Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) poses a great public health problem in India, occurring both in epidemics and sporadically. Although bacteria, viruses and protozoan parasites may cause encephalitis, among these; the viruses are the most common and important cause of encephalitis Japanese Encephalitis virus has been considered as leading cause of AES in India mostly occurs among children. Thus, the disease spectrum of AES seems to be much wider and may be caused by a wide variety of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or may even be non-infectious in aetiology. Recently, increased incidence of scrub typhus is being reported from Northern India especially eastern part of Uttar Pradesh and western part of Bihar, as reported 25% infectious aetiology in one third of the AES cases and emergence of O. tsutsugamushi infection an important causative agent of AES in India. A recent outbreak of "AES" in June 2019 was found in Muzaffarpur, Bihar India. As reported the Muzaffarpur district has initiated an investigation into the case of 672 children who were admitted with "AES" and more than 150 children have died. Case fatality rate among children due to JE was found very low now because changing aetiology of AES across various districts of Bihar. Review Article Singh et al.; AJRID, 3(1): 33-47, 2020; Article no.AJRID.53876 34


Increasingly, large organizations are engaging in data warehousing projects in order to achieve a competitive advantage through the exploration of the information as contained therein. It is therefore paramount to ensure that the data warehouse includes high quality data. However, practitioners agree that the improvement of the quality of data in an organization is a daunting task. This is especially evident in data warehousing projects, which are often initiated "after the fact". The slightest suspicion of poor quality data often hinders managers from reaching decisions, when they waste hours in discussions to determine what portion of the data should be trusted. Augmenting data warehousing with data mining methods offers a mechanism to explore these vast repositories, enabling decision makers to assess the quality of their data and to unlock a wealth of new knowledge. These methods can be effectively used with inconsistent, noisy and incomplete data that are commonplace in data warehouses.


The net radiation (Rn) in agroecosystems is the amount of energy that is available in the environment to heating processes of living organisms, air and soil; perspiration of animals and plants; photosynthesis and water evaporation. The Rn defines the type of climate and weather conditions prevailing in a region affecting the availability and thermal water, the fundamental understanding of genotype-environment, which ultimately determine the productivity of the agricultural system. Rn usually is used in models of weather and climate studies. The sustainability and economic viability of zootechnical activity is dependent on the positive interaction between animal and environment. Environmental factors such as water, shading, thermal exchanges sensible heat (conduction, convection and radiation skin) and latent heat losses (evaporation and transpiration), conditioned by Rn, must be managed to provide the best results. The present study was conducted to develop and test models for accurate and precise radiation balance on the scales daily, monthly and seasonal ten-day for Jaboticabal - SP, due to the importance of estimates of net radiation for agricultural activities. We used daily meteorological data from weather station located in Jaboticabal, SP (coordinates: 21 ° 14'05 "South, 48 ° 17'09" West, 615m altitude) at Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio Mesquita Filho" - FCAV/UNESP in a situation of default grass "Bahiagrass" during the period 20/08/2005 to 20/01/2012. The data used were the maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum (Tmin) and mean (TMED); maximum relative humidity (URMax), minimum (URMin) and average (URMed) precipitation (mm), average velocity (m/s), Qo, solar radiation (MJ m-2), sunshine (hour) meter (MJ m²), soil temperature at two depths (Tsoil2CM, Tsoil5CM) and class A pan evaporation (TCA) (mm). The measures taken by the balance radiometer were taken as a reference to test other models. The models tested were those reported by NORMAN et al. 1995 and PRIESTLEY and TAYLOR, 1972. The models used were developed and tested regressions with MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error), R² (Accuracy) and RMSEs (root mean error quadratic systematic) in different time scales. The mechanistic models, PRIESTLEY-TAYLOR and NORMAN, had low accuracy in all analyzes; the maximum MAPE was equal to 498.12%. This was due to the high amplitude of the estimated data regarding observed, making the R² values (accuracy) low. The equation used all data, called Rn = f (all), in most cases showed the best result. However, for the purpose of practical use was not indicated because his job will be to need a lot of information collection difficult. The standard methodology for estimating Rn is recommended by FAO, however, this method presents some difficulties to be measured is required sensor (balance-radiometer) which often has the meteorological its high value. Thus, the use of regressions using Qg as an indicator ends up getting compromised handling. By equations using Q0 as the independent variable is the most suitable. Seeking greater practicality without losing the precision, accuracy and utilization. The equation Rn = f (Q0, n) in this work is indicated by having high precision and high convenience for use.


This report describes the outcome of a Pacific Ocean research program begun in November 1978 by Sandia National Laboratories for the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory. The six-year oceanographic program was in support of a US Navy environmental evaluation of possible sea disposal of defueled, decommissioned, nuclear-powered submarines. Evaluation guidelines were written to define a site suitable for such sea disposal. This final report, which combines results from two previous progress reports and data from recently completed studies, characterizes a suitable site, the West Coast, Northern Site (W-N). Although W-N is neither the only possible nor the best Pacific site, it is one suitable location under the site evaluation guidelines. 95 refs., 29 figs., 10 tabs.


Presenting an analysis of different approaches for predicting the service life of buildings, this monograph discusses various statistical tools and mathematical models, some of which have rarely been applied to the field. It explores methods including deterministic, factorial, stochastic and computational models and applies these to faade claddings. The models allow (i) identification of patterns of degradation, (ii) estimation of service life, (iii) analysis of loss of performance using probability functions, and (iv) estimation of service life using a probability distribution. The final chapter discusses the differences between the different methodologies and their advantages and limitations. The authors also argue that a better understanding of the service life of buildings results in more efficient building maintenance and reduced environmental costs. It not only provides an invaluable resource to students, researchers and industry professionals interested in service life prediction and sustainable construction, but is also of interest to environmental and materials scientists.


Anthracycline antibiotics are an effective therapy for a variety of neoplastic diseases. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a known risk of their use. Because of the risk of new or recurrent neoplasm with immunosuppression transplantation is often delayed. Our patient developed early cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure 3 months after completion of chemotherapy. Given the severity of her cardiac symptoms the decision was made to proceed with heart transplantation in the short term after completion of her chemotherapy. We report the success to 1 year of this decision and discuss the implications of her genetic and oncologic diagnoses in this clinical scenario.


We study the role of finite size effects on a metallic critical behavior near a q = 0 critical point and compare the results with the recent extensive quantum Monte-Carlo (QMC) study [Y. Schattner et al, PRX 6, 0231028]. This study found several features in both bosonic and fermionic responses, in disagreement with the expected critical behavior with dynamical exponent z = 3. We show that finite size effects are particularly strong for z = 3 criticality and give rise to a behavior different from that of an infinite system, over a wide range of momenta and frequencies. We argue that by taking finite size effects into account, the QMC results can be explained within z = 3 theory. Our results also have implications for small interacting fermionic systems, such as magnetic nanoparticles.


Craniofacial microsomia (CFM) is a common craniofacial anomaly characterized by asymmetric malformation of the mandible, ear, and other structures including the upper airway. The degree of mandibular hypoplasia is classified using a scheme developed by Pruzansky and modified by Kaban. Severe condylar dysplasia is the hallmark of Pruzansky-Kaban types IIB and III. Distraction osteogenesis has emerged as a treatment modality for mandibular hypoplasia in this setting for the treatment of asymmetry and airway obstruction. However, its use to resolve upper airway obstruction and avoid tracheostomy in infants with types IIB and III is not reported in the literature. The authors present a patient with successful distraction osteogenesis in a patient with CFM resulting in a Pruzansky IIB micrognathia. The authors achieved resolution of upper airway obstruction and avoidance of tracheostomy.


Sariayu Hijab is a company that takes advantage the presence of Instagram as a social media platform to promote and advertise their products. In this regard, there are particular methods that differ from conventional advertisements, especially in terms of visual language, form and presentation. This research aims to reveal the signs and meanings of Sariayu advertisements shown on their Instagram account @sariayuhijab. The method used in this research is qualitative while using Semiotics Analysis by Roland Barthes, which attempts to analyze advertisements seen from three aspects, such as denotation, annotation and myth. Another theory applied for this research is Commodification Theoretical Concept that plays a role in understanding how Sariayu Hijab advertisements are presented. The data are taken from six advertising samples in pictures uploaded on their Instagram account @ Sariayuhijab from June to December 2016. The result of the research shows that Sariayu Hijab uses a Commodification of Islam that appears in the form of values, attribute and other signs as presented on the images. The Islamic value as commodity can be recognized from the use of religious sign in the form of textual advertisement. Other than that, a Commodification of green lifestyle is also noticeable in accordance with their thematic products, for instance the use of natural ingredients comprising fruits and vegetables. Sariayu Hijab considers the use of religious visual sign, which deems necessary to apply on their advertisement as a marketing strategy so that public will be intrigued in buying and wearing the products. This strategy is hence considered as a commodification that highlights a change from functionality to commercial commodity for capitalistic purposes vis-a-vis dogmatic belief.


Since my first report, some key issues have developed and naturally a number of others have appeared on the horizon. The College Executive Committee (CEC) recently met in Dunedin to coincide with the New Zealand National Conference.


Anti-myosin antibodies (AMA) in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy subjects were measured by ELISA. AMA were IgM dominant. The titers of AMA were significantly higher in active SLE than in inactive SLE and healthy subjects. AMA negative SLE patients have significantly lower serum IgM than that in AMA positive subjects. Frequency analysis of HLA antigens in SLE revealed that AMA positivity was associated with HLA-A11, AMA negativity with HLA-B40 and DR2, and those with central nervous system involvement (CNS-SLE) were associated with HLA-B40. The patients with CNS-SLE have low serum IgM, low titer of AMA and HLA-B40.


In this study we examine and validate the compatibility of a novel class of discrete peptide nanotubes with standard silicon micro-fabrication processes, in particular with photolithography, thin film deposition and oxide etching processes. We have also studied the alignment of the PNT using micro-fluidic channels. These steps are critical for interfacing nanotubes with external elements, such as metallic electrodes or fluidic channels and may be used as a step towards micro-machined peptide nanotube based devices. Peptide nanotube based devices have a potential in various applications such as nano-fluidics, nano-assembly and bio-sensing applications.


To the Editor. —For everyone not born in California, it is difficult to identify the plant described by Dr Gordon and colleagues. 1 Together with the two other vernacular names creosote bush and greasewood cited by the authors, I found no less than four different plants in Webster's 2 and in The Plant Book . 3 Larrea divaricata subsp tridentata (Zygophyllaceae), also named Larrea tridentata or Covillea tridentata for the creosote bush. Moreover, for the term chaparral pea, I found Pickeringia montana (Leguminosae), and for the term greasewood, I found Sacrobatus vermiculatus (Chenopodiaceae). The active ingredient of chaparral as described by Gordon et al is nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), which occurs in many plants. Therefore, this substance is not the best key to finding the exact botanical name of chaparral. I hope, however, that L divaricata subsp tridentata was the cause of the liver injury of the patient in the article by


This is an empirical study of the differences in quality and price of telecommunication services in 38 countries. The countries are categorized based on their legal tradition (i.e. civil or common law) and spectrum licensing procedure (i.e. auction or comparative hearing). In theory, comparing indicators used by the World Bank, International Telecommunications Union, and other organizations to measure prices and assess the quality of a country's telecommunication industry will indicate which policy approaches have improved the overall quality of the telecommunications industry. The report also discusses how "successful" regulators have introduced competition in the telecommunications industry and demonstrates what countries falling behind might achieve if they adjust their policies appropriately. Since there are several possible explanations for the observed differences, the study controls for factors that may explain for the observed differences aside from legal tradition, including population density, rural population, and GDP per capita and in the analysis of licensing procedure, the study controls aforementioned variables as well as corruption and the strength of legal rights. The report concludes that status as either a civil or common law country and a country's choice of licensing procedure strongly influence national telecommunications industries as measured by subscribership, accessibility, costs, the market share of leading operators, and broadband speeds. In five of six the indicators, civil law countries outperformed their common law counterparts in terms of quality of service measures and consumer prices. In five of the six indicators, auction countries seemingly have created higher quality telecommunication industries. Neither legal tradition nor licensing procedure seem to have a measurable effect on the cost of broadband services.


The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified 1173 chemicals associated with hydraulic fracturing fluids, flowback, or produced water, of which 1026 (87%) lack chronic oral toxicity values for human health assessments. To facilitate the ranking and prioritization of chemicals that lack toxicity values, it may be useful to employ toxicity estimates from quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models. Here we describe an approach for applying the results of a QSAR model from the TOPKAT program suite, which provides estimates of the rat chronic oral lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL). Of the 1173 chemicals, TOPKAT was able to generate LOAEL estimates for 515 (44%). To address the uncertainty associated with these estimates, we assigned qualitative confidence scores (high, medium, or low) to each TOPKAT LOAEL estimate, and found 481 to be high-confidence. For 48 chemicals that had both a high-confidence TOPKAT LOAEL estimate and a chronic oral reference dose from EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database, Spearman rank correlation identified 68% agreement between the two values (permutation p-value =1 × 10(-11)). These results provide support for the use of TOPKAT LOAEL estimates in identifying and prioritizing potentially hazardous chemicals. High-confidence TOPKAT LOAEL estimates were available for 389 of 1026 hydraulic fracturing-related chemicals that lack chronic oral RfVs and OSFs from EPA-identified sources, including a subset of chemicals that are frequently used in hydraulic fracturing fluids.


. The objective of this article is to review the historiography of the relationship between migration and firearms technologies in the early modern Islamic World. By examining historiographical debates on the role of firearms in early modern Islamic societies, we will look at the place of migrants in the historical literature of firearms. During 1the colonial period, debates shifted from the alleged conservatism of Islamic societies regarding firearm technologies to their respective agency in the diffusion of firearms in the early modern world. In this article, I will show that the historiography of firearm technologies in Islamdom exhibits a shift from essentialist arguments towards a history looking at technology transfers and the role of migrants in this process.


We present the first search for the decay $D^+_{s}\to \omega e^{+}\nu$ to test the four-quark content of the $D^+_{s}$ and the $\omega$-$\phi$ mixing model for this decay. We use 586 $\mathrm{pb}^{-1}$ of $e^{+}e^{-}$ collision data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 4170 MeV. We find no evidence of a signal, and set an upper limit on the branching fraction of $\mathcal{B}(D^+_{s}\to\omega e^+\nu)<$0.20% at the 90% confidence level.


Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the absence of body and tail of pancreas. We report a case which presented with epigastric pain 52-year old woman with complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. Multidetector CT (MDCT) revealed a normal pancreatic head, but pancreatic body and tail were not visualized. The presence of small (jejunal loops) intestine and stomach in the distal pancreas bed, adjacent to the splenic vein. The final diagnosis was dorsal pancreatic agenesis. Dependent stomach and dependent intestine signs on MDCT imaging can be diagnostic obviating further radiologic examinations. In contrast to the reports of radiologic literatures, both dependent stomach and dependent intestine sign are noted in our patient.


Lead free piezoelectric single crystals of sodium potassium niobate (K 0.5Na0.5)NbO3 single crystals were grown by high-temperature solution method using B2O3 flux The KNN crystals grown by without B2O3 flux and with B2O3 flux are referred to as samples A and B respectively. It was found that additions of small amounts of boron oxide B2O3 further lower the melting temperature of the eutectic mixture and exhibits excellent dielectric properties. Phase analysis showed that all samples crystallized in pure orthorhombic perovskite phase. AFM morphological studies show that the root mean square (rms) roughness values were measured to be, 5.3nm and 6.96nm for the sample A and sample B crystal respectively. A slight decrease in the orthorhombic to tetragonal phase transition temperature TOT> and Curie temperature Tc has been observed in sample B when compared with sample A.


An interfaced marine information system is developed for integrated analysis of fisheries of five commercially important cephalopod species in Greek waters of the Eastern Mediterranean. The system combines data on the spatial and temporal patterns of cephalopod population dynamics focusing on geo-distribution of abundance, environmental variation, fisheries, spawning areas and migration habits. The system is developed as a customisation of a workstation ARC/INFO environment and features a series of innovative GIS map-overlay and integration routines for analysis and modelling of surveyed, statistical, and remote-sensed data. Geo-referenced datasets include cephalopod catch and landings, coastline-bathymetry, bottom substrate types, and a set of environmental variables provided by satellite sensors (AVHRR/sea surface temperature and SeaWiFS/ chlorophyll-a concentration) and climatologic datasets (sea surface salinity). The innovative aspect of this marine system is the integration of species life history data to GIS analysis. Species preferences on certain spawning conditions, migration habits, and depth ranges are used as constraints in GIS analysis and integration. The application of GIS and Remote Sensing technologies has proved useful for the mapping of seasonal spatial components of cephalopod population dynamics. Results from this application may be used for information-based species management proposals, which is the goal of further development of this marine information system.


The Catahoula Formation of the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain consists of two depositional systems -- the Gueydan bed load fluvial system of the Rio Grande embayment and the Chita-Corrigan mixed load fluvial system of the Houston embayment. Each system contains distinctive fluvial channel-fill, crevasse splay, flood-plain, and lacustrine facies, which tend to persist vertically through the section. The paleoclimate varied from subarid in the Gueydan system to humid in the northeastern parts of the Chia-Corrigan system. The clay composition reflects alteration to montmorillonite and kaolinite of large volumes of volcanic ash deposited in both systems in response to pedogenesis and shallow burial diagenesis.Diagenetic features, distribution of trace uranium in fine-grained tuffaceous facies, and reconstructed ground-water flow history in the Catahoula provide the basis for an interpretation of a terrigenous coastal-plain uranium cycle.1. Uranium was leached from volcanic ash soon after deposition by pedogenic processes and moved into shallow ground-water circulation cells.2. Oxidizing uranium-enriched waters entered semiconfined aquifer sands in areas of regional recharge.3. Geometry of the flow system was determined by the three-dimensional facies and structural framework of the aquifer system.4. Uranium was concentrated by aqueous geochemical gradients as discrete mineralization fronts that were closely associated with iron oxidation fronts. Uranium was preferentially deposited where facies changes or faulting induced cross-stratal flow from permeable fluvial channel facies into interbedded or less permeable overbank facies.5. Postmineralization decrease of regional and local ground-water flux has resulted in reequilibration of large parts of the aquifer with the regionally reducing subsurface environment.The inferred uranium cycle provides criteria that can be used to compare the uranium potential of the Gueydan and Chita-Corrigan fluvial systems and to determine the possible distribution and nature of mineralization within each depositional system. These criteria apply similarly to other potential coastal-plain uranium host systems.


Objective:The presence of psychologic distress in older adults may be associated with decreased adherence to recommended preventive-care services. This analysis aimed to measure the association between psychologic distress and adherence to United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)-recommended preventive-care services among older adults in the United States. Design:We undertook a cross-sectional analysis of 3655 U.S. community-dwelling elderly from the 2001 Medical Expenditure Panel (MEPS) survey. Measurements:The presence of psychologic distress was captured by the Mental Component Survey (MCS) of the SF-12. The receipt of 9 preventive care services were captured using MEPS: hypertension screening, influenza vaccination, fecal occult blood testing or sigmoidoscopy, mammography, clinical breast examination, cholesterol screening, prostate-specific antigen test, routine check-up, and dental checkup. Results:Elderly reporting psychologic distress were 30% less likely than nondistressed elderly to receive influenza vaccination (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.55–0.88) and 23% less likely to receive annual dental check-ups (OR= 0.77, 95% CI = 0.61–0.97). Women with psychologic distress were 27% less likely to receive a clinical breast examination (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.57–0.94). Psychologic distress was not significantly associated with screening for hypertension, colon cancer, high cholesterol, or prostrate cancer, mammography, or routine check-ups. Conclusions:Elderly reporting psychologic distress were less likely to adhere to some, but not all, recommended preventive care guidelines. These results suggest that adherence to recommended preventive care guidelines may be improved, indirectly, by improving recognition and treatment of emotional health problems in the elderly.


We review formulations of the equations of (inviscid) general relativistic hydrodynamics and (ideal) magnetohydrodynamics, along with methods for their numerical solution. Both systems can be cast as first-order, hyperbolic systems of conservation laws, following the explicit choice of an Eulerian observer and suitable fluid and magnetic field variables. During the last fifteen years, the so-called (upwind) high-resolution shock-capturing schemes based on Riemann solvers have been successfully extended from classical to relativistic fluid dynamics, both special and general. Nowadays, general relativistic hydrodynamical simulations in relativistic astrophysics are routinely performed, particularly within the test-fluid approximation but also for dynamical spacetimes. While such advances also hold true in the case of the MHD equations, the astrophysical applications investigated so far are still limited, yet the field is bound to witness major developments in the near future. The article also presents a brief overview of numerical techniques, providing state-of-the-art examples of their applicability to general relativistic fluids and magneto-fluids in characteristic scenarios of relativistic astrophysics.


Heterogeneous parallelism includes all forms of inter-instruction parallelism. This may include both explicitly coded and compiler generated forms. It is argued that support mechanisms are needed to efficiently manage heterogeneous subcomputations at run-time, and that the important issues in the design and implementation of these mechanisms are different from those previously studied for support of loop-level parallelism. An empirical study of an actual application is presented. The study was based on variational recursive dynamics simulation of a typical four wheel vehicle. The results of the empirical study indicate that the choice of an appropriate run-time parallel processing support mechanism can have a dramatic impact upon the ability to successfully extract heterogeneous parallelism for programs. In particular, the efficiency (lack of overhead) of the support mechanisms becomes critically important as the granularity of subcomputations becomes relatively fine. The use of simple, syntactically closed constructs is suggested.<<ETX>>


Aims To determine whether the additional interventions to standard care are cost-effective in addressing cocaine and alcohol abuse at 4 months (4 M) and 12 months (12 M) from baseline. Method We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of a randomized controlled trial with three arms: (1) NIDA's Standard intervention (SI); (2) SI plus a Well Woman Exam (WWE); and, (3) SI, WWE, plus four Educational Sessions (4ES). Results To obtain an additional cocaine abstainer, WWE compared to SI cost $7,223 at 4 M and $3,611 at 12 M. Per additional alcohol abstainer, WWE compared to SI cost $3,611 and $7,223 at 4 M and 12 M, respectively. At 12 M, 4ES was dominated (more costly and less effective) by WWE for abstinence outcomes. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first cost-effectiveness analysis simultaneously examining cocaine and alcohol abuse in women. Depending on primary outcomes sought and priorities of policy makers, peer-delivered interventions can be a cost-effective way to address the needs of this growing, underserved population. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01235091


The present work aims at analyzing the profiles of social networks' users, having accomplished an online questionnaire. A sample of 230 cases was obtained (limited to a deadline of a thesis that combined this study with another about enterprises' involvement in social networks). From the socio-demographic data obtained (age, time of day in social networks, level of education and occupational status) there are different behaviors. The results highlight the need of harnessing the potential of recruitment and business partnerships/projects through social networks. This is important because the vast majority of respondents use these platforms for more than one year and a significant percentage accesses them every day. Another issue is that mobile phone connection has a significant expression, thus relevant for ubiquitous business or work applications. Regarding the actions performed, besides seeing/sending messages as the most usually done, searching for knowledge (new contents) is also expressive what is relevant for innovative initiatives. Regarding the motivation factors, it is interesting that besides communication with friends and meeting old friends, the use of such platforms for professional relations has high importance what corroborates some potentials mentioned.


A formboard test was presented to 51 male (age 20-45) and 47 female (age 18-36) Ss having a college level education. The test attempted to follow a definite principle of construction in the six figures which comprise it. Each S was presented with a set of randomly arranged blocks and asked to put them where they belonged as quickly as possible. Three successively timed trials were given. Results indicate no significant sex differences in mean time on any of the trials; a trial-to-trail improvement that is almost identical for males and females; and virtually no differences when reversals of the first order in succeeding trials over previous trials are considered. The author suggests that the task offers promise for further study of the qualitative nature of formboard response and merits standardization on a group through various age levels.


BACKGROUND
A universal definition of sarcopenia is still lacking. Since the European criteria have been recently revised, we aimed at studying prevalence of low muscle strength (LMS) and low muscle mass (LMM), as defined according to the European Working Group of Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) 2 and 1 definitions, and their individual contribution towards mortality and incident mobility disability in a cohort of community-dwelling older people.

METHODS
Longitudinal analysis of 535 participants of the InCHIANTI study. LMS and LMM were defined according to criteria indicated in the EWGSOP2 and 1. Cox and log-binomial regressions were used to examine association with mortality and 3-year mobility disability (inability to walk 400m).

RESULTS
We observed a lower prevalence of the combination LMM/LMS according to EWGSOP2 compared to EWGSOP1 (3.2% vs.6.2%). Using the new criteria, all sarcopenia components were associated with mortality, although the hazard ratio[HR] for the group LMM/LMS was no longer significant after adjustment for confounders (LMM: HR 2.69,95% C.I.:1.04-6.94; LMS: HR 3.18,95% C.I.:1.44-7.01; LMM/LMS: HR 2.95,95% C.I.:0.86-10.16). Using EWGSOP1, LMS alone was independently associated with mortality (HR 4.43,95% C.I.:1.85-10.57). None of the sarcopenia components conferred a higher risk of mobility disability.

CONCLUSIONS
The EWGSOP2 algorithm leads to a reduction in the estimated prevalence of sarcopenia defined as combination of LMM/LMS. The finding that, independent of the adopted criteria, people with LMS and normal mass have a higher mortality risk compared to robust individuals, confirms that evaluation of muscle strength has a central role for prognosis evaluation.


ABSTRACT Testing the equality of two means is a fundamental inference problem. For high-dimensional data, the Hotelling's T2-test either performs poorly or becomes inapplicable. Several modifications have been proposed to address this issue. However, most of them are based on asymptotic normality of the null distributions of their test statistics which inevitably requires strong assumptions on the covariance. We study this problem thoroughly and propose an L2-norm based test that works under mild conditions and even when there are fewer observations than the dimension. Specially, to cope with general nonnormality of the null distribution we employ the Welch–Satterthwaite χ2-approximation. We derive a sharp upper bound on the approximation error and use it to justify that χ2-approximation is preferred to normal approximation. Simple ratio-consistent estimators for the parameters in the χ2-approximation are given. Importantly, our test can cope with singularity or near singularity of the covariance which is commonly seen in high dimensions and is the main cause of nonnormality. The power of the proposed test is also investigated. Extensive simulation studies and an application show that our test is at least comparable to and often outperforms several competitors in terms of size control, and the powers are comparable when their sizes are. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.


Gravitationally lensed (GL) quasars are brighter than their unlensed counterparts and produce images with distinctive morphological signatures. Past searches and target selection algorithms, in particular the Sloan Quasar Lens Search (SQLS), have relied on basic morphological criteria, which were applied to samples of bright, spectroscopically confirmed quasars. The SQLS techniques are not sufficient for searching into new surveys (e.g. DES, PS1, LSST), because spectroscopic information is not readily available and the large data volume requires higher purity in target/candidate selection. We carry out a systematic exploration of machine learning techniques and demonstrate that a two step strategy can be highly effective. In the first step we use catalog-level information ($griz$+WISE magnitudes, second moments) to preselect targets, using artificial neural networks. The accepted targets are then inspected with pixel-by-pixel pattern recognition algorithms (Gradient-Boosted Trees), to form a final set of candidates. The results from this procedure can be used to further refine the simpler SQLS algorithms, with a twofold (or threefold) gain in purity and the same (or $80\%$) completeness at target-selection stage, or a purity of $70\%$ and a completeness of $60\%$ after the candidate-selection step. Simpler photometric searches in $griz$+WISE based on colour cuts would provide samples with $7\%$ purity or less. Our technique is extremely fast, as a list of candidates can be obtained from a stage III experiment (e.g. DES catalog/database) in {a few} CPU hours.
The techniques are easily extendable to Stage IV experiments like LSST with the addition of time domain information.


Sipuleucel-T is an FDA-approved autologous cellular therapy demonstrated to prolong overall survival in subjects with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Sipuleucel-T is generated by culturing patients9 own peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with a fusion protein of prostatic acid phosphatase and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor. While antigen presenting cells take up this antigen and can prime antigen specific T cells in vivo, the majority of the cells in the sipuleucel-T product are in fact T cells. Moreover, antigen-specific T cells in the product become activated during production of sipuleucel-T, particularly for the 2nd and 3rd infusions. To examine whether T cells contained in sipuleucel-T might be homing to the site of the tumor, we used a next-generation sequencing-based method to assess T cell repertoire diversity in the blood, sipuleucel-T product, and resected tissues of patients participating in a neoadjuvant study of sipuleucel-T treatment (P07-1; NCT00715104). In this trial, patients with localized prostate cancer received sipuleucel-T prior to undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). DNA extracted from the different samples was amplified using a multiplex PCR assay to amplify the CDR3 region of the T cell receptor spanning the variable region formed by the junction of the V, D and J segments and their associated non-templated insertions. Sequence reads were used to quantitate absolute TCR frequencies using standardized clonotype determination algorithms. We found that a subset of T cell clones was enriched in the generation of sipuleucel-T. We also found that T cell clones were expanded in patient blood after each successive infusion. When we examined the T cell clonotypes in the prostate tissues resected after sipuleucel-T treatment, we found that there were T cell clones in the prostate in common with the sipuleucel-T product. Interestingly a number of the clones present in the pre-treatment blood were reduced or lost in the blood by the second and third infusion but were present in the post-treatment prostate tissue, consistent with trafficking of the T cell clones from the peripheral circulation. These results indicate that ex vivo production of sipuleucel-T induces the expansion of certain T cell clones that are ultimately present in the prostates of patients treated prior to RP. Sipuleucel-T may therefore also function as an adoptive T cell therapy. Citation Format: Lawrence Fong, Todd DeVries, Jason Cham, Li Zhang, Mark Frohlich, James Trager, Nadeem Sheikh. Localization of sipuleucel-T- expanded T cell clones into tumors of treated prostate cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2937. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2937


DNA vaccines are stable, safe, and cost effective to produce and relatively quick and easy to manufacture. However, to date, DNA vaccines have shown relatively poor immunogenicity in humans despite promising preclinical results. Consequently, a number of different approaches have been investigated to improve the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. These include the use of improved delivery methods, adjuvants, stronger promoters and enhancer elements to increase antigen expression, and codon optimization of the gene of interest. This review describes the creation and use of a DNA vaccine vector containing a porcine circovirus (PCV-1) enhancer element that significantly increases recombinant antigen expression and immunogenicity and allows for dose sparing. A 172 bp region containing the PCV-1 capsid protein promoter (Pcap) and a smaller element (PC; 70 bp) within this were found to be equally effective. DNA vaccines containing the Pcap region expressing various HIV-1 antigens were found to be highly immunogenic in mice, rabbits, and macaques at 4–10-fold lower doses than normally used and to be highly effective in heterologous prime-boost regimens. By lowering the amount of DNA used for immunization, safety concerns over injecting large amounts of DNA into humans can be overcome.


BACKGROUND
The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a Bentley Pharmaceuticals proprietary intranasal (IN) insulin formulation (Nasulin) were studied in healthy volunteers.

METHODS
Thirteen fasting healthy male volunteers received five doses of medication (one dose of 4 international units [IU] subcutaneous (SC) regular insulin and four doses of 25 IU IN insulin) at least 48 h apart. Serum insulin, serum C-peptide, and plasma glucose were measured in the 4 h after dosing. Profiles were compared for IN insulin spray following administration into the dominant nostril (more open at time of dosing) and into the nondominant nostril (less open at time of dosing).

RESULTS
The formulation was generally well tolerated. A rise in serum insulin levels accompanied by a decrease in plasma glucose was seen following all doses. For IN doses, peak insulin levels were generally attained in 10-20 min and remained elevated for approximately 40-50 min; the resultant effect on glucose peaked at 40 min and waned approximately 2 h postdosing. As reported in other studies, the interindividual response to insulin was variable. The comparative absorption of IN insulin relative to SC insulin was 12.0% (dominant nostril) or 15.4% (nondominant nostril) over 2 h. This increased somewhat if sneezers and volunteers with moderately blocked nostrils were removed from the analysis.

CONCLUSIONS
This IN formulation was generally well tolerated and relatively well absorbed. While both insulin data (maximal plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration time curve) and glucose data (% fall) support a trend toward better absorption from the nondominant nostril, this did not reach statistical significance. Nasulin can be administered without reference to the nasal cycle.


The occurrence of atrophic changes in veterinary animals following the sc administration of cystalline medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is reported. 2 daschunds who had been injected sc with MPA developed thinning of the skin discoloration of the hair and mobilization of subcutaneous fat. These changes were probably due to the antiinflammatory nature of the drug. Such effects do not occur with the im administration of MPA.


In this work, we apply a meshless-based method to a set of integral equations arising in electromagnetic wave propagation and scattering. The objective is not only to solve these equations through a meshless-based method, but also to find a way to build shape functions that could work for any cross-sectional geometry. We have found that the Moving Least Squares (MLS) approximation is not able to provide useful shape functions in every situation. This technique relies on matrix inversions and, according to the geometry, singular matrices can occur. In order to avoid this problem, we have taken the Improved Moving Least Squares (IMLS) approximation, that does not depend upon matrix inversions and then applied it to a number of cross-sectional geometries.


We analyze the distribution of stars of arbitrary mass function ξ(m) around a massive black hole (MBH). Unless ξ is strongly dominated by light stars, the steady-state distribution function approaches a power law in specific energy x ≡ −E/mσ2 < xmax with index p = m/4M0, where E is the energy, σ is the typical velocity dispersion of unbound stars, and M0 is the mass averaged over mξxpmax. For light-dominated ξ, p can grow as large as 3/2—much steeper than previously thought. A simple prescription for the stellar density profile around MBHs is provided. We illustrate our results by applying them to stars around the MBH in the Milky Way.


BACKGROUND
Hypertension is associated with increased maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. While there is consensus that severe hypertension should be treated, antihypertensive treatment for mild chronic hypertension during pregnancy remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical course, and maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with mild chronic hypertension without other disease, under strict control of maternal hypertension (target dBP of 85-89 mmHg).

PATIENTS AND METHODS
We conducted a prospective cohort study of 110 pregnant women with mild chronic hypertension without other disease; clinical course was classified in three groups: stable condition, exacerbation of hypertension and superimposed preeclampsia. We compare maternal and perinatal outcomes; statistical comparisons were performed by ANOVA test. Relative risk (RR) was calculated for adverse perinatal outcomes.

RESULTS
Atotal of 110 women were included, mean maternal age was 33 +/- 5.8 years. There were 78 (71%) women with stable condition, 26 (24%) with exacerbation of hypertension and 6 (5%) with superimposed preeclampsia (PE). Women with superimposed PE and exacerbation of hypertension delivered earlier and had more small for gestational age (SGA) babies than women with stable condition and exacerbation. Delivery route was vaginal in 45 patients (40%) while 65 patients (60%) underwent cesarean section in order to avoid fetal distress.

CONCLUSIONS
Results demonstrated that fetuses in the stable condition group (strict control) did not have worst outcomes than those in the other groups. This cohort study shows efficacy and safety of treating mild chronic hypertension during pregnancy.


The thermal structure of industrial cooling water discharged into a long, narrow and shallow, straight open boat slip (Ottawa Street Slip, [OSS]) was investigated by fi eld measurements during the hottest summer month in 2006. Three-dimensional hydrodynamic and thermal transport models were established and verifi ed with measurements. The main purposes of this study were to understand the mechanism of the thermal structure in the OSS during the hot summer season under the present cooling water discharge conditions, to investigate the infl uence of harbour water on the thermal structure in the slip, and to establish a means for scientifi c predictions of the impact of cooling water discharges in a future study. Toward this end, the water temperature at multiple locations along the OSS and meteorological data near the study site were collected during the summer period of 2006. The collected data reveal: (1) during the measured summer period, the water temperature in the slip can be higher than 30°C during a period of high air temperatures; (2) water temperature variations within short periods of 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes were no more than 4°C during the entire measurement period; (3) water temperature in the slip is controlled by both air and cooling discharge temperatures, and the cooling water temperature's increase due to industrial cooling processing seems to be relatively independent of the intake water temperature; therefore, the water temperature in the slip varied mainly with the air temperature; (4) since water temperature in the slip seemed to closely follow the intake water temperature, the intake channel may need to be optimized to maximize the possibility of getting the coolest water available from Hamilton Harbour; and (5) the cooler harbour water could not penetrate deeply into the slip. The collected water temperature data were also used for verifi cation of three-dimensional hydrodynamic and transport models. The simulation results showed that the established model could reasonably well reproduce general thermal structures in the entire slip. This achieved the ultimate goal of the study for establishing a model to assess the impacts of further increase of cooling water discharge into the OSS.


This research was aimed at studying the effectiveness of  mycorrhiza, inorganic and organic fertilizer (fish and shrimp waste) on growth, yield and quality of Aloe in peat soil. The study was conducted on peat area, North Pontianak, West Kalimantan. Mycorrhizal application levels (without mycorrhiza, Mycofer and mycorrhizal from pineapple's rhizosphere) were as main-plot. The inorganic fertilizer (composition of N:P:K:Mg) rates (without inorganic fertilizer;  5 : 4 : 7.5 : 2.5 g/plant;  10 : 8 : 15 : 5 g/plant; and  20 : 16 : 30 : 10 g/plant) were as sub-plot.  Organic fertilizers: (fish; shrimp; fermented fish; and fermented shrimp wastes) were as sub-sub plot. The observed variables were: leaf width, leaf length, leaf fresh weight, plant dry weight, and nutrient uptake (N, P, K, Mg). The results showed that mycorrhizal application improved growth performance and increased N, P, Mg uptake. The best plant growth performance was achieved by N : P: K : Mg  =10 : 8 : 15 : 5 g/plant and fermented shrimp waste treatments.  The highest  N, P, K, Mg nutrients uptake was achieved by application of fermented organic  fertilizer.  Combination of mycorrhiza from pineapple's  rhizosphere with fermented fish and shrimp waste resulted in higher amino acids content compared to standard cultivation of  Aloe vera Center in Pontianak. Key words:  Aloe vera , arbuscular mycorrhiza, inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer


Vestibular information is critical for maintaining balance during locomotion, and is known to be attenuated with increasing locomotor velocity and cadence. This attenuation is muscle and phase dependent, and is thought to reflect the functional contribution of each muscle to balance control during each stride of the gait cycle. Bilaterally, the vestibular coupling is mirrored relative to the gait cycle as each leg undergoes similar modulation with variation in phase, velocity and cadence. Here, we asked whether the modulation of the vestibular contribution to each limb is bilaterally dependent. By using a split-belt treadmill with asymmetric belt speeds, we can control the locomotion properties of each leg and compare the vestibular modulation to symmetric conditions. We hypothesized that bilaterally symmetric vestibular modulation would indicate leg independent vestibular influence while bilaterally asymmetric vestibular modulation would indicate leg dependent vestibular influence. Subjects were exposed to binaural bipolar stochastic vestibular stimulation (0-25 Hz) during symmetric and asymmetric walking conditions. Symmetric trials were performed at belt speeds of 0.4 and 0.8 m/s and for 10 min. The asymmetric trial was performed at belt speeds of 0.4 and 0.8 m/s for 16 min. Subjects walked with a cadence of 78 steps/min which was easily maintained in both limbs. EMG of the bilateral medial gastrocnemii and three-dimensional ground reaction force and torques were collected. Only the last 340 strides (~ 9 min of data) were used in the analysis to avoid the adaptation that typically occurs within the first 250 strides (~ 6 min) of asymmetric walking. Significant muscle activity and lateral ground reaction forces (P < 0.01) were correlated to the input stimuli in all trials. Stimulus-EMG and -lateral ground reaction force correlations decreased at higher belt speeds during symmetric walking, as previously reported. During the split belt condition, the magnitude of correlations stimulus-EMG and -force were bilaterally asymmetric and different from their symmetric counterparts. During the asymmetric condition correlations decreased for the slow leg, but more closely resembled the responses observed during slow symmetric walking, and increased for the fast leg, but more closely resembled the responses observed during fast symmetric walking. These results indicate that the modulation of vestibular reflexes is dependent upon the specific kinematics of each leg but bilaterally linked to respond to the properties of the locomotion pattern.


An extensive numerical exploration of delicate global dynamics of the pulse self-replication and the stability of singular homoclinic stationary solutions and its bifurcations in the one-dimensional Gray-Scott model are carried out. A careful analysis of the scenario of the global bifurcation diagram suggests that the dynamics of self-replicating system is related to a hierarchy structure of folding bifurcation branches in parameter regions. The numerics suggests the Bogdanov-Takens points together with a presence of critical points emanating from the particular codimension-two homoclinic orbit play a central role for global bifurcation of periodic obits and the homoclinic solutions and the complex chaotic dynamics. Numerical simulation also reveals the existence of the modulating two-pulse or multi-pulse, which accompanies the procedure of pulse self-replicating in reaction-diffusion systems


The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis. A key step in the RAS cascade is the regulation of renin synthesis and release by the kidney. We and others have shown that a major mechanism to control renin availability is the regulation of the number of cells capable of making renin. The kidney possesses a pool of cells, mainly in its vasculature but also in the glomeruli, capable of switching from smooth muscle to endocrine renin-producing cells when homeostasis is threatened. The molecular mechanisms governing the ability of these cells to turn the renin phenotype on and off have been very difficult to study in vivo. We, therefore, developed an in vitro model in which cells of the renin lineage are labeled with cyan fluorescent protein and cells actively making renin mRNA are labeled with yellow fluorescent protein. The model allowed us to determine that it is possible to culture cells of the renin lineage for numerous passages and that the memory to express the renin gene is maintained in culture and can be reenacted by cAMP and chromatin remodeling (histone H4 acetylation) at the cAMP-responsive element in the renin gene.


Smallholder beef farming is a critical tool for combating rural poverty. Several less developed countries have promoted smallholder beef farming with twin objectives to encourage rural development and sustainable rural livelihoods. This study was conducted in Chipinge South Rural District, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe, with the aim of examining the extent to which smallholder beef farming contributes to rural household development. An assessment was made to ascertain the level of household development for the sampled respondents before and after the beef farming project intervention. An embedded mixed method approach, which combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, was used in the study. The research made use of key informant interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaires, observations and project reports in the collection of both quantitative and qualitative research data. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in the study and out of a total population of 1740 farm households in Chipinge South, a sample of 174 farm units was selected from all the six farmer groups registered and operating under the Chipinge Livestock Development Trust (CLDT). In addition, 30 key informants were conveniently sampled for interviews among members of the project management, extension staff, and farmer committee leaders. The results from the study showed that smallholder beef farming enhanced the economic status of the smallholders which translated into improved household assets, better education, adoption of new technology, capacity building and improved food security, among others. While the beef farming project yielded notable benefits to rural households in Chipinge South, the project's ability to foster sustainable rural livelihoods in the long run was negatively affected by, among other factors, limited access to key livelihood capitals. The study recommends that the responsible authorities in Chipinge South Rural District urgently address the challenges threatening the sustainability of the project in order to promote long-term investment in the beef farming sector in the study area.


BACKGROUND
It is well-established that vitamin D status is closely associated with the susceptibility to infections. We aimed to study the association between vitamin D status and sepsis risk and death, and also analyzed the correlation between vitamin D level and sepsis-related factors.

METHODS
We searched the articles regarding the association between vitamin D level and sepsis through May 2017 in electronic databases. We pooled the data and analyzed the association between vitamin D level and sepsis risk, death, and albumin (ALB), mortality, body mass index (BMI), procalcitonin (PCT), male/female ratio, interleukin-6 (IL-6), platelet (PLT), c-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC).

RESULTS
Twenty-four studies were included. The pooled results demonstrated that sepsis cases had significantly lower levels of vitamin D than non-sepsis cases in overall populations, Caucasians, and Africans (p < 0.05). Vitamin D status was not correlated with ALB, PLT, WBC, mortality, PCT, BMI, male/female ratio, IL-6 and CRP levels (p > 0.05) in sepsis cases. Sepsis death was not associated with vitamin D deficiency (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Lower status of vitamin D may be a biomarker of sepsis risk in overall populations, Caucasians, and Africans. Vitamin D level has no impact on the biochemical indexes and prognosis of sepsis. However, further studies should be performed in the future.


The Gottingen x-ray microscope at the electron storage ring BESSY in Berlin and x-ray microscopy experiments with biological specimens are described. A short view on future developments - optics for higher resolution and with better efficiency, detector devices with higher detective quantum efficiency is given.


Salivary components may suffer variations that can be detected by chemical determinations. The salivary glands may be addition al target of the immunological attack mainly directed against pancreatic beta-cell s r sulting in type1daibetic children. Changes in enzymatic activity reflect metabolic cha nges in diabetic children and inflammation. Aim of the study: The work is devoted to prove the hypothesis that ch nges in glucose concentration, aminotransferases, lactate dehydroge nase can be used as indices of cellular injury in the whole saliva of diabetic chi ldren, and to determine the physical and biochemical characteristics of saliva of a group of diabetic children compared to a control group in relation to oral health indices. Subjects and methods: Twenty six diabetes children (5-19 years) and twent y control children (5-11 years) were included in this study. Glucose, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (AST, ALT), and lactate dehydrogen as (LDH) were determined by enzymatic methods. Results: Obtained results had shown statistically significan t increases of saliva glucose level and increase in the activity of AST, ALT and LDH in saliva from diabeti c patients and control group. The results also demonstrated th at acidic pH diminishes salivary flow rate and excess foam is usually present in sal iva of diabetic children. Conclusion: These differences were confirmed by the discrimina tio test. Diabetic children have higher DFS (decayed filled surfaces) compared to those of control children. Some salivary components in addition to t he diminished flow rate could be involved in the characterization of the oral health state of diabetic children.


During the Wolfcampian, sediment gravity flows were common events at some shelf margins in the Permian basin. These mass flows transported large volumes of shoal-water bank and reef carbonates downslope into the Midland and Delaware basins, forming a wide variety of redeposited lithofacies. For example, along a segment of the Eastern shelf margin at least 40 km (25 mi) long, redeposited carbonates extend into the Midland basin 25 km (16 mi) or more. Within this basin margin setting, several petroleum pay zones occur in mass-transported debris. In designing exploration strategies for these types of frontier deep-water reservoirs, whether within the Permian basin or elsewhere, one must develop appropriate depositional models. Some questions come to mind. Do these deposits represent episodic, widespread, single-pulse debris sheets, debris aprons dominated by numerous but rather random pulses of areally extensive sheet-flow calcarenites, or more systematically developed submarine fan facies having both channelized deposits in inner and mid-fan settings as well as sheet-flow calcarenites deposited as outer-fan lobes? Redeposited Wolfcampian carbonates are subdivided into three major lithofacies. (1) Limestone and dolomite conglomerate debris flows and turbidites with dark interstitial micrite. Individual beds are as much as 8 m (26 ft) thick, normal to massively graded, and some beds are arranged by thinning-upward sequences. These carbonates from on of the reservoir facies with intercrystalline, solution interparticle, fracture, and vuggy porosity. (2) Wackestone to packstone calcarenite turbidites consisting largely of biotic grains. This lithofacies forms the most abundant type of redeposited sediment. The calcarenites occur in beds a few cm to 2.5 m (8 ft) thick that exhibit a variety of Bouma turbidite divisions and in some localities are arranged in thickening-upward units. Calcarenite turbi ite locally form petroleum reservoirs with solution interparticle, intrabiotic, biomoldic, and fracture porosity. (3) Wackestone to packstone calcisiltite and calcarenite turbidites that occur in less than 2 cm (1 in.) thick beds. This facies does not exhibit vertical cycles of bed thickness nor good reservoir qualities. Analyses of cores from 12 wells both within and outside the petroleum fields suggest that these redeposited carbonates may represent a combination of debris sheet and submarine fan depositional processes. The conglomerates could be genetically unrelated to the calcarenites and represent episodic debris sheet pulses; or alternatively, these conglomerates may be channelized deposits in inner fan to mid-fan positions near the basin margin. Some of the thick-bedded calcarenites possibly represent mid-fan channelized deposits whereas the more basinward thickening-upward calcarenites resemble unchannelized outer-fan calcarenite lobes. Thin-bedded calcisiltite turbidites appear to occupy basin plain, outer-fan fringe, and interchannel settings. If these reservoirs are developed within one or more fan facies, the size and spatial arrangement of the individual fans still remain to be determined. A better knowledge of appropriate depositional models should enhance future exploration efficiency. End_of_Article - Last_Page 442------------


The rapid, accurate determination of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels in the 900- to 2000-IU/L range is a critical element in the treatment of patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy. Using the Abbott IMx system (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill), beta-hCG levels can be determined on an undiluted sample up to 1000 IU/L. A sample with beta-hCG level greater than 1000 IU/L is automatically diluted and the diluted sample redetermined. Unfortunately, employing a 1:200 fixed dilution can produce a working sample that contains an beta-hCG concentration that does not fall on a linear portion of the standard curve (<7.5 IU/L). This results in a calculated beta-hCG concentration (200 x observed value) that has high error (coefficient of variation up to 21.8%). Additionally, interfering substances in the reagents, which vary in quantity from lot to lot of reagents, further confound accurate beta-hCG determination by the system. Consequently, the Abbott IMx assay system cannot be used as recommended by the manufacturer for routine measurement of serum beta-hCG in the 900- to 2000-IU range. An alternate protocol employing at 1:10 dilution would allow a more accurate beta-hCG determination.


Contamination levels of water and crops which exceed common standards are only a first indication of human health risks. This chapter shows estimates of human health risks from consumption of wastewater-irrigated vegetables based for example on dose-response modeling. The chapter focuses on human health risks and risk perceptions of microbiological and chemical contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides.


The Accelerator Production of Tritium (APT) Project is investigating using a superconducting linac for the highenergy portion of the accelerator. As this accelerator would be used to accelerate a high-current (100-mA) CW proton beam up to 1700 MeV, it is important to determine the effects of stray-beam impingement on the superconducting properties of 700-MHz niobium cavities. To accomplish this, two 3000-MHz elliptical niobium cavities were placed in a cryostat, cooled to nominally 2 K in sub-atmospheric liquid helium, and irradiated with 798MeV protons at up to 490-nA average current. The elliptically shaped beam passed through the equatorial regions of both cavities in order to maximize sensitivity to any changes in the superconducting surface resistance. Over the course of the experiment, 6~10'~ protons were passed through the cavities. After irradiation, the cavities were warmed to 250 K, then recooled to investigate the effects of a room-temperature annealing cycle on the superconducting properties of the irradiated cavities. A detailed description of the experiment and the results shall be presented. These results are important to employing superconducting RF technology to future high-intensity proton accelerators for use in research and transmutation technologies.


BACKGROUND
In India, there are several malaria-endemic regions where non-falciparum species coexist with Plasmodium falciparum. Traditionally, microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests are used for the diagnosis of malaria. Nevertheless, microscopy often misses the secondary malaria parasite in mixed-infection cases due to various constraints. Misdiagnosis/misinterpretation of Plasmodium species leads to improper treatment, as the treatment for P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax species is different, as per the national vector-borne disease control program in India.

METHODS
Blood samples were collected from malaria-endemic regions (Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Telangana) of India covering almost the entire country. Molecular diagnosis of Plasmodium species was carried out among microscopically confirmed P. falciparum samples collected during a therapeutic efficacy study in different years.

RESULTS
The polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed a high prevalence (18%) of mixed malaria parasite infections among microscopically confirmed P. falciparum samples from malaria patients that are either missed or left out by microscopy.

CONCLUSIONS
Deployment of molecular tools in areas of mixed species infection may prove vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment of malaria. Further, it will help in achieving the goal of malaria elimination in India.


Institutions that teach software are responsible for producing professionals who will build and maintain systems to the satisfaction of their beneficiaries. The article presents some ideas on how best to honor this responsibility. It presents five goals of a curriculum: principles: lasting concepts that underlie the whole field; practices: problem-solving techniques that good professionals apply consciously and regularly; applications: areas of expertise in which the principles and practices find their best expression; tools: state-of-the-art products that facilitate the application of these principles and practices; mathematics: the formal basis that makes it possible to understand everything else.


Confronting ecological crises is leading many researchers and academics to take a renewed interest in the deep past. The archaeological and climatic record are posed as a source of lessons that can be brought to bear on current issues of sustainability. IHOPE, or Integrated History and Future of People on Earth, presents one such effort, a collaborative and inter-disciplinary project with aims to contribute to a better future for humanity through lessons from the past. Such efforts must however be ready to traverse the rough terrain of environmental and social justice discourses, issues that lie at the heart of ecological crises everywhere and without which no meaningful engagement with sustainability can be had. I outline the discursive spaces that exist within such efforts, focusing on the long standing IHOPE-Maya project centred around past socio-ecological change in the Yucatán. I employ dialectic theory and critical discourse analysis to map out these spaces. I conclude that the reliance of IHOPE-Maya researchers on three discourses resilience discourse, complex adaptive systems discourse and anthropos discourse – place in many ways severe constraints on incorporating social and environmental justice discourses. Moving on I suggest possibilities for creative tensions which could be explored for the benefit of a truly integrated history and future.


Free form milling of gears becomes more and more important as a flexible machining process for gears. Reasons for that are high degrees of freedom as the usage of universal tool geometry and machine tools is possible. This allows flexible machining of various gear types and sizes with one manufacturing system. This paper deals with manufacturing, quality and performance of gears made by free form milling. The focus is set on specific process properties of the parts. The potential of free form milling is investigated in cutting tests of a common standard gear. The component properties are analyzed and flank load-carrying capacity of the gears is derived by running trials on back-to-back test benches. Hereby the characteristics of gears made by free form milling and capability in comparison with conventionally manufactured gears will be shown.


Applied Inventory Management: New Approaches to Age-Old Problems Charles R. Daniel Guetta Supply chain management is one of the fundamental topics in the field of operations research, and a vast literature exists on the subject. Many recent developments in the field are rapidly narrowing the gap between the systems handled in the literature and the real-life problems companies need to solve on a day-to-day basis. However, there are certain features often observed in real-world systems that elude even these most recent developments. In this thesis, we consider a number of these features, and propose some new heuristics together with methodologies to evaluate their performance. In Chapter 2, we consider a general two-echelon distribution system consisting of a depot and multiple sales outlets which face random demands for a given item. The replenishment process consists of two stages: the depot procures the item from an outside supplier, while the retailers' inventories are replenished by shipments from the depot. Both of the replenishment stages are associated with a given facility-specific leadtime. The depot as well as the retailers face a limited inventory capacity. We propose a heuristic for this class of dynamic programming models to obtain an upper bound on optimal costs, together with a new approach to generate lower bounds based on Lagrangian relaxation. We report on an extensive numerical study with close to 14,000 instances which evaluates the accuracy of the lower bound and the optimality gap of the various heuristic policies. Our study reveals that our policy performs exceedingly well almost across the entire parameter spectrum. In Chapter 3, we extend the model above to deal with distribution systems involving several items. In this setting, two interdependencies can arise between items that considerably complicate the problem. First, shared storage capacity at each of the retail outlets results in a trade-off between items; ordering more of one item means less space is available for another. Second, economies of scope can occur in the order costs if several items can be ordered from a single supplier, incurring only one fixed cost. To our knowledge, our approach is the first that has been proposed to handle such complex, multi-echelon, multi-item systems. We propose a heuristic for this class of dynamic programming models, to obtain an upper bound on optimal costs, together with an approach to generate lower bounds. We report on an extensive numerical study with close to 1,200 instances that reveals our heuristic performs excellently across the entire parameter spectrum. In Chapter 4, we consider a periodic-review stochastic inventory control system consisting of a single retailer which faces random demands for a given item, and in which demand forecasts are dynamically updated (for example, new information observed in one period may affect our beliefs about demand distributions in future periods). Replenishment orders are subject to fixed and variable costs. A number of heuristics exist to deal with such systems, but to our knowledge, no general approach exists to find lower bounds on optimal costs therein. We develop a general approach for finding lower bounds on the cost of such systems using an information relaxation. We test our approach in a model with advance demand information, and obtain good lower bounds over a range of problem parameters. Finally, in Appendix A, we begin to tackle the problem of using these methods in real supply chain systems. We were able to obtain data from a luxury goods manufacturer to inspire our study. Unfortunately, the methods we developed in earlier chapters were not directly applicable to these data. Instead, we developed some alternate heuristic methods, and we considered statistical techniques that might be used to obtain the parameters required for these heuristics from the data available. Table of


This work presents a novel scheme for Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in a service-oriented architecture (SOA). An SLA is a contract that guarantees quality of service (QoS) between service providers and consumers. An SLA can be split into several parts for an SOA system which is consisting of different services. A split SLA is used to guarantee quality of services for one of services in an SOA system. However, these contract rules do not regulate follow-up process in services. SLA violations may occur consequently. For instance, interactions between services are not encrypted because the encryption parameter isn't included in the split SLA contract. Confidential data would be transmitted through unsafe channels. There would be a security issue of SLA Management for follow-up processes in an SOA system. The novel scheme in this work addresses these problems. Using SLAs management proposed in this work can identify the services that consumer needs and split the contracts for follow-up services. SLAs are not only guaranteed between service providers and consumers but also assured in follow-up processes. The proposed method improves the security and completeness of SLA using in an SOA system.


Exploring novel 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (EC 188.8.131.52, HPPD) inhibitors is one of the most promising research directions in herbicide discovery. To discover new triketone herbicides with broad-spectrum weed control as well as excellent crop selectivity, a series of (total 52) novel triketone-containing quinazoline-2,4-dione derivatives were synthesized and further bioevaluated. The greenhouse testing indicated that many of the newly synthesized compounds showed better or excellent herbicidal activity against broadleaf and monocotyledonous weeds at the dosages of 37.5-150 g of active ingredient (ai)/ha. The structure and activity relationship in this study indicated that the triketone-containing quinazoline-2,4-dione motif has possessed great impact on herbicide activity and may be used for further optimization. Among the new compounds, III-b and VI-a-VI-d displayed a broader spectrum of weed control than mesotrione. In addition, the compound III-b also demonstrated comparatively superior crop selectivity to mesotrione, thus possessing great potential for weed control in the field.


The structural characteristics of hollow carbon nanostructures (HCNs) result in intriguing physicochemical properties and various applications, especially for electrochemical energy storage applications. However, the currently solvent-based template methods to prepare HCNs are still far from meeting the facile, environment-friendly, and scalable demand. Herein, we explored a general and facile solvent-free block copolymer self-assembly approach to prepare various hollow hard carbon nanostructures, including hollow carbon nanofibers, hollow carbon Janus nanotadpoles, hollow carbon spheres, etc. It was found that the obtained HCNs possess abundant active sites, fast pathways for electrons/ions transport, and superior electronic conducting connectivity, which are promising for efficient electrochemical energy storage. Typically, the resultant hollow carbon nanofibers with a thick-walled tube deliver a high reversible capacity (431 mAh g-1) and excellent rate performance (259 mAh g-1 at 800 mA g-1) for sodium ion storage. This intelligent solvent-free block copolymer self-assembly method would inspire the design of hollow hard carbon-based nanostructures for advanced applications in various energy conversion and storage.


Rican communities, much less to other community studies in general. His preoccupation with marginal facts about the inhabitants causes him to miss the richness and insight which a 'depth' analysis of interaction patterns would have provided. The latter approach seems more appropriate for the study of what some authors call 'face-to-face' communities, especially if one wants to find out what community life is all about. La Ruffa's study is negative support for this kind of approach. L. J. Saha


Multisyllabic words have been neglected in determining the relationship between spelling and sound in reading development. In a preliminary exploration of this topic, sensitivity to the phonological and orthographic composition of multisyllabic words and nonwords is examined amongst a group of English-speaking 11-year-olds. The nature of the English language suggests that the syllable structure and stress pattern of words may influence the acquisition of higher-order reading skills. A phonological awareness task confirms that syllable boundaries are ambiguous in certain English words. Furthermore, accuracy at reading multisyllabic words and nonwords appears sensitive to this ambiguity as a small advantage emerges for stimuli with more stable syllable structures. Nonword but not word reading is affected by syllable length, and nonwords are assigned stress patterns which appear to be related to the lexical syllables that were used to construct these items. These findings are related to current connectionist models of word recognition.


"Situation and Policies"course is an indispensable part in the teaching of Ideological and Political Theory Course. But at the present colleges about this course have some problems, for example, the understanding insufficient, lack the stable teaching material system, the inspection way have the flaw, the practice teaching link flaw, the teacher quality irregularly, in order to solve these problems, must strengthen the understanding, standard and develops the course content, reforminspection way, carry out richly subject practice and strengthen the teachers troop training.


The clinical application of Tc-99m Sestamibi imaging in acute myocardial infarction should be most useful. The capability of assessing risk area during acute coronary occlusion and degree of myocardial salvage after reperfusion offers a noninvasive means to assess the benefit of therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing myocardial ischemic injury. Further studies in larger numbers of patients appear warranted to identify the precise worth of this new imaging technique relative to other existing noninvasive imaging methodologies in clinical practice.


th , 2012; revised: Dec. 7 th , 2012; accepted: Dec. 18 th , 2012 Abstract: Danxia landforms which interacted by the internal and external forces are integrations with time, space, and substances. From the time category, all red bed basins of red inland continental facies clast formation which were formed under hot-dry climate environments in the Mesozoic era provided material bases for the development of Danxia landforms. As the crustal monement, the internal force is the main factor of contradictions at that time. From the space category, Danxia landforms are mainly distributed in the verges of red bed basins. The spatial extension of the study areas is mainly along NE direction under the control of main fault line, the directions of sub-faults and sub-joints which are NW, NNE, or EW superimpose the main fault line of NE direction and bring complicities to the Danxia landforms horizontal differentiation. The development of Danxia landforms are acted by the internal and external forces then. From the perspective of substance category, tectonic uplifts which superimpose those horizontal differentiations which bring vertical differentiation of Danxia landforms. Caves and grooves were developed as the lithologic differences eroded by external forces and developed next stages. So the colorful various Danxia landforms were developed under the main action of the internal forces and sculpture action of the external forces.


We have successfully developed a novel micromechanism of random number generator (RNG) by using the silicon micromachining technique. The MEM(Micro Electro Mechanical)RNG produce a series of random numbers by using the pull-in instability of electrostatic actuation operated with a typical dc 150 volt. The MEM RNG is made by the deep reactive ion etching of a silicon-on-insulator(SOI) wafer, and is very small compared with the conventional RNG hardware based on the randomness of thermal noise or isotope radiation. Quality of randomness has been experimentally confirmed by the self-correlation study of the generated series of numbers. The MEM RNG proposed here would be a true random number generation, which is needed for the highly secured encryption system of today's information technology.


Multicellular organisms consist of cells that interact via elaborate adhesion complexes. Desmosomes are membrane-associated adhesion complexes that mechanically tether the cytoskeletal intermediate filaments (IFs) between two adjacent cells, creating a network of tough connections in tissues such as skin and heart. Desmoplakin (DP) is the key desmosomal protein that binds IFs, and the DP·IF association poses a quandary: desmoplakin must stably and tightly bind IFs to maintain the structural integrity of the desmosome. Yet, newly synthesized DP must traffic along the cytoskeleton to the site of nascent desmosome assembly without "sticking" to the IF network, implying weak or transient DP···IF contacts. Recent work reveals that these contacts are modulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs) in DP's C-terminal tail (DPCTT). Using molecular dynamics simulations, we have elucidated the structural basis of these PTM-induced effects. Our simulations, nearing 2 μs in aggregate, indicate that phosphorylation of S2849 induces an "arginine claw" in desmoplakin's C-terminal tail. If a key arginine, R2834, is methylated, the DPCTT preferentially samples conformations that are geometrically well-suited as substrates for processive phosphorylation by the cognate kinase GSK3. We suggest that DPCTT is a molecular switch that modulates, via its conformational dynamics, DP's overall efficacy as a substrate for GSK3. Finally, we show that the fluctuating DPCTT can contact other parts of DP, suggesting a competitive binding mechanism for the modulation of DP···IF interactions.


The scope of this study was to synthesise and characterise the multi-template molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and to use target compounds, naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, fenoprofen and gemfibrozil as templates so as to achieve all maximum extraction efficiency for all compounds. These compounds are a class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) generally used by humans, as they have pain-relieving activities. MIPs are cross-linked polymeric materials that display high binding capacity and selectivity towards templates of interest. The synthesis consisted of a bulk polymerisation process at 60 °C by using NSAIDs as multi-templates, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), 2-vinyl pyridine (2VP) and toluene as cross-linker, functional monomer and porogen, respectively. Nonimprinted polymer (NIP) was synthesised in a similar manner with the omission of the templates. Characteristics of the polymers were analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). An adsorption method of NSAIDs using the bulk polymerised MIP was investigated under various pH, mass, concentration and time conditions. Other parameters included adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms. Uptake of NSAIDs from an aqueous medium was achieved with 40 mg of MIP at pH 4.0 within 10 min of contact time. The extraction efficiencies achieved for NSAIDs in aqueous solutions ranged from 90–98% for all compounds tested. The adsorption capacity obtained for MIP ranged from 1.230–1.249 mg g−1 and 0.90–1.136 mg g−1 for NIP, whereas the selectivity values ranged from 1.12–2.4. A kinetic study revealed that adsorption obeys a second-order rate, and the Langmuir model explains adsorption isotherm data. This work showed that the multi-template approach for all the target compounds has the potential to give maximum extraction efficiencies in MIP extraction systems from aqueous samples.


To investigate the generalizability of the results of single-case experimental studies, evaluating the effect of one or more treatments, in applied research various simultaneous and sequential replication strategies are used. We discuss one approach for aggregating the results for single-cases: the use of hierarchical linear models. This approach has the potential to allow making improved inferences about the effects for the individual cases, but also to estimate and test the overall effect, and explore the generality of this effect across cases and under different conditions. Keywords: single-case; hierarchical linear model; replication; aggregation ********** Single-case experimental designs are used to evaluate the effect of one or more treatments on a single case. The case may be a subject or another single entity that forms the research unit, such as a school or a family. This entity is repeatedly observed, over the levels of one or several manipulated independent variables (Onghena, 2005). In the most basic design, the AB-phase design or interrupted time series design, the case is observed repeatedly during a first phase (A), typically a baseline phase before an intervention takes place, and in a second phase (B) after or during an intervention. To evaluate the effect of the intervention, scores in both phases are compared. Single-case designs have a long history in behavioral science (Ittenbach & Lawhead, 1997), but the last decades, single-case methodology has further been elaborated, aiming at improving the internal validity of the conclusions. For instance, reversal phase designs (e.g., an ABAB-design) or alternation designs with rapidly alternating conditions (e.g., an AABBBABAABB-design) rather than a simple AB-phase design may be used in order to assess or control statistically for the effect of history, maturation or other time-related confounding variables. The effect of such confounding variables may further be controlled by means of randomization while setting up the study, for instance by randomly assigning measurement occasions over treatments or randomizing the time of intervention (Edgington, 1996). Although group designs receive much more attention in methodological courses and handbooks, in the last decades there has been renewed interest in single-case designs, especially in behavior modification and clinical psychology (Barlow & Hersen, 1984. Kazdin, 1982), neuropsychology (Caramazza, 1990), psychopharmacology (Cook, 1996), and educational research (Kratochwill & Levin, 1992). The popularity of the designs is also reflected in the relatively large number of articles published in the Behavior Analyst Today that discuss or apply a variety of single-case designs (about twenty between 2001 and 2006). Single-case designs indeed are very attractive in several situations (Franklin, Allison, Gorman, 1997; Onghena, 2005). Single-case studies may be relatively easy to set up and are much less expensive than large-scale group-comparison studies. This makes the designs also attractive for practitioners, who want to get a first insight into the effect of a treatment. An additional strength of single-case designs is that, in contrast to group designs that give insight into the average effect of a treatment, they give an in-depth insight into the behavior of one single case. Especially in clinical settings, the research indeed often focuses on the effect of a treatment for a specific case. Finally, since only a single case is investigated, the design often allows making a large number of repeated observations, enabling a detailed study of the evolution of the behavior. Single-case designs thus are (initially) aimed at drawing valid conclusions regarding one entity. Sometimes, for instance in applied clinical settings, the primary interest may indeed be in this single entity, since it concerns a case that presented itself with a problem to solve. …


THREE PRINCIPLE REASONS:Confirming the existence of heart failure in an elderly patient is difficult because of the intricacy of the symptomatology with that of other diseases, the lesser willingness of the practitioner to diagnose it, and the limited access to explorations such as echocardiography. RELATIVELY UNSPECIFIC CLINICAL SIGNS:Dyspnoea, signs of low heart rate, peripheral oedema, crepitations or tachycardia are all inconstant signs or difficult to interpret. The response to a therapeutic test with diuretics is very useful. REGARDING SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS: An echocardiography should be systematically performed in elderly patients in order to specify the type of heart failure and the extent of an eventually curable valvulopathy. Validation of the measurement of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in elderly patients is in progress.


The genus Bathysciola is widely distributed in the northern Mediterranean region, although its range extends east to the Caucasus and Iran. More than 130 species belonging to this genus are actually known in the whole geographic distribution area and 45 species are distributed in continental and insular Italy. The species belonging to the Bathysciola sisernicaCerruti and Patrizi, 1952 species group occur in the Central-Southern Italian Apennines and Pre-Apennines. This group consists of seven species, four of which (B. sisernica, B. delayi Latella and Rampini, 1994, B. rampiniiLatella, 2002, B. sbordoni Rampini and Latella, 1993) were already known to science and three are described herein, Bathysciola fabiolae sp. nov., Bathysciola octaviani sp. nov., and Bathysciola valeriae sp. nov., markedly increasing the knowledge on the distribution of this genus in Central Italy. A morphological analysis was carried out based on diagnostic characters usually used to distinguish different taxa, and including both genitalia and external traits. Based on morphological characters, we reconstructed the phylogeny of this group of species, comparing them with the species belonging to other phyletic lineages, such as B. derosasiJeannel, 1914, B. georgi Cerruti, Patrizi, 1952, B. vignai Sbordoni and Rampini, 1978, and B. sarteanensis sarteanensis (Bargagli, 1870). Results suggested that morphological traits show a clear taxonomic signal but a poor phylogenetic signal. To better understand the relationships within this group of species, we performed a molecular analysis by sequencing three mitochondrial genes, 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, partially sequenced and the entire gene of COI. Molecular markers were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among the Bathysciola sisernica species group and to reconstruct the historical processes that shaped their current geographic distribution. Results showed that these species became isolated in very ancient times, showing very high genetic differentiation.


A novel type of arylpyrrole oligomer possessing an appropriate electropositive cavity has been designed, prepared and analysed for use as readily accessible receptors for negatively charged guests. Affinities of the receptors for various anions were determined by UV/Vis titration experiments and in depth insights into the host-guest interactions were gained by performing (1)H NMR titration experiments and X-ray crystallographic structure analyses. Experimentally determined association constants were correlated with the calculated maximum electrostatic potentials of the electropositive cavities of the receptors, allowing estimation of the strengths of host-guest associations in similar compounds. The joint contribution of aryl C-H and pyrrole N-H hydrogens was shown to be key to a strong guest association, resulting in the arylpyrrole oligomers being efficient anion receptors.


Son preference persists in South Asian patrilineal and patriarchal societies where practices of sex-selective abortions are used to ensure the maximum number of male children. Such practices cannot be understood without analysing socio-economic conditions that foster son preference. This article highlights the strategic importance of sons in rural Pakistan by analysing 30 semi-structured interviews and three focus group discussions with women. I take into account the prevalent perception of men as breadwinners and argue that even if men do not fulfil this role, they are considered precious due to other factors, e.g., family's future security, social protection and maintenance of kinship ties. The family faces the threat of discontinuity of lineage in the absence of a male child even if it has daughters. While the girl child is also useful for the family, particularly when she supports her mother, cultural and social expectations attached to the male child make him invaluable.


Abstract The effects of old and new media on governing and executive leadership have remained curiously under-studied. In the available literature, assessments prevail that consider the media to have developed a strongly power-enhancing effect on incumbent chief executives. A careful reconsideration of mass media effects on the conditions and manifestations of political leadership by presidents and prime ministers in different contemporary democracies suggests that the media more often function as effective constraints on leaders and leadership. Overall, the constraining effects of the traditional media have been more substantial than those generated by the new media. While there are obvious cross-national trends in the development of government–mass media relations, important differences between countries persist, which can be explained to some considerable extent by the different institutional features of contemporary democracies.


Leptospirosis is a neglected emerging zoonosis occurring both in urban environments and rural regions worldwide. During occupational and recreational activities, individuals who directly or indirectly contact the urine of infected animals are at a high risk of infection. Southeast Asia is reported to have the highest incidence of leptospirosis in the world. The disease is endemic in Malaysia and has consistently caused outbreaks among humans with severe outcomes. Early diagnosis is vital for commence treatment thereby minimizing the harmful effects of the disease. It also allows the implementation of measures to control the spread to humans and the environment. In this article, an attempt was made to review the current diagnostic methods including challenges faced by healthcare service providers during the diagnosis of acute cases, as well as the emerging technologies used for early and accurate diagnosis. The review also highlighted innovative ideas that can be integrated into developing practical solutions, including the crucial roles of the patients, reservoir hosts, and the environments that harbor the bacteria.


This community service program is a online training and assistance in writing action research and scientific articles for teachers which aims to increase motivation and ability to write action research and scientific articles for teachers in Bali Province. The combination of the synchronize method through the Zoom application and unsynchronized method through the WhatsApp application was carried out for two weeks involving 85 elementary, junior, and high school teachers from various regions of Bali province. Evaluation of this program is measured through few indicators: (1) success in identifying problems and themes for action research, (2) success in formulating solutions to overcome problems, (3) success in drafting action research proposals, and (4) success in compiling a draft of action research articles. The evaluation results showed that (1) 90% of participants succeeded in compiling problem identification and research themes, 80% of participants succeeded in formulating solutions to overcome problems, (3) 80% of  participants succeeded in compiling a draft proposal, and (4) 65% of participants have successfully drafted a scientific articles from their action research studies. This results indicate that online training and mentoring was quite successful in increasing teacher motivation and ability to compile action research and scientific articles.


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