Administration of drugs through enteral feeding tubes can be a simple way by which infants and children can receive medications, but it introduces concerns about potential blockage of the tube. The risk of feeding tubes becoming blocked is greater with small-diameter feeding tubes and low flush volumes.Tube blockage is disruptive to patient care, and replacing tubes can be uncomfortable for the children. Patients with enteral feeding tubes may require acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Previous studies have assessed the delivery of a single PPI dose through feeding tubes, with delivery of esomeprazole typically being less labour-intensive and more complete than delivery of omeprazole and lansoprazole. However, these studies did not evaluate the potential for blockage with repeated administration of PPIs. This is a real concern, as the tubes may be in place for up to several months. A new sachet formulation of esomeprazole (Nexium), developed for people who have difficulty swallowing capsules, can be administered by enteral feeding tube. With the small diameter of the esomeprazole pellets and the formation of a viscous suspension after reconstitution, this formulation was designed to remain stable in solution and to prevent clogging within enteral tubes. The objective of our in vitro study was to evaluate the potential for clogging (and the resulting change in feeding flow rate) with repeated delivery of 10-mg esomeprazole sachet as suspension through the smalldiameter enteral feeding tubes used at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and to assess the use of these tubes to deliver the suspension. Three different types of enteral feeding tubes, each of a different size, were tested: size 6 French Pedi-Tube (Kendall, Mansfield, Massachusetts), size 8.5 French Dawson-Mueller drainage catheter (Cook Canada Inc, Stouffville, Ontario), and size 10 French urological catheter (Bard Canada Inc, Mississauga, Ontario). Four tubes of each type were tested, for a total of 12 tubes. Each tube received a continuous feed of Enfamil A+ formula (Mead Johnson Nutrition, Ottawa, Ontario) at 25 mL/h for 7 consecutive days, with an average of 2 h downtime per day for maintenance and drug administration. For each tube, the formula was delivered by a Kangaroo ePump (Kendall; total of 12 pumps), by means of the pump's compatible 500-mL feed bag set. Each tube was positioned vertically and emptied into its own graduated bottle. For each tube type, 3 of the 4 tubes received the drug suspension; the fourth tube received water as a control. Every 12 h the pumps were halted to allow measurement of volumes delivered, replenishment of formula, and administration of the esomeprazole suspensions. With the pumps on hold, the volume that had been fed through each tube was measured (using the respective graduated bottle) and recorded. The predicted volume fed, as displayed on each pump, was also recorded. The exterior of each tube was rinsed with warm water. The feed remaining in the bag sets was discarded, and the feed bags were rinsed with hot water and refilled with 310 mL of formula. The 10-mg esomeprazole sachets were mixed according to manufacturer's guidelines in 15 mL sterile water. The tubes were disconnected from the feed lines one at a time, and the drug suspension or placebo was delivered with a 30-mL syringe. The drug infusion time was the same for each tube (4 or 5 s). The additional flush of 15 mL advised by the manufacturer's guidelines was not used, so as to simulate drug administration for a patient with volume restriction. Each tube received a 5-mL flush with sterile water before and after delivery of drug or placebo. After drug administration, the tube was reconnected and the pump restarted. The stop, start, and drug administration times were recorded individually for each pump or tube. Blockage of the 12 enteral feeding tubes was assessed by measurement of the feed flow rate. Average flow rates were calculated according to the volume delivered for a 12-h period. A change in the calculated feed flow rate was considered significant if it was outside the ±10% operating range. The pumps had the capacity to sound an alert when a blockage occurred. If this happened, the tube was removed and was not replaced. The bag set was restarted and run for a short period (30 min) to confirm that the blockage was in the tube and not the bag set. On the sixth day of continuous feeding with twice-daily drug administration, one complete block occurred immediately after administration of the 11th dose of esomeprazole into 1 of the 3 size 6 French tubes receiving the drug suspension. There was no observable change in the feed flow rate leading up to the blockage in this tube. The only indication of a potential blockage occurred during the final drug administration, when it was more difficult than usual (i.e., more pressure on the syringe was required) to administer the drug through the tube. No blockages occurred in any of the other tubes, and there were no observable changes in feed rates in any of the 3 tube types tested. Administration of the viscous suspension through the size 6 French tubes required significant pressure on the syringe. Using the dual-port design on these tubes to deliver the drug suspension without detaching the tube resulted in backflow of drug into the feed bag set. When the tube was detached from the bag set to prevent backflow during drug administration, minor leaks from the dual port occurred. On the basis of the data from this study, we conclude that the potential for blockage exists when esomeprazole sachet as suspension is delivered through size 6 French feeding tubes. However, there were no changes in feed flow rates until complete failure (blockage) of the feeding tube occurred. The other tubes tested showed no signs of blockage or changes in feed flow rate.


beta-Fucosidases (beta-D-fucoside fucohydrolase, EC 220.127.116.11) isolated from the digestive juice of Achatina balteata catalyze hydrolysis of beta-D-fucosides, beta-D-glucosides and beta-D-galactosides but the values of kinetic parameters show that catalytic efficiency is maximum towards beta-D-fucosides. The results of mixed substrate incubation studied and inhibition by glycopyranoses indicate that there is at least one site at which all tested substrates are hydrolyzed. In the absence of inhibitor, the reciprocal plots exhibit a significant downward curvature. If a substrate analogue is present, the plots can be straight lines. These results are consistent with the presence on the enzyme molecule of at least two distinct sites for the substrate molecules, one being an active site and the other being either a second active site with different kinetic parameters or a modifier site. Also data are shown to fit quite well with the mechanism proposed for a mnemonic enzyme.


The characteristics of cybercriminals, cybercrime victims, and law enforcement agencies have a reinforcing effect on each other, leading to a vicious circle of cybercrime. In this article, the author assessed the cost-benefit structure of cybercriminals. From the potential victims' perspectives, an economic analysis can help explain the optimum investment necessary as well as the measures required to prevent hackers from cracking into their computer networks. The analysis from the cybercriminal's viewpoint also provides insight into factors that might encourage and energize his or her behavior.


Death in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is most frequently associated with limiting or withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment (LSMT). The transition from cure to care occurs in stages with all parties needing to consider several ethical issues. This article reviews these issues, including the concept of futility, disproportionate burden, assent, and best interest while taking the reader through the shift in emphasis from cure to care. Physicians may also be concerned with issues such as active and passive euthanasia, the "Baby Doe" regulations, and the question of prognostic certainty. Communication can be maximized to facilitate decisions regarding LSMT. If conflicts arise there should be an established mechanism for conflict resolution that may include involving an ethics committee or, rarely, the judicial system. Once the decision has been made to remove LSMT the emphasis becomes comfort care. Palliative care and bereavement specialists can provide an invaluable service. Many families will inquire about organ donation at the time limitation or withdrawal of LSMT. In order to increase organ availability trained counselors need to talk to families, and institutions are evaluating non-heart-beating donor policies. Autopsies should be discussed with the family in order to inform them of the potential benefits and address any concerns. Two special topics regarding withdrawal of LSMT are child abuse and brain death. In the case of abuse, the discussion of limiting or withdrawing LSMT can be complicated by two factors: the apparent conflict of interest of the accused or convicted parent retaining guardianship, and the possibility of the defense lawyer arguing that the removal of LSMT was the cause of death. When a child is brain dead careful attention must be paid to language, for example, that "machines" are stopped rather than "life support."


Abstract Paraquat (PQ), a highly popular agricultural herbicide, is a serious occupational hazard with lethality reported at doses as low as 35 mg/kg body weight with intoxication occurring via inhalation or dermal route. The main objective of this study was to determine the median lethal concentration (LCt50) of paraquat through whole body exposure in adult male Wistar rats. Aerosolized PQ dissolved in water was delivered in a dose-dependent manner, to fully conscious rats confined in whole body plethysmograph (WBP), in a nebulized form with concentrations ranging from 40–200 mg/kg of air over a 4 h exposure period. Animals were observed up to 24–48 h post-exposure to observe any lethality. LCt50 estimates (±95% confidence interval) were obtained from the sequential stage-wise experiments using probit analysis. Rat lungs were examined radiologically and histopathologically. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis determined the correlation of PQ accumulation in the lungs with the actual exposed dose of PQ. The actual LCt50 was found to be 218 g·min/m3 whereas 57.9 ± 2.90 µg/g of PQ accumulated in the lungs of each lifeless animal. All animals exhibited severe respiratory changes and pulmonary abnormalities. This study demonstrated that when compared with the actually exposed dose, the amount of PQ that accumulated in the lungs was very low, but enough to cause death in 50% of animal population and cause pulmonary abnormalities in each of the experimental animal. The PQ exposure carried out in WBP also facilitated the dermal absorption of aerosolized PQ, which replicated the real-life situation in workers operating with PQ.


Human neonates, especially those born prematurely, are prone to developing overwhelming infections in response to bacterial pathogens. It is estimated that 1 to 8 per 1000 live births are complicated by such infections. Moreover, almost 30% of neonatal mortality and morbidity can be attributed to neonatal infection. Thus, in spite of all of the support measures offered in neonatal intensive care units and the use of new, potent antimicrobial agents, we continue to lose far too many infants to overwhelming infections. It is likely that we have come as far as we can with these accepted regimens for treating bacterial infection in the neonate. This has led many investigators to explore the possibility of using various forms of immunotherapy in neonates who have infections, because the neonatal host defense system is compromised significantly. Most neonates who develop infection lack opsonic antibody to the infecting strain of bacteria. In addition, the infant complement system is compromised significantly with the concentration of most components being only approximately 50% of that of adults. Deficiency of antibody and complement lead to defective opsonization of most bacteria by neonatal serum. Additional consistent abnormalities in the neonatal host defense system are present in the cells that act as the first line of defense against bacterial invasion, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), PMNs must arrive at the site of bacterial invasion within a very critical 2- to 4-hour period if infection is to be contained so that systemic spread does not occur.


We perform the first-principles computational study of the effect of number of stacking layers and stacking style of the few-layer black phosphorus (BPs) on the electronic properties, including transport gap, current-voltage (i-v) relation, and differential conductance. Our computation is based on the nonequilibrium Green's function approach combined with density functional theory calculations. Specifically, we compute electron-transport properties of monolayer BP, bilayer BP, and trilayer BP as well as bilayer BPs with AB-, AA-, or AC-stacking. We find that the stacking number has greater influence on the transport gap than the stacking type. Conversely, the stacking type has greater influence on i-v curve and differential conductance than on the transport gap. This study offers useful guidance for determining the number of stacking layers and the stacking style of few-layer BP sheets in future experimental measurements and for potential applications in nanoelectronic devices.


Backdoors is a novel system architecture that enables remote monitoring and recovery/repair of the software state of a computer system without using its processors or relying on its OS resources. We have implemented a Backdoors prototype in the FreeBSD kernel using Myrinet NICs for remote access to the target machine. In a previous paper, we have shown how Backdoors can be used for recovery of "good" OS and application state from a failed system on other healthy systems. In this paper, we describe how Backdoors can be used to detect and repair damage to the OS state of a computer system. We present two case studies of remote repair of an OS subject to resource depletion (fork bomb and memory hog) to the point where it cannot perform useful work and local repair is impossible. We show that our prototype detects OS resource exhaustion efficiently and it successfully repairs the affected system.


Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the experience of central psychological change processes for female patients with borderline symptomology and substance use disorder in mentalization-based treatment. Method: Semi-structured qualitative interviews on experiences from mentalization-based treatment with 13 participants were conducted. The interview material was analysed within a hermeneutical–phenomenological epistemology, with emphasis on researcher reflexivity. Results: The following themes regarding central psychological change processes were found: "by feeling the feeling," "by thinking things through," "by walking in your shoes to see myself" and "by stepping outside of own bad feelings in seeing you." Two of these themes dealt with intra-psychic modes of how to relate to own mind-states. First, they had a shift from avoiding emotions into tolerating emotions. Second, they discovered the ability to think mental states through. Two themes dealt with mental stances for dealing with interpersonal situations, where one mode included a self-reflective stance in difficult encounters, and the other mode entailed an empathic reflective stance by exploring others' intentionality. Conclusions: The findings are in line with theoretical assumptions that increasing mentalizing capacity is a central change process for these patients. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate the complex interaction between different modes of mentalizing. Clinical or methodological significance of this article: The article explores change processes in manualized psychotherapy for patients with comorbid borderline personality disorder and substance use disorder, a focus which is not researched in the clinical literature. We claim that putting attention to this patient group and investigating their potential in psychotherapy is of clinical significance. Methodologically, this article utilizes thematic analyses within an epistemology following a specific procedure that is step based and transparent, thus it is of interest for qualitative researchers who also utilize thematic analyses.


Konglish is a blend of Korean and English found throughout South Korea, and often suffers for lack of prestige amongst Koreans. The primary aim of this article is to determine the reasons behind Konglish's low social status in Korea. I begin my investigation by exploring Korean public space as linguistic space, and examining in what social and cultural capacities Koreans use English, Mandarin, Korean, and Konglish. I then shift in part II to discuss perceptions of Korean and English inside Korea. Having analysed Koreans' attitudes towards Konglish's parent languages, I discuss in part III why Konglish struggles for social legitimacy, despite its ubiquity. In the course of this investigation it will become clear that Koreans often deride Konglish for its ease of use. Because one absorbs it organically through cultural exposure rather than hours of study and millions of won in tuition fees, Konglish accords none of the prestige that comes with Standard English; meanwhile, Konglish's mixed nature means not only that it cannot benefit from the national pride Koreans associate with 'pure' Korean, but also that this pride harms Konglish's reception throughout the country.


An ultraviolet fibre-cavity for strong ion-photon interaction Timothy George Ballance, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, 2016. We investigate the coupling of a single trapped ion to a miniature optical cavity operating in the ultraviolet. Our cavity provides a source of single photons at a high rate into a single spatial mode. Using our apparatus, we have demonstrated the highest atom-cavity coupling rate achieved with a single ion by an order of magnitude. When the ion is continuously excited, we observe phase-sensitive correlations between emission into free-space and into the cavity mode, which can be explained by a cavity induced back-action effect on a driven dipole. We demonstrate coherent manipulation of a hyperfine qubit and ultra-short optical π rotations, which are essential tools for creation and detection of spin-photon entanglement. To this end, we have developed optical fibre-based Fabry-Pérot cavities in the ultraviolet spectral range. These cavities operate near the primary dipole transition of Yb+ at 370 nm, and allow us to couple a pure atomic two-level system offered by a single trapped ion to the cavity mode. A new Paul trap apparatus in an ultra-high vacuum chamber has been built which allows for the integration of these cavities at very small ion-mirror separations. In order for independent operation of the trap, a compact system of diode lasers has been built which are stabilised to low-drift optical reference cavities. Coherent control of the hyperfine qubit in 171Yb+ is achieved through application of microwave radiation, and ultra-short optical π rotations are performed with resonant light pulses derived from a frequency-doubled mode-locked titaniumsapphire laser. The experiment is controlled through a system of hardware and software which has been developed in a modular fashion and will allow for efficient control on the nanosecond time-scale when several such systems are interconnected. The success of our system opens the door to future experiments with trapped ions which will reach the strong coupling regime with a single ion. Furthermore, when operated in the fastcavity regime, systems based on our approach will enable high-efficiency collection of photons from the ion into the single mode of an optical fibre. These systems will allow for the generation of distributed entanglement and will prove ideal as nodes in a larger quantum network of trapped ions.


The EGR-1 gene is an immediate early response gene encoding a zinc finger DNA-binding protein. The present studies have examined the regulation of EGR-1 gene expression in human U-937 monocytic leukemia cells treated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The results demonstrate that GM-CSF rapidly and transiently increases EGR-1 gene expression in U-937 cells. Similar findings were obtained in GM-CSF-treated human monocytes. We also show that the regulation of EGR-1 expression by GM-CSF is a pertussis toxin-sensitive event. The results of nuclear run-on assays further demonstrate that the EGR-1 gene is constitutively transcribed in untreated U-937 cells and that GM-CSF has little effect on this rate of transcription. Inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide also had no detectable effect on EGR-1 gene transcription but was associated with superinduction of EGR-1 mRNA levels in GM-CSF-treated cells. Moreover, the half-life of GM-CSF-induced EGR-1 transcripts was prolonged from 33 to 70 min following inhibition of protein synthesis. Taken together, the results indicate that GM-CSF activates signaling pathways which regulate EGR-1 gene expression through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein and that these events increase EGR-1 mRNA levels by a posttranscriptional mechanism. This GM-CSF-dependent regulation of EGR-1 expression may provide a mechanism for transducing signals to the nucleus that are involved in the control of gene transcription.


The mud dauber wasp Sceliphron laetum (F. Smith) lays a single egg in a mud chamber that is provisioned almost exclusively with orb-weaving spiders. In Madang, Papua New Guinea, the wasps provision their chambers with between three and nine spiders that weigh between 0.01 and 0.28 g and are from at least twelve species. The number of spiders placed in each chamber is negatively correlated with the mean mass of each spider. A field experiment revealed that females cease provisioning after capturing a certain mass of spiders, rather than simply filling each chamber to its volumetric capacity. Furthermore, the wasps select different spider species according to the provisioning sequence. In general, wasps avoid provisioning the early larval instar with species of Gasteracantha, perhaps because the newly emerged wasp larvae cannot penetrate the hard integuments of these spiders.


Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) performance is limited by motion errors of the towfish. It is necessary to require the towfish moving in a straight line in order to improve the imaging efficiency by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). However, the towfish could hardly move along a straight line because of some factors such as ocean wave, ocean current and tide. All kinds of motion errors could incur phase error in echo signal and make the quality of final image decline. The aim of this work is to lighten the influence of the motion errors in final image. Motion errors of towfish are analyzed in detail and a motion compensation (MOCO) scheme based on Range-Doppler imaging algorithm is proposed. The simulation trials validate the analysis and the scheme.


Dynamical fluctuation of target evaporated black particles is investigated in both forward and backward hemispheres within the framework of multi-dimensional factorial moment methodology using the brilliant concept of the Hurst exponent. We analyse the black particles emitted in 32S?AgBr interactions at 200?AGeV and it is evident that the dynamical fluctuation in the backward hemisphere is self-affine. In the forward hemisphere, dynamical fluctuation is self-similar but not self-affine. However, study indicates that the fluctuation in the forward hemisphere is more pronounced than that in backward hemisphere.


Tourism industry prospects are presented by digital marketing and consumer travel behaviour changes. Given this fact, digital content marketing (DCM) assumes greater significance for enhancing social media user engagement. Providing valuable and relevant information that differentiates the company and catches the consumers' attention has been one of the current challenges in this area. The wide availability of information on the Internet changes how consumers engage with it. Therefore, creating and disseminating educational and pertinent content is now mandatory. To ensure the effectiveness of the process, it is crucial to understand with whom, how, when, and where communication will be carried out. Thus, tourism organisations must offer targeted, tailored, and appealing information to interest customers more about the destinations. Social media is a commonly used strategy for tourism promotion initiatives, where User Generated Content (UGC) has emerged as one of the most popular means to achieve this goal. "Turismo Centro de Portugal" is responsible for publicizing the Centre region of Portugal, including cities such as Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, and Leiria. Turismo Centro de Portugal has won several communication-related awards, having already been recognized internationally for its advertising campaigns. Numerous studies analyzing user-generated content and digital content are available, but they invariably look at businesses rather than tourism-related institutions. Hence, conducting a study to identify follower engagement and involvement in digital content marketing posts versus user-generated content posts applied to the Turismo Centro de Portugal was considered pertinent. For this purpose, a qualitative analysis of the existing content and its results on Turismo Centro de Portugal's Facebook page was developed based on a social media content analysis framework adapted from other authors. The results revealed the importance of using user-generated content in a social media communication strategy for tourism organisations.


Whether cyclical changes in energy-related phosphate metabolites arise during a cardiac cycle in isolated rat hearts and are affected by differences in myosin isozyme composition was determined. Myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), and intracellular pH in normal, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rat hearts were measured using the pacing-gated 31P nuclear magnetic resonance technique. Maximal decrease in ATP and PCr, and maximal increase in Pi at the peak-systole in normal rat hearts were observed. In hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats, similar cyclical changes in phosphate metabolites were observed during the cycle. However, the magnitude of fluctuations was smaller in hypothyroid rats and larger in hyperthyroid rats compared with that observed in normal rats. Cardiac myosin isozyme patterns were also different amongst the experimental groups. The results suggest that cyclical changes and the magnitude of fluctuations in energy-related phosphate metabolites during a cardiac cycle may depend on the cardiac workload and the intrinsic properties in the enzyme kinetics of myosin.


This study examines trends of children's play in Korea, and academic, pragmatic, and policy issues related to it. For the purpose, the researchers reviewed play theories, national and international views of play specialists, and research articles on children's play in selected academic journals published in Korea for the last 30 years. Although Korea has been active academically as well as politically in recognizing the importance of children's play, children's play in Korea seems to have lost its position, the true value of it being often distorted or unidentified. Many specialists worn that the deprivation of play opportunities increasing in modern societies will result in many serious problems. Play research therefore need to strengthen its power by being more accountable and broadening its foci toward solving such predictable problems.


The intra-arterial injection of chloral hydrate potentiated the transmission of nerve impulses through the cat superior cervical ganglion, antagonized the ganglionblocking action of hexamethonium, and greatly enhanced the ganglion-stimulant action of acetylcholine. Effects on the ganglion-stimulant actions of carbachol, nicotine, tetramethylammonium and potassium chloride were slight or absent. Chloral hydrate itself usually had no direct stimulant action. The neuromuscular-blocking action of tubocurarine on the isolated rat diaphragm preparation was completely and rapidly reversed by chloral hydrate. This reversal was prevented by previoustreatment of the muscle with neostigmine. Chloral hydrate potentiated the actions of acetylcholine and nicotine on the isolated rabbit duodenum, and, in concentrations exceeding 1 mg/ml., produced a spasm which was abolished by hyoscine but not by mepyramine. It was concluded that these eserine-like effects were manifestations of an anticholinesterase action of chloral hydrate. Neither chloralose nor trichlorethanol showed evidence of this property.


This study investigated the influence of family stressors on depression among women in the Ketu-South Municipality in the Volta Region. The study used the descriptive survey design. The census method was used to select a sample of 70 women for the study. The Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (FILE) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) were used to collect data for the study. The data collected were analysed using means, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Linear Multiple Regression. The study revealed that the prominent family stressor among the women experiencing depression in the Ketu-South Municipality is loss of family members (overall mean of 4.22). In addition, the study revealed that family stressors significantly contribute to depression among women (R=.749, p=.039) with loss of family members being the highest contributor to depression (Beta=2.123, p=.037). The study recommended that government and nongovernmental agencies should control family stressors among women living with depression.


Using the standard weak-field approximation, we analyse the steady-state electrokinetic flow about an uncharged ideally polarizable spherical particle for the case of a Debye thickness which is large compared with the particle size. The dimensionless problem is governed by two parameters: β, the applied field magnitude (normalized with the thermal scale), and λ, the Debye thickness (normalized with particle size). The double limit β ≪ 1 and λ ≫ 1 is singular, and the resolution of the flow field requires the use of inner–outer asymptotic expansions in the spirit of Proudman & Pearson (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 2, 1957, p. 237). Two asymptotic limits are identified: the 'moderately thick' limit βλ ≪ 1, in which the outer domain is characterized by the Debye thickness, and the 'super-thick' limit βλ ≫ 1, in which the outer domain represents the emergence of electro-migration in the leading-order ionic-transport process. The singularity is stronger in the comparable two-dimensional flow about a circular cylinder, where a switchback mechanism in the moderately thick limit modifies the familiar O(β2) leading-order flow to O(β2 ln λ).


Considering bisphenol A (BPA) and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and widely manufactured into packaging materials, foodstuffs may be polluted by BPA and TBBPA. Additionally, there are very limited analytical methods for determining TBBPA in commercial milk samples. In this study, a rapid, simple and efficient method based on microwave-assisted ionic liquid microextraction (MAILME) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was first applied to the simultaneous analysis of BPA and TBBPA in commercial milk samples. To achieve the optimum extraction performance, the experimental parameters of the MAILME, including type and amount of ionic liquid, microwave power, extraction time, pH and salt concentration in the sample, were evaluated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limits were 0.01 and 0.02 μg L−1, and the quantification limits were 0.03 and 0.05 μg L−1 for BPA and TBBPA, respectively. The proposed method had good repeatability and reproducibility with RSDs lower than 5.6%. The recoveries of the analytes in the aged milk samples varied from 79.8 to 97.3%. The proposed method has been applied successfully to the determination of BPA and TBBPA in commercial milk samples with recoveries ranging from 78.2 to 99.8%. Compared with the other previous methods, the proposed method did not need to remove the fats and proteins in the milk, which made the sample pretreatment simple and rapid (5.0 min). And it also avoided the use of organic solvents. The proposed approach provides a new and promising alternative for simultaneously determining trace amounts of BPA and TBBPA in commercial milk samples or other similar samples.


If in vitro tools can be used to predict which renal transplant patients are at risk for rejection and which patients are more predisposed to tolerance, the immunosuppressive regimen can be adjusted to prevent rejection before it becomes clinically apparent or, in case of a tolerant patient, medication can be reduced or even stopped. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with persistent stable graft function and of patients with (biopsy-confirmed) acute rejection were stimulated with donor cells and tested with Elispot analysis. A significantly higher number of donor-specific interferon (IFN)-gamma producing cells were found in patients with rejection, as determined with Elispot analysis. Furthermore, a trend towards a higher number of interleukin (IL)-10 producing cells was found in patients with stable graft function. The ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-10 producing cells showed to be the best tool to discriminate between nonrejecting patients and rejecting patients.


SYNOPSIS Bone grafts are frequently applied to patients with severe bone defects as part of implant surgery. Normally, bone particles collected during the drilling process and other fragments obtained from the donor site are temporarily stored in saline. However, it is doubtful whether saline is suitable for implant surgery. To address this issue, we examined the effects of three different solutions on cells of osteoblastic lineage. Rat bone marrow cells were preserved in normal saline, α minimum essential medium, or Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) for 1 hour, after which the cells were inoculated to culture plates. At Days 7, 10 and 14, alkaline phosphatase activity and DNA amount were measured and cell viability was assessed. These results indicate that HBSS has the potential to provide superior storage conditions than saline for osteoblast differentiation. Currently, saline is conventionally used in dental implant surgery; however, HBSS is more suited to maintaining osteogenic cells for bone grafting.


Awareness of the environment as a determining factor affecting growth has steadily grown since the 1960s. It is becoming increasingly obvious that human activities in the economic sphere are responsible for environmental problems such as climate change that in turn are affecting economic growth. Thus there are important but often neglected interrelationships between economic and environmental systems. In the late 1980s the Central Bureau of Statistics of the Netherlands began development of a system for describing environmental aspects in conjunction with the National Accounts. The system, known as the National Accounting Matrix including Environmental Accounts (NAMEA), creates a link between the National Accounts and environmental statistics. This book is a significant contribution toward understanding these relationships. NAMEA tables can be used to examine the relationship between environmental pressure and consumption and production patterns. The editors' backgrounds cover a variety of economic fields: innovation, trade, agriculture, labor, economics, and climate change. As such they offer a gamut of fields of experience and application. The book is organized into two parts. The first part provides historical background and empirical issues related to NAMEA, with definitions followed by some applications and analyses mainly applied to the local and subnational level. In the first chapter, Tudini and Vetrella provide definitions and the methodological fundamentals of NAMEA. Its weaknesses offer room for improving analysis and a rationale for integration with other sources. In chapter 2, Stauvermann presents a historical perspective on the two most representative approaches (NAMEA and [environmentally] sustainable national income [SNI]) to integrated environmental and economic accounts, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. The remaining chapters of part 1 focus on the Italian context, with the book's editors and contributors presenting applications and analyses with insights into advancements made to regional NAMEA. In chapter 3, Costantini and colleagues present a new hybrid environmental–economic accounting matrix that adds a geographical dimension to its sectoral one, which already exists. Moreover, they explore how environmen-


The article presents the results of gas chromatographic studies of the oil sludge hydrocarbon composition, physical and chemical and heat-producing properties, which enabled to assess the potential of oil sludge as raw materials, their assortment predisposition and possible manufacturability. It has been established that the main physical and chemical characteristics of the organic part from the averaged samples of oil sludge are similar in properties to raw materials for the production of kerosene-diesel fractions. The expediency of the use of oil sludge and weakly bloating clay materials in the production technology of the popular construction material – expanded clay is substantiated. The results of experimental studies on the development of light and porous heat insulating material by granulation method are presented herein. It is shown that oil sludge from a high viscous state is transferred to a loose conglomerate with a moisture content of 12–15% by co-mixing with finely dispersed sand dune, which ensures uniform distribution when mixed with the basic mass. The peculiarities of granules burning according to a specially developed mode without preliminary drying are considered. It has been established that the addition of oil sludge increases the organic content in the mixture, thereby intensifying the process of combustion, gas generation and bloating of the ceramic body, which will positively affect the technological parameters of obtaining а product. It is found that the proposed technology allows to obtain marketable products, which can be used efficiently. At the same time, the unconditional priority is given to waste-free technologies, as the most environmentally friendly.


Upon fractionation of a mitochondria-free extract of rabbit reticulocytes into a ribosome-free extract and mono- and polyribosomes the bulk of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activity was found in the fraction of mono- and polyribosomes. All the fifteen aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were revealed, although in somewhat different quantities, in both fractions of the mitochondria-free reticulocyte extract. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases of the ribosome-free extract are found in two forms: RNA-binding one, and, the one having no affinity for high molecular weight RNAs. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases dissociated from the complexes with polyribosomes exist only in the RNA-binding form. All aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases can be removed from such complexes by an addition of 16S rRNA of E. coli, poly(U) or tRNA of rabbit reticulocytes. This testifies to labile association of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases with the RNA-component of polyribosomes as well as to a rather nonspecific character of their interaction. After EDTA-induced dissociation of polyribosomes, the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activity was detected in the complex with both ribosomal subunits.


Germination tests of seeds were carried out at 5 different temperatures, i.e., 5, 15, 25, 35, and 45°C, using 11 different crops of Brassica. Germination was examined every two hours and, afterwards, every 12 or 24 hours. In every crop, seeds began to germinate earliest at 35°C and latest at 5°C. The start of germination became later in the decreasing order of temperature from 35 to 5°C. Seeds at 45°C began to germinate as early as those at 35°C in many crops, but in some crops the start of germination was much delayed. Mean germination period was shortest at 35°C, and shorter at 25°C in every crop. These temperatures were followed by either 15 or 45°C with respect to mean length of period. The longest period was needed for germination at 5°C. As for germination percentage, seeds at 35, 25 and 15°C showed more than 85% in all of the crops examined. At 45 or 5°C, low percentages of germination were frequently observed. Differences among crops were observed at these temperatures: some crops showed bad germination at 45°C, and some at 5°C, and others at both 45 and 5°C. The response of non-dormant seeds was different from that of dormant seeds in terms of germination temperature. Optimum temperatures for germination of non-dormant seeds were higher than those of partially dormant seeds.


The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing saving behavior among households in a developing country. Sri Lanka being a developing country, has recorded a relatively lower households'  saving rate when compared with its peer regional counterparts. The study approximates the socio-economic and demographic factors towards the level of saving of households in Sri Lanka using a quantile regression approach based on the Household Income and Expenditure Survey, conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics of Sri Lanka. Results were obtained by using the stepwise quantile regression technique. The findings of this study conclude that when Sri Lankan households have a higher per-capita income, they tend to have a higher saving level. Moreover, age and marital status have a significant impact on the level of saving in Sri Lankan households. Additionally, poverty and employment status have a significant impact to the level of saving on Sri Lankan households. This research paper bridges empirical gaps in this area of study. Furthermore, this study has been conducted encompassing the entire country rather than limiting it to a district or segment, hence, is comprehensive. As per the generated results gender, income and education levels have shown a significant positive impact towards the level of saving, whilst marital status and poverty have shown a significant negative impact towards the level of saving. It is considered that when the demographic and socio-economic factors are affecting favorably, the level of saving tends to increase and vice versa. Accordingly, findings of the study can provide insights to policymakers to devise policies and incentives to encourage savings behaviour and level of savings among households in Sri Lanka. This is beneficial as coping strategies specially during crises, where dependency of households on government assisted welfare schemes is likely to be less.
Keywords: Household Saving Behaviour, Motives of Savings, Barriers to Saving, Quantile Regression


On the basis of Wuhan district weather conditions of January 5, 2010, heat transfer mechanism of Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway Hubei section of asphalt concrete pavement based on snow melting is analyzed and the model of heat transmission is established. The average temperature of tube fluid is calculated for a given heat flux based on the analysis of the heat transfer of pipes. Heat flux of different meteorological conditions is investigated and the results show that the rate of snow fall and outdoor temperature are the key factors, the wind velocity is the main factor and the air relative humidity is the minor factor.


A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulching, liming and farm yard manures on productivity and quality of maize on a sandy loam soil at Agricultural Research Farm of ICAR RC NEH Region Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani, Medziphema during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2010-12 under the rainfed conditions of Eastern Himalaya. Treatment comprised of two mulches (without mulch and straw mulch) in main plot, four levels of lime (control, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 t/ha) in sub plot and three levels of farm yard manures (4, 8 and 12 t/ha) in sub-sub plot and replicated thrice in split-split plot design. The significant improvement in yield attributes (cob length, number of rows/cob, number of grain/row, number of grain/cob and 1000-grain weight), yields (grain, stover and biological), economics (gross, net returns and benefit: cost ratio) and quality attributes (carbohydrate, starch and sugar) of maize were recorded in straw mulched plot over no mulch in both the years. The straw mulching recorded 15.9 and 16.5% increase in grain yield and 20.4 and 22.2% in stover yield over no mulch. Application of 0.6 t lime/ha in furrow recorded the significantly higher yield attributes, grain yield (3.85 and 3.97 t/ha), stover yield (4.16 and 4.33 t/ha), gross return (41.87 and 43.25 ×103/ha), net return (28.45 and 29.83 ×103/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.55 and 1.63) and quality attributes over rest of the levels, respectively. Application of farm yard manures @ 12 t/ha noted significantly higher yield attributes yield and quality attributes of maize over rest of the treatments. Similar effect of these treatments was observed on gross return of Rs. 40.75 and 41.78 × 103/ ha, net return of Rs. 27.5 and Rs. 28.53 × 103/ha and benefit : cost ratio of 1.52 and 1.57 in both the years, respectively.


Within the framework of the kinetic theory, the interaction of systems of quasiparticles and the exchange of quasiparticles of different types between layers of a plane-parallel solid structure are taken into account. The reasons influencing the propagation of differential fluxes of quasiparticles near each boundary of the structure are indicated. These include not only the appearance of a force field, in particular, electric е∇φ(х) and thermal ∇Т(х), fields near the boundary in equilibrium and its modification when equilibrium is disturbed, but also a change in the coordinate and angular dependence of the relaxation length of fluxes le(x, k, Ω) in the same region. Some modification of the distribution of characteristic thermodynamic quantities in the inhomogeneous region of the layer in comparison with the homogeneous layer also affects the propagation of fluxes. The necessity of a self-consistent solution of the kinetic boundary value problem of the joint propagation of differential fluxes of quasiparticles-a system of equations and integral boundary conditions-is substantiated. Near the boundary and in another inhomogeneous region of the layer thickness, as well as in the thin layer as a whole, in quasiparticles systems, it is proposed to use a specific coordinate distribution of the flux density of thermodynamic quantities over the structure thickness, which is mutually selfconsistent with the propagation of the corresponding quasiparticles fluxes. The main conclusion of this work: when developing modern multilayer solid-state structures, especially with thin layers, it is necessary to use the kinetic theory, which adequately takes into account the physical picture that occurs not only in homogeneous and inhomogeneous regions of the thickness of each layer, but also at all boundaries of the structure.


The mangrove forests in BKPH Ujung-Krawang is a protected forest that has been degraded by human activities. This study aims to identifying the species composition and elucidating the structure and regeneration mangrove forests in BKPH Ujung-Krawang, KPH Bogor, West Java. This research carries out in two location (Muara Gembong and RPH RPH Singkil), with the condition of mangrove forests are degraded due to the forest conversion into fishpond, fish farming, and housing areas on large scale. Mangrove forest composition consisted by api-api (Avicennia sp.), pedada (Sonneratia sp.) and buta-buta (Excoecaria agallocha). Based on observation, mangrove forests regeneration in RPH Muara Gembong categorized as "good "caused number of seedlings is more than sapling and "fair" in RPH Singkil caused number trees is greater than the level of the regeneration (sapling and seedling).
 Keywords: KPH Bogor, mangrove forest, natural regeneration, species composition, Ujung-Krawang


The trend of using natural products has increased and the active plant extracts are frequently screened for new drug discoveries. The present study deals with the screening of Casia occidentalis leaves for their antimicrobial activity against various strains of bacteria. Plant Cassia occidentalis belongs to family Caesalpiniaceae, is a diffuse offensively odorous under shrub. Casia occidentalis were shade dried, powered and was extracted using solvents Methanol. The antimicrobial activity test performed by the disc diffusion method. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts fractions of HXF, CTF, CFF and AQF showed the presence of carbohydrates, amino acids, phytosterols, fixed oils and phenolic compounds. The AQF fraction of C. occidentalis showed high activity across pseudomonas aeuruginosa and staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The present study indicates the potential usefulness of Casia occidentalis leaves in the treatment of various diseases caused by micro-organisms.


Abstract—Pathloss estimation is largely frequencydependent and its results indicate the coverage of any mobile network. The accuracy of these estimations is crucial for viable network designs and deployment. The rapid evolution of wireless communication technologies in recent decades has led to diversity in frequency bands. The need for spectrum harmonization for mobile broadband international roaming brought about the need for the refarming of the 1800MHz band from GSM to LTE. This paper investigates the impact of refarming of the 1800MHz frequency band from GSM to LTE in terms of network planning and deployment of LTE, using Okumura-Hata, COST 231 Hata and COST Walfisch-Ikegami pathloss estimation algorithms.


We consider information technology projects in the methodology of PMI described with the approach of Kathy Schwalbe. We recall formal approaches to knowledge representation. We analyze approximation spaces of Pawlak and Żakowski introducing several operations and we suggest applications to the design of projects. We introduce several methods to evaluate project, also idea to evaluate expert estima-tions concerning projects is expressed.


Background The prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is higher in enuretic children than in non-enuretic children. Recent studies have reported VUR in 6–23% of children with enuresis. Objectives To clarify the association of nocturnal enuresis with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and to identify children who are at risk for VUR. Patients and Methods During 2007–2009, neurologically normal children who were referred with a chief complaint of nocturnal enuresis and had abnormal renal ultrasonography (US) results, daytime incontinence, abnormal results in urodynamic studies, urinary tract infection, or a history of VUR in their siblings were prospectively evaluated for VUR by voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). Results A total of 60 children (26 boys and 34 girls) aged 5–17 (mean ± SD: 8.46 ± 2.45) years met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Twenty-eight (46.7%) patients had mono-symptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE), and 32 (53.3%) had non-mono symptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE). VUR was reported in 10 (16.7%) patients and posterior urethral valve (PUV) was found in 1 (1.7%) patient. The prevalence of VUR was significantly higher in patients with daytime incontinence and in girls (P = 0.016 and 0.003 respectively). We did not find any significant correlations between VUR and the form of enuresis (primary versus secondary), urinary tract infection, or any diurnal urinary symptoms other than daytime incontinence (P > 0.05 for all). of 10 renal scintigrams, 5 (50%) showed renal cortical defects. Conclusions VUR is uncommon in children with MNE and in those with NMNE who do not wet themselves during the day; however, it is a relatively common finding in enuretic children who have daytime incontinence. We recommend VCUG in all enuretic children who have daytime incontinence.


Spray drying is an extensively used technique for particle size reduction of many pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical products. BÜchi Corporation manufactures two spray dryers for lab-scale production of spray dried product called Mini Spray Dryer B-290 and Nano Spray Dryer B-90. While the B-290 is able to generate microparticles, the B-90 claims to produce nanoparticles. The aim of this project was to design a novel nozzle that can aid in production of nanoparticles when incorporated in B-290 and eliminating the need to invest in and operate a separate spray dryer to produce nano-particles. A nano-nozzle was created using the Aeroneb® Solo, a modified commercial nebulizer, which contains a vibrating plate enabled to produce nanoparticles. Incorporation of the nano-nozzle in B-290 was found to be comparatively user-friendly and offers a solution to the problems encountered on the use of B-90. To gauge the functioning of nano-nozzle and provide proof to the concept, three excipients, lactose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol, were spray dried using nano-nozzle. Aqueous or hydroalcoholic solutions of the excipients were prepared and spray dried using the nano-nozzle incorporated in the B-290 and the product obtained was compared with that obtained using the conventional nozzle in B-290 and B-90. The obtained yield of spherical particles in de-agglomerated and free-flowing was found to be higher using the nano-nozzle in the B-290 as opposed to the conventional nozzle in B-290 and B90. The particle size distribution showed no significant difference (p<0.05) between the use of the nano-nozzle and B-90, with mean particle sizes ranging from 300-500 nm. Also, surface morphology was similar between the powders spray dried using B-90 and nano-nozzle. The physical state characteristics remained unchanged (as seen in Differential Scanning Calorimetry results) and the chemical entity of the excipients remained unaffected (results from Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy) on using the two fluid nozzle of the Mini spray dryer B-290,


We investigate whether women are targets of more severe punishment than men following ethical violations at work. Using an experimental design, Study 1 finds evidence that ethical behavior is more strongly prescribed for women than for men, even when they occupy an identical professional role. Study 2 manipulates the gender of a manager in a hypothetical scenario and finds that women are punished more severely than men for ethical violations at work. It also tests the scope of our theory by asking whether women are punished more for errors in general, or only for intentional ethical violations. Using field data, Study 3 examines how severely attorneys are punished for violating the American Bar Association's ethical rules. Female attorneys are punished more severely than male attorneys, after accounting for a variety of factors. Greater representation of women among decision-makers diminishes the gender disparity in punishment. Our research documents a new prescriptive stereotype faced by women and helps to explain the persistence of gender disparities in organizations. It highlights punishment severity as a novel mechanism by which institutions may derail women's careers more than men's.


This study examined resource use efficiency and costs-returns profitability in snail production in Cross River State. Data were obtained from a random sample of 120 respondents in the study area by means of questionnaire. Using multi-stage trechnique, three (Ogoja, Ikom and Odukpani) local government areasfollowed by three villages were randomly selected. 40 respondents were randomly selected from each village.. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and costsreturns analysis. The results indicated that Cobb-Douglas production function had the best fit in explaining the relationship between output of snail and inputs used, the coefficient of multiple determinant R2=0.60 indicates that sixty percent of the variability in output of snail is explained by the independent variables. Results from the analysis also revealed that the marginal value products of farm size, labour, farm management practices and operating costs were N1080, N20.6, N972.8 and N 14.84 respectively, there existed allocative in-efficiency, there is a high potential for snail farmers to increase their yields and income. Further analysis of results revealed that net returns on snail is N2,935,000.00 with return on every naira invested of N 0.14 is also positive indicating a profit from the business, with attractive net return on investment. Notable among the problems confronting snail farmers are high cost of feed supplement , lack of capital, inaccessibility of formal credit source because lack of collaterals, lack of extension agents, lack of medication/vaccines, poor production infrastructures and lack of good farm management practices occupied 15%, 14.17%,11.67%,10%,9.17%,9.17% and 8.33% respectively. The constraints associated with the business as highlighted in this paper if tackled could pave a way to increase profit and this will alleviate poverty in Cross River State. However, based on the findings of the study it is recommended that snail farmers in the study area should form cooperative group(s) in order to obtain loans from bank(s) to increase their yield and income by expansion of their farms, improving efficiency and adopting new technologies. Beside that, extension agents should train snail farmers on the adoption of new technologies in snail production.


Poorly soluble low toxicity particles such as carbon black and titanium dioxide have raised concern about possible nonmalignant and malignant pulmonary effects. This paper illustrates application of causal inference analysis to assessing these effects. A framework for analysis is created using directed acyclic graphs to define pathways from exposure to potential lung cancer or chronic airflow obstruction outcomes. Directed acyclic graphs define influences of confounders, backdoor pathways, and analytic models. Potential mechanistic pathways such as intermediate pulmonary inflammation are illustrated. An overview of available data for each of the inter-node links is presented. Individual empirical epidemiologic studies have limited ability to confirm mechanisms of potential causal relationships due to the complexity of causal pathways and the extended time course over which disease may develop. Therefore, an explicit conceptual and graphical framework to facilitate synthesizing data from several studies to consider pulmonary inflammation as a common pathway for both chronic airflow obstruction and lung cancer is suggested. These methods are useful to clarify potential bona fide and artifactual observed relationships. They also delineate variables which should be included in analytic models for single study data and biologically relevant variables unlikely to be available from a single study.


Aesthetic nurses observe and assess the skin on a daily basis and therefore need to have an awareness of recognising skin lesions or moles that may be suspicious. In addition, aesthetic nurses have an important patient education role and can advise individuals who present to their clinic on checking their skin lesions and moles, skin self-examination, sun protection, and risk factors/prevention of skin cancer. This article aims to inform and update aesthetic nurses' knowledge on skin cancer. The article will cover recognition of skin cancer and patient education, including sun safety and self-examination. Skin cancer treatment will be covered in the second article in this series.


Paper presents the method for obtaining maximum contact pressure of Novikov gears. Described surface strength calculation method is based on Hertz theory of two bodies being in point contact. What's more the influence of gear position errors on maximum contact stresses has been presented. Also the comparison of Hertz stresses for Novikov and involute gears has been made.


Cell walls in the coenocytic green seaweed Codium vermilara (Olivi) Chiaje (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) are composed of ∼32% (w/w) β‐(1→4)‐d‐mannans, ∼12% sulfated polysaccharides (SPs), and small amounts of hydroxyproline‐rich glycoprotein‐like (HRGP‐L) compounds of the arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) and arabinosides (extensins). Similar quantities of mannans and SPs were reported previously in the related seaweed C. fragile (Suringar) Hariot. Overall, both seaweed cell walls comprise ∼40%–44% of their dry weights. Within the SP group, a variety of polysaccharide structures from pyruvylated arabinogalactan sulfate and pyruvylated galactan sulfate to pyranosic arabinan sulfate are present in Codium cell walls. In this paper, the in situ distribution of the main cell‐wall polymers in the green seaweed C. vermilara was studied, comparing their arrangements with those observed in cell walls from C. fragile. The utricle cell wall in C. vermilara showed by TEM a sandwich structure of two fibrillar‐like layers of similar width delimiting a middle amorphous‐like zone. By immuno‐ and chemical imaging, the in situ distribution of β‐(1→4)‐d‐mannans and HRGP‐like epitopes was shown to consist of two distinct cell‐wall layers, whereas SPs are distributed in the middle area of the wall. The overall cell‐wall polymer arrangement of the SPs, HRGP‐like epitopes, and mannans in the utricles of C. vermilara is different from the ubiquitous green algae C. fragile, in spite of both being phylogenetically very close. In addition, a preliminary cell‐wall model of the utricle moiety is proposed for both seaweeds, C. fragile and C. vermilara.


The effect of endogenous and applied ABA on ABA metabolism, PPO activity, phenolic levels and postharvest quality was investigated. Results using radioactive ABA showed that the ripening fruit both metabolised and catabolised ABA. High levels of ABA increased PPO activity, caused a decline in phenolic substrate levels and increased mesocarp (flesh) browning. This study has indicated a vital role for ABA and thereby stress, in fruit quality.


Forty patients aged 6 to 18 years have now been treated for inoperable intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) using stereotactic heavy-charged-particle Bragg peak radiosurgery at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory 184-inch Synchrocyclotron at the University of California, Berkeley. This paper describes the procedures for selection of patients, the treatment protocol, and the neurological and neuroradiological responses to stereotactic radiosurgery in this age group. The volumes of the treated AVMs ranged from 265 mm3 to 60,000 mm3. The results are favorable: thus far, 20 of 25 patients have experienced greater than or equal to 50% obliteration of their AVMs within 1 year after treatment, and 14 of 18 patients have experienced total obliteration of the AVM by 2 years after treatment. Two patients hemorrhaged from radiosurgically treated AVMs within 12 months after treatment, but none thereafter. Complications include vasogenic edema and arterial occlusion; three patients have had neurological worsening as definite or possible sequelae of treatment. The strengths and limitations of the method are discussed.


The present research reports 2 studies that examine the relation between nonpathological trait dissociation and the subjective affect, motivation, and phenomenology of self-defining memories. In Study 1 (N=293), participants retrieved and rated the emotional and motivational experience of a general and a positive and negative achievement-related memory. Study 2 (N=449) extended these ratings to relationship-related memories and the phenomenological experience of the memory. Dissociation was associated with incongruent affect in valenced memories (e.g., positive affect in a negative memory) and memories that were visually incoherent and saturated with power motivation, hubristic pride, and shame, regardless of valence or domain. The present findings demonstrate that autobiographical memories, which integrate emotional, motivational, and phenomenological components, reflect the emotional and motivational processes inherent to dissociation.


The article presents a full-size pole pair set-up of an MW-class direct drive (DD) high temperature superconducting (HTS) wind turbine generator. The set-up serves as a precursor to the world's first full-scale DD HTS generator developed within the EU-funded EcoSwing project. The set-up built for de-risking employs an HTS field winding in the rotor and a conventional copper armature winding in the stator, representing a minimum independent unit of the corresponding full generator. Such a prototyping approach well reflects the performance of the full generator at a low cost. The article first explains the main design considerations of the full generator, followed by designing and construction details of the set-up. Afterward, a number of tests for determining the key performance of the set-up are reported. The testing results showed that the HTS field winding ran stably at its rated current of 480 A and was well maintained below 30 K. Moreover, the tangential force in the set-up reached 29.8 kN, projecting the 2 MW target output power of the full generator. The set-up developed effectively validated the design ideas and engineering feasibilities of the full generator, leading to successful kick-off of the EcoSwing project.


LED-based technology is transforming public lighting networks, favouring smart city innovations. Beyond energy efficiency benefits, LED-based luminaries provide real time stateful data. However, most of the municipalities manage all their luminaries equally, independently of its state or the environmental conditions. Some existing approaches to street lighting management are already considering elementary features such as on-off control and individual dimming based on movement or ambient light. Nevertheless, our vision on public (street) lighting management, goes beyond basic consumption monitoring and dimming control, encompassing: a) adaptive lighting, by considering other potential influence factors such as work temperature of the luminaries or the arrangement of the luminaries on the street; b) Colour tuning, for public safety purposes and; c) emergency behaviour control. This paper addresses the first component (adaptive lighting) influence factors, in the scope of a real scenario in a Portuguese municipality.


In this paper, the problem of delay minimization for federated learning (FL) over wireless communication networks is investigated. In the considered model, each user exploits limited local computational resources to train a local FL model with its collected data and, then, sends the trained FL model parameters to a base station (BS) which aggregates the local FL models and broadcasts the aggregated FL model back to all the users. Since FL involves learning model exchanges between the users and the BS, both computation and communication latencies are determined by the required learning accuracy level, which affects the convergence rate of the FL algorithm. This joint learning and communication problem is formulated as a delay minimization problem, where it is proved that the objective function is a convex function of the learning accuracy. Then, a bisection search algorithm is proposed to obtain the optimal solution. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can reduce delay by up to 27.3% compared to conventional FL methods.


The unique drought tolerance of the single root of Schismus arabicus seedlings was compared with the roots of barley subjected to the same drought conditions. S. arabicus seedlings with roots and coleoptiles that were 1 to 2 mm or longer continued to grow and develop into normal plants when rehydrated after various dry periods. Moreover, seedlings originating from larger caryopses grew faster than those from small caryopses. When seedlings of cultivated barley Noga were dehydrated under the same conditions, none of the roots survived even after one day of drought. However, the barley seedlings survived because coleoptile growth was re-initiated following rehydration and new adventitious roots developed. S. arabicus is one of the very common annual plant species in large areas in theextreme deserts of the SaharoArabian phytogeographic region where the low rainfall and its distribution in winter are unpredictable. The ability of small portions of the S. arabicus soil seed bank to germinate after small amounts of rain, together with seedling drought tolerance for at least 29 days, may increase the chance of survival of this plant species. Seedlings originating from larger caryopses have even a higher chance of survival.


Accurate measurements of aerosol size distribution are desirable in order to investigate atmospheric aerosol processes. In the present paper, an electrical mobility spectrometer for measurement of number- weighted particle size distribution in sub-micrometer size range is described. The spectrometer consists of a size selective inlet, an aerosol charger, an electrostatic classifier, a signal detection system, a flow arrangement system and a computer controlled interface system. Particle charging is accomplished by exposing aerosol sample to the cloud of unipolar corona ions, and then charged via ion-particle collisions. The charged aerosol passes into the electrostatic classifier, configured as coaxially cylindrical electrodes. There are two separate streams, aerosol and sheath air flows. The charged aerosols enter the analyzer column. They are then deflected radially outward and collected on electrically isolated electrometer rings, positioned at the inner surface of the outer electrode. Electrometers connected to these electrode rings measure currents corresponding to the number concentration of particles of a given mobility which is related to the particle size. Signal currents are then recorded and processed by a data acquisition system. A prototype of the spectrometer was built and experimentally tested. From preliminary test results, the spectrometer has been found to be promising for determining particle size distribution.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the tuberculosis (TB) control activities in hospital and treatment success rate during the implementation year of the admission policy.

MATERIAL AND METHOD
The hospital-based survey was conducted in 12 provinces, five hospitals of each province. The medical records of hospitalized patients, with new sputum smear positive (NSS+) pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), registered between October 2008 and September 2009 were reviewed, as well as the TB control activities.

RESULTS
Fifty-one hospitals with complete hospital information were included Of 2,290 patients, less than half(46.1%) were hospitalized, while the treatment success rate was 83.8% (1,921 patients). This is slightly lower than World Health Organization target of 85%. In 2009, the six main control activities implemented in the studied hospital as part of the National Tuberculosis Program guideline of 15 items were 1) annual plan project for TB control program (51/51 hospitals, 100%), 2) protective equipment to prevent TB infection for personnel (50/51 hospitals, 98.0%), 3) appointment of committee in hospital for TB control program (49/51, 96.0%), 4) surveillance TB infection system in hospital for personnel (49/51, 96.0%), 5) protective equipment protection TB infection (mask) for patients and relatives (48/51 hospitals, 94.1%), and 6) intensive health education for NSS+ PTB patients with admission (48/51 hospitals, 94.1%).

CONCLUSION
During the implementation year of admission policy, the hospitalization rate was low and treatment success rate was not as high as expected. However the enhanced effect of program activities on admission and treatment success was not fully supported by the present study.


The authors study fluid analogues of a subclass of Petri nets, called fluid timed event graphs with multipliers, which are a timed extension of weighted T systems studied in the Petri net literature. These event graphs can be studied naturally, with a new algebra, analogous to the min-plus algebra, but defined on piecewise linear concave increasing functions, endowed with the pointwise minimum as addition and the composition of functions as multiplication. A subclass of dynamical systems in this algebra, which have a property of homogeneity, can be reduced to standard min-plus linear systems after a change of counting units. The authors give a necessary and sufficient condition under which a fluid timed-event graph with multipliers can be reduced to a fluid timed event graph without multipliers. In the fluid case, this class corresponds to the so-called expansible timed-event graphs with multipliers of Munier (1993), or to conservative weighted T-systems. The change of variable is called here a potential. Its restriction to the transition nodes of the event graph is a T-semiflow.


Background and Objective Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease around the world which affects the appearance of patients, as well as their physical and mental health. Cutibacterium acnes plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of acne vulgaris. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are the first line of defense against external pathogens. The nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has recently been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. The purpose of this review is to clarify the underlying mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, and its potential as a therapeutic target for the condition. Methods The PubMed database was searched for relevant articles published in English between January 2003 to December 2021 using keywords "acne vulgaris", "NLRP3 inflammasome", and "Cutibacterium acnes". The reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed to identify relevant articles. Key Content and Findings Cutibacterium acnes infection can lead to a series of inflammatory reactions and the production of inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-1β. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays essential roles in acne vulgaris. Further, innate immunity and adaptive immunity pervade the entire pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Conclusions The NLRP3 inflammasome may be a potential therapeutic target for acne vulgaris. Future studies are needed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of NLRP3 inhibitors on acne vulgaris.


Colonialism has attracted a lot of academic interest all over the World, this accounts for many studies carried out in various disciplines on colonial temper in African history. The themes of the studies focus more on the socio-political, religious-economic, educational and cultural implication of post colonialism and effects on the people. British rulers occupied Ijebu towns in Yorubaland in Nigeria, through the superiority and supremacy of military prowess at Magbon war of 1892, where thousands of Ijebu fell. This exterminative war against the Ijebu , installed British rulers over the people. This paper examines the British rule and Muslim education in Ago-Iwoye. The study employs analytical research method .Colonial education was largely dominated by the missionaries and when the Wesley primary school was established in the town in 1893, it was exclusive preserve of mission boards and consequently, conversion of Muslim children to Christianity took place. In responses to the colonial exploits, Muslims employed strategies which included avoidance, withdrawal submission, confrontation and alliance. The findings of this study x-ray the effects of the British rule disillusionments on the growth of Islam and education of Muslim children. The colonial character and actions portrayed a mighty and power at war with Islam. The study establishes a constitutive relationship between the British rulers and Christian evangelists in the town.
Keywords: Ago-Iwoye, British rule, Muslim education, Colonialism, Evangelism


Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of preoperative liver function tests (LFTs) in patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease and scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: All 1112 patients who underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease during a 6-year cohort were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients who presented with uncomplicated disease were selected. Preoperative LFTs, pre-, and postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreaticographies (ERCPs) and postoperative complications were collected. Results: A total of 697 patients were included. There were 629 (90.2%) patients with (group I) and 68 (9.8%) patients without (group II) preoperative LFTs. The incidence of ERCPs, ERCPs positive for bile duct stones, and postoperative complications were not significantly different between groups. Second, Group I patients were divided into four groups: 360 patients with normal LFTs (I-A1), 269 patients with at least one LFT > normal value (I-A2), 531 patients with all LFTs <2× normal (I-B1), and 98 patients with at least one LFT >2× normal (I-B2). More ERCPs were performed in group I-A2 (10%) than in group I-A1 (2.2%) and more in group I-B2 (18.4%) than I-B1 (3.2%), as a consequence of significantly more ERCPs performed preoperatively. No differences were detected between groups regarding ERCPs positive for bile duct stones or postoperative complications. Conclusions: Preoperative LFTs do not influence the occurrence of postoperative complications nor the total rate of ERCPs in patients undergoing cholecystectomy for uncomplicated gallstone disease. Preoperative determination of LFTs seems to cause a slight shift from post- to preoperative ERCPs without further clinical consequences.


Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) combined with Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) was operated for treatment of wastewater generated in a medium scaleActive Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturing unit. Parameters considered to investigate the performance of pilot plant wereChemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). However, to support the investigation, effluent Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) was also characterized. The studies indicated92.3 percent reduction in COD, 96.0 percent in BOD and 100 percent in TSS, and no significant effect on TDS reduction was found.The effluents streams taken up for study were characterized, neutralized, equalized and fed in SBR, which is a fill and draw activated sludge process driven by micro biological mass. The SBR out lets werereduced73.0, 79.9 and 76.3 percent by load in terms of COD, BOD and TSS respectively. The SBR outlets were fed in MBR, which is a membrane based reactor, where a further reduction of COD, BOD and TSS by72.0, 79.7 and 100 percent respectively was achieved. After successful pilot studies, it was found that the MBR combined with SBR can be operated positively for wastewater treatment in API manufacturing units, where effluent can be recycled after Reverse Osmosis (RO) polishing.


Background: An effective treatment is needed for long-COVID patients which suffer from symptoms of vision and/or cognition impairment such as impaired attention, memory, language comprehension, or fatigue. Objective: Because COVID-19infection causes reduced blood flow which may cause neuronal inactivation, we explored if neuromodulation with non-invasive brain stimulation using microcurrent (NIBS), known to enhance blood flow and neuronal synchronization, can reduce these symptoms. Methods: Two female long-COVID patients were treated for 10–13 days with alternating current stimulation of the eyes and brain. While one patient (age 40) was infected with the SARS CoV-2 virus, the other (age 72) developed symptoms following AstraZeneca vaccination. Before and after therapy, cognition was assessed subjectively by interview and visual fields quantified using perimetry. One patient was also tested with a cognitive test battery and with a retinal dynamic vascular analyser (DVA), a surrogate marker of vascular dysregulation in the brain. Results: In both patients NIBS markedly improved cognition and partially reversed visual field loss within 3–4 days. Cognitive tests in one patient confirmed recovery of up to 40–60% in cognitive subfunctions with perimetry results showing stable and visual field recovery even during follow-up. DVA showed that NIBS reduced vascular dysregulation by normalizing vessel dynamics (dilation/constriction), with particularly noticeable changes in the peripheral veins and arteries. Conclusions: NIBS was effective in improving visual and cognitive deficits in two confirmed SARS-COV-2 patients. Because recovery of function was associated with restoration of vascular autoregulation, we propose that (i) hypometabolic, "silent" neurons are the likely biological cause of long-COVID associated visual and cognitive deficits, and (ii) reoxygenation of these "silent" neurons provides the basis for neural reactivation and neurological recovery. Controlled trials are now needed to confirm these observations.


Hydronephrosis discovered during prenatal ultrasound will often resolve spontaneously; however, it should be evaluated in the postnatal period in a manner commensurate with its risk of renal injury. Early intervention is appropriate in cases of bladder outlet obstruction or the severely obstructed solitary kidney. In most other cases, it is both safe and reasonable to allow the possibility of spontaneous improvement with the intensity of follow-up based on the severity of the hydronephrosis. Clinical decision making should be a shared process between families and caregivers.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of extraperitoneal surgical approaches for the removal of residual masses of metastatic germ cell tumours in men after chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
A series of 75 men (median age 32 years) with metastatic germ cell tumours of testicular (n = 63) or extragonadal (n = 12) origin, who had been treated with an intensive course of platinum-based chemotherapy, were found to have residual tumour masses. Extraperitoneal surgical approaches were used on 80 occasions to excise these masses. A thoraco-abdominal extraperitoneal approach (n = 71) was used for large masses and those with intrathoracic metastases while smaller retroperitoneal masses were removed through 12th rib (n = 5) or Rutherford-Morrison (n = 4) extraperitoneal approaches.

RESULTS
Complete macroscopic clearance of residual masses within the thorax and retroperitoneum was achieved in all cases. The median blood loss was 0.8 L and the median in-patient stay was 7 days. Complications included chest infection in four cases. Two patients died about 4 weeks after surgery, one from septic pericarditis and another after an epileptic fit secondary to brain metastases. Eleven patients have developed tumour recurrence, five of whom have died from disseminated disease. Hence the survival rate and disease-free survival rate are 91% and 83%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 22 months.

CONCLUSIONS
The thoraco-abdominal extraperitoneal surgical approach for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy for testicular cancer is safe and has some advantages over anterior approaches, allowing synchronous removal of intrathoracic disease, improved access to nodes above and behind the renal vessels and more rapid post-operative recovery.


This paper presents theoretical and experimental results on bilateral teleoperation of multiple mobile slave agents coupled to a single master robot. We first design a passifying proportional-derivative (PD) controller to enforce motion tracking and formation control of master and slave vehicles under constant, bounded communication delays. Then, we incorporate avoidance functions to guarantee collision-free transit through obstructed spaces. The unified control framework is validated by experiments with two coaxial helicopters as slave agents and a haptic device as the master robot.


We have used observations made by the Global Oscillations at Low Frequency (GOLF) and the Variability of Irradiance and Gravity Oscillations Sun Photometer (VIRGO/SPM) instruments on board the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory satellite to study variations in the excitation and damping of low angular degree (low-l) solar p-modes on the rising phase of activity cycle 23. Our analysis includes a correction procedure that for the first time allows GOLF data to be "treated" as a single homogeneous set, thereby compensating for the change of operational configuration partway through the mission. Over the range 2.5 ≤ ν ≤ 3.5 mHz, we uncover an increase in damping and decrease in mode power that is consistent with previous findings. Furthermore, an excellent level of agreement is found between the variations extracted from the GOLF and VIRGO/SPM data. We find no net long-term changes to the modal energy supply rate. However, an analysis of the residuals uncovers the presence of a quasi-periodic signature of period ≈1.5 yr (most pronounced for SPM). While it is true that several workers claim to have uncovered similar periodicities in other phenomena related to the near-surface layers of the Sun here, we are at present more inclined to attribute our finding to an artifact of the mode-fitting procedure. We also uncover a significant change in the asymmetry of mode peaks in the GOLF data, as found in previous studies of much longer data sets. These assumed that the dominant contribution to this arose from the switch in operating configuration partway through the mission (which altered the depth in the solar atmosphere sampled by the instrument). However, our preliminary analysis of data collected over the 100 day period beginning 2002 November 19—when the instrument switched back to its original configuration—suggests that this change may have a solar cycle component.


The chemical cleavage of lipophilin (proteolipid apoprotein) from bovine brain white matter with HBr/dimethyl sulfoxide at the tryptophan residues, under conditions adapted to this hydrophobic protein, releases four fragments with approximate molecular masses 14 kDa (Trp I), 6.8 kDa (Trp IV), 5.2 kDa (Trp III) and 2.1 kDa (Trp II). These fragments have been separated and purified by a combination of solvent distribution, molecular sieve chromatography (Bio-Gel P-150) and high-performance liquid chromatography for automated Edman degradation and combined gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The complete amino acid sequences of Trp II and III and large sequences of Trp I are reported in this communication. The amino acid sequence of Trp IV and the sequences of peptides releasable from lipophilin by proteolytic enzymes (trypsin, thermolysin, subtilisin, chymotrypsin) have been described in previous reports from this laboratory. Despite two small gaps in the complete primary structure of lipophilin from myelin of central nervous system, our sequence data suggest the arrangement of four long hydrophobic sequences (30-40 apolar amino acid residues) within the hydrophobic core of the myelin lipid bilayer, linked by three hydrophilic regions at the aqueous membrane interphase. These features lend lipophilin the properties of a polytopic membrane protein.


One of the non-pharmacological treatments in tuberculosis patients is the fulfillment of good nutrition. Complete nutrition in meat is able to keep the body healthier, thus preventing the outbreak of tuberculosis. Meat used to fulfill nutritional needs in an effort to prevent tuberculosis needs to be considered halal. Knowledge about halal meat as nutrition to prevent tuberculosis needs to be given to the community, both those who have been exposed and those who have not. Garon Village, Kawedanan Subdistrict, Magetan Regency is an area where the community has not been exposed to tuberculosis, but the area is cold in the Bancak mountainous area so the potential for people to contract tuberculosis is very high. Therefore, counseling is needed to increase community knowledge about the importance of halal meat consumption as an effort to fulfill nutrition to prevent tuberculosis. The result of this counseling was an increase in knowledge about the benefits of halal meat consumption to prevent tuberculosis by 85.3%. This value can be a reference that this service activity has an impact on the community.


With the application of dynamic spatial panel model under China's decentralization framework, this paper elaborates the impacts of the "horizontal strategic interaction" among local governments, as well as the "vertical common reaction" between central and local governments, on the non-tax burden of various regions. The results indicate that there exists non-tax horizontal strategic imitation among local governments, with the degree from land remise revenue, extra-budgetary funds to budgetary non-tax revenue in descending order, in line with the structural trend of non-tax revenue. In terms of vertical common reaction, local governments present policy emulation towards central government in extra-budgetary funds, with an increasing degree of policy violation in budgetary non-tax revenue, while the reaction transforms from policy violation to emulation in land remise revenue. Fiscal decentralization produces negative influence on non-tax revenue, varying among revenue categories, with substantial impact on land remise revenue, followed by extra-budgetary funds, and negligible effect on budgetary non-tax revenue. This paper proposes related analysis based on current non-tax system, as well as corresponding policy implications.


Next-generation systems, such as edge devices, will have to provide efficient processing of machine learning (ML) algorithms, along with several metrics, including energy, performance, area, and latency. However, the quickly evolving field of ML makes it extremely difficult to generate accelerators able to support a wide variety of algorithms. Simultaneously, designing accelerators in hardware description languages (HDLs) by hand is laborious and time-consuming, and does not allow quick exploration of the design space. This paper discusses the SODA synthesizer, an automated open-source high-level ML framework-to-Verilog compiler targeting ML Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) chiplets based on the LLVM infrastructure. The SODA synthesizers will allow implementing optimal designs by combining templated and fully tunable IPs and macros, and fully custom components generated through high-level synthesis. All these components will be provided through an extendable resource library, characterized by commercial and open-source logic design flows. Through a closed-loop design space exploration engine, developers will quickly explore their hardware designs along different dimensions.


We tackle the issue of renormalizability for Tensorial Group Field Theories (TGFT) including gauge invariance conditions, with the rigorous tool of multi-scale analysis, to prepare the ground for applications to quantum gravity models. In the process, we define the appropriate generalization of some key QFT notions, including: connectedness, locality and contraction of (high) subgraphs. We also define a new notion of Wick ordering, corresponding to the subtraction of (maximal) melonic tadpoles. We then consider the simplest examples of dynamical 4-dimensional TGFT with gauge invariance conditions for the Abelian U(1) case. We prove that they are super-renormalizable for any polynomial interaction.


The mechanisms that control the biological behaviour of urothelial cancer are complex, and many regulative interactions are involved. So far, few aspects of these control mechanisms have been recognized and characterized. A precondition for better understanding is knowledge the interaction of this factors. Some markers (e.g., chromosomal aberrations, EGFR expression) are correlated with progression of tumour. Whether they are the cause or the result of the aggressive behaviour of growth remains unknown. Only a few markers, especially in flow cytometry, will have any benefit in clinical routine. Whether it is possible to find a marker with prognostic value remains uncertain.


Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States and worldwide. Previously, lung cancer was simplistically divided into non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer. However, in the last decade, we have gone from a simplistic binary system of classifying lung cancer to defining NSCLC on the basis of molecular subsets. KRAS mutations represent the most common molecular change in NSCLC. The presence of KRAS mutation has been shown to be associated with a poor prognosis in NSCLC, but this is of little clinical utility. More important is determining the clinical utility of KRAS mutational analysis for predicting benefit of chemotherapy, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies, or other novel therapeutics. Current data does not support the routine use of KRAS mutational analysis for predicting chemotherapy benefit. Additionally, there was significant interest in using KRAS status to select patients for EGFR TKI and anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies. However, the EGFR mutational status has demonstrated significant predictive value in the selection of patients for EGFR TKI therapy and is now the preferred test. An association between KRAS mutational status and benefit of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies has not been demonstrated in NSCLC. Here we review, in the context of NSCLC, the underlying biology of KRAS mutations, the predictive value of KRAS mutations for therapeutic intervention, and the integration of KRAS mutational testing into our current clinical paradigms.


Network classification has a variety of applications, such as detecting communities within networks and finding similarities between those representing different aspects of the real world. However, most existing work in this area focus on examining static undirected networks without considering directed edges or temporality. In this paper, we propose a new methodology that utilizes feature representation for network classification based on the temporal motif distribution of the network and a null model for comparing against random graphs. Experimental results show that our method improves accuracy by up 10% compared to the state-of-the-art embedding method in network classification, for tasks such as classifying network type, identifying communities in email exchange network, and identifying users given their app-switching behaviors.


This study investigates discrete-time triggered reset law design for linear systems in order to adapt reset control to computer-based implementation. The reset actions are triggered at discrete sampling times if predefined reset conditions are satisfied, and reset law is used to determine reset values of the controller states. A discrete-time switched system model of the reset control systems is established, then, a model predictive strategy is proposed to design the reset law by solving a linear matrix inequality optimisation problem. Moreover, the proposed method is extended to observer-based reset law design. The obtained results are applied to numerical example and typical continuous stirred tank reactor system, simulations show that the proposed design is effective.


we can call upon. I also question the presence of Section 8D on acoustic imaging, as this is not an application of Walsh functions at all. The system is nothing but an acoustic lens made of electronic components, and performs a Fourier transformation. It is true that Harmuth included a description of the device in his paper at the 1973 Walsh Symposium; but his purpose is to show his fellow Walsh enthusiasts how Walsh-generated technology can be used in other areas too. Finally, in a book on Walsh functions there is an inordinate amount of space devoted to Haar functions. One could justify this on the ground that Haar functions are closely related to Walsh functions and are used in similar applications. But then how does one explain the brief coverage of general Hadamard matrices? After all, Section 8B is on


This thesis sought to explore Total quality management (TOM) implementation and barriers that need to be overcome due to differences between societal cultures, which have become a subject ofintense discussion in the wake of the globalisation of the world economy. lnter-societal cultural barriers to TOM implementation were contrasted against the accepted organisational cultural barriers, which are well documented in established literature on this topic. A case study for the analysis was taken from the Libyan construction sector, where TOM is increasingly being reported as being adopted by companies keen to solve quality problems in their industry. This research explored the barriers that exist and that have acted to hinder the adoption of TOM practices using an in-depth survey of two Libyan construction companies (A&B). The findings of this research are presented as a conceptual framework upon which proactive measure may be planned to improve TOM adoption and which may also act as a guide for further research. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to obtain primary and secondary data for the research and the TOM model framework was successfully used in a self assessment case study of companies (A&B) in Libya. The survey was able to identify critical barriers that were assessed in relation to other published data on inter-societal and intra-organisational barriers so as to identity a number of barriers unique to the Libyan case study. The overall results indicated that the case study companies were in the early stages of TOM initiatives and that there were large areas for improvement to overcome the barriers.