of its PQ clearance effect.

METHODS
21 PQ-poisoned patients admitted to our poisoning center within 24 hours after the ingestion were prospectively enrolled. Continuous plasma perfusion (flow rate 180 ml/min) was performed, with plasma/blood separation at 40 ml/min and routine cartridges change every 3 hours. Urinary PQ (UPQ), urine flow rate (UFR), and PPQ level at inlet/outlet of the cartridge were obtained right before, and 1.5 hours after the start of each perfusion session for calculation of renal and plasma PQ excretion.

RESULTS
In all 8 rounds (108 sessions) of plasma perfusion on the 21 patients, PQ elimination rate (ml/min) by plasma perfusion was found always higher than the renal value: [1st (21 cases) 11.14±6.13 vs. 5.33±4.33; 2nd (21 cases) 18.36±11.32 vs. 4.85±3.15; 3rd (21 cases) 16.13±10.05 vs. 0.84±0.80; 4th (17 cases) 12.86 (6.72, 17.47) vs. 0.28 (0.09, 0.60); 5th (11 cases) 14.12 (10.48, 35.20) vs. 0.10 (0.03, 0.73); 6th (7 cases) 16.47 (11.82; 20.69) vs. 0.13 (0.03, 0.40); 7th (5 cases) 13.33 (9.71, 18.75) vs. 0.33 (0.24, 0.47); 8th (5 cases) 11.27 (9.21, 16.02) vs. 0.32 (0.10, 1.22), P< 0.05 or P< 0.01]. In the study, PPQ was found negatively correlated to PQ elimination by plasma perfusion (r = - 0.4799, P< 0.0001), and positively correlated to the renal elimination ( r = 0.5060, P< 0.0001). The survivors (10 cases) showed a higher PPQ reduction rate (mg×L(-1)×h(-1)) than the non-survivors (11 cases, 0.57± 0.03 vs. 0.47±0.06,P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION
Continuous plasma perfusion may be a promising therapeutic tool for its significant PPQ reduction effect, and plasma perfusion should be made available early for patients with acute PQ intoxication.


Weed scientists are facing research problems, such as invasive weeds, that may require multidisciplinary approaches to solve. One example is jointed goatgrass, a winter annual grass invading winter wheat fields and not easily managed with conventional control tactics. A national research program was started in 1994 to develop jointed goatgrass management strategies. Involving more than 35 scientists with diverse scientific expertise, this national approach fostered cooperative research projects across 11 states. Research involved entomology, economics, plant breeding, plant physiology, genetics, and weed science, leading to successful management systems for jointed goatgrass. To help other scientists organize regional or national programs, we describe development and performance of the jointed goatgrass program as well as suggest ideas for possible improvement. Pivotal to the success of the program was a Steering Committee, whose role was to establish research priorities and coordinate research across the western United States. Nomenclature: Jointed goatgrass, Aegilops cylindrica Host. #3 AEGCY; winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L. Additional index words: AEGCY, Congressional special grant, integrated management, strategic planning, technology transfer. Abbreviations: BMP, best management practices; CSREES, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; WSWS, Western Society of Weed Science.


The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era brings with it exciting new possibilities and at the same time new challenges for the language and education sector. Due to the exponential changes brought about by the 4IR, researchers predicted that pretty soon, we will witness changes in most sectors in the world including the employment sector. Over the years, the delivery of Malaysian Higher Education Programmes (MyHE) has transformed significantly. The challenges and the way forward towards addressing the issues pertaining to 4IR in the realm of language and education are presented and discussed in this editorial.


Abstract As competition in the secondary education market grows, increasing service quality to ensure parents' satisfaction and loyalty is crucial to the future success of secondary schools. As parents of secondary school students (PASESS) are not the direct recipients of educational service, the main goal of this research was to investigate the mediating role of transformative quality between assessment of core educational quality and parents' satisfaction and loyalty. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data collected from 209 PASESS in Vietnam. The results showed that, similar to previous research, satisfaction is the strongest determinant of loyalty. Attitude and behavior were the only components of core educational quality that had a direct impact on loyalty. The findings also revealed that the relationship between competence and curriculum and core educational quality and loyalty is mediated by transformative quality and satisfaction. The practical implications and theoretical contributions of the research findings are also discussed.


Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL

We have shown earlier that microRNA (miR)-221 and -222 are upregulated in tamoxifen (TAM) resistant breast cancer cell line MCF-7 (OHTR), and in Her2 positive primary human breast tumors compared to the Her2 negative tumors1. In addition, expression of miR-181b was 3.5-fold higher in OHTR cells compared to the MCF-7 cells and endocrine resistant primary tumors. To determine the underlying mechanism of miR-mediated regulation of TAM resistance, we focused on identification of target genes regulated by these miRs. Bioinformatics search revealed presence of seed sequences for all three miRs on 3'-UTR of TIMP3, a tissue metalloprotease inhibitor. Luciferase assay confirmed TIMP3 to be a direct target of these miRs and was found to be regulated at both RNA and protein levels. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated reciprocal relationship between TIMP3 and miR 221/222 expression in primary human tumors, where invasive ductal carcinomas expressed high level of the miRs and normal or non-invasive cancers expressed TIMP3, but not the miRs. Cell proliferation and wound healing assay demonstrated increased sensitization of the TAM resistant cells to the drug upon ectopic expression of TIMP3. In addition, mouse mammary tumors induced with TIMP3 overexpressing cells were found to be more sensitive to TAM compared to the tumors initiated with control cells. Conversely, knocking down TIMP3 by siRNA reduced sensitivity to TAM, both in cell cultures and in mouse mammary tumors.

As TIMP3 is an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteases involved in positive regulation of growth factor signaling, we speculated that reduction in TIMP3 due to high miR-221/222/181 expression could facilitate growth factor signaling in OHTR cells. Indeed, EGF-induced MAPK phosphorylation was significantly higher in OHTR cells compared to MCF-7 cells and miR-221/222 overexpressing MCF-7 cells mimicked this phenomenon. On the contrary, phosphMAPK level was reduced when TIMP3 was overexpressed in OHTR cells and increased upon knocking down of TIMP3 in MCF-7 cells. Similar differences in MAPK phosphorylation was also observed in cells treated with low level estrogen or TAM, agonists for TAM resistant cells.

Based on this data we conclude that overexpression of miR-221/222 and -181b facilitates growth factor signaling in TAM resistant cells by downregulating TIMP3.

1. Miller et. al. J. Biol. Chem 2008; 283 (44): 29897

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1154. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1154


The characterization of the effects of fragmentation is an essential starting point to enable the planning of the restoration of extensive fragmented areas. Thus, the work was conducted in order to characterize the main aspects of forest fragmentation on the river basin Poxim-SE, checking their possible effects through quantitative analysis of landscape structure. For this purpose, landscape indicators were used (metric), selected from the options of the program Patch Analyst 5.0. Georeferenced points were defined in the area, to relate the data collected by metrics with the information in the field. The analysis of metrics indicated that 85% of the fragments are small. All the fragments of the area have irregular shapes and high degree of insulation, with average distance of 657.3 m. In the simulation of an edge area of 35 m, the total area would be reduced by 32% with the exclusion of 28 fragments that were completely under this condition. The information in field is in accordance with the indicators of intense anthropic action, which leads to fragmentation of the area. The effects of fragmentation are evident in the river basin Poxim and planning goals for biodiversity conservation are needed to reduce the human action in this area.


Intercellular communication via gap junctions allows cells within multicellular organisms to share small molecules. The effect of such interactions has been elucidated using mouse gene knockout strategies. Although several mutations in human gap junction-encoding connexin (Cx) have been described, Cx mutants in mice do not always recapitulate the human disease. Among the 20 mouse Cxs, Cx26, Cx43, and Cx45 play roles in early cardiac or placental development, and disruption of the genes results in lethality that hampers further analyses. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that lack Cx43 or Cx45 have made analysis feasible in both in vitro differentiated cell cultures and in vivo chimeric tissues. The success of mouse ESCs studies is leading to the use of induced pluripotent stem cells to learn more about the pathogenesis of human Cx diseases. This review summarizes the current status of mouse Cx disruption models and ESC differentiation studies, and discusses their implication for understanding human Cx diseases.


This qualitative reconstructive study aimed to explore teacher general pedagogical knowledge and professional well-being. The informants were a convenience sample of 18 teachers from Austrian primary schools (n = 5), lower secondary schools (n = 7), and upper secondary schools (n = 6). Demographically, the sample included: female= 10, male= 8; mean years of service = 15.8 years, SD = 12.2 years. We interviewed the teachers on their general pedagogical practices knowledge (supportive, personal, interactive, and structural), and their sense of professional well-being. Inductive thematic analysis findings indicated the teachers to value pedagogical knowledge on supporting student learning intuitively, and engagement with students and the learning process. The teachers also prioritised personal-interactive pedagogical knowledge about communicating effectively and relationships with students, parents, and fellow teachers. The teachers perceived their structural knowledge in accomplishment of education technology and their general pedagogical knowledge competencies to provide for sustainable emotional well-being and work role meaning. We conclude from these findings what teacher pedagogical knowledge is important for accomplishing both quality education and professional well-being of teachers.


The Talasea Peninsula is situated in the New Guinea island arc complex which represents the tectonically active margin of the Australian continent. The peninsula is composed of a chain of Quaternary composite volcanoes and a caldera, with lavas ranging in composition from basalt to rhyolite, although andesite is the dominant variety. The caldera is roughly elliptical in shape, 10 × 13 km, with a volume of collapse of about 75 km 3 . Located within the caldera are two fault-bounded blocks which appear to be remnants of the ancestral mountain. Post-collapse volcanic activity is found at Mt. Makalia, an andesitic volcano which has developed in the central part of the caldera. It last erupted about 80 years ago. The other volcanoes of the peninsula are largely andesitic composite cones, some of which almost certainly have been active in the last few hundred years. A large area of the peninsula is composed of acid extrusions with an average thickness of 100 m. The basalts, andesites, and dacites are often highly porphyntic, containing phenocrysts of plagioclase and diopsidic augite, with olivine in the basic members and hypersthene and a titanomagnetite in the intermediate varieties. The rhyolite and rhyodacite lavas are weakly porphyritic and are characterized by phenocrysts of pyroxene, amphibole, biotite, and quartz. The groundmass of the basic lavas is often mostly glass, but when partly crystalline, it contains plagioclase, hypersthene, and/or pigeonite (usually the latter only), augite, iron-titanium oxides, and accessory tndymite or cristobalite. The Talasea basic lavas are quartz-normative, low in TiO 2 , and show moderate absolute iron-enrichment. The series has high K/Rb ratios and is low in K 2 O in comparison to other New Guinea lava series. Numerical evaluation of crystal fractionation of a possible basaltic parent shows that this process could account for all but the acid lavas of the Talasea series; it is only the dominance of andesite that suggests that the series was generated at a depth where andesite is the low melting composition.


The structure and stereochemistry of nordihydroguaiaretic acid has been confirmed by the single-crystal X-ray analysis of a heavy-atom derivative. The crystals of 2,3-di-(2-bromo-4,5-dimethoxybenzyl)butane are monoclinic, space group P2/c, with a= 16·92, b= 4·81, c= 13·91 A, and β= 93° 55′, and Z= 2. The structure was determined from photographic data and has been refined to an R-factor of 0·11 on 1586 independent reflexions. The molecule has a centre of inversion and exists as the meso-form. Some effects due to intramolecular steric influences are described.


This paper exposes land encroachment and banditry as social phenomenon in Nigeria. Each of the phenomena supplants local cultures and ideologies, creates terror, kills and dispossesses communities of their land and properties. Many communities fight over land for farming space especially during farming seasons. On the order hand, hundreds of people are killed across Nigeria by bandits. Hundreds flee their ancestry homes due to conflicts caused by land encroachers or bandits afraid to return. Factors such as unemployment, land ownership questions, bad governance, poverty, marginalization and social imbalance each play a role in producing land grabbers, bandits and terrorists.  The multiplier effects include food insecurity, unemployment, poverty and marginalization fuelling communal and inter-ethnic crises in Nigeria. The crises have also scared away foreign investments and as a result. The rate of inflation increases creating hunger. This paper adopted the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a panacea for communal conflicts and inter-ethnic conflicts in Nigeria. It revealed that through dialogue and mediation, communal land and inter-ethnic issues would be resolved. Good governance, greater tolerance, respect of one another and pro-active approach by States in conflict resolutions are recommended.


Estrogen accounts for several biological processes in the body; embryo implantation and pregnancy being one of the vital events. This manuscript aims to unearth the nuclear role of son of sevenless 1 (SOS1), its interaction with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the uterine nucleus during embryo implantation. SOS1, a critical cytoplasmic linker between receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and rat sarcoma virus (RAS) signaling, translocates into the nucleus via its bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) during the 'window of implantation' in pregnant mice. SOS1 associates with chromatin, interacts with histones and shows intrinsic histone acetyl transferase (HAT) activity specifically acetylating lysine 16 (K16) residue of histone H4. SOS1 is a coactivator of STAT3 and a corepressor of ERα. SOS1 creates a partial mesenchymal epithelial transition by acting as a transcriptional modulator. Finally, our phylogenetic tree reveals that the two bipartite NLS surface in reptiles and the second acetyl coenzymeA (CoA) (RDNGPG) important for HAT activity emerges in mammals. Thus, SOS1 has evolved into a moonlighting protein, the special class of multi-tasking proteins, by virtue of its newly identified nuclear functions in addition to its previously known cytoplasmic function.


We have developed an improved active region design for optically pumped vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. The design makes use of carrier-blocking layers to segment the absorber and promote uniform carrier populations in the quantum wells with pump efficiencies near 75%. A model to calculate the carrier distribution in the active region and a design methodology are presented along with a metric to describe the carrier uniformity in the quantum wells. Experimental verification of the performance improvements shows an over 50% reduction in device thresholds and an increase of 20/spl deg/C in maximum operating temperatures.


UNLABELLED
The purpose of this study was to develop a method for the endoscopic administration of a radiopharmaceutical for sentinel node detection and to characterize its uptake by gastric and colonic sentinel nodes. (99m)Tc-Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-mannosyl-dextran is a new radiotracer labeled with (99m)Tc and composed of multiple units of mannose attached to the polymeric backbone, dextran.

METHODS
Gastric and colonic lymph node detection was studied in 4 fasting and anesthetized pigs. A flexible video endoscope was inserted into the rectum and positioned in the lower colon or advanced down the esophagus into the stomach. A standard endoscopic sclerotherapy needle and sheath filled with 0.9% saline was then loaded with 0.2 mL of a 7.4-MBq 1:1 (v/v) mixture of isosulfan blue and (99m)Tc-DTPA-mannosyl-dextran (7.4 MBq, 0.3 nmol). The needle and sheath were passed through the biopsy channel, and the radiotracer/dye solution (0.1 mL) was injected in a tangential fashion into the submucosa. Within 5-10 min after injection, all radioactive or blue lymph nodes were excised, assayed for radioactivity, and noted for color. Distal lymph nodes were also excised, assayed, and noted for color.

RESULTS
(99m)Tc-DTPA-mannosyl-dextran uptake by colonic sentinel nodes (n = 4) ranged from 0.54% to 2.4% of the injected dose; all radioactive nodes were stained blue. The uptake for all (n = 3) distal nodes ranged from 0.001% to 0.005%, and none of these nodes were stained blue. Uptake by gastric sentinel nodes (n = 6) ranged from 0.13% to 4.50%; all radioactive nodes were stained blue. The range for distal nodes was 0.001% to 0.050%; no distal nodes were stained blue. In 2 pigs, each gastric injection produced 2 hot and blue lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION
Within 10 min of a gastric and colonic submucosal injection, (99m)Tc-DTPA-mannosyl-dextran demonstrated high sentinel node uptake and high concordance with isosulfan blue.


Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Sporting News, speaking for the baseball establishment, editorialized that the sport would do its part in the war effort, asserting that "in all the history of baseball there never was a conscientious objector or a slacker in the ranks." During the early 1950s, Commissioner of Baseball Ford Frick proclaimed that organized baseball would support the ideological Cold War as well as the shooting war in Korea. Frick insisted that the national pastime would indoctrinate youth on the virtues of democracy and "remain a proud part of our ideal way of life." (1) Such patriotic rhetoric made the case for baseball's inclusion within the national consensus. In a similar fashion, professional baseball embraced the flag after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Rallying to the refrain of "support the troops," the baseball establishment endorsed American military action in Afghanistan and Iraq. Games often begin with salutes to the troops, and telecasts often include shots of soldiers in the war zone watching their favorite teams. Baseball is portrayed as providing an essential morale function for the troops. Well-compensated professional baseball players are reluctant to challenge this nationalistic hegemony. First baseman Carlos Delgado, however, is a notable exception. During the 2004 season, sportswriters began to notice that Delgado, then playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, disappeared into the clubhouse when Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" was played. After 9/11, Berlin's tune replaced "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in many parks, especially Yankee Stadium. Delgado took exception to this practice, arguing that the song was being used to justify American military intervention in Iraq rather than to honor the victims of 9/11. Terming the invasion of Iraq as the "stupidest war ever," Delgado stuck to his principles, despite jeering and chants of "U-S-A, U-S-A" when he played in Yankee Stadium. (2) Delgado's dissent, however, did not prevent him from signing a four-year, fifty-two million dollar contract with the Florida Marlins in 2005. While some in Florida complained about Delgado's politics, his new teammates welcomed the acquisition, which they hoped would lead to another World Series appearance for the franchise. The baseball establishment did not appear overly threatened by Delgado's lone dissent. The 1960s and the Vietnam War, however, were another time and place. With dissent permeating the culture, the sport was less tolerant of those who questioned authority or military policy. Baseball officials embraced the Vietnam War, but there was a considerable gap between their rhetoric and actions. Before addressing baseball and dissent during the Vietnam era, it is necessary to briefly examine how the sport responded to World Wars I and II, as well as the conflict in Korea. The United States entered World War I in the spring of 1917, but the conflict did not immediately impact the sport. Lacking the drama of a triggering event such as Pearl Harbor, ballplayers did not flock to the colors. It is often forgotten that there was considerable opposition to the war and conscription among working-class Americans. Baseball owners attempted to demonstrate their patriotism by raising funds to purchase athletic equipment for servicemen. But any expectation that the game might remain exempt from manpower needs was crushed in May 1918 when the government issued a "work or fight" order. The order established July 1 as the deadline by which young men in nonessential industries, such as baseball, would become eligible for the draft. To complete the season, baseball officials were able to get Secretary of War Newton Baker to extend the deadline until the first of September. Major League Baseball concluded its 1918 season on Labor Day, followed by the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. After the season, players either obtained jobs in factories producing war-related products or joined the military. …


The process of paper production requires a huge quantity of water and energy and in turn contributes a number of effluents in the form of phenolics, toxic organic compounds and heavy metals in wastewater (leachate). The present investigation was aimed to assess the toxic effects of leachate on liver micro-architecture and heavy metal elements of the liver. Eighteen (18) healthy male Wistar rats (240 ± 10g) were selected and acclimatized prior to experimental treatment. These rats were randomly divided into three groups viz, Control group (received 4ml/ kg normal saline), Group 1 (4ml/ kg leachate) and Group 2 (4ml/ kg 1:10 diluted leachate). All the animals were dissected and liver tissues were collected and processed accordingly after 24 h of leachate treatment. High level of cadmium and chromium were found in Group 1 as compared to the control group upon liver metal contents analysis found out by flame atomic absorption spectrometer. A clear disruption of micro-architecture of the liver, congested sinusoids, damaged central vein, and perturbed morphology was observed in Group-1 as revealed by H & E staining. Moreover, loss of polarity, congestion, and disruption of hepatocytes and pronounced vacuolization in the cytoplasm was observed in Group 2 compared to control sections. On the basis of above findings, it can be concluded that paper industry leachate is highly toxic and its intraperitoneal injection results in hepatotoxicity that not only affects the hepatic micro-architecture but also results in perturbed liver metal contents. Therefore, proper treatment of such wastewater is required before its disposal.


Ovariectomized (OVX) sheep are now considered to be useful models for a variety of metabolic bone disorders. The specific aim of this study was to determine the effects of ovariectomy on the structural parameters and material density of the subchondral bone of the ovine tibial plateau as measured by microcomputed tomography (MicroCT). Twenty‐three sheep were examined in this study; 10 of the sheep underwent ovariectomy (OVX), and the remainder (n = 13) were kept as controls (CON). These animals were then sacrificed at 12 months post‐operatively. Three‐dimensional analyses were performed of osteochondral samples (15 mm deep) which were obtained from the medial tibial plateau using MicroCT. Bone volume fraction of the subchondral trabecular bone was reduced in the ovariectomized sheep as compared to control animals (0.439 vs. 0.483, P = 0.038). Trabeculae were also significantly thinner in the OVX group (0.220 vs. 0.252 mm, P = 0.010), with reduced connectivity density (7.947 vs. 11.524 mm−3, P = 0.014). There was a trend towards lower numbers of individual trabeculae present in the OVX group as compared to controls, but this did not reach significance (2.817 vs. 3.288 mm−1, P = 0.1). There was also increased trabecular separation in the OVX group, which again fell short of significance (0.426 vs. 0.387 mm, P = 0.251). There was no difference in hydroxyapatite concentration (HA) between the two groups (929 vs. 932 mgHA cm−3, P = 0.687). In conclusion, significant alterations of the trabecular architecture under the tibial plateau were observed following 12 months of oestrogen‐deficiency in this ovine model. Despite these marked morphological and structural density differences, the material densities were equal in the two groups.


Accurate calibration of ground-based, mid-infrared observations is challenging due to the strong and rapidly varying thermal background emission. The classical solution is the chopping/nodding technique where the secondary mirror and the telescope are being moved by several tens of arcseconds on the sky. However, chopping is generally inefficient and limited in accuracy and frequency by the mass and size of the secondary mirror. A more elegant solution is a drift scan where the telescope slowly drifts across or around the region of interest; the source moves on the detector by at least one FWHM of the PSF within the time over which the detector performance and the background emission can be considered stable. The final image of a drift scan is mathematically reconstructed from a series of adjacent short exposures. The drift scan approach has recently received a lot of interest, mainly for two reasons: first, some of the new, large-format mid-IR Si:As detectors (AQUARIUS) suffer from excess low frequency noise (ELFN). To reach the nominal performance limit of the detectors, chopping would have to be performed at a high frequency, faster than what most telescopes can handle; second, the next generation of extremely large telescopes will not offer chopping/nodding, and alternative methods need to be developed and tested. In this paper we present the results from simulated drift scan data. We use drift scanning to simultaneously obtain an accurate detector flat field and the sky background. The results are relevant for the future operation and calibration of VISIR at the VLT as well as for METIS, the thermal infrared instrument for the E-ELT.


India's solar energy insolation is about 5,000 T kWh per year (i.e., ~ 600 TW), far more than its current total primary energy consumption. India's long-term solar potential could be unparalleled in the world because it has the ideal combination of both high solar insolation and a big potential consumer base density. Also a major factor influencing a region's energy intensity is the cost of energy consumed for temperature control. Since cooling load requirements are roughly in phase with the sun's intensity, cooling from intense solar radiation could make perfect energy-economic sense in the subcontinent located mostly in the tropics. With about 300 clear and sunny days in a year (i.e., 365 days) the calculated solar energy incidence on India's land area is about 5000 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year (or 5 EWh/yr). The solar energy available in a single year exceeds the possible energy output of all of the fossil fuel energy reserves in India. The daily average solar-power-plant generation capacity in India is 0.20 kWh per m of used land area, equivalent to 1400–1800 peak (rated) capacity operating hours in a year with available, commercially-proven technology. India plans to add about 100,000 MW of solar power capacity by 2020. Solar power in India is a fast developing industry. The India's solar installed capacity reached 30.071 GW as of 31 July 2019. India has the lowest capital cost per MW globally to install the solar power plants.


Rendell stated that gender representation underlined the production of space in architecture both symbolically and functionally in certain cultures (Rendell et al. 2000). Thus, an exploration on the spatial functionality of traditional houses could show how cultural gender rules and roles generate the spatial arrangements. This empirical research explored the traditional houses in two kampongs: Tarung and Ratenggaro of West Sumba, Indonesia, which spaces are divided into two distinct spaces: male's space and female's space, each with its own entrance. This firm division leads to the questions on its relation with the traditional gender roles are represented inside the house. Interestingly, the spatial arrangement is not intended to create separation between men and women inside the house or to pose that the status and roles of men are higher than those of women. The research found that the space separation actually is a manifestation of the dynamic roles of male and female members of the house and the circular arrangement of the space around the fireplace at the centre of the house follows the dynamic of gender duality in Sumba culture.


Competitive sport teams are required to perform in highly pressurised situations and although some teams are able to withstand challenging conditions, many experience damaging effects during setbacks and adversity. Developing an understanding of how athletes withstand the pressures of competitive sport and sustain excellence has recently been addressed in sport psychology through the study of psychological resilience (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012; Galli & Vealey, 2008; Gucciardi, Jackson, Coulter, & Mallett, 2011). However, understanding how teams positively adapt despite encountering the demands of competitive sport has been largely overlooked. The purpose of this thesis, therefore, is to investigate the construct of team resilience in elite and competitive sport. The thesis is organised into seven chapters. Chapter one explores the challenges and pressures that competitive sports teams encounter and provides a brief overview of group dynamics in sport psychology research. Chapter two reviews the construct of psychological resilience, recent developments in sport psychology research, how resilience at the team level has been defined and conceptualised in general psychology and why it is important to extend team resilience research to the sport context. [Continues.]


The Straits and Federated Malay States Government Medical School started on 3 July 1905 with the admission of 16 young persons for the full 5-year course. In 1910, 7 successful candidates qualified as medical practitioners and they were no more than 19 years of age. The medical course was based largely on the British system and consisted of 2 years of training in the basic sciences followed by 3 years of clinical clerkships in Medicine, Surgery and Midwifery. Anatomy was taught in the first year and extended into the second year, using cadavers (which were possibly fixed in formalin and glycerin) as study materials. The first Chair of Anatomy was established in 1922 and with the provision of full-time staff, the curriculum was brought in line with those conducted in the British colonies. From the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s, the Anatomy course for medical students spanned 1 1/2 years, with special emphasis on clinical applications, thereby projecting the professional relevance of the course. Big class lectures introduced and previewed important structures that were encountered in dissections and small group tutorials reviewed the tutorial objectives that had been made available earlier. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the medical curriculum was further revised to meet the challenges of the 21st century. A track system was developed and Human Anatomy came under the "Human Structure and Development Track". The original 1 1/2 -year programme was tailored into a 1-year programme with a drastic reduction in teaching/contact hours, but the big class lectures and small group tutorials plus dissections/prosections were retained. Beginning in the academic year 2003/2004, prosected cadavers (dissected by professional staff) were employed for teaching purposes due to a progressive fall in the availability of cadavers and time constraints imposed by the introduction of several new modules. Teachers demonstrate and students learn on prosected materials and the success of this new mode of teaching-learning can only be seen in the near future.


Longitudinal studies include the important parts of epidemiological surveys, clinical trials and social studies. In longitudinal studies, measurement of the responses is conducted repeatedly through time. Often, the main goal is to characterize the change in responses over time and the factors that influence the change. Recently, to analyze this kind of data, quantile regression has been taken into consideration. In this paper, quantile regression model, by adding an adaptive elastic net penalty term to the random effects, is proposed and analyzed from a Bayesian point of view. Since, in this model posterior distribution of the parameters are not in explicit form, the full conditional posterior distributions of the parameters are calculated and the Gibbs sampling algorithm is used for deduction. To compare the performance of the proposed method with the conventional methods, a simulation study was conducted and at the end, applications to a real data set are illustrated. Keyword: Adaptive elastic net penalty, Bayesian inference, Longitudinal data, Quantile regression, Random effects. * Corresponding author: firstname.lastname@example.com Mosaheb Mathematical Researches Vol. 1, No. 2 (Sci. Kharazmi University) Autumn 2015 & Winter 2016 Composition Operators and Multiplication Operators on Orlicz Spaces * Estaremi Y., Shams S.; Payame Noor University, Iran Abstract In this paper we consider composition operator C_φ generated by the non-singular measurable transformation φ: Ω Ω and multiplication operator M_u generated by measurable function u: Ω C between two different Orlicz spaces L^ (Ω) and L^Ф_2(Ω), then we investigate boundedness, compactness and essential norm of multiplication and composition operators in term of properties of the mapping φ, the function u and the measure space (Ω , ). In fact we extend some results of [8], [9], [22].In this paper we consider composition operator C_φ generated by the non-singular measurable transformation φ: Ω Ω and multiplication operator M_u generated by measurable function u: Ω C between two different Orlicz spaces L^ (Ω) and L^Ф_2(Ω), then we investigate boundedness, compactness and essential norm of multiplication and composition operators in term of properties of the mapping φ, the function u and the measure space (Ω , ). In fact we extend some results of [8], [9], [22]. Keyword: Composition operator, Multiplication operator, Compact operators, Orlicz spaces, Essential norm * Corresponding author: email@example.com Mosaheb Mathematical Researches Vol. 1, No. 2 (Sci. Kharazmi University) Autumn 2015 & Winter 2016 Nvestigation of a Boundary Layer Problem for Perturbed Cauchy-Riemann Equation with Non-local Boundary Condition Ashrafi S., * Jahanshah M., Aliof N.; Azarbayejan University Abstract Boundary layer problems (Singular perturbation problems) more have been applied for ordinary differential equations. While this theory for partial differential equations have many applications in several fields of physics and engineering. Because of complexity of limit and boundary behavior of the solutions of partial differential equations these problems considered less than ordinary case. In this paper, a boundary layer problem including perturbed CauchyRiemann equation is considered with a non local boundary condition. For the given problem , some sufficient conditions will be presented so that the problem be well posed and without any boundary layer. In this case, the approximate solutions of the problem can be written same as boundary layer problems for ordinary differential equations.Boundary layer problems (Singular perturbation problems) more have been applied for ordinary differential equations. While this theory for partial differential equations have many applications in several fields of physics and engineering. Because of complexity of limit and boundary behavior of the solutions of partial differential equations these problems considered less than ordinary case. In this paper, a boundary layer problem including perturbed CauchyRiemann equation is considered with a non local boundary condition. For the given problem , some sufficient conditions will be presented so that the problem be well posed and without any boundary layer. In this case, the approximate solutions of the problem can be written same as boundary layer problems for ordinary differential equations. Keyword: Fundamental solution, Necessary conditions, Boundary layer problem, Perturbed CauchyRiemann equation * Corresponding author: firstname.lastname@example.com Mosaheb Mathematical Researches Vol. 1, No. 2 (Sci. Kharazmi University) Autumn 2015 & Winter 2016 The new generalized inverse Weibull distribution * Dostmoradi A., Zadkarami M.; Department of Statistics, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz Bahrami V.; Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran Abstract Failure rate is one of the important concepts in reliability theory. In this paper, we introduce a new distribution function containing four parameters based on inverse Weibull distribution. This new distribution has a more general form of failure rate function. It is able to model five ageing classes of life distributions with appropriate choice of parameter values so that it is displayed decreasing, increasing, bathtub shaped, unimodal and increasing-decreasing increasing failure rates and the new distribution has also a bimodal density function. The moments, the order statistics, reliability parameters are obtained. The method of maximum likelihood is used to estimate the model parameters. Also, the observed information matrix is obtained. Two applications are presented to illustrate the advantage of the proposed distribution.Failure rate is one of the important concepts in reliability theory. In this paper, we introduce a new distribution function containing four parameters based on inverse Weibull distribution. This new distribution has a more general form of failure rate function. It is able to model five ageing classes of life distributions with appropriate choice of parameter values so that it is displayed decreasing, increasing, bathtub shaped, unimodal and increasing-decreasing increasing failure rates and the new distribution has also a bimodal density function. The moments, the order statistics, reliability parameters are obtained. The method of maximum likelihood is used to estimate the model parameters. Also, the observed information matrix is obtained. Two applications are presented to illustrate the advantage of the proposed distribution.


In this paper, we address a new task called instance co-segmentation. Given a set of images jointly covering object instances of a specific category, instance co-segmentation aims to identify all of these instances and segment each of them, i.e. generating one mask for each instance. This task is important since instance-level segmentation is preferable for humans and many vision applications. It is also challenging because no pixel-wise annotated training data are available and the number of instances in each image is unknown. We solve this task by dividing it into two sub-tasks, co-peak search and instance mask segmentation. In the former sub-task, we develop a CNN-based network to detect the co-peaks as well as co-saliency maps for a pair of images. A co-peak has two endpoints, one in each image, that are local maxima in the response maps and similar to each other. Thereby, the two endpoints are potentially covered by a pair of instances of the same category. In the latter subtask, we design a ranking function that takes the detected co-peaks and co-saliency maps as inputs and can select the object proposals to produce the final results. Our method for instance co-segmentation and its variant for object colocalization are evaluated on four datasets, and achieve favorable performance against the state-of-the-art methods. The source codes and the collected datasets are available at https://github.com/KuangJuiHsu/DeepCO3/


The mid-aortic syndrome is an uncommon clinical condition characterized by severe narrowing of the descending aorta, usually with involvement of its renal and visceral branches, presenting with uncontrollably elevated blood pressures of the upper body, renal and cardiac failure, intestinal ischemia, encephalopathy symptoms and claudication of the lower limbs, although clinical presentation is variable. In this article we report the case of an eleven-year-old patient with the initial diagnosis of a mid-aortic syndrome and present the computed tomography angiography pictures and reconstructions before and after surgical therapy.


Background Large thyroid masses, particularly if rapidly growing, are often characterized by compression and infiltration of the vital structures of the neck. Therefore, an early and precise diagnosis, not only of malignancy but also of histotype, is mandatory to set up the right therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in this setting. Patients and Methods We prospectively evaluated 95 patients with large and rapidly growing thyroid masses admitted to the University Hospital of Pisa between April 2014 and January 2020. All patients were submitted to FNAC and CNB in the same session. The ability of both procedures to diagnose the malignancy of the lesions, particularly the histotype, and to obtain sufficient material to perform molecular analysis was evaluated. Results FNAC obtained adequate tumor sample to reach a diagnosis in 76 of 95 (80%) patients, while a higher percentage was obtained with CNB (92/95, 96.8%). FNAC was able to identify the malignancy of the lesion in 74 of 95 (77.9%) cases, but only in 16 of 74 (21.6%) cases was it able to define the histotype. CNB was able to define the malignancy of the lesion in all but three cases (92/95, 96.8%), and in all specimens, the histotype was identified. Moreover, in all cases, the material extracted from CNB was optimal to perform molecular analysis. No surgery-related complications were experienced with both procedures. Conclusions CNB is a rapid and safe procedure with higher performance compared to FNAC in identifying the histotype of large and rapidly growing thyroid masses. Moreover, adequate material can be obtained to characterize the molecular profile for the treatment of potentially lethal cancers. In the era of precision medicine, CNB should be introduced in routine clinical practice as a key procedure for an early diagnosis and therapy of these diseases.


We describe a generalized Lagrangian mesh basis set which allows efficient (using an energy-independent inner region) variational R-matrix calculations to be performed for electron scattering by arbitrary atoms and atomic ions.


Geodetic datum defines the size and shape of the earth and the origin and orientation of the coordinate systems used to map the earth. Hundreds of different datum has been used to frame position descriptions. Geodesy and Geophysics Division, The Royal Thai Survey Department (RTSD) is responsible for the establishment of Geodetic Control Network in Thailand using the Global Positioning System, had derived three transformation parameters (∆X, ∆Y, ∆Z) for transforming coordinates between coordinates based on local Indian1975 datum and WGS84 datum for supplying to other authorities of Thailand. In geographic information system, open source and commercial GIS software also provide a tool to transform geographic data to the any local coordinates. That providing tool of those GIS software use different parameters and equations in coordinate transformation. The result of that transformation differs from using our derived parameters. From that inaccurate result, geodetic engineering projects in Thailand were affected. Thus, RTSD has a plan to develop Web-based Coordinate Transformation Service of Thailand (WCTSoT) for providing a suitable and accurate tool for regional use. In this paper, we report the development and discussion of that WCTSoT. The standard specifications such as OGC WPS and WCTS were selected to implement WCTSoT. Finally, the comparison between using our service and commercial software are also reported in this paper.


There are two related lines of arguments which forms twin objectives for this study. The first is to assess how financial inclusion may spur industrilization in Africa,  and the second is to assess how industrialization may prosper where there is clustering of SMEs/industrial activities in Africa. The study employs a quantitative approach where regression analysis is used employing secondary data from the World Bank Development Indicators for Seven African economies. The study found that clustering promotes industrial growth. It has also found lack of evidence for the role of financial inclusion in promoting industrial growth. It also did not find statistical evidence for joint effects of these factors on industrialization. It calls for policy dressing and specific researches in the areas of clustering properties and financial inclusion and their effects on industrial growth. Key words: financial inclusion, clustering, industrialization, industrial growth


The Iron Age cemetery at Tuna in Badelunda parish, Vastmanland, is a complex and unique burial ground used for only 69 graves during a period of roughly 700 years, between 300 - 1050 AC. The individuals buried at Tuna show an impressive variety of gravegods as well as stonesettings formed above the grave. Who where these people that were cremated at Tuna, among the mysterious women in the boats and the rich women in grave X? As we study the graves of the cremated individuals we reach a new understanding of the cemetery; from its social structure down to every individual. Through the analysis of the stonesettings, gravegods and bones we see a how these subjects, when analysed, show a picture of the individuals and social structure of the cemetery. It was a cemetery for the higher society and unique individuals rather then the average people.


well-being is an important concern UK. Provision of education and support to schools has highlighted as an area for improvement; however, evidence-based programmes are scarce costly. To provide an acceptable education programme to improve pupils ' confidence and knowledge of mental health and wellbeing. It covered the mental and emotional well-being outcomes set by the Scottish Government in their schools curriculum. by A.P. and by volunteer and and supervised by a Outcomes were measured using questionnaires after lessons with optional comments. in There was a significant improvement in confidence mental Qualitative PsychEd showed promising results. Future areas of develop- ment include reaching a greater number of local authority schools, longer training for volunteers and provision of teaching materials to teachers for their own use.


In this thesis we consider isolated quantum systems influenced by disorder and external driving, and explore aspects of localisation and ergodicity-breaking in three different models.

We first consider the XYZ spin chain in a disordered magnetic field; this system breaks the U(1) symmetry of the XXZ model and therefore violates the conservation of the z component of the total magnetisation.
We identify a quantum phase transition between an ergodic phase and a many-body localised phase at a finite disorder strength that is strongly dependent on the size of the U(1) symmetry-breaking term.
We also investigate the breakdown of thermalisation by studying the matrix elements of local operators in the basis of the system's eigenstates, and we find suggestive evidence of subdiffusive energy transport at disorder strengths preceding the localisation transition.

We then consider a two-level time-dependent quantum system that is influenced by a fluctuating classical noise term.
We show that the noise does not fully randomise the quantum state if the fluctuations of every noise parameter coupled to the system are perfectly correlated; the state of the system instead becomes distributed over a finite subset of the full state space.

Lastly we consider a one-dimensional Anderson-localised system that is affected by randomly fluctuating onsite potentials.
We explore how the spatiotemporal correlations between these onsite potentials affect the delocalisation of a particle initially localised on a single site.


A surprisingly few medication classes are responsible for the majority of emergency department visits due to adverse drug reactions among U.S. adults aged 65 years and older, according to a study published in the November 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.


Summary form only given: The supply of electrical energy is being increasingly sourced from renewable generation. The variability and uncertainty of renewable generation, compared to a dispatchable plant, is a significant dissimilarity of concern to the traditionally reliable and robust power system. This change is driving the power system towards a more flexible entity that carries greater amounts of reserve. For congestion management purposes it is of benefit to know the probable and possible renewable generation dispatch, but to what extent will these variations effect the management of congestion on the system? Reactive power generation from wind generators and demand response flexibility are the decision variables here in a risk averse multi-period AC optimal power flow (OPF) seeking to manage congestion on distribution systems. Information Gap Decision Theory is used to address the variability and uncertainty of renewable generation. In addition, this work considers the natural benefits to the congestion on a system from the over estimation of wind forecast; providing an opportunistic schedule for both demand response nodes and reactive power provision from distributed generation.


This guide will provide helpful hints in business and management. Provides information for various government entities that play a role in business.


Keszthelyi S., Pónya Z., Pál-Fám F. (2017): Climate-induced seasonal activity and flight period of cerambycid beetles in the Zselic forests, Hungary. J. For. Sci., 63: 503–510. The longhorn beetle fauna (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was studied in the Zselic region (Somogy county) in Hungary in seven consecutive years (2009–2015). In total 2,931 specimens were observed and the presence of 83 species was identified during the sampling period. The most abundant species were: Plagionotus arcuatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (pi = 10.542); Cerambyx scopoli Füssli, 1775 (pi = 8.359), Dorcadion aethiops (Scopoli, 1763) (pi = 6.653) and Strangalia melanura (Redtenbacher, 1867) (pi = 6.209). According to our examinations, individual meteorological factors, particularly temperature, directly influenced the dispersal and the activity of longhorn beetles (P = 0.038) as well as the species richness (P = 0.047), as did weather systems formation and movement of air masses, cold and warm fronts. It is also shown that the activity of the insects is influenced by daily weather conditions. The activity of arthropods was higher during warm, dry days and less pronounced during cold, wet ones coupled with high air pressure values. A conspicuous relationship was observable between the appearance of cerambycid beetles and their time period. According to the results of Principal Coordinate Analysis four major groups can be distinguished: early-flight, late spring-flight, summer-flight and late-flight species.


Dolphins are mobile apex marine predators. Over the past three decades, warm-water adapted dolphin species (short-beaked common and striped) have expanded their ranges northward and become increasingly abundant in British waters. Meanwhile, cold-water adapted dolphins (white-beaked and Atlantic white-sided) abundance trends are decreasing, with evidence of the distribution of white-beaked dolphins shifting from southern to northern British waters. These trends are particularly evident in Scottish waters and ocean warming may be a contributing factor. This mobility increases the likelihood of interspecific dietary overlap for prey among dolphin species previously separated by latitude and thermal gradients. Foraging success is critical to both individual animal health and overall population resilience. However, the degree of dietary overlap and plasticity among these species in the Northeast Atlantic is unknown. Here, we characterise recent (2015-2021) interspecific isotopic niche and niche overlap among six small and medium-sized delphinid species co-occurring in Scottish waters, using skin stable isotope composition (δ 13C and δ 15N), combined with stomach content records and prey δ 13C and δ 15N compiled from the literature. Cold-water adapted white-beaked dolphin have a smaller core isotopic niche and lower dietary plasticity than the generalist short-beaked common dolphin. Striped dolphin isotopic niche displayed no interspecific overlap, however short-beaked common dolphin isotopic niche overlapped with white-beaked dolphin by 30% and Atlantic white-sided dolphin by 7%. Increasing abundance of short-beaked common dolphin in British waters could create competition for cold-water adapted dolphin species as a significant portion of their diets comprise the same size Gadiformes and high energy density pelagic schooling fish. These priority prey species are also a valuable component of the local and global fishing industry. Competition for prey from both ecological and anthropogenic sources should be considered when assessing cumulative stressors acting on cold-water adapted dolphin populations with projected decline in available habitat as ocean temperatures continue to rise.


Introduction Recent studies showed improved patient outcomes with endovascular treatment of acute stroke compared to medical care, including IV rtPA, alone. Seven trials have reported results, each using different clinical and imaging criteria for patient selection. We compared eligibility for different trial protocols to estimate the number of patients eligible for treatment. Patients and methods Patient data were extracted from a single centre database that combined patients recruited to three clinical studies, each of which obtained both CTA and CTP within 6 h of stroke onset. The published inclusion and exclusion criteria of seven intervention trials (MR CLEAN, EXTEND–IA, ESCAPE, SWIFT-PRIME, REVASCAT, THERAPY and THRACE) were applied to determine the proportion that would be eligible for each of these studies. Results A total of 263 patients was included. Eligibility for IAT in individual trials ranged from 53% to 3% of patients; 17% were eligible for four trials and under 10% for two trials. Only three patients (1%) were eligible for all studies. The most common cause of exclusion was absence of large artery occlusion (LAO) on CTA. When applying simplified criteria requiring an ASPECT score > 6, 16% were eligible for IAT, but potentially 40% of these patients were excluded by perfusion criteria and more than half by common NIHSS thresholds. Conclusion Around 15% of patients presenting within 6 h of stroke onset were potentially eligible for IAT, but clinical trial eligibility criteria have much more limited overlap than is commonly assumed and only 1% of patients fulfilled criteria for all recent trials.


Rationale During the recent H1N1 outbreak, obese patients had worsened lung injury and increased mortality. We used a murine model of influenza A pneumonia to test the hypothesis that leptin receptor deficiency might explain the enhanced mortality in obese patients. Methods We infected wild-type, obese mice globally deficient in the leptin receptor (db/db) and non-obese mice with tissue specific deletion of the leptin receptor in the lung epithelium (SPC-Cre/LepRfl/fl) or macrophages and alveolar type II cells (LysM-Cre/Leprfl/fl) with influenza A virus (A/WSN/33 [H1N1]) (500 and 1500 pfu/mouse) and measured mortality, viral clearance and several markers of lung injury severity. Results The clearance of influenza A virus from the lungs of mice was impaired in obese mice globally deficient in the leptin receptor (db/db) compared to normal weight wild-type mice. In contrast, non-obese, SP-C-Cre+/+/LepRfl/fl and LysM-Cre+/+/LepRfl/fl had improved viral clearance after influenza A infection. In obese mice, mortality was increased compared with wild-type mice, while the SP-C-Cre+/+/LepRfl/fl and LysM-Cre+/+/LepRfl /fl mice exhibited improved survival. Conclusions Global loss of the leptin receptor results in reduced viral clearance and worse outcomes following influenza A infection. These findings are not the result of the loss of leptin signaling in lung epithelial cells or macrophages. Our results suggest that factors associated with obesity or with leptin signaling in non-myeloid populations such as natural killer and T cells may be associated with worsened outcomes following influenza A infection.


Abstract We show that the peculiar surface abundance patterns of Carbon Enhanced Metal Poor (CEMP) stars has been inherited from material having been processed by H- and He-burning phases in a previous generation of stars (hereafter called the "Source Stars"). In this previous generation, some mixing must have occurred between the He- and the H-burning regions in order to explain the high observed abundances of nitrogen. In addition, it is necessary to postulate that a very small fraction of the carbon-oxygen core has been expelled (either by winds or by the supernova explosion). Therefore only the outermost layers should have been released by the Source Stars. Some of the CEMP stars may be He-rich if the matter from the Source Star is not too much diluted with the InterStellar Medium (ISM). Those stars formed from nearly pure ejecta would also be Li-poor.


Rationale: Given recent success in delivering interferon-beta (IFNβ) using replication incompetent adenovirus in patients with malignant pleural effusions, we hypothesized that vectors that could replicate (inducing oncolysis) and express IFNβ at high level would be more effective. Both vaccinia virus (VV) and vesicular stomatitis (VSV) expressing mouse IFNβ have been constructed in a manner to improve their safety and efficacy as oncolytic vectors. In this study, we evaluated these two oncolytic vectors in different murine thoracic cancer models for clinical translation. Experimental procedures: We compared the efficacy of VVIFNβ and VSVIFNβ to kill 3 mouse lung cancer and 4 mouse mesothelioma lines in vitro over a 5 day-period assessing cell viability by MTT assay. The amount of IFNβ produced by these two vectors were measured with ELISA. The viral replication in infected mice was assessed by measuring viral titers in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice bearing an IFN-non-responsive AB12 tumor, following intratumoral injection of either vector at 108 pfu/mouse. To assess their anti-tumor activity, the two vectors were also given at 108 pfu/mouse intratumorally in mice bearing two lung cancer tumors on their flanks. Results: The replication of VSVIFNβ and its killing ability was limited in some of the tumor lines. This appeared to be due to an intact IFN response pathway. In contrast, VVIFNβ was able to kill all of the tumor lines. In culture, VSV replicates faster than VV, which resulted in faster cell killing (in susceptible cell lines), but with less IFNβ production. The amount of IFNβ production by VVIFNβ was comparable with AdIFNβ over a 5 day period. VVIFNβ-infected immunodeficient mice showed minimal or no toxicity when given virus intravenously, while all 5 mice infected with VSVIFNβ developed neurotoxicity within a week. In the TC-1 lung cancer model, VVIFNβ caused tumor regression, while VSVIFNβ and AdIFNβ were completely ineffective. In a second model using LKRM2, all 3 viral vectors were equivalent. The anti-tumor effect of VVIFNβ was shown to be mainly CD8 dependant, as depletion of CD8 with antibody dampened the tumor growth inhibition from 48% to 20%. Conclusions: Overall, VVIFNβ appears to be a better oncolytic vector than VSVIFNβ for a number of reasons: 1) it is safer, 2) it is able to replicate in vitro and in vivo in almost every cell line tested, 3) it induces longer and larger IFNβ production, and 4) it can potentially be given intravenously. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1513.


Client satisfaction is considered an important outcome measure in a managed care environment faced with escalating health care costs, shortened lengths of hospital stay, and competition among acute care hospitals. With shortened lengths of stay in acute care hospitals, discharge planning has assumed increased importance, particularly for elders who have chronic conditions, such as heart failure, that require follow-up care. Consequently, understanding the predictors of client satisfaction with discharge planning can help hospitals and their nursing staff to tailor services to meet client needs. Previous studies have focused on patient satisfaction with hospital care, with little attention given specifically to satisfaction with discharge planning and to family caregiver satisfaction with discharge planning. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference between elder and family member satisfaction with discharge planning 2 weeks after hospitalization and what factors predict satisfaction with discharge planning 2 weeks after hospitalization for elders hospitalized with heart failure and their family caregivers. Telephone interviews were conducted with 134 elder/family caregiver dyads 2 weeks after hospitalization. The results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in discharge planning satisfaction of elders and their family caregivers. Continuity of care and extent to which they felt prepared to manage care following hospitalization were the best predictors of elder's and family caregiver's satisfaction with discharge planning.


Context. Delta-sunspots are known to be favourable locations for fast and energetic events like flares and coronal mass ejections. The photosphere of this sunspot type has been thoroughly investigated in the past three decades. The atmospheric conditions in the chromosphere are not as well known, however. Aims. This study is focused on the chromosphere of a δ -sunspot that harbours a series of fan-shaped jets in its penumbra. The aim of this study is to establish the magnetic field topology and the temperature distribution in the presence of jets in the photosphere and the chromosphere. Methods. We use data from the Swedish 1m Solar Telescope (SST) and the Solar Dynamics Observatory. We invert the spectropolarimetric Fe i 6302 A and Ca ii 8542 A data from the SST using the non-LTE inversion code NICOLE to estimate the magnetic field configuration, temperature, and velocity structure in the chromosphere. Results. A loop-like magnetic structure is observed to emerge in the penumbra of the sunspot. The jets are launched from this structure. Magnetic reconnection between this emerging field and the pre-existing vertical field is suggested by hot plasma patches on the interface between the two fields. The height at which the reconnection takes place is located between log  τ 500 = −2 and log  τ 500 = −3. The magnetic field vector and the atmospheric temperature maps show a stationary configuration during the whole observation.


The analysis of clinical, laboratory and instrumental data allows to elaborate the method of complication appearance prognosis in patients with acute cholecystitis.


[1] Backward trajectories, synoptic analyses, and regional dust models are applied to analyze the aerosol particles obtained from aircraft measurements during major dust events in the Asian Pacific Regional Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-Asia) to understand the controlling mechanism of Asian dust transport. The selected high concentrations of aerosol measurements are traced back to their source areas, and the summarized eleven representative trajectories of dust particles are categorized into three types, including the upper-level (U type), lower-level (L type), and descending (D type) transport. The characteristics of the dust transport during different stages for each of the three types are inspected. It is found that the transport distance of a dust event strongly depended on the source areas relative to the synoptic conditions. For source areas ahead of a trough, the dust particles can be uplifted into the free troposphere. If the uplifted dust particles move to the ascending areas of a trough or ascend due to other processes in the later stage, then the dust particles likely travel longer distances. When dust particles ascend in an area too close to the trough, their subsidence may be expected as sinking motion could occur after trough passage, and thus the transport distance is limited. Uplifted dust particles are typically found at a height of 400–700 hPa (2–4.5 km above ground level) over source regions. For dust particles that are generated behind a trough, the vertical motion is limited to a layer around 700 hPa, and the transport distance is also shorter.


ABSTRACT With the rapid expansion of cloud computing technologies, one of the important mandatory services provided by governments is cloud-based accounting applications. This study aims to examine the main factors that play a role in users' decisions to adopt cloud-based accounting services in Turkey. We propose a modified version of The Extended Unified Model of Electronic Government Adoption (extended UMEGA). The model is tested using data obtained from 391 people. The findings show that computer self-efficacy, social impact, and performance expectations have a positive and significant effect, while perceived risk has a negative and significant effect on attitude. Results also showed that while the confidence in government and trust in the internet did not have a significant effect on perceived risk. However, it did have a significant and positive effect on performance expectations. The findings provide an understanding of the factors that legislators can take into account when developing strategies.


Positron emission mammography (PEM) is a new, specialized imaging modality utilizing PET radiopharmaceuticals to detect breast cancer. The capabilities and limitations of PEM in detecting breast tumors were investigated with a series of phantom experiments. The PEM imager was mounted on a standard Lorad biopsy table (separated by 18 cm). In the initial phase of the investigation, basic scanner parameters (resolution, sensitivity, and scatter fraction) were measured. The effects of a number of breast imaging parameters (length of acquisition, breast thickness, and breast density) on detection of breast lesions were then explored utilizing special phantoms. Moderately compressed breasts were simulated with a block of gelatin containing amounts of FDG consistent with 370 MBq injections. Lesions were simulated with four hollow spheres (inner diameters=5 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, and 15 mm) filled with amounts of FDG representative of uptake in malignant breast tumors (target-to-background concentration ratio=8.5:1). Resolution at the center of the imager was 3.9 mm, sensitivity was 0.059 kcps/kBq/ml and the Compton scatter fraction was approximately 12%. Objects as small as 8 mm in diameter could be detected after 30 s of data acquisition; 5 mm spheres were detectable after 300 s. Object detection capabilities were reduced with increasing breast thickness. In thin compressed breasts (2 cm) even the smallest sphere (5 mm in diameter) could be detected; increasing breast thickness increased the minimum detectable sphere diameter to 8 mm. Increased background activity caused by FDG uptake in metabolically active normal tissue more prevalent in radiodense breasts compared to "fatty" breasts was simulated and shown to reduce the minimum detectable lesion size to 12 mm for the densest breasts. These results demonstrate the potential of PEM for the detection of breast lesions. The addition of the system to a standard biopsy apparatus indicates its potential for use to guide some core biopsies of breast cancers.


The spatial heterogeneity of susceptible-infected-recovered type of compartmental models are commonly expressed in ordinary differential equation based patchy models, in which all individuals are regarded as having the same type of epidemiological profile and demographic characteristics. However, these patchy aggregate models are often complicated to be constructed especially for three or more patches. Nevertheless, with the help of System Dynamics Modeler in NetLogo, we can conveniently construct a three-patch susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) model. A scenario analysis of three residential areas in which individuals are allowed to migrate among those areas was carried out. The same analysis was then carried out by an individual-based model simulated with agent-based modeling technique, in NetLogo as well. The simulation show that the results of individual-based model agree well with the aggregate model by carefully setting the parameters value involved. Hence, individual-based models could be potentially extended as a visualization tool for observing the evolution of epidemic dynamics taking into account weather conditions, landscape patterns and individual behaviours.