Strong epidemiological evidence confirms the role of sunlight in human melanoma induction. Furthermore, the frequency of melanocytic nevi is a good indicator of future development of melanoma and a short-term marker of adverse reactions to melanoma-inducing sun exposure in humans. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop and define an animal model for sunlight-induced nevi that can be used as a surrogate model for sunlight-induced melanoma. Five treatment groups of 30-40 Hartley albino guinea pigs/group were treated with topical 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene at a dose range of 6-240 mg on the dorsum of the skin. At week 20, half of the animals in each group were given a 12-month regimen of minimal erythemal solar-simulated light, 3 times/week, increased weekly to maintain erythema. These regimes induced epidermally derived pigmented melanocytic nevi clinically and histologically similar to human nevi (junctional, compound, and dermal). S100 and HMB45 staining was also consistent with the patterns seen in human nevi. In contrast to the high-dose 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-treated animals (60 and 240 mg), where solar-simulated light had no effect on nevi multiplicity, those groups treated with low doses (24, 12, and 6 mg) had a significant increase in nevi multiplicity after 12 months of solar-simulated light treatment (24 mg, 0.5 nevi/animal unirradiated versus 1.4 nevi/animal irradiated, P = 0.03; 12 mg, 0.2 unirradiated versus 1.2 irradiated, P = 0.02; 6 mg, 0 unirradiated versus 1.9 irradiated, P = 0.008). UVB-induced minimal erythemal dose was unaltered after exposure to photoreactivating light, consistent with the observation of others that placental mammals lack the DNA photolyase responsible for strong photoreactivation seen in nonplacental mammals and lower metazoans. Thus, our guinea pig model has some of the essential elements required to be a robust animal model for human nevi and a surrogate model for melanoma. These nevi are augmented by solar-simulated light, are histologically similar, occupy the same level within the skin, have the same natural history as human nevi, and are produced in an animal lacking strong photoreactivation. These features are not found in any previously described small laboratory animal model.


Introduction Accidental occupational exposure of healthcare workers to blood and body fluids after skin injury or mucous membrane contact constitutes a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens. Such pathogens include Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV). We conducted a study to determine the prevalence and associated factors for percutaneous injuries and splash exposures among health-care workers in Rift Valley provincial hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from October to November 2010. Self reported incidents, circumstances surrounding occupational exposure and post-exposure management were sought by use of interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple logistic regression (forward stepwise procedure) analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results Twenty five percent of health-care workers interviewed (N = 305) reported having been exposed to blood and body fluids in the preceding 12 months. Percutaneous injuries were reported by 19% (n = 305) and splash to mucous membrane by 7.2%. Higher rates of percutaneous injuries were observed among nurses (50%), during stitching (30%), and in obstetric and gynecologic department (22%). Health workers aged below 40 years were more likely to experience percutaneous injuries (OR= 3.7; 95% CI = 1.08-9.13) while previous training in infection prevention was protective (OR= 0.52; 95% CI = 0.03-0.90). Forty eight percent (n = 83) reported the incidents with 20% (n = 83) taking PEP against HIV. Conclusion Percutaneous injuries and splashes are common in Rift Valley Provincial hospital. Preventive measures remain inadequate. Health institutions should have policies, institute surveillance for occupational risks and enhance training of health care workers.


Five polypropylene (PP) homopolymers were selected and their molecular structure was thoroughly characterized to determine the effect of molecular architecture on their annealing behavior and on the ultimate stiffness achieved by heat treatment. Molecular mass and its distribution were characterized by rheological measurements, while chain regularity was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using stepwise isothermal segregation technique (SIST). The samples were annealed in two different ways. Tensile bars were treated in an oven at 165 °C for increasing times to determine changes in stiffness. Various defects (microcracks and voids) developed during the annealing of tensile specimens that did not allow the reliable determination of modulus by direct measurement. On the other hand, the second approach, the annealing of small samples in a DSC cell clearly showed the changes occurring in crystalline structure and also the effect of nucleation and molecular architecture on them. The large molecular weight fraction used to facilitate nucleation hinders crystal perfection, whereas the presence of a heterogeneous nucleating agent increases overall crystallinity, but does not influence recrystallization during annealing. Melting traces were transformed into lamella thickness distributions from which average lamella thickness was derived. Lamella thickness and crystallinity, the independent variables of the model equation used for the calculation of modulus, were extrapolated to infinite annealing time to predict maximum stiffness. The value obtained, 3.5 GPa, is very far from the theoretically predicted 40 GPa of oriented crystals, which cannot be achieved under practical conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3365–3373, 2013


Chromatin organization has an important role in the regulation of eukaryotic systems. While recent studies have refined the 3-D models of chromatin organization with high resolution at the genome sequence level, little is known about how the most fundamental units of chromatin — nucleosomes — are positioned in 3-D in vivo. Here we have used electron cryotomography to study chromatin organization in the budding yeast S. cerevisiae. Direct visualization of yeast nuclear densities shows no evidence of 30-nm chromatin fibers. Aside from pre-ribosomes and spindle microtubules, few nuclear structures are larger than a tetranucleosome. Yeast chromatin does not form compact structures in interphase or mitosis and is consistent with being in an "open" configuration that is conducive to high levels of transcription. In the absence of higher-order chromatin packing, we propose that yeast can regulate its transcription using local nucleosome-nucleosome associations.


In organizations, it is increasingly about utilizing the intellectual and social capital of employees. Communities of practice (CoPs) are organized to take full advantage of the intellectual and social capital. In this study, the focus is on social capital and the aim is to improve it in CoPs by understanding individual's community network positions. A netnographic approach has been used to identify community network positions based on online social interactions of individuals. In order to gain insight into underlying factors that are related to the development of these network positions, a unique digital connection has been made with a socio-psychological survey. The results indicate increasing polarization in the CoPs. The more centrally located people are more positive about their perceived opportunities from their organisation and consider themselves in a better position to make a meaningful contribution to a CoP than those with a less central position. Thus, understanding and utilizing community network positions can make an important contribution to supporting social capital.


Introduction
 Rapid advances in technology pose severe challenges to organizations that are dependent on their technology for day-to-day operations as well as strategic renewal. For example, one major challenge is the decision of which new technology to adopt and when to adopt it. If an organization implements a technology too early and its industry takes up another technology later as the standard, the organization will have wasted resources and must expend more in order to switch or make its technology compatible. If the organization waits for a standard to emerge, it will lose any benefits of being the first mover. Organizations struggle to predict the shape of tomorrow's industry, especially more dynamic industries like wireless communications.
 Current business theories are limited in their ability to explain phenomena happening in these dynamic industries. They are also weak in their ability to predict the totality of these types of industries. Theories like the resource-based view of the firm and dynamic capabilities can assess an individual firm's competitiveness and analyze competition between one firm and another under preordained and well-ordered industrial structures, but they cannot explain the total shape of an industry and the positioning of firms within the industry. For example, the analysis and comparison of organizations in the wireless industry, such as Nokia, Samsung, Qualcomm, Vodafone, Hutchison, and Verizon, can assess a company's resources and capabilities and its superiority over another in its resources or capabilities. But these theories do not explain the whole picture of the industry, why companies are pursuing different technologies, why and how they ally with one another, or how companies with fewer resources or capabilities can compete with those with more, for example.
 They also fail to account for how organizations and industries change constantly through internal and external forces. In fairly static industries like the traditional auto industry, companies operated on the same stable supply chains and other systems for decades, thus it was fair to detach two or more organizations from the same shared industrial context to compare them. However, we cannot separate organizations from their industrial context in current dynamic industries like information technology, because organizations and the industry in which they belong co-evolve rapidly by affecting each other. None of the standard business theories can give us clear answers to how, for example, Qualcomm and Korean electronics companies, that started with few resources, capabilities and market share, could create and then expand their territory in the GSM-dominated wireless industry led by Nokia.
 More broadly, the nature of modern business competition appears to be undergoing a fundamental change. To explore the new industrial dynamics, we use the intuitive ideas of threads, fabric and weaving to develop a perspective which promises to greatly facilitate the description and analysis of highly competitive and dynamic industries such as the wireless industry. The Thread-Fabric view perceives organizations and industries as organic entities rather than as rigid and mechanical units. The proposed perspective also differs from existing theories in that it allows a way to observe industries and predict the future not only at the level of individual firms but also from the scope of entire industries. For industry, we hope this theory can support managers and decision-makers to understand the fast-changing business environment and build strategies and tactics to achieve their business goals. For academia, we hope our proposal shows a new way to analyze and understand how industries transform in this day and age.
 Here, we describe our framework and clarify its details by applying it to the example of the global wireless industry. We use this framework to analyze current dynamics in the wireless industry: the fight for third-generation technology standards, and within that, the competition over wireless internet platform standards. We also discuss the possible use of this framework to predict future directions in industries.


The duration of the cycle of human capital accumulation in the workplace, as well as the need to constantly master new technologies and practices of medical and preventive care for the population, require professional development of healthcare professionals. The implementation of this need requires the provision of appropriate social protection of medical personnel. The purpose of the study. Development of approaches to the analysis of social protection of medical professionals in the world of work concerning working conditions that contribute to the maintenance and development of their professional level. Material and methods. The concept of social work-related security was used as the theoretical basis of the study. The methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data of sociological and economic surveys were used as a methodological basis. The data were obtained based on the materials of sample questionnaires of medical specialists conducted throughout Russia and in Moscow. Results. The ratings for assessing the characteristics of social protection of medical specialists have been determined. The highest rating was given to assessments of the stability of employment and wages, the lowest - assessments of labor safety (in terms of intensity), and wage size. Another group of reasons for the average rating was the identified advantages and disadvantages of the system of additional professional education. Discussion. The main characteristics of the work, which contribute to and complicate professional development, have been identified. They create a basis for finding and justifying ways to improve them. A complex of objective and subjective factors has been formed that affect the participation of medical specialists in additional professional education and its qualitative results. Conclusion. Many scientific prerequisites are presented for expanding the possibilities for a more successful integration of continuing education in health care into the general system of continuing professional education.


Background: The Herb Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) commercially used for the treatment of migrainedue to the presence of parthenolide. It contains sesquiterpene lactone which is the main active compound of this plant. Since ancient times, the herb has been known for asthma, rheumatism and mainly for migraine with anti-inflammatory effects.
Methodology:In this study, oral dispersible tablets consisting ofTanacetum parthenium and vitamin B2 were prepared by direct compression method. Anhydrous dextrose, Rasberry flavor, Aerosil 200, Magnesuim sterate and Stevia and Sucralose were used as excipients. Samples were analysed by using RP18 column (150 x 4.6 mm id, 5 micron particle size) and having Mixture of Acetonitrile with water 55:45 as a mobile phase. Flow rate were 1.0 ml/min and volume of injection were 20µL on 210 Wavelength.
Results:The prepared batches of tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability.Quantitative determination was evaluated via an HPLC method for standard verses tablets. Parthenolide was found 0.365 mg/tablet via an HPLC method. The results confirmed the authenticity of the manufactured tablet with the labelled indication.
Conclusion: The active biomarker Parthenolide has quantify with the help of peak by HPLC and authenticate the presence of active in the dispersible oral tablets as compare to the standard.


It includes a cache server (101) data system, a predictive function in a particular forecast caching server (107). Having a higher data rate requirements of such a case where an additional function enables the cache system to promote the storage servers / cache server systems than conventional promoting the cache. Thus, by a protocol, forecasting cache server indicating they are attached or pre-fetch data or store data that is not stored in the original data from the source server, the cache server serving the prediction of the effectiveness of each cache server region User. Predicted cache server stores a database to record all the addresses of all pages of all cache servers that control the storage, as well as historical data.


Spontaneous stereocomplex aggregation of diblock poly(styrene)-b-poly(L-lactide) PS-b-PLLA/poly(D-lactide) PDLA pairs has been investigated under ambient temperature in tetrahydrofuran solution. First, diblock PS260-b-PLLA(165) and PS260-b-PDLA(162) bearing similar lengths of respective PLLA and PDLA blocks were synthesized through controlled atom-transfer radical polymerization of styrene, and a subsequent living ring-opening polymerization of optically pure lactides, and their structures were further characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). Subsequently, new enantiomeric poly(D-lactide) stabilized core-shell fluorescent CdSe quantum dots (CdSe/PDLA QD) were designed and prepared as sensitive fluorescence labels to shed new lights on the spontaneous stereocomplex aggregation in THF, which was mediated by stereocomplexation of the PLLA and PDLA chains. Upon simply mixing two individual THF solution of diblock PS260-b-PLLA(165) and HO-PDLA(30)-SH, spontaneous stereocomplex aggregation was studied, and the aggregated uniform spherical particles were observed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) to exhibit average particle diameters of 2.0 mu m. Finally, utilizing the prepared CdSe/PDLA QDs as new fluorescent labels, morphologies of the spontaneous aggregates by new diblock PS260-b-PLLA(165)/HO-PDLA(30)-SH pair were for the first time directly visualized by a confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy (CLSFM). These results might suggest alternative ways to simply prepare functional fluorescent particles with tunable diameter sizes and would be helpful to understand the mechanism of stereocomplex particle aggregation. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1393-1.405, 2009


Background: The management of mTNBC is a therapeutic challenge, and chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment. Atezolizumab (atezo; MPDL3280A) is a humanized anti-PDL1 antibody that inhibits PD-L1 binding to PD-1 and B7.1 but leaves PD-L2/PD-1 binding intact. mTNBC has high levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (IC), increased PD-L1 expression and high mutation rates that may generate immunogenic neoantigens, making it an attractive candidate for PD-L1–targeted therapy with atezo. Accordingly, atezo monotherapy has demonstrated durable responses in mTNBC (Emens et al, AACR 2015). In addition, atezo combined with nab-paclitaxel has shown promising tolerability and activity in mTNBC (Adams et al, SABCS 2015; pending). Nab-paclitaxel has high anti-tumor activity that may favorably alter the immune microenvironment. Based on these preliminary results, a Phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (IMpassion130) was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel combined with atezo as first-line therapy for mTNBC. Methods: Patients are randomized 1:1 to receive atezo (840 mg) or placebo on days 1 and 15 plus nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m2) on days 1, 8 and 15; all treatments are given on a 28-day cycle. Patients are stratified by the presence of liver metastases, prior taxane therapy and the PD-L1 status of IC (IC0 vs IC1/2/3). PD-L1 expression is centrally evaluated by immunohistochemistry using the SP142 assay. To capture pseudoprogression and delayed responses to atezo, patients with radiographic progression may continue to receive open-label atezo alone or with nab-paclitaxel until unacceptable toxicity or loss of clinical benefit. Eligibility criteria: This study will enroll patients with histologically documented locally advanced or metastatic TNBC, no prior systemic therapy for advanced TNBC, ECOG PS 0-1 and measurable disease per RECIST v1.1. Patients with significant cardiovascular or CNS disease (except asymptomatic treated CNS metastases), autoimmune disease or prior immune checkpoint blockade therapy are excluded. Endpoints: The co-primary efficacy endpoints are progression-free survival (PFS) in all patients and in PD-L1–selected patients. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, response duration, safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics and health-related quality of life. Tumor biopsies are obtained at baseline and at progression to evaluate potential biomarkers associated with therapeutic response and resistance. Statistical methods/target accrual: PFS will be compared between treatment arms (nab-paclitaxel vs. nab-paclitaxel plus atezo) using the stratified log-rank test. The hazard ratio for disease progression or death will be estimated using a stratified Cox proportional hazards model. Kaplan-Meier methodology will be used to estimate the median PFS for each treatment arm. About 350 patients will be enrolled at ≈ 120 sites globally. Sponsor: Genentech, Inc. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02425891. Citation Format: Emens L, Adams S, Loi S, Schmid P, Schneeweiss A, Rugo H, Chui S, Winer E. A phase III randomized trial of atezolizumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel as first line therapy for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-01-06.


* Corresponding author, email address: email@example.com ABSTRACT This research aims to examine the effect of managerial ownership, institutional ownership, and foreign ownership on intellectual capital performance. The intellectual capital performance is measured by Extended Value Added Intellectual Capital Plus (E-VAIC Plus) which was developed by Ulum (2014). M anagerial ownership is measured by the ratio of the number of stocks owned by the managers over the total company's stocks outstanding. Institutional ownership is measured by the ratio of the number of stocks owned by institutions over the total company's stocks outstanding. Foreign ownership is measured by the ratio of the number of stocks owned by foreign parties over the total company's stocks outstanding. It sused a population of 34 banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the period 2013-2016. They were taken using a purposive sampling technique, consisting of 20 banks. The data were analyzed using SEMPLS. The results showed that managerial ownership has an effect on intellectual capital performance. Institutional ownership has no effect on intellectual capital performance. Foreign ownership has no effect on intellectual capital performance.


The authors describe the implementation of a digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) on a single integrated circuit. A VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) model of the DRFM was completed and used to design the VLSI components of the DRFM architecture. The model performed the specified time and frequency shift functions. A DRFM, with a 1 K memory, a control unit, and a digital single-sideband modulator (DSSM) has been placed onto a silicon single chip layout design.<<ETX>>


Abstract : Our goal is to develop a practical, diet-based intervention for prostate cancer. We plan to implement a randomized clinical trial of a novel dietary intervention that utilizes a central, telephone-based counseling program to promote vegetable intake among prostate cancer patients who are being treated with active surveillance. As part of this trial, we will test whether a gene fusion biomarker will predict disease progression in this patient population. During the first year of the funding period, I accomplished five major tasks. First, I several key organizational components of the trial, including a) writing of the study protocol; b) development of the infrastructure for executing the telephone-based dietary intervention, including personnel and printed materials; c) development of the infrastructure for performing dietary assays, including obtainment of a fluoroscopic detector for measuring dietary biomarkers; d) establishment of the protocols for obtaining and processing patient specimens, including those to be submitted for TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion analysis; and e) obtainment of IRB approval from UCSD. Second, I published two peer-reviewed manuscripts. Third, I extended my participation in the Cancer and Leukemia Group B cooperative study group. Fourth, through increased participation in CALGB, I expanded the scope of the trial to include twice as many prostate cancer patients as originally conceived. Finally, I helped secure additional funding for performing the trial, including a NCI RO-1 grant. I anticipate that, at the beginning of the second year of the funding period, the trial will open for accrual and testing of the dietary intervention will begin.


Higuchi and colleagues recently reported 10 patients with a new subtype of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) caused by mutations in MME encoding neprilysin, one of the most prominent amyloid b– degrading enzymes. The authors indicated that loss-of-function mutations in MME lead to an autosomal recessive form of axonal CMT (CMT2), although 1 patient had a mixture of axonal and demyelinating pattern. Moreover, this form of CMT2 may be the most common form of autosomal recessive CMT2 (AR-CMT2). Higuchi and colleagues proposed that this new disease should be termed "AR-CMT2T." However, another subtype of CMT due to mutations in DNAJB2 (on chromosome 2q35) has already been classified as AR-CMT2T (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database 616233); DNAJB2 encodes DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member B2, a protein that shows sequence similarity to bacterial DnaJ protein and the yeast homologs. AR-CMT2T due to mutations in DNAJB2 has been first described in 2014 in 2 Austrian sisters with young adult onset (23 and 30 years). Therefore, we think that MMErelated CMT should not be classified as AR-CMT2T. Neurogenetic disorders represent a wide and heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the central and/or peripheral nervous system. The continuing discovery of disease-causing gene mutations leads to growing difficulties in the classification of such diseases. This is particularly significant for CMT classification, for which the letter "Z" is now used to name CMT2Z caused by mutations in MORC2. To avoid complexity and confusion in classifications of CMT (as well as of other neurogenetic disorders), we recently explained why changes are needed, made some suggestions, and detailed the rationale of our proposals. For CMT classification, we suggest that the denomination of each case of CMT should begin with the mode of transmission: AD(autosomal dominant), AR(autosomal recessive), XL(X-linked), Spo(for the sporadic cases), or Mit(for mitochondrial transmission). Then, we propose replacing the numbers 1 (CMT1), 2 (CMT2), and 4 (CMT4), respectively, with "de" for demyelinating (CMT1 and CMT4 become CMTde) and "ax" for the axonal forms (CMT2 becomes CMTax); the intermediate forms would be called "CMTint." Next is indicated the name of the implicated gene (instead of using the traditional letters A, B, C, etc). Following our suggestions, which should be discussed by a dedicated international task force, CMT due to mutations of MME would be named "AR-CMTax-MME" and CMT due to mutations of DNAJB2 "AR-CMTax-DNAJB2." Moreover, this sort of classification opens the way for adding the precise mutation identified in the causal gene (eg, AR-CMTax-MME-p.C243G). Potential Conflicts of Interest


Abstract The trade-off between output and unemployment has become an essential part of modern macroeconomics and is known as Okun's law. However, in transition and emerging markets economies' context, the output-employment nexus has a much more important role as these countries strive to significantly improve the growth dynamics of both variables. This paper aims to analyze the particularities of this relationship in selected Central- and South-Eastern European transition (and former transition) countries to find out a discrepancy between the output and employment growth. Therefore, the employment elasticity coefficients are calculated. The estimated results suggest that, in the observed period, economic growth has not contributed to satisfactory employment growth, which is commonly referred to as a "jobless growth" hypothesis. Accordingly, this paper attempts to single out the main challenges of the output-employment growth misbalance in these countries and propose adequate policy measures that could reduce it. The industrial policy that differentiates from the "one-size-fits-all" paradigm is emphasized as the most important part of macroeconomic policy in transition economies to make their development more balanced. Additionally, short-run stabilization policy, especially the one focused on the labour market, has a significant role in these economies.


Background Serious disruptive behavior among adolescents is a prevalent and often persistent problem. This highlights the importance of adequate and effective treatment to help adolescents with disruptive behavior problems react less hostile and aggressive. In order to create a treatment environment in which behavioral change can be enhanced, treatment motivation plays an essential role. Regarding treatment itself, a focus on challenging self-serving cognitive distortions in order to achieve behavioral change is important. Street Temptations (ST) is a new training program that was developed to address both treatment motivation and cognitive distortions in adolescents with disruptive behavior problems. One of the innovative aspects of ST is the use of virtual reality (VR) techniques to provide adolescents during treatment with visually presented daily social scenarios to activate emotional engagement and dysfunctional cognitions. By using the VR scenarios as an integral starting point of ST's sessions and transferring the power of the VR experience into playful and dynamic exercises to practice social perspective–taking, adolescents are encouraged to reflect on both their own behavior and that of others. This focus on reflection is grounded in ST's main treatment mechanism to influence treatment motivation and cognitive distortions, namely, mentalizing (ie, reflective functioning). Objective The aim of this study is to describe the research protocol to evaluate the effects of ST on treatment motivation and cognitive distortions. We take a closer look at the use of ST and the methodology used, namely, the repeated single-case experimental design (SCED). Methods The effects of ST are studied through a multiple baseline SCED, using both quantitative and qualitative data. In total, 18 adolescents from secure residential youth care facilities and secondary special education schools are randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 different baseline conditions. Throughout the baseline phase (1, 2, or 3 weeks), intervention phase (4 weeks), and follow-up phase (1, 2, or 3 weeks), daily measurements on treatment motivation and cognitive distortions are conducted. Secondary study parameters are assessed before baseline, after intervention, and after follow-up. Qualitative data are collected after intervention, as well as at 3 months and 6 months after the intervention. Results Data collection for this study started in November 2021 and is planned to be completed by August 2023. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. Conclusions ST aims to improve the disruptive behavior problems of adolescents. This study will be the first to gain insights into the effectiveness of ST. The strengths of this study include its thorough and individually focused design (SCED), the focus on a residential as well as a secondary special education setting, and the ecological validity. The implications for practice are discussed. Trial Registration Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects NL75545.029.20. Netherlands Trial Register NL9639; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/9639 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/33555


Excavation works conducted in archaeological sites deliver a great deal of information concerning the material and spiritual culture of past populations. In many instances, for example in settlements and towns, researchers find all kinds of rubbish dumps connected with everyday human activity, which are a rich cognitive source for archaeologists. However, in many cases, before reaching cultural layers, archaeologists have to dig through recent layers disrupting the cognitive value of a site. Cult places, which have an important spiritual role in the life of local societies, like spaces serving for centuries as cemeteries should be exceptions from that rule, but rarely are so. All archaeological explorations conducted in crypts start with clearing work to remove rubbish deposited inside. Depending on easy access to crypts situated beneath church floors, the rubbish includes objects intentionally deposited there by people or collected by wild animals having taken shelter there. Every intrusion affects the microclimate of the interior; collected rubbish also has a destructive character, leading to decay processes. Intensive micro-organic development and internal damp also affects the condition of the church walls standing above the crypt.


Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the histologic effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) with or without the use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on exposed pulp tissues of dogs. Methods: Twenty-five premolar teeth in three healthy mature dogs were randomly divided into five groups. In group 1, the pulp tissue was capped with MTA. In groups 2 and 3, before capping with MTA, the exposure site was irradiated by low power lasers at 630 nm (20 mW, 150 seconds, 7.5 J/cm2) and 810 nm (peak power 80 W, average power 50 mW, 1500 Hz, 50 seconds, 6.25 J/cm2) wavelengths, respectively. In groups 4 and 5, the exposure site was irradiated similar to that described in groups 2 and 3, but the pulp tissue was covered by gold foil instead of MTA. After 2 months, the animals were sacrificed and the samples were prepared for histologic evaluation. Results: There were differences in pulpal response and dentinal barrier formation among the study groups. The morphology of pulpal tissue and the integrity of dentinal barrier and formation of odontoblastic layer were more favorable in the first three groups. The occurrence of extensive and intense inflammation and necrosis was more frequent in groups 4 and 5. Conclusion: Under the conditions used in this study, the presence of MTA as a pulp capping material was more important than laser therapy in the success of direct pulp capping (DPC) treatment. MTA proved to be an effective material either alone or in combination with laser irradiation in vital pulp therapy.


We present a model for the electrostatic response of the copper–water interface, which takes into account the electronic, Stern layer, and double layer contributions. The electronic and Stern layer contributions are not separated, but are modeled together using a direct dynamics model of the copper–water interface which we introduced earlier. The boundary condition for the double layer contribution is chosen to be consistent with electric fields calculated explicitly from the molecular dynamics simulation. We find results which are consistent with some experimental results for the capacitance of the low-index surfaces of copper. A remarkable feature of the results is that the calculated macroscopic electric field is much more effectively screened near the interface than it is in classical molecular dynamics models.


Background: Paraneoplastic stiff-limb syndrome (SLS) is a rare manifestation of underlying malignancy and could have distinctive features different from the classic stiff-person syndrome (SPS). Case Description: We present a case of anti-amphiphysin antibody (Ab)-associated paraneoplastic SLS, in an 83-year-old woman with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. She presented with stiffness, painful spasms of the distal legs, and asymmetrical fixed posturing of the foot. There are coexisting long-tract disturbance and lower-extremity weakness. Treatment with diazepam provided symptomatic relief while plasma exchange (PLEX) did not lead to significant clinical improvement. The patient was bedridden within 3 months and passed away within 6 months from symptom onset. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of recognition of uncommon presentation of SPS and its oncological significance. This entity requires a high degree of suspicion for initiation of the proper workup. The rapid identification and treatment of the underlying tumor might offer the best chance for recovery.


This study analyses time series of dengue occurrence in the southern region of Guatemala. Temporal patterns of epidemic outbreaks in the department of Escuintla were investigated using the official reports from 2001 to 2013. In order to identify underlying associations with climate behavior, the epidemiological data were compared with historical reports available for temperature, rainfall and humidity. Preliminary results reveal that waves of dengue outbreaks exhibit a periodic pattern modulated by climatic conditions. A hierarchical cluster analysis allowed to indirectly estimate the degree of association of each climatic variable with dengue occurrences, showing the dominance of rainfall in dengue outbreaks patterns in three different localities. A further prospective analysis was performed to check whether epidemic trends driven by rainfall are hold in the subsequent years. Results presented here give support to predictive models for dengue incidence driven by climate.