Footwear fit is very important in tennis, directly influencing comfort, security and performance. Within the current literature, there are no in-depth studies regarding the fit of tennis shoes, resulting in a lack of knowledge regarding the effect of player expertise on fit preference. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to determine optimal inner-shoe dimensions for tennis players. A total of 34 tennis players were recruited and divided into two groups based on frequency of play (occasional and regular). Each subject's feet were measured, and they were then asked to assess each of the four tennis shoes, which varied in dimension, through the use of a questionnaire. A repeated measure analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient were performed to analyse shoe–foot dimensional difference and subjective fit rating. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences on fit rating between shoes. Correlations were found between shoe–foot dimensional differences at length, metatarsal width and metatarsal girth. The optimal shoe length was determined to be nearly 10 mm longer than the foot for both occasional and regular players; the optimal shoe metatarsal width was 8.4 mm less than the foot for regular players; the optimal shoe metatarsal girth was 9.5 mm less than the foot for occasional players and 14.7 mm less than the foot for regular players.


The propositions advanced by Marx and Smith on the relation between labor and prices are examined, with particular emphasis on income distribution, within a non-Walrasian setting including joint production and heterogeneous labor. Among its contributions, the paper introduces the concept of indirect joint production and an alternative definition of industrial branches.


The standard rule of necessitation in systems of natural deduction for the modal logic S4 concludes □A from A whenever all assumptions A depends on are modal formulas. This condition prevents the composability and normalization of derivations, and therefore modifications of the rule have been suggested. It is shown that both properties hold if, instead of changing the rule of necessitation, all elimination rules are formulated in the manner of disjunction elimination, i.e. with an arbitrary consequence. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


During the past six years, rapid advances in three observational techniques (groundbased radars, optical interferometers and satellite-borne instruments) have provided a means of observing a wide range of spectacular interactions between the coupled magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere system. Perhaps the most fundamental gain has come from the combined data-sets from the NASA Dynamics Explorer (DE) Satellites. These have unambiguously described the global nature of thermospheric flows, and their response to magnetospheric forcing. The DE spacecraft have also described, at the same time, the magnetospheric particle precipitation and convective electric fields which force the polar thermosphere and ionosphere. The response of the thermosphere to magnetospheric forcing is far more complex than merely the rare excitation of 1 km s-1 wind speeds and strong heating; the heating causes large-scale convection and advection within the thermosphere. These large winds grossly change the compositional structure of the upper thermosphere at high and middle latitudes during major geomagnetic disturbances. Some of the major seasonal and geomagnetic storm-related anomalies of the ionosphere are directly attributable to the gross windinduced changes of thermospheric composition; the mid-latitude ionospheric storm 'negative phase', however, is yet to be fully understood. The combination of very strong polar wind velocities and rapid plasma convection forced by magnetospheric electric fields strongly and rapidly modify F-region plasma distributions generated by the combination of local solar and auroral ionization sources. Until recently, however, it has been difficult to interpret the observed complex spatial and timedependent structures and motions of the thermosphere and ionosphere because of their strong and nonlinear coupling. It has recently been possible to complete a numerical and computational merging of the University College London (UCL) global thermospheric model and the Sheffield University ionospheric model. This has produced a self-consistent coupled thermospheric-ionospheric model, which has become a valuable diagnostic tool for examining thermospheric-ionospheric interactions in the polar regions. In particular, it is possible to examine the effects of induced winds, ion transport, and the seasonal and diurnal U.T. variations of solar heating and photoionization within the polar regions. Polar and high-latitude plasma density structure at F-region altitudes can be seen to be strongly controlled by U.T., and by season, even for constant solar and geomagnetic activity. In the winter, the F-region polar plasma density is generally dominated by the effects of transport of plasma from the dayside (sunlit cusp). In the summer polar region, however, an increase in the proportion of molecular to atomic species, created by the global seasonal circulation and augmented by the geomagnetic forcing, controls the plasma composition and generally depresses plasma densities at all U.Ts. A number of these complex effects can be seen in data obtained from ground-based radars, Fabry-Perot interferometers and in the combined DE data-sets. Several of these observations will be used, in combination with simulations using the UCL-Sheffield coupled model, to illustrate the major features of large-scale thermosphere-ionosphere interactions in response to geomagnetic forcing.


. Recent years have seen significant advances in quantum/quantum-inspired technologies capable of approximately searching for the ground state of Ising spin Hamiltonians. The promise of leveraging such technologies to accelerate the solution of difficult optimization problems has spurred an increased interest in exploring methods to integrate Ising problems as part of their solution process, with existing approaches ranging from direct transcription to hybrid quantum-classical approaches rooted in existing optimization algorithms. Due to the heuristic and black-box nature of the underlying Ising solvers, many such approaches have limited optimality guarantees. While some hybrid algorithms may converge to global optima, their underlying classical algorithms typically rely on exhaustive search, making it unclear if such algorithmic scaffolds are primed to take advantage of speed-ups that the Ising solver may offer. In this paper, we propose a framework for solving mixed-binary quadratic programs (MBQP) to global optimality using black-box and heuristic Ising solvers. We show the exactness of a convex copositive reformulation of MBQPs, which we propose to solve via a hybrid quantum-classical cutting-plane algorithm. The classical portion of this hybrid framework is guaranteed to be polynomial time, suggesting that when applied to NP-hard problems, the complexity of the solution is shifted onto the subroutine handled by the Ising solver.


— Organic waste when used as soil amendment improves the fertility status of soil and crop yield, but unrestricted application on soil could lead to accumulation of heavy metals to a level, toxic to plants themselves and the animals that consumes them. Thus a field experiment was conducted in three (3) different planting seasons using three tillage methods (mound, ridge, flat) and four different rates (0t/ha, 2t/ha, 4t/ha, 6t/ha) of wood ash to evaluate the effect of tillage and wood ash on heavy metal; copper (Cu), boron (B) and lead (Pb) content of soil and uptake by castor shoot and seed. Data generated from the study was analyzed using crop start version 7.2 and mean separation was done using least significant difference (LSD0.05). The findings from the study showed that the interactive effect of tillage and wood ash on heavy metals content of soil, castor shoot and seed were significant (P<0.05). The values obtained decreased as the planting season increased, while the amount was found to increase as the rates of wood ash application increased. For soil heavy metal contents it was observed that tillage methods had no effect on virtually all the parameters assessed. The values obtained from ridge and flat were higher when compared to the value of mound with regard to soil and castor shoot heavy metal contents. The result of the shoot also show that interaction of flat and wood ash at the rates of 2t/ha, 4t/ha, and 6t/ha (Ft2, Ft4, Ft6) show statistically similar results. The result of heavy metal content of seed indicated that tillage method had no effect in most of the heavy metal contents of the castor seed, while Cu in 3 rd year planting season were not significant among the rates of wood ash applied. The interaction effect of ridge and wood ash at the rates of 2t/ha, 4t/ha and 6t/ha (Rd2, Rd4, Rd6) on Cu, 1 st and 2 nd season were statistically similar, while the result from mound method was found to increase the seed up take of most of the tested parameters. The observed values of these tested parameters (Cu, B, Pb) in wood ash amended plots in the three planting seasons were within acceptable limits.


Radiation therapy is an essential component of present-day cancer management, utilizing ionizing radiation (IR) of different modalities to mitigate cancer progression. IR functions by generating ionizations in cells that induce a plethora of DNA lesions. The most detrimental among them are the DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). In the course of evolution, cells of higher eukaryotes have evolved four major DSB repair pathways: classical non-homologous end joining (c-NHEJ), homologous recombination (HR), alternative end-joining (alt-EJ), and single strand annealing (SSA). These mechanistically distinct repair pathways have different cell cycle- and homology-dependencies but, surprisingly, they operate with widely different fidelity and kinetics and therefore contribute unequally to cell survival and genome maintenance. It is therefore reasonable to anticipate tight regulation and coordination in the engagement of these DSB repair pathway to achieve the maximum possible genomic stability. Here, we provide a state-of-the-art review of the accumulated knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underpinning these repair pathways, with emphasis on c-NHEJ and HR. We discuss factors and processes that have recently come to the fore. We outline mechanisms steering DSB repair pathway choice throughout the cell cycle, and highlight the critical role of DNA end resection in this process. Most importantly, however, we point out the strong preference for HR at low DSB loads, and thus low IR doses, for cells irradiated in the G2-phase of the cell cycle. We further explore the molecular underpinnings of transitions from high fidelity to low fidelity error-prone repair pathways and analyze the coordination and consequences of this transition on cell viability and genomic stability. Finally, we elaborate on how these advances may help in the development of improved cancer treatment protocols in radiation therapy.


Small animal PET scanning with 18F-FDG is increasingly used in murine tumor model. Experimental condition of animal handling impacts on the biodistribution of 18F-FDG in mouse study. The aim of this study was to optimize experimental conditions of animal handling and registration method for imaging lung metastasis tumor by using 18F-FDG small animal PET and CT. The experimental conditions for 18F-FDG biodistribution and animal PET imaging were 20 plusmn 2 h fasting and warming kept at 30degC. Biodistribution, standard uptake value (SUV) image and glucose SUV (SUVG) of 18F-FDG were evaluated and blood glucose level was also measured. Female C57BL/6 mice were injected intravenously with 2 times 105 of B16-F10 melanoma cells which developed metastasis tumors in lung. In lung metastasis tumor model, 18F-FDG images was obtained in optimized anesthesia condition and registered with anatomical clinical CT image. The small animal PET and CT images were registered using the hardware fiducial markers and small animal contour point in both data sets to perform a point- based rigid registration. Isoflurane 0.5 condition was chosen for lung metastasis tumor imaging. Lung metastasis tumor was clearly visualized by 18F-FDG PET image with Iso 0.5 anesthesia. Tumor imaging in lung region with 18F-FDG small animal PET should be considered feeding, temperature, and especially choice and level of anesthetic for minimizing background radioactivity. Fused imaging with small animal PET and CT image could be useful for the detection of metastatic tumor. This method improves the quantitative accuracy and interpretation of the tracer.


With the object of demonstrating whether injuries in children cared for outside their homes differ from injuries in children as a whole, the authors registered a material of children in the age group 0-6 years from a casualty department. Ninety injuries which had occurred during care outside the home were compared with the remaining 782 injuries. An enormous increase in the proportion of injuries occurring in day care centres and in family day nurseries was observed in contrast to the findings in previous investigations. This can be explained by the increasing number of children cared for outside their homes. 1.7 times as many injuries as were registered were anticipated and it is concluded that care outside the home did not present increased risk for injuries in the children involved. Injuries were most frequent among four-year-olds. Injuries sustained by falls or jumping to lower levels were relatively frequent while injuries caused by crushing, biting, cutting or stabbing were relatively rare and burns were not registered at all.


Abstract The lowest drag shape of fixed volume in Stokes flow has been known for some 40 years. It is front–back symmetric and similar to an American football with ends tangent to a cone of $60^{\circ }$ . The analogous convex axisymmetric shape of fixed surface area, which may be of interest for particle design in chemistry and colloidal science, is characterised in this paper. This 'other' optimal shape has a surface vorticity proportional to the mean surface curvature, which is used with a local analysis of the flow near the tip to show that the front and rear ends are tangent to a cone of angle $30.8^{\circ }$ . Using the boundary element method, we numerically represent the shape by expanding its tangent angle in terms decaying odd Legendre modes, and show that it has 11.3 % lower drag than a sphere of equal surface area, significantly more pronounced than for the fixed-volume optimal.


A pricing-based non-cooperative game is proposed to stimulate cooperation and perform spectrum allocation in multi-relay cooperative transmission networks. The authors construct a buyers' market competition model to consider that multiple relays are willing to share their spectrum resources with a single user. Both the benefits of the relays and the user are concerned in the game. First, according to the current user's demand, the relays as sellers compete with each other to determine the price of relaying that can maximise their profits. Then to maximise its utility, the user purchases the optimal amount of spectrum resources from each relay. The existence of the Nash equilibrium (NE), that is, the solution of the game, is proved. Even though the NE can be obtained in a centralised manner, a distributed algorithm to search for the NE is developed, which is more applicable in practical systems. Also, the convergence conditions of the algorithm are also analysed. Furthermore, the authors have also proved that the NE is not efficient when considering the total relays' profits. Thus, a general method to find the global optimal solution that maximises the total relays' profits is given. Simulation results show, by using the game, that a reasonable spectrum allocation can be performed between the relays and the user.


The pace of urbanisation in the 21st century has been phenomenal especially in lower middle and low income countries. This trend is mostly explained by an unprecedented increase in semi-skilled and un-skilled migration from rural areas to urban areas and cities, putting enormous strain on natural resources, and increasing social, economic and health inequalities. Based on regression analysis of socio-economic and demographic data from 19 Demographic and Health Surveys, this study highlights the need for differentiated strategies and interventions to sustaining the provision of improved water sources in urban areas of resource-poor countries. The findings draw recommendations for policy considerations in the context of the new Sustainable Development Goals agenda, highlighting sustainable population level strategies for improving access to safe drinking water in rapidly growing urban areas in poor countries.


Financial Management is useful for regulating the capital and the company money to be used efficiently, as effective and productive as possible in order to earn profit. Financial management is the way of the company to control the company's activities from planning to evaluation and reporting. In the application of financial management there are seven principles that must be applied by the company. The seven principles are consistent, accountability, transparency, viability, integrity, stewardship and accounting standard. Those principles can be directed in a way to implement financial management. This research is using qualitative method that will describe the topic and explain the result of the interview. The object of the research is PT. Mykanta as contractor company in Manado. The purpose of this research is to know how the implementation of financial management in contractor company, whether the company already meets the seven principles that become the standard for financial management. The result of the research is that the PT. Mykanta already implementing the financial management, but this company must improve it with the addition of the employee to support the company's activities. Management company should pay attention anymore financial management in order to run properly, as effective and efficient as possible. A company will not develop if one field is problematic or not managed properly. Keywords : financial management, consistent, accountability, transparency


Nursing professionals who aim to work as registered nurses (RN) in English speaking countries are required to pass two kinds of test: an English standardized test such as IELTS/ TOEFL/TOEIC, and a test that assesses their nursing knowledge, namely the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX RN exam). The present study investigates whether or not employing an NCLEX RN mobile learning app called 'NCLEX RN Mastery 2015' can help improve nursing students' medical terminology knowledge. Students' overall perception of the app in terms of attractiveness and usefulness was also investigated as a part of qualitative analysis in this study. Participants were 51 nursing major students from a University of Science and Technology located in Northern Taiwan, enrolled in a five-week RN vocabulary intensive course. A pretest, 3 quizzes, and a posttest were administered to assess participants' vocabulary knowledge before, during, and after the use of the NCLEX RN Mastery 2015 mobile app, respectively. At the end of the course, participants were given questionnaires about their perceptions of the mobile app. The results suggested that, although the improvement in the posttest could not be entirely attributed to the use of the mobile app, students with high motivation to take the RN test considered the mobile app appealing and useful in their vocabulary learning. In addition, they were willing to purchase the full version of the mobile app. We also discussed pedagogical implications and directions for improvement of nursing English mobile learning apps to better suit the learning situation in Taiwan.


As part of the ANR CENSE project, which has started in 2016, a questionnaire was sent to approximatively 2000 households in a 1 km2 study area in the city of Lorient in France. The main objective of this questionnaire was to collect information on the perception by residents of sound environments in their neighborhood (representation of the soundscape), on their street (representation of the soundscape), and in their home (noise annoyance). In the same study area, 123 sensors were positioned in order to crossreferenced the perceptual data collected through the questionnaire with acoustic indicators. A noise mapping of the city of Lorient was also carried out. These three methods for assessing sound environments are presented in this article and a very first cross-analysis is presented showing links between the responses to the questionnaires and the noise map.


Abstract The paper conducts a qualitative narrative appraisal of the existing empirical literature on the key macroeconomic determinants of economic growth in developing and developed countries. Much as other empirical studies have investigated the determinants of economic growth using various econometric methods, the majority of these studies have not distinguished what drives or hinders economic growth in developing or developed countries. The study finds that the determinants of economic growth are different when this distinction is used. It reveals that in developing countries the key macroeconomic determinants of economic growth include foreign aid, foreign direct investment, fiscal policy, investment, trade, human capital development, demographics, monetary policy, natural resources, reforms and geographic, regional, political and financial factors. In developed countries, the study reveals that the key macroeconomic determinants that are associated with economic growth include physical capital, fiscal policy, human capital, trade, demographics, monetary policy and financial and technological factors.


Context. Grids of stellar models, computed with the same physical ingredients, allow one to study the impact of a given physics on a broad range of initial conditions and they are a key ingredient for modeling the evolution of galaxies. Aims. We present here a grid of single star models for masses between 0.8 and 120 M (cid:12) , with and without rotation for a mass fraction of heavy element Z = 0 . 006, representative of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Methods. We used the GENeva stellar Evolution Code. The evolution was computed until the end of the central carbon-burning phase, the early asymptotic giant branch phase, or the core helium-flash for massive, intermediate, and low mass stars, respectively. Results. The outputs of the present stellar models are well framed by the outputs of the two grids obtained by our group for metallic- ities above and below the one considered here. The models of the present work provide a good fit to the nitrogen surface enrichments observed during the main sequence for stars in the LMC with initial masses around 15 M (cid:12) . They also reproduce the slope of the luminosity function of red supergiants of the LMC well, which is a feature that is sensitive to the time-averaged mass loss rate over the red supergiant phase. The most massive black hole that can be formed from the present models at Z = 0 . 006 is around 55 M (cid:12) . No model in the range of mass considered will enter into the pair-instability supernova regime, while the minimal mass to enter the region of pair pulsation instability is around 60 M (cid:12) for the rotating models and 85 M (cid:12) for the nonrotating ones. Conclusions. The present models are of particular interest for comparisons with observations in the LMC and also in the outer regions of the Milky Way. We provide public access to numerical tables that can be used for computing interpolated tracks and for population synthesis studies.


Experimental testing has been used, in different researches, to define reduction factors of physical and mechanical properties in recycled concrete, depending on the quantity of recycled material used to produce new concrete. These reduction factors were applied to design different five-storey buildings having recycled aggregates percentages in the RC of 0%, 15%, 30%, 60% and 100%. These structures, subjected to seismic load from an accelerogram database, were analysed elastically and designed according to the Mexico City Seismic Code. Models with different amount of recycled aggregates were compared with models with conventional concrete to evaluate the dimensional variation of columns and girders, the required longitudinal reinforcing steel, the maximum displacements and the moments and shear forces in elements. Results show that using recycled aggregates in percentages from 15% to 100%, produces increases, compared with conventional concrete buildings, in the structural elements dimensions (in percentages from 5% to 45%), reinforcing steel (20% to 60%), and the general response of the structure, in percentages of up to 14%.


Excellent compatibility characteristics of CY-230 epoxy resin with a large variety of fibers and elemental particulates has lead us to develop the cost effective materials with desired characteristics. In the current investigation the livestock waste i.e. Chicken Feather Fiber (CFF) and extracted Fish residue is used as reinforcing materials. Here, the physical appearance, weight density, thickness swelling and water absorption characteristics of the chicken feather fiber filled epoxy based composite is scrutinized. The best CFF-epoxy composition is diagnosed which was 5 wt% CFF in epoxy resin and hardener filled composite. Results obtained correlates that the maximum water absorption at 4 wt% of CFF (i.e. 1.49%) was due to the maximum volume fraction (3.62%) at the 4 wt% CFF based composition. The improvement was characterized at 5 wt% CFF composition. Later the hybrid composition was fabricated with varying percentage of Extracted residue powder (ERP) from Rohu fish waste. Similarly all other results were characterizes and interpreted. The optimum hybrid composition having most compatible CFF and ERP weight percentage in Epoxy based hybrid composite was thus concluded.


The construction industry plays an extremely important role in restoring the country's infrastructure destroyed as a result of hostilities, providing housing needs of the population, and has a significant impact on the development of the economy as a whole. The development of the country's economy and the well-being of its population depend on how efficient the construction business is. The operating conditions of construction enterprises in wartime are significantly complicated and differ from those in the pre-war period, requiring a study of the safety of the environment, determination of the condition and suitability for use of restoration objects. Therefore, the study of the current state, trends and prospects for the development of the construction industry, the identification of problems that hinder it, and the determination of ways to solve them are particularly relevant. The article analyzes the main indicators of the activity of the construction industry after the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine. The dynamics and structure of the volumes of completed construction works, indexes of construction products, and the total area ofresidential buildings at the beginning of construction in comparison with the pre-war period have been determined. The trends of changes in the volume of construction of residential and non-residential buildings, engineering structures in 2023, which are due to the need to restore transport and industrial facilities, bridges, roads, overpasses, pipelines, railways, power lines, communications, and other structures destroyed due to Russian military aggression, have been clarified. The state of resumption of construction activity in the regions of Ukraine as of April 1, 2023 is characterized. The pace of commissioning and sale of housing in Ukraine as of April 1, 2023 has been determined. Indicators of creation of business entities – legal entities and individuals in the field of construction of residential and non-residential buildings by regions of Ukraine in the period from February 24, 2022 to December 31, 2022 are given. Prospects for the development of the construction industry were considered, challenges preventing it in the conditions of martial law were identified, and opportunities to overcome them were proposed.


Objectives: To study the relation of intra-uterine growth and gestational age with child protection registration in a 20 year whole population birth cohort. Setting: West Sussex area of England. Study design: Retrospective whole population birth cohort. Outcomes: Child protection registration; individual categories of registration—sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Population and participants: 119 771 infants born in West Sussex between January 1983 and December 2001 with complete data including birth weight, gestational age, maternal age, and postcode. Results: In all categories of registration a linear trend was noted such that the lower the birth weight z score the higher the likelihood of child protection registration. Similar trends were noted for gestational age. All these trends were robust to adjustment for maternal age and socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that lower levels of fetal growth and shorter gestational duration are associated with increased likelihood of child protection registration in all categories including sexual abuse independent of maternal age or socioeconomic status. This study does not permit comment on whether poor fetal growth or preterm birth predispose to child abuse and neglect or the association arises because they share a common pathway.


The current paper presents an extension of the fuel flexibility of the Siemens SGT-300 Dry Low Emissions combustion system to include High Calorific Value fuels, achieved using the engine's current standard combustion hardware.
 Results from high pressure rig tests show that the standard SGT-300 DLE combustor can reliably operate on High Calorific Value fuels with temperature corrected Wobbe Index up to 63MJ/m3, which corresponds to Grade A LPG (60%vol. C3H8, 40%vol. C4H10). Metal temperatures of the combustion hardware when operating on High Calorific Value fuels are within life acceptance criteria for the Siemens SGT-300 industrial gas turbine. NOx emissions throughout the load range of the engine comply with the EU Industrial Emissions Directive. At part load, a reduced requirement for piloting compared to Natural Gas yields relatively low temperatures at the burner face and low NOx emissions. NOx emissions at full load, which tend to increase with increasing heating value, are higher than for Natural Gas but lower than for diesel and heavy fuel oils.


Kurniasari, Asepta. 2010. Samurai's Ethic Codes Preservation in Edward Zwick's Movie "The Last Samurai". Final Project, English Department, Language and Arts Faculty of Semarang State University, First Advisor: Dwi Anggara Asianti, S.S., M.Pd. Second Advisor: Fatma Hetami, S.S., M.Hum

This study focuses on three problems. The first is western attacks against samurai's ethic codes. The second is samurai's ethic codes that should be preserved within Japanese people. The last problem is the reasons of samurai's ethic codes preservation.

The data of this study is in the form of written words and scenes. There were several steps in collecting the data. Firstly, the writer watched the movie several times to understand the whole content of the story. Secondly, the writer read both script and theories related to the problems. Then, the writer identified the data related to problems. After that, she selected the data and finally, the writer classified the data based on the problems.

This data was analyzed qualitatively. By using such method, the writer performed several ways. They were exposing, explaining and interpreting the data related to the problems. Then, the result of analysis was performed descriptively by using sociological approach related to the relationship of Samurai's ethic codes preservation and the concept of modernization in Japanese society as reflected in movie The Last Samurai.

The result of the study indicates several findings as the following. Firstly, western attacks against samurai's ethic codes cover the way of dressing and thought of philosophy which covers consumerism, individualism, atheism, materialism. Secondly, samurai's ethic codes preservation also work on the process of Japanese modernization. There are three terms of samurai's ethic codes that should be preserved within Japanese society such as, bushido, bushido tenets [rectitude (gi), courage (yuu), benevolence (jin), respect (re), honesty (makoto), honor (yo), loyalty (chuu), and wisdom (chi)], as well as harakiri. Lastly, the samurai's ethic codes preservation is used to maintain Japanese cultural values and characters. It is also used to maintain the Japanese identity as a tough and brave nation. However, the study does not limit to this analysis, there will be more studies which give more new inventions or other conclusions to enhance the knowledge about samurai's ethic codes preservation for example Japanese National Character Preservation Through The Epic of Samurai, etc.


Background Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) intravasate into the bloodstream throughout early cancer stages, promoting metastasis. The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in disease progression and outcome. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the associations of intratumoral and stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) with CTCs among patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods We analyzed CTCs in 30 patients with primary breast cancer before and after NAC. The numbers of intratumoral TILs (iTILs) and stromal TILs (sTILs) from pre-NAC formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded core biopsies and post-NAC surgical samples were analyzed. The associations of TILs with pathologic complete response (pCR) and outcome were also evaluated. Results Of the 30 patients, pCR was achieved in nine (30.0%) patients. A total of 25 (83.3%) patients were CTC-positive before NAC, and eight (26.7%) patients were CTC-positive after NAC. Neither CTC detection before NAC nor CTC after NAC was predictive of pCR. Nevertheless, the presence of CTCs after NAC was significantly associated with early metastatic relapse (P = 0.049) and worse disease-free survival (P = 0.009). After NAC, total sTILs, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells were significantly correlated with CTC detection. Increased infiltration of sTILs and CD4+ T cells was also an unfavorable prognostic factor as measured by the rate of metastatic relapse. Conclusion Detection of CTCs after NAC was positively associated with the metastatic relapse of breast cancer patients. Increased infiltration of sTILs after NAC was correlated with CTCs and was found to be an unfavorable prognostic factor.


Let $G$ be a finite group. By a sequence over $G$, we mean a finite unordered sequence of terms from $G$, where repetition is allowed, and we say that it is a product-one sequence if its terms can be ordered such that their product equals the identity element of $G$. The large Davenport constant $\mathsf D (G)$ is the maximal length of a minimal product-one sequence, that is, a product-one sequence which cannot be factored into two non-trivial product-one subsequences. We provide explicit characterizations of all minimal product-one sequences of length $\mathsf D (G)$ over Dihedral and Dicyclic groups. Based on these characterizations we study the unions of sets of lengths of the monoid of product-one sequences over these groups.


Abstract Lecanora albescens (Hoffm.) Branth & Rostr. is the correct authorship of this species, and the combination cannot be attributed to Flörke. Lecanora antiqua J. R. Laundon is described for the lichen previously, but wrongly, known in Britain as L. conferta; it is remarkable in occupying the interface between acid and calcareous surfaces on the vertical walls of medieval churches. The nomenclature of the lobed Lecanora, which has had two alternative Latin names since the early 19th century, namely L. muralis Rabenh. and L. saxicola (Pollich) Ach., has been studied and the latter was found to be correct.


ABSTRACT There were no Brazilian studies regarding potential drug–drug interactions (DDIs) in primary health care (PHC) analysing common mental disorders (CMDs) and psychotropic medication. Objectives: To identify DDI prevalence in that setting; to classify DDI; to verify correlations with demographics, pharmacotherapeutics, psychotropic medication and CMDs. Among 430 patients interviewed 190 had more than two medications prescribed, 58.4% had DDI. Factors associated were age and number of medications. Nine types of severe DDI composed 28% patients' prescriptions, 71.9% involving psychotropic medication. Only the number of types of drugs contributed to the regression model. Results raise important aspects regarding patient safety in PHC units in Brazil are where patients with psychological complaints have to seek for health care firstly.


In this paper, we present a propagation model for the power-line communication (PLC) networks, based on the frequency-domain analysis. First, we set a simple two-port model of the network. Then, we calculate a complex attenuation factor from z-parameters, expressed in terms of impedances, easily calculable/measurable from the network ports. We explain simultaneously calculation and measurement methods based on the same principle, and then compare the results with direct measurements performed in the network designed for this purpose. We provide all of the elements for a simple end efficient propagation model. They include propagation by crosstalk between different circuits in, for example, three-phase networks, as well as the influence of the loads connected to the ports of different circuits in such networks. We have concluded that the model is suitable for PLC channels simulations that give very accurate results and enable modeling of wide-band channel characteristics.


This paper conducts an empirical study to testify the necessity and feasibility of the skill-focused interpretation teaching for undergraduate English majors, aiming at probing into the issue of accurate positioning of interpretation course. The participants in the experiment are 72 fourth-year students with 36 in the experimental class and 36 in the control class. The pedagogical principles and procedures between the experimental class and control class are rather different. The former follows the language-focused approach while the latter implements the skill-focused one. Results indicate that the mean of experimental class (77.69) is higher than that of the control class (72.48) in the post-test, and there is significant difference between them (p = .000). On the whole, experimental class produces better overall interpreting performance than control class, especially in terms of completeness, accuracy, re-expression, and adaptability. There are significant differences between all of them (p < .05). Empirical evidence shows that the skill-focused approach has its advantages over the traditional language-focused approach.


Abstract The labelling of marine waters off north-western Europe by artificial radio-nuclides discharged by the nuclear fuel reprocessing plants at Sellafield and La Hague provides a potentially useful tool for the study of hydrodynamic processes. In this context, the present investigation introduces a tracer, 125 Sb, which is conservative within the watermass and which is characteristic of releases from La Hague. Analysis of the data collected between 1987 and 1991 shows that a large part of the Channel waters entering the North Sea follow a route along the Belgian, Dutch, German and Danish coasts, while undergoing a low degree of dilution with other marine waters circulating in the central North Sea. The westward extension of the Channel plume is variable with time, but the general distribution is in good agreement with the ICES box model. Estimates are given for the transit times from Cap de la Hague to various sectors of the North Sea; it takes 15-17 months for labelled waters to reach the Norwegian Channel.


In the past, most political scientists have been oblivious to the growing empirical evidence challenging environmental determinism. Professor Charney, apparently as a result of the fact that genes and the environment interact in a complex fashion, advocates that this passive unawareness be replaced by active denial. Science, however, does not advance by avoiding important relationships merely because they are complicated and, fortunately, science is not heeding Charney's ideologically-based fears. Molecular geneticists, often working in tandem with political scientists, are quickly moving beyond twin studies to identify the specific suites of genes and biological systems that predict variation in core political preferences, whatever labels those preferences might be given in a particular culture at a particular time. We sympathize with the fact that our empirical findings, like those of so many behavioral geneticists, make Charney uncomfortable; still, his critique serves up nothing new—empirically or otherwise. Just as analyses of the roots of sexual preferences cannot presumptively ignore genetics, neither can analyses of the roots of political preferences.


More than 80% of all cancers arise from epithelial cells referred to as carcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of carcinomas arising from the specialized epithelial cells that line the ducts of our major organs. Despite many advances in cancer therapies, metastatic and treatment-refractory cancers remain the 2nd leading cause of death. Immunotherapy has offered potential opportunities with specific targeting of tumor cells and inducing remission in many cancer patients. Numerous therapies using antibodies as antagonists or checkpoint inhibitors/immune modulators, peptide or cell vaccines, cytokines, and adoptive T cell therapies have been developed. The most innovative immunotherapy approach so far has been the use of engineered T cell, also referred to as chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells). CAR-T cells are genetically modified naïve T cells that express a chimeric molecule which comprises of the antigen-recognition domains (scFv) of an anti-tumor antibody and one, two, or three intracellular signaling domains of the T cell receptor (TCR). When these engineered T cells recognize and bind to the tumor antigen target via the scFv fragment, a signal is sent to the intracellular TCR domains of the CAR, leading to activation of the T cells to become cytolytic against the tumor cells. CAR-T cell therapy has shown tremendous success for certain hematopoietic malignancies, but this success has not been extrapolated to adenocarcinomas. This is due to multiple factors associated with adenocarcinoma that are different from hematopoietic tumors. Although many advances have been made in targeting multiple cancers by CAR-T cells, clinical trials have shown adverse effects and toxicity related to this treatment. New strategies are yet to be devised to manage side effects associated with CAR-T cell therapies. In this review, we report some of the promising immunotherapeutic strategies being developed for treatment of most common adenocarcinomas with particular emphasis on the future generation of CAR-T cell therapy.


Autonomous vehicles (AVs) depend on an intricate network of camera, radar, lidar, and inertial sensors to navigate safely. Discussing the merits and drawbacks of individual sensors is one of the more consistent "water-cooler topics" in the autonomous driving industry. Although this sensor face-off is entertaining, it is sometimes more useful to consider how two sensors can work together. I will discuss two sensors that can directly sense velocity in the context of future AV capability.


In this paper, we investigate the Physical Layer Security (PLS) of a multiple friendly jammers and multiple users wireless system in Device-to-Device (D2D) communications underlaying cellular networks with an eavesdropper. The aim is to maximize the increase of secrecy capacity of the entire system through optimal power allocation and jamming matching under various practical constraints. Firstly, the total increase secrecy capacity of D2D pairs with the help of jamming is derived, then we obtain optimal jamming power for each D2D pair and formulate the D2D pairs and jammers matching problem in the weighted bipartite graph via designing the Kuhn-Munkres (KM) algorithm. Finally, numerical results demonstrate that our scheme could greatly improve the secrecy performance of heterogeneous D2D and cellular networks.


:  Jerry Fodor (1994) proposes a solution to Quine's inscrutability–of–reference problem for certain naturalized semantic theories, thereby defending such theories from charges that they cannot discriminate meanings finely enough. His proposal, combining elements of informational and inferential–role semantics, is to eliminate non–standard interpretations by testing predicate compatibility relations. I argue that Fodor's proposal, understood as primarily aimed at Mentalese, withstands Ray's (1997) and Gates's (1996) objections but nonetheless fails because of unwarranted assumptions about ontological homogeneity of target language predicates, and problems with Fodor's reliance on predicate conjunction to resolve ambiguity. Naturalized semantics thus remains without an answer to the inscrutability objection.


The haemodynamic effects of propofol -fentanyl anaesthesia (n=25) were compared with isoflurane-fentanyl anaesthesia (n=25) in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (>45%) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. In the propofol group (Group P), anaesthesia was induced with midoazolam 2.5 to 5.0 mg, fentanyl 5mg/kg, pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg and propofol 1-2 mg/kg and was maintained with propofol infusion 10 mg/kg/hr till sternotomy, followed by 3 mg/kg/hr till skin closure. In the inhalational group (Group I) anaesthesia was induced with midazolam, fentanyl, pancuronium in the same doses and sleep dose of thiopentone and was maintained with oxygen : nitrous oxide (50:50) and isoflurane (0.5-1%). Additional fentanyl 2.5 microg/kg was given before sternotomy. Haemodynamic measurements were made before induction, after induction, after sternotomy, after heparinisation, after release of aortic cross clamp, post-bypass, post-sternal closure and on arrival in the recovery room. Post-bypass the cardiac index was higher in Group P (2.90+/- 0.76 v/s 2.40 +/- 0.40, p <0.05). Similarly post-bypass stroke volume index was higher in Group P (379.32 +/- 6.31 v/s 26.78 +/- 6.24, p<0.05). Patients in Group P were extubated earlier as compared to Group I (379.50 +/- 69 min v/s 453.00 +/- 134 min, p<0.05). This study suggests that propofol may be a suitable adjunct to opioid anaesthesia in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.


This paper examines whether the audit quality of Chinese listed companies is affected by internal governance mechanisms (IGMs). The dataset comprises 443 firm-year observations during 2002-2005. The results show that foreign ownership concentration and the number of professional supervisors are positively related to audit quality, but the size of the supervisory board shows a negative correlation. Other IGMs including state ownership concentration, the size of board of directors, the number of independent directors, the frequency of board meetings, and the frequency of supervisory board meetings are found to have no impact on audit quality. The contribution of this paper is threefold. First, according to Young et al. (2008), this paper develops hypotheses from the principal-principal agency problem perspective and examines the impact of IGMs of China's highly concentrated state ownership and two-tier board system on audit quality. Second, this paper employs the directors on the board of directors and the supervisory board as pairwise functional units and examines whether there is a level of functional redundancy proposed by Ding et al. (2010). Third, this paper adds to the extant literature by showing the relevance of the legal environment as one of external governance mechanisms.


We investigate the effects of the observed UV background radiation on galaxy formation. The biasing mechanism by photoionization is examined in detail, and its implication for galaxy number counts is discussed. Photoionization by UV radiation, J, decreases the cooling rate of the gas in halos, so that objects with only large density contrasts can self- shield against the radiation. In the context of the CDM model, we use the criterion that self-shielding is essential for star formation to calculate the mass function of galaxies (see Chiba & Nath 1994, ApJ, 436, 618 for details). We find that the cooling rate in the big (low-density) system, into which smaller objects are merged, is reduced by photoionization. This means that, in a merging dominated region, where the number density at the low-mass end (M b ≤ 1010 M ⊙) is usually expected to decrease with time, the trend is reversed (the number of low-mass galaxies is more at lower redshifts z) due to the decreasing UV flux with time after z ~ 2 (see Figure 1).


Fiber content of a meal is distinctly effective in appetite. There are studies that draw attention to the effects of protein and fiber combined meals on short-term satiety and food intake. This study was performed to examine the effects of different fiber sources in a protein-containing meal during satiety and hunger. The study was carried out once a week on the same day and for three-week duration, with total of 17 randomly selected participants with ages between 18 and 24 years. The test foods containing different vegetable fiber sources (chickpeas and oats) were given to the participants every week as isocaloric, which have been the control food for a week. The satiety status was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) for total of five times as immediately before the test food consumption and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after consumption. Fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels were measured. A 24-hour retrospective food consumption record was obtained the next day. There was no statistically significant difference among the VAS results of the three groups, which were given chickpea + yoghurt (CY), oat + yoghurt (OY), and yoghurt (Y) as control (p> 0.05). No significant difference was observed in ad libitum food intake after the test food and daily energy intake determined by 24-hour food consumption records (p> 0.05). However, the energy and macronutrient intake of the OY group at the ad libitum lunch and the rest of the day were significantly lower than that of CY. The difference between blood glucose levels during hunger and satiety states of CY group was found significant (p <0.05). Collectively, the VAS findings revealed that consumption of fiber-enriched meal has a significant effect on short-term satiety, daily energy intake and blood glucose level control compared to a protein-only meal, however no significant difference was observed between the types of fiber consumed. Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier no. NCT 04601025.


A growing demand for bandwidth in wireless data networks has motivated policy makers to consider opening underused frequencies, e.g. in the TV broadcasting bands, to opportunistic secondary access. To support secondary network operations in these TV whitespaces (TVWS), centralized databases are envisioned that employ radio propagation models to derive the spectrum usage of the primary system. Precise estimation of the actual spectrum usage is highly important in this scenario, because maladjusted models can cause primary outage or hamper secondary capacity. The requirements for accurate propagation estimation have hence further increased. Using the example of a single TV transmitter, we study in this poster the prospects of maximum likelihood estimation for generic power law propagation models. Transmitter characteristics are considered known, but environment-specific parameters of the model are derived through fitting measurement results, obtained, e.g., through drive tests. We derive for the case of uncorrelated shadow fading the error distributions and their parameters for two parameters, namely pathloss coefficient and shadow variance. Our results are applicable to other large-scale scenarios where precise signal strength estimation is required. They can help to minimize the number of required measurements and to determine necessary protection policies.


Line antiderivations over local fields and their applications. Abstract A non-Archimedean antiderivational line analog of the Cauchy-type line integration is defined and investigated over local fields. Classes of non-Archimedean holomorphic functions are defined and studied. Residues of functions are studied, Lorent series representations are described. Moreover, non-Archimedean antiderivational analogs of integral representations of functions and differential forms such as the Cauchy-Green, Martinelli-Bochner, Leray, Koppelman and Koppelman-Leray formulas are investigated. Applications to manifold and operator theories are studied.


Background B lymphocyte stimulator signaling pathway by BAFF and its homologue APRIL has an important role in the selection, maturation and survival of B cells and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Objectives The aim of this study is to determine serum levels of BAFF and APRIL in patients with untreated SLE, excluding the influence of the therapy. Methods The study included 27 pts (81% females, age 30.0 [26.0-33.0] years (median [interquartile range 25%>75%]) with untreated SLE (ACR criteria, 1997) and 47 controls (96% females without any rheumatic and infectious diseases, age 31.0 [26.0-49.0] years). None of SLE pts was treated with either prednisone or cytotoxic drugs at the moment of the study, 3 (11%) pts received hydroxychloroquine 200 mg/day. SLE-related factors, including disease duration, clinical features, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI 2K) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) damage index were evaluated in parallel with relevant laboratory findings (blood and urine tests, CRP, immunoglobulins G, A and M, complement C3 and C4 fragments and others), autoantibodies (ANA, antiDNA, ENA-SSA, -SSB, -Sm, -RNP-70, aPL) and CD19 B lymphocytes subpopulation count. Serum levels of BAFF and APRIL (ng/ml) were measured by ELISA (Bender MedSystem GmbH, Austria). B cells were detected by flow cytometry. Statistical analyses were performed with STATISTICA program, version 8.0. Results Mean SLE duration was 1.0 [0.5-5.0] years, SLEDAI 2K score - 10 [7-19], SLICC damage index score - 0 [0-0]. SLE pts had higher levels of APRIL vs control (3.04 [2.01-4.05] vs 0.01 [0.01-4.36] ng/ml, p<0.05), with no difference in BAFF level (0.07 [0.01-0.69] vs 0.02 [0.01-0.03] ng/ml). In SLE pts serum APRIL level correlated with leucocytes (r=-0.47, p<0.05) and lymphocytes absolute counts (r=-0.77, p<0.01), creatinine level (r=0.61, p<0.001) and glomerular filtration rate (r=-0.67, p<0.001); BAFF level correlated with SLEDAI 2K (r=0.43, p<0.05), antiβ2-GP-1 IgM (r=-0.60, p<0.05), glomerular filtration rate (r=-0.42, p<0.05) and hemoglobin level (r=-0.40, p<0.05). We divided SLE pts on two groups: Group 1 included pts with lupus nephritis (n=16 (59%)), Group 2 – SLE pts without nephritis (n=11 (41%)). Pts from Group 1 had higher levels of BAFF as compared to Group 2 levels (0.5 [0.03-1.20] vs 0.01 [0.01-0.07] ng/ml, p<0.05) or control group levels (0.5 [0.03-1.20] vs 0.02 [0.01-0.03] ng/ml, p<0.05), with no difference in APRIL levels between the groups. Conclusions Untreated SLE patients had high disease activity and increased serum levels of APRIL as compared to healthy control (p<0.05). BAFF level was associated with disease activity. Patients with lupus nephritis had higher BAFF concentration as compared to control and SLE patients without nephritis. Disclosure of Interest None declared


The BNT162b2 bivalent BA.4/5 COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized to mitigate COVID-19 due to current Omicron and potentially future variants. New sublineages of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron continue to emerge and have acquired additional mutations, particularly in the spike protein, that may lead to improved viral fitness and immune evasion. The present study characterized neutralization activities against new Omicron sublineages BA.4.6, BA.2.75.2, BQ.1.1, and XBB.1 after a 4th dose (following three doses of BNT162b2) of either the original monovalent BNT162b2 or the bivalent BA.4/5 booster in individuals >55 years of age. For all participants, the 4th dose of monovalent BNT162b2 vaccine induced a 3.0×, 2.9×, 2.3×, 2.1×, 1.8×, and 1.5× geometric mean neutralizing titer fold rise (GMFR) against USA/WA1-2020 (a strain isolated in January 2020), BA.4/5, BA.4.6, BA.2.75.2, BQ.1.1, and XBB.1, respectively; the bivalent vaccine induced 5.8×, 13.0×, 11.1×, 6.7×, 8.7×, and 4.8× GMFRs. For individuals without SARS-CoV-2 infection history, BNT162b2 monovalent induced 4.4×, 3.0×, 2.5×, 2.0×, 1.5×, and 1.3× GMFRs, respectively; the bivalent vaccine induced 9.9×, 26.4×, 22.2×, 8.4×, 12.6×, and 4.7× GMFRs. These data suggest the bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine is more immunogenic than the original BNT162b2 monovalent vaccine against circulating Omicron sublineages, including BQ.1.1 that is becoming prevalent globally.


Night blue, or nacht blau , has been used in Europe for a decade to stain acid-fast organisms. Its introduction by Hallberg 1 as a useful stain for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae unfortunately did not create any further interest in its potentialities. In a series of investigations concerning low-temperature mycobacteria in hairless mice, the specific keratinophilia of night blue was noted. In pursuing this matter, I 2,3 found that the mast cells of the rat, mouse, and hamster stained selectively with night blue. It is the purpose of this paper to organize some of the knowledge about the technique of staining with night blue, so it can be used in work with the skin. The staining technique depends on the alcohol differentiation of the dye-protein complex produced by incubation for one hour at 60 C. Most tissues quickly lose their affinity for night blue in alcohol; a few do not


Michèle Charpentier's book explores the idea of government's sharing, with private and community resources, the responsibility for services for the frail elderly. Charpentier addresses the issue of the emergence of private residences, within the context of the evolution of the Quebec government. This book traces the history of Quebec policies on support of the frail elderly, discusses the social, ethical, and legal stakes involved in the development of private residences, and presents the points of view of different stakeholders affected by this dilemma. Charpentier's book proves to be both a rich and nuanced reflection on the legitimacy of the government's intervention, as well as on the opportunities for development available to the government, in the housing sector in particular, and on a broader scale, in the general area of services for the fragile elderly.


The diagnosis of prostate cancer has long been plagued by the absence of an imaging tool that reliably detects and localises significant tumours. Recent evidence suggests that multi‐parametric MRI could improve the accuracy of diagnostic assessment in prostate cancer. This review serves as a background to a recent USANZ position statement. It aims to provide an overview of MRI techniques and to critically review the published literature on the clinical application of MRI in prostate cancer.


Abstract This article focuses on the adaptation of the Red Classics – a collection of literary and cinematic works depicting the Communist armed struggle produced in the PRC between 1949 and 1966 – for contemporary Chinese television. Using the controversy over the remake of Tracks in the Snowy Forest (Linhai xueyuan 林海雪原) as a case study, it explores the complexity of restaging the Communist revolution in the post-Mao reform era. Competition in the media industry compels TV producers to re-package Communist history for fragmented contemporary audiences – those who are familiar with the original Red Classics as well as those who grew up in the reform era and who are far removed from the revolutionary legacy. Adaptation of the Red Classics is a sensitive issue. By focusing on the sexual desires and individual interests muted in the original Red Classics in order to cater for the tastes of younger viewers, the remakes offer alternative readings of history and have incurred government censorship. Opposition to the adaptations has also come from a distinct mnemonic community, the Red memory group, whose members came of age in either the 1960s or during the Cultural Revolution and who absorbed the Red Classics in their formative years. The interplay of state politics, collective memory and commercial imperatives ultimately makes the repackaging of the revolution for contemporary mass entertainment a multifaceted and highly contentious issue.


Three cases of Kearns syndrome are reported. The neuro-ophthalmological signs were comparable with ophthalmoplegia, pigmentary retinal degeneration and polymorphic neuro-muscular and sensory deficits. The electrocardiological signs were observed 2-4 years after the onset of the condition; the cause of death in each case was related to complete heart block. The post-mortem findings in one of the cases were spongial degeneration of the central nervous system and a seemingly primitive degeneration of the Bundle of His and its branches.


Abstract Background To evaluate the clinicopathological factors and the oncology outcomes of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) patients compared with those of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) patients. Methods This study was a medical record review based on a prospectively-collected database. We surveyed the clinicopathological characteristics and oncology survival between IDC and ILC following curative surgery at ooo Medical Center between March 2007 and February 2015. Results The median follow-up time was 60.5 months (range: 3-121 months). There were 352 breast cancer patients with ILC and 7795 breast cancer patients with IDC. There were 13 breast cancer patients with ILC and 1150 breast cancer patients with IDC in the TNBC patients. The IDC patients had 77.7% of cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 and 86.3% of Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), while ILC patients only had 15.4% of CK5/6 and 23.1% of EGFR. In TNBC, patients with ILC showed a tendency to have a worse prognosis than patients with IDC. However, there was no statistical difference in disease-free survival (DFS, p = 0.122) or overall survival (OS, p = 0.093) between TNBC patients with IDC and with ILC. Conclusions Patients with ILC have no different oncologic outcome than patients with IDC. However, patients with ILC in TNBC show a tendency to have a worse prognosis than patients with IDC in TNBC. This result may be related to CK5/6 and EGFR. Further research is needed with larger sample sizes. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


We introduce the concept of quantum field tomography, the efficient and reliable reconstruction of unknown quantum fields based on data of correlation functions. At the basis of the analysis is the concept of continuous matrix product states (cMPS), a complete set of variational states grasping states in one-dimensional quantum field theory. We innovate a practical method, making use of and developing tools in estimation theory used in the context of compressed sensing such as Prony methods and matrix pencils, allowing us to faithfully reconstruct quantum field states based on low-order correlation functions. In the absence of a phase reference, we highlight how specific higher order correlation functions can still be predicted. We exemplify the functioning of the approach by reconstructing randomized cMPS from their correlation data and study the robustness of the reconstruction for different noise models. Furthermore, we apply the method to data generated by simulations based on cMPS and using the time-dependent variational principle. The presented approach is expected to open up a new window into experimentally studying continuous quantum systems, such as those encountered in experiments with ultra-cold atoms on top of atom chips. By virtue of the analogy with the input–output formalism in quantum optics, it also allows for studying open quantum systems.


This paper discusses methodology in developing exposure data for the water supply contaminant dibromochloropropane (DBCP) in Fresno County, California. There are 532 drinking water systems (49 large and 483 small) within Fresno County plus 14,000 private wells. We determined the number of wells per system, the output per well, and the population served by each system. The task of deriving water quality estimates for each census tract was complicated by the fact that a single census tract can be served by more than one system; each system usually has more than one well; and a single well can have several episodes of testing for various contaminants. We calculated a series of weighted averages for concentrations of DBCP, arsenic, and nitrates for each census tract, using water production figures for each well as the weighting factor. Water quality data were derived from a total of 14,861 laboratory reports, although the majority did not report on all contaminants. Mean DBCP levels ranged from 0.0041 ppb to 5.7543 ppb among the census tracts. We found no correlation between DBCP levels per census tract compared to either arsenic or nitrates. We believe that we made as complete an exposure assessment as practically feasible.


In this work, we fabricated tip-shaped Si reflector arrays which are conventionally studied for the electron emitter in FED field and report preliminary results of light emission observed by TFEL structure with the Si reflector. As a result, 3600 reflectors was formed within one pixel and these picture elements create a well concentrated visible light around the point reflectors under the bipolar pulse excitation.


The hfs of 103Ag (T1/2 = 66 min) has been investigated with the atomic-beam magnetic-resonance (ABMR) method. Δν and μI have been determined independently, and the results are Δν = 39 700 (500) MHz and μI = + 4.45 (5) n.m. The hfs anomaly Δ107103 has been determined to be + 3.4 (1.7)%. Theoretical calculations give Δ107103 = 3.9%. For I = 5, there is a component with a half-life of 13 min which may be 102Ag or 102Ag + 100Ag. Furthermore, signals with a half-life of 9(2) minutes have been obtained for I = 9/2. This activity is ascribed to 101Ag.


Arginine methylation is a post-translational modification that has been implicated in a plethora of cellular processes. In the present manuscript, using two antimethylarginine antibodies and combinatorial deletion mutants of arginine methyltransferases, we found evidence of widespread arginine methylation in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteome. Immunoprecipitation was used for enrichment of methylarginine-containing proteins, which were identified via tandem mass spectrometry. From this, we identified a total of 90 proteins, of which 5 were previously known to be methylated. The proteins identified were involved in known methylarginine-associated biological functions such as RNA processing, nuclear transport, carbohydrate metabolic process, GMP biosynthetic process and protein folding. Through in vivo methylation by the incorporation of [3H]-methyl groups, we validated the methylation of 7 proteins (Ded1, Imd4, Lhp1, Nop1, Cdc11, Gus1, Pob3). By LC-MS/MS, we then confirmed a total of 15 novel methylarginine sites on 5 proteins (Ded1, Lhp1, Nop1, Pab1, and Ugp1). By examination of methylation on proteins from the triple knockout of methyltransferases Hmt1, Hsl7, Rmt2, we present evidence for the existence of additional unidentified arginine methyltransferases in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteome.


We examine the latest HERA experimental measurements of theQ2 logarithmic derivative of the proton structure function. We analyze the characteristics of DGLAP with and without screening, as well as a Regge type model, and compare their predictions to all available data on ∂F2 ∂ lnQ including those for fixed W. Our results show that the present data can be described in pQCD taking into account shadowing corrections. However, such a description cannot be considered a conclusive signal of gluon saturation since the experimental data on ∂F2 ∂ lnQ do not allow one to discriminate between the various approaches , in spite of their very different construction. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com E-mail: email@example.com E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


The smart city is aiming for an intelligent connected society beyond the concept of U-City with simple ICT. In particular, the rapid development of information and communications, such as 5G, and blockchain, has led to a paradigm shift to a new digital urban environment. As smart energy and smart transportation are integrated or interlocked, the technical and institutional arrangement should be preceded from the time of user authentication to provide reliability, transparency, and efficiency. For this purpose, this study aims to investigate the technical and institutional plans for the implementation of safe urban life utilizing blockchain technology. In order to apply smart city services using block-chain technology, it is necessary to fully agree and practice among various stakeholders such as public, business, academia, and civic groups. It is expected to be implemented as a people-centered smart city by gradually applying the block chain-based pilot service, which is made and participated together.


We describe a case of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome that occurred after tracheal surgery. The patient refused a tracheal stent placement and any surgical procedure aimed at stabilizing the tracheal walls. She was treated with a continuous positive airway pressure.


The year 2018 has been continuously considered as a successful year for Vietnamese economy due to an increase in the tourism industry. Regarding the growth rate of international visitors, Vietnam is currently at a very high level in terms of numbers which can be accounted to 21% while Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are all showing signs of decline. However, according to Businesses and Research of Joint Stock Company of Vietnam Report (Vietnam Report), currently tourism industry in Vietnam is facing 3 big challenges are listed in preceding paragraphs.


OBJECTIVE
For comparing the photodynamic effect of 49 single laser photosensitizers on two human cancer cell lines.

METHODS
After irradiation with a pulsed copper vapour laser, the SW1116 cell line of human colorectal cancer and K562 cell line of erythroleukemia were measured with MTT assay. IC50 and the cell survival rate were observed to evaluate the photodynamic effect of various 49 single photosensitizers.

RESULTS
In 49 photosentizers, the structure formula of the leading 9 single photosensitizers belonged to homatoporphyrin group, the average IC50 of which was < or = 1.0 microgram/ml on both cell lines of. The photosensitizers currently used in the clinic, hematoporphyrin-3 (PSD-007), ranked 17th, with IC50 on both cell lines of 1.25 micrograms/ml and 3.75 micrograms/ml, respecively.

CONCLUSION
The leading 16 single photosensitizer in ths series studied are better purified and more effective in photodynamic killing of human cancer cell lines in vitro. They can be used in lieu of PSD-007 for cancer treatment.


The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of revealing intracerebral hematomas (ICH), using MRI, within the first hours after onset and to determine their MRI semiotics features. Thirty animals with experimental ICH were studied. A method of two-stage introduction of autologous blood was used to develop ICH as human spontaneous intracranial hematomas. Within 3-5h after blood introduction to the rat brain. The control MRI was performed in the 3rd and 7th days after blood injections. ICH were definitely identified in the first MRI scans. The MRI semiotics features of acute ICH and their transformations were assessed. The high sensitivity of MRI to ICH as well as the uniform manifestations in all animals were shown. In conclusion, the method has high specificity for acute ICH detection.


The following work shows an algorithm that can process images digitally with the goal of control the movement of a mobile robotic platform in a certain environment. The platform is identified with a specific color, and displacement environment of the platform shift has identified obstacles with different colors, for both cases it worked with the RGB color scale. To obtain the control's movement of the robotic platform, the algorithm was developed in C programming language, and used the Open CV libraries for processing images captured by a video camera on the Dev-platform C + +. The video camera was previously calibrated using ZHANG technique where parameters were obtained focal length and tilt focal pixel. In the algorithm histogram analysis and segmentation of the image were developed, allowing to determine exactly the relative position of the platform with respect to the obstacles and movement strategy to follow.


ABSTRACT: Wittily and thoroughly, this article analyzes the sensitive topic mentioned in its title. Within the framework of international corruption - and the struggle against it -, it describes how international arbitration is used abusively as a means to implement corrupt practices and avoid control. It examines various arbitration cases that had to deal with this topic, and focuses on the small number of awards effectively enforced and the different reasons for that: The severability of arbitration clauses, the evidence relating to corruption, the choice of the applicable law, the rule of confidentiality, among other issues.


ABSTRACT Outdoor learning has become an important part of policy and practice across several European contexts. While research indicates that outdoor experiences can enhance learning and mental health outcomes, studies have also identified a number of barriers to providing such experiences the most prevalent being that of teachers' confidence. Acknowledging the role of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in preparing teachers for the demands and complexities of providing meaningful, safe and relevant outdoor learning experiences, this article explored teachers' experiences both in general, and within a one-year ITE course in Scotland, employing a qualitative methodology. In particular, semi-structured interviews were used with seven ITE students. Results yielded through thematic analysis revealed mastery experiences as being preferred, while vicarious experiences were also seen as useful. In addition, previous experiences in adulthood and childhood impact on the motivation of student teachers to teach outdoors. Implications for ITE programmes are presented.


1. The present overview is concerned with the monomeric/oligomeric structure of Na,K-ATPase and with the number and kinetic competence of the phosphorylated intermediates. 2. The transport system, like many other ion-transporters, seems to be oligomeric in situ. It is, however, uncertain whether the oligomeric structure is of functional importance or not. 3. Phosphorylated intermediates (EP) play a central role in the coupling of ATP-hydrolysis to transport. Occlusion of Na+ takes place concomitantly with EP-formation. 4. Two recent revisionist ideas regarding the phosphorylated intermediates are emphasized: First, there are not two but several different EP-conformations, and second, some of the EP's formed in the presence of Na+ alone are incompetent as intermediates in the Na,K-ATPase reaction. This concept requires a revision of the classical Albers-Post scheme for Na,K-ATPase. 5. It is suggested that the classical notion of two principal conformational states E1 and E2 be abandoned. Instead, one should consider that there are many conformational states of the enzyme protein, partly due to the many different liganded states and partly due to subconformations within each enzyme-ligand complex.


The flow and heat transfer characteristics of delta wing fins using 5mm tube diameter was studied based on three-dimensional numerical simulation,the influence of the delta wing upon the flow fluid and heat transfer and enhanced heat transfer mechanism were discussed and analyzed.The computational results show that the flow field has three significant characteristics : the air above and below the fin circulate through the hole punched,a visible longitudinal vortex arises after the delta wing,the transverse flow appears at the rear of the delta wing.Compared to the plate fin,the heat transfer and overall performance are increased by 70%-80%and 19%-38%,respectively.Meanwhile,the average field synergy angle decreases.It means that the delta-wing longitudinal vortex generators can improve the synergy of the temperature and velocity field,thus strengthen the heat transfer.


This paper presents new design formulations that aim at optimizing the performance of an orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA) ad hoc cognitive radio network through joint subcarrier assignment and power allocation. Aside from an important constraint on the tolerable interference induced to primary networks, to efficiently implement spectrum-sharing control within the unlicensed network, the optimization problems considered here strictly enforce upper and lower bounds on the total amount of temporarily available bandwidth that is granted to individual secondary users. These new requirements are of particular relevance in cognitive radio settings, where the spectral activities of primary users are highly dynamic, leaving little opportunity for secondary access. A dual decomposition framework is then developed for two criteria (throughput maximization and power minimization), which gives rise to the realization of distributed solutions. Because the proposed distributed protocols require very limited cooperation among the participating network elements, they are particularly applicable to ad hoc cognitive networks, where centralized processing and control are certainly inaccessible. In this paper, we recommend that the network collaboration is made possible through the implementation of virtual timers at individual secondary users and through the exchange of pertinent information over a common reserved channel. It is shown that not only is the computational complexity of the devised algorithms affordable but that the performance of these algorithms in practical scenarios attains the actual global optimum as well. The potential of the proposed approaches is thoroughly verified by asymptotic complexity analysis and numerical results.


Background: A large number of youth are often directly involved in armed-conflict, and therefore are at greater risk of developing a wide range of mental disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However little is known about the prevalence of PTSD among youth who constitute a large work force. Objective: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder among Internally Displaced youth exposed to Boko Haram terrorism in North-Eastern Nigeria. It also assessed the socio-demographic factors associated with PTSD in this population. Method: A cross-sectional study that employed a consecutive sampling technique to select eligible subjects undergoing a Citizenship and leadership training at Citizenship and Leadership training institute Jos, Plateau State. The posttraumatic stress disorder module of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview was used to assess for current symptoms of PTSD. Results: The results show that more than two-third of the respondents were unemployed youth with secondary level of education and had low or no stable income. More than 63% of the respondents were diagnosed with PTSD. Educational status (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.001) and income before displacement (p=0.010) were the significant factors associated with PTSD. Conclusions: The results point to the importance of screening and treatment for traumatic armed conflict victims, with particular attention to youth who had low education and low income levels as well as being never married or widowed. Keywords: PTSD, sociodemographic factors, Bokoharam terrorism, North Eastern Nigeria


The use of urea-induced diuresis and alkalization of the urine is described for the treatment of severe barbiturate intoxication with compounds of slow spontaneous elimination. These patients represented only a small percentage of the total number with acute barbiturate intoxication hospitalized during the 2 years of this study. An average diuresis of 12.1 liters of alkaline urine per 24 hours was obtained in 57 patients; the average duration of treatment was 42 hours, with a calculated reduction of duration of coma to about one-third. Diuretic treatment was found to reduce mortality and frequency of tracheostomy to 50% of those in an untreated control group. The treatment, relatively simple and with few complications, can be considered a valuable adjunct to the fundamental supportive therapy in severe cases of barbiturate poisoning.


No standardized education or training program currently exists for magnetic resonance imaging technology. The results of this initial national task analysis will assist in development of a curriculum guide and serve as a baseline for further research.


OBJECTIVE
To isolate and culture human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and observe its ultrastructure.

METHODS
The proliferation and growth characteristics of human periodontal ligament cells were observed in primary culture and colony culture. PDLSCs were isolated by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) and ultrastructural characterization was observed by electron microscopy.

RESULTS
When the cells were cultured at low density, PDLSCs grew in a colony-like manner. With the exception of a small amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, and mitochondria, relatively few organelles were found in the cytoplasm, suggesting that they had remained undifferentiated.

CONCLUSION
PDLSCs showed colony-like growth capacity and had ultrastructural characterization with stem cells. This indicated that PDLSCs could act as the appropriate seed cells for cell-based periodontal tissue regeneration.


This study aims to describe and find out how the results of parenting activities in this institution are related to the development of the character of existing students. The management patterns carried out by the head of the school against parenting, as well as the obstacles and support that the institution has in developing the character of the child, are also the subject of this research. This research is conducted using qualitative research methods. Qualitative research methods are chosen because qualitative approaches serve to explore and understand the meaning of individuals or groups related to social problems that can later be used to interpret and gain an in-depth understanding of certain aspects of human beliefs, attitudes, or behavior. The subjects of the research are the head of the school as well as the head of the institute, parents, teachers, and students. To obtain the desired data, this research uses interview techniques, snowballing systems, documentation, and observations. The analysis is done using qualitative analysis. By conducting research through a qualitative approach during the fieldwork conducted for about three months, there are some conclusions related to the management of early childhood character development in this institution. The results obtained were that 1) management of early childhood character development was heavily influenced by the success of parenting or patterns of care carried out by parents during the home 2) Parenting was chosen as one of the strategies because it was judged very effective for the sustainability of child education throughout the home. 3) The obstacle that exists in the management of the development of early children's character is that the majority of pupils' guardians still have not mastered the existing parenting science.


This paper proposes to use an additive semiparametric Poisson regression in modeling zero-inflated clustered data. Two estimation methods are exploited in this paper based on de Vera (2010). The first simultaneously estimates both the parametric and nonparametric parts of the model. The second utilizes the backfitting algorithm by smoothing the nonparametric function of the covariates and then estimating the parametric parts of the postulated model. The predictive accuracy, measured in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), of the proposed methods is compared to that of ordinary Zero-Inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression model. Through a simulation study, the average RMSE of the ordinary ZIP regression model is at most 81% and 27% higher for equal and unequal cluster sizes, respectively, than that of proposed model whose parametric and nonparametric parts are simultaneously estimated.


For the thermal management of a three-dimensional (3D) chip stack, cooling from the bottom side of chips (in other words, from the laminate (substrate) side of chips), in addition to conventional cooling from the top surface of chips, is proposed. For cooling from the bottom side of chips, it is essential to consider the trade off among thermal, electrical and mechanical performance. Firstly, the thermal resistance reduction of a laminate (substrate) is evaluated, and the effect of high thermal conductivity insulator is simulated, in addition to thermal vias. Secondly, locating a graphite sheet in the joint (interconnection) layer between a bottom chip and a laminate is proposed. When a graphite sheet is connected to a lid (heat spreader), it is simulated how much heat density can be managed by this cooling structure. Also, when a graphite sheet is used to effectively conduct the hot spot heat to large area of a laminate to accommodate various electrical and thermal via locations, its effect to spread the hot spot heat is simulated.


I have worked in Mumbai supporting street boys since 1982 (full-time since 1986). This thesis began with the question, "How can we improve the educational experiences of the most vulnerable children in India?" Thus began a research journey in which I have systematically examined my practice, with my colleagues and with the vulnerable boys themselves. During the process, the operation has become more reflexive and self-sustaining. There is no magic for these boys, just a long painstaking process of support which has enabled some to turn their lives around.

As a practitioner researcher, my experience has prompted me to question the thinking and the mindsets of these male street adolescents and evaluate my practice. My account connects my personal experience to the cultural, placing myself within the social context of the street adolescent (Reed-Danahay, 1997). I wish to identify effective practice, and to share and develop this with colleagues on whom the future of the work depends.

The phenomenon of street youth is a visible manifestation of a disrupted political and socioeconomic society. The forces that lead growing numbers of youth to the street are numerous and complex. In developing countries, few social services exist for the youth who have lived or worked on the streets. It is important to understand not only who these youth are but also how they function, as such insights will provide a better understanding of their needs which in turn will provide them with the opportunity to be included in decision-making processes pertinent to their future as contributing members of society (Tudoric′- Ghemo, 2005). -- [excerpt taken from Introduction and Context]


Abstract Studies on the shell color and banding polymorphism of the grove snail Cepaea nemoralis and the sister taxon Cepaea hortensis have provided compelling evidence for the fundamental role of natural selection in promoting and maintaining intraspecific variation. More recently, Cepaea has been the focus of citizen science projects on shell color evolution in relation to climate change and urbanization. C. nemoralis is particularly useful for studies on the genetics of shell polymorphism and the evolution of "supergenes," as well as evo-devo studies of shell biomineralization, because it is relatively easily maintained in captivity. However, an absence of genomic resources for C. nemoralis has generally hindered detailed genetic and molecular investigations. We therefore generated ∼23× coverage long-read data for the ∼3.5 Gb genome, and produced a draft assembly composed of 28,537 contigs with the N50 length of 333 kb. Genome completeness, estimated by BUSCO using the metazoa dataset, was 91%. Repetitive regions cover over 77% of the genome. A total of 43,519 protein-coding genes were predicted in the assembled genome, and 97.3% of these were functionally annotated from either sequence homology or protein signature searches. This first assembled and annotated genome sequence for a helicoid snail, a large group that includes edible species, agricultural pests, and parasite hosts, will be a core resource for identifying the loci that determine the shell polymorphism, as well as in a wide range of analyses in evolutionary and developmental biology, and snail biology in general.


The principle of double-step incremental generation of nonparametric curves on a discrete plane is used to develop a double-step algorithm for scan converting ellipses in sixteen separate segments. The algorithm iterates only half as many times as current algorithms, while each iteration demands the same number of operations or slightly fewer operations than M. Pitteway's (1967, 1985) algorithm (previously the fastest one). This marked gain in the speed of scan conversion is due to the fact that the middle pixel in a two-step increment is obtained without computation.<<ETX>>


Surveys are the traditional and most widely used research instrument for measuring democracy. It is often used to measure the progress and decline of freedom and democracy in political rights and civil liberties experienced by individuals. As the Internet has become one of the most important vehicles of communication, and websites one of the most popular channels for information dissemination, a question has often been asked: in what way, if any, does a website, especially its homepage, carry its country's cultural traits and represent its nation's democracy level? Evidently, web interface design reflects not only the linguistic aspects of a nation, but also its cultural characteristics, such as values, norms, and ethics. When we examine a country's cultural and social attributes represented on the web, one of the most important areas to consider is a country's democracy level, since power and authority create a special social structure for a society's culture. Hofstede (1980) defined five primary cultural dimensions for measuring cultural differences. Power distance became the first dimension. Subsequently, Marcus (2005) and Marcus and Gould (2000) extended Hofstede's cultural theory to web interface design by identifying online indicators for the five cultural dimensions. Power distance received seven cultural indicators. These seven indicators, as well as three others (Gould, Zakaria, & Yusof, 2000; Singh, Zhao, & Hu, 2003, 2005), were statistically analyzed and validated in Li's (2009) study. Li concluded that special title, monumental building, authority figure, symbol of nationalism or religion, link to information about the leaders of the organization, information arranged according to management hierarchy, and symmetric layout are valid indicators for measuring democracy on web interface design. However, how exactly can web interface design be measured to detect a nation's democracy level with these seven indicators? This article serves as an introduction to apply these seven indicators in examining democracy on web interface design. It introduces a new measuring instrument to assist in determining a nation's democracy level, so that democracy can be measured not only by traditional methods (surveys, case studies, questionnaires, interviews, and observations), but also through the study of web interface design. As a result, it extends cultural and political studies into the fields of human-computer interaction and user interface design.


The electronic markets hypothesis (EMH) in the information systems (IS) literature suggests that information technology (IT) will reduce coordination costs across firms, leading to market-based forms of economic activity. With the advent of the Internet, we have seen a move to unbiased electronic markets. However, in some industries electronic hierarchies or biased markets predominate, contrary to the predictions of the impacts of IT suggested by the EMH. We present a hybrid theory to explain how moves to unbiased markets are facilitated and accelerated by IT. This is based on electronic markets and hierarchies theory, and the theory of market design. We explore how different forces and situational factors can inhibit the move to advanced forms of market-based organization. Together, these theories offer valuable insights to understand which forces will predominate with respect to whether a vertical market will be transformed to a biased electronic market or an unbiased electronic market. We analyze mini-cases in the context of three business-to-business e-commerce settings: fixed income securities, the electric power industry, and corporate travel services. The industries we have selected exhibit different outcomes which illustrate the value of the new theory relative to predictions involving market structure transformations.


Wide availability of computing resources encourages archiving clinical data to a large extent, thus making difficult an effective and easy data retrieval approach. The solution the authors present is aimed at helping the physician in retrieving discriminant parameters for a particular subject, both for initial diagnosis and therapeutical control. Since the system has an active role in the process of decision making, the authors have called it Intelligent Data Retrieval System (IDR). It consists of an interactive front-end, carried out around four main features: handling the problem of dishomogeneous data, suggesting significant data through an heuristic approach and helping the user to apply dimension reduction procedures. Moreover the system allows a wide portability and the use of encryption algorithms as well. Portability and easy access to patient data has been further. Improved by implementing the system as an Intranet application.


This study quantifies discolouration on the surface of Pinus radiata boards during kiln drying, particularly kiln brown stain (KBS), and models it as a function of chemical compounds present in the wood closest to the surface. The discolouration was investigated with two experimental factors: drying time, which consisted in drying at 70/120 °C for 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours; and leaching, done at three levels, noleaching, mild and severe, to reduce the soluble compounds present in wood suspected of developing coloured compounds. The colour change was quantified using a reflectance photometer (colour system CIE Yxy, brightness) and by the analysis of digital photographs (colour system CIE Lab). The chemical analysis of the wood closest to the surface of the boards determined fructose, glucose, sucrose (HPLC), total sugar (sum of fructose, glucose and sucrose), total nitrogen (combustion gas analysis), and phenols discriminated by molecular weight (FolinCiocalteu method). In the cause-effect analysis, colour was the dependent variable, and drying time and the determinations of chemical compounds were independent variables. After statistical analysis (ANOVA and MANOVA) the dependent variables to be included in the models were luminance factor (Y), brightness (R457 and the blue-to-yellow scale of CIE Lab (b); and the independent variables were drying time, nitrogen, total sugar, and high-molecular-weight phenols. Linear (multivariate regression) and non-linear models (Neural Networks) showed that discolouration during kiln drying was best predicted when the luminance factor (Y) was used to quantify colour change as a function of the content of nitrogen-containing compounds and drying time. Furthermore, the data were fitted into an empirical model based on simple reaction kinetics that considered the rate of discolouration as a function of nitrogen concentration. The results suggest that nitrogen could act as a limiting reactant in Maillard-type reactions that produce colour during kiln drying.


Children are often referred for a medical opinion because they behave badly. Typically the child, more often a boy, is disobedient and quarrelsome, does badly at school, disrupts others and is inattentive during lessons. He has few, if any, friends, and is in trouble for stealing or truancy. His mother may complain that the child never settles to play for long and is generally restless. Such children, often from disturbed or rejecting homes, respond poorly to psychotherapy or behaviour therapy. In the U. S. A. many such children would be labelled 'hyperkinetic' and treated with stimulants. In the U. K. this diagnosis is much less common and drugs are used much less frequently. Thus what is known about the effectiveness, limitations and dangers of stimulants is mainly in a American context.1 2