Background: Dental scanners play a critical role in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology. This study aimed to compare the accuracy (precision and trueness) of eight dental scanners for dental bridge scanning. Materials and Methods: In this in-vitro experimental study, a typodont model with a missing maxillary right first molar was prepared for a 3-unit fixed partial denture. Each scanner (Sirona inEos inLab, Sirona X5, Dentium, Imes icore 350I I3D, Amann Girrbach map 100, 3Shape D100, 3Shape E3) performed seven scans of the typodont, and the data were analyzed using 3D-Tool software. The abutment length, abutment width, arch length, and interdental distance were measured. To assess the accuracy of each scanner, trueness was evaluated by superimposing the scanned data on true values obtained by the 3shape Triosscanner as the reference. Precision was evaluated by superimposing a pair of data sets obtained from the same scanner. Precision and trueness of the scanners were compared using the one-way ANOVA followed by the post-hoc Tukey's HSD test and one-sample t-test (P<0.05 was considerer significant). Results: The precision of scanners ranged from 14 μm (3Shape Trios) to 45 μm (Imes icore 350i), whereas the trueness ranged from 38 μm (3Shape d700) to 71 μm (Sirona X5). Conclusion: The reported trueness values for 3Shape Trios, Sirona inEos inLab, Sirona x5, Dentium, Imes icore350i, Amann Girrbach, 3Shape d700, and 3Shape e3 were 63, 45, 71, 67, 70, 53, 38, and 42 μm, respectively, whereas the precision values were 14, 29, 44, 34, 45, 44, 30 and 28 μm, respectively.


Operational processes are usually studied in terms of stochastic processes. The main information measure used for predictability of stochastic processes is the entropy rate, which is asymptotic conditional entropy, thus not suitable for application over a finite horizon. We use the conditional entropy to study the predictability of stochastic processes over the finite horizon. It is well‐known that the conditional entropies of stationary processes decrease as the processes evolve, implying that, on average, their pasts become more informative about prediction of their future outcomes. Some important operational processes such as martingale, models for maintenance policies, nonhomogeneous Poisson, and mixed Poisson processes are nonstationary. We show that as a nonstationary process evolves, it may provide more information or less information about the future state of the system. We develop results for comparing the predictability of stochastic processes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2011


Using Sequoyah as a representative plant, the CONTAIN severe accident analysis code has been employed to evaluate the ability of several proposed containment improvements to reduce the threat to containment integrity associated with direct containment heating (DCH) and hydrogen combustion in ice condenser plants during station blackout accidents. Calculations were performed using 4-cell, 6-cell, and 26-cell representations of the containment. Potential improvements considered included containment venting, improved igniter systems (including backup power supplies), containment inerting, subatmospheric containment, reduced ice condenser bypass, backup power supplies for the air return fans, and intentional depressurization of the reactor coolant system (RCS). The most effective improvements considered were inerting of the containment atmosphere, and the combination of depressurization of the RCS and provision of backup power for the igniter systems. Either of these approaches could substantially reduce, though perhaps not totally eliminate, the threat to containment integrity associated with DCH and hydrogen deflagrations. The other improvements considered offered at best only moderate mitigation, which would probably be insufficient to substantially alter the contribution of DCH to risk in PRAs such as those reported in NUREG-1150. 11 refs., 2 figs., 5 tabs.


Abstract Green marketing is possibly the newest type of marketing. Recently, it has also been the most discussed one by organizations, companies and even states. Green marketing tries to produce, promote and recycle products that are friendly to the environment. Green marketing is a global concern and it is going to have a better future. However, this type of marketing meets a few problems such as much effort to replace conventional products and a lack of confidence. Many companies produce and promote such products as much as possible. In spite of this, the public is still sceptical. The paper presents the theoretical important knowledge on green marketing, its definitions, customer behaviour formulas, and its potential.


A recently proposed finite difference scheme for treating fast propagation and arrest in the double-cantilever-beam (DCB) specimen, which has so far yielded satisfactory results when compared with experimental measurements related to steel and epoxy resin, is here applied to a variety of materials, distinguished in the analysis by their Poisson's ratio only. It is shown that higher Poisson's ratios imply higher ratios between the initiating stress intensity factor and the dynamic material toughness when the same amount of crack growth is considered. The relation between the crack length at arrest and the crack speed, with the latter given with respect to the shear wave velocity, was found to be essentially independent of changes in the material when geometrically similar DCB configurations are considered.


Sour rot caused by Giotrichum candidum is the most important disease affecting lime fruits. Effect of citral and chitosan as single or in combination for controlling sour rot disease of lime fruits was studied. Complete inhibition of linear growth and spore germination of G. candidum was obtained with citral at concentrations of 5.0 ml / l and chitosan at 8.0 g / l. The promising concentrations of citral i.e 4.0 & 5.0 ml / l and chitosan at 6.0 & 8.0 g / l were applied as single or in combination against sour rot disease. Fresh lime fruits were artificially wounded using sterilized scalpel and inoculated with spore suspension (10 6 spores/ml) of G. candidum then treated with citral and /or chitosan.Results indicate that the most effective treatments are combined treatments between citral at 4.0 or 5.0 ml / l and chitosan at 6.0 or 8.0 g / l which reduced the disease incidence and rotted part tissue more than 89.5 and 93.5% respectively.While single treatments of each concentration of citral and chitosan reduced the sour rot incidence and rotted part tissue more than 81.5 and 84.5 %. respectively. It could be suggested that combination between citral and chitosan as fruit coating considered as one of applicable safely for controlling postharvest diseases of lime fruits.


Organic semiconductors are materials having the benefits of semiconductors together with those of organic molecules. That means, on one hand, these are compounds able to absorb and emit light, as well as conduct electricity to a certain extent, which is enough for the functionality of solid state devices. On the other hand, a remarkable characteristic is that the excitations are typically localized on individual molecules, such that the exchange interactions lead to energetically distinct singlet and triplet states. According to the spectroscopic selection rules in quantum mechanics, only transitions from the singlet excited state are allowed, deactivating radiatively while generating fluorescence emission in the process, whereas transitions from the triplet excited state are not allowed, because its decay involves a spin flip, and therefore, it is theoretically forbidden by electric dipole transitions. Nevertheless, there is a small probability of these forbidden transitions to occur at a low rate, resulting in a slow radiative deactivation known as phosphorescence emission. In this context, the property of an organic molecule able to emit light from both their singlet and triplet excited states is called biluminescence. Although this dual state emission, particularly at room temperature, is difficult to achieve by purely organic molecules, it becomes possible if competitive thermal decay is suppressed effectively, allowing emission from the triplet states (i.e. phosphorescence) in addition to the conventional fluorescence. Here, we have identified biluminescence in simple host:guest systems in which a biluminophore (i.e. organic molecule with biluminescence property) is embedded in an optimum rigid matrix, for example, a combination of PMMA [poly(methyl methacrylate)] as host and NPB [N,N'-di(naphtha-1-yl)-N,N'-diphenyl-benzidine] as biluminophore [Reineke and Baldo, Sci. Rep.]. Such system is unique not only because of the dual state emission, but also the large exciton dynamic range extended up to nine orders of magnitude between nanosecond-lifetime fluorescence and millisecond-lifetime phosphorescence. In this presentation, we will report on the oxygen sensing characteristics of this luminescent system compared to a benchmarked single state optical sensor. Such properties can be evaluated because of the sensitivity of the triplet state to oxygen and therefore, we investigate the dependence of the persistent phosphorescence on the oxygen content. Furthermore, we will address our efforts towards the potential integration of novel optical biluminescent sensing into organic electronics.


Pericarditis is a frequent complication of uremia in both acute and chronic renal failure.1The recognition of uremic pericarditis has been important for three reasons: 1. The onset of pericarditis in uremia has been found to have prognostic significance.22. Pericarditis is frequently the cause of confusing and distressing pain.33. Electrocardiographic abnormalities occurring late in uremia are often the result of pericarditis.4 Two cases of chronic renal failure, which were seen recently in this hospital, have served to illustrate another significant aspect of uremic pericarditis. In both instances the immediate cause of death was cardiac tamponade, which was a complication of uremic pericarditis. Because of the lack of appreciation of tamponade as a complication of uremic pericarditis in textbooks and the literature, it was thought that a report of these cases would be of interest. Report of Cases Case 1.— A 29-year-old man entered the


Simulation tools are widely used to assess the energy consumption of a building. During the modeling process, some choices have to be made by the simulation tool user, such as the division of the building into thermal zones. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of building zoning on the results of the dynamic thermal simulation, including, or not including, airflow and thermal transfers between zones. With this purpose in mind, several different building zonings (49-zone to 11-zone models) are applied to the same office building. The impact of merging the floors is analyzed by considering different roof and floor insulations and the impact of merging the orientations is studied by using different glazed surface ratio and climates. The results of the dynamic thermal simulations are compared in terms of energy demand (heating and cooling) and computational and set-up times.


'Tight junctions (TJ)' have recently been identified in the granular cell layer of the human epidermis, where they contribute to the normal adhesion between keratinocytes and to the physiologic barrier function of the epidermis. Among the TJ proteins in the epidermis, occludin is an important transmembrane protein, which is considered as a major component. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether regional variation exists in the expression of the tight junction protein occludin in normal human epidermis. Indirect immunofluorescence staining for occludin was performed with specimens taken from different areas of normal skin (4 from each of 7 different anatomical sites, including the scalp, face, posterior neck, upper arm, abdomen, lower back, and inner thigh). The degrees of the expression-intensity in each specimen were estim ated with the reciprocals of positive end-point titer of occludin in an indirect immunofluorescence study. The highest degree expression-intensity of the TJ protein occludin among the different areas of normal epidermis was observed on the face and abdomen with a titer of 600 (p=0.001). The lowest intensity of expression of occludin was seen in the epidermis from the upper arm. Skin specimens from the scalp, neck, back, and leg demonstrated intermediate degrees of the expression in intensity. The expression of occludin in the skin samples obtained from different locations of the body showed a statistically significant variation. This suggests that there is a certain degree of regional variation in the expression-intensity of TJ protein 'occludin' in the human epidermis.


Background

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) has high lifetime prevalence, early onset and long duration or chronicity. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has best evidence for treatment effect and planned exposure is considered one of the most effective elements of CBT in SAD. However, in vivo exposure can be difficult to access and control and is sometimes rejected by patients because they expect it to be too aversive. The use of virtual reality allows exposure to challenging situations in an immersive, but also protected, flexible and controlled environment.

Methods

The design is an investigator initiated randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel group and superiority designed clinical trial. 302 patients diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, will be included from two psychotherapeutic outpatient clinics at Mental Health Center Copenhagen. All patients will be offered a manual-based 14-week CBT group program, including eight sessions of exposure therapy. Patients will be randomised with concealed allocation sequence to CBT augmented with virtual reality exposure or CBT. Patients will be assessed at baseline, post treatment and at one-year follow-up by researchers blinded for treatment condition. The primary outcome will be social anxiety measured with Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Secondary outcome measures will be depression, social functioning, and patient satisfaction. Exploratory outcomes will be substance and alcohol use, working alliance and quality of life.

Discussion

The SO REAL trial will be the hitherto largest trial investigating the use of virtual reality as augmentation of CBT and the results may guide future clinical treatments.

Trials registration
The project was registered at clinicaltrials.gov on 02/19/2019 as NCT03845101. Can be found online at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03845101


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Falls are a major cause of death and disability among older adults. Fall-related knowledge among community-dwelling elderly individuals, however, is unknown. The purposes of this study were to assess the perception of falling as a health problem, to determine the perceived importance of fall-related risk factors, and to identify personal characteristics and attitudes associated with perceived importance of fall-related risk factors among community-dwelling elderly people.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Resident council meeting attendees in 3 apartment buildings for elderly persons completed a self-administered survey (N=120). Items assessed factors influencing falls by the respondents (n=52) or falls among elderly persons (n=68). The data were analyzed by chi-square test, analysis of variance, and linear regression.

RESULTS
Falling during the previous month was reported by 10.1% of the subjects. Eighty-six percent of the subjects considered falling to be a preventable health problem and viewed falling as a moderately important concern compared with other health concerns. Exterior environmental factors such as pavement conditions and handrails were perceived as most likely to cause falls. The perceived personal likelihood of falling due to these risk factors was markedly lower compared with the perceived risk for other elderly persons.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION
The community-dwelling elderly individuals studied considered falls to be preventable and understood the importance of fall-related risk factors, but they did not consider themselves to be susceptible to falling.


A recent review proposed four criteria for an animal model of treatment-resistant depression (TRD): a phenotypic resemblance to a risk factor for depression; enhanced response to stress; nonresponse to antidepressant drugs and response to treatments effective in TRD, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the prefrontal cortex or ketamine. Chronic mild stress (CMS) provides a valid model of depression; the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat is considered to be nonresponsive to antidepressant drugs. Here, we applied CMS to WKY rats. WKY and Wistar rats were exposed to CMS, then treated with saline, imipramine, citalopram or venlafaxine. After 5 weeks of CMS and 3 weeks of drug treatment, all WKY groups were implanted unilaterally with DBS electrodes in the prefrontal cortex, and examined in sucrose intake, elevated plus maze (EPM; decreased entries and time in the open arms) and novel object recognition (decreased exploration) tests, following 2×2 h of DBS. CMS decreased sucrose intake, open arm entries on the EPM, and object recognition. Relative to Wistars, WKY rats showed evidence of increased emotionality in the EPM and novel object recognition tests, and a greater impact of CMS on body weight gain and open arm entries. Wistars responded to drug treatment with an increase in sucrose intake but WKY were nonresponsive to drug treatment on all three behavioural tests. With one exception, DBS reversed the anhedonic, anxiogenic and dyscognitive effects of CMS in all groups of WKY rats. In a further experiment, subacute ketamine (10 mg/kg) also normalized behaviour on all three tests. We conclude that WKY rats subjected to CMS meet all four criteria for a valid model of TRD, and provide a basis for studying the mechanism of action of DBS.


An angle-, energy- and spin-resolved photoionisation experiment was performed in the region of the 6s6p2 autoionisation resonances of thallium. Using monochromatic circularly polarised synchrotron radiation the energy dependence of the spin-polarisation parameters A, xi and alpha and the angular asymmetry parameter beta of the differential cross section were determined. In the wavelength region investigated these dynamical parameters show a pronounced variation which agrees well with the results of the random phase approximation with exchange' calculation by Cherepkov (1980). A detailed discussion of the resonance behaviour for the autoionising states is given in terms of dipole-matrix elements and phaseshift differences which are extracted from the experimental data.


Since the time of Freud, psychiatry has embraced the proposition that physiological and/or psychological stress precipitates various psychiatric disorders. To this effect, we propose that a continuum of liability obtains between stress, anxiety states and anorexia nervosa--a continuum which is grounded on a cytokine profile common to each of these conditions. For example, the biological response to stress, anxiety states and anorexia nervosa includes the elevation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and downregulation of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Sustained elevation of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha dysregulates both somatostatin and insulin secretion, the latter of which influences regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and brain energy metabolism. In addition, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha influence the expression of certain crucial neuropeptides, which are known to be associated with anxiety states and anorexia nervosa. These neuropeptides include: beta-endorphin, cholecystokinin (CCK), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). beta-endorphin effects glucose metabolism in the limbic system, CCK increases the release of beta-endorphin from the anterior pituitary, NPY is a powerful anxiolytic that regulates beta-endorphin and insulin, while VIP indirectly regulates the expression of TNF-alpha through the inhibition of interleukin-4 (IL-4).


[1] A climate change workshop for the Middle East brought together scientists and data for the region to produce the first area-wide analysis of climate extremes for the region. This paper reports trends in extreme precipitation and temperature indices that were computed during the workshop and additional indices data that became available after the workshop. Trends in these indices were examined for 1950–2003 at 52 stations covering 15 countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey. Results indicate that there have been statistically significant, spatially coherent trends in temperature indices that are related to temperature increases in the region. Significant, increasing trends have been found in the annual maximum of daily maximum and minimum temperature, the annual minimum of daily maximum and minimum temperature, the number of summer nights, and the number of days where daily temperature has exceeded its 90th percentile. Significant negative trends have been found in the number of days when daily temperature is below its 10th percentile and daily temperature range. Trends in precipitation indices, including the number of days with precipitation, the average precipitation intensity, and maximum daily precipitation events, are weak in general and do not show spatial coherence. The workshop attendees have generously made the indices data available for the international research community.


PURPOSE
To investigate the role of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) gene copy-number variations (ie, gene duplications and triplications) in the pathophysiology of various open-angle glaucomas.

METHODS
In previous studies, we discovered that copy-number variations in the TBK1 gene are associated with normal-tension glaucoma. Here, we investigated the prevalence of copy-number variations in cohorts of patients with other open-angle glaucomas-juvenile-onset open-angle glaucoma (n=30), pigmentary glaucoma (n=209), exfoliation glaucoma (n=225), and steroid-induced glaucoma (n=79)-using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay.

RESULTS
No TBK1 gene copy-number variations were detected in patients with juvenile-onset open-angle glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, or steroid-induced glaucoma. A TBK1 gene duplication was detected in one (0.44%) of the 225 exfoliation glaucoma patients.

CONCLUSIONS
TBK1 gene copy-number variations (gene duplications and triplications) have been previously associated with normal-tension glaucoma. An exploration of other open-angle glaucomas detected a TBK1 copy-number variation in a patient with exfoliation glaucoma, which is the first example of a TBK1 mutation in a glaucoma patient with a diagnosis other than normal-tension glaucoma. A broader phenotypic range may be associated with TBK1 copy-number variations, although mutations in this gene are most often detected in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.


Digitalization of regional public health information is an irreversible trend in the course of China's social development. This is also one of the key tasks to reform China's medicine and public health system. To learn more about the influence of using information technology for medical personnel and hospital performance, this study reviews in the personal perspective to know more about the sustainable action of using IT in hospitals based on the Theory of Planned Bahavior. We proposed a research model which expanded TPB and tested it based on 278 valid data collected from employees in a large-scale hospital in Anhui Province, East China. The results of study reveal: 1.We verified TPB in the Chinese context and found that attitude and subjective norm not only have a directly influence on behavioral intention, but also can influence the use behavior.2.The habit of using IT of medical personnel has a directly influence on the attitude of using IT, and it also has significant influence on the behavioral intention. Our research model discovered the relationship between subjective factors of IT users' and their behaviour. The founding of this study not only can provide references regarding the direction of public hospitals reform in China for decision makers of hospitals, but also is very helpful for management teams in hospitals to adopt more rational management measures for better IT use among medical personnel, and better hospital performance.


Renal transplantation is a treatment, not a cure. Although transplantation may return renal function to the recipient, it does not necessarily remove the cause of the recipient's original renal disease. Glomerulonephritis is the cause of renal failure for 20 to 40% of those who receive a transplant; for these recipients, the threat of recurrent disease is real. The transplant setting of immunosuppression, different antigenic characteristics of the graft versusthe native kidney, and different chronology may attenuate or prevent recurrence of some forms of glomerulonephritis. Others will, despite these barriers, recur and may result in allograft failure. Allograft survival rates have steadily improved over the past 20 yr, largely as a result of our increasing ability to prevent and treat rejection (1). Recurrent glomerulonephritis is at present a minor contributor to allograft failure, responsible for 3% of all grafts lost in Australia and New Zealand from 1979 to 1998 (E. Briganti and S. Chadban, unpublished data) and a similar number in the United Kingdom (2). However, the propensity for glomerulonephritis to recur seems to be time dependent (3). Thus, as graft survival increases, so, too, does the likelihood of disease recurrence. As the average cadaveric graft is now projected to function for more than 13 yr and the average live-donor graft for more than 21 yr (1), we can expect to see an increased incidence of recurrent glomerulonephritis and a greater number of grafts failing as a result of recurrence. By implication, the diagnosis of recurrent glomerulonephritis requires an accurate diagnosis of both the primary renal disease and subsequent disease in the transplant kidney. In most cases, these criteria will be fulfilled only by obtaining renal biopsy material from both organs for diagnostic assessment, which may need to include electron microscopy and immunohistology (4,5). Although biopsy of native and transplant kidneys is simple, safe, and widely practiced, it is not performed in all cases of suspected glomerulonephritis in native or transplanted kidneys (6). Electron microscopy and immunohistology also are not routinely performed on transplant biopsies. Thus, the true incidence and impact of recurrent glomerulonephritis is not accurately known and is probably underestimated. This article discusses recurrent glomerulonephritis in the current era. The strength and quality of data reported in the l erature are variable; where evidence is cited, its strength is considered. The epidemiology of recurrence is reviewed in a general sense, and recurrence of specific forms of glomerulonephritis is addressed individually. The incidence of recurrence and recurrence leading to graft failure is examined, and risk factors for disease recurrence are assessed. Where available, data on the pathogenesis and management of recurrent glomerulonephritis also is presented. Controversies in the area are discussed, including the diagnosis of recurrent glomerulonephritis and the implications of recurrence for retransplantation. The issues ofde novoglomerulonephritis posttransplantation and recurrent metabolic diseases have been reviewed elsewhere (6–8) and are not directly addressed here.


Adaptive Multilevel Splitting (AMS for short) is a general Monte-Carlo method to simulate and estimate rare events. In the framework of molecular dynamics, this technique can for example be used to generate reactive trajectories, namely equilibrium trajectories leaving a metastable state and ending in another one. In this talk, we will present a connection between AMS and stochastic waves, i.e. the transformation of a Markov process by a random time change. In particular, this connection allows us to analyze AMS as a Fleming-Viot type particle system. ∗Speaker sciencesconf.org:largedeviations:70351


Abstract This paper is connected with compress-and-forward strategy for two-user relay broadcast channels without common messages, where the relay node has private messages from the source, in addition to aiding traditional communication from the source to the destination. For this channel we derive two achievable rate regions based on the compress-and-forward strategy in cases of discrete memoryless channels and Gaussian channels, respectively. The numerical results for Gaussian relay broadcast channel show that the inner bound based on the compress-and-forward strategy improves when all the messages without peeling off any components are compressed and sent to the receiver. It also verifies that the inner bound based on compress-and-forward strategy is better than that based on decode-and-forward strategy, when the relay node is near to the sink node. Moreover, the rate region of the broadcast channel improves considerably when the collaboration between the two receivers is allowed. So the relay node can provide residual resources to help the communication between the source and the sink after its communication rate is satisfied, which gives some insights to select an available relay node in a practical communication system.


Agriculture in India is the hub around which the wheel of Indian economy and society revolves. The growing population puts extra pressure on agriculture to sustain the food and nutritional requirements. The emergence of Biotechnology has given the hope to the agriculture scientists and policy makers for tackling the problem of food security in an efficient and effective manner. Any new or innovative technology also brings with itself the various ethical issues from the perspective of the society and economy. In recent times, hardly any technology has come which has created such a stir throughout the world from the ethical point of view. This technology has literally divided the world into two halves. One half staunchly favours the technology and the other half vehemently opposes it. The pertinent question that arises is that the problem lies with the technology itself or the problem lies with its use. This paper focuses on agriculture Biotechnology. The attempt is to find out the reasons for doubt over this technology and arguments that are given in favour and also the arguments given against the technology. Then the ethical issues related to Biotechnology and biotechnology business in agriculture is discussed and finally how Biotechnology can affect the farmers is discussed.


Agriculture is a vital area for the sustenance of mankind engulfing manufacturing, security, traceability, and sustainable resource management. With the resources receding expeditiously, it is of utmost significance to innovate techniques that help in the subsistence of agriculture. The growth of Internet of Things (IoT) and Blockchain technology as two rapidly emerging fields can ameliorate the state of food chain today. This paper provides a rigorous literature review to inspect the state-of-the-art development of the schemes that provide information security using blockchain technology. After identifying the core requirements in smart agriculture, a generalized blockchain-based security architecture has been proposed. A detailed cost analysis has been conducted on the studied schemes. A meticulous comparative analysis uncovered the drawbacks in existing research. Furthermore, detailed analysis of the literature has also revealed the security goals towards which the research has been directed and helped to identify new avenues for future research using artificial intelligence.


The proportion of elderly people is growing faster than any other age group. Amongst them, the group of oldest old is indeed the segment of the elderly population with the fastest growth rate. The increase in the proportion of elderly in the Angolan population makes research on this area badly needed. Within the theoretical framework of successful aging, the study aims to test for sociodemographic group differences in perceived health, life satisfaction, and social relations in Angolan elderly. The dependent variables are three of the components of what has been called successful aging. Data came from a cross-sectional survey of elderly people living in Luanda. 1003 Angolan elderly were surveyed on sociodemographic information, perceived health, life satisfaction, and social support. MANOVAs were calculated to test for mean differences in the dependent variables. Results permit to conclude that the factors associated with the largest differences on the Angolan elderly's quality of life and social relations were age (becoming oldest old) and institutionalization. The interactions of several factors with age pointed out that the oldest old were clearly a group in which the decreased quality of life due to becoming oldest old could not be compensated by other factors, as it was the case in the group of young old.


Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the operative procedure of choice among academic foot and ankle surgeons practicing in the United States for treatment of mild hallux valgus deformity. Methods: A hypothetical patient was created: a 60-year-old woman with a mild hallux valgus deformity (first intermetatarsal angle of 11 degrees and hallux valgus angle of 22 degrees). The patient complained of pain around the bunion, nonoperative treatment had failed, and she desired operative correction. The case was sent to academic foot and ankle surgeons to identify their operative treatment of choice. The overall response rate was 83.7% (128 of 153). To be included in the study group each surgeon had 1) foot and ankle patients comprising 50% or more of their clinical practice and 2) direct responsibility for teaching orthopaedic surgery residents. One hundred and three respondents met the inclusion criteria and formed the study group. Results: Eighty-seven percent (90 of 103) reported that they would use a distal chevron osteotomy as their primary procedure to correct the mild hallux valgus. Ten percent (10 of 103) reported that they would also add an Akin osteotomy of the proximal phalanx to enhance correction. Conclusions: Most respondents chose a distal chevron osteotomy as their primary procedure to correct the mild hallux valgus deformity.


Pixellated Optics, a class of optical devices which preserve phase front continuity only over small sub areas of the device, allow for a range of uses that would not otherwise be possible. One potential use is as Low Vision Aids (LVAs), where they are hoped to combine the function and performance of existing devices with the size and comfort of conventional eyewear. For these devices a Generalised Confocal Lenslet Array (GCLA) is designed to magnify object space, creating the effect of traditional refracting telescope within a thin, planar device. By creating a device that is appreciably thinner than existing LVA telescopes it is hoped that the comfort for the wearer will be increased. We have developed a series of prototype GLCA-based devices to examine their real-world performance, focussing on the resolution, magnification and clarity of image attainable through the devices. It is hoped that these will form the basis for a future LVA devices. This development has required novel manufacturing techniques and a phased development approach centred on maximising performance. Presented here will be an overview of the development so far, alongside the performance of the latest devices.


Neurones which are excited by CO2 or H+ are present in a number of brainstem structures in addition to the ventrolateral region of the medulla, the site at which the respiratory response to hypercapnia is traditionally believed to originate. In this review we examine recent work concerned with establishing the relationship between these chemosensitive neurones and respiration, the emphasis being placed on the use for this purpose of in vitro preparations of the mammalian brainstem.


Abstract Creativity is the ability to produce something novel and useful that is a valuable contribution to a specific domain. It is a significant common factor in most forms of psychotherapy. Accordingly, it is essential to investigate its role both in psychotherapy in general and in specific approaches like relational, cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, systemic, and existential psychotherapy. Positive psychology in particular has pointed up the usefulness of creativity in psychotherapy. Here we draw upon a case example to show how the creative discovery of novel and useful solutions takes place in different dimensions: relational, behavioural, psychodynamic, systemic and existential. The case description demonstrates how principles of positive psychology are useful in many realms of psychotherapy. We propose an integrated model of psychotherapy that brings together different psychotherapeutic methods and is based on interdisciplinary creativity research. The integration of neuroscientific, psychological and cultural findings produced by creativity research can be expected to lead to a deeper understanding of psychotherapeutic, positive-psychological, and creative processes.


Aim: To assess clinical, visual, computerised corneal topographic, and subjective satisfaction with visual acuity, in a cohort of subjects 2 years after phacoemulsification surgery in a public hospital in New Zealand. Methods: Prospective study of a representative sample of 97 subjects (20%) randomly selected from 480 subjects in the original Auckland Cataract Study (ACS) cohort. The clinical assessment protocol was identical to the ACS and included an extensive questionnaire to enable direct comparisons to be made between the two groups. Results: The study population was predominantly female (66%) with a mean age of 76.3 (SD 9.9) years. New systemic and ocular disease affected 18.4% and 10.3% of subjects respectively, and 10.3% required referral to either a general practitioner (2.1%) or ophthalmologist (8.2%). Mean best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 0.2 (0.2) logMAR units (6/9 Snellen equivalent), with mean spherical equivalent −0.37 (1.01) dioptres (D) and astigmatism −1.07 (0.70) D 2 years postoperatively, compared to mean BSCVA 0.1 (0.2) logMAR units (6/7.5 Snellen equivalent), spherical equivalent −0.59 (1.07) D, and astigmatism −1.14 (0.77) D 4 weeks after surgery. 94.9% of subjects retained a BSCVA of 6/12 or better, irrespective of pre-existing ocular disease. The overall posterior capsule opacification (PCO) rate was 20.4% and this was visually insignificant in all but 3.1% of eyes that had already undergone Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy. Orbscan II elevation technology demonstrated corneal stability 2 years after uncomplicated phacoemulsification. Although corneal astigmatism was eliminated in approximately half of the subjects 1 month postoperatively, astigmatism showed a tendency to regress towards the preoperative level with local corneal thickening at the site of incision 2 years after cataract surgery. Of fellow eyes, 61.2% had undergone cataract surgery. Overall, 75.3% of subjects were moderately to very satisfied with their current level of visual acuity. Conclusion: Two years after cataract surgery subjects are generally satisfied with their current level of vision and distance BSCVA is 6/12 or better in the majority of eyes. Although only a minority of eyes develop sufficient PCO to require capsulotomy 10.3% of eyes develop new vision threatening ocular pathology.


It will be held on August 12 in different modules, with the aim of providing an update, activities, and future visions of the different approaches.


Introduction Many unselected patients presenting to gastrointestinal (GI) clinics self-report that they have symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten. For this reason we undertook a prospective and systematic evaluation of this group of patients to ascertain the subsequent diagnostic yield. Methods All patients were referred to a dedicated coeliac or gluten sensitivity clinic by GPs through a choose and book system. The referral criteria were "GI symptoms attributed to gluten ingestion." Investigations included baseline haematology, biochemistry, haematinics, C reactive protein and HLA status for the DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes. In addition, coeliac serology was performed: endomysial antibody (EMA), tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG), immunoglobulins, as well as duodenal biopsies on a gluten containing diet. A diagnosis of coeliac disease was based on either the presence of villous atrophy or in cases with lesser degrees of the modified Marsh grading, an associated positive coeliac serology and/or HLA typing. Results 140 patients were investigated over a 5-year period. 80% were women and the median age of presentation was 37 yrs (range 16–88). In patients self-reporting symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten, the diagnosis of coeliac disease was reached in 10% (n 14). 85% (n 119) did not have coeliac disease but fulfilled the ROME criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These patients were given a clinical diagnosis of gluten sensitive IBS (GS-IBS). Importantly, organic pathology was found in 5% (n 7) all of whom had additional alarm symptoms—mesenteric ischaemia, bacterial overgrowth, lactose intolerance, bile salt malabsorption, lymphocytic colitis, ulcerative colitis and pyloric stricture. A positive coeliac serology (p<0.0001, exact fisher test) was significantly associated with coeliac disease. All patients with coeliac disease were HLA positive compared to 44% of GS-IBS cases. There was statistically no significant difference in gender, clinical symptoms or baseline bloods (haemoglobin, vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, calcium or albumin) between the groups, (p>0.05). Conclusion Self-reporting of gluten related GI symptoms only results in a diagnosis of coeliac disease in 10% of cases. The majority of patients do not have overt coeliac disease but may belong to the spectrum of GS-IBS, a relatively new and under researched concept. Moreover, 5% had significant underlying disease. An empirical trial of gluten-free diet prior to referral may be unhelpful and delay the diagnosis in this group of patients. This data suggests that patients who self-report gluten induced GI symptoms should be considered for further investigations. Competing interests None declared.


Mechanical ventilation is a common procedure of life support in intensive care. Patient‐ventilator asynchronies (PVAs) occur when the timing of the ventilator cycle is not simultaneous with the timing of the patient respiratory cycle. The association between severity markers and the events death or alive discharge has been acknowledged before, however, little is known about the addition of PVAs data to the analyses. We used an index of asynchronies (AI) to measure PVAs and the SOFA (sequential organ failure assessment) score to assess overall severity. To investigate the added value of including the AI, we propose a Bayesian joint model of bivariate longitudinal and competing risks data. The longitudinal process includes a mixed effects model for the SOFA score and a mixed effects beta regression model for the AI. The survival process is defined in terms of a cause‐specific hazards model for the competing risks death or alive discharge. Our model indicates that the SOFA score is strongly related to vital status. PVAs are positively associated with alive discharge but there is not enough evidence that PVAs provide a more accurate indication of death prognosis than the SOFA score alone.


In this paper, we propose an original way of enriching description logics with abduction reasoning services. Under the aegis of set and lattice theories, we put together ingredients from mathematical morphology, description logics, and formal concept analysis. We propose computing the best explanations of an observation through algebraic erosion over the concept lattice of a background theory that is efficiently constructed using tools from formal concept analysis. We show that the defined operators are sound and complete and satisfy important rationality postulates of abductive reasoning. As a typical illustration, we consider a scene understanding problem. In fact, scene understanding can benefit from prior structural knowledge represented as an ontology and the reasoning tools of description logics. We formulate model based scene understanding as an abductive reasoning process. A scene is viewed as an observation and the interpretation is defined as the best explanation, considering the terminological knowledge part of a description logic about the scene context. This explanation is obtained from morphological operators applied on the corresponding concept lattice.


Objectives In hospitals, the pharmacy information system (PIS) is usually a sub-system of the hospital information system (HIS). The PIS supports the distribution and management of drugs, shows drug and medical device inventory, and facilitates preparing needed reports. In this study, pharmacy information systems implemented in general teaching hospitals affiliated to medical universities in Tehran (Iran) were evaluated using a multi-dimensional tool. Methods This was an evaluation study conducted in 2015. To collect data, a checklist was developed by reviewing the relevant literature; this checklist included both general and specific criteria to evaluate pharmacy information systems. The checklist was then validated by medical informatics experts and pharmacists. The sample of the study included five PIS in general-teaching hospitals affiliated to three medical universities in Tehran (Iran). Data were collected using the checklist and through observing the systems. The findings were presented as tables. Results Five PIS were evaluated in the five general-teaching hospitals that had the highest bed numbers. The findings showed that the evaluated pharmacy information systems lacked some important general and specific criteria. Among the general evaluation criteria, it was found that only two of the PIS studied were capable of restricting repeated attempts made for unauthorized access to the systems. With respect to the specific evaluation criteria, no attention was paid to the patient safety aspect. Conclusions The PIS studied were mainly designed to support financial tasks; little attention was paid to clinical and patient safety features.


The general and theoretical aspects of the problem of hyperconjugation are examined. The factors determining the magnitude of the effect and its major role in organoelemental compounds compared with organic compounds are discussed. Various types of hyperconjugation (σ,π-, σ,σ-, and σ,p-conjugation) in the ground electronic state of organoelemental compounds of Group IV elements are considered. The bibliography includes 226 references.


The architecture of ultrasonic location and obstacle avoidance device and the necessity of the sensor installation in the soccer robot as well as advantages of this structure are discussed. The data processing method used in the ultrasonic location and obstacle avoidance device is different from the traditional method in allusion to the features of the large data change and usually appearing big error during the measurement of ultrasonic sensor, and an idea of eliminating the unreasonable data before equalization is proposed to improve the accuracy and reliability of the measured data. The feasibility of the method is proved using experimental data.


Background: Researchers often wish to test a large set of related interventions or approaches to implementation. A factorial experiment accomplishes this by examining not only basic treatment–control comparisons but also the effects of multiple implementation "factors" such as different dosages or implementation strategies and the interactions between these factor levels. However, traditional methods of statistical inference may require prohibitively large sample sizes to perform complex factorial experiments. Objectives: We present a Bayesian approach to factorial design. Through the use of hierarchical priors and partial pooling, we show how Bayesian analysis substantially increases the precision of estimates in complex experiments with many factors and factor levels, while controlling the risk of false positives from multiple comparisons. Research design: Using an experiment we performed for the U.S. Department of Education as a motivating example, we perform power calculations for both classical and Bayesian methods. We repeatedly simulate factorial experiments with a variety of sample sizes and numbers of treatment arms to estimate the minimum detectable effect (MDE) for each combination. Results: The Bayesian approach yields substantially lower MDEs when compared with classical methods for complex factorial experiments. For example, to test 72 treatment arms (five factors with two or three levels each), a classical experiment requires nearly twice the sample size as a Bayesian experiment to obtain a given MDE. Conclusions: Bayesian methods are a valuable tool for researchers interested in studying complex interventions. They make factorial experiments with many treatment arms vastly more feasible.


Abstract The heirs of the initial, philosophical Judaism, in the second century C.E. received a system in which the subject of economics—the rational disposition of scarce resources—was utilized in order to set forth a systemic statement of fundamental importance. While making every effort to affirm the details of that statement and apply them, their system repeated the given but made no significant use of what had been received. Instead the heirs of the Mishnah invented what we must call a counterpart-category, that is to say, a category that dealt with problems of the rational utilization of scarce resources, but not with those same scarce resources defined by the philosophical system of the Mishnah. The systemic category for the aborning religious system was not an economics, but corresponded, in the new system, to the position and role of economics in the old.


CdS being a wide band gap II-VI semiconducting material with better lattice matching properties is made suitable option for solar cell applications. In the present work, CdS nanoparticles were prepared by chemical precipitation technique in the presence of organic solvent. Cadmium sulphate [3CdSO4 .8H2O] and thiourea [(NH2)2CS] were used as precursor materials and N, N- Dimethylformamide (DMF) was used as an organic solvent. NaOH solution is used for maintaining pH 8 and 12. The obtained CdS nano particles were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Particle Size Analyser (PSA), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for average crystallite size, average particle size, morphology, elemental composition, shape and bond analysis respectively. After analysing the results, the obtained nanoparticles were in the nano range and it has been used in various applications


Biallelic loss-of-function mutations in PALB2 results in Fanconi anemia subtype N (FA-N), which is phen-otypically very similar to Fanconi anemia subtype D1, caused by biallelic loss-of-function of BRCA2 (Reid et al. 2007). FA-D1 and FA-N are characterized by developmental abnormalities, bone marrow failure and childhood cancer susceptibility, childhood solid tumors, Wilms tumor medullo-blastoma. Monoallelic PALB2 loss-of-function is an underlying hereditary breast cancer in par-ticular, but inactivating PALB2 mutations also a lesser extent found in some other cancer PALB2 mutations , risk breast cancer. PALB2 is a high-risk breast cancer predisposing gene


Epidermal electronics with advanced capabilities in near field communications (NFC) are presented. The systems include stretchable coils and thinned NFC chips on thin, low modulus stretchable adhesives, to allow seamless, conformal contact with the skin and simultaneous capabilities for wireless interfaces to any standard, NFC-enabled smartphone, even under extreme deformation and after/during normal daily activities.


Most of the gas discovered in this region is found in rocks of Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene age of terrestrial or lake-bed origin. Most of these rocks are associated with igneous intrusions and lava flows of Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene age. The gases produced from this region not only have high methane and ethane content but an unusually high nitrogen content. They exhibit several characteristics which are more similar to the gas produced by destructive distillation of oil shale than to normal natural gas associated with petroleum. Strong evidence suggests that these gases were derived from algal and sapropelic deposits in lake beds. They are usually accompanied by a strong odor of hydrogen sulphide and large quantities of free ammonia in highly heated waters Gases, occurring in isolated areas of marine rocks of Cretaceous and Tertiary age, are limited in extent and possess characteristics and associations more normal and similar to other natural gas occurrences in the United States. None of the areas described has attained considerable commercial importance.


what is the elements letting users play games consistently other than the growth of the computer technology? What sort of elements can games give to control the balances in the various features of users? The subject of this study was set up for these questions. Examining the result of this study, the analysis of the types of individual characteristics as well as their preferences of playing games in the level of game design in the process of game development can be utilized as a fundamental data for the design of game contents based on user's propensity. Also it can provide the most effective method for controlling the balance of the game world. Moreover, it can be utilized to set up directions for updating the games based on user's propensity. If it can be counted for the potential users' preferences, the result of analysis of individual characteristic would act as good basic data for the balancing of game among various types of users.


A wave overtopping numerical model is developed based on the non-linear shallow water equations with non-hydrostatic pressure to reasonably determine the overtopping discharge of the seawall. Wave transformation and wave overtopping discharge on the slope under regular wave and irregular wave are simulated by using internal source generation of waves,wave damping absorber and wave breaking model with hydrostatic front approximation. The results from numerical simulations are compared with physical model data. Good agreement shows that the non-hydrostatic model can reasonably describe the wave breaking location,breaking wave height,wave set-up and wave overtopping discharge. It can be concluded that the non-hydrostatic wave model can provide a new numerical method for practical engineering research of seawall protection with high accuracy and computational efficiency.


Advances in technology and training in paediatric cardiology have improved longterm outcome and promised better quality of life. Bangladesh is facing multitude of health problems and congenital heart disease is one of them. With facilities for accurate diagnosis and scope of complete correction, more and more children are undergoing cardiac intervention and surgical treatment for congenital heart diseases. So there is increasing demand for dedicated personnel for the specialized intensive care of these critically ill children. A dedicated team dictating specialized intensive care has translated into better outcomes in several centers. Over recent decades, specialized paediatric cardiac intensive care has emerged as a central component in the management of critically ill neonatal and paediatric patients with congenital and acquired heart disease worldwide. The majority of developed centers have dedicated paediatric cardiac intensive care units to care for paediatric cardiac patients. In developing countries with limited resources, pediatric cardiac intensive care is yet to take root as a distinctive discipline. Congenital heart surgery, together with transcatheter interventions, has resulted in marked improvement in cardiac care in Bangladesh. So, we need to establish more and more dedicated paediatric cardiac center and cardiac intensive care units to care for paediatric cardiac patients. Bangladesh J Child Health 2015; VOL 39 (3) :141-147


Background:T-follicular helper (TFH) cells are a novel CD4+ T-cell subset that participates in germinal center maintenance/proliferation. Proliferation of TFH is a postulated mechanism of pathogenesis for T-cell lymphomas (AITL, PTCL and others). The inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS) is highly expressed in TFHand hence in AITL, PTCL FH type, and some cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL) and follicular lymphomas (FL). MEDI-570 is a human afucosylatedIgG1 kappa monoclonal antagonistic antibody directed against ICOS, which binds to and eliminates ICOS expressing cells in preclinical in vivo models. We investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and clinical activity of ICOS blockade by MEDI-570 in T-cell lymphomas.
 Methods: NCI-9930 is a Phase I study of MEDI-570 in R/R malignant lymphomas. It is a 3+3 study design that evaluated 5 dose levels . MEDI-570 was administered intravenously (IV) every 3 weeks for 12 cycles. Eligibility criteria included: age >18 years, ECOG <2, diagnosis of R/R PTCL, AITL, CTCL, mycosis fungoides, or FL, that have received and are refractory to at least 1 line of therapy (at least 2 lines of therapy and post autologous cell transplantation for FL), adequate organ functions and CD4+ T-cells >200 cells/uL (>100 for AITL). Primary endpoints are safety of MEDI-570, dose limiting toxicities (DLT)s and its recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Secondary endpoints include: pharmacokinetics (PK), overall response rate (ORR) based on Lugano classification and progression-free survival (PFS). Exploratory endpoints include various correlative studies. This study is supported by the National Cancer Institute Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN) and Early Drug Development Opportunity Program (EDDOP) (NCT02520791).
 Results: As of June 2020, the dose escalation phase has been completed. Patients were enrolled and evaluable for safety and efficacy. Median age is 63 (range: 29-80), female/male ratio=5/13, histologic types consisted in AITL (n= 12, 71%), PTCL NOS (n=3, 18%) and CTCL (n=2, 12%). The median number of prior therapies were 7.5 (1 - 16), stage III/IV in 83%, prior autologous HCT in 18%. There were 4 partial remissions (PR) and 7 with stable disease (SD), all patients with AITL. Two patients (1 PR and 1 SD) remain on treatment. One patient completed treatment and remains in a stable PR for over a year without further treatment. One patient in PR underwent allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation (HCT) and remains in remission. The most common grade 3/4 AEs were decreased CD4+ T-cells as expected anemia (12%), hypophosphatemia (12%), thrombocytopenia (6%), infusion related reactions (6%). No DLTs were reported, and the maximum tolerated dose was not established. Initial PK analyses demonstrated that MEDI-570 systemic exposure increased in a dose-dependent manner, and a RP2D was determined. Peripheral blood flow cytometry analysis of T-cell subsets showed that MEDI-570 caused a rapid and sustained decrease in CD4+ T-cells. It also resulted in reductions in circulating of certain ICOS+ T-cells, especially on days 7-21 post treatment.
 Conclusion: MEDI-570 was safe, well tolerated and showed promising clinical activity in poor-risk refractory and heavily pretreated AITL. A RP2D was established. MEDI-570 results in sustained reduction of the targeted ICOS+T lymphocytes. The study continues enrolling in the expansion phase.

 Chavez: Morphosys: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Merck: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy; BeiGene: Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Genentech: Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy; Verastem: Consultancy; Epizyme: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy. William:Dova: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Guidepoint Global: Consultancy. Brammer:Celgene Corporation: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Speakers Bureau. Smith:Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Genentech/Roche: Consultancy, Other: Support of parent study and funding of editorial support, Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; FortySeven: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy. Prica:astra zeneca: Honoraria; seattle genetics: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria. Zain:Kyowa Kirlin: Research Funding; Mundai Pharma: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Glenn:Genentech: Research Funding. Mehta-Shah:Verastem: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy; Innate Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Genetech: Research Funding; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Bristol Myers-Squibb: Research Funding. Boutrin:Astrazeneca: Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company. Zhao:Astrazeneca: Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company. Cheng:Astrazeneca: Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company. Standifer:Astrazeneca: Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company. Carlesso:Astrazeneca: Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company. Siu:Shatthucks: Research Funding; Symphogen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Tessa: Consultancy; Treadwell Therapeutics: Consultancy, Current Employment; Pfizer: Research Funding; Voronol: Consultancy; Rubius Therapeutics: Consultancy; Abbvie: Research Funding; Agios: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Arvinas: Consultancy; Astellas: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Boerhinger-Ingelheim: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Glaxo Smith Kline: Research Funding; Intensity Therapeutics: Research Funding; Navire: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Oncorus: Consultancy; Mirati: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy; Relay Therapeutics: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy.


Because temperature variations significantly affect the performance and reliability of highly integrated chips, the thermal management of such chips is an important issue. In this paper, a time-domain process variation calibrated temperature sensor is proposed for on-chip thermal management. For a suitable on-chip implementation, the digitally converted temperature-dependent time signal is used to reduce the area and power consumption of the chip. The proposed temperature sensor is fabricated using a 0.13- μm CMOS technology and has an active area of 0.031 mm2. Measurement results show an energy consumption of 0.67 nJ/conversion at a 430 kHz conversion rate, with 1.2 V supply voltage. Using one-point calibration, the sensing error is found to range from -0.63°C to 1.04°C over a temperature range of 20°C to 120°C.


Background and Aim: Sub-classification of type 2 diabetes (T2D) based on pathophysiological abnormalities is documented to facilitate better T2D management. Aim of the study was to classify 270 Indian patients with recently diagnosed T2D based on phenotype and the impact of each phenotype on the rate of remission, after a structured diabetes remission program.
 Methods: We retrospectively extracted and analyzed baseline data of patients with T2D (diagnosed as per WHO criteria) enrolled for a one-year diabetes management program at the Freedom from Diabetes Clinic, India. Inclusion criteria included a recent diagnosis of T2D (<2 years). Using the homeostatic assessment model, patients were categorized into 3 sub-phenotypes: insulinopenic (high insulin sensitivity (IS) and low beta cell function (BCF)), classical (low IS and low BCF), and hyperinsulinemic (low IS and high BCF) T2D. Post-intervention, remission was defined as maintaining HbA1c<48 mmol/mol without the use of glucose-lowering medications for at least 3 months.
 Results: Of the 270 patients, the majority were hyperinsulinemic (35.9%) followed by insulinopenic 17.4% and classical (13.3%) T2D. Additionally, a novel category of patients with both high IS and high BCF was observed (labeled 'Unclassified'-33%). Hyperinsulinemic patients had the highest BMI (median 28 kg/m2), dyslipidemia, hypertension, and history of heart disease with the lowest remission rate (14.4%). One in four classical patients was on oral hypoglycemic agents and showed poor glycemic control but 25% remission. Unclassified patients showed the highest remission (28.1%).
 Conclusion: Pathophysiological sub-phenotyping could assist caregivers in better management of T2D through targeted treatment options. Remission rates were observed to be better in classical and unclassified (high insulin sensitivity and beta function) T2D. Further large-scale studies to understand the unclassified group are warranted.

 P.Tripathi: Board Member; Freedom from Diabetes Clinic. A.R.Vyawahare: Research Support; Freedom From Diabetes. N.S.Kadam: Research Support; Freedom from Diabetes Clinic. B.Sharma: Research Support; Freedom From Diabetes clinic. M.H.Ganla: Employee; Freedom from Diabetes Clinic. M.Das biswas: Employee; Freedom from Diabetes Clinic. B.D.Saboo: None.


Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common cancer of infancy and accounts for nearly one tenth of pediatric cancer deaths. This mortality rate has been attributed to the > 50% frequency of relapse despite intensive, multimodal clinical therapy in patients with progressive NB. Given the disease's heterogeneity and developed resistance, attaining a cure after relapse of progressive NB is highly challenging. A rapid decrease in the timeline between successive recurrences is likely due to the ongoing acquisition of genetic rearrangements in undifferentiated NB-cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this review, we present the current understanding of NB-CSCs, their intrinsic role in tumorigenesis, their function in disease progression, and their influence on acquired therapy resistance and tumor evolution. In particular, this review focus on the intrinsic involvement of stem cells and signaling in the genesis of NB, the function of pre-existing CSCs in NB progression and therapy response, the formation and influence of induced CSCs (iCSCs) in drug resistance and tumor evolution, and the development of a CSC-targeted therapeutic approach.


ABSTRACT Gemifloxacin (known as SB-265805 or LB-20304) is a potent, novel fluoroquinolone compound with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of oral gemifloxacin were characterized in healthy male volunteers after a single dose of 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 600, or 800 mg. Multiple serum and urine samples were collected and analyzed for gemifloxacin using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Safety assessments included vital signs, 12-lead electrocardiogram readings, hematology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, and adverse-experience monitoring. Gemifloxacin was rapidly absorbed after all doses. Maximum concentrations of gemifloxacin in serum (Cmax) were achieved approximately 1 h after dosing, after which concentrations in serum declined in a biexponential manner. Values ofCmax and the area under the concentration-time curve in serum from 0 h to infinity (serum AUC0–∞) increased linearly with dose. Serum AUC0–∞ values (mean ± standard deviation) were 0.65 ± 0.01, 1.28 ± 0.22, 2.54 ± 0.31, 5.48 ± 1.24, 9.82 ± 2.70, 24.4 ± 7.1, and 31.4 ± 7.6 μg · h/ml following 20-, 40-, 80-, 160-, 320-, 600-, and 800-mg doses, respectively. The terminal phase elimination half-life was independent of dose, with an overall mean of 7.4 ± 2.0 h. The profiles indicated that the pharmacokinetic profile is suitable for a once-daily dosing regimen. Approximately 25 to 40% of the administered dose was excreted unchanged in the urine, and renal clearance (ca. 150 ml/min) was independent of dose. There were no significant changes in clinical chemistry, hematology, or urinalysis parameters, vital signs, or 12-lead electrocardiogram readings in subjects, irrespective of dose. The results of these studies support the further investigation of once-daily administration of gemifloxacin.


The problem Hamiltonian of the adiabatic quantum algorithm for the maximum-weight independent set problem (MIS) that is based on the reduction to the Ising problem (as described in [Choi08]) has flexible parameters. We show that by choosing the parameters appropriately in the problem Hamiltonian (without changing the problem to be solved) for MIS on CK graphs, we can prevent the first order quantum phase transition and significantly change the minimum spectral gap. We raise the basic question about what the appropriate formulation of adiabatic running time should be. We also describe adiabatic quantum algorithms for Exact Cover and 3SAT in which the problem Hamiltonians are based on the reduction to MIS. We point out that the argument in Altshuler et al.(arXiv:0908.2782 [quant-ph]) that their adiabatic quantum algorithm failed with high probability for randomly generated instances of Exact Cover does not carry over to this new algorithm.


This paper presents a variable gain potetiostat designed for the electrochemical control of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) sensors. The design is targeted for implementation using MIMOS 0.35um CMOS process technology at 3.3V. The potentiostat amplifier for dissolved oxygen utilizes three electrodes (working, reference and counter) which work together to form the electrochemical reaction. There are several types of DO sensor available including membrane-based, also known as Clark electrode, and microelectrode-based. This results in different sensitivity and output current when different types of sensor are used on the same test solution. The variable gain feature is added in the design to cater to different DO sensors that are available in the market. This design implements four different gain values to accommodate four different current ranges. The resistor values chosen largely depend on the type of DO sensor used and the range of output current it produces. The transimpedance amplifier used has also been simulated in the post-extracted view across process corners to ensure its compatibility with the different feedback resistor values. The complete integrated design is then simulated to be working within a power supply of 2.2V to 3.6V, temperature of 0 to 90°C and has an operating range of 0 to 100uA sensor current. The final chip has an area of 1.7mm × 1.7mm and has been simulated to be in working order.


Many sensory modes can be exploited to determine the location of potential mates. In insects, long-distance location primarily involves chemical or acoustic cues, whereas short-distance communication mainly utilises visual or tactile cues. The structural complexity of the environment may influence the transmission of information, and therefore, it is common to see multiple sensory modes employed to increase the likelihood of accurate mate location. Praying mantids are known to use airborne chemicals for long-distance location and visual cues in close proximity. This study examined which types of cues are used for mate location in an unstudied species, Hierodula majuscula, from Queensland, Australia. The timing of female pheromone emission during 'calling' periods reached a peak at 3:00 h, with the majority of females assuming a calling posture at this time. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm the presence of basiconic sensilla (used for chemical reception) on male antennae, and males successfully responded to female chemical cues and subsequently located potential mates. Males were not as successful at finding females when restricted to using visual cues.


In this master thesis the focus has been made on the evaluation of Stockholm Umea Corpus (SUC) as a source of teaching materials for learners of Swedish as a Second language. The evaluation has been carried out both practically and theoretically. On the theoretical side, readability tests have been run on all SUC texts to analyze whether appropriate texts can be automatically selected for each proficiency level. To make readability analysis more "vocabulary aware" lexical frequency profile of each text has been collected, analyzed and embedded into the final readability score assigned to each text. SUC has proven to be a rich source of texts of different proficiency levels appropriate for language training purposes. Advantages and disadvantages of SUC as a source of pedagogical materials have been identified in the course of work. On the practical side, as a side effect of the theoretical analysis, a pedagogical tool SCORVEX (Swedish CORpus-based Vocabulary EXercise generator) has been designed and implemented. The existing modules of SCORVEX demonstrate to which extent it is possible to generate pedagogically acceptable vocabulary items with SUC as the only language resource. I am demonstrating in the thesis how wordbank items, multiple choice items and c-tests can be automatically generated for a specified proficiency level, word frequency band and a specified wordclass. In yes/no items potential words are generated on the basis of existing morphemes. All the four modules are therefore "language-aware". Accessing frequency data obtained from SUC is the pre-requisite for the exercise generation, whereas SUC text archive is the only source of texts, sentences and words for vocabulary items. This thesis can hopefully wake interest among teachers to test this generator in real-life conditions and maybe even convince some teachers in the usefulness of this pedagogical tool. The numerous ways for further development of this software are outlined in the paper.


Abstract The results of an archaeometric study on five inscribed Etruscan funerary stelae, produced during the second half of the sixth century BC, in the Valdelsa area (NW of Siena, Italy), are reported. The style of the inscriptions suggests the presence of a local culture and a common language. The stone used to make the stelae is a laminated limestone consisting of the alternation of more or less compact bands whose petrographic features can be compared to those of travertines (continental carbonates deposited from hot springs). The fabric of the stone of these stelae implies provenance from a thermal deposit, in the Valdelsa area, where calcareous tufa dominates; however, hot water deposits are probably to be found in the Gracciano Val d'Elsa area, not far from the localities where the stelae were found.


Abstract. In this paper we studied the impact of winds on Arctic sea ice through the ocean's memory by using numerical simulations. We found that the changes in ocean freshwater content induced by wind perturbations can significantly affect the Arctic sea ice drift, thickness, concentration and deformation rates regionally even years after the wind perturbations. Changes in the Arctic liquid freshwater content cause changes in the sea surface height and surface geostrophic currents, which further enforce a lasting and strong impact on sea ice. Both the changes in sea surface height gradient force (due to changes in sea surface height) and ice-ocean stress (due to changes in surface geostrophic currents) are found to be important in determining the overall ocean effects. The revealed ocean effects are mainly associated with changes in sea ice dynamics, not thermodynamics. Depending on the preceding atmospheric mode driving the ocean, the ocean's memory of the wind forcing can lead to changes in Arctic sea ice characteristics with very different spatial patterns. We identified these spatial patterns associated with Arctic Oscillation, Arctic Dipole Anomaly and Beaufort High modes through dedicated numerical simulations. The dynamical impact of the ocean has strong seasonal variations, stronger in summer and weaker in winter and spring. It implies that declining trends of Arctic sea ice will very possibly allow a stronger ocean impact on the sea ice in a warming climate.


It is a fact well documented by economic theory that high and durable inflation has a negative effect on economic growth, but that as the effects on the latter decline, they are non-linear. This work answers two research questions related to the works that have studied this empirical relationship in the last three decades. The first is about its external validity: How useful are they to predict the economic evolution of emerging countries? Simulating the growth of a sample of emerging markets for the past 20 years from these models, we found high and disparate prediction errors and therefore certain drawbacks when generalizing their conclusions. Understanding why this happens gives rise to the second question, linked to the internal validity of the models: What unresolved problems exist in the estimates carried out by the authors? the answer is that there are problems of specification, simultaneity and omission of variables, which generate endogeneity and hinder the causal identification of the effect of inflation on growth in the type of regressions under analysis, even in models with thresholds and non-linear.


Nerve function loss can result from a variety of conditions that are either sudden onset like head and spinal cord trauma or slowly develop from chronic pressure as in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome. In either case we see compression ofthe nerve ultimately resulting in axon demyelination and loss of signal conduction. For chronic conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, treatments focus on alleviating symptoms. Some patients undergo surgery which can be successful in relieving pressure on the median nerve by inflamed surrounding tendons. Symptoms of classical carpal tunnel syndrome have been debated and sometimes patients experiencing similar numbness and pain in the hand do not necessarily have the underlying condition of a compressed median nerve. Therefore, better markers are needed for determining true cases of nerve compression as well as clinical measures to indicate the need for surgical treatment. We have demonstrated a correlation between clinically observed nerve compression derived from MRI slides and clinically observed increases in conduction delay. We have done this by computationally modeling a myelinated axon with various levels of compression and finding the increase in conduction delay from a normal control with no compression. We show that conduction delay measurements could be used as a clinical tool to determine the amount of nerve compression present in a patient of mild carpal tunnel syndrome although further data is required to create a fully predictive model.


Abstract DNA barcode data of soft-shell turtles is limited in global DNA database while it is completely lacking for the highly debated species Nilssonia nigricans. We employed DNA barcoding technique to discriminate the species cluster for Nilssonia congeners, especially for the highly debated N. nigricans from different localities of northeast India. Sampling across the region included a few live specimens from wild, market sold carcass specimens, and a few dry carapaces meant for home decoration purpose. The generated sequences (621 bp of mtCOI) of dry carapaces showed 99–100% homology with the generated sequences of morphologically identified N. nigricans. The COI barcode sequences of N. nigricans (n = 12) showed 3.8% mean genetic divergence with N. hurum (n = 3), 10% with N. gangetica (n = 4), and 9.2% with N. formosa (GenBank sequences). Similarly, the mtCytb sequences of the dry carapace and live specimens of N. nigricans were 99–100% homologous with the conspecific database sequences and formed specific clusters. The inferred Neighbor-Joining (NJ), Maximum Likelihood (ML), and Bayesian (BA) phylogeny based on partial mtCOI gene efficiently discriminated all the congeners of Nilssonia into specific clusters and, therefore, it was helpful to detect the existence of N. nigricans.


Tryptic digests of human serum albumin and human lung epithelial cell lysates were used as test samples in a novel proteomics study. Peptides were separated and analyzed using 2D-nano-LC/MS/MS with strong cation exchange (SCX) and reversed-phase chromatography and continuous gradient elution. The peptide elution conditions combined simultaneous pH gradient with ammonium acetate salt gradient elution modes. A novel empirical SCX peptide elution score was developed, which accounts for both the number of basic and acidic residues and, in part, their location within a sequence of a peptide. Average scores calculated for the fractionated peptide sequences correlated well with the pH of SCX elution fractions. Multiple peptides with identical amino acid sequences, but differing in cysteine tags possessing different positive charge and different SCX elution properties, were obtained by subjecting the samples to reduction and alkylation with different cysteine alkylating reagents: iodoacetamide, 4-vinylpyridine, and (3-acrylamidopropyl) trimethylammonium chloride. The structurally similar peptides were used as elution standards.


Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on intractable dermatophytosis so as to provide the new approach to the treatment of dermatophytosis. Method: The fire needling and body acupuncture were used in combination. The main points were selected from the local lesions and the fire needling technique with multiple stimulation and shallow puncture was used on the skin lesions. Supplementary points: (1) Selection along the meridians: The He-sea points of the related meridians with the skin lesion involved were added. (2) Selection according to the syndrome differentiation. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated according to the scores of symptoms and physical signs as well as infrared thermogram and laser speckle blood flow imaging techniques. Results: After 24-time treatments, the curative rate was 45.16% and the remarkably effective rate was 48.39% in intractable tinea corporis and cruris (TCC); the curative rate of tinea manus and pedis (TMP) was 38.89% and the remarkably effective rate was 50%. It deserves noticing that acupuncture achieved the apparent effect on dermatophytosis, which is irreplaceable by the other therapies. Conclusion: Acupuncture is the considerably effective method in treatment of dermatophytosis


The recent global financial crisis, combined with regulatory changes in financial industries, has altered the financial landscape in terms of how financing can be achieved and the potential role of institutional investors. The potential role that insurers, particularly life insurers and pension funds, can play as long-term institutional investors has become a central topic of discussion in various fora. How this role develops will, in the long run, affect how firms obtain financing for their investments and ultimately lead to growth of the real economy. This article provides an overview of the evolving investment strategies of insurers and identifies the opportunities and constraints they may face with respect to long-term investment activity. The report investigates the extent to which changes in macroeconomic conditions, market developments and insurance regulation may affect the role of insurers in long-term investment financing. It concludes that regulation should neither unduly favour nor hinder long-term investment as such but place priority on incentivising prudent assetand- liability management with mechanisms that allow for a "true and fair view" of insurers' risk exposures. In risk-based solvency regulation, an asset's risk relative to liabilities is reflected in the capital requirements. JEL classification: G22, E22, F21, O16, Keywords: insurance, long-term investment, asset-liability management, risk-based capital


In this paper, the robust controller design problem for active vibration control of seismicexcited building structures by means of pole placement method is studied. In particular, the building structures are assumed to have parameter uncertainties, and the design of controller will assure the pole locations of the closed-loop system are inside an indicated subregion on the left-hand side of complex plane in spite of the parameter uncertainties. For the building models, the parameter uncertainties dealt with belong to the polytope type uncertainties and are assumed to be the variations of the structural masses, stiffnesses, and damping coefficients. The quadratic stability test using the fixed quadratic Lyapunov function is studied and the sufficient conditions for the existence of a robust stabilising state feedback controller are presented as linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The performance of the presented approach is demonstrated by numerical simulations on the vibration control of building structure subject to seismic excitation. It is confirmed that the designed controller can effectively attenuate the structural vibration when the parameter uncertainties exist.


The paper has two subjects. The first subject is the development of a monetary general equilibrium model with en- dogenous growth. By combining the two-sector endogenous growth model and the limited participation approach, the model is able to explain the empirically observed liquidity effect of an expansionary monetary policy. The second subject is the effect of inflation on growth and economic welfare. It is shown that the traditional approach to measure the welfare costs of inflation may be misleading: It ignores the costs or benefits of the transition to the new steady state. This omission may bias estimates of the optimal degree and of the total benefits of disinflation. It is also argued that, once the transition is taken into account, the welfare gains of lowering inflation depend on the monetary policy rule and the fiscal response to disinflation. The two themes of the paper are related. Given that the welfare costs of inflation depend on the transitional dynamics, then simulating disinflation processes requires models with sensible short run properties.


This article examines the relationship between electronic commerce and the U.S. state sales and use tax system. A framework of a high-quality tax system is used in this study, and it is applied to taxing electronic commerce sales. The first part of this article analyzes nine principles of an effective tax system and divides these principles into the categories of adequacy of revenue, fairness of revenue, and management of revenue. In the second part of this article, these principles are tested to determine what impact electronic commerce taxation has on an effective revenue system. The results of these initial tests suggest that taxation of electronic commerce was associated with fairness in the tax system. In particular, the results suggested that states that had fairer tax systems were more likely to rely less on a sales tax and more on taxing Internet access. Management and adequacy of the revenue systems of states were not found to have a significant bearing on taxing electronic commerce. These results reinforce the existing public finance and legal theories that argue that the sales tax is not a fair revenue stream and that it should be reevaluated, especially in light of the contentious issue of taxing electronic commerce.


Conventional tool-path generation strategies are readily available to generate geometrically feasible trajectories. Such approaches seldom take into consideration physical process concerns or dynamic system limitations. In the present work, an approach for improving a geometrically feasible tool-path trajectory based on quantifiable process metrics is developed. Two specific measures of toolpath quality are incorporated into the iterative improvement algorithm: instantaneous path curvature and instantaneous cutter engagement. These metrics are motivated by a desire to minimize acceleration requirements and maintain a stable steady-state cutting process during high-speed machining. The algorithm has been implemented for two-dimensional contiguous end-milling operations with flat end-mills, and case studies are presented to illustrate the approach.Copyright © 2002 by ASME


The influence of rimantadine-resistance mutations on the virulence of human H3N2 viruses in ferrets was examined. The similarities in virulence of the drug-resistant mutants with single amino acid substitutions at three different locations, 27, 30, and 31, within the M2 sequence and their corresponding sensitive wild-type isolates contrasted with differences in virulence between the three pairs of viruses. These data provide further evidence that rimantadine-resistant viruses that emerge during treatment of patients with the drug are unaltered both in their growth characteristics and virulence.


Background Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is often used to confirm or reject the diagnosis both in uncertain cases and when the clinical picture indicates giant cell arteritis (GCA). There are conflicting data on the impact of corticosteroid treatment on TAB findings in patients with GCA. Objectives To investigate the impact of baseline clinical characteristics and corticosteroid treatment on TAB findings in patients with GCA. Methods Individuals who developed GCA after inclusion in two population-based health surveys were identified by linking the health survey databases to the local patient administrative register and the national patient register. In addition, other patients diagnosed with GCA at the Departments of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at a hospital in the area during the same period were also included. A structured review of medical records and TAB pathology reports was performed. The presence or absence of giant cells, granuloma, fragmented internal elastic lamina, fibrosis and grade of inflammatory infiltrates were recorded. The relationships between reported histopathologic features, time from treatment start to TAB and clinical parameters was investigated. Results In 183 included cases with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of GCA, the median time from start of corticosteroid treatment to TAB was 2 days [interquartile range (IQR) 1-4; total range -22 to 253]. The proportions with a positive biopsy in relation to timing of biopsy in relation to treatment start did not differ significantly; 86% (0 days), 69% (1-3 days), 79% (4-7 days) and 80% (8-28 days) (p=0.17). Patients with a positive biopsy (77%) had significantly higher CRP (p=0.007) and ESR (p=0.03) at the time of clinical diagnosis. In logistic regression analysis, comparing biopsies performed before or on the same day as initial treatment to those 1-3 days after treatment start, the former was associated with a positive biopsy (OR 2.86; CI 1.06-7.70) and occurrence of inflammatory infiltrates (OR 3.74; CI 1.31-10.71). Minor inflammatory infiltrates were still seen, although less frequently, among those with longer time on corticosteroid treatment prior to TAB (p for trend: 0.03), whereas there was no such trend for major inflammatory infiltrates. The proportions with other histopathology features did not differ significantly across categories of time on corticosteroids. Patients with pre-treatment biopsy had lower ESR levels (p=0.04) and were less likely to have visual symptoms at diagnosis (36% vs 54%; p=0.04). Conclusions Biopsies were more likely to be positive and have characteristic histopathologic features in patients with high CRP and ESR, and prior to start of corticosteroid treatment, whereas a TAB performed a week or more after initiation of therapy still yields clinically useful information for the diagnosis of GCA. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.2362


A 62-year-old male patient consulted us because of gross hematuria and was diagnosed as having a bladder tumor. Total cystectomy was performed and a Koch pouch was utilized. Two years and nine months later, he died as a result of recurrence of bladder tumor and pathological autopsy was performed. A microscopic section of the reservoir mucosa showed a reduction in the number of crypts and an increase in the number of goblet cells. These morphological changes seemed to be caused by chronic exposure to urine, but have a favorable effect upon metabolic alterations following the utilization of the Kock pouch.


Understanding the clinical presentation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and prognosis in children is a major issue. Children often present mild symptoms, and some severe forms require paediatric intensive care, with in some cases a fatal prognosis. Our aim was to identify the epidemiological characteristics, clinical presentation, and prognosis of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) hospitalized in Paris suburb hospitals. In this prospective, observational, multicentre study, we included children hospitalized in paediatric departments of Paris suburb hospitals from 23 March 2020 to 10 May 2020, during the national lockdown in France with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive RNA test on a nasopharyngeal swab) or highly suspected infection (clinical, biological, and/or radiological data features suggestive for SARS-CoV-2 infection). A total of 192 children were included for confirmed (n = 157) or highly suspected (n = 35) SARS-CoV-2 infection. The median age was one year old (interquartile range 0.125–11) with a sex ratio 1.3:1. Fever was recorded in 147 (76.6%) children and considered poorly tolerated in 29 (15.1%). The symptoms ranged from rhinorrhoea (34.4%) and gastrointestinal (35.5%) to respiratory distress (25%). Only 10 (5.2%) children had anosmia and five (2.6%) had chest pain. An underlying condition was identified in almost 30% of the children in our study. Overall, 24 (12.5%) children were admitted to paediatric intensive care units, 12 required mechanical ventilation, and three died. For children in Paris suburbs, most cases of Covid-19 showed mild or moderate clinical expression. However, one-eighth of children were admitted to paediatric intensive care units and three died.


Finding natural antivirals to feed to cattle in their receiving diets following shipping and other stressors is important to help limit bovine respiratory disease complex (shipping fever). Previously, we had demonstrated that bovine cells treated with the naturally occurring soya isoflavone, genistein, produced 10-1000 times less virus than untreated cells. In this study, we established a level of genistein to treat calves with in vivo and then challenged them with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1; IBR). Calves that received genistein produced as much virus but shed virus for a shorter period of time and also had less severe clinical signs.


Background The relative efficacy of induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) versus IC followed by radiotherapy (RT) alone in locoregionally advanced NPC remains unclear. Methods A total of 877 patients with locally advanced NPC who underwent IC/CCRT or IC/RT at four institutions in China between January 2004 and December 2010 were retrospectively assessed. IC was cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy; concurrent chemotherapy, single agent cisplatin. Two-dimensional conventional radiotherapy (2DCRT) was the radiotherapy technique. All patients were matched in an equal ratio using a pair-matched method. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRRFS) and toxicities were assessed. Results Eligible patients were matched (n = 642; 321 patients per arm) based on eight clinicopathological characteristics. Five-year OS, DFS, DMFS, and LRRFS were 76%, 70%, 86%, and 88% for IC/CCRT and 75%, 70%, 90%, and 91% for IC/RT, respectively. There were no statistically significant survival differences between arms (P>0.05), even in subgroup analysis. In multivariate analysis, treatment (IC/CCRT vs. IC/RT) was not an independent prognostic factor for any survival end-point. Grade 3/4 acute gastrointestinal toxicities (vomiting, nausea) and hematological toxicities (leucopenia/neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia) were significantly more common in the IC/CCRT arm than IC/RT arm during RT. Conclusion Overall, IC/CCRT failed to demonstrate any survival advantage but higher acute toxicities over IC/RT in locoregionally advanced NPC.


Objective: Traditionally, asymmetric spatial processing (i.e., hemispatial neglect) has been assessed with paper-and-pencil tasks, but growing evidence indicates that computer-based methods are a more sensitive assessment modality. It is not known, however, whether simply converting well-established paper-and-pencil methods into a digital format is the best option. The aim of the present study was to compare sensitivity in detecting contralesional omissions of two different computer-based methods: a "digitally converted" cancellation task was compared with a computer-based Visual and Auditory dual-tasking approach, which has already proved to be very sensitive. Methods: Participants included 40 patients with chronic unilateral stroke in either the right hemisphere (RH patients, N = 20) or the left hemisphere (LH patients, N = 20) and 20 age-matched healthy controls. The cancellation task was implemented on a very large format (173 cm × 277 cm) or in a smaller (A4) paper-and-pencil version. The computer-based dual-tasks were implemented on a 15′′ monitor and required the detection of unilateral and bilateral briefly presented lateralized targets. Results: Neither version of the cancellation task was able to show spatial bias in RH patients. In contrast, in the Visual dual-task RH patients missed significantly more left-sided targets than controls in both unilateral and bilateral trials. They also missed significantly more left-sided than right-sided targets only in the bilateral trials of the Auditory dual-task. Conclusion: The dual-task setting outperforms the cancellation task approach even when the latter is implemented on a (large) screen. Attentionally demanding methods are useful for revealing mild forms of contralesional visuospatial deficits.