The validation and specification of the capacity of spaceborne radar altimeters to estimate marine wind speed and ocean significant wave height are dependent upon comparisons of these quantities as estimated by radar altimeters and conventional in situ sensors mounted aboard surface buoys. Two important questions are associated with these comparisons. First, what are the expected differences between buoy and altimeter estimates of wind speed and significant wave height? Second, given a knowledge of these expected differences and a finite number of buoy-altimeter comparisons, what conclusions can be reasonably drawn about the capacity of an altimeter to estimate wind speed and significant wave height? In this paper we outline and quantify the expected differences between buoy and altimeter estimates of wind speed and significant wave height. These differences are categorized as those associated purely with the buoy, purely with the altimeter, or the disparate manner in which buoys and altimeters sample the spatially and temporally varying wind and wave field. Based on these expected differences, statistical tests are given to validate and specify altimeter performance. In addition, statistical approaches to discriminating between candidate algorithms for converting the return pulse characteristics of a radar altimeter into wind speed estimates are discussed.


A large amount of textual information on the Web is very useful information resource. In the past, traditional text mining research treated a text document as a single piece of information. However, some Web documents are long and heterogeneous in their contents. This paper presents a new approach to apply the concept of a passage to Web text mining. A single Web text document is considered as several passages, instead of a single text. The effectiveness is investigated using real Thai Web documents. As the preliminary step, we explore influence of the passage-based method on construction of association rules by comparing rules generated by the passage-based method with those generated by the nonpassage-based method.


The article deals with the emergence, development and blooming of the letter genre in European cultural history until the middle of the 20th century. The oldest letters that have survived to our time date from the 3rd-2nd centuries BC and are written in cuneiform. The first major heyday of the literary genre was in the time of ancient Rome, when both politicians and philosophers exchanged letters, but also several writers used the letter form in their works. The so-called canon of letter writing was formed in the Middle Ages, when the art of letter writing began to be taught at the universities. In the 17th century, letter writing manuals and private letters began to be published in books, and in the 18th century it was already very common. The growing popularity of communication by letters is also shown by the fact that in the middle of the 18th century, when English writer Samuel Richardson published three novels in the form of letters, the epistolary novel was born. In the epistolary novels, for the first time the world of feelings and thoughts of the characters was under observation. At the end of the 19th century, communication by letters increased drastically due to the wider spread of literacy throughout Europe. The writing of letters intensified during the First and Second World Wars, which is considered the last major blooming of the letter genre. This fact is also confirmed by studies on the development of the written communication tradition in Estonia. The article also provides a brief overview about the research and publication of private correspondences in Estonia. In the middle of the 20th century, the Estonian Literary Museum began to systematically deal with the autobiographical heritage (incl. letters) of those persons who had a prominent position in cultural history. In 1984, the serial publication Litteraria: eesti kirjandusloo allikmaterjale (Litteraria: Estonian Literary History Source Materials; since 2005 Litteraria: Estonian Cultural History Source Materials) was founded with the aim of making correspondences, but also various biographical notes, photographs, etc., available to the public. Litteraria has never been published regularly; nevertheless, by 2023 the series had published already twenty-eight issues, which are now also available online (https://www.kirmus.ee/et/teadus/e-litteraria). In 1998, Tuna: Ajalookultuuri ajakiri (The Past: Journal of Historical Culture) came out on the landscape of social science and humanities journals. The new journal included the rubric "Estonian Cultural History Archives", which allowed the researchers to regularly publish archival sources with commentary four times a year. Over the years, several voluminous text-critical publications of correspondences have been published in parallel with the issues of Litteraria and Tuna, for example, "Akadeemia kirjades" ("Academy in letters", Olesk 1997), "Minu lamp põleb" ("My lamp is on", Annuk & Metste 2015), and "Kallid krantsid: Kirjad vangilaagritest ja asumiselt Siberis 1946–1954" ("Dear friends: Letters from prison camps and deportation sites in Siberia 1946–1954", Kross 2021). The published correspondences have a different historical background, but the common feature of all the authors of the letters is their close connection with Estonian literature. Several historians, literary scholars, cultural historians, folklorists, and philosophers have used private correspondences as source material for their in-depth studies. The analysis of scientific articles of the last decades shows that letters are useful primarily as a source of information that helps to open the hidden aspects of some cultural-historical phenomenon or historical event, for example, the world wars. In addition, different aspects of epistolary practices are also analysed, such as the peculiarities of means of expression, communicativeness or intersubjectivity of letters, etc. Until the turn of the century, prominent creative figures in Estonian cultural history dominated among the authors of the letters used in the studies. In recent decades, a new trend has emerged which shows that researchers have begun to pay more attention to, for example, the love letters and war letters of ordinary people, as well as letters in which the writer shares with the addressee various information about joys and worries of everyday life.


The authors examine the commutation performance of the RAP switch in the Air Force Armament Technology Battery Power System. The system stores over 10 MJ at up to 2.5 MA in an inductor. The RAP switch is used to commutate the current into a railgun load. The RAP switch develops several hundred volts before it completely opens and arcs. The authors have developed an analytic description of the nonarcing opening powers and show that it is primarily resistive and that current diffusion plays a central role. Experimental results which validate the theoretical model are also presented. It is shown how the effect can be exploited to achieve higher nonarcing impedance, therefore reducing the destructive effects of arcs on the opening switch. >


During the period 1960–1964 a gravity survey covering 25,000 km2 in southwestern Montana was made to determine (1) the source, subsurface shapes and extents of the Boulder and Tobacco Root batholiths, and (2) the pre-fill configurations and possible origin of several Cenozoic basins.

Approximately 6250 gravity stations were occupied using two gravity meters: a C. H. Frost with a scale constant of 0.754 mgal per scale division and a Pioneer model Worden meter with scale constant of 0.0934 mgal per scale division. Most elevations were determined using Paulin altimeters controlled by bench mark and map elevations; some vertical control was established with a Dumpy level. The final Bouguer gravity values are referenced to Pendulum Station 110 [Duerksen, 1949] in Boulder, Montana, and the resultant contour map (Figure 1) has been tied to maps published by Davis et al. [1963; 1965a, b] and Kinoshita et al. [1964 a, b].


Background: The postoperative complication rate after supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) is low and comparable to those of other partial laryngectomy techniques. Rupture of the pexy after SCPL is rare and has been mentioned in the literature for three times. Methods: We present a case with ruptured pexy due to nonossified cricoid cartilage. Revision of the pexis was performed with resection of the transected anterior cricoid arch. Results. The patient was decannulated 35 days after revision surgery. The nasogastric feeding tube was removed in the 7th postoperative day. Conclusion: It is important to consider the presence of a non-ossified cricoid cartilage and perform the tracheotomy on the 4th-5th tracheal rings in order to prevent the rupture of the pexy after SCPL. In case of the pexy rupture, releasing the epiglottis downwards during the revision surgery facilitates decannulation. If the surgeon does not consider the mentioned points, performing a total laryngectomy may be unavoidable.


Anthropomorphized, or human-like artefacts, have been used in teaching and training of medical skills for a long time. The most famous artefact used today is probably the Resusci ® Anne CPR training manikin, which is used for training of resuscitation skills. However, what has changed over the lifespan of these artefacts is the level of human-like features in them. All around the globe, highly anthropomorphized ICT artefacts are used in training of medical skills. Amongst others, the UNAM University in Mexico City and Royal North Shore Hospital in New South Wales use artefacts, which are closer to human-like robots than traditional manikins in teaching. The purpose of this article is to look deeper into this phenomenon, consider its potential implications for the patient-physician relationship and quality of patient care, and to propose some practical methods for minimizing the possible risks emerging from the use of these extremely anthropomorphized artefacts.


Subcutaneous injection of a sum total dose of 6.44.10(-5) M of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), which binds divalent cations, inhibits the process of accumulation of antibody-forming cells in the spleen of mice (CBA X C57BL) F1 hybrids, immunizated with sheep red blood cells. In a dose of 5.2.10(-5) M CaCl2 eliminated the immunodepressive effect of EDTA almost completely. It was assumed that EDTA action was produced through the Ca++-controlled regulation mechanism of one of the following processes: the interaction between T- and B-lymphocytes; proliferation and differentiation of T- and B-cells in the course of the immune response to sheep red blood cells. A more complex mechanism of EDTA action on the above-mentioned processes is not excluded, however.


The diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy, an often-fatal disorder, is frequently delayed. Computed tomographic (CT) scanning has been shown to be useful in the detection of pituitary apoplexy; however, the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is yet to be determined. The MRI and CT scans of three consecutive and histopathologically proved cases of pituitary apoplexy were reviewed. The MRI scans obtained at least five days after the onset of symptoms suggested pituitary apoplexy (hemorrhage) in all three cases, while CT scanning indicated pituitary hemorrhage in only one case. Increased signal on the T1-weighted image was the hallmark on MRI scans in all three cases. These findings suggest that MRI scanning may be superior to CT scanning in identifying pituitary apoplexy, at least in the subacute phase.


We present a flexible, automated, Bayesian method designed for broad scale land use mapping. The method is based on a Monte Carlo Markov Chain and integrates a number of sources of ancillary data. It produces a probability density over a finite set of land use classes that can be used directly in further analyses or to classify individual pixels. The method assumes a multinomial prior over the possible land use types, and uses agricultural statistics to form stochastic constraints over the total area allocated to each land use within a region. A supervised learner is then used to allocate pixels within the region, while respecting the constraints. We then extend this method in three ways. First, supplementary mapping is used to form further constraints over subsets of the original land use classes. Second, two spatial models are considered; the first considers the use of partially labelled pixels, where the labels are based on the current state of the Markov Chain, and the second assumes a Markov Random Field. Third, the form of the prior is relaxed, and the method extended to allow the creation of a time series of maps using either cascade or compound classification techniques. The methods are benchmarked against the probabilistic classifier upon which they are built and simple Bayesian modifications to the raw classifier that incorporate the same data. The techniques are demonstrated and assessed using Australian data generated by a national Land Use (LU) mapping program and show promise in many of the test regions we consider.


Much importance has been attached to the role of allergy in the development of eczema in children. However, I am convinced that in children with "atopic eczema" a faulty defense barrier of the skin ("sensitive skin") is the decisive factor in the further development of skin irritation -caused by irritants that would have no effect on normal skin. This skin irritation - which is often caused by synthetic clothing, softeners and finisher - often results in the development of eczema. I therefore regard it important to advise parents of children with sensitive skin to avoid clothing that can cause irritation when in direct contact with the skin.


Terpenoids are a diverse group of compounds with isoprene units as basic building blocks. They are widely used in the food, feed, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries due to their diverse biological functions such as antioxidant, anticancer, and immune enhancement. With an increase in understanding the biosynthetic pathways of terpenoids and advances in synthetic biology techniques, microbial cell factories have been built for the heterologous production of terpenoids, with the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica emerging as an outstanding chassis. In this paper, recent progress in the development of Y. lipolytica cell factories for terpenoid production with a focus on the advances in novel synbio tools and metabolic engineering strategies toward enhanced terpenoid biosynthesis is reviewed.


Despite concerns over racial disparities in imprisonment across the United States, little empirical attention has been paid to how changing the structure of sentencing might affect levels of disparity. This article examines whether Ohio's shift to determinate sentencing corresponded with significant changes in legal and extralegal effects on case outcomes, both generally and differentially for African American and white defendants. Bilevel analyses of felony defendants from 24 jurisdictions reveal relatively few substantive changes in these effects over time. Some changes involved reductions in race-related disparities (e.g., in the severity of charges convicted on), with others reflecting increased disparity (e.g., higher imprisonment likelihoods for African Americans). Findings underscore a modest link between restructured sentencing and actual case outcomes overall, with some relatively mixed effects on levels of disparity.


Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Adoncholaimus daikokuensis sp. nov. and A. pseudofervidus sp. nov., from the coastal area of northern Japan, are described and illustrated. Adoncholaimus daikokuensis sp. nov. is similar to five congeners, A. derjugini, A. punctatus, A. oxyuroides, A. squalus comb. nov. and A. filicauda comb. nov. in the absence of a gubernaculum, but differs in the absence of a ventral swelling on tail, spicule length and buccal cavity length. Adoncholaimus pseudofervidus sp. nov. is similar to A. fervidus in having large body size, short tail, similar positions of the excretory pore and nerve ring, short spicules, arrangement of subventral setae in posterior region of body in males, and a single pair of terminal pores of the Demanian system surrounded by small gland cells in females. Adoncholaimus pseudofervidus sp. nov. differs from A. fervidus in having smaller, more anteriorly located amphids, longer buccal cavity, absence of gubernaculum in the male, and a different position of the terminal pores in the female. Partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (309-337 bp) of the new species are provided for identification based on the DNA barcoding method. Metoncholaimoides is proposed as a junior synonym of Adoncholaimus. The new diagnosis of Adoncholaimus and a key to species are provided. Adoncholaimus squalus comb. nov., Adoncholaimus filicauda comb. nov., and Admirandus papillatus comb. nov. are proposed.


In recent years, owing to the contributions of a few research groups, some new gold(III) compounds – either simple coordination complexes or organogold compounds – have been prepared that are sufficiently stable under physiological conditions and are promising candidates for pharmacological testing as cytotoxic and antitumor agents. In vitro pharmacological studies point out that some of these novel gold(III) complexes are highly cytotoxic toward cultured human tumor cell lines and are able to overcome resistance to platinum. Significant differences in the spectrum of action were observed compared with cisplatin. Studies are in progress to elucidate the mechanism of action of these compounds. The cellular effects of two representative gold(III) complexes are described. Preliminary results on binding to DNA in vitro are presented, pointing out that the interactions are generally weak. The implications of these results for the development of gold(III) complexes as a new family of cytotoxic and antitumor agents are discussed.


This article considers the development of the Tea Party movement, the character of its thinking and the nature of the interests and constituencies to which it is tied. The article suggests that despite the importance of ideas and interests, and the process of interaction between them, the movement has also been shaped and energised by institutional arrangements. In particular, it argues that there are significant numbers of independent or 'detached' conservatives and that the institutional architecture draws them towards political engagement but at the same time imposes constraints. The political friction that this creates has contributed to the anger that has characterised the movement. While the Tea Party movement may, as such, have only an ephemeral existence, independent conservatives are likely to remain a significant and potent constituency and will, within the institutional structures that define the American political process, give rise to other movements and protests.


Corneal swelling caused by contact lens wear was investigated by measuring corneal thickness changes of several subjects wearing well- and poorly-fitted lenses. All subjects showed initial thickening. However, with continued wear, some corneas returned to normal thickness while others did not. At least two factors are believed to be responsible for the observed changes in corneal thickness. Increased lacrimation occurring during the adaptation period of contact lens wear may reduce tear film osmolarity, thereby causing 2% to 4% increase in thickness. A tightly-fitted contact lens appears to deprive the cornea of oxygen. Below some critical oxygen tension level under the lens, corneal swelling occurs. With a very tight lens, the swelling curve closely approximated that of a cornea in an oxygen-free environment.


The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the food supply chains (FSC) can address unique challenges of food safety, quality and wastage by improving transparency and traceability. However, the technology adoption literature in FSC is still the in infancy stage, meaning little is known about the critical success factors (CSFs) that could affect the adoption of AI in FSC. Therefore, this study makes a pioneering attempt by examining the CSFs influencing the adoption of AI in the Food Supply Chain (FSC). A conceptual framework based on TOEH (Technology–Organisation–Environment–Human) theory is used to determine the CSFs influencing AI adoption in the context of Indian FSC. The rough-SWARA technique was used to rank and prioritise the CSFs for AI adoption using the relative importance weights. The results of the study indicate that technology readiness, security, privacy, customer satisfaction, perceived benefits, demand volatility, regulatory compliance, competitor pressure and information sharing among partners are the most significant CSFs for adopting AI in FSC. The findings of the study would be useful for AI technology providers, supply chain specialists and government agencies in framing appropriate policies to foster the adoption of AI in FSC the sector.


Several anuran species use multimodal signals to communicate in diverse social contexts. Our study describes acoustic and visual behaviours of the Small Torrent Frog (Micrixalus aff. saxicola), a diurnal frog endemic to the Western Ghats of India. During agonistic interactions males display advertisement calls, foot-flagging and tapping (foot lifting) behaviours to signal the readiness to defend perching sites in perennial streams. Results from a quantitative video analysis of male–male interactions indicate that footflagging displays were used as directional signals toward the opponent male, but were less abundant than calls. The acoustic and visual signals were not functionally linked. The call of Micrixalus aff. saxicola
thereby did not act as an alert signal. Analysis of behavioural transitions revealed that kicking behaviours (physical attacks) significantly elicited kicks from interacting males. We suggest that foot-flagging displays ritualized from this frequently observed fighting technique to reduce physical attacks.


This paper presents a principled approach for detecting out-of-distribution (OOD) samples in deep neural networks (DNN). Modeling probability distributions on deep features has recently emerged as an effective, yet computationally cheap method to detect OOD samples in DNN. However, the features produced by a DNN at any given layer do not fully occupy the corresponding high-dimensional feature space. We apply linear statistical dimensionality reduction techniques and nonlinear manifold-learning techniques on the high-dimensional features in order to capture the true subspace spanned by the features. We hypothesize that such lower-dimensional feature embeddings can mitigate the curse of dimensionality, and enhance any feature-based method for more efficient and effective performance. In the context of uncertainty estimation and OOD, we show that the log-likelihood score obtained from the distributions learnt on this lower-dimensional subspace is more discriminative for OOD detection. We also show that the feature reconstruction error, which is the $L_2$-norm of the difference between the original feature and the pre-image of its embedding, is highly effective for OOD detection and in some cases superior to the log-likelihood scores. The benefits of our approach are demonstrated on image features by detecting OOD images, using popular DNN architectures on commonly used image datasets such as CIFAR10, CIFAR100, and SVHN.


The transition between the battery and ultracapacitor (UC) according to the driver requirements is the key obstacle that is related to the hybrid energy storage system (HESS) powered electric vehicles (EVs). In this effort, an innovative control scheme has been proposed, to switch the power sources corresponding to the vehicle dynamics. An MFB controller is considered with 4- math functions and programmed independently. Thereafter, a new hybrid controller has been formed by joining the designed MFB controller with an artificial neural network (ANN) to achieve the precise transition between battery and UC. The battery gets charged from the photovoltaic (PV) panel corresponding to the irradiance and temperature availability. The charging and discharging periods of battery mainly depending upon the control switches (CS) present in the circuit. From those two controllers, ANN generates required switching pulses whereas the MFB controller regulates the pulse depending upon the speed of the motor. Finally, the combination of MFB with ANN controller produces the required pulse signals to switches present in unidirectional (UDC) and bidirectional converter (BDC) related to the speed of the motor. The MATLAB/Simulink model of the system is done in four modes with different loads, and all results are discussed in the simulation and results section.


While most speech enhancement algorithms improve speech quality, they may not improve speech intelligibility in noise. This paper focuses on the development of an algorithm that can be optimized for a specific acoustic environment and improve speech intelligibility. The proposed method decomposes the input signal into time-frequency (T-F) units and makes binary decisions, based on a Bayesian classifier, as to whether each T-F unit is dominated by the target signal or the noise masker. Target-dominated T-F units are retained while masker-dominated T-F units are discarded. The Bayesian classifier is trained for each acoustic environment using an incremental approach that continuously updates the model parameters as more data become available. Listening experiments were conducted to assess the intelligibility of speech synthesized using the incrementally adapted models as a function of the number of training sentences. Results indicated substantial improvements in intelligibility (over 60% in babble at -5 dB SNR) with as few as ten training sentences in babble and at least 80 sentences in other noisy conditions.


: Pulmonary artery perforation by a Swan-Ganz catheter is an uncommon but severe complication with high mortality. We report a case of perforation and discuss mechanisms and predisposing factors associated with this accident.


Author(s): Morin, Robert | Abstract: The Nevada economy has been slowly improving and the Nevada budget is resting on a solid foundation in terms of satisfying revenue projections contained in the 2013-2015 biennial budget (Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, 2013). Nevada successfully faced and responded to a state economic environment that has been characterized for the past few years by recession, a budget crisis and political budget fights. The budget in Nevada is currently stable and Nevada has experienced slow economic improvement during fiscal year 2013 – 2014. Nevada's economic improvement, compared to many other areas of the United States, has been slow and it will probably take a considerable amount of time before Nevada experiences significant recovery from the recession. The Nevada Legislature meets once every two years during odd numbered years and 2014 was an off year. The off legislative year consists of monitoring economic indicators, preliminary construction of the new biennial budget and previewing the fall general election.


Given a predictor of outcome derived from a high-dimensional dataset, pre-validation is a useful technique for comparing it to competing predictors on the same dataset. For microarray data, it allows one to compare a newly derived predictor for disease outcome to standard clinical predictors on the same dataset. We study pre-validation analytically to determine if the inferences drawn from it are valid. We show that while pre-validation generally works well, the straightforward "one degree of freedom" analytical test from pre-validation can be biased and we propose a permutation test to remedy this problem. In simulation studies, we show that the permutation test has the nominal level and achieves roughly the same power as the analytical test.


The formation of citizen groups to deal with actual or potential adverse situations has been a growing phenomenon since the 1970s. We discuss field data from more than 50 emergent citizen groups (EGGs) that were formed to either prevent or prepare for both natural and technological community disasters. We particularly focus on the relationships of 12 local EGGs and other community organizations. Using a collective behaviou approach we look at EGGs in terms of their organizational set. The consequence of the EGGs legitimacy and success are then discussed in terms of the patterns informational networks which develop with pther members of the organizational set.(AU)


In the modern era, use of mobile wireless devices is increasing enormously which leads probers to frequently work over the new improvements in mobile ad hoc network i.e. MANET and routing protocols in MANET. The main aim behind this project is to compare the existing Reactive MANET routing protocols by using Opnet17.5 software. The focus of this paper is on reactive routing protocols (AODV and DSR) under the scenarios using file transfer protocol (ftp).In MANET, it is not an easy task to predict the performance of routing protocol. During this research, we analyzed the performance of reactive MANET routing protocols ,for example: Ad-hoc on demand distance vector routing (AODV) and Dynamic source routing (DSR) on the basis of different parameters such as delay, throughput, number of hops per route, routing traffic send and received.


Indian borage/ Karpurvalli (Coleus aromaticus) is an herb with aromatic leaves with ajwain like flavour known for stimulating properties. The paper deals with the development of a shelf stable ready-to-reconstitute appetizer soup mix, convenient to the consumer. The central composite design with two ingredient variables i.e. karpurvalli leaves powder & green gram flour resulted in 13 experimental combinations with the help of Design expert® statistical software. All these combinations for the appetizer were processed by dehydration and proportionate dry blending using pre-processed ingredients and evaluated for quality parameters. The optimized product had the proximate composition of 19.1% protein, 6.3% fat, 8.3% ash, 5.2% crude fibre and 54.4% carbohydrate (by difference). The appetizer soup mix packed in metalized polyester pouches had a shelf life of 6 months at 28 ± 5oC as well as 37oC storage. The RTR (Readyto-reconstitute) appetizer based on Coleus aromaticus was developed with excellent sensory properties and shelf stability.


Winning or losing is a natural consequence experienced when participating in an art competition. There is an individual or group that succeeds, then fails in another event or vice versa. But some individuals or groups always win in every competition. To bridge the gap, this research focused on strategies to sustain victory in group dance and traditional music competitions. Data were collected through interviewing, observation, and documentation analysis. Researchers took data before, during and after the competition. The researchers interpreted the data then grouped them according to research questions. Habitus and domination theory were used to analyze the data. Confirmed or negated information was used to find winning strategies. The results of this study indicate that the way to perpetuate victory is to equip students with adequate capital, map out the jury's tastes, and have a unique art Olympiad class.

Keywords: Competition domination, art strategy, perpetuating victory, performing arts


Self-assembled TiO2 nanotube array on Ti substrate was fabricated by using an electrochemical anodic oxidation. The morphology, crystalline phases and photochemical properties of nanotube arrays were characterized. The photocatalytic activity of the nanotube arrays were evaluated by the decoloration of methylene blue(MB) in aqueous solution using the light source of 300W mercury lamp. The experimental results demonstrated that the length and crystalline phases of nanotube array effected on the MB decoloration of aqueous solution, and the 14.01µm-long nanotube array, which was the optimal length, showed the maximum photodegradation efficiency. Besides, the formation mechanism of nanotube array and the MB adsorption into nanotube arrays were also illustrated briefly.


Introduction: The peritoneal cancer index (PCI) is one of the most important prognostic factors in patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC). The PCI is determined during laparotomy by 2 experienced surgeons and plays a major role in the decision to proceed with CRS-HIPEC. The primary objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the surgical PCI (sPCI) by comparing it with the PCI confirmed by the pathologist (pPCI). Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent CRS-HIPEC for colorectal peritoneal metastases between February 2015 and June 2018 were identified. Relevant patient- and tumor-related characteristics were collected. Results: In total, 119 patients were included, 60 males (50.4%). The median age was 64 (IQR 55–71). The median sPCI (sPCI = 11, IQR 6–16) was significantly higher than the median pPCI (pPCI = 8, IQR 3–13, p < 0.001). The total pPCI was lower than the total sPCI in 80 patients (67.2%). In 21 patients (17.6%), the sPCI was overestimated with ≥5 points. Small lesions are more likely to be negative. In patients that underwent resection of their primary tumor prior to CRS-HIPEC, the difference between the sPCI and pPCI was significantly larger (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Surgical calculation of the PCI often results in overestimation. Far-reaching consequences are tied to the macroscopic evaluation of the sPCI, but this evaluation seems not very reliable.


As broadband enters more and more homes, it will allow television to become an e-commerce medium - merging video, voice and transactional data in "television commerce" (t-commerce). T-commerce combines the interactive power of the Internet with traditional TV programming. The driving force behind t-commerce is interactive TV technology.


The increase in the rate of divorce in Nigeria and it's attendant negative consequences should be of concern to all especially counsellors and student counsellors It is imperative to find out student counsellors' perceived causes of divorce among couples in Lagos metropolis. Their perception will affect their judgment in carrying out their profession as Helpers. This study investigated the student counsellors' perceived causes of divorce among couples in Lagos metropolis. The sample for the study who were randomly selected consisted of one hundred and five student counsellors of the sandwich programme of the Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria. A self designed questionnaire-Student Counsellors' Perceived Causes of Divorce Questionnaire (SCPCDQ) was used to obtain data. A research question and three hypotheses were formulated. The research question was answered using the mean responses while the first two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance, using the t-test. A one-way analysis of variance was used to test the third hypothesis. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in student counsellors perceived causes of divorce among couples in Lagos metropolis on the basis of marital status, gender and age. It was recommended that student counsellors should be trained in pre marital counselling and that counsellors should lay more emphasis on maintaining marriage relationships. Keywords: student counsellors', causes, divorce, couples, Lagos metropolis. The family derives its root from marriage and the importance of the family cannot be over emphasized. The family serves as the building blocks of the societies of the world. It is also the first and major socialization agents as well as the backbone of economic and political development (Ibrahim& Musa, 2007). Eze-Echesi (2009) described the family as a sacred unit that should be respected, protected and supported .Progress and maintenance in the family signifies harmony while crisis in the family which often culminate in divorce, is an indication of danger and insecurity in the society. In spite of the importance of marriage, the rate of divorce is high in most part of the world. According to a 2011 report on www.divorce.com, the rate of divorce in America was put at 45%, United Kingdom, 53%; Canada 45%; and Germany 41%. Although, there is no official figure of the divorce rate in Nigeria different researchers such as Abhekale (2008) have reported an increase in the rate of divorce in Nigeria while Umoh & Adeyemi (2011) submit that the rate of divorce in Nigeria is assuming an unacceptable proportion. Divorce according to Lands (1975), is a climax to a long story of unhappiness and it provides a legal way out of a situation which one or both parties have considered intolerable. Divorce can also be defined as a formal or legal termination of a marriage relationship. The alarming rate of divorce should be of concern to all most especially counsellors as well as student counsellors It has also generated a lot of research. Several reasons have been adduced to cause divorce. Wallis (2008) identified relaxed laws, empowerment of women, rise of individualism, lack of communication and change in social norms as some of the causes for the increase in the rate of divorce in Great Britain. Akinade & Sulaiman (2009) summarized research findings of the causes of divorce to include communication breakdown, sexual incompatibility, childlessness, disagreement over children. Other causes according to them are alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, and financial collapse. A longitudinal study of reasons why divorcees get divorced by Amato & Previ (2003) revealed that the most commonly reported cause of divorce by divorcees was infidelity, followed by incompatibility, alcohol or drug use. Other reasons were .growing apart, personality problems, lack of communication and physical or mental abuse in that order. …


Response time is affected by interprocessor communications, precedence relationships among the modules, module assignments, and processor scheduling policies. Furthermore, due to sharing of resources and data among the processors, contention delays are incurred. A task response time model that considers all these factors is proposed. A Petri net is used to represent resource contention, and the task control flow graph represents module precedence and logical relationships. A queuing network with resource contention is used to estimate the response time of each module. Module response time consists of delays at the processors and resource queues and is estimated by approximating the extended queuing network as independent finite capacity queuing systems. The module response time is mapped onto a control flow graph, and task response time is obtained by aggregating the module response times in accordance with their precedence relationship in the control flow graph. The task response time derived from the analytical model compares well with that from the simulation.<<ETX>>


The authors describe a case of delayed spastic quadriparesis caused by a peri-electrode mass following the implantation of a minimally invasive percutaneous spinal cord stimulator (SCS). Prior reports with paddle-type electrodes are reviewed, and a detailed histological and pathophysiological comparison with the present case is made. The patient developed tolerance to a cervical percutaneous SCS 4 months after implantation, followed by the onset of spastic quadriparesis 9 months after implantation. The stimulator was removed, and contrast-enhanced MRI revealed an enhancing epidural mass where the system had been placed, with severe spinal cord compression. Decompression was carried out, and the patient experienced neurological improvement. Pathological examination revealed fibrotic tissue with granulomatous and multinucleated giant cell reactions. No evidence of infection or hemorrhage was found. Professionals treating patients with SCSs or contemplating their insertion should be aware of this delayed complication and associated risk factors.


Background HIV testing is the first point of HIV treatment entry for HIV-infected individuals and an avenue to engage persons at risk in prevention. In China, where the prevalence of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been rising over the last decade, uptake of HIV testing has been low. Methods We examined changes in HIV testing in the preceding 12 months through two cross-sectional surveys conducted among MSM in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China in 2008 and 2012. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to recruit participants. Questionnaire interviews and venous blood were collected to measure HIV testing, risk behaviors, and prevalence of HIV, syphilis, and HSV-2. Results A total of 430 and 589 MSM were surveyed in 2008 and 2012, respectively, with comparable samples in each round with respect to demographic characteristics. HIV testing in the past 12 months increased significantly from 20.1% (95% CI 13.3–26.8) in 2008 to 46.0% (95% CI 39.3–51.4, p < 0.001) in 2012. HIV prevalence was stable, at 6.6% (95% CI 2.5–11.3) in 2008 and 10.1% (95% CI 6.6–13.9, p = 0.240) in 2012, as was syphilis (14.3% in 2008 vs. 9.9% in 2012, p = 0.240). HSV-2 prevalence (18.6% in 2008 vs. 10.2% in 2012, p = 0.040) and self-reported STI in the last year (24.3% in 2008 vs. 14.3% in 2012, p = 0.020) significantly decreased. Changes in reported sexual behaviors were mixed and the profiles of who did and did not test varied between 2008 and 2012. Conclusions HIV testing uptake more than doubled among MSM in Nanjing from 2008 to 2012 –a period of massive promotion and scale up of testing programs for MSM. However, additional efforts are still needed to further increase the proportion of men being not only tested but also undergoing repeat testing if they engage in continued risk taking behavior.


An insightful review of evidence-based literature unveils a drastically increasing incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). As the global population becomes older, the frequency of adverse coronary events escalates proportionally. The modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that contribute toward the development of MI have been enumerated, and the aftereffects which may follow are known to be even more detrimental. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that the management of MI patients does not only surround their cardiovascular health but is governed by many other seemingly superfluous concerns – some of which fall under the umbrella of frailty. A coalesce of frailty identification and appreciation of its subsequent role in prognostication and management is revolutionary. This further proves the need for considerable collaboration between geriatricians that meticulously deliberate the quintessential all-round care of the elderly as well as the cardiologists whose aim is to optimize cardiac function, survival and quality of life. Thus, the purpose of this mini-review is to ponder upon and adopt a validated assessment tool for the purposes of diagnosing frailty and prognostication amongst MI. This will allow for purposeful formulation of individualized management plans that could reduce the rates of mounting morbidities and all-cause mortality.


The efficacy of thalidomide in the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum is a well established fact; there is also accumulating evidence of its therapeutic value in a number of other inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions. In addition, thalidomide has been shown to be an inhibitor of angiogenesis induced by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Nevertheless, its mechanism of action remains speculative. Using guinea pigs, orally administered thalidomide significantly enhanced the response of multinucleated foreign body giant cells (p<0.05) in subcutaneously implanted polyvinyl alcohol sponges. Furthermore, the drug exerted a dual effect in that it reduced vascular density (p<0.05), which was not abolished by recombinant human bFGF, and at the same time amplified the granulomatous response with and without bFGF (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). The results of our experiments represent a further step toward understanding the mechanism of action of thalidomide, with implications for its potential use in wound healing and scar formation as well as in the control of tumorigenesis.


Since the COVID-19 outbreak hits Indonesia in early March 2020, the government issued a policy that all students, from early childhood to university levels, conduct distance learning processes (from their homes). This is also done by the teachers in KB & TK Amal Insani. Distance learning is delivered by the teacher, one of which is by making simple learning videos made using cellphones. Based on the results of interviews with KB & TK Amal Insani leaders, distance learning carried out by teachers is evaluated every 2 months. A total of 77.2% stated that the learning videos made by the teacher helped children's learning activities at home. From the results of this evaluation, there are inputs from parents who want the learning videos to be made even more interesting so that they can increase children's enthusiasm for learning. The method of implementing this activity is by demonstration (providing examples and how to make learning videos) and mentoring. The target of this training activity is the teachers in KB & TK Amal Insani. The results obtained from this training activity are activity reports, training modules, and scientific articles.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the critical value and possible influencing factors of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in suspected asthma patients.

METHODS
923 suspected asthmatics consecutively referred to our hospital during December 2012 to July 2014 were selected. All cases were carried out FeNO measurement at first; next, spirometry, bronchoprovocation tests or bronchodilation tests were used to confirm or exclude asthma. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine the best cut-off value of FeNO for asthma diagnosis.

RESULTS
In bronchoprovocation test, 125 cases were diagnosed as asthma, other 283 were non-asthmatics. FeNO levels of asthmatics were significantly higher than non-asthmatics (median, 64.8 ppb vs. 27.9 ppb, P<0.01). In this group of patients, 64 ppb was the best cut-off value of FeNO to identify asthma with sensitivity of 52.0% and specificity of 94.35%. In bronchodilation test, 185 patients were diagnosed as asthma, other 330 were non-asthmatics. FeNO levels of asthmatics were significantly higher than non-asthmatics (median, 60.6 ppb vs. 29.05 ppb, P<0.01). In bronchodilation test patients, 41 ppb was the best cut-off value of FeNO to identify asthma with sensitivity of 72.43% and specificity of 74.85%. Influencing factors analysis showed that sex was an independent factor affecting patients' FeNO level.

CONCLUSION
FeNO was an effective auxiliary diagnosis method for bronchial asthma. 64 ppb and 41 ppb was the best cut-off value of FeNO to identify asthma in bronchoprovocation test or bronchodilation test, respectively. Sex was an independent factor affecting patients' FeNO level.


Despite the growing attention given to community‐based initiatives in the delivery of public services, little is known about their durability. This article focuses on Dutch community enterprises (CEs) as an emerging form of community‐based initiatives in urban regeneration. Due to their self‐organizing and (largely) voluntary character, CEs face considerable governance challenges to sustain activities over time. Based on the literature, we examine the interplay of four key conditions in relation to their durability: social capital, entrepreneurial community leadership, supportive relationships with institutional key players and a strong business model. Based on an fsQCA of 12 cases, the main conclusion is that the presence of social capital, strong entrepreneurial leadership and a strong business model is the most important configuration leading to a durable CE. Government support is not found to be a necessary or sufficient condition, but its absence is part of the explanation of non‐durability.


The aim of the paper is to analyze theoretically and empirically the impact the macroeconomic cycle has on the accumulation of capital by organized crime, using estimates for the global drug market. So far the economic literature has neglected the relationships existing between illegal markets, money laundering, and the business cycle. We propose a dynamic model where the business cycle influences the criminal economy via two different channels. On the one side, illegal markets grow at variable rates, depending on the health of the legal economy. Secondly, a pass-through effect can exist, since the business cycle affects the legal markets which criminal operators use to launder their revenues. Furthermore, we analyze the consequences of a "saturation effect" limiting maximum accumulation of illegal capital. We find that overall illegal capital is affected by the business cycle through a capital multiplier; in addition to this, the dynamics of interest rates in financial markets can influence such multiplier.


Fouling is the accumulation of foulant in a heat exchanger. Fouling increases the pressure drop and energy loss. Losses due to fouling in the distillation unit for crude oil reached US $ 4.2-10 billion per year in the United State. Fouling couldn't be avoided, but it could be mitigation. One of the mitigation method is periodic cleaning of the heat exchanger. The time interval of a heat exchanger cleaning schedule is 1-36 months. Energy recovery, additional costs due to the performance of the pump and the cleaning cost are used as variables to determine saving. Results from this research showed that the heat exchanger is cleaned at 9 month is optimal cleaning schedule. Heat exchanger has savings about IDR 7.9 billion at 9 month. The amount is derived from the energy recovery about IDR 8.8 billion, reduced by a cleaning cost about IDR 0.2 billion and the advantage due to additional pumping cost about IDR 1.1 billion.


We report the case of a 71 years old man suspected to suffer from pancreatic carcinoma because of a large mass in the pancreatic head. Intraoperatively, this suspicion could not be confirmed. An unspecific pancreatitis was found. Despite gastrojejunostomy and cholecystectomy with biliodigestive anastomosis and Y-Roux abdominal pain and a massive lost of weight persisted. In the course, the diagnosis of an autoimmune pancreatitis was maid and symptoms quickly improved after the introduction of corticosteroids. In the commentary of this paper the issue of autoimmune pancreatitis will be discussed.


The history of the recognition of the importance of dietary fiber, their current classification into water-soluble and water-insoluble fiber, and lignin, a single non-carbohydrate fiber, and the physiologic role of dietary fiber, with particular reference to retrograde starch resistance to small intestine digestion, are briefly presented. Dietary fiber are highly hygroscopic, thus they greatly contribute to stool voluminosity by binding water, decrease the glycemic index, and exert a protective action, via an as yet unknown mechanism, against the occurrence of colon cancer. It should be added that some dietary fiber decrease the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, i.e. in the human body. The importance of the methodology used for NSP determination is underlined, since some methods determine only some of the polysaccharides, other also measure some other substances, whereas Englyst's method determines NSP only.


Aim To investigate whether pseudomyopia is an independent risk factor for myopia onset based on a population-based cohort study. Methods Non-myopic children were recruited from schools in rural and urban settings of Shangdong province, China. Baseline examinations started in September 2020 and all participants were invited for a 6-month follow-up. Pseudomyopia was defined as spherical equivalent (SE) ≤−0.50 diopters (D) before cycloplegia and >−0.50D after cycloplegia. Myopia was defined as cycloplegic SE ≤−0.50D. Results A total of 2328 children (baseline age: 4–17 years) were included in the final analysis. During the 6-month follow-up, 21.1% (355/1680) pseudomyopic eyes developed myopia, and 3.8% (110/2879) non-myopic and non-pseudomyopic eyes developed myopia. After adjusting for multiple myopia risk factors, including baseline cycloplegic SE, near work and outdoor time, pseudomyopia was found to be an independent risk factor for myopia onset (relative risk=2.52, 95% CI 1.86 to 3.42). Additionally, pseudomyopic children with more myopic cycloplegic SE (p<0.001), smaller difference between cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic SE (DIFF, p<0.001), and higher binocular amplitude of accommodation (p<0.001) had higher risk of myopia development. Conclusion This is an important longitudinal study to prove that pseudomyopia is an independent risk factor for myopia development among school-aged children.


Experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) could be induced in (C3H/HeMs X 129/J)F1 mice by thymectomy (Tx) at 3 days (Tx-3) but not at 0 or 7 days after birth. Appearance of EAP was noticed in the three lobes of the prostate, most frequently and severely in the anterior lobe (coagulating gland). EAP thus induced was characterized by a loss of secretory products in the lumen, massive lymphocytic infiltration in the stroma, especially beneath the epithelial cells, and by the presence of circulating autoantibody(ies) against the epithelial cells of the prostate (APA). EAP started at puberty and its incidence was 68% in 50-150 day old mice. APA was completely absorbed with the homogenates of prostate but not of seminal vesicles, testes or livers of the mouse. High titres of APA, detectable in sera of more than 1,000-fold dilutions accompanized with the severe lesion, were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence (IFL) technique. No sign of EAP was seen in the immature prostate of 90 day old mice which were orchidectomized at 0 day (Orx-0) followed by Tx-3. Exogenous androgen treatment at an adult age induced EAP in these Orx-0 plus Tx-3 mice. The findings indicate that mice which received Tx at a critical neonatal age develop EAP by autosensitization to the antigen(s) normally expressing in the differentiated prostate.


Free fatty acids (FFA) are produced by the hydrolysis of oils and fats. The level of FFA depends on time, temperature and moisture content because the oils and fats are exposed to various environments such as storage, processing, heating or frying. Since FFA are less stable than neutral oil, they are more prone to oxidation and to turning rancid. Thus, FFA is a key feature linked with the quality and commercial value of oils and fats. The American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS), the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and the European Commission (EC) Regulations have established almost identical standard methods for the assessment of FFA. These methods are based on titration, where oils or fats need to be dissolved in hot neutralized ethanol or ethanol/diethyl ether using phenolphthalein as an end point indicator. Titrimetric procedures are, however, laborious and need large amounts of chemicals and solvents. The cost of chemicals and environmental issues further limit these procedures. In addition, accurate detection of end points, especially for highly colored crude oil using a colorimetric indicator, is a difficult task. Despite these disadvantages, the titration method is unfortunately still being used in most of the edible-oil industries for the determination of FFA. Because of a lack of any comprehensive review on this very important topic, we have made an attempt to present a review in order to discuss the various methods available with special emphasis on the instrumental methods because of their high sensitivity, accuracy and rapidity.


Evidence suggests that black men are disproportionately more affected than any other ethnicity by prostate cancer. The aim of this review is to identify studies exploring black men of African and Caribbean descent, their fears of prostate cancer and their attitudes towards screening. Four databases were searched and reference lists of relevant papers were hand searched. The inclusion criteria were studies exploring attitudes towards screening and fear of prostate cancer in black men of African and Caribbean backgrounds, peer-reviewed research, qualitative studies, surveys, questionnaires and English language publications. Qualitative findings were synthesized using a thematic framework to which quantitative findings were integrated. Of the 16 papers, 10 were quantitative and 6 were qualitative, all of which were conducted in the United States of America. Poorer and less educated black men were reluctant to seek help for prostate cancer. They may not visit their doctors for fear of intrusion into their personal lives. Moreover, they were fearful of being emasculated as a result of the digital rectal examination. The review identifies a paucity of UK literature on black men's fears and perceptions of prostate cancer. Further studies are needed in the United Kingdom to address this gap in the literature.


The author's main disagreement with Harold Blum is over Blum's contention that symptomatic improvement is directly linked to the recovery of memories. The idea that memories are laid down in childhood and preserved until the time of their later recovery flies in the face of what we now understand as the creation of memories by the neurobiological systems underpinning this aspect of mental function. No evidence directly links symptomatic improvement to reconstruction and thus to outcome; care should be taken to avoid confusing co-occurrence with causality. While reconstruction of how things actually were in childhood can significantly contribute to therapeutic action, it is the process rather than the outcome of this reconstruction that is therapeutic, due to the opportunity thus afforded to rework current experiences in the context of other perspectives. The author clarifies his definition of transference to show some areas of agreement between his position and Blum's. He disusses contemporary neuroscientific views on memory and identifies a number of psychoanalytic writers who have used these productively.


Vulvitis circumscripta plasmacellularis or Zoon vulvitis is a rare benign condition that affects the vulva chronically. We herein report a case of Zoon vulvitis in a 52-year-old HIV-infected patient with an uncommon ulcerovegetating lesion diagnosed by histopathlogic findings. The patient was treated with clobetasol propionate ointment and oral corticosteroid. Zoon vulvitisis is a rare vulvar disorder that offers a challenging diagnose and therapy. The patient was appropriately treated and remains disease free.


The sodium polysulfide melt has been described by a macroscopic model. This model considers the melt to be composed of sodium cations, monosulfide anions, and neutral sulfur solvent. The transport equations of concentrated-solution theory are used to derived the governing equations for this binaryelectrolyte melt model. These equations relate measurable transport properties to fundamental transport parameters. The focus of this research is to measure the electrical conductivity of sodium polysulfide melts and calculate one of fundamental transport parameters from the experimental data. The conductance cells used in the conductivity measurements are axisymmetric cylindrical cells with a microelectrode. The electrode effects, including double-layer capacity, charge transfer resistance, and concentration overpotential, were minimized by the use of the alternating current at an adequately high frequency. The high cell constants of the conductance cells not only enhanced the experimental accuracy but also made the electrode effects negligible. The electrical conductivities of sodium polysulfide Na{sub 2}S{sub 4} and Na{sub 2}S{sub 5} were measured as a function of temperature (range: 300 to 360{degree}C). Variations between experiments were only up to 2%. The values of the Arrhenius activation energy derived from the experimental data are about 33 kJ/mol. The fundamental transport parameter which quantifies the interactionmore » within sodium cations and monosulfide anions are of interest and expected to be positive. Values of it were calculated from the experimental conductivity data and most of them are positive. Some negative values were obtained probably due to the experimental errors of transference number, diffusion coefficient, density or conductivity data.« less


Indoor air quality is the dominant contributor to total personal exposure because most people spend a majority of their time indoors. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the alternative method for improvement of indoor air quality in house after coating titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalyst for interior part of the house using nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) multiple measurements. To evaluate the alternative method in indoor environment, daily indoor and outdoor NO₂ concentrations of an apartment and a detached house were daily measured for consecutive 21 days in winter and summer, respectively. Another daily 21 measurements were carried out after TiO₂ coating on wall paper of interior part in houses. All NO₂ concentrations were measured by passive filter badges. Indoor air quality models using mass balance are useful tool to quantify the relationship between indoor air pollution levels, ambient concentrations, and explanatory variables. Using a mass balance model and linear regression analysis, penetration factor (ventilation rate divided by sum of ventilation rate and decay rate) and source strength factor (emission rate divided by sum of ventilation rate and decay rate) were calculated. Subsequently, the decay constants were estimated. In this study, magnitude of improvement of indoor air quality could be evaluated by decay constant.


Modern rationalism transformed the modern homeland to a discursive space and time by means of institutes governing the modern society in all its walks. Based on the Newtonian and Kantian conception of space and time the discursive field is just a scene wherein any human individual adopts stewardship to create progress by reducing landscape and non-human life to auxiliary items for human's benefit. In contrast, Aldo Leopold considered humans, non human life and the landscape as mutually influencing participants and enlarged ethical care to all living participants and the landscape, called ´the land´. Integrity and autonomy of the homeland are the central topics of Leopold's land ethics. Baird Callicott suggested to complete it with new metaphysical conceptions of space and time. We formulated a metaphysical background for Leopold's land ethics by phenomenology of space and time based on the Leibnizian conception of space-time. The latter is constructed by particular places and events called ´ecotopois´ embracing all human participants, locals and foreigners in a varying symbolic temporal and spatial field of dynamic process of identification and self consciousness. Adopting Warwick Fox´ transpersonal identification idea non-human life and landscape enriches these processes. Finally, it is not a matter of conquering the land, it is matter of making a community. Though landscape and participants are particular, integrity and autonomy of the homeland claim the universal status of the land. Adopting Gadamer hermeneutical way of understanding, we reject mutual and equally understanding. Only acceptance of mutual prejudice makes room for asymmetric praxis between locals and foreigners as well as between humans and non-humans. What is more, Gadamer´s hermeneutics makes an ontological status of the foreigner possible and recognizes the interest of homeland's particularity. This universal status is guaranteed as a priori space-time that links subject's tradition and that of the land to actual contact with the foreigner. Transpersonal identification is a consequence of converging hermeneutical understanding of foreigner's particularity and that of the landscape. Ethics of the land evolves from the ethical status of any foreigner in the own homeland.


Central venous cannulation (CVC) is a procedure that is frequently performed to facilitate resuscitation, nutritional support and long-term vascular access. It may often cause mechanical complications during placement of a cannula in association with the anatomical relationship with central veins. A 68-year-old man visited our medical institution with a chief complaint of foreign-body-induced esophageal perforation. This patient presented with bleeding of the superior vena cava due to an iatrogenic injury to it during the CVC in the right internal jugular vein. Our case indicates that it would be mandatory to insert a cannula at an optimal depth considering the anatomical relationship between the central veins during the CVC.


The tabulate coral Pleurodictyum americanum Roemer has been cited as an example of a host-specific organism occurring exclusively on the shells of gastropods, particularly Palaeozygopieura hamiltoniae (Hall). Examination of over 1600 specimens of P. americanum, from the Middle Devonian Hamilton Group of western New York, reveals additional complexities which require reinterpretation. While substrate selectivity for Palaeozygopieura shells is evident in all 42 subsamples, a variety of other substrates were also utilized by Pleurodictyum including corals, brachiopods, other molluscs and pebbles. Recent scleractinian corals inhabiting soft bottoms show similar substrate preference, selecting for the tubes of live serpulids, or gastropod shells (invariably with a secondary sipunculid host), but also occasionally settling on unoccupied shells or pebbles. Shell surfaces of P. hamiltoniae, preserved as external molds on the Pleurodictyum epitheca, exhibit encrustation by worm tubes and bryozoans as well as borings and mechanical shell damage, suggesting that these were not the shells of live gastropods. However, the invariant aperture-downward orientation and the high degree of selectivity of P. americanum strongly suggest that the shells were occupied by secondary hosts. □Substrate specificity, commen-salism, tabulate coral, gastropod, sipunculid, Devonian, Hamilton Group, New York.


Background: Insulin resistance has been suggested as one of the known metabolic disorders during cachexia. This study hypothesized that cachexia in cancer patients might be related to insulin resistance as early as cachexia development.
Methods: This study was performed on 46 patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer. Anthropometric characteristics and biochemical markers were assessed at baseline, second and third month. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA IR) method. SFQ-36 questions were used to assess the patients' quality of life at baseline, second and third months.
Results: Anthropometric characteristic was significantly associated between pre-cachectic and non-pre-cachectic patients in third month. Cholesterol (P-value = 0.93), albumin (P-value: 0.82), and serum creatinine (P-value = 0.88) in pre-cachectic patients decreased over three months. There was an increasing trend of insulin resistance between pre-cachectic and non-pre-cachectic patients in third month. Cholesterol had an upward trend with a significant relation in cachectic patients [(P-value = 0.00), (P-value = 0.03), (P-value = 0.01)]. We detected a decreasing trend of insulin resistance between cachectic and non-cachectic patients from second to third month (P-value = 0.04). SFQ evaluation had no significant relation with cachectic status.
Conclusion: Previous studies showed that the use of NSAIDs, progesterone's, corticosteroids, COX-2 inhibitors, anabolic agents and drugs targeting inflammatory cytokines may be beneficial for improving of symptoms of cachexia. Significant relation between anthropometric variables with pre-cachexia and cachectic conditions was concluded. Patients' outcome and its relation with insulin resistance demonstrated a significant relation between the cachectic and non-cachectic patients in the third month. We also detected the increased serum cholesterol level in cachectic patients, moreover, higher cholesterol levels in expired cachectic patients than in the living.


Economic decisions usually involve high stakes, real consequences and some degree of personal risk. This article explores the impact of motivational and volitional states on economic decision processes in an incentivized lottery choice task. We investigated the patterns of decision time, choice, information search, and pupil dilation dependent on an experimental manipulation of motivation and volition, i.e., the deliberative and the implemental mindset. The results indicated that choice preferences in economic decisions were robust and remained unaffected by motivational and volitional states, but decision processes were notably impacted. Decision makers in a deliberative state of mind searched for information more extensively and made slower decisions than the baseline. The implemental mindset was associated with comparatively more attention paid to the probability attributes of the gambles relative to the deliberative mindset. Furthermore, we observed that gamble outcomes which entailed no win at all (i.e., zero-outcomes) played an important role for information search. These outcomes were largely disregarded in terms of predecisional information search but elicited pupillary responses similar to very high outcome lotteries. These results inform the current debate about the zero-effect in risky choice. We also discuss the potential of eye-tracking studies of risky choice to dissolve ambiguities concerning the contributions of effort and arousal to modulating pupillary response. Implications for theoretical advances in decision research are discussed.


Solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC) is extremely rare, and most of them are immediately treated for radical resection. However, the information concerning its natural history remains unclear. In this report, we presented a patient with parapharyngeal SFT/HPC, who was not immediately treated with surgical resection at first diagnosis. After approximately 3 years, the tumor volume doubling time (TVDT) and specific growth rate (SGR) could be measured through 3 serial magnetic resonance imagings. The TVDTs in the early and late pretreatment stages were 350 and 180 days, respectively, while the SGRs were 0.002 and 0.003, respectively. The growth rate of this disease entity is generally slow and may accelerate in the disease process.


Grape stems contain significant amounts of polyphenolic compounds, especially phenolic acids, flavonols, and flavanonols such as astilbin. The tannin content was characterized after the depolymerization reaction thiolysis. Tannins consisted of polymeric proanthocyanidins (up to 27 units) mainly consisting of (-)-epicatechin units along with smaller amounts of (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin gallate, and (-)-epigallocatechin. Flavanonols (astilbin) have been identified for the first time in stem and characterized by LC/MS and NMR. All phenolic compounds in grape stems were quantified by HPLC: quercetin 3-glucuronide was the most important, followed by catechin, caffeoyltartaric acid, and dihydroquercetin 3-rhamnoside (astilbin). Comparison was made of proanthocyanidin characteristics in different white and red grape varieties and also among parts of the cluster (skin, seed, and stem). Stem-condensed tannins were qualitatively intermediate between seed and skin but could not be differentiated between red and white varieties.


A projectile accelerating along launcher rails may cross a range of critical velocities and induce resonance. As a result, the rails and other components exhibit increased displacements and stress that may cause launcher failure. This work is focused on the computation of the critical velocity and investigation of the transient resonance in the assembly of a notional electromagnetic hypervelocity launcher. Several analytical and finite-element models were employed. Different models yielded a good correlation and aided in better understanding of the launcher dynamics. Analysis shows that various components of a launcher can have different critical velocities. The results of this work will further be used to develop a novel design approach based on the idea of controlling the intervals between the critical velocities to minimize the enhanced occurrence of induced resonance regimes in launcher assemblies


Placenta-specific trophoblast and tumor cells exhibit many common characteristics. Trophoblast cells invade maternal tissues while being tolerated by the maternal immune system. Similarly, tumor cells can invade surrounding tissues and escape the immune system. Importantly, both trophoblast and tumor cells are supported by an abetting microenvironment, which influences invasion, angiogenesis, and immune tolerance/evasion, among others. However, in contrast to tumor cells, the metabolic, proliferative, migrative, and invasive states of trophoblast cells are under tight regulatory control. In this review, we provide an overview of similarities and dissimilarities in regulatory processes that drive trophoblast and tumor cell fate, particularly focusing on the role of the abetting microenvironments.


Sharp variations in optical reflectivity were observed when cooling and heating AlN/GaN heterostructures on sapphire substrates between room temperature and 10 K. The reflectivity was found to decrease at a definite temperature Tk in the downward temperature run, and to recover at Tr > Tk in the subsequent upward temperature run. The temperature behaviour of reflectivity exhibits memory on the cooling–heating cycles previously subjected to samples.


Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a syndrome affecting an extremity after a minor trauma or operation. At the moment there is no consensus about the pathogenesis of RSD. In 1942 Paul Sudeck suggested that the signs and symptoms of RSD may be provoked by an exaggerated inflammatory response to injury or operation of an extremity. His theory found no disciples, as most physicians believe that RSD is initiated by an hyperactive sympathetic system. We performed various clinical and experimental investigations, including the effects of antiinflammatory treatment. The results of these studies support the theory of Paul Sudeck.


Co3O4 with a high theoretical capacitance has been widely recognized as a promising electrode material for supercapacitor, but its poor electrical conductivity and stability limit its practical applications. Here, we developed an effective synthetic route to synthesize one-dimensional (1D) porous ZnO/Co3O4 heterojunction composites. Benefiting from the heterostructure to promote the charge transfer and protect Co3O4 from corrosion and the 1D porous structure to improve ion diffusion and prevent structural collapse in charge and discharge process, the as-prepared ZnO/Co3O4 composites exhibited an excellent capacitive performance and good cycling stability. The specific capacitance of the ZnO/Co3O4-450 (1135 F g-1 at 1 A g-1) was 1.4 times higher than that of Co3O4 (814 F g-1), and the high-rate performance for ZnO/Co3O4-450 was 4.9 times better than that of Co3O4. Also, approximately 83% of its specific capacitance was retained after 5000 cycles at 10 A g-1. Most importantly, the as-fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor, with a ZnO/Co3O4-450 positive electrode and an activated carbon negative electrode, delivered a prominent energy density of 47.7 W h kg-1 and a high power density of 7500 W kg-1. Thus, the ZnO/Co3O4 composites could serve as a high-activity material for supercapacitor and the preparation method also offers an attractive strategy to enhance the capacitive performance of Co3O4.


BACKGROUND
Many children worldwide do not eat recommended amounts of vegetables. Disliking vegetables is a key factor associated with low intake.

OBJECTIVE
This umbrella review synthesized systematic reviews to determine the effectiveness of sensory and behavioral strategies to facilitate liking of vegetables (primary outcome) in young children up to 5 y of age, as key predictors of vegetable intake (secondary outcome).

METHODS
Nine databases were searched up to May 2019 (updated in September 2020). Two reviewers independently conducted study screening and selection, data extraction, and assessment of methodological quality using AMSTAR 2 (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews). Eleven reviews (n = 1 rated strong quality, n = 4 moderate quality, n = 6 low/critically low quality) examining 85 primary studies met the review criteria: systematic reviews and meta-analyses of primary studies (any quantitative design) that examined sensory or behavioral strategies on vegetable liking or intake (outcomes reported separately for children ≤5 y). Strategy effectiveness was synthesized into 3 categories based on evidence strength: 1) promising (large and consistent body of moderate quality evidence), 2) emerging (small to moderate body of mixed consistency and quality evidence), and 3) limited (small body of limited consistency and quality evidence).

RESULTS
Promising evidence was identified for repeated exposure to a single or a variety of vegetables. Emerging evidence was identified for several strategies that increase familiarity with vegetable flavors (e.g., via exposure in utero and through breast milk, and a "vegetable first" approach to complementary feeding) and/or willingness to try vegetables (e.g., via parental role modeling, nonfood rewards, and vegetable-based story books).

CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence supports incorporation of tailored advice into guideline documents for parents and carers to repeatedly expose their children to a variety of vegetables to increase vegetable intake. Ongoing robust research on strategies to facilitate children's liking of vegetables is warranted to strengthen the evidence base underpinning advice for parents and health professionals.


A new Teflon catheter for continuous in vivo measurement of blood gases by mass spectrometry has an outer diameter of 0.032 in. and can be inserted through percutaneous puncture with an 18-gauge needle. Response time (63% of a total change) is 40 s for oxygen and 65 s for carbon dioxide. When calibrated in analyzed gas at 37 degrees C, the catheter-mass spectrometer system has been shown to analyze tonometered blood with an error of 1.6% for oxygen and 1.9% for carbon dioxide. Temperature dependence is 2.0% per degrees C for oxygen and 1.6% per degrees C for carbon dioxide. The catheter was thrombo-resistant during in vivo use in seven dogs and measurements compared favorably with results of blood sample analyses by standard hospital methods. Compared with previous devices, the new catheter provides size and convenience, advantages that make it more applicable for routine clinical use.


Determining causal effects in exposure-response relationships is an important but also a challenging task since confounding factors that affect both drug exposure and response often exist and lead to confounding biases in causal effect estimation. Randomized concentration control (RCC) trials are designed to eliminate or to reduce the confounding bias. However, statistical issues in the design and analysis of these trials have not been examined closely in the literature. Analysis of dose-exposure relationship may also be affected by confounding factors if they affect dose adjustments. We examined these issues and suggest methodological and practical solutions. In particular, we proposed using instrumental variables (IV) for the estimation of causal effects in both exposure-response and dose-exposure relationships. We also examined the impacts of confounded treatment heterogeneity on the IV estimate for RCC trials. We illustrated these approaches with a trial design scenario showing the importance of considering multiple practical factors that may alter the performance of the IV estimate. The performance of the IV estimates was examined by simulations for a wide range of scenarios. The results showed clear advantages for the IV estimates over routine estimates. Some situations in which the IV estimates may fail were also identified.


Alcohol-induced liver injury is a significant global health problem. The mechanisms by which alcohol causes cell injury are still not clear. Many of the hepatic toxic effects of ethanol have been linked to its metabolism in the liver and shown to correlate with cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) levels, lipid peroxidation, and elevated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). CYP2E1 is induced under a variety of pathophysiological conditions, by drugs, and by alcohol. The goal of this review is to describe and characterize the liver cytochrome P450 microsomal mixed function oxidase system including the generation of ROS. The review then discusses biochemical and toxicological properties of CYP2E1 and its contribution to ethanol-elevated oxidant stress and liver pathology.


OBJECTIVE
Screening KIF21A gene mutation in 9 families with congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles and 7 sporadic cases.

METHODS
Families were ascertained and patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations. The probands of 9 families with CFEOM and 7 sporadic patients were recruited for this study after informed consent. Genomic DNA was isolated from 5 ml peripheral blood samples according to the standard methods. Direct sequencing was performed after PCR amplification to genomic DNA for detection of KIF21A gene mutation.

RESULTS
We identified heterozygous KIF21A mutations in 14 of sixteen patients. Twelve of them harbor the most common mutation, c.2860C > T (p.R954W) and two of them harbor the second most common mutation, c2861G > A(p.R954Q). The R954 mutations account for 87.5% (14/16), in which 75% (12/16) are R954W, 12.5% (2/16) are R954Q.

CONCLUSION
The R954 mutations are also hotspots in Chinese patients with CFEOM.


Magnetic separation of several classes of antibiotics was investigated using electrochemical magnetic seeding. Electrocoagulation with a sacrificial anode followed by addition of magnetite particles was applied for the magnetic seeding of antibiotics. With electrochemical magnetic seeding using an iron anode, tetracycline antibiotics (oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, doxycycline and tetracycline) and cephalosporin antibiotic (cefdinir) were rapidly removed from synthetic wastewater by magnetic separation using a neodymium magnet. Iron and aluminium anodes were suitable for magnetic seeding of the antibiotics. The results indicated that the ability of antibiotics to form strong complex with iron and aluminium allowed the higher removal by magnetic separation. This method would be appropriate for rapid treatment of antibiotics in wastewater.


Purpose: This study explored factors that influence happiness in nursing students. Methods: The participants were 182 nursing students at a university in B city. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression with the SPSS Win 22.0. Results: Happiness in nursing students correlated significantly with resilience (r=.79, p <.001) and self-differentiation (r=.38, p <.001). Resilience, subjective health status, and selection motivation to study nursing explained 69.1% of the variance in happiness. Conclusion: The study shows resilience, subjective health status, and selection motivation to study nursing are important factors for happiness in nursing students. These findings can be utilized to develop strategies for increasing nursing students' happiness.


In a group of 74 patients with irritable colon syndrome (ICS) the studies were carried out evaluating the participation of early allergic reaction to meals, depression, and indices of immune response in the aetiology and pathogenesis of this syndrome. An attempt was also undertaken at evaluation of the influence of depression on the immune system functions in these patients. Clinical reactions after meals were reported by 89% of the studied patients with ICS, and in 8% of these patients it was recognized that early allergic reaction to meals had been the pathological mechanism responsible for the observed reactions. The intensity of depression and the per cent of patients with depression were statistically higher in patients with ICS as compared with persons in the control group. The number of Ea rosette forming T-cells was decreased in patients with ICS significantly in comparison to controls. The numbers of T- and B-cells were decreased statistically significantly in patients with depression intensity of 50 and over 50 points as compared with those without depression. In certain patients other immunological abnormalities were also found, such as decreased serum IgA level combined with absence of that Ig in the large bowel mucosa. The studies carried out suggest the statement that abnormal reactions after meal are common in patients with ICS and the participation of type I allergy according to Gell and Coombs in these reactions has been shown in 8% of the studied patients, and that the participation of psychopathological changes should be considered in the aetiology and pathogenesis of this syndrome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


This paper deals with a recognition system of handwritten Arabic numerals extracted to the MNIST standard database (Arabic numerals). This system is composed of three main phases: the pre-processing of numerals followed by the extraction of primitives with the zoning method in order to convert each image into a vector number, which is nothing other than a piece of information extracted from this numeral just to differentiate the others. Finally, our recognition system will end with a classification phase using two methods: the K-nearest neighbours (K-NN) and HiddenMarkovModel (HMM). This work has achieved a recognition rate of approximately 82 of success.


As a result of the historical evolution of Incheon City, her
once flourished old town center has been loosing the leading
roles in behalf of the new centers created in the recently
developped area.
This situation urging necessary measures for the prevention of
further degradation of the old center, our study aims at a
proposal for the solution of the problems through the establishment
of a rehabilitation plan.


Background: Getting used to consume fruit and vegetable is very important since childhood to adulthood. A lack of fruit and vegetable consumption leads to poor health and an increased risk of non-communicable diseases. The percentage of fruit and vegetable consumption deficiency in Indonesian population ≥60 years in 2016 was 28.9%, 35-59 years was 26.1%, and <15 years was 25.8%. This study aimed to examine the effect of nutritional education through singing and card game technique on fruits and vegetables intake in kindergarten school children.

Subjects and Method: This was a quasi experimental study with control design. This study was conducted in four kindergarten schools in West Bangka from January to February 2018. A sample of 68 children, aged 5-6 years, both male and female was selected for this study by purposive random sampling. The sample was divided into 4 groups: (1) Singing technique; (2) Picture card game; (3) Combination of singing and card game; (4) Nutrition education using power point (control group). Each group performed 30-50 minute nutrition education using power point every week for 4 weeks. Fruit and vegetable intake was measured by 24-hour recall form 2 days without succession. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test.

Results: After intervention, the fruit intake in group (1) Singing technique (Mean= 1.71 d, SD= 0.85); (2) Card game (Mean= 1.76, SD= 0.56); (3) Combination of singing and card game (Mean= 1.82; SD= 0.53); (4) Control (Mean= 2.88, SD= 1.58) with p= 0.002. After intervention, the vegetable intake in group (1) Singing technique (Mean= 2.00, SD= 1.17); (2) Card game (Mean= 2.88; SD= 1.58); (3) Combination (Mean= 2.94, SD= 1.35); (4) Control (Mean = 4.35, SD= 1.37) with p= 0.001.

Conclusion: Singing technique and card game is effective in inreasing fruit and vegetable intake among kindergarten school children.

Keywords: singing, card game, fruit intake, vegetable intake, kindergarten, school children


The impact of leishmaniasis on public health is often underestimated. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy may minimize the development of serious sequelae.


This paper argues that the Augustan period witnessed a dramatic reconception of Roman religion—a reconception that played a vital role in the emperor's efforts to create a unified sense of identity that included both Romans and Italians. Instead of a religion of place tied to specific historical developments, both Virgil in the Aeneid and Augustus in his rebuilding of the eighty-two temples emphasized religious practices ordained by a single authoritative figure and connected to pre-Roman Italy. The reconstruction program reshaped Roman memory as well as the physical city, because Roman temples served not only as religious sites, but also as monuments in which Roman memories and Roman history resided. This reordering of Roman topographical and chronological space thus linked Roman identity not to the history of expansionist Rome over the previous 500 years, but rather to Augustan Rome and its fuller inclusiveness of Italy.


The article is devoted to the differentiation of the stages of the artistic realia introduction into English literary texts based on the artistic communicative situations, taking into account the peculiarities of the communicants' interaction, artworks actualisation, and realisation of time and space characteristics in the artistic discourse. The stage by stage differentiation of the artworks introduction into the literary text is developed based on the structural analysis of the artistic communicative situations. Accordingly, there are preintroductive, introductive, and postintroductive stages. The completeness of each stage representation is determined by the form of the artwork in the literary text and can be complete, compressed, or zero.
In the article, the peculiarities of each stage are defined based on the analysis of the illustrative material. There are preintroductive (determining the time and space parameters of the communicative situation before artwork mentioning, introduction of the participants and description of their appearance and inner state), introductive (introduction of the artwork into the communicative situation, description of such components as form, meaning, artwork characteristics, and emotions connected with it), and postintroductive stages (reaction to the artwork after its perception, realised in the form of the verbalised or non-verbalised communication and capable of stimulating the discussion of the perceived information).
Special attention is given to the peculiarities of the artworks introduction from the performer's and the recipient's points of view; the details and aspects of their descriptions are considered. Depending on the person who tells the story, the stages of introduction can be prerepresentational, representational, and postrepresentational (in the performer's descriptions) or preperceptive, perceptive, and postperceptive (in the recipient's descriptions).


Dead woody material (DWM) plays numerous important roles in forest ecosystems; however, through the process of decomposition, it undergoes structural and chemical changes that progressively alter its function in these roles. Much remains unknown about how DWM mechanical strength and structural integrity change through decomposition in natural forest settings. We assessed changes in wood strength (bending strength, compressive strength, and surface hardness) using standard wood stakes of known initial mass from three species. The stakes were placed in forested settings for two and four years before collection for laboratory analyses. All three strength metrics decreased as stakes lost mass due to decay; however, bending strength had the strongest relationship with mass loss, a result that was consistent for all species, as well as species-pooled data. Results for all strength-loss metrics indicate that stakes had experienced ca. 10% strength loss before any detectable mass loss had occurred. Further, our r...


Abstract Less invasive contemporary endovenous techniques with improved stents have made treatment of the May Thurner Syndrome(MTS) more accessible and safer. However, clear criteria for the accurate diagnosis remain obscure. All imaging modalities are performed with patients in a supine position were compression of the left Common Iliac Vein is seen in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. There is no clear threshold value. There are no validated hemodynamic criteria. This leads to the necessity of additional information such as measurements performed in an upright position as well as greater scrutiny in detecting fibrous wall thickening and spurs as well as identifying the presence of venous collaterals. Moreover, those contemplating treating MTS should not only identify specific symptoms, but also should consider that patient complaints may be related to a more complex presentation of pelvic congestion.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence and mechanism of Cheyne-Stokes breathing pattern in patients with heart failure.

METHODS
Fifty-six patients who performed polusomnography sleep testing at National Center of Cardiovascular Diseases Fuwai Hospital from March to May in 2015. We divided them into chronic heart failure (CHF) group and non-CHF group.

RESULTS
The occurrences of sleep apnea in two groups were high. In CHF group (n = 11) , there were 10 patients with apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > 5; and their AHI was 23.93 ±14.63. In non-CHF group (n = 45), there were 33 patients whose AHI > 5; and their AHI was 16.20 ± 18.76. The ratio of center sleep apnea to all gross sleep apnea ratio in CHF group was higher than that in non-CHF group (80.21% ± 30.55% vs 27.16% ± 35.71%, P < 0.01 ).

CONCLUSION
Based upon the new theory of holistic integrative physiology and medicine, we explain the mechanism of circulatory dysfunction induce the oscillation breathing in patients with CHF. The sleep apnea and C-S respiration in CHF should be called circulatory sleep apnea, rather than central sleep apnea.


The FeSe wires and tapes with Fe (S22 steel) and Cu/Nb sheath were fabricated by various modifications of the powder-in-tube (PIT) method. The superconducting critical parameters (upper critical field, critical current, critical temperature) depending on heat treatment time were investigated using resistive R (T) and transport measurements I (V) in magnetic fields up to 9T. The low-temperature annealing up to 72 h improve superconducting properties of superconducting wire with steel sheath. However, the annealing is the cause of superconducting wires degradation due to deterioration of contacts between the steel shell and the FeSe core. We show that industrial PIT technology of manufacturing $\text{Nb}_3\text{Sn}$ wires and tapes might be adopted for iron-based superconductors. Moreover, industrial PIT is a promising technique for fabricating large scale and high-quality superconducting wire and tapes. In addition, we show that fine grinding of the FeSe bulks leads mainly to a phase transition from the tetragonal to the hexagonal crystal structure that exhibits no superconductivity.


Online shopping is common in many categories of retail goods. The recent trend towards online retailing has created an unprecedented empirical opportunity to examine consumer search behavior using click stream data. In this paper we examine consumer search intensity across a wide range of grocery products that differ in the depth of product assortment. We develop a model of attribute search in which consumers search within a chosen retailer for products that match their tastes, and that equilibrium prices reflect retailers' expectations of how intensively consumers intend to shop. The model predicts an inverse relationship between product variety and attribute search in which greater product variety reduces search intensity and leads to higher retail prices. We test these hypotheses using consumer data on online search and purchase behavior from the comScore Web Behavior Panel. Our results indicate that consumer's search less and pay higher retail prices in categories with deeper product assortments, a finding that suggests deeper product assortments can produce anti-competitive effects in retail food markets mediated through equilibrium responses in consumer search.


The hydrodynamic forces and motions of floating cylinders with arbitrary cross section subjected to beam waves are studied in the time domain. The hydrodynamic radiation forces are represented by infinite frequency added masses and convolution integrals of memory functions. The exciting forces are calculated in the frequency domain. The hydrostatic forces are evaluated both around the mean equilibrium position and over the instantaneous wetted surface in order to assess the effect of the non-linearity of these forces. Results of sway, heave and roll motions are presented for cylinders with rectangular and triangular cross section shapes.


The fate of lipid-rich components in the fat body cells of Rhodnius during extreme starvation and recovery is described. The mitochondria (along with ER etc.) degenerate to form largecytolysomes whose amorphous contents are dispersed after feeding to yield watery vacuoles with lipofuscin in their walls. Surviving mitochondria become swollen, with reduced cristaeand conspicuous deposits of residual lipid or lipofuscin. In extreme starvation chromatin is progressively dispersed and discharged from the nucleus. After feeding, damaged mitochondria recover very slowly before multiplying; there seems tobe no new formation of mitochondria. New ER is formed within the first hour after feeding bythe escape of lipid-rich material from the nucleolus, which leads to expansion of the outer nuclear membrane to form blisters; these are budded off to form cysts and their surface is evaginated repeatedly to form laminated ER. New lipid droplets in the fat body appear to arise from the condensation of clusters of lipid-rich particles which are derived from the ER.