Platform-switching reduces peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL), and the aim of this study was to compare the effect of platform-switching on stress within crestal bone using different implant-abutment mis-matches (0.65 and 1mm) under two different vertical loads (30 N vs 200 N) for implants placed in posterior jaw sites. 3-D modeling software was used for an implant of 4.5mm diameter and 13mm length. Molars were modeled using CT images of bone density in human maxilla (D3 bone) and mandible (D2 bone). Collected data were analyzed using CATIA software. In posterior mandible, stress of 30 N force with platform mis-matches of 0.65 or 1mm were 2.920 and 2.440 MPa respectively. Using 200 N force, values increased to 19.44 and 16.30 MPa. In posterior maxilla and 30 N force, stresses with mis-matches of 0.65 and 1mm were 3.77 and 3.18 MPa respectively increasing to 25.14 & 20.17 with 200 N force. The effect can be predicted to be greatest as the mis-match increases with implants placed into lower quality bone (posterior maxilla with D3 quality).


We demonstrate thermo-optic wavelength-tunable Er/sup 3+/TYb/sup 3+/ co-doped fiber amplifiers by using discrete in-line tunable short-pass tapered-fiber filters based on tunable material dispersion. The amplification can occur from 1460 nm to 1580 nm, covering both the S- and C- bands.


Background: The pathogenesis of hypercoagulability in COVID-19 patients is complex and not fully understood. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) is a viscoelastic method that allows the definition of a patient's hemostatic profile. This study aimed to assess the relationship between ROTEM® parameters, the profile of inflammatory cytokines, and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A total of 63 participants (n = 29 symptomatic non-ICU COVID-19 patients, and n = 34 healthy controls) were prospectively included in the study. We assessed the relationship between the parameters of three ROTEM® tests (NATEM®, EXTEM®, and FIBTEM®) and levels of CRP, interleukin-8, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 12p70, and clinical outcomes. Results: ROTEM® indicated hypercoagulability in COVID-19 patients in all the tests performed. The levels of all inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients. NATEM more frequently detected hypercoagulability in COVID-19 patients compared to EXTEM. The strongest correlations with inflammatory biomarkers and CT severity score were with FIBTEM parameters. The elevated maximum clot elasticity (MCE) in FIBTEM was the strongest predictor of poor outcomes. Conclusions: Increased FIBTEM MCE may be associated with greater severity of COVID-19. Non-activated ROTEM (NATEM test) seems to be more valuable for detecting hypercoagulability in COVID-19 patients compared to the tissue factor activated test (EXTEM).


To improve the performance of inner loop based on PD controller for an unmanned helicopter, neural networks are applied. The performance of PD controller designed on the response characteristics of error dynamics decreases because of uncertain nonlinearities of the system. The nonlinearities are decoupled to modified dynamic inversion model(MDIM) and are compensated by the neural networks. For the training of the neural networks, online weight adaptation laws which are derived from Lyapunov's direct method are used to guarantee the stability of the controller. The results of the improved performance of PD controller by neural networks are illustrated in the simulation of unmanned helicopter with nonlinearities.


The fracturing technology for shale gas reservoir is the key to the development of shale gas industrialization. It makes much sense to study the mechanical properties and deformation characteristics of shale, due to its close relationship with the fracability of shale gas reservoir. This paper took marine shale in the Changning area, southern Sichuan Basin of China as the research object. Based on field profile and hand specimen observation, we analyzed the development of natural fractures and collected samples from Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation. Combining with the indoor experiment, we investigated the macroscopic and microscopic structural features and the remarkable heterogeneity of shale samples. Then we illustrated the mechanics and deformation characteristics of shale, through uniaxial compression test and direct shear test. The shale has two types of fracture modes, which depend on the angular relation between loading direction and the bedding plane. Besides, the Wufeng shale has a higher value of brittleness index than the Longmaxi shale, which was calculated using two methods, mechanical parameters and mineral composition. Given the above results, we proposed a fracability evaluation model for shale gas reservoir using the analytic hierarchy process. Four influence factors, brittleness index, fracture toughness, natural fractures and cohesive force, are considered. Finally, under the control of normalized value and weight coefficient of each influence factor, the calculations results indicate that the fracability index of the Wufeng Formation is higher than that of the Longmaxi Formation in Changning area, southern Sichuan Basin.


Analysing 90 cases of different genital anomalies in phenotypic females a new pathogenetical classification is presented. The different anomalies are classified in 5 groups of disorders in the steps of genital development: gonadal determination, differentiation and development, genital ducts differentiation and development. Symptoms in reproductive age, diagnostic approach and therapeutic possibilities with particular attention to assisted reproduction are presented.


The VoicePrivacy initiative aims to promote the development of privacy preservation tools for speech technology by gathering a new community to define the tasks of interest and the evaluation methodology, and benchmarking solutions through a series of challenges. In this paper, we formulate the voice anonymization task selected for the VoicePrivacy 2020 Challenge and describe the datasets used for system development and evaluation. We also present the attack models and the associated objective and subjective evaluation metrics. We introduce two anonymization baselines and report objective evaluation results.


ABSTRACT
Cell wall preparations have been fractionated with hot formamide, lysozyme and lysozyme after pre-N- acetylation. Also trichloroacetic acid, cold or at 37° C, removes polysaccharides and teichoic acids. Dimethylhydrazine, or dilute alkali, also cause specific dissolution of some cell wall components. Isolation of purified specific polymers from the cell walls of bacteria grown in controlled conditions may provide valuable taxonomic information.


This study aimed to compare caries-like lesions produced aroung fluoride-containing amalgam and conventional amalgam fillings in vitro. Class V cavities were prepared in 90 extracted premolars, a fluoride-containing amalgam was inserted in 45 cavities (experimental group) and a conventional amalgam in 45 cavities (control group). After three months in an acidified gelatin solution, a longitudinal ground section passing through the cavity was prepared from each tooth. The sections were imbibed in water, quinoline and some in air before examination by polarized light microscopy. When imbibed in Canada balsam the sections were photographed and areas of demineralization in the enamel measured morphometrically. Some sections were studied by microradiography and electron microprobe analysis. Numerical scoring of the histological observations revealed significantly lower values for enamel and dentin cavity wall lesions in the experimental group, while the scores for the outer lesions were not statistically different between the two groups. The mean extension of enamel wall lesions was significantly lower in the experimental group, while no difference was observed in the outer lesions. A zone of increased mineralization in the enamel cavity walls was a frequent finding in the experimental group. This study has shown that fluoride-containing amalgam has an inhibitory effect on the development of experimental cavity wall lesions in vitro.


As fossil fuels become ever scarcer, the back-up systems for solar heating and cooling systems tend to employ electrical energy. This puts high peak demands on the electric utilities supplying solar heating customers, because the thermal storage of solar heating systems is likely to be empty during cold periods which coincide with the peak loads of winter peaking utilities. Oversizing thermal storage is shown not to be an efficient way of decreasing peak demands from solar heating backup systems. Solar cooling systems, on the other hand, are likely to be beneficial to electric utilities because, in general, sunny weather and periods of summer peaking utility load peaks are coincident. The thermal storage devices of solar systems can be used to reduce electric demand peaks by storing off-peak power. The use of separate storage devices for solar and off-peak electrical energy is shown to be desirable. However, the resultant increase in first cost must be weighed against cost reductions from lower peak demands.


My thesis focuses on the Noun Phrase in general, and which of its constituents is the head of the whole syntactic structure in particular. Since Bloomfield (1933), who analyzed this structure as a construct purely endocentric, that is, a structure that develops the same function as one of its constituents (which is considered the head of the structure), different analyses have been taken into account with the aim of clarifying the internal structure of the Noun Phrase. This structure began to be analyzed by Abney (1987), from the point of view of the Generative Grammar, in a completely different way form what has been done until that moment. Abney?s work follows the linguistic advances which appeared with Chomsky?s work (1986). One of the main ideas of the Generative Grammar is that functional categories are a central element in the study of syntax. Because of this importance, Abney?s analysis considers that the determiner is the head of the structure and the noun is the complement. This theory is known as the ?DP hypothesis. I began to study this syntactic structure with the aim o preparing a research work by means of which I may explain the internal characteristics of the Noun Phrase. From my point of view, this structure has a head, and this is the lexical element, that is, the noun, contrary to Abney (1987). Thus, my thesis aims to offer an analysis opposed to the one proposed by the Generative Grammar, ant the one more current nowadays. I will take into account the Cognitive Grammar developed by Langacker (1987, 1991) as the linguistic framework for the developing my thesis. I will also take into account appositive structures. The study of these structures resolves around centrality, which of the two structures is the main one, which structure complements the other (and if there is only one head). Usually, appositive structures comprise a proper name and a Noun Phrase made up of a determiner and a noun and its classic vision is that they are doubly endocentric. The main aim of my thesis is, as I said before, defending that the noun is the head of the Noun Phrase. I consider that the communicative relations between human beings should be analyzed within a communicative context which influences the knowledge of a language, its use and its formal structure. Thus, I will also take into account the relations that speakers and hearers establish with their context when they use language.


Spinal anaesthesia (SA) in paediatric patients was first introduced by August Bier in 1899. But this technique did not gain wide spread popularity in paediatric age group because of the introduction of various muscle relaxants and inhalational agents for general anaesthesia. SA in paediatric population has been gradually reintroduced as an alternate to general anaesthesia. The study was performed at the Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SA in paediatric age groups, compare the change in vital parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation during preoperative and intraoperative period, the complications of SA and time of demand for first rescue analgesia in postoperative ward. Sixty-seven patients aged between 3 years to 14 years of ASA I and ASA II were selected after screening for anaesthesia fitness. The duration of surgery ranged from 49.85 ± 11.55 to 56.30 ± 9.68 minutes and the blood loss was less than 10% of total blood volume, thus there was no need to transfuse during operation. The duration of analgesia ranged between 107.69 ± 7.25 to 115.00 ± 7.07 minutes in different age groups. Sixty patients (89.55%) achieved Bromage Scale Score (BSS) 3 with interpretation of complete block; seven patients (10.45 %) achieved Bromage Scale Score 2 (partial block) and were operated after supplemental intravenous sedation. None of the patients needed conversion to general anaesthesia. Successful CSF drain with placement of spinal needle in 1st attempt was achieved among 55 patients (82.1%) and in 2nd attempt among 12 patients (17.9%). No unsuccessful attempt was recorded. SA in children appears to be a relatively safe technique with few complications and may be considered as an alternative for general anaesthesia. It is cost effective in comparison to general anaesthesia as the drugs and equipment required are less and cheaper and the length of hospital stay is usually shorter.


The decentralized stochastic multi-player multi-armed bandit (MP-MAB) problem, where the collision information is not available to the players, is studied in this paper. Building on the seminal work of Boursier and Perchet (2019), we propose error correction synchronization involving communication (EC-SIC), whose regret is shown to approach that of the centralized stochastic MP-MAB with collision information. By recognizing that the communication phase without collision information corresponds to the Z-channel model in information theory, the proposed EC-SIC algorithm applies optimal error correction coding for the communication of reward statistics. A fixed message length, as opposed to the logarithmically growing one in Boursier and Perchet (2019), also plays a crucial role in controlling the communication loss. Experiments with practical Z-channel codes, such as repetition code, flip code and modified Hamming code, demonstrate the superiority of EC-SIC in both synthetic and real-world datasets.


This is an analysis and reconstruction of Laundy's table of quarter-squares, which is compared to the main other published tables of quarter-squares.


ABSTRACT This paper concerns the role of costly signalling in the ritual expressions of Middle Bronze Age human culture of Central Italy. A wide overview of the existing literature and the accurate examination of recent case studies enabled us to demonstrate that costly signalling is especially identifiable through the study of the ecofactual remains found in caves that are central ritual sites in Apennine protohistory. The dozens of perinatal domesticates from Grotta Mora Cavorso and the quintals of burnt seeds from Grotta di Pastena, had they not been considered in their burial and strongly ritual framework – which has been identified with certainty also thanks to these ecofacts – could have provided only a general and highly unreliable palaeoenvironmental and palaeoeconomic subsistence reconstruction. The same remains, analysed in a social perspective, have allowed us to recognize a complex set of symbolic practices and to clarify some possible features of the society that performed these rituals.


Several topics under the general title of the progress report were investigated during the time period from Oct. 1, 1979 to Sept. 31, 1980. Essentially five topics have been studied during this time period; three are essentially experimental investigations, and the other two are theoretical. The five topics include: (1) propagation of microwaves along a plasma column and harmonic generation of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves, (2) imploding tube experiment, (3) low frequency CW (Hz) rf (1MHz-10MHz) driven dc plasma current, (4) wave-particle interaction at cyclotron resonance, and (5) turbulent interaction between waves and charged particle. Topics 1-3 comprise the experimental investigations while the last two topics are theoretical in nature.


Interactions between polyphonic motets and monophonic trouvere song in the long thirteenth century have been characterised in a number of different ways. Mark Everist and Gael Saint-Cricq have focused on motets' use of textual and musical forms usually thought of as typical of song. Judith Peraino, on the other hand, has explored the influence of motets on a range of pieces found in manuscripts that mainly contain monophonic songs. This thesis re-examines motet-song interaction from first principles, taking as its basis the 22 cases in which a voice part of a polyphonic motet is also found as a monophonic song. The thesis's analysis of this corpus has two central themes: chronology and quotation. In addressing the first, it develops a music-analytical framework to address the compositional processes involved in these case studies, arguing that in some of them a monophonic song was converted into a motet voice, while in others a motet voice was extracted from its polyphonic context to make a song. It also emphasises, however, that chronology is often more complicated than these two neatly opposed categories imply, showing that different song and motet versions can relate to each other in ways that are dynamic, complex, and often hard to recover from the extant evidence. The conversion of song material for motets and vice versa is placed within a larger context of musical quotation and re-use in the thirteenth century, showing that many of these case studies play with the pre-existence of their song or motet material: some transfer their voice parts from one medium to another in a way that consciously foregrounds their previous incarnations, whereas others mask the pre-existence of the voice part by absorbing it into new textual and musical structures. The thesis closes with a consideration of the wider implications of the motet-song interaction it analyses. It examines the generic boundary between songs and motets and suggests a model of generic analysis that centres on the complexities of manuscript transmission. Finally, it considers the use of refrains within its corpus of motets and songs, demonstrating that these short passages of music and text are often quoted in ways similar to those analysed in motets and songs earlier in the thesis.


Proteins are the principal catalytic agents, structural elements, signal transmitters, transporters, and molecular machines in cells. Experimental determination of protein function is expensive in time and resources compared to computational methods. Hence, assigning proteins function, predicting protein binding patterns, and understanding protein regulation are important problems in functional genomics and key challenges in bioinformatics. This dissertation comprises of three studies. In the first two papers, we apply machine-learning methods to (1) identify misannotated sequences and (2) predict the binding patterns of proteins. The third paper is (3) a genome-wide analysis of G4-quadruplex sequences in the maize genome. The first two papers are based on two-stage classification methods. The first stage uses machine-learning approaches that combine composition-based and sequence-based features. We use either a decision trees (HDTree) or support vector machines (SVM) as second-stage classifiers and show that classification performance reaches or outperforms more computationally expensive approaches. For study (1) our method identified potential misannotated sequences within a well-characterized set of proteins in a popular bioinformatics database. We identified misannotated proteins and show the proteins have contradicting AmiGO and UniProt annotations. For study (2), we developed a three-phase approach: Phase I classifies whether a protein binds with another protein. Phase II determines whether a protein-binding protein is a hub. Phase III classifies hub proteins based on the number of binding sites and the number of concurrent binding partners. For study (3), we carried out a computational genome-wide screen to identify non-telomeric G4-quadruplex (G4Q) elements in maize to explore their potential role in gene regulation for flowering plants. Analysis of G4Q-containing genes uncovered a striking tendency for their enrichment in genes of networks and pathways associated with electron transport, sugar degradation, and hypoxia responsiveness. The maize G4Q elements may play a previously unrecognized role in coordinating global regulation of gene expression in response to hypoxia to control carbohydrate metabolism for anaerobic metabolism. We demonstrated that our three studies have the ability to predict and provide new insights in classifying misannotated proteins, understanding protein binding patterns, and identifying a potentially new model for gene regulation.


Phosphorylation of the myosin targeting subunit (MYPT1) of myosin light chain phosphatase plays an important role in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction, and several sites of phosphorylation by different protein Ser/Thr kinases have been identified. Furthermore, in some instances, phosphorylation at specific sites affects phosphorylation at neighboring sites, with functional consequences. Characterization of the complex phosphorylation of MYPT1 in tissue samples at rest and in response to contractile and relaxant stimuli is, therefore, challenging. We have exploited Phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE in combination with western blotting using antibodies to MYPT1 to separate multiple phosphorylated MYPT1 species and quantify MYPT1 phosphorylation stoichiometry using purified, full‐length recombinant MYPT1 phosphorylated by Rho‐associated coiled‐coil kinase (ROCK) and cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA). This approach confirmed that phosphorylation of MYPT1 by ROCK occurs at Thr697 and Thr855, PKA phosphorylates these two sites and the neighboring Ser696 and Ser854, and prior phosphorylation at Thr697 and Thr855 by ROCK precludes phosphorylation at Ser696 and Ser854 by PKA. Furthermore, phosphorylation at Thr697 and Thr855 by ROCK exposes two other sites of phosphorylation by PKA. Treatment of Triton‐skinned rat caudal arterial smooth muscle strips with the membrane‐impermeant phosphatase inhibitor microcystin, or of intact tissue with the membrane‐permeant calyculin A, induced slow, sustained contractions that correlated with phosphorylation of MYPT1 at 7 to ≥10 sites. Phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE thus provides a suitable and convenient method for analysis of the complex, multi‐site MYPT1 phosphorylation events involved in the regulation of myosin light chain phosphatase activity and smooth muscle contraction.


The choices of experimental design as well as of statistical analysis are of huge importance in field experiments. The efficiency of alpha lattice design and randomized complete block design (RCBD) were compared in maize trials conducted in 2010 at Bako Agricultural Research Centre (BARC), in Ethiopia on 45 treatments to assess the efficiency of each in minimizing experimental error, coefficient of variation and error mean square for yield variable. The coefficient of variations (CV) compared to be 12.6 % for alpha lattice design and 14.6 % for RCBD respectively. The value of relative efficiency 1.35 indicates that the use of alpha lattice design instead of RCBD increased experimental precision by 35 percent. The gain is considerable in terms of efficiency attained by using alpha lattice design which favors wider use of these designs under field conditions. Based on the results we conclude that alpha lattice designs are more efficient than RCBD. In order to increase the precision of agricultural field experiments researchers are advised to use alpha lattice designs for large number of treatments compared to RCBD.


Campeche Sound, located offshore of eastern Mexico on the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, is the most important petroliferous region in Mexico. Including the giant Upper Cretaceous Carbonate reservoir Cantarell and Ku-Zaap-Maloob oil fields, Campeche Sound production represents close to 80% of the national production of Mexico. At the beginning of Upper Cretaceous, a lowering in sea level, combined with preexisting high relief of the platform margin, is the likely cause of carbonate slope sedimentation in seen in the 3D seismic data volume where the reservoir rock consists mainly of facies of carbonate debris flows deposited on the Yucatan Slope alternating with pelagic deposits. The debris flows consist of heterogeneous carbonate clasts in a carbonate matrix. The formation is diagenetically altered through dolomitization, dissolution, and fracturing. Near the convergence of the North America, Caribbean, and Cocos plates, the study is structurally complex, with significant compression and strike-slip faulting during Late Oligocene to Miocene. The traps include east-west oriented anticlinal structures that are bounded by reverse and thrust faults. The stratigraphic and structural framework of the carbonate reservoirs was interpreted based on 3-D seismic and well data and used to create a 3-D grid for reservoir modeling. For this field, faults are a major control on secondary porosity distribution; therefore, an accurate and detailed fault interpretation is essential for porosity modeling. To enhance our structural interpretation, we applied edge-preserving, structure-oriented filter to the seismic survey, compute coherence, and then enhanced the faults using a modern Laplacian of a Gaussian filter, which also measured fault dip and azimuth. These 3D structural images were then integrated to generate a more precise 3-D model framework.


The isolated posterior midgut of the tobacco hornworm maintains a vigorous transepithelial K + transport from the hemolymphal side to the lumen side at a rate accurately measured by its short-circuit current. Previous studies using the K + channel blocker Ba 2+ suggested that partial inhibition of the short-circuit current by hemolymphal Ba 2+ was due to blockage of one of at least two parallel transbasal entry routes for K + into the intracellular transport pool. The present studies show that the local anesthetic lidocaine, at a concentration of 5 mmoll −1 on the hemolymphal side, partly inhibits net transepithelial K + transport. The inhibition is accompanied by hyperpolarization of the basal membrane and an increase in transbasal resistance, suggestive of a block of transbasal K + conductance. The effects of lidocaine and Ba 2+ are additive, suggesting that the inhibitors distinguish separate, parallel K + uptake processes.


A radiocarbon date (1-586, 12,000=450) has been obtained from wood beneath a mastodon (Mastodon americanus) in north-central Indiana. The sediment sequence includes 72 inches of marl at the base, overlain by 12 inches of sand, capped by 34 inches of peat. The peat is truncated at the top by fire and cultivation. Pollen spectra from the marl associated with the mastodon burial indicate a predominantly coniferous forest consisting of spruce (Picea), fir (Abies), birch (Betula), and ash (Fraxinus) with small amounts of oak (Quercus), Hickory (Carya), and elm (Ulmus) pollen. Field evidence and pollen data indicate that the animal died prior to the formation of the peat. Correlation of this sequence with other radiocarbon-dated pollen sequences indicates that the mastodon died prior to the replacement of spruce pollen by oak pollen approximately 10,500 years ago. Molluscan data support the inferences derived from the pollen analysis. A vertebra and the right lower jaw of a Mastodon americanus were uncovered in 1959 in the excavation of a drainage ditch on a farm five miles west of Rochester, Indiana (fig. 1). Cursory probing by Mr. James Wells, owner of the farm, and James Cope and James Thorp of Earlham College revealed more bones a few feet below the bottom of the ditch. About 25 persons, under the direction of James Cope and Gertrude Ward of Earlham's Joseph Moore Museum, assisted during the summer of 1960 in the recovery of most of the mastodon skeleton. A. M. Gooding assisted with the dig, studied the geological setting and stratigraphy, and collected samples for pollen, molluscan, and radiocarbon analysis. John O'Brien, an Earlham senior geology major, studied and prepared the molluscan data, and J. Gordon Ogden, III, with technical assistance by Barbara Spross, prepared and analyzed the pollen samples. A pollen diagram and discussion of the conditions of burial are included in this report. GEOLOGICAL SETTING The Wells Mastodon Site is located in a broad area of valley train and outwash deposits between the Maxinkuckee and Packerton Moraines of Cary age (fig. 2). Outwash sands around the mastodon site have been worked by the wind in places, and groups of low dune hills interrupt the otherwise flat topography of the area. The water table is high, natural drainage poor, and extensive areas are covered with peat (Carlisle muck soil; Rogers, 1956) which lap onto the dune hills. The peat is commonly underlain with marl of variable thickness. The sluggish Mud Creek drainage system (fig. 1), along one tributary of which the Wells mastodon site is located, probably originally connected a series of small lakes and ponds in the area. STRATIGRAPHY OF MASTODON SITE The drainage ditch in which the mastodon was exposed was cut initially to a Manuscript received February 16, 1964. THE OHIO JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 65(1): 1, January, 1965. ANSEL M. GOODING AND J. GORDON OGDEN, III Vol. 65 depth of about 5 ft to improve the Carlisle muck soil for agricultural use. Excavation for the skeleton extended across the drainage ditch, and a pit was opened which measured about 30 ft across and 8 ft deep (fig. 3). The following stratigraphic section on the south side of the pit was measured, described, and sampled for pollen and radiocarbon analysis: Unit Thickness Description 3 34 in. Peat—dense, black to brown. Upper few inches showed effects of burning of surface vegetation. 2 12 in. Sand—well-sorted quartz sand, probably largely windblown, containing numerous fine streaks of finely divided organic matter. 1 72 in. Marl—gray, consisting almost entirely of fragments of gastropod and pelecypod shells. An occasional piece of wood was encountered in this unit, but no concentration of plant remains. Radiocarbon-dated wood sample collected at 90 in. from surface (1-586,12,000 ±450). Bottom 28 in. determined by auger. Bottom of marl probably on till. Later extension of the pit to the north showed the same stratigraphy, although units varied slightly in thickness. INTERPRETATION OF FIELD DATA The Wells mastodon is exceptionally well preserved and few of the bones are broken or fragmented. Except for the left legs and the pelvis, which probably FIGURE 1. Location of the Wells Mastodon Site, near the center of the SE 14., Sec. 17, T.3ON. R.2E., in Fulton County, Indiana. 2 No. 1 POLLEN SEQUENCE FROM WELLS MASTODON SITE, INDIANA 3 lie deeper in the marl, most of the skeleton was recovered. None of the bones show rodent teeth marks or other evidence of surface exposure after death. All of the skeletal remains were found in marl (unit 1), mostly in a zone between 5 and 7 ft below the surface, although some bones extended vertically downward to greater depths. The skull, with the lower jaws and the right tusk in place, was overturned to the left about 130 degrees. Most of the rest of the bones were found approximately in their proper positions with respect to this orientation of the skull. Although, obviously, the marl sediment around the skeleton must have been disturbed by the animal in his death struggles, and by later oozing into skeletal cavities, the field evidence suggests that burial occurred before the completion of


ABSTRACT Nucleotide pool sanitizing enzymes Dut (dUTPase), RdgB (dITPase), and MutT (8-oxo-dGTPase) of Escherichia coli hydrolyze noncanonical DNA precursors to prevent incorporation of base analogs into DNA. Previous studies reported dramatic AT→CG mutagenesis in mutT mutants, suggesting a considerable density of 8-oxo-G in DNA that should cause frequent excision and chromosomal fragmentation, irreparable in the absence of RecBCD-catalyzed repair and similar to the lethality of dut recBC and rdgB recBC double mutants. In contrast, we found mutT recBC double mutants viable with no signs of chromosomal fragmentation. Overproduction of the MutM and MutY DNA glycosylases, both acting on DNA containing 8-oxo-G, still yields no lethality in mutT recBC double mutants. Plasmid DNA, extracted from mutT mutM double mutant cells and treated with MutM in vitro, shows no increased relaxation, indicating no additional 8-oxo-G modifications. Our ΔmutT allele elevates the AT→CG transversion rate 27,000-fold, consistent with published reports. However, the rate of AT→CG transversions in our mutT+ progenitor strain is some two orders of magnitude lower than in previous studies, which lowers the absolute rate of mutagenesis in ΔmutT derivatives, translating into less than four 8-oxo-G modifications per genome equivalent, which is too low to cause the expected effects. Introduction of various additional mutations in the ΔmutT strain or treatment with oxidative agents failed to increase the mutagenesis even twofold. We conclude that, in contrast to the previous studies, there is not enough 8-oxo-G in the DNA of mutT mutants to cause elevated excision repair that would trigger chromosomal fragmentation.


ABSTRACT Enthesitis is a key feature of several different rheumatic diseases. Its pathophysiology is only partially known due to the lack of access to human tissue and the shortage of reliable animal models for enthesitis. Here, we aimed to develop a model that mimics the effector phase of enthesitis and reliably leads to inflammation and new bone formation. Enthesitis was induced by local injection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals into the metatarsal entheses of wild-type (WT) or oxidative-burst-deficient (Ncf1**) mice. Quantitative variables of inflammation (edema, swelling) and vascularization (tissue perfusion) were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone-forming activity by [18F]-fluoride positron emission tomography (PET), and destruction of cortical bone and new bone formation by computed tomography (CT). Non-invasive imaging was validated by histochemical and histomorphometric analysis. While injection of MSU crystals into WT mice triggered transient mild enthesitis with no new bone formation, Ncf1** mice developed chronic enthesitis accompanied by massive enthesiophytes. In MRI, inflammation and blood flow in the entheses were chronically increased, while PET/CT showed osteoproliferation with enthesiophyte formation. Histochemical analyses showed chronic inflammation, increased vascularization, osteoclast differentiation and bone deposition in the affected entheseal sites. Herein we describe a fast and reliable effector model of chronic enthesitis, which is characterized by a combination of inflammation, vascularization and new bone formation. This model will help to disentangle the molecular pathways involved in the effector phase of enthesitis. Summary: The authors introduce a new and reliable enthesitis model triggered by innate immune cells and establish multimodal imaging for dynamically assessing inflammation, tissue perfusion and bone remodelling in vivo.


We study the geometry underlying the Wilson loop diagram approach to calculating scattering amplitudes in the gauge theory of Supersymmetric Yang Mills (SYM) $N=4$. By applying the tools developed to study total positivity in the real Grassmannian, we are able to systematically compute with all Wilson loop diagrams of a given size and find unexpected patterns and relationships between them. We focus on the smallest nontrivial multi-propagator case, consisting of 2 propagators on 6 vertices, and compute the positroid cells associated to each diagram and the homology of the subcomplex they generate in $\mathbb{G}_{\mathbb{R}, \geq 0}$. We also verify in this case the conjecture that the spurious singularities of the volume functional {\em do} all cancel on the codimension 1 boundaries of these cells.


This study systematically investigates the long-term prediction of online, real-time variable-bit-rate (VBR) video traffic, which is a key and complicated component of advanced predictive dynamic bandwidth control for future networks such as multimedia satellite networks. As per the time variation, non-linearity and long-range dependence in the VBR video traffic trace, a novel method of feature extraction based on multi-scale decomposition is proposed. After an analysis of the time-frequency distribution characteristics of the video trace, the wavelet packets that have the trait of arbitrary distinction and decomposition are selected. After space partition of wavelet packets, the best wavelet packet basis for feature extraction is picked. Based on the best basis, fast arbitrary multi-scale wavelet packet transform (WPT) can be done and each higher dimension wavelet coefficient matrix can be obtained. Then, wavelet coefficients prediction is done based on normalised least mean square error (NLMS) or least mean-support vector machine (LS-SVM) algorithm. The long-term prediction of the VBR video traffic is obtained through reverse wavelet transforms on the predicted wavelet coefficients. Numerical and simulation results are provided to validate the claims.


A plurality of digital-to television for receiving the encoded television program in response to the control signal, the desired from the plurality of digital data transmission channel digital-circuit for selecting a particular digital data transmission channel, including an encoded television program at least one transport channel of the containing and data transmission channels also including television program schedule data. In addition, the system user for inputting data-comprises a controller for generating a control signal in response to the above-described operational data entry circuit and a user-entered data. The controller responds to user-entered data to select a virtual channel from a plurality of virtual channels, each virtual channel is reprocessed assigned to a channel different from the plurality of digital data transmission channel, the television program schedule data includes a plurality each of the digital transmission channel, and defines the relation of each television program.


Background. This study is to systematically analyze the effects of hepatosteatosis on the response to antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatosteatosis. Methods. Systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Elsevier, and the Chinese BioMedical literature databases for relevant studies published until February 2016. Treatment outcomes were compared between patients with CHB plus concomitant hepatosteatosis and those without hepatosteatosis. Results. A total of 8 prospective cohort studies (399 patients with CHB plus hepatosteatosis and 688 patients with only CHB) were included. Biochemical and virological response at both 48 and 96 weeks were significantly lower in patients with CHB plus hepatosteatosis as compared to that in patients with only CHB. Subgroup analysis based on methods used for diagnosis of hepatosteatosis and treatment regimens showed that when hepatosteatosis was diagnosed on Doppler ultrasound and treated with nucleotide analogues, patients with CHB plus hepatosteatosis showed lower biochemical (62.7% versus 75.8%, P = 0.002) and virological response (66.2% versus 72.3%, P = 0.006) as compared to that in patients with CHB. Conclusion. Hepatosteatosis lowers the efficacy of antiviral treatment in patients with CHB, especially when hepatosteatosis was diagnosed on ultrasound findings and treated with nucleotide analogues.


The effect of fiber content on the fracture toughness of short glass fiber reinforced and rubber toughened nylon-6 has been investigated using the essential work of fracture (EWF) analysis under both quasi-static and impact rates of loading. Under quasi-static loading rate, matrix plastic deformation played a major role. Addition of 10 wt% of short glass fibers into a rubber toughened nylon-6 matrix improved the fracture toughness substantially. This is due to the synergistic effect that comes from matrix yielding and fiber related energy absorption such as fiber debonding, fiber pull-out and fiber fracture. With further increasing the glass fiber content, up to 20 and 30 wt%, even though plastic deformation could still take place on the fracture surfaces, the depth of the fracture process zones was much smaller when compared with the system with 10 wt% of glass fibers. The reduction in fracture process zone caused the reduction in fracture toughness. Under impact loading rate, the unreinforced blend still fractured in a ductile manner with gross yielding in the inner fracture process zone and the outer plastic zone. The unrein-forced blend therefore possesseed higher fracture toughness. For the fiber reinforced blends, the matrix fractured in brittle manner and so fracture toughness of the reinforced blends decreased dramatically. The impact fracture toughness increased slightly after incorporation of a higher weight percentage of glass fibers.


This paper shows that foreign aid has a signicant positive average effect on real per capita GPD growth if, and only if, the quantitatively large negative reverse causal effect of per capita GDP growth on foreign aid is adjusted for in the growth regression. Instrumental variables estimates yield that a 1 percentage point increase in GDP per capita growth decreased foreign aid by over 4 percent. Adjusting for this quantitatively large, negative reverse causal effect of economic growth on foreign aid yields that a 1 percent increase in foreign aid increased real per capita GDP growth by around 0.1 percentage points.


Fluorescence yields are one of the fundamental parameters in atomic physics and related areas. Despite the increase of experimental work in the last decade, to obtain values of $K$-shell fluorescence yields available data are scarce or outdated for many elements. The available theoretical results cannot fill the gap since quite often they are derived from semi-empirical calculations based on old models. This is the case of Ge that has many applications in science. In this work, we present the results of a collaboration between an experimental and a theoretical group to obtain the decay rates and fluorescence yields for Ge. The calculations were performed within the Dirac-Fock method, including relativistic and QED corrections, using a state-of-the-art approach. The experimental work was carried out at the SOLEIL synchrotron and the fluorescence yields were measured by two distinct methods: the reflection geometry method and the escape peak method. The results show a very good agreement between the experiment and theory (1.1%), well within the experimental uncertainty (2.4%).


Background and Objectives India has the highest annual number of maternal deaths of any country. As obstetric hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death in India, numerous efforts are under way to promote access to skilled attendance at birth and emergency obstetric care. Current initiatives also seek to increase access to active management of the third stage of labor for postpartum hemorrhage prevention, particularly through administration of an uterotonic after delivery. However, prior research suggests widespread inappropriate use of uterotonics at facilities and in communities–for example, without adequate monitoring or referral support for complications. This qualitative study aimed to document health providers' and community members' current knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding uterotonic use during labor and delivery in India's Karnataka state. Methods 140 in-depth interviews were conducted from June to August 2011 in Bagalkot and Hassan districts with physicians, nurses, recently delivered women, mothers-in-law, traditional birth attendants (dais), unlicensed village doctors, and chemists (pharmacists). Results Many respondents reported use of uterotonics, particularly oxytocin, for labor augmentation in both facility-based and home-based deliveries. The study also identified contextual factors that promote inappropriate uterotonic use, including high value placed on pain during labor; perceived pressure to provide or receive uterotonics early in labor and delivery, perhaps leading to administration of uterotonics despite awareness of risks; and lack of consistent and correct knowledge regarding safe storage, dosing, and administration of oxytocin. Conclusions These findings have significant implications for public health programs in a context of widespread and potentially increasing availability of uterotonics. Among other responses, efforts are needed to improve communication between community members and providers regarding uterotonic use during labor and delivery and to target training and other interventions to address identified gaps in knowledge and ensure that providers and pharmacists have up-to-date information regarding proper usage of uterotonic drugs.


We used single-walled carbon nanotubes chemically functionalized with polyethylene glycol (SWCNT-PEG) to assess the effects of this nanomaterial on astrocytic endocytosis and exocytosis. We observed that the SWCNT-PEG do not affect the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-evoked Ca2+ elevations in astrocytes but significantly reduce the Ca2+-dependent glutamate release. There was a significant decrease in the endocytic load of the recycling dye during constitutive and ATP-evoked recycling. Furthermore, SWCNT-PEG hampered ATP-evoked exocytotic release of the loaded recycling dye. Thus, by functionally obstructing evoked vesicular recycling, SWCNT-PEG reduced glutamate release from astrocytes via regulated exocytosis. These effects implicate SWCNT-PEG as a modulator of Ca2+-dependent exocytosis in astrocytes downstream of Ca2+, likely at the level of vesicle fusion with/pinching off the plasma membrane.


Summary Proven reserves of «traditional» oil are on a declining trend. Therefore, it is necessary for producing companies to consider hard-to-recover reserves as a resource base in the future. Currently, the term «hard-to-recover reserves» is not defined enough. Some categories of the hard-to-recover reserves may be deleted from this list due to the development of technology, making the production of hydrocarbons much easier. However, an exploration of subsurface using modern technology makes it possible to produce these hydrocarbon reserves. That was impossible previously. The examples are the production of Permian petroleum bitumen and the development of domanic formations.


Air quality models have been used in the past to predict the ambient air toxic concentration but CMAQ air toxics model, used in this thesis, is the first air quality model, which accounts the toxic chemical reactions in the ambient atmosphere. The main objective of this thesis was to analyze the distribution of air toxics emission in the Houston region, Texas using an emission processing tool and to determine the performance of the advanced air toxics model (CMAQ) used. Each year large amount of air toxics are emitted in the state of Texas, particularly in the Houston region. A study on the hourly distribution of major toxics species emitted in the region would help the emission reduction policy makers to focus on the counties and areas within the counties which emit large amount of toxics in the region. The Texas toxic inventory and the national emission inventory were used as the inventory input for this study. The inventory emissions were processed using an EPA developed emission processing tool and the output from the tool was used to analyze the distribution of toxic emissions in the region. The latest air toxic model developed by the EPA is exclusively developed for air toxic species. The model has a detailed mechanism for chemical speciation in the atmosphere and has the ability to process most of major air toxic species. The output from the processing tool was also used to study the performance of this latest third generation air toxics model. The model was used to predict the concentration of major air toxics species for the year 2000 and the predicted concentration was compare4 with the monitored values in the region. A detailed analysis on the performance of the model was made and a conclusion on the effectiveness of the model was drawn.


Abstract This study was carried out throughout 10 fishing seasons between 2002 and 2018 to monitor the population and stock variations of Engraulis encrasicolus (L., 1758) on the south-eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. Asymptotic length (L∞), growth constant (K) and growth performance indexes (φ) were calculated to be between 12.86 and 15.79 cm, 0.69 and 0.99, 2.10 and 2.29, respectively. Theoretical birth ages were determined to range between (to) −0.15 and −0.27, the maximum ages (tmax) ranged between 3.03 and 4.35, total mortality rates (Z) between 2.19 and 2.66, natural mortality rates (M) between 0.93 and 1.26, the fishing mortality rate (F) between 0.93 and 1.47, and the optimum fishing mortality rate (Fopt.) between 0.37 and 0.62. Fishing mortality rates (F) were estimated to be higher than the optimum fishing mortality rates (Fopt). Z/K ratios were determined to range between 1.91 and 3.43. Current exploitation rates (Ecurr.) were calculated to range between 0.42 and 0.62. The first recruit lengths (Lr) and first capture lengths (Lc50) were estimated to range between from 5.25–7.75 and from 7.66–8.74 cm, respectively. The first maturity lengths (Lm50) of E. encrasicolus ranged between 8.57 and 10.53 cm. The maximum sustainable exploitation levels (Emax) were determined to range between 0.72 and 0.83. These data indicate that if current levels of fishing pressure continue, anchovy stocks will collapse in the near future.


BACKGROUND
Critically ill surgical patients are often difficult to assess for complications because of their altered sensorium, multiple monitoring devices, and immobility. Surgeon-performed ultrasound may enhance the physical examination of these patients and provide for an early detection of select complications. We hypothesized that a focused thoracic ultrasound examination could reliably detect a pleural effusion and the results could be used in the decision matrix for patient care.

METHODS
Serial focused thoracic ultrasound examinations were performed by a surgeon and a medical student on critically ill patients. The medical student learned select facets of the physical examination and then demonstrated how ultrasound imaging could enhance these findings. Ultrasound images were recorded on hard copy and videotape, with the results available to the surgical intensive care unit and surgery teams. The images were reviewed and compared with the chest radiograph readings.

RESULTS
Forty-seven patients underwent 140 ultrasound examinations. There were 85 true-negative, 46 true-positive, 9 false-negative, and zero false-positive examination results, yielding an 83.6% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 94% accuracy. Of the 46 true-positive results, thoracentesis was performed or a thoracostomy tube was placed in 5 patients. Nine false-negative ultrasound examinations occurred in six patients, five of whom had their effusions detected on computed tomographic scans.

CONCLUSION
A focused thoracic ultrasound examination reliably detects pleural effusions in critically ill patients, and the results can be used successfully in the decision matrix for patient care.


IN view of its possible relation to the epidemiology of plague, a knowledge of the biology of the common rat-flea of England, Ceratophyllus fasciatus Bosc, is much to be desired, and therefore, at the request of Professor Niittall, the present investigation was undertaken. The observations recorded below are mainly the result of experimental work with fleas conducted in the Quick Laboratory, Cambridge; but before proceeding to a description of the experiments it is considered advisable to give a short summary of the life-cycle of the rat-flea.


Hydraulic wash columns are well suited for solid-liquid separation and ultrapurification in melt-suspension crystallization. For steady operation of a hydraulic wash column and proper purification, the length of the crystal bed and position of the wash front should stay within safe limits, which requires a well-defined control system. To understand the interactions between slurry properties, column dimensions, and process conditions, a dynamic model was developed. The model was validated with help of experiments in a pilot-plant wash column, fed from a continuous crystallizer. p-Xylene was used as the model compound. It satisfactorily predicted the trends in the length of the crystal bed and the wash front height, and the interactions in the wash column are largely understood. With the help of the model a feedback control system with two control loops was designed and simulated. For a wide range of crystal fractions (0.05 to 0.3 v/v) in the feed stream, both the length of the bed and the wash front were kept at the desired setpoint values, indicating the flexibility of a controlled wash column.


In a resonant dc/dc converter, the major part of the volume is filled by passive components. Moreover, all these components have to support all the power flow. On the one hand, this leads to losses in these components and their connections and on the other hand to an important cost of the converter. Concept of integrated passive component, called inductor-capacitor-transformer (L-C-T), is now well known [1],[3] ,[4] ,[6],[8], and this paper will present a new prototype which permits to integrate in an unique part an inductor, a capacitor and a transformer. Because it uses only one core with three windings, this component will reduce the volume of the passive part of the converter. By reducing the number of connections it will, also, have a positive effect on losses. After a presentation of L-C-T components, this paper describes a design of this device, using new windings disposition. The proposed structure permits to adjust separately L and C values. Then, to validate the approach, a characterization is carried out, leading to a new model, including dielectric, iron and copper losses.


Boron carbide has a leading role in high performance applications due to its excellent mechanical properties. This work assesses the possibility of using polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and boric acid (H\(_3\)B0\(_3\)) to synthesise boron carbide powder (B\(_4\)C) with a small amount of free carbon. The process steps involve:
• Mixing PVA and H\(_3\)B0\(_3\) in a dehydration condensation reaction to synthesise polyvinylborate (PVBO).
• PVBO is pyrolysed to carbonise the PVA and remove water from the boric acid to leave carbon and boron oxide.
• Pyrolysed sample is heat treated to synthesise boron carbide.

A combination ofFTIR, TGA, XRD, Raman Spectroscopy and SEM has been used to characterise the PVBO, pyrolysed product and final heat treated product. The optimum processing conditions found were to use a composition of 3.7 g PVA arid 1 g H\(_3\)B0\(_3\), and to pyrolyse at 600\(^o\) c for 2 hours at a heating rate of 10\(^o\) c min-\(^1\). The pyrolysed sample wassubsequently heat treated at 1400\(^o\) c for 5 hours at a heating rate of 10\(^o\) c min - \(^1\). This produced (B\(_4\)C) powder with a small amount of residual carbon. The results offer a potential low temperature and low cost alternative to the commercially produced (B\(_4\)C).


ABSTRACT Ultra-high-concentration PNP-contained wastewaters are produced sometimes due to the wide application of this nitrophenolic compound in the chemical industry. However, there is a lack of appropriate technologies to rapidly pretreat the ultra-high-concentration wastewater. Therefore, a new microwave-enhanced Fe/Cu bimetallic particles (MW-Fe/Cu) system was developed to rapidly remove ultra-high-concentration PNP. First, the priority of the determinative parameters was obtained by orthogonal experiment. Based on this result, the effects of initial pH, microwave power, Fe/Cu dosage and initial PNP concentration on PNP removal were optimized thoroughly. Under the optimal conditions (i.e. initial pH = 1.0, MW power = 385 W, Fe/Cu dosage = 30 g/L and initial PNP concentration = 4000 mg/L), four control treatment systems (i.e. MW-Fe0, heating-Fe/Cu, MW alone and Fe/Cu alone system) were set up to compare with the MW-Fe/Cu system. The results suggest that high PNP removal (more than 99% with 2.5 min, k1/k2 = 1.18/6.91 min−1) and COD removal (26.6% with 5 min treatment) could be obtained by the MW-Fe/Cu system, which were much superior to those obtained using the MW-Fe0 (k1/k2 = 0.62/2.21 min−1) and the heating-Fe/Cu system (k1/k2 = 0.53/1.52 min−1). Finally, the determination of the intermediates of PNP degradation by HPLC indicated that the MW assistance process did not change the degradation pathway of PNP. This concludes that the new MW-Fe/Cu system was the promising technology for pretreatment of wastewater containing ultra-high-concentration toxic and refractory pollutants at a fairly short treatment time.


About 11 P.M., on July 30th, 1892, J. G., a labourer, aged 46. was kicked in the lower part of the abdomen. He was for the moment apmewhat stunned, but almost immediately was able to get into grips with his assaflant, throwing him down and falling above him. He made little complaint for about twenty minutes, when he began to feel pain in the abdomen. He sat down, bending forwards with his hands pressed on the injuredpart, and said to his wife that he was "done for." About an hour afterwards he became sick and vomited, while the pain became intense, and spread over the whole abdomen. His wife poulticed him during the night, and next day called in Dr. C. S. Young, who saw him sixteen hours after he had been assaulted. He found him lying in bed, with his shoulders raised-and his knees drawn up. He had a pinched and anxious look; his pulse was rapid but notthready; the whole of the abdominal cavity was greatly distended and tympanitic, and very tender on palpation; there was no swelling or bruising of the penis or scrotum. About midnight, however, twenty-four hours after the assault, his wife noticed some swelling of his genitals. At 9.30 A.M. next day he insisted on getting out of bed to make water, and, with the assistance of his wife, he managed to walk to the kitchen sink for that purpose. He did not pass any water, but his wife noticed that the swelling of the scrotum and penis had increased enormously. While being assisted back to bed he fell down on 'the floor and died, thirty-five hours after the injury. I was asked by the Procurator Fiscal to make a post-mortem examination ,of the body, and did so along with Dr. Young thirty-four hours after death. We found no marks of bruising on the abdomen or any other part -of the body. There were several large bullae filled with bloody serum on both sides of the abdomen, probably the result of the poulticing, but the abdominal wall showed no discoloration from putrefactive changes. 'The scrotum and penis were enormously enlarged, being three or four times their normal size, from emphysema of the cellular tissue. The same condition was also present over the upper part of both thighs, the front of the abdomen and chest, the neck and face, the shoulders, and supper part of both arms. There was no bruising of the muscles of the abdominal wall or rupture of the parietal peritoneum. The whole of the peritoneum covering the intestines was much Injected, and covered with flakes of soft recent lymph. The edges of the convolutions of the intestine were glued together. The abdominal cavity contained about 12 ounces of a thick grumous fluid, with a slightly fiscal odour. Three inches from the ileo-cecal valve on the free border of the ileum was a rupture, half an inch in length, horizontal in direction, with its edges everted and the mucous coat protruding. There was some ecchymosis of the serous cbat for about an inch on either side of this. The stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and part of the ileum were distended, and the rest of the intestine was collapsed. There weresome'solid fwces in the descending colon and rectum; the bowel was otherwise quite normal. The bladder contained 2 or 3 ounces of urine. The left Internal abdominal ring was patent ; the opening leading into the sac of an inguinal hernia, which admitted the whole of the index finger; the sac was, however, empty. The rest of the body was normal.


Long-range surface exciton–polaritons are optically excited on thin chromium films deposited on quartz glass substrates and covered by a matching fluid. Both prism coupling and grating coupling are examined at a wavelength of 1.52 μm. Comparing the results obtained for prism coupling with predictions from Fresnel theory confirms that the dielectric constant of chromium at this wavelength is excitonic in character. In the case of prism coupling the influence of both the chromium thickness and the matching fluid thickness on coupling strength is examined. For grating coupling the influence of grating groove depth is examined as well as the influence of changing the refractive index of the covering fluid, which alters the asymmetry of this coupled-surface-mode system. All the results confirm the fundamental proposition that a thin layer that has a dielectric constant with a large imaginary component is capable of supporting an extremely long-range coupled-surface mode.


This paper reports the use of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) in the direct Fourier transform method (DFM) in Computerized Tomography (CT) reconstruction. Phase corrections are needed in the CT reconstruction. In order to eliminate the image distortion from the basic DFM, Padding and band-pass filters are used in the improved DFM. Finally, some reconstructions from simulated projections and several experimental results are given.


LPG gas leak detection and safety ATmega16 Microcontroller-based  is using TGS 2610 sensor is used to detect leakage of LPG gas. This appliance is equipped with a buzzer and LCD as indicator in case of leakage, servo motor serves to close the valve on the gas hose and fan will blow the gas out of the room. Sensor on this tool can detect a leak of gas in 2,5 second which placed 3 cm from source of the leak. This sensor works with 1,9 volt output voltage, the greater concentration of the gas that comes out, greater the output voltage of the sensor. this tool work according to the designed parameters of each component in the circuit. To get a better setting, servo motor speed needs to be considered based on the volume of gas that comes out. Keywords : Atmega 16 Microcontroller, Sensor TGS 2610, LCD, Buzzer, 12 volt DC Fan and Servo Motors


Marbling, defined by the amount and the distribution of intramuscular fat and measured as beef marbling score (BMS), is an economically important trait of beef cattle in Japan. We recently reported that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), namely, c.-312A > G, in the endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G-proteincoupled receptor, 1 (EDG1) gene was associated with the BMS level in the Japanese Black beef cattle population of Oita prefecture, with the G allele being associated with a high level of the BMS. Thus, the c.-312A > G SNP seems to be a candidate marker for marker-assisted selection. In this study, we investigated whether this association could be replicated in the Japanese Black beef cattle population of Niigata prefecture and analyzed the effect of the SNP genotypes on the carcass traits other than the BMS. No significant differences in the BMS level were detected among the genotypes of the c.-312A > G SNP in the Niigata Japanese Black beef cattle population. The SNP genotype had no significant effects on the carcass weight, rib eye area and rib thickness of the cattle population. These findings suggested that the association of the c.-312A > G SNP with the BMS level in the Japanese Black beef cattle population was not replicated in the Niigata population, and revealed no effects of the SNP genotype on the beef productivity in the Niigata population. Thus, we concluded that the c.-312A > G SNP is not useful for effective marker-assisted selection to increase meat quality and, additionally, meat productivity in Japanese Black beef cattle of Niigata prefecture.


This paper aims at reflecting upon Michel de Certeau's relationship with education. Even though the issue is marginal to his other fields of interest, such as history, religion and culture, the challenges he presents are inspiring for educators at varying levels and from different fields of knowledge. Certeau's thought moving power is the movement towards other ones, fostered by ethical and epistemological demands; a movement which opens itself to the possibility that each encounter may reveal something new. The movement is born from the refusal of literal meanings or existing hierarchies, without falling into irresponsible relativism which denies his own memory. With Certeau we learn to see schools or universities as places of crossing paths, bricolage and operations which escape from established references.


Adolescent stress is an emerging area of importance. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) for anger in stressed male adolescents. A random sample of 252 subjects was recruited. Increased Anger-Out scores were found in 81 of them on entry to the study. PMR was employed for 8 weeks for a randomly selected group of 40 of the 81, while the other 41 formed the control group. The salivary cortisol concentration, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), and Health Survey (SF-36) were used in the study. Initial examination revealed raised salivary cortisol levels on awakening, increased scores on most of the STAXI scales and relatively low T-values on the SF-36 scales, which describe physical health. At the highest morning salivary cortisol concentration (p < 0.01), the State-Anger, Trait-Anger, Anger-Out and Anger-Control scales of the STAXI (all p < 0.01), as well as those for the vitality (VITA), social functioning (SOFU), role-emotional (ROEM), and mental health (PSYC), (all p < 0.01) scales of SF-36, showed significant change. PMR appears to be effective in the treatment of aggression in stressed male adolescents and improvement in health-related quality of life may be expected. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Introduction Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third most common cause of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury 1 and is associated with increased incidence of requiring dialysis, and with increased mortality. This is particularly the case in those with pre-existing renal impairment or other co-morbidities, such as diabetes or heart failure. Computed tomography of the chest with IV contrast is now an integral part in the diagnosis and staging of patients with lung cancer. In an effort to reduce time to diagnosis, contrast studies are routinely performed early, often prior to first review in secondary care. As a result, this population may have inadequate assessment of CIN risk. To investigate this further we carried out a retrospective analysis of the monitoring of the renal function of patients with lung cancer who underwent a CT chest with contrast at a London teaching hospital. Methods A consecutive series of 100 patients diagnosed between November 2011 and January 2012 was identified using the local lung cancer registry. We examined how frequently renal function was monitored in relation to the patients' CT chest scans. Whether this was clinically adequate was decided with reference to recommendations from the Royal College of Radiologists. Results Of 30 CKD patients, 14 (47%) had appropriate pre-contrast bloods. Of patients identified as having diabetes (n=10), 50% had appropriate pre-contrast bloods. Of 29 patients admitted acutely, 28 (97%) had appropriate pre-contrast bloods. Of the 37 remaining patients, outpatients with normal renal function, 26 (70%) had appropriate pre-contrast bloods. Abstract P66 Figure 1 Conclusions This study demonstrated that almost all inpatients undergoing CT chest with IV contrast had appropriate monitoring of their renal function. However, this was true of a significantly lower proportion of outpatients. Perhaps of most concern was that approximately half of those patients at the highest risk of developing contrast-induced nephropathy were monitored appropriately. We suggest that earlier CT scanning, in the interests of expediting diagnosis and treatment, could be exposing more patients to increased risk of harm associated with administration of IV contrast. References Hou SH et al. Hospital-acquired renal insufficiency: a prospective study. Am J Med. 1983; 74243–8.


Classifying universities is regarded as an efficient strategy for developing institution-based policy for different types of universities. In Turkey, there is no widely accepted classification or official classification of universities for researchers and policy makers. Regarding this need, the first purpose of this study is to classify universities in Turkey on the basis of institutional size and performance. Since the focus of the study is institutional size and performance, researchers approach the subject from the perspectives of management and organization. Universities were classified using hierarchical cluster analysis. All state and foundation universities were included in the study. The data sources were statistics of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE), ranking lists, University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), Ranking of the Entrepreneurial and Innovative University Index (TUBITAK), strategic plans and annual reports of higher education institutions, and related data on research and publications. Universities were clustured on the basis of objective data not predetermined criteria. The main variables for cluster analysis were quantitative measures, ranking scores, and measures of the quality of teaching and research for each university. The results of the cluster analysis showed that clustering universities by institutional size and performance as two separate variables provided better results. The scale and tenure of universities differentiated them in terms of institutional size and performance variables. Universities founded in the same years were divided into two clusters, mainly according to the size of their vocational schools. It was also found that when publication performance was expressed, those universities that were small/medium sized, focused, and long tenured were separate from other universities.


Mobile applications are becoming complex software systems that must be developed quickly and evolve regularly to fit new user requirements and execution contexts. However, addressing these constraints may result in poor design choices, known as antipatterns, which may degrade software quality and performance. Thus, the automatic detection of antipatterns is an important activity that eases the future maintenance and evolution tasks. Moreover, it helps developers to refactor their applications and thus, to improve their quality. While antipatterns are well-known in object-oriented applications, their study in mobile applications is still in their infancy. In this paper, we presents a tooled approach, called Paprika, to analyze Android applications and to detect object-oriented and Android-specific antipatterns from binaries of applications.


The processes of attachment and detachment of small or medium-sized particles to relatively large bubbles during microflotation are considered in terms of the heterocoagulation theory. Calculations are made for the conditions that the surface potentials are of similar sign and constant, that one of the surface potentials is small, that hydrophobic attraction is absent, and that there are no surface deformations. Under these conditions bubble-particle aggregates may form as a result of an electrostatic attraction which exceeds the repulsive van der Waals force at intermediate distances. Next to electrostatic and van der Waals forces, hydrodynamic and gravitational forces are considered. These forces may overcome the electrostatic repulsion at large distances and promote particle bubble attachment. Strong electrostatic attraction at small distances, arising at a large difference of the surface potentials of the bubble and the particle and of low electrolyte concentrations, can prevent subsequent detachment by hydrodynamic and gravitational forces. With increasing electrolyte concentration the electrostatic barrier increases and the attractive electrostatic force diminishes. As a result, a critical electrolyte concentration for microflotation exists. Above this concentration attachment may still occur but it is followed by detachment. At lower electrolyte concentrations the electrostatic attractive force prevents the detachment. The dependence of the critical electrolyte concentration on the values of the bubble and particle potentials and the Hamaker constant is calculated. The critical concentration does not depend on particle or bubble size if the absolute values of the total detachment force and the total pressing force coincide, which is the case for Stokes and potential flow. For every electrolyte concentration lower than the critical value there are two critical particle sizes that limit the flotation possibility. For small particle sizes attachment is impossible because the pressing force is smaller than the electrostatic barrier. For large particle sizes detachment cannot be prevented because the detachment force exceeds the maximum electrostatic attraction. A microflotation domain of intermediate particle sizes exists in which irreversible heterocoagulation occurs. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.


OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of contractual medical association on inpatient service performance.

METHODS
The data came from "Database of Inpatient Record" administered by Department of Medical Insurance. Using diagnosis related groups (DRG) as the tool of risk-adjustment, the third-tier general hospitals and second-tier general hospitals in medical alliance as the intervention group, and the average level of the same grade local hospitals as the control group, the influence of medical alliance on inpatient service performance was evaluated. The difference in difference (DID) method was used for the data analysis. The assessing indicators included the number of DRG group, case mix index (CMI), the total weight, cost efficiency index and time efficiency index.

RESULTS
After the establishment of medical association, compared with the average level of the same grade local hospitals, in the third-tier general hospitals of medical alliance, the growth rate of the total weight had declined, and cost efficiency index had increased, while in the second-tier general hospitals of medical alliance, the CMI value had declined, and the cost efficiency index had increased.

CONCLUSION
Contractual medical association played a role of triage patients, and improved the service levels and management efficiency of the second-tier general hospitals.


Kin discrimination has often been investigated in the context of cannibalism, where differential treatment of kin may entail inclusive fitness benefits if closely related conspecifics are spared during foraging. Competition between related individuals can greatly modify the fitness benefits of such behaviour, but its effect has rarely been tested. In this study, we investigated how two competition-related parameters, that is, the actor's relatedness to the competitors of the recipient individual (rxe) and the general decrease in fitness among these competitors originating from the altruistic act (d) influence egg-cannibalism in smooth newts, a facultatively cannibalistic species. We found that only 29% of the observed 31 females performed cannibalistic attempts after fasting, when kin and non-kin eggs were offered for consumption. These individuals attacked their own eggs less frequently than other conspecific eggs when kin ratio among the offered eggs (parameter rxe) was low, but showed no discrimination when the ratio of kin was high. On the other hand, the total number of eggs (as a proxy for parameter d) did not affect the females' kin discriminative behaviour significantly. These results provide the first evidence for kin discrimination during egg-cannibalism in the smooth newt, and support the significance of kin competition for the evolution of altruism.


The condition of the host at the moment of infection is that its immune competence largely determines the efficiency, kinetics, and profile (Thl/Th2) of a further specific immunity response and, accordingly, the outcome of penetration of hepatitis C virus (HCV) into the body and subsequent acute infection (if it occurs). The parameters determining immune competence may include age, traumatizing exposures (operations, burns, wounds, and fractures), immunosuppressive therapy, stresses, con-infections, and alcohol use. The highest rates of spontaneous convalescence from HCV infection are observed in children and adolescents. Other human conditions are much shorter, transient; their impact is difficult to determine in the retrospective review and therefore it has not been adequately studied. Previous operations, posttransplantation immune suppression, immune modulation after blood transfusion, alcohol-induced immune imbalance, drug and narcotic intoxication are poor predictors. Immunosuppression and immune imbalance caused by viral and parasitic infections are observed among the host's temporary conditions affecting the outcome of HCV infection. The authors have analyzed the sequels of superinfections in patients with chronic hepatitis C, other hepatotropic viruses and the common liver fluke Schistosoma mansoni. The interesting therapeutic activities against HCV and parasitic infection (contamination with Echinococcus granulosus in particular), which are shown in the treatment of co-infection patients with alpha-interferon preparations that ensure normalization of immune deficiency caused by each of the infections and their increased combination. A deeper insight into the correlation between the condition of the host and its ability to eliminate the virus may be one more step on the road to the prevention of the infection and to the designing an effective vaccine against HCV.


Forest insurance exists for more than a century in lots of countries around the world. Currently, it is put forward as a recommended tool to finance resilience and adaptation towards climate change. However, little synthetic knowledge exists on forest insurance, although this seems to be a prerequisite for using insurance as an adaptation tool. This article aims at providing an overview of the current economics literature on the topic of forest insurance. More precisely, the objectives of this study are to carry out a review of the literature on this topic, to produce a bibliometric overview of knowledge on this issue, and thus to highlight scientific fronts. For that purpose, we propose a literature review. We collected 38 articles published in English between 1928 and 2021. We provide the following bibliometric information: journals, evolution over time of the publications, authors and co-citations network and analysis of the keywords. We also propose to synthesize the methods used, the various issues of interest, the risks considered and the countries where the studies were conducted. We show that an article on forest insurance has a high probability of being recent (after 2000) and of being published in the journal Forest Policy and Economics. In addition, it is highly probable that it will identify some determinants of insurance demand and that it will deal with fire risk in the U.S. or storm risk in Europe. Noting a small scientific community and a low number of publications, we identified seven fronts of science related to methods and data, new risks and uncertainties, public policies and forest insurance, and openness and the international dimension.


Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 are emerging and effective immunotherapy strategies. However, ICI treated patients present heterogeneous responses and adverse events, thus demanding effective ways to assess benefit over risk before treatment. Here, by integrating pan-cancer clinical and molecular data, we tried to predict immune-related adverse events (irAEs, risk) and objective response rates (ORRs, benefit) based on enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) expression among patients receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. We built two effective regression models, explaining 71% variance (R=0.84) of irAEs with three eRNAs and 79% (R=0.89) of ORRs with five eRNAs. Interestingly, target genes of irAE-related enhancers, including upstream regulators of MYC, were involved in metabolism, inflammation, and immune activation, while ORR-related enhancers target PAK2 and DLG1 which directly participate in T cell activation. Our study provides references for the identification of immunotherapy-related biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets during immunotherapy.


Abstract Jurassic shallow marine to non-marine depositional sequences are among the most important economic targets in the North Sea. Detailed, 'high resolution' stratigraphy of these sequences has become a necessity in both predictive geological exploration models as well as in production reservoir models. In these paralic sequences, palynomorphs are the most abundant (micro) fossil group. Palynology is increasingly challenged to improve the biostratigraphic control, and to support the sequence stratigraphical framework. Based on a recently developed, conceptual Sporomorph EcoGroup model, the quantitative distribution patterns of terrestrial palynomorphs are grouped in six Sporomorph EcoGroups (SEGs), viz. Upland, Lowland, River, Pioneer, Coastal, and Tidally-influenced SEG. Application of the SEG model to data from a marginal marine, uppermost Callovian - Middle Oxfordian section of NAM well F17-4 from the southern part of the Central North Sea Graben allows the recognition of sea-level fluctuations and climate changes. A marked palaeoclimatic shift occurred in the earliest Middle Oxfordian. The relatively cool-subtropical, humid climate changed into a warmer, subtropical-tropical, drier climate. The sea-level reconstructions based on the SEG model are validated against a latest Callovian - Earliest Oxfordian depositional sequence.


Illegal logging is a major problem in the forestry sector, and legislation to combat it has recently been introduced in both the United States and the European Union (EU) – two of the world's largest importers of timber. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the timber industry have urged governments to use trade incentives to control illegalities, and this has been instrumental in the development of these laws. The Lacey Act, an American conservation law revised in 2008 to include illegal timber, requires businesses to demonstrate that their purchasing policies and mechanisms effectively avoid sourcing timber from illegal sources. Because tackling the problem depends on cooperation between importing and exporting countries, the EU has been working since 2002 on a comprehensive plan to control illegal timber imports: the EU Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). This Action Plan has led to new legislation to control illegal timber imports and help timber-producing countries to improve forest governance. It is hoped that in this way FLEGT will also contribute to keeping forests standing, thereby mitigating climate change. However, it is feared that World Bank and United Nations initiatives on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) may undermine the FLEGT initiative if they do not recognize the need to begin with forest governance reforms.


The concentrations of lactoperoxidase (LP) and thiocyanate (SCN-) in the mammary secretions of 4 dairy cows in the early dry period were similar to or higher than concentrations in the milk before drying off. The concentrations of free cystine progressively increased in the secretions beginning 3 to 5 days after the last milking; the mean concentrations were 0.66 mumoles/L before drying off and 6.66 mumoles/L after drying off. The mean concentrations of free cysteine were 0.28 mumoles/L before drying off and 1.4 mumoles/L after drying off. The secretions, when diluted in steamed milk, showed greater stimulation of Streptococcus agalactiae growth as the drying-off period progressed. This increase in stimulatory activity was attributed primarily to the increased concentrations of cystine because cystine counteracts the LP/SCN-/hydrogen peroxide inhibitory system for S agalactiae. This effect on the LP system may account for any increase in susceptibility to S agalactiae under infection during the dry period. In 3 other cows, the mammary secretions on the day of calving had lower mean concentrations of LP, SCN-, and free cystine and cysteine than those obtained 4 to 5 days before, and 7 to 8 days after calving.


Nineteen cases of exostoses located on part of the pes anserinus were studied clinically and histologically. All lesions were resected during surgery between 1965 and 1985. In these 19 cases, 14 had involvement of the tibia only at the insertion of the pes anserinus. Five had multiple exostoses with pes anserinus involvement. All exostoses occurring only in pes anserinus showed an icicle appearance in roentgenography and had no detectable cartilage cap. On the other hand, exostoses in patients with multiple exostoses (osteochondromas) showed varying appearances in roentgenography and had cartilage caps on their surfaces. Exostoses occurring only in the pes anserinus may or may not be osteochondromata and could be classified as pes anserinus bony spurs.


An extended registration framework is presented to accurately register follow-up PET-CT study triples. Since there are six images to register, sophisticated feature extraction and similarity measurement methods are proposed. An irregular sampling method is introduced to decrease the processing speed of the hextuple registration. The similarity measurement is based on a normalized hybrid extended SSD (Sum of Squared Differences) and and extended NMI (Normalized mutual Information). The method has been tested on a huge amount of simulated data to avoid observer specific results. Based on the validation, our method outperforms prior solutions in both speed and accuracy, hence it should be the subject of further investigations.


Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents. A current area of interest is the association between ADHD and food consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the food consumption and dietary patterns of children with and without ADHD in relation to their age and ADHD presentation. The study involved 259 preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years old (57 with ADHD and 202 controls) and 475 elementary-school-age children, aged 10 to 12 years old (213 with ADHD and 262 controls) from Spain. ADHD was diagnosed in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) from Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children interviews. Eating data were collected using a food consumption frequency questionnaire, and principal component analysis was carried out to analyze dietary patterns. Western-like, sweet, and healthy patterns were identified. The ADHD group was negatively associated with the healthy pattern (p < 0.001) and positively associated with the Western-like diet (p = 0.004). Children with inattentive presentation showed lower adherence (12.2%) to a healthy pattern than that of the control group (39.9%) (p < 0.001). There is an association between ADHD and dietary habits; children with inattentive presentation may particularly be at risk of unhealthy eating habits.


Human cloned CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes permeabilized with alpha-toxin of Staphylococcus aureus can be triggered by the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) analogue GTP gamma S to release the contents of their granula by exocytosis. To localize the guanosine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) activated by GTP gamma S in the sequence of events after T-lymphocyte triggering we have used several inhibitors of T-cell activation that inhibit early stages in T-cell triggering. The protein kinase C-inhibitor staurosporine, the immunosuppressants cyclosporin A and FK-506 and genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, all inhibited esterase release triggered in intact cells by anti-T-cell receptor antibodies but not GTP gamma S-induced release from permeabilized cells. Cyclosporin A, FK-506 and genistein also blocked exocytosis triggered in intact cells by a combination of phorbolester and the calcium ionophore A23187. In addition, cytochalasin B, an inhibitor of actin polymerization, inhibited exocytosis in intact cells but enhanced exocytosis from permeabilized cells. These data show that the G-protein effecting exocytosis is localized distally in the cascade of events after T-cell activation.


Musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) has been refined by improved examination techniques and higher frequency transducer technology. Sonography is the modality of choice in the screening of tendon disorders. The accuracy in diagnosing tendon lesions has improved with better understanding of the sonographic anatomy and the pathophysiology of tendons. The sonographic appearance of tears, tendon dislocations, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, insertion tendinopathy, ganglion cysts, and bursitis is described. Normal variants that mimic tendon disease are shown. The tendons of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, knee, ankle, and foot are considered.


Abstract Resource managers realize the potential of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) operations for detecting, monitoring, mapping, and modeling distributions of invasive plants. However, to make wise decisions, imagery must be evaluated in terms of geometric fidelity, spatial resolution, spectral resolution, area coverage, and cost. These data characteristics are discussed relative to mapping vegetation distributions and detecting exotic plants. Examples are drawn from projects conducted during the past 20 yr by the Department of Geography's Center for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science at the University of Georgia using remotely sensed data, GIS, and Global Positioning System techniques to produce detailed vegetation maps and databases for study areas in the southeastern United States. Many of these projects include a component of invasive plant detection and distribution mapping for monitoring spread and effectiveness of control. Additional index words: Hyperspectral image data, national parks, natural resource management, photo interpretation, satellite imagery. Abbreviations: ASTER, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Relection Radiometer; AVHRR, Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer; AVIRIS, Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer; CIR, color infrared; DMC, Digital Modular Camera; GIS, geographic information system; GPS, Global Positioning System; GR, ground resolution; LIDAR, light detection and ranging; lprs/mm, line pairs per millimeter; MODIS, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer; PAN, panchromatic; SPOT, System Probatoire d'Observation de la Terre; USGS, United States Geological Survey; XS, multispectral.


One of the major issues concerning all the web application is security of data and proving authority of database. In this paper we present a robust technique of embedding watermark in a relational database with non numeric attributes. In the proposed technique, an attribute is selected using a pseudorandom generator and the watermark is embedded in it. The vowel to be embedded is selected by calling a Key_Extraction ( ) on primary attribute of the same tuple. Our technique develops a secret key of embedded vowels which is provided to the user. The technique is robust against different malicious attacks and is blind and imperceptible, as proved by our analysis.


ber-physical systems. Disruptive changes due to energy system transition and the complexity of the interconnected systems expose the power system to new, unknown, and unpredictable risks. To identify the critical points, a vulnerability assessment was conducted, involving experts from the power as well as the information and communication technologies (ICT) sectors. Weaknesses were identified, e. g., the lack of policy enforcement, which are worsened by the unreadiness of the actors involved. Due to the complex dynamics of ICT, it is infeasible to keep a complete inventory of potential stressors to define appropriate preparation and prevention mechanisms. Therefore, we suggest applying a resilience management approach to increase the resilience of the system. It aims at better riding through failures rather than building higher walls. We conclude that building resilience in cyber-physical power systems is feasible and helps in preparing for the unexpected.


Background Psoriatic skin disease is a burdensome, sometimes painful, dermatologic condition which was reported to occur as an adverse event (AE) during TNF-inhibitor (TNFi) treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Single case reports revealed the occurrence of psoriasis also during treatment with non-TNFi, but the magnitude under those agents remains unclear. Objectives To compare incidence rates of psoriasis in RA under treatment with different biologic and conventional synthetic (b/cs)DMARDs and to investigate risk factors. Methods We used data of 12,722 patients (53,585 patient years (py)) enrolled with the start of a b/csDMARD in the German biologics register RABBIT. Patients were required to have no psoriasis at baseline and at least one follow-up. All psoriatic events (PsE) reported until 30 April 2016 were selected and assigned to treatments administered within 3 months prior to the event. Crude incidence rates (IR) of PsE were calculated per 1,000py. Cox regression was applied to investigate risk factors for the occurrence of PsE with and without inverse probability weights (IPW) to adjust for confounding by indication. Results 96 PsE were reported, with only 6 of them categorized as being serious. The median time between enrollment in the cohort and onset of psoriasis was 19 months (IQR:11–45 months). 21 of all PsE (22%) were palmoplantar manifestations of which 9 were reported as pustular type. Compared to csDMARD treatment with a crude IR of 0.44/1,000py (95% CI 0.2;0.9), the IRs found under TNFi (IR 2.99 (95% CI 2.3;3.8)) and abatacept (IR 3.99 (95% CI 1.7;7.9)) were significantly higher. In patients treated with rituximab (IR 1.8 (95% CI 0.8;3.4)) or tocilizumab (IR 0.7 (95% CI 0.1; 2.0)) IRs for PsE were not significantly different from csDMARD patients. Across TNFi, the IR varied insignificantly. Adjusted regression analysis showed higher risk for PsE with TNFi, abatacept and rituximab (graph). Female sex (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.8 (1.0;3.3)) and being rheumatoid factor negative (HR 1.6 (1.0;2.6)) were additional significant risk factors. Smoking (HR 1.6 (1.0; 2.5)), age (HR 1.0 (0.98;1.01)), glucocorticoids per 5 mg/d increase (HR 1.1 (1.0;1.2)), and prior (≤6months) skin infections (HR 2.2 (0.5;9.7)) were not significantly associated. Replacing glucocorticoids with DAS28 did not show differing results. Adjustment with IPW attenuated the effect of rheumatoid factor (p=0.4) but smoking was significantly associated with a higher risk (p<0.01). Conclusions This is the first analysis comparing the incidence of psoriasis under biologics with different modes of action within one cohort. Our results confirmed a higher risk for TNFi 1 and showed a similar result for abatacept. A lower but still significant increased risk was found for rituximab, whereas there was no difference for tocilizumab compared to csDMARDs. New onset psoriasis is a rare and most often non-serious event. The number needed to harm is 334 patients treated with TNFi for one year to observe one PsE. Acknowledgements RABBIT is supported by a joint, unconditional grant from AbbVie, BMS, Celltrion, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung and UCB. References Hernandez et al., Arthritis Care Res 2013; 65:2024–31. Disclosure of Interest A. Strangfeld Speakers bureau: BMS, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, L. Baganz: None declared, A. Richter Consultant for: Pfizer, B. Manger Consultant for: Abbvie, BMS, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, G.-R. Burmester Consultant for: AbbVie, BMS, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, C. Eisterhues: None declared, S. Wassenberg Consultant for: AbbVie, Pfizer, Novartis, Janssen, Roche-Chugai, Celltrion, BMS, Fuji, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, Novartis, Pfizer, MSD, Lilly, Janssen, UCB, A. Zink Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, J. Listing Consultant for: Sandoz, Pfizer


This paper proposes a relatively simple, physically motivated, dynamic electrical terminal model of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The dynamic model is obtained by extending a static current voltage description to include temperature dependence, and by dynamically modeling the temperature of the membrane. Model performance is validated using experimental data collected from a 500-W commercial PEM stack.