General surgery residency involves a mixture of 1) education of residents and 2) service by residents. The service that residents provide is not directly reimbursed in our current healthcare system by private healthcare insurance companies. This investigation characterizes the amount of reimbursement a typical resident would be able to collect if residents were allowed to collect for their services as a first assistant. The case logs of residents who graduated over 2 years from our general surgery residency program were reviewed. Data from each resident's last 2 years (postgraduate years 4 and 5) were included in this study. Relative value units (RVUs) for each Current Procedural Terminology code were reviewed. Collections were calculated by multiplying the Medicare conversion factor of $36.7856/RVU, the corresponding RVU, and a "standard" collection rate of 16 per cent for first assistants. There were 13 general surgery residents. These residents provided first assistant help with 91,473 RVUs over 2 years. A total amount of $535,380 could have been collected on first assistant fees for the last 2 years of their residency. Each resident would have been able to collect an average at least $41,414 just for first assistant operative fees. Resident assistance in the operating room provides significant savings for private healthcare insurance companies each year by reducing the need for first assistants. The data demonstrate that private insurance companies receive a considerable amount of pro bono service from residents. Changes in the financing of the current healthcare system in the United States will require educators to examine other sources (i.e., private insurance companies) for support of graduate medication education.


Scholars argue that the presence of persistent first-mover advantages obviates the need for relatively long-lived patents as incentives for innovations. What then is the impact of the strengthening of patent protection, particularly in developing economies, on non-patent-based first-mover advantages? We investigate this question by estimating the extent of erosion of first-mover advantages in the Indian pharmaceutical industry due to the introduction of a stronger product-patent regime in January 2005. We distinguish between newly created and pre-existing markets, in which the strength of product patent protection differs systematically. Our analyses account for the endogeneity of entry order. We find evidence of erosion—as high as 50-percent—that is robust to alternative estimation strategies and definitions of dependent variables. We extend the Suarez-Lanzolla framework and highlight the role of regulatory factors on the relationship between first-mover advantages and intellectual property rights. We conclude by discussing managerial and policy implications.


Chronic viral hepatitis determines significant morbidity and mortality globally and is caused by three main etiological actors (Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Hepatitis D Virus) with different replicative cycles and biological behaviors. Thus, therapies change according to the different characteristics of the viruses. In chronic hepatitis B, long term suppressive treatments with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues have had a dramatic impact on the evolution of liver disease and liver-related complications. However, a conclusive clearance of the virus is difficult to obtain; new strategies that are able to eradicate the infection are currently objects of research. The therapy for Hepatitis D Virus infection is challenging due to the unique virology of the virus, which uses the synthetic machinery of the infected hepatocyte for its own replication and cannot be targeted by conventional antivirals that are active against virus-coded proteins. Recently introduced antivirals, such as bulevertide and lonafarnib, display definite but only partial efficacy in reducing serum HDV-RNA. However, in combination with pegylated interferon, they provide a synergistic therapeutic effect and appear to represent the current best therapy for HDV-positive patients. With the advent of Direct Acting Antiviral Agents (DAAs), a dramatic breakthrough has occurred in the therapeutic scenario of chronic hepatitis C. Cure of HCV infection is achieved in more than 95% of treated patients, irrespective of their baseline liver fibrosis status. Potentially, the goal of global HCV elimination by 2030 as endorsed by the World Health Organization can be obtained if more global subsidised supplies of DAAs are provided.


This paper describes the design and testing of an aperture-coupled circularly polarized antenna for Global Positioning System (GPS) applications. The antenna operates at both the L1 and L2 frequencies of 1575 and 1227 MHz, which is required for differential GPS systems in order to provide maximum positioning accuracy. Electrical performance, low-profile, and cost were equally important requirements for this antenna. The design procedure is discussed, and measured results are presented. Results from a manufacturing sensitivity analysis are also included.


Over the last three-quarters of a century various grain-based classification systems have been developed in order to categorize sandstones on the basis of the relative abundances of their three most common components: quartz, feldspar, and rock fragments. A review of the historical development of sandstone classification is undertaken to elucidate evolution in geological understanding represented by various methodologies of classification. The compositional fields defined in traditional sandstone classifications are found to be largely incompatible with subpopulations of sandstones grouped according to interpreted sedimentary tectonic provenance. The origin of this incompatibility between descriptive classifications and genetic classifications arose from the fact that neither approach established classification field boundaries on the basis of processes known to control the origin and evolution of sandstone composition. The development of the study of a range of factors that influence sandstone petrogenesis and grain composition are reviewed along with the introduction of several critical statistical techniques applicable to multicomponent grain abundance analysis. From the understandings gained by the evaluation of these advances in classification practice a set of potential topics for future consideration are introduced.


Alterations in the Wnt signaling pathway are associated with the advancement of cancers; however, the exact mechanisms responsible remain largely unknown. It has recently been established that heightened intratumoral Wnt signaling correlates with tumor immunomodulation and immune suppression, which likely contribute to the decreased efficacy of multiple cancer therapeutics. Here, we review available literature pertaining to connections between Wnt pathway activation in the tumor microenvironment and local immunomodulation. We focus specifically on preclinical and clinical data supporting the hypothesis that strategies targeting Wnt signaling could act as adjuncts for cancer therapy, either in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, in a variety of tumor types.


THE AUDIO CASSETTE RECORDER was introduced for home entertainment by the North American Philips Company on July 10, 1966. In the decade since that date, the cassette recording has quickly become a key component in educational technology. It has proven a highly reliable, efficient and inexpensive medium for remote or delayed communication between teacher and student. Audio recordings, when well designed, are capable of stimulating, directing, and motivating students to learn as well as they do in a "live" classroom. (Popham 1961; Wasson and Thorman 1975; Thorman 1976.) However, even the most enthusiastic advocates of audio education are concerned about some shortcomings of this type of instruction. Unless students are well motivated, they tend to lose interest and to procrastinate. Without the social environment of the classroom even highly motivated students, find it easy to become passive listeners rather than active learners. Cassette lessons often follow the model of a lecture delivered to a large class in a large auditorium where size of the room and the number in attendance preclude any real interchange between student and teacher. This is a faulty model because cassette lessons are, potentially at least, capable of providing interaction between the instructor and a student. The cassette lesson when modelled after the auditorium lecture is excessively prescriptive, and information is cast, almost exclusively, in the form of declarative sentences. The recording is used to describe, explain, expound, inform and direct, but it is not used to interrogate. If questions are asked, they are rhetorical because no answer is expected or is, in fact, possible. The fault, of course, lies in the technology. If it were possible to use a less formal and more interactive model, the form of a recorded lesson could be more stimulating. The instructor could pause occasionally and say, "Now, did you understand what I just said? Here is a problem for you to solve" or "On the basis of the concept that I just explained, would you expect ... .? The interactive model would permit a teacher to implement the ancient Socratic method and the contemporary Ausubel (1968) strategy of the "advance organizer." Every experienced teacher knows that a thoughtful question can draw students to levels of understanding they could not achieve by themselves or would not reach by merely listening to the same information. The cassette recorder allows an instructor to reach one student at a time and, thus, it individualizes instruction at a time when universities count their students in tens of thousands. This one-on-one relationship is an extraordinary advantage: the cassette lesson is defective only because it fails to provide a medium of interaction between one teacher and one learner. The Office of Individualized Learning at The University of Michigan-Dearborn recognized the deficiency of the cassette lesson several years ago and began a series of studies to define the problem and to discover a solution. These studies revealed that the real need is for a device that can be used with a cassette recorder to identify correct responses to questions with the instantaneous speed of a computer, but without the complexity or great cost of a computer. Design criteria were developed for the desired device. These criteria included the following:


As libraries face greater financial challenges while redefining their roles, public engagement has been put forth as one way to address both concerns. In fact, such efforts have produced solid results for many libraries, even when not following a clear path with a well-defined outcome. Administrators believe in the concept, but sometimes lack a foundational understanding of how public engagement works. This paper's author spent several years as a published journalist and business consultant observing and analyzing the ways in which companies utilize public engagement and the manner in which these campaigns resulted in tangible profits. The author then developed a paradigm called the Adaptable Cycle of Engagement (ACE) in order to offer a model for successful implementation of such an agenda. This paper defines that system in detail, showing step by step how public engagement works to ultimately bond the community to the library, enhance library offerings to patrons, and enable the library to reap financial rewards.


Background Hypotension is the most frequent adverse event reported with intravenous amiodarone (Cordarone IV). The hypotension has been attributed to the vasoactive solvents of the formulation, polysorbate 80 and benzyl alcohol, both known to exhibit negative inotropy and hypotensive effect. A new aqueous formulation of intravenous amiodarone (Amio-Aqueous) does not contain vasoactive excipients and may be less toxic and causes less hypotension than Cordarone IV. This hypothesis was tested in a series of animal studies with direct comparison of Amio-Aqueous and Cordarone IV. Methods Four studies were performed in anesthetized Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 450 and 550 grams: 1) the lethal dose 50% (LD50) and lethal dose 100% (LD100) were determined in 6 rats for each drug; 2) the effects of the two drugs on myocardial contractility were compared at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg doses using a Walton-Brody strain gauge (n = 30); 3) the effects of the drugs on arterial blood pressure were compared at doses of 3, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg (n = 10); 4) the antiarrhythmic effects were compared at doses between 0.5 and 20 mg/kg following left anterior descending coronary artery ligation (n = 12). The studies were conducted in accordance to the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Results The acute toxicology study showed that both LD50 and LD100 were 30% greater for Amio-Aqueous than for Cordarone. At the dose where all animals expired on Cordarone, 50% of animals were still alive on Amio-Aqueous. The study on myocardial contractility showed that Amio-Aqueous was far less negative inotropic than Cordarone IV (p<0.001). Amio-Aqueous did not have an effect on contractility at 5 and 10 mg/kg dose levels while Cordarone resulted in a 25% (p<0.01) and 29% (p<0.002) decrease, respectively. The study on arterial blood pressure showed that Cordarone caused a significant decrease in blood pressure at each of the 3, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg dose (p<0.05 to p<0.001) while Amio-Aqueous did not. The study on the antiarrhythmic effects showed comparable efficacy for both formulations. Conclusions Cordarone IV was more toxic, caused significant hypotension and negative inotropy, while Amio-Aqueous lacked the hypotensive and cardiotoxic properties of Cordarone IV. Therefore Amio-Aqueous is safer than Cordarone IV and the generic formulations.


Background: The rate of adolescent pregnancy has steadily increased in Thailand over the years and depression is considered an important psychological problem in many pregnant adolescents. The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of pregnant adolescents with depressive symptoms and to identify a predictive statistical model for the factors related to prenatal depression among adolescents at antenatal care clinics in 10 community health centers in Maha Sarakham Province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 230 randomly selected participants who were pregnant adolescents who volunteered to participate in the research, those aged ≤19 years, and had an estimated gestational age of ≤18 weeks. Those with severe obstetrics complications or a psychiatric disorder were excluded. The subjects were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and the Thai version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The mean age of participants was 17.0 (±1.4) years. Results: Overall, 43.9% of the adolescents had a cut off score of ≥11, suggestive of prenatal depressive symptoms. Multivariate analysis identified that pregnant adolescents at a primary school education level were 6.5 times more likely to experience depression symptoms than those with a diploma. Those who were emotionally supported by their husband or partner compared to relatives had a five times higher chance of presenting depressive symptoms, and those with a perceived bad relationship with their husband or partner had seven times higher. The model was well-calibrated (goodness-of-fit test, p = 0.675) and had high discriminative power (ROC curve = 0.73 (95%CI = 0.67 to 0.79). Conclusions: More attention is needed to reduce the known problems with pregnant adolescents and to ensure they continue with their education.  Lastly, public education to support mental health initiatives for individuals and families should be encouraged.


We study the J:-J~ -h quantum 'spin model on the two-dimensional square lattice using the coupled cluster method. We compare and contrast the influence of the interchain coupling Jf on the zero-temperature phase diagrams for the two spin values s = 1/2 and s = 1. Our most important result for the s = 1/2 case is the predicted existence of a quantum triple point (QTP) at (Jf ;:::j 0.60 ± 0.03, J: ;:::j 0.33 ± 0.02) when h = 1. Below the QTP (JU J1 ;S 0.60) we predict a second-order phase transition between the quasi-classical Neel and stripe-ordered phases, whereas the corresponding classical model, which contains only these two phases for all spin values s, yields a first-order transition. Above the QTP (JU J1 2: 0.60) an intermediate disordered phase emerges, which has no classical counterpart. By contrast, the situation for s = 1 is qualitatively different. Instead of a QTP where three phases co-exist, we now predict a quantum tricritical point at (Jf ;:::j 0.66 ± 0.03, Jz ~ 0.35 ± 0.02) when Jv = 1, where a line of second-order phase transitions between the quasi-classical Neel and stripe-ordered phases (for JU J: ;S 0.66) meets a line of first-order phase transitions between the same two states (for JU h 2: 0.66). Surprisingly, we find no evidence at all for any intermediate disordered phase in the s = 1 case. .


In 1996 a number of Roman silver coins were discovered by metal detecting at Dykeside, near Birnie, Moray. The findspot lies in an area of a later prehistoric settlement known for cropmarks, on a gravel terrace. It is also within 400 m of Birnie Kirk, one of the earliest Christian sites in Moray.
A limited season of fieldwork over two weekends in 1998 was carried out to assess the potential of the area. Artefacts recovered on the Dykeside site indicate activity during the Neolithic/Bronze Age, the Iron Age and the Medieval period. Trial excavation indicated good survival of sub-surface archaeology, including what appeared to be a well-preserved burnt house, and recovered dating samples.
Work in the field immediately east of Birnie Kirk itself produceda much more limited range of material, as would be expected given its low-lying location. The relative lack of medieval finds provides a hint that cropmarks in the filed may be pre-medieval.
Further work is planned.


The perioperative environment is associated with many hazards both for staff and patients. Practitioners throughout the world assess the risks and take action to mitigate these--an example of this is the many policies and procedures associated with infection prevention.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate 3 published questionnaires for screening diabetes for rural samples in China.

METHODS
Three screening questionnaires (Finnish Diabetes Risk Score, Danish Diabetes Risk Score, and Chinese Diabetes Risk Score) were selected through literature review, and were employed in a rural community sample in Wangcheng, Changsha.

RESULTS
Sensitivity of these risk scores was 63.72%, 56.64% and 82.30%; the specificity was 79.75%, 62.64% and 46.90%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73-0.83), 0.65 (95% CI: 0.60-0.70) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.63-0.73).

CONCLUSION
The 3 screening questionnaires show a lower validity than originally described when applied to rural samples in the study. Difference in population characteristics is a possible reason. F-DRS is better than the other two, suggesting that F-DRS is more suitable for diabetes screening in China rural areas.


We present high quality long slit spectra along the major and minor axes out to 1.5 effective radii of the massive galaxy NGC 4636 taken by the Hobby-Eberly Telescope. Using the Fourier Correlation Quotient method, we measured the stellar line-of-sight velocity distribution along the axes. Furthermore, six Lick/IDS indices (Hβ, Mgb, Fe5015, Fe5270, Fe5335, Fe5406) are derived from the clean spectrum. By comparing the measured absorption line strengths with the predictions of Simple Stellar Population (SSP) models, we derived ages, total metallicity and α abundance profiles of the galaxy. This galaxy presents old and [α/Fe] overabundant stellar populations. Indeed, using the SSP model, we obtained the broadband color profiles. The theoretical colors match well with the measured colors and present red sharp peaks at the galaxy center. The sharp peaks of the colors are mainly shaped by the high metallicity in the galaxy's center. Interestingly, the galaxy has steep negative metallicity gradients, but the trend flattens outwards. This result likely suggests that the center and outer regions of the galaxy formed through different formation processes.


The normal survival of red cells requires maintained regulation of cell size and shape. This regulation is to a large extent dependent upon membrane permeability and the active transport of cations. Agents such as C' that affect permeability markedly by creating large holes in the membrane lead to rapid cell death. Most hemolytic disorders thus far studied involve lesser increases in membrane permeability and hemolysis occurs more gradually by the sequence of colloid osmotic swelling, loss of cell surface, and spherocytosis. With very mild permeability changes, as in hereditary spherocytosis, the cell may compensate for an increased leak-rate for cations by increased active transport. This compensation requires increased glycolysis and optimal metabolic conditions, however, and the cell rapidly decompensates during glucose deprivation or metabolic stress. The interaction between reticuloendothelial tissues and red cells provides such a stress for leaky cells and hastens their destruction.


To improve the success of mechanical thrombectomy, three-dimensional turbo spin-echo (3D-TSE) sequences on T2WI can be employed to estimate the vascular structure of the posterior circulation. In addition to the short imaging time of 3D-TSE T2WI (33 sec), it can visualize the outer diameter of the main cerebral artery, including the occluded vessels. However, to date, the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in the posterior circulation remains unclear, and safer and more efficient mechanical thrombectomy procedures are required. Assessment of the anatomical variations in the posterior circulation using 3D-TSE T2WI is valuable for access decisions, device selection, and safe device guidance and retrieval techniques to the target vessel. Herein, we present representative cases of basilar artery and posterior cerebral artery occlusions in our institute and describe the utility of preoperative 3D-TSE T2WI in these patients.


Lake Baikal in Russia, the world's oldest and deepest continental lake lies in south central Siberia, near the border to Mongolia. The lake is 1,643 m deep and has an area of about 46,000 km2. It holds one-fifth of all the terrestrial fresh water on Earth. Lake Baikal occupies the deepest portion of the Baikal Rift Zone. It was formed some 30-45 million years ago. The isolated Lake Baikal ecosystem represents a unique niche in nature based on its historical formation. The microbial diversity present in this environment has not yet been fully harvested or examined for products and processes of commercial interest and value. Thus, the collection of water, soil, and sub-bottom sediment samples was decided to characterize the microbial diversity of the isolated strains and to screen the isolates for their biotechnological value.


The purpose of this thesis is to calculate the relativistic correction to the gravitational waves produced by compact binaries in the inspiral phase. The correction is up to the next to leading order, the so-called first post-Newtonian order (1PN), which are correctional terms proportional to (v/c)2 compared to leading order, Newtonian, terms. These corrections are well known in the literature, even going beyond the first order corrections, so why is it computed again here? In later years, an alternative approach for computing these terms using effective field theory has emerged. This thesis investigates this approach by replicating it, and attempts to make this approach more accessible to those not familiar with effective field theories. It has been claimed that this approach greatly simplifies the complicated calculations of gravitational waveforms, and even provides the required intuition for 'physical understanding'. By this master student that was found not to be entirely correct. The calculations were made easier for those with a rich background in quantum field theory, but for those who are not well acquainted with quantum field theory this was not the case. It was, however, found to be a worthwhile method as a means for deepening one's understanding of gravity, and might provide a shorter route for some alternative theories of gravity to testable predictions.


This paper is an honest, reflexive account of action research with activists. Through a two year project called 'Autonomous Geographies', a team of researchers undertook case studies with three groups: self-managed social centres, tenants resisting housing privatisation, and eco-pioneers setting up a Low Impact Development. The original aim was to explore the everyday lives of activists as they attempted to resist life under capitalism and build more autonomous ways of living. The paper reflects on the messy, difficult and personally challenging research process of the project, with the failures being more instructive than the successes. By recounting this experience we provide lessons for the complex but necessary process of doing what is known as scholar activism in what we see as difficult, neo-liberal times. In particular we focus on how we can better formulate and implement strategic interventions with activists and social movements. We need to reject the false distinction between academia and wider society in conceptualisations of valid sites of struggle and knowledge production, and to find ways to research and engage collectively and politically, rather than individually. 1 Creative Commons licence: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2 Paul Chatterton (University of Leeds, email@example.com), Stuart Hodkinson (University of Leeds, firstname.lastname@example.com), Jenny Pickerill (corresponding author, University of Leicester, firstname.lastname@example.com). Beyond Scholar Activism 246 To this end, the paper offers seven principles for scholar activism that can be applied inside and outside the neo-liberal university.


This paper introduces an NGram-based approach for digital images copyright protection. The advantage of the proposed approach compared to the existing works, is that it does not always require the whole elements (e.g., bits) of the watermark pattern to be embedded into the original digital image. This, in turn, allows us to protect the digital images while at the same time minimizing the chances of having low quality marked digital images. The best case occurs when no element of the pattern is embedded into the original digital image. In contrast, the worst case, which rarely happens, occurs when all elements are embedded into the digital image. Moreover, the use of an NGram approach allows us to efficiently and easily reach any part of the image using the corresponding level numbers and addresses. This makes it more efficient especially for complex and high-dimensional data (e.g., images and videos). Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach in terms of the ability to recover the watermark pattern from the marked digital image even if major changes are applied to the original digital image.


The realization that non-coding RNAs and antisense transcription are pervasive in many genomes has emphasized our relatively poor understanding of what limits transcription and how initiation and termination are linked to processing and turnover of the RNA. In genomes where the density of genes is high it is clearly important to efficiently terminate transcription to prevent read-through into adjacent genes. In a recent paper published in PNAS, we showed that two RNA binding proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana, FCA and FPA, play important roles in limiting intergenic transcription in the A. thaliana genome. Their absence leads to transcriptional read-through over many kilobases (kb), which influences expression, and in some cases chromatin modifications, of associated genes.


Since integrated data have got richer information, integration of different data sources is a key step in most data warehousing and mining projects. One of the principal
challenges in integrating databases is duplication. In other words, in different databases, one entity may be available in different formats. Therefore, when these databases are combined, the availability of entities in different formats causes duplication. Record linkage is a technique which is used to detect and match duplicate records which are generated in data integration process. A variety of record linkage models with different steps have been developed in order to detect such duplicate records. For this purpose, string similarity measures are widely utilized for comparing record-pairs in different studies. However, in addition to string similarity, considering the semantic relatedness between two records can be also beneficial in the process of detecting duplicate records.
This issue is not regarded in existing record linkage models.
To determine the importance of semantic similarity in improving the effectiveness of detecting duplicate records, a similarity measure based on the combination of string and
semantic similarity measures is proposed in this study. For combination purpose, a threshold-based method which considers the semantic similarity for each field of the
dataset is proposed. This threshold determines the influence of semantic similarity in the final combination algorithm. The combined similarity measure is experimented on two real world datasets, namely Restaurant and Cora and its effectiveness is measured based on several standard evaluation metrics. As experimental results indicate, the combined similarity measure which is based on the combination of string and semantic similarity measures outperforms the string and semantic similarity measures, which are used individually, with the F-measure of 99.1% in Restaurant dataset, and 88.3% in Cora dataset. Therefore, based on the experimental results, semantic similarity should be taken into account in addition to string similarity in order to detect duplicate records more effectively in recork linkage


Medical device regulation was an important element of Australia's response to COVID-19. Early policy initiatives included expedited assessments of COVID-19 diagnostic tests and enhanced communications and information provision. Emergency exemptions enabled continuity of supply of diagnostic tests and personal protective equipment including face masks, and formed part of contingency planning regarding ventilator capacity. A post-market review of face masks improved the quality of face masks included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, and prompted broader reforms for low risk (Class I) medical devices. Increased compliance activities and infringement notices focused particularly on importation and advertising issues. Medical device regulatory initiatives effectively aligned with broader public policy objectives and helped achieve crucial collaboration between government and industry. Australia's principles-based regulatory framework adapted well to the challenges of COVID-19.


A major restructuring process is taking place in the international fertiliser industry driven by the introduction of stricter environmental regulation in Advanced Countries and the expansion of local production capabilities in Developing Countries. The paper will analyse patterns of corporate adjustment in the fertiliser industry. The emphasis is on the unique characteristics of the fertiliser industry as the producer of a final product and a supplier of intermediate inputs to agriculture. These producer-user linkages will be examined in the context of Advanced and Developing Countries. It will be argued that the fertiliser industry has incorporated the specific characteristics of these linkages in its adjustment processes in both Developed and Developing Countries - but in very different ways. This analysis suggests significant implications for the design of policies, which could facilitate the introduction of cleaner production techniques in the fertiliser industry and the adoption of environmental-friendly production techniques in agriculture


The Best Value Approach (BVA) is a change in paradigm, replacing the non-experts decision making, management, direction, control (MDC) and thinking with the utilization of expertise. The best known BVA model is the Best Value Procurement model (BVP). With the further proliferation of BVP, a growing number of tenders are labelling themselves as "Best Value" without adhering to proper BVA practices. These "hybrid" tenders produce discouraging results, and have a detrimental effect on the wider proliferation of BVA and BVP. An easy-to-use tool is proposed that requires no BVA expertise to assess whether a tender is in fact run as a BV tender, and which may be used to avoid or minimize decision making. A "BV Quality Checklist in Procurement" is established by applying first principles to the Pre-Qualification, Selection and Clarification phase. The three phases have been analyzed with the focus on avoiding all types of decision making resulting in 21 checks. Using the checklist it can be assessed whether a tender procedure is a BV tender. The checklist can also assist in avoiding decision making in the tender process. The approach used here may furthermore be applied in other fields than procurement.


The exploration and survey for diversity of threatened of ethno-medicinal plant species in West Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya was conducted during 2020-2021 for 15 villages in Byrki, Pyndensohphoh, Pyndenmawbah, Marshan, Thangkhmahjah, Nongkhlaw, Nongkynjang, Nonglwai-I, Nonglwai-II, Mawthungkper, Jaidoh, Nongklung Rim, Nongklung, Marskuin and Nongjyllieh. The methodology followed the quantitative analysis and use of phytosociological aspects between the species. Quadrate size 100m2 for trees, 50m2 for shrubs and 10m2 for herbs were used and herbariums were made for every species specimen collected. The result of the present study of 15 villages surveyed recorded 17 species of trees belonging to 11 families, 10 species of shrubs belonging to 8 families and 15 species of herbs belonging to 8 families. In term of Taxonomic status and number of individuals Pinuskesiya was found to be the most maximum tree species, Rubuskhasiana was found to be the most maximum shrub species, while, Fagopyrumdi botrys was found to be the most maximum herb species. On comparison of the result of the phytosociological aspects of 15 villages, it concluded that Nongklung Rim showed the highest values for Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H') (0.58) for tree species, Nongjyllieh showed the high value for Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H') (0.59) for shrub species, while Pyndensohphoh, Nongkynjang, Nonglwai-I, Nongklung and Nongjyllieh showed the highest value for Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H') (0.57) for herb species. These plants would be of much benefit, if evaluated and introduced in the modern scientific health care system. However, the decline in population due to over harvesting and habitat destruction of these plants calls for nursery measures for their effective conservation.


Objective: Although adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is the gold standard for diagnosing subtypes of primary aldosteronism (PA), it is sometimes difficult to make correct diagnosis by conventional AVS in which only adrenal central veins are selected. We recently employed a new approach, super-selective AVS (SS-AVS). We hereby present a case of aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) diagnosed by SS-AVS and discuss the characteristics of difficult cases. Design and method: Case report: The 36-year-old patient with hypertension was treated with oral medication for five years, but the blood pressure control was poor. Endocrinological examinations were performed and it revealed low plasma renin activity (PRA 0.1 ng/ml/h) and high plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC 190 pg/ml). Imaging examinations showed a 13 mm-sized left adrenal mass. PA was suspected and AVS was performed subsequently to confirmation tests. However, aldosterone/cortisol ratios of both left and right adrenal central veins were lower than that of the inferior vena cava, and he failed to be diagnosed as APA. As we have employed SS-AVS since two years, we performed SS-AVS for the reevaluation for this case, and reviewed such undiagnosable cases. Results: A microcatheter was inserted to the tributaries of the left adrenal vein. Lateralized ratio (LR) using the aldosterone value in the tributary near the mass was 25.8 and contralateral ratio (CR) was 0.50. He was diagnosed as left APA and the surgery was performed. We diagnosed 30 APAs in total, but 8 cases failed to be diagnosed by conventional AVS. Among them, 7 cases were in the left side, and none of them were with tumor size larger than 15 mm. Conclusions: SS-AVS is useful for cases undiagnosable by conventinal AVS because a high plasma aldosterone level can be detected when a microcatheter is inserted closely to APA. It appears that such cases have much in common: a small mass in the left adrenal gland.


Background and Objectives : Khon Kaen University, Thailand, has set up a fieldwork for community medicine for more than 3 decades. Fieldwork education could promote student-centered practice, self-directed learning, knowledgeable of community resources. Student's reflection to fieldwork would enable teachers to understand deeper what students learned. This study aim to determine students' reflection to the community medicine fieldwork. Methodology: Students completed the process of fieldwork study set by community medicine department. After finishing the fieldwork, 12 students, staying in the same house, were in-depth interviewed using structured interview form. The interviews were about achievement of objectives of the fieldwork, what they learned and how it was valuable to them.  Content analysis was performed and interpreted into learnt experiences. Results: The students have learnt the villager's lifestyle which helped them to understand the connection between lifestyle and illness. They learned about villager's culture which influenced people's health belief and attitude to health. They have learnt and understood better that villagers, sometime, chose alternative treatment instead of modern treatment.  Fieldwork taught them to work together as a team. Fieldwork supported the self-centered practice and self-directed learning. Conclusion: Students have reflected positive image of community medicine fieldwork that it offered a way of learning and gaining experiences about community.


This paper describes a hierarchical neural network that extracts visual patterns in an image. The network operates independently of size, position and number of patterns. All processing stages such as location, standing and shifting attention are carried out by the network model.


Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a critical step in bioethanol production, and a means for the effective monitoring of the SSF process is urgently needed due to the rapid changes in the SSF industry, which demands fast tools that could provide real time information to ensure the quality of the final product. The aim of the present study was to investigate the FT-NIR spectroscopy technique associated with supervised pattern recognition methods in order to develop a means to monitor the time-related molecular changes that occur during the SSF of bioethanol. Principal component analysis as an exploratory tool was employed to uncover details on the molecular modifications of the spectral data during the SSF process. Furthermore, identification models were constructed using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), back propagation neural network (BPNN), support vector machine (SVM), and extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithms. The parameters of the four algorithms were optimized by leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) for the calibration of the identification models. The experimental results showed that the nonlinear identification models achieved strong classification performance to identify the fermentation stages in the SSF of bioethanol. Moreover, compared with the BPNN and SVM models, the ELM model achieved a slightly better generalization performance with an identification rate of 92.60% in the validation process. The overall results show that the ELM-FT-NIR methodology was efficient in accurately identifying the fermentation stages during the SSF of bioethanol, thus demonstrating its potential for application in the in situ monitoring and control of large-scale industrial processes.


Setting: Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. Objective : The study was conducted to find out the different indications of induction of labour as well as cesarean delivery rate, fetal and neonatal morbidity associated with induction of labour. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at obstetric unit of B.P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, a tertiary care centre in eastern Nepal .The study enrolled 262 consecutive patients from April2008 to august 2008 recruited to induction of labour according to the standard practiced in the institute. Dinoprostone gel was used as induction agent in all the cases, the patients were monitored in labour according to hospital protocol, cesarean was performed for routine indications. Fetal morbidity was assessed in terms of NICU admissions & 5 min Apgar scores. Results: 62% of patients were unbooked. Prolonged pregnancy (62.8%) and hypertensive disorders (18.7%) were the common indications for induction of labour. Cesarean delivery rate was 47.2% and NICU admission was 5.3%. Conclusion: Prolonged pregnancy and hypertensive disorders are the common indications for induction of labour. Standard labour management protocol has to be followed to avoid unnecessary cesarean delivery and have a better neonatal outcome. Keywords: induction of labour; cesarean delivery; post dated pregnancy DOI: 10.3126/hren.v8i2.4423 Health Renaissance , May-Aug 2010; Vol 8 (No.2):114-116


The focus of this study was to alter the xylan content of corn stover and poplar using SO2‐catalyzed steam pretreatment to determine the effect on subsequent hydrolysis by commercial cellulase preparations supplemented with or without xylanases. Steam pretreated solids with xylan contents ranging from ∼1 to 19% (w/w) were produced. Higher xylan contents and improved hemicellulose recoveries were obtained with solids pretreated at lower severities or without SO2‐addition prior to pretreatment. The pretreated solids with low xylan content (<4% (w/w)) were characterized by fast and complete cellulose to glucose conversion when utilizing cellulases. Commercial cellulases required xylanase supplementation for effective hydrolysis of pretreated substrates containing higher amounts of xylan. It was apparent that the xylan content influenced both the enzyme requirements for hydrolysis and the recovery of sugars during the pretreatment process. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009


In this paper, we study the performance of deploying multiple unlicensed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV s) to share the spectrum and the base station of an established primary network in Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) communications. We present a novel power allocation scheme based on a combination of underlay cognitive radio with channel precoding and decoding to maximize the UAVs sum-rate. In the proposed scheme, we jointly use space alignment and successive interference cancellation techniques to minimize and avoid the interference caused on the primary communication. Optimal power allocation scheme for the proposed system is devised. In our simulations, we show that the proposed scheme allows the UAV s to achieve a rate that highly depends on the primary power and interference threshold. In addition, a supplementary rate is achieved when the UAVs transmit in the unused parallel channels called free eigenmodes. The impact of the different system parameters including the number of antennas and the 3D position of the UAVs are also evaluated.


Estimation of volatility of financial time series plays a crucial role in pricing derivatives. Volatility is often estimated from historical data; however, it is well known that volatility varies in time. We propose a method to choose a suitable length of historical data to estimate contemporary volatility. The method is based on adaptation of a procedure used in statistical quality control - a hypothesis, that data contains a changepoint of volatility, is tested and if the test gives a positive answer, the changepoint is estimated. Then, a period of data where no changepoint is statistically significant is used to estimate contemporary volatility. The approach is illustrated on an analysis of CZK/EUR exchange rates.


. In fuzzy modeling, the inputs of the simulated systems can receive both crisp values and non-Singleton. Computational complexity of fuzzy inference with fuzzy non-Singleton inputs corresponds to an exponential. This paper describes a new method of inference, based on the theorem of decomposition of a multidimensional fuzzy implication and a fuzzy truth value. This method is considered for fuzzy inputs and has a polynomial complexity, which makes it possible to use it for modeling large-dimensional MISO-structure systems.


The need to recognize large natural areas such as watersheds or river basins as planning units and the comprehensive nature of watershed planning studies have important implications for the conduct of surveying and mapping operations, particularly in the large urban regions growing in the United States. Basic map requirements for areawide water resources planning in rapidly urbanizing areas include general purpose base maps, aerial photography, and precise base maps, all based on a system of survey control that assures full correlation of widespread topographic and cadastral operations. The state plane coordinate system, when correlated with the U. S. Public Land Survey System, provides an excellent basis for a practical and usable network of survey control that overcomes the inadequacies of plane surveying methods without sacrificing the simplicity of these methods and permits the preparation of general purpose and precise planning base maps meeting the requirements of comprehensive resource planning programs.


OBJECTIVE:Functional GI disorders are common in the general population. However, their impact on health status and health resource use in Canada has not been well examined. We describe 1) health-related quality of life in Canadians with functional constipation or other functional GI disorders versus Canadian normative data or those without a functional GI disorder and 2) health resource utilization in subject's self-reporting of constipation.METHODS:An independent research firm was employed to conduct a randomly selected national survey examining GI symptoms and personal health. Household members 18 yr or older were recruited by a random-digit dial technique. Participants were then mailed a questionnaire and data were retrieved by a follow-up phone call. All functional GI disorders were defined using Rome II criteria, and constipation was further defined using self-report. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form 36.RESULTS:One thousand one hundred forty-nine subjects (49.3% male) with a mean age of 42.2 yr completed the survey. The prevalence of any Rome II functional GI disorder was 61.7%. The rate of functional constipation was 14.9%, whereas that of self-reported constipation was 27.2%. The mean physical and mental component summary and eight subscores of the Short Form 36 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than Canadian norms for both self-reported constipation and Rome II functional constipation. Subjects with no GI disorder had significantly better Short Form 36 scores than the Canadian norms. The rate of physician visits for constipation was strongly predicted by the physical component of the Short Form 36. Most subjects (66.2%) were satisfied with their current constipation treatment.CONCLUSIONS:Constipation is common in the Canadian population and significantly impairs health-related quality of life. Poor quality of life is an important predictor of health care utilization in these subjects.


The paper describes design of input-series-output-series (ISOS) resonant converter based electronic ballast for ultra-violet gas discharge lamp powering. Proposed topology and control method allows achieve soft- switching of MOSFET transistors. Application of ISOS topology allows application of low voltage MOSFET transistors which are cheaper and with a better parameters. Integration of the transformer allows reduction of the price of magnetics components. The operation of the converter is described in the paper. Experimental prototype powered from three phase 400 V AC network with 3 kW output power has been built and experimental results confirms proper operation of the converter.


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:
The diagnosis of cholesteatoma is based on clinical evaluation and computed tomography. New diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, without intravenous contrast, are capable of differentiating
cholesteatoma from inflammatory tissue, cholesterol granuloma and granulation tissues. The technique is very helpful in differential diagnosis of cholesteatoma.
Difficult cases can be detected and correctly diagnosed as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the diffusion-weighted MRI in cholesteatoma diagnosis.
METHODS:
A prospective study was performed on 50 patients. Clinical and surgical findings were correlated with diffusion-weighted MRI results.
RESULTS:
Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were 100%, 14.29%, 87.76% and 100%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Diffusion-weighted imaging is an effective technique in cholesteatoma diagnosis.


Purpose: Tragus is one of the key structure of the normal shape of auricle. We experienced several cases of hypoplastic tragus with preauricular appendage. This article describes the methods of reconstruction of atypical tragus using accessory tragus or macrotragus to make better aesthetic results rather than simple excision. Methods: From April, 2004 to March, 2009, 21 patients got operations by our method. Seven patients had bilateral deformity of tragus. Mean age was 12.7 years. For 17 cases of accessory tragus, simple excision, z-plasty and interpolation flap was performed. For 11 cases of macrotragus, debulking and z-plasty was performed. Mean follow-up period was 9.4 months. Results: Reconstructed tragus looked symmetric with the opposite side in contour, size, direction and partial coverage of auditory meatus. There was no enlargement of remnant appendage for the follow up period and there was no complication such as hematoma, infection and chondritis. Conclusion: In cases of small and deformed tragus, preauricular tissue such as accessory tragus and macrotragus could be a good source of tragal reconstruction.


Abstract A carbonate carbon isotope curve from the Aalenian–Bathonian interval is presented from the Óbánya valley, of the Mecsek Mountains, Hungary. This interval is certainly less well constrained and studied than other Jurassic time slices. The Óbánya valley lies in the eastern part of the Mecsek Mountains, between Óbánya and Kisújbánya and provides exposures of an Aalenian to Lower Cretaceous sequence. It is not strongly affected by tectonics, as compared to other sections of eastern Mecsek of the same age. In parts, a rich fossil assemblage has been collected, with Bathonian ammonites being especially valuable at this locality. The pelagic Middle Jurassic is represented by the Komló Calcareous Marl Formation and thin-bedded limestones of the Óbánya Limestone Formation. These are overlain by Upper Jurassic siliceous limestones and radiolarites of the Fonyászó Limestone Formation. Our new data indicate a series of carbon isotope anomalies within the late Aalenian and early-middle Bajocian. In particular, analysis of the Komló Calcareous Marl Formation reveals a negative carbon isotope excursion followed by positive values that occurs near the base of the section (across the Aalenian–Bajocian boundary). The origin of this carbon-isotope anomaly is interpreted to lie in significant changes to carbon fluxes potentially stemming from reduced run off, lowering the fertility of surface waters which in turn leads to lessened primary production and a negative δ13C shift. These data are comparable with carbonate carbon isotope records from other Tethyan margin sediments. Our integrated biostratigraphy and carbon isotope stratigraphy enable us to improve stratigraphic correlation and age determination of the examined strata. Therefore, this study of the Komló Calcareous Marl Formation confirms that the existing carbon isotope curves serve as a global standard for Aalenian–Bathonian δ13C variation.


Here, we systematically compared the photoactivity and photobleaching behavior between dissolved black carbon (DBC) from rice straw biochar and leached dissolved organic carbon (LDOC) from rice straw compost using complementary techniques. The Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) analysis showed that DBC was dominated by polycyclic aromatic (55.1%) and tannin-like molecules (24.1%), while LDOC was dominated by lignin-like (58.9%) and tannin-like molecules (19.7%). Under simulated sunlight conditions, DBC had much higher apparent quantum yields for 3DOM* and 1O2 but much lower apparent quantum yields for •OH than LDOC. After a 168 h irradiation, the total number of LDOC formulas identified by FT-ICR MS decreased by 40.1% with concurrent increases in O/C and H/C ratios and also decreases in double bond equivalence minus oxygen (DBE - O) and average molecular weight identified by gel permeation chromatography. However, despite the large decreases in UVA254 and DOC, the total number of DBC formulas decreased only by 12.0% with nearly unchanged O/C ratio, DBE - O values, molecular weight distribution, and benzenepolycarboxylic aromatic condensation (BACon) index regardless of the decreased percentage of condensed aromatic carbon (ConAC %). Compared with LDOC, the photolysis of DBC was much less oxidative and destructive mainly via breakup of a small portion of the highly condensed aromatic rings, probably accompanied by photodecarboxylation.


The sequencing of cell-free fetal DNA in the maternal plasma through non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is an accurate genetic screening test to detect the most common fetal aneuploidies during pregnancy. The extensive use of NIPT, as a screening method, has highlighted the limits of the technique, including false positive and negative results. Feto-placental mosaicism is a challenging biological issue and is the most frequent cause of false positive and negative results in NIPT screening, and of discrepancy between NIPT and invasive test results. We are reporting on two cases of feto-placental mosaicism of trisomy 21, both with a low-risk NIPT result, identified by ultrasound signs and a subsequent amniocentesis consistent with a trisomy 21. In both cases, after the pregnancy termination, cytogenetic and/or cytogenomic analyses were performed on the placenta and fetal tissues, showing in the first case a mosaicism of trisomy 21 in both the placenta and the fetus, but a mosaicism in the placenta and a complete trisomy 21 in the fetus in the second case. These cases emphasize the need for accurate and complete pre-test NIPT counselling, as well as to identify situations at risk for a possible false negative NIPT result, which may underestimate a potential pathological condition, such as feto-placental mosaicism or fetal trisomy. Post-mortem molecular autopsy may discriminate between placental, fetal and feto-placental mosaicism, and between complete or mosaic fetal chromosomal anomalies. A multidisciplinary approach in counselling, as well as in the interpretation of biological events, is essential for the clarification of complex cases, such as feto-placental mosaicisms.


The Constitution provides no textual guidance for how, as a matter of domestic law, the United States can withdraw from an Article II treaty. The Supreme Court has not clarified matters. In the face of this uncertainty, government officials and scholars alike have long debated whether the President may unilaterally withdraw from a treaty or whether Congress has a role to play. This Note contributes to the debate by examining the relationship between treaty withdrawal and war powers through an originalist lens. Through close assessment of the contemporaneous jus ad bellum, the Note concludes that, at the Founding, treaty withdrawal presented a clear justification for war. Treaty withdrawal therefore implicates the War Powers Clause, which assigns primary responsibility for initiating war to Congress. Because the Founders and their contemporaries likely saw treaty withdrawal as a matter of war and peace, and because the Constitution entrusts Congress with the power to commence war, this Note concludes that the original understanding of the Constitution supports a role for Congress in treaty withdrawal.


Objectives: (1) To assess the effects of a conventional, delayed physiotherapy protocol used by Ischemic Stroke (IS) and Hemorrhagic Stroke (HS) post-stroke patients, in their electromyographic activation patterns during hemiparetic gait; and (2) to study whether this protocol may improve the functional abilities in this population. Methods: This is an observational, descriptive, and analytical quasi-experimental trial. Forty patients with unilateral IS (n=25) and HS (n=15) stroke were recruited; the stroke involved the motor cortex or sub-cortical areas, and the patients were able to walk independently. Interventions with standard protocols of physiotherapy were carried out. Evaluations (clinical and gait assessment) were performed at the time of admission and at the end of the protocol. Outcome measures include Stroke Impact Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and gait electromyographic evaluation. Results: Only IS patients (with an average of 124.4±45.4 months delayed access to physiotherapy rehabilitation) had improvements in Timed Up and Go Test (change in speed=−8.0 seg p<0.05) and presented an anticipation of the onset in Upper leg muscles after the intervention. BF (p=0.05), ST (p=0.001), and RF (p=0.024), started their recruitment (onset) earlier at the swing phase of the gait cycle, which is more similar to the normal pattern (grey shadow). IS and HS (120.4±28.4 months since last stroke) patients presented higher electromyographic activation, after physiotherapy, of the posterior leg muscles (gastrocnemius, semitendinosus and biceps femoris) during stance phase (p<0.05). Conclusion: IS patients had improvements after delayed conventional physiotherapy. For HS limited response to intervention was observed.


Artefacts are an important part of policy work, and a means of representation, translation, re-negotiation, and resistance of policy. While research has established their integral role in policy enactment, little research has examined the production and/or dissemination of artefacts by teacher educators. This paper reports and analyses the production and re-production of a specific set of artefacts, arising from the policy work of four teacher educators seeking to influence the interpretation and enactment of the Australian Curriculum in Health and Physical Education (AC HPE). Analysis and discussion pursue: the rationale for producing a set of artefacts focusing on a particular feature of the AC HPE; the processes of artefact production; actions designed to activate and re-present the artefacts; and emerging evidence of uptake and impact. The relationship of artefacts to policy work is shown to be strategically significant for teacher educators, teachers and others invested in new curriculum developments, and is characterised as both fluid and generative. We argue that artefacts have important performative policy potential and play a key role in supporting and shaping curriculum policy enactment.


This paper discusses the competitive factor in knowledge sharing networks. Organisations are dependent on other, often even competing organisations for their knowledge. When competing organisations co-operate in alliances to be able to learn from and with each other it becomes likely that they meet an interorganisational learning dilemma (Larsson, Bengtsson, Henriksson & Sparks, 1998); will each organisation put their own learning goals above the mutual learning goals by risking the success of the interorganisational alliance? In this paper we argue that knowledge processes and learning in (competitive) alliances should not only be considered or analysed at the interorganisational but (also) at the interpersonal level. At this latter level it might be that the interorganisational learning dilemma and competition are perceived differently. One interpersonal setting in which knowledge can flow between different organisations is in knowledge sharing networks. These are interpersonal networks or groups that are longterm oriented, with a purpose to exchange, acquire and create knowledge around a certain 'practice'. The group consists of individuals with a shared identity, although coming from different competing organisations. These knowledge sharing networks are important settings for knowledge sharing or creation and learning activities among individuals. This interpersonal learning can become an input for (inter) organisational learning (Inkpen & Crossan, 1995). Based on insights from literature and two examples from casestudies in The Netherlands we argue the following: while most literature mainly concerns analysis at the interorganisational level, providing insights in factors and reasons for co-operation in alliances, the actual (success of) learning and knowledge processes largely depends on interpersonal factors. The results are preliminary, since the PhD-research is still in progress, nevertheless, some lessons could be learnt from these practical illustrations about conditions for successful learning in interpersonal networks where interorganisational competition is an important factor.


Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate (PIP3)-dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) is a Rho guanine-nucleotide exchange factor that was originally discovered in neutrophils and is regulated by G protein βγ subunits and the lipid PIP3 in response to chemoattractants. P-Rex1 has also become increasingly recognized for its role in promoting metastasis of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma. Recent structural, biochemical, and biologic work has shown that binding of PIP3 to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of P-Rex1 is required for its activation in cells. Here, differential scanning fluorimetry was used in a medium-throughput screen to identify six small molecules that interact with the P-Rex1 PH domain and block binding of and activation by PIP3. Three of these compounds inhibit N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine induced spreading of human neutrophils as well as activation of the GTPase Rac2, both of which are downstream effects of P-Rex1 activity. Furthermore, one of these compounds reduces neutrophil velocity and inhibits neutrophil recruitment in response to inflammation in a zebrafish model. These results suggest that the PH domain of P-Rex1 is a tractable drug target and that these compounds might be useful for inhibiting P-Rex1 in other experimental contexts. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT A set of small molecules identified in a thermal shift screen directed against the phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate–dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) pleckstrin homology domain has effects consistent with P-Rex1 inhibition in neutrophils.


Abstract In this research article, the design of a broadband monopole antenna with triband notch characteristics is proposed. Notch characteristics are achieved by using an E-shaped slot on the patch and a U-shaped slot on the 50 Ω microstrip feed line. An E-shaped slot is introduced on the metal patch to reject one frequency band of 6.6 − 7.5 GHz and when an additional U-shaped slot is introduced on the microstrip feed line, it provides two-notch frequency bands of 4.8 − 5.7 GHz and 14.2 − 17.5 GHz. The notch bands are effectively used to avoid undesired interference from the WLAN, C band, and Ku band. The proposed antenna provides a very broad frequency range from 3.3 − 19.5 GHz except for three notch bands. The antenna is small in size and easy to design with only a volume of 29 mm × 21mm × 1.6 mm. The antenna is useful for broadband applications.


Abstract Objective: To compare dietary intake and physical activity (PA) between days of the week in a large sample of the Danish population; furthermore, to investigate the influence of gender and age as determinants for weekly variation. Design: Analysis was based on cross-sectional data from the Danish National Survey of Diet and Physical Activity 2011–2013. Dietary intake and PA were assessed by 7 d of pre-coded food diaries and pedometer-determined step counts. Dietary intake and PA on weekdays (Monday–Thursday), Friday, and weekend days (Saturday and Sunday) were compared using linear mixed models. Setting: Survey with national representation, conducted in Denmark between 2011 and 2013. Participants: A random sample of 4–75-year-old Danes, n 3934 and n 3530 in analysis of dietary intake and PA, respectively. Results: Energy intake during Friday and weekend days was 7–20 % higher compared with weekdays, while step counts were 10 and 17 % lower on Saturday and Sunday, respectively (all P < 0·001). Energy density of liquids and solids, consumption of added sugar, alcohol, discretionary foods, beer, wine and sugar-sweetened beverages were substantially higher, and consumption of dietary fibre, vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products were lower, during Friday and weekend days compared with weekdays (all P < 0·001). The observed patterns were present across gender and age, although weekly variation was most pronounced among children and relatively modest among the elderly. Conclusions: Weekend health behaviours of Danes display less favourable eating and PA behaviour compared with weekdays, making the weekend an important target for public health interventions aiming to improve dietary intake and PA behaviour.


Fluorescent silk fibroin (SF) fibers have great potential in biomedical application and special functions for marking and tracking. How to fabricate fluorescent SF fibers with good fluorescence stability by a simple and environmentally friendly method has yet to be explored. Here, we successfully produced fluorescent SF fibers by using silkworms as bioreactors to introduce rare-earth upconverting phosphors (UCPs) into silk fibroin. The modified silk exhibited bright green colors under 980 nm laser. This directly feeding method to produce fluorescent SF fibers is green and environmentally friendly and easy to use for mass production. Moreover, it provides an idea that SF fibers can be cooperated with more fluorescent materials which could exhibit different colors with a certain wavelength of light for broad application.


Abstract.  Opposition to the European integration project can stem from many different sources, but one that appears to be fairly fundamental is the threat that the European Union (EU) poses to long-established national identities. This contention may in fact appear to be so trivial as to make it uninteresting to the social science community. However, this article analyses the degree to which EU citizens do indeed feel their national identities to be under threat by the EU and the effect of such fear on general feelings about the integration process. The impact of fear of loss of national identity due to integration is then compared to the impact of other potential sources of variation in support for the integration project. The results indicate that while large proportions of EU citizens do indeed fear that the EU is threatening their national identity and culture, the effect of this fear on attitudes toward the EU is not all that substantial and other factors play an equal or greater role in explaining individual-level opposition to the EU.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and precancerous lesion with HPV infection subtypes and possible clinical relationship.

METHOD
Eighty-three cases in paraffin embedded tissues were detected with thirty seven HPV subtypes by flow-through hybridization and gene chip (HybriMax), including 31 cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, 52 cases of precancerous lesions (29 cases of vocal cord leukoplakia and 23 cases of laryngeal papilloma), and 36 cases of vocal cord polyp as normal vocal mucosa were used as control.

RESULT
The total positive rate of HPV was 19.4% in the group of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (6/31), 0 in vocal cord leukoplakia, 65.2% in laryngeal papilloma (15/23), and the control group were all negative, HPV virus subtype of HPV-positive laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were all high-risk HPV16; and there were 6 HPV virus subtypes in laryngeal papilloma (8: HPV6,4: HPV52, 1: HPV11, 1: HPV18, 2: HPV45, 3: HPV16), individual mixing two or more subtypes infection. HPV infection of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions has no statistically significant difference according to gender, high low-risk subtypes.

CONCLUSION
HPV infection related to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions, but no significant correlation with the subtype distribution of high and low risk; HPV detection is making positive sense to clinical diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma and precancerous lesions as well as the development of specific HPV subtype vaccine.


The typical means of time-frequency analysis (TFA) and the system the authors have developed recently are introduced in this paper. The TFA system has powerful functions such as short time Fourier transform (STFT), Wigner distribution (WD), wavelet transform (WT) and multi-resolution time-frequency analysis (MRTFA). This paper introduces the theory of main functions and the design of the TFA system. Practical application indicated that MRTFA proposed by the authors is more advantageous in analyzing the signal with small or large scale components than other typical means of TFA.


This photograph depicts a typical scene on a city road in the Dominican Republic (DR) – another bright, sunny day on a congested stretch of pavement in the capital, Santo Domingo. From a vantage point by the street, an observer becomes vertiginous watching the endless, dizzying parade of vehicles streaming by. Two lanes evaporate into three or four, as drivers jockey for the leading position. Merengue music blasts out of a nearby grocery store, adding to the deafening cacophony of broken mufflers and blaring horns. Live electrical wires sag down between crumbling cement poles, at times reaching dangerously close to the top of passing cargo trucks. Suddenly, a motorcycle darts through the centre of the image, carrying three men – none wearing helmets or protective gear. Weaving in and out of oncoming traffic, they quickly disappear down the road behind a cloud of thick exhaust. While safe for the moment, this scenario too often ends tragically for these riders, in a pile of twisted metal and broken bones. In 2004 the WHO released the world report on road traffic injury prevention identifying roadway mortality as a major global health problem that claims an estimated 3000 lives daily. Ninety percent of these deaths occur in developing countries. In the DR, road traffic injuries are the top cause of death among males of working age. According to police records, motorcycle accidents account for the majority of these fatalities, most involving multiple un-helmeted passengers. Images like this inspired a group of New York-based physicians working in a Dominican neighbourhood – where the burden of trauma is felt emotionally and economically among friends and relatives of victims from their native country – to launch an initiative aimed at helmet use and roadway injury prevention in the DR.


The present study of Clarias senegalensis C. & V., from a small man-made lake in the coastal savanna of Ghana, was initiated because this species has not been investigated previously and there is a need to have precise information regarding its general biology and food niche both from the theoretical and practical viewpoints. This catfish becomes sexually mature when about 32 cm in length and once a year, after the onset of the major rains in April, or early May, they ascend the feeder stream to spawn in its flood zone. Spent fish soon return to the lake after spawning but smaller immature fish do not do so until September. As with other piscivorous fish the feeding intensity is low and with one exception the stomachs of the monthly samples were on the average less than half full. The suggestion of a slight seasonal increase in the amount of food consumed from August onwards appears to be correlated with a seasonal increase in standing crop and is followed later by an increase in condition factor. C. senegalensis is extremely euryphagous but it subsists mainly on organisms swimming in midwater including fish such as Tilapia, zooplankton and insects, those living on the surface of the sediment and small organisms swimming near the surface of the sediment. Animals from these habitats have a higher forage ratio than those living under stones, in the sediment or in shallow water or in vegetation close to the shore. Vegetation, adventitious food and detritus are of little consequence to C. senegalensis in Nungua lake and it is suggested that the latter is not exploited because the sediments are poor in organic matter. The euryphagous habits of C. senegalensis are shared by other Clarias species and this is reflected in several anatomical adaptations concerned with feeding. Seasonal changes in the dietaries are very slight because the catfish do not exploit phytophilous species to any great extent even when they become abundant during the wet season. For this reason it is doubtful whether they are of value in controlling important vectors of diseases many of which are phytophilous. Although there is a suggestion that larger fish eat more vegetation, phytophilous species and adventitious food the evidence for ontogenetic changes in the deitaries are very slight and fish in all the size groups eat minute food organisms such as copepods and also large ones such as fish including Tilapia. The possibility of combining Clarias with Tilapia in fish ponds is, therefore, worthy of consideration. The factors which cause expansion and contraction of food niches are discussed.


This study analyses the factors that affect the profitability of Islamic banks in Indonesia. The independent variables consists of efficiency,risk, liquidity,CAR,and macroeconomic conditions:GDP andinflation.Thedependentvariableisprofitability.This research was conducted in the Islamic banking industry in Indonesia. The research uses quarterly data from 2006-2019. The purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of efficiency, risk, liquidity, capital, and macroeconomic conditions on the profitability of Islamic banks in Indonesia. Data analysis techniques used multiple regression. The results showed that the efficiency and risk had a positive effect on profitability. Inflation has a negative effect on profitability. While liquidity, CAR, and GDP do not affect the profitability of Islamic banks.
 Keywords: Islamic bank; Financing; Net Operating Margin; Profitability.


For terrestrial exoplanets with thin or no atmospheres, the surface contributes light to the reflected light signal of the planet. Measurement of the variety of disk-integrated brightnesses of bodies in the solar system and the variation with illumination and wavelength is essential for both planning imaging observations of directly imaged exoplanets and interpreting the eventual data sets. Here we measure the change in brightness of the Galilean satellites as a function of planetocentric longitude, illumination phase angle, and wavelength. The data span a range of wavelengths from 400 to 950 nm and predominantly phase angles from 0° to 25°, with some constraining observations near 60°–140°. Despite the similarity in size and density between the moons, surface inhomogeneities result in significant changes in the disk-integrated reflectivity with planetocentric longitude and phase angle. We find that these changes are sufficient to determine the rotational periods of the moon. We also find that at low phase angles, the surface can produce reflectivity variations of 8%–36%, and the limited high phase angle observations suggest variations will have proportionally larger amplitudes at higher phase angles. Additionally, all of the Galilean satellites are darker than predicted by an idealized Lambertian model at the phases most likely to be observed by direct imaging missions. If Earth-sized exoplanets have surfaces similar to that of the Galilean moons, we find that future direct imaging missions will need to achieve precisions of less than 0.1 ppb. Should the necessary precision be achieved, future exoplanet observations could exploit similar observation schemes to deduce surface variations, determine rotation periods, and potentially infer surface composition.


The paper proposes an adaptive neural network control method. The proposed controller is based on the Generalized predictive control (GPC) algorithm, and a recurrent neural network (NN) is used to approximate the unknown nonlinear plant. To provide good accuracy in identification of unknown model parameters, an online adaptive law is proposed to adapt the consequent part of the NN. The stability of closed-loop control system is studied and proved via the Lyapunov stability theory. A nonlinear process is used to validate and demonstrate the performance of the proposed control. The simulation results show that the proposed method has good performance and disturbance rejection capacity in industrial processes and outperforms the PID and the classical GPC controllers.


The object-based method SAL (Structure, Amplitude and Location) was adapted for investigating the errors of forecasts of extreme 10-m wind gusts associated with winter storms in Germany. It has been applied to a statistically downscaled version of the 51 member ECMWF (European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts) operational ensemble forecast. The horizontal resolution of both downscaled data and of the German weather service's operational analysis data used for verification is 7 km. Forecast errors are subdivided in terms of storm intensity, location and extent. After identifying a set of storm events, objects of moderate and intense 10-m wind gusts were identified with a local percentile-based threshold (90th percentile for moderate and 98th percentile for intense gust objects). Depending on the intensity of the storm, the gust objects differ in terms of size, shape and intensity. The characteristics of the ensemble forecasts of 10-m wind gusts can basically be assessed in two different ways. Individual forecast members can be evaluated with respect to the location, intensity and extent of the gust field, and then address the ensemble characteristics by the score distributions. Alternatively, the gust fields' location, intensity and extent can be evaluated by directly using the ensemble mean forecast instead of the individual members. The results of the identified set of storms clearly indicate a high case-to-case variability in the predictability of 10-m wind gusts objects, particularly when focusing on the structure of intense wind gust objects. It is found, that the gust fields' location and overall intensity can be better estimated from the ensemble mean forecast, compared to the individual forecast members. From a forecaster's perspective this means, that a storms' location and intensity can be well estimated by considering the ensemble mean wind forecasts. Considering the structure of the gust objects, results are different. While for longer lead times, there also seems to be a benefit from applying ensemble averaging, at short lead times the ensemble mean forecast performs equally or worse than most of the individual forecast members. The amplitude error is often the smallest component of the three error types. The findings are particularly relevant when deriving warning information, by giving guidance to forecasters when interpreting ensemble forecasts for severe storms.


AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA

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The exposure to ambient air pollution has negative health consequences including increased morbidity and mortality. Among other pollutants, ambient air contains particulate matter (PM). PM consists of dust, soot and other particles and various chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To investigate the role of PAHs and PM in oxidative stress induction we analyzed oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins in human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Cells were exposed to several concentrations of individual carcinogenic PAHs (cPAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), dibenzo[al]pyrene (DB[al]P), benzo[a]anthracene (B[a]A), benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F), benzo[k]fluoranthene (B[k]F), chrysene, benzo[ghi]perylene (B[ghi]P), indeno[cd]pyrene (I[cd]P) and dibenzo[ah]anthracene (DB[ah]A)), an artificial mixture of cPAHs (cPAHs mix) and to organic extracts obtained from PM10 (PM < 10 µm) collected by high volume air samplers in summer 2001, winter 2001 and winter 2005 in Prague, Czech Republic. As biomarkers of oxidative stress, 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), 15-F2t-isoprostane (IsoP) and protein carbonyl levels were measured. All markers were analyzed by ELISA-based assays. Results: Organic extracts induced oxidative damage to DNA and lipids, with the exception of the lowest tested concentration of the summer 2001 extract. However, we observed no effect on oxidative damage to proteins. Individual c-PAHs and c-PAHs mix had mostly no effect on oxidative stress markers; we only found increased 8-oxodG levels after exposure of cells to I[cd]P and DB[ah]A. Interestingly, some of the tested chemicals decreased levels of oxidative stress markers: B[a]P and DB[al]P decreased both protein carbonyl and IsoP levels; cPAHs mix decreased protein carbonyls; chrysene decreased IsoP levels. Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrate the capability of organic extracts obtained from PM10 to induce oxidative damage to DNA and lipids. Our data indicates that cPAHs are not chemical compounds responsible for this activity. It is not clear why organic extracts have no effect on oxidative damage to proteins, as well as why the exposure to some cPAHs decreased levels of oxidative stress markers. Supported by the Czech Ministry of Environment VaV-SL/5/160/05.


Background Intracranial aneurysm is an abnormal expansion in the intracranial arteries, which is associated with growth and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have implicated in the progression of intracranial aneurysms. The purpose of this paper is to study the function and mechanism of circRNA dedicator of cytokinesis 1 (circ_DOCK1) in regulating proliferation and apoptosis of human brain vascular smooth muscle cells (HBVSMCs). Methods HBVSMCs were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry, respectively. Circ_DOCK1, microRNA (miR)-409-3p, and myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (MCL1) levels were examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or western blotting. The target association was assessed by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Results Exposure to H2O2 decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of HBVSMCs. Circ_DOCK1 expression was reduced in H2O2-treated HBVSMCs. Circ_DOCK1 overexpression rescued H2O2-caused reduction of proliferation and PCNA expression and attenuated H2O2-induced apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved PARP. MiR-409-3p was targeted by circ_DOCK1 and upregulated in H2O2-treated HBVSMCs. MiR-409-3p upregulation mitigated the role of circ_DOCK1 in proliferation and apoptosis of H2O2-treated HBVSMCs. MCL1 was targeted via miR-409-3p and downregulated via H2O2 treatment. Circ_DOCK1 overexpression enhanced MCL1 expression via modulating miR-409-3p. MiR-409-3p knockdown weakened H2O2-induced proliferation reduction and apoptosis promotion via regulating MCL1. Conclusion Circ_DOCK1 overexpression mitigated H2O2-caused proliferation inhibition and apoptosis promotion in HBVSMCs by modulating miR-409-3p/MCL1 axis.


Non-Hermitian photonic systems with loss and gain attract much attention due to their exceptional abilities in molding the flow of light. Introducing asymmetry to the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric system with perfectly balanced loss and gain, we reveal the mechanism of transition from the quasibound state in the continuum (quasi-BIC) to the simultaneous coherent perfect absorption (CPA) and lasing in a layered structure comprising epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) media. Two types of asymmetry (geometric and non-Hermitian) are analyzed with the scattering matrix technique. The effect of the CPA-lasing associated with the quasi-BIC is characterized with the unusual linear dependence of the quality factor on the inverse of asymmetry parameter. Moreover, the counter-intuitive loss-induced-lasing-like behavior is found at the CPA-lasing point under the non-Hermitian asymmetry. The reported features of non-Hermitian structures are perspective for sensing and lasing applications.


In Ethiopia, emphasis given to the study of development induced displacement has been too little. Paucity of on Ethiopian level pertaining to the experience of people who were uprooted and displaced from their dwelling and livelihood due to dam developments has been strong that it has been very difficult to have a clear picture of what social, economic & environmental impacts dam construction have entailed on the Ethiopian level. This book, therefore has made commendable efforts in terms of bringing in highly relevant anecdotes expressing the consequences of displacement by those affected as a result of dam construction. The is marked by making use of a sound and relevant theoretical approach by taking into account the displacement risk model showing how this is pertinent to the problem under investigation. A major contribution of this work is to perceive displacement not only on the basis of physical relocation by describing how this could occur without entailing relocation. The main objective of the study is to investigate the major social & economic consequences of the Tekeze dam on the local population inhabiting in WagHemra zone in Ethiopia.


The translocation t(9;22), hallmark of CML, is also detected in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This aberration leads to the BCR/ABL rearrangement that induces a constitutive activation of the tyrosine kinase ABL1. Although BCR/ABL rearrangements were previously considered a rare event in T-ALL, recent data showed the involvement of ABL1 also in this malignancy. Specifically, a new fusion gene involving ABL1 and NUP214, both located at the 9q34 region, has been reported. This abnormality was detected by FISH analysis and reconfirmed by array CGH and PCR analysis. We previously evaluated by microarrays a set of 128 adults with ALL: leukemic cells from 33 patients were of T-cell origin. In the present study, we analyzed the expression levels of ABL1, with the aim of identifying T-ALL cases who may have an involvement of ABL1. Overall, mean expression levels of ABL1 were: pre-B BCR/ABL+ ALL: 1202.71 ± 67.15; pre-B BCR/ABL- ALL: 629.06 ± 23.91; T-ALL: 758.56 ± 42.26, indicating that ABL1 is more highly expressed in T-lineage ALL than in BCR/ABL-B-lineage ALL. Detailed analysis of the T-ALL subset identified 3 cases who had very high levels of ABL1, comparable to those expressed in the BCR/ABL+ cases, and 1 further case with ABL1 expression levels higher than the mean values of BCR/ABL+ cases. Notably, 3/4 patients were refractory to induction chemotherapy. To understand the mechanisms underlying overexpression of ABL1, reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was performed and showed the presence of the NUP214-ABL1 in the case having the highest levels of ABL1, whereas the remaining 3 cases were negative. FISH analysis confirmed the presence of NUP214-ABL1 in this case. Quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) of the ABL1 gene was also performed on the same set of T-ALL cases and showed a high degree of correlation between microarray analysis and Q-PCR. HOX11 expression was increased in 2/3 cases, but was not exclusive of these samples; HOX11L2 expression was not evaluated because this transcript was not represented in the platform used. However, FISH analysis excluded the presence of the t(5;14) in all 3 cases. Conventional cytogenetics revealed a normal karyotype in 1 patient, a 4p deletion and an additional marker chromosome in 1, a del(6q) in the case with the highest ABL expression, and was not evaluable in 1. Similarly, CGH analysis showed unbalances in all cases. None of these cases carried a deletion of CDKN2A. Following these findings, we evaluated by both Q-PCR and RT-PCR 15 newly diagnosed T-ALL patients: none of them showed high levels of ABL1. In summary, these results show the value of microarray analysis for the identification of cases carrying specific chromosomal amplifications, i.e. NUP214-ABL1. To our knowledge, this is the first report that identifies this DNA amplification by investigating RNA expression levels of the corresponding transcript. Moreover, our results indicate that this aberration is less frequent than previously reported, being detected in our overall series in 2% of cases. Further investigations are ongoing on the remaining 3 samples to explain the mechanisms underlying ABL overexpression.


Background: The purpose of this retrospective and prospective study is to evaluate the efficiency of ultrasound (US) guidance as a method of decreasing the malposition rate of central venous catheterization (CVC) in the emergency department (ED). Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 379 patients who underwent landmark-guided CVC (Group A) and prospectively enrolled 411 patients who underwent US-guided CVC (Group B) in the ED of a tertiary hospital. Malposition of the CVC tip is identified when the tip is not located in the superior vena cava (SVC). In Group B, we performed US-guided intravascular guide-wire repositioning and then confirmed the location of the CVC tip with chest radiography when the guide-wire was visible in any three other vessels rather than in the approached vessel. In the case of a guide-wire inserted into the right subclavian vein (SCV), the left SCV and both internal jugular veins (IJV) were referred to as the three other vessels. The two subject groups were compared in terms of the malposition rate using Fisher`s exact test (significance = p < 0.05) Results: There were 38 malposition cases out of a total of 790 CVCs. The malposition rates of Groups A and B were 5.5% (21) and 4.1% (17), respectively, and no statistically significant difference in malposition rate between the two groups was found. In Group B, the malposition rate was decreased from 4.1% (17) to 1.2% (5) after the guide-wire was repositioned with US guidance, which led to a statistically significant difference in malposition rate (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The authors concluded that repositioning the guide-wire with US guidance increased correct placement of central venous catheters toward the SVC.


Autonomous vehicles increasingly rely on cameras to provide the input for perception and scene understanding and the ability of these models to classify their environment and objects, under adverse conditions and image noise is crucial. When the input is, either unintentionally or through targeted attacks, deteriorated, the reliability of autonomous vehicle is compromised. In order to mitigate such phenomena, we propose DriveGuard, a lightweight spatio-temporal autoencoder, as a solution to robustify the image segmentation process for autonomous vehicles. By first processing camera images with DriveGuard, we offer a more universal solution than having to re-train each perception model with noisy input. We explore the space of different autoencoder architectures and evaluate them on a diverse dataset created with real and synthetic images demonstrating that by exploiting spatio-temporal information combined with multi-component loss we significantly increase robustness against adverse image effects reaching within 5-6% of that of the original model on clean images.


Combinational (combinatorial) circuits realize Boolean functions and deal with digitized signals, usually denoted by 0s and 1s. The behavior of a combinational circuit is memoryless; that is, given a stimulus to the input of a com-binational circuit, a response appears at the output after some propagation delay, but the response is not stored or fed back. Simply put, the output depends solely on its most recent input and is independent of the circuit's past history. Design of a combinational circuit begins with a behav-ioral specification and selection of the implementation technique. These are then followed by simplification, hardware synthesis, and verification. Combinational circuits can be specified via Boolean logic expressions, structural descriptions, or truth tables. Various implementation techniques, using fixed and pro-grammable components, are outlined in the rest of this article. Combinational circuits implemented with fixed logic tend to be more expensive in terms of design effort and hardware cost, but they are often both faster and denser and consume less power. They are thus suitable for high-speed circuits and/or high-volume production. Implementations that use memory devices or programmable logic circuits, on the other hand, are quite economical for low-volume production and rapid prototyping, but may not yield the best performance, density, or power consumption. Simplification is the process of choosing the least costly implementation from among feasible and equivalent implementations with the targeted technology. For small combinational circuits, it might be feasible to do manual simplification based on manipulating or rewriting logic expressions in one of several equivalent forms. In most practical cases, however, automatic hardware synthesis tools are employed that have simplification capabilities built in. Such programmed simplifications are performed using a mix of algorithmic and heuristic transformations. Verification refers to the process of ascertaining, to the extent possible, that the implemented circuit does in fact behave as originally envisaged or specified. A half adder is a simple example of a combinational circuit. The addend, augend, carry, and sum are all single binary digits or bits. If we denote the addend as A and the augend as B, the Boolean function of carry-out C o and sum S can be written as The carry-out and sum functions can also be specified in the form of a truth table with eight rows (corresponding to the eight possible combinations of values for the three Boolean inputs) and two columns in which the values of C o and S are entered …


Miniature triaxial shoe-borne load cells are used to analyze the normal and a below knee amputee's gait. The gait of an amputee is studied from first step on a temporary pylon to a final "normal" gait on a permanent prosthesis. The amputee's gait is compared to that of the normal subject. The load cells are an effective method of analyzing normal and abnormal gait. For an amputee, it is possible to identify misalignments from the output of the various load cells. This method may also be useful for identifying and correcting problems in the painful below knee stump. These load cells are further used to compute the center of pressure of a normal subject and a below knee amputee. Analysis of the resulting patterns has been found to be extremely useful as a measure of the subject's functional mobility.


The preliminary test estimator (or predictor) is studied in the context of linear normal regression models. The estimator (or predictor) obtained after the preliminary test is known to be inadmissible with respect to squared error loss under certain assumptions. Nevertheless, it is still widely used in practical application of regression analysis, particularly in econometrics. The object of the present paper is to tabulate the optimal significance points in the preliminary test for practical use. The optimality is based on the minimax regret principle. It is shown that if, as is usual, we take the significance point equal to the 5 per cent point or 10 per cent point, the risk is extremely large for some parameter value. The optimal significance point of the preliminary t test decreases slightly as the degrees of freedom increase, but it is nearly constant; i.e., it lies between 1.370 to 1.380 if d.f. is greater than 6.


The current paper discusses the evolution of earnings inequality in Germany with an eye to its potential lessons for China. Inequality is assessed from two different perspectives: the distribution of annual earnings, and the distribution of lifetime earnings. This paper proposes to implement closer monitoring of lifetime earnings and take a proactive stance in the formation of the wage-bargaining regime.