OBJECTIVES
The scant data about non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, including tuberculosis sequelae and impairment of lung function, can bias the preoperative physiological assessment. Our goal was to evaluate the changes in lung function and exercise capacity following pulmonary resection in these patients; we also looked for outcome predictors.

METHODS
We performed a non-randomized prospective study evaluating lung function changes in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis treated with pulmonary resection. Patients performed lung function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise tests preoperatively and 3 and 9 months after the operation. Demographic data, comorbidities, surgical data and complications were collected.

RESULTS
Forty-four patients were evaluated for lung function. After resection, the patients had slightly lower values for spirometry: forced expiratory volume in 1 s preoperatively: 2.21 l ± 0.8; at 3 months: 1.9 l ± 0.8 and at 9 months: 2.0 l ± 0.8, but the relationship between the forced expiratory volume in 1 s and the forced vital capacity remained. The gas diffusion measured by diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide did not change: preoperative value: 23.2 ml/min/mmHg ± 7.4; at 3 months: 21.5 ml/min/mmHg ± 5.6; and at 9 months: 21.7 ml/min/mmHg ± 8.2. The performance of general exercise did not change; peak oxygen consumption preoperatively was 20.9 ml/kg/min ± 7.4; at 3 months: 19.3 ml/kg/min ± 6.4; and at 9 months: 20.2 ml/kg/min ± 8.0. Forty-six patients were included for analysis of complications. We had 13 complications with 2 deaths. To test the capacity of the predicted postoperative (PPO) values to forecast complications, we performed several multivariate and univariate analyses; none of them was a significant predictor of complications. When we analysed other variables, only bronchoalveolar lavage with positive culture was significant for postoperative complications (P = 0.0023). Patients who had a pneumonectomy had a longer stay in the intensive care unit (P = 0.0348).

CONCLUSIONS
The calculated PPO forced expiratory volume in 1 s had an excellent correlation with the measurements at 3 and 9 months; but the calculated PPO capacity for carbon monoxide and the PPO peak oxygen consumption slightly underestimated the 3- and 9-month values. However, none of them was a predictor for complications. Better tools to predict postoperative complications for patients with bronchiectasis who are candidates for lung resection are needed.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01268475.


Logical reasoning is central to human cognition and intelligence. Past research of logical reasoning within AI uses formal language as knowledge representation~(and symbolic reasoners). However, reasoning with formal language has proved challenging~(e.g., brittleness and knowledge-acquisition bottleneck). This paper provides a comprehensive overview on a new paradigm of logical reasoning, which uses natural language as knowledge representation~(and pretrained language models as reasoners), including philosophical definition and categorization of logical reasoning, advantages of the new paradigm, benchmarks and methods, challenges of the new paradigm, desirable tasks&methods in the future, and relation to related NLP fields. This new paradigm is promising since it not only alleviates many challenges of formal representation but also has advantages over end-to-end neural methods.


While generation of synthetic data under differential privacy (DP) has received a lot of attention in the data privacy community, analysis of synthetic data has received much less. Existing work has shown that simply analysing DP synthetic data as if it were real does not produce valid inferences of population-level quantities. For example, confidence intervals become too narrow, which we demonstrate with a simple experiment. We tackle this problem by combining synthetic data analysis techniques from the field of multiple imputation (MI), and synthetic data generation using noise-aware (NA) Bayesian modeling into a pipeline NA+MI that allows computing accurate uncertainty estimates for population-level quantities from DP synthetic data. To implement NA+MI for discrete data generation using the values of marginal queries, we develop a novel noise-aware synthetic data generation algorithm NAPSU-MQ using the principle of maximum entropy. Our experiments demonstrate that the pipeline is able to produce accurate confidence intervals from DP synthetic data. The intervals become wider with tighter privacy to accurately capture the additional uncertainty stemming from DP noise.


In order to assess the epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical features of cellulitis and soft tissue infection occurring during the course of HIV disease, clinical and laboratory data of 2221 hospitalizations carried out since 1991 were retrospectively examined, and 67 bacteriologically-proven episodes of cellulitis-soft tissue infection were identified (3.02% of overall admissions). Among the 92 cultured pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent (46 cases), followed by Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pyogenes; 38.1% of patients had a polymicrobial infection. i.v. drug use (p<.02) and the male gender (p<.05), were significantly associated with the occurrence of these complications, while a great variation in the severity of underlying immunodeficiency was shown. An elevated rate (83.6%) of episodes of cellulitis or soft tissue infection were community-acquired in origin; the comprehensive frequency of these episodes significantly dropped during the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era (p<.01). Limbs were involved in over 80% of episodes, and an hematogenous dissemination of bacterial infection (which occurred in 25.4% of cases), proved significantly related to a CD4+ lymphocyte count <100 cells/microL (p<.03), and an absolute neutrophil count <1000 cells/microL (p<.05). S. aureus strains showed an elevated in vitro resistance rate to penicillin, ampicillin, and rifampin, and a 21.7% rate of methicillin-resistance, while among the 29 gram-negative microorganisms, resistance to ampicillin and first-generation cephalosporins, and that to amoxycillin-clavulanate and second-generation cephalosporin, occurred in over 90% and 60% of tested strains, respectively. All episodes of HIV-associated cellulitis and soft tissue infection were favorably treated in 5-16 days, in over 60% of cases with associated beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics; a recurrence of staphylococcal cellulitis occurred in 4 patients only, 6-17 months after the initial episode. Cellulitis and soft tissue infection are underestimated complications of HIV disease, but they have a broad etiological and clinical spectrum, are predominantly community-acquired, and are responsible for an appreciable morbidity, due to the supporting role of i.v. drug addiction, and the frequent hematogenous dissemination (which proved to be significantly related to the progression of immunodeficiency and underlying disease). The frequent polymicrobial etiology requires a combination antimicrobial therapy (to be guided by in vitro susceptibility studies), which may avoid a complicated and recurrent disease course in the great majority of cases.


The most remarkable characteristic of Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical Caritas in Veritate is its theologically robust mode of discourse: a pervasive and unapologetically Trinitarian and Christological, substantive argument, based in a robust theological anthropology of person and society as gift, and a peculiarly Platonic and Augustinian rhetorical mode of discourse. Caritas reveals the implicit, hidden, and faulty theological and philosophical commitments of secular reason— which, when used as a medium for the Gospel, can too easily taint the true doctrine the Church attempts to convey with it—proclaiming instead a radically orthodox diagnosis of and prescription for a disenchanted, love-and-truth starved—yet Enlightenment-weary—postmodern world.


When a child is born with ambiguous sex, medical professionals describe this as "an emergency situation". In most cases, however, the reason for the emergency is not medical but social. Empirical research on parents' experiences and meaning-making in this situation has highlighted the parental bewilderment when the sex is not clear. Empirical research has also shown that parents described themselves as trying to secure an unambiguous sex category to their child. In this paper we examine why parents decide to let their children undergo genital surgery in spite of the fact that patients who have had surgical operations assert that the operations have created a sense of abnormality that it was meant to set aside. We will draw on previous empirical research on parents' experiences of this situation and explore how the concepts of normality, sex and gender are implicitly and explicitly used in the arguments for surgery on intersexual children. We also apply a feminist and a queer phenomenological perspective on these issues.


In this communication, acrylamide (AM) polymerisation to poly(acrylamide) was initiated by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and acetylacetone (ACAC) without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy showed that free radicals of ACAC and AM were present in the reaction. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), FT-IR, 1H-NMR and relative viscosity indicated that the product was PAM. Furthermore, the enzymatic cycling mechanism of the HRP–ACAC–H2O2 ternary system was also explained.


The main purpose of this study is to investigate the static behavior of a prestressed concrete (PSC) girder using pre-tension method. A 30m long full-scale pretension PSC girder is fabricated by the portable fabrication system and tested. All results have been compared to those obtained from F.E.A Results. Deflection at the middle of girders have been measured for evaluation for evaluation. Also, strains of concrete at the middled of span have been measured. From the results of experimental, the load when initial crack was developed was obtained to be 1.75 time the unfactered design load in the full-scale girder specimen. Also, the data of specimen are satisfied the design requirements of ductility on the Korea Bridge Design Specification(2010). In service state, the vertical deflection at center of test specimen when a initial crack was developed is satisfied the vertical deflection requirement under live load of the Korea Bridge Design Specification(2010). To verify the experimental results, we numerical analyze the test and confirmed that the data were similar with results from the test above. The pretension girder fabricated in site were found to have enough stregnth for safety under and after construction.


Abstract The degradation of the river water quality in Canadian rural catchments is of concern. In these catchments, the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model can help better understand the problems related to diffuse pollution. The numerous documented applications of SWAT have been dominated by areas uniquely driven by rainfall. Given that Canadian hydroclimatic conditions differ due to the presence of a seasonal snowpack of long duration, evaluation of the hydrological performance needs to be performed prior to attempting any water quality simulations. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the hydrological behaviour of the SWAT model under snowmelt and rainfall for two small watersheds located in southeastern Canada. Different calibration schemes are evaluated including seasonal effects. One-year calibration gave satisfactory daily performances measured with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NS) ranging between 61 and 83% and deviations of volume (Dv ) between −10 and 1%, while in validation, NS was 40–73% and Dv between −20 and −3%. The SWAT model has difficulties in reconciling both seasons. When winter and summer data are used separately to calibrate the model, the model performance is still much better for the winter season than for the summer one. However, the latter is considerably improved when only summer observations are provided for calibration. Conversely, calibration based strictly on the winter observations provides no real advantage over that based on all available data. A two-step composite calibration, which optimizes the SWAT snow accumulation and melt-related parameters on the winter data, after all other model parameters have been optimized on the summer data, provides a compromise.


Abstract We make the first steps toward a generic theory for energy spreading and quantum dissipation. The Wall formula for the calculation of friction in nuclear physics and the Drude formula for the calculation of conductivity in mesoscopic physics can be regarded as two special results of the general formulation. We assume a time-dependent Hamiltonian H ( Q ,  P ;  x ( t )) with x ( t )= Vt , where V is slow in a classical sense. The rate-of-change V is not necessarily slow in the quantum-mechanical sense. The dynamical variables ( Q ,  P ) may represent some "bath" which is being parametrically driven by x . This bath may consist of just a few degrees of freedom, but it is assumed to be classically chaotic. In the case of either the Wall or Drude formula, the dynamical variables ( Q ,  P ) may represent a single particle. In any case, dissipation means an irreversible systematic growth of the (average) energy. It is associated with the stochastic spreading of energy across levels. The latter can be characterized by a transition probability kernel P t ( n  ∣  m ), where n and m are level indices. This kernel is the main object of the present study. In the classical limit, due to the (assumed) chaotic nature of the dynamics, the second moment of P t ( n  ∣  m ) exhibits a crossover from ballistic to diffusive behavior. In order to capture this crossover within quantum mechanics, a proper theory for the quantal P t ( n  ∣  m ) should be constructed. We define the V regimes where either perturbation theory or semiclassical considerations are applicable in order to establish this crossover. In the limit ℏ→0 perturbation theory does not apply but semiclassical considerations can be used in order to argue that there is detailed correspondence, during the crossover time, between the quantal and the classical P t ( n  ∣  m ). In the perturbative regime there is a lack of such correspondence. Namely, P t ( n  ∣  m ) is characterized by a perturbative core-tail structure that persists during the crossover time. In spite of this lack of (detailed) correspondence there may be still a restricted correspondence as far as the second moment is concerned. Such restricted corre- spondence is essential in order to establish the universal fluctuation-dissipation relation.


In the last years, radioembolization (RE) has emerged as a novel technique for the treatment of malignant hepatic lesions using (90)Y embedded in spheres, which are infused directly into the hepatic arterial circulation. (90)Y-spheres, once implanted in liver, can release a significant radiation burden to neoplastic cells with a relative low dose to normal parenchyma. (90)Y RE results as a combination of embolization and radiation therapy, thus the standard radiologic follow up modalities may be not sufficiently accurate to assess tumor response to treatment. (18)Fluoro-deoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography ((18)F-FDG PET) detects glucose uptake and metabolic activity in tumor cells. (18)F-FDG PET has become a well established diagnostic tool in many oncological scenarios. Furthermore, PET response criteria (PERCIST) have been recently introduced to categorize the metabolic response to therapy of cancer patients. Several semiquantitative parameters, such as SUVmax and its changes, the Functional Tumor Volume and the Total Lesion Glycolysis can be useful to accurately assess tumor changes after therapy. The purpose of this article is to present the literature on the role of (18)F-FDG PET in the evaluation of patients with primary and secondary liver tumors treated with (90)Y RE.


The optimization of Reel-Cutting Planning Problem "RCPP" is concerned with finding the best selection of a strategic reel set and the corresponding tactical cutting lengths "sheets set", from a wide feasible space, to be used in producing a set of blanks. The problem is classified as a weighted multi objectives two-staged guillotine two-dimensional Cutting Stock Problem "CSP" of Dyckoff's type 2/V/D/M. This paper presents a tailored metaheuristic solution using grouping genetic algorithms (GGAs). Overlapped Chromosome representation is newly developed for optimization. Developed also an especial database to create the cutting patterns of resulting solution. The objective in this application is to minimize the total cost, which includes the total material cost required to achieve a lot size, the cost of selecting reels set size, and the cost of cutting lengths from these reels "sheet set size". An industrial case study is considered. The attained optimum cutting plan provides an overall improvement of 4.3% over the current professional cutting plan. The reduction in the reel set size is from five to an optimum of three reels. The developed procedure also provides reduction of trim loss of 4% over the current plan. The developed approach also proved to be faster than the currently used techniques.Copyright © 2007 by ASME


The history of Cladocera studies in South-East Asia is reviewed, beginning from the early start of explorations in the end of the 19 th century by J. Richard and T. Stingelin. In the first half of the 20 th century, extensive research was carried out by V. Brehm, who investigated material collected by the Wallacea-Expedition and the Deutschen Limnologischen Sunda-Expedition. Later, in the 1970-1980s, C.H. Fernando and collaborators, besides a few other researchers, provided a new series of regional studies of the cladoceran faunas together with the systematic revisions of some taxa from tropical Asia. Then and up to present, investigations of the Cladocera have concentrated in Thailand and many species have been revised and described as new to science. In total, 298 taxa of species rank have been recorded in SE Asia but only comparatively few of them (67 taxa; 22.5%) can be regarded good species, of which the valid status has been confirmed by recent studies, while others are synonyms (68; 22.8%) or taxa of uncertain taxonomic status, including those which definitely represent complexes of species (163; 54.7%). Most total taxa of species level and good species are known from Thailand (155 and 54, respectively), followed by Malaysia (plus Singapore), Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia in this respect (70-119 total taxa and 23-33 good species respectively). Laos, Burma (Myanmar) and Brunei remain practically unexplored. Only good species were used for the zoogeographic analysis. Of them, about a quarter is known only in SE Asia but more species are distributed in tropical/subtropical/temperate Asia and Australia, others in tropics/subtropics of the eastern hemisphere (17.9%) or even wider. Tropical species, constituting the primary part of the cladoceran fauna of SE Asia, can penetrate the neighboring subtropical and southern temperate zones to a different degree. Only a small fraction of species (7 or 10.5%) here are of more or less northern origin, the are distributed predominantly in the subtropical/southern temperate or in the northern boreal latitudes. Few species are suggested to penetrate SE Asia from the north using the Mekong river and its tributaries. Generally, the cladocerans of SE Asia are poorly known and only continuous extensive taxonomic studies would improve this situation.


Abstract Gastric conduit reconstruction is the standard choice after esophagectomy. Conduit's vascular supply is of primary importance mainly based on right gastroepiploic vessels. A 57-year-old male with absent right gastroepiploic artery, due to a duodenal bleeding ulcer treated with gastroduodenal artery ligation 10 years ago, was treated for gastroesophageal cancer and required esophagectomy. Surgical merits of this troublesome scenario are highlighted. Previous surgical history is highly important for patients requiring complex surgery as esophagectomy. The use of the stomach as conduit after esophagectomy is always the primary option; however vascular supply of it should not be compromised. Variations are rare and careful planning may overcome obstacles as in this case.


In backing materials of ultrasonic transducers, filler powders such as tungsten, iron, magnesium and aluminum are generally used. In commercial ultrasonic probes, there are composite support materials consisting of epoxy in which the tungsten particles are joined. Therefore, in the first part of the study, 1 g, 2 g, 5 g and 10 g of tungsten powder mixture were added to the 80-20, 85-15 and 87.5-12.5 ratio epoxy mixtures prepared by weight ratio and the hardness values of these mixtures at the end of the waiting periods have been measured and evaluated. In the second part of the study, the densities, sound velocities and attenuation coefficients of mixtures having different tungsten amounts were measured separately. As a result, it was found that as tungsten amounts increased, densities and attenuation coefficients increased, sound velocities decreased, tungsten showed an acoustic attenuation effect and sound was prevented from advancing in the support material, and when acoustic impedance values were calculated, it was found that acoustic impedance increased as tungsten amounts increased.


Background Platelet functional abnormalities are commonly found in patients with chronic liver disease; however, their nature and clinical significance are still a matter of discussion. Methods Soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin, a marker of in vivo platelet activation) levels, lipid pattern, and clotting activity were investigated in 39 patients with histologically confirmed chronic C hepatitis. Results Serum factor VIIc (P<0.01), total cholesterol (P<0.005), high density lipoprotein (P<0.001), and low density lipoprotein (P<0.05) levels were lower in patients compared with healthy subjects, whereas triglyceride and fibrinogen levels were similar in both groups. Platelet counts were lower in chronic hepatitis patients compared with controls (P<0.0001), and approximately 20% of patients had thrombocytopenia (platelet counts <110x103/μL). Platelet-associated immunoglobulin G (PAIgG) was present in 30.8% of patients. Plasma sP-selectin levels were higher in hepatitis C patients compared with controls (P<0.0001), and significant differences were observed with respect to the Scheuer score (P<0.01). The analysis of the distribution of plasma sP-selectin showed the presence of higher levels in patients with low platelet counts compared with patients with normal platelet counts and controls (P<0.0001); moreover, sP-selectin levels did not correlate with the presence of PAIgG. On the other hand, sP-selectin levels directly correlated with serum hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA (P<0.05) and inversely correlated with platelet count, blood lipids, and factor VIIc. Conclusions The results obtained in this study support the hypothesis that HCV infection might be directly responsible for a condition of in vivo platelet activation in patients with chronic C hepatitis.


Platelet factor 4 (PF4) has been recognized as a physiological inhibitor of megakaryocytopoiesis and angiogenesis for two decades. Structure–function studies have shown that the DLQ determinant in position 54–56 is necessary for megakaryocytic inhibition whereas mutations of these residues into ELR sequence and more importantly, into DLR sequence, induce a stronger inhibitory activity of peptide p47-70 on angiogenesis. The α-helix region of peptides may participate in the fixation of the effector to its cellular receptor and the other important structural domains would activate the receptor. In vivo, PF4 and its related peptides can protect hematopoiesis from chemotherapy by enhancing cell viability and suppress tumor growth through anti-angiogenic pathway. Several PF4 fragments and modified molecules exhibit antiangiogenesis properties and may become an alternative for further therapeutic angiogenesis.


Globally, discussions about sex work focus on exploitation. The media regularly provides us with stories about teen girls coerced to perform sexual acts for money, frequently beaten and robbed by their pimps or traffickers. While one would have to be hard-pressed to deny that sex workers are victimized, the popular media and our political leaders emphasize sex work as exclusively exploitative. In "Negotiating Sex Work," Carisa R. Showden and Samantha Majic present a series of essays that depict sex work as an issue far more complex than generally perceived.Positions on sex work are primarily divided between those who consider that selling sexual acts is legitimate work and those who consider it a form of exploitation. Organized into three parts, "Negotiating Sex Work" rejects this either/or framework and offers instead diverse and compelling contributions that aim to reframe these viewpoints. Part I addresses how knowledge about sex work and sex workers is generated. The next section explores how nations and political actors who claim to protect individuals in sex work often further marginalize them. Finally, part III examines sex workers' own political-organizational efforts to combat laws and policies that deem them deviant, sinful, or total victims.A timely and necessary intervention into sex work debates, this volume challenges how policy makers and the broader public regard sex workers' capacity to advocate for their own interests.Contributors: Cheryl Auger; Sarah Beer, Dawson College, Montreal; Michele Tracy Berger, U of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; Thaddeus Gregory Blanchette, Federal U of Rio de Janeiro; Raven Bowen; Gregg Bucken-Knapp, U of Gothenburg, Sweden; Ana Paula da Silva, Federal U of Vicosa; Valerie Feldman; Gregor Gall, U of Bradford; Kathleen Guidroz, Georgetown U; Annie Hill, U of Minnesota; Johan Karlsson Schaffer, U of Oslo; Edith Kinney, Mills College; Yasmin Lalani; Pia Levin; Alexandra Lutnick; Tamara O'Doherty, U of the Fraser Valley, British Columbia; Joyce Outshoorn, U of Leiden; Francine Tremblay, Concordia U, Montreal.


Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) security issues are getting more attention by researchers due to deployment circumstances. They are usually deployed in unattended and harsh environments that make them susceptible for many kinds of attacks. Different security mechanisms have been proposed for WSN. Detection-based mechanisms are considered to be the second defense line against attacks when the traditional prevention based mechanisms failed to detect them. Different intrusion detection schemes have been introduced (e.g. rule based, statistical based…etc). Rule-based intrusion detection schemes are considered to be the fast and simple schemes that are suitable for the demand of WSN. However, these schemes are more specific to some kinds of attacks and cannot be generalized. In addition, these schemes cannot detect the unknown attacks that are not included in their rule base. In this paper, we highlight the limitations of the state-of-the-art rule based intrusion detection schemes and then introduce a novel framework based on rule based scheme that is able to overcome these limitations.


Diabetes and hyperglycemia are risk factors for severe COVID-19 course and/or death in adult patients. While most cases in children remain mild, studies in pediatric T2D are limited. Our study aim was to describe the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 course in youth with T2D. We conducted a retrospective review of electronic medical records of patients with T2D and positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing performed at Texas Children's Hospital between 3/1/2020 and 10/31/2020. Demographics, diabetes treatment regimen, metrics of glycemic control, and variables of COVID-19 course were recorded and analyzed. We identified 14 youth with active T2D and positive SARS-CoV-2 testing. All individuals had established diabetes; none were concurrently diagnosed with new onset T2D and SARS-CoV-2. Of them, 43% [n=6] were African-American, 57% [n=8] Hispanic, and none were Non-Hispanic Whites. All individuals had public medical insurance and were obese, with mean BMI Z score =+2.22 [SD =0.48]. Median last hemoglobin A1C within 3 months prior to testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 was 13.2% [IQR= 2.50%], with 27% [n=3] patients' last A1C above the limit of detection [>14.0%] and 91% [n=10] above the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care goal of 7.0%. Twelve (85.7%) children were on insulin and 36% [n=5] on Metformin. Admission was required in 42.8% [n=6] children, 1 prior and 2 after having SARS-CoV-2 detected, and 3 at the time of SARS-CoV-2 detection for diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA]. Mean pH for those admitted for DKA [n=3] was 7.12 [SD = 0.09]. Median length of all admissions was 1.5 days [IQR = 1.23 days]. One patient required brief supplemental oxygen for comfort, but no patients had documented hypoxia. No patients required intubation and no patients expired. In sum, T2D in youth did not appear to be a risk factor for severe SARS-CoV-2 related illness. However, prevalence of DKA was higher than expected, suggesting that COVID-19 may adversely affect diabetes course; this will require further investigation. Disclosure A. Cymbaluk: None. M. Astudillo: None. D. Desalvo: Consultant; Self; Insulet Corporation, Research Support; Self; Insulet Corporation, Speaker's Bureau; Self; Dexcom, Inc. F. Bacha: None. S. Mckay: None. M. J. Redondo: Advisory Panel; Self; Provention Bio, Inc.


Genome rearrangement events, including inversions and translocations, are frequently observed across related microbial species, but the impact of such events on functional diversity is unclear. To clarify this relationship, we compared 4 members of the Gram-negative Burkholderia family (Burkholderia pseudomallei, Burkholderia mallei, Burkholderia thailandensis, and Burkholderia cenocepacia) and identified a core set of 2,590 orthologs present in all 4 species (metagenes). The metagenes were organized into 255 synteny blocks whose relative order has been altered by a predicted minimum of 242 genome rearrangement events. Functionally, metagenes within individual synteny blocks were often related. The molecular divergence of metagenes adjacent to synteny breakpoints (boundary metagenes) was significantly greater compared with metagenes within blocks, suggesting an association between breakpoint locations and local fine-scale nucleotide alterations. This phenomenon, referred to as boundary element associated divergence, was also observed in Pseudomonas and Shigella, suggesting that this is a common phenomenon in prokaryotes. We also observed preferential localization of species-specific genes and insertion sequence element to synteny breakpoints in Burkholderia. Our results suggest that in prokaryotes, genome rearrangements may influence functional diversity through the enhanced divergence of boundary genes and the creation of foci for acquiring and deleting species-specific genes.


Progranulin (PGRN) is best known as a glial protein whose deficiency leads to the most common inherited form of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Recently, PGRN has been found to be an adipokine associated with diet induced obesity and insulin resistance. Therefore, PGRN may have homeostatic effects on bone since PGRN is reported to promote the differentiation of bone resorbing osteoclasts. We investigated the actions of PGRN on bone using PGRN gene (Grn) knockout (PGRN KO) mice and transgenic mice with PGRN mutation and surprisingly found that loss of PGRN prevented the bone loss in female mice induced by aging and estrogen deficiency while it had no effect on male bones during aging. Strikingly, bone formation was increased in female (but not male) PGRN KO mice. We also found that loss of PGRN inhibited bone resorption and osteoclastogenesis in both male and female mice and promoted the production of osteogenic factors in osteoclast lineage cells. These results indicate that PGRN serves to uncouple bone turnover in female mice by promoting bone resorption and suppressing bone formation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that microglial cells / macrophages, but not adipocytes, are an important source of PGRN in producing negative skeletal effects in females. Targeting PGRN production by microglial cells / macrophage-lineage cells may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of osteoporosis in females.


The impact of the financial collapse of 2008 and early 2009 continues to reverberate through the wealth management industry. Much of what we have told our clients for years to be the keys to long-term investment success seemed to fail us, right when we needed them most. Investors questioned not only our profession but also the quality of our advice. But, perhaps counterintuitively, disruptive markets frequently are the best times for advisors to grow their practices—if they embrace the new realities of what clients want and expect from them. This article discusses appropriate best practices for wealth management firms, post-2008. It segments the discussion by addressing three specific questions: what has not changed, what has changed, and what has really changed. Advisors who successfully deliver differentiated and tax-effective investment portfolios, who move beyond sharing data and information to provide their clients with wisdom and knowledge, and who can rebuild client trust in a post-Madoff world will be the ones best situated to capture the massive client and asset migration expected to take place over the next several years.


Molecular simulations have had a transformative impact on chemists' understanding of the structure and dynamics of molecular systems. Simulations can both explain and predict chemical phenomena, and they provide a unique bridge between the microscopic and macroscopic regimes. The input for such simulations is the intermolecular interactions, which then determine the forces on the constituent atoms and therefore the time evolution and equilibrium properties of the system. However, in practice, accuracy and reliability are often limited by the fidelity of the description of those very same interactions, most typically embodied approximately in mathematical form in what are known as force fields. Force fields most often utilize conceptually simple functional forms that have been parametrized to reproduce existing experimental gas phase or bulk data. Yet, reliance on empirical parametrization can sometimes introduce limitations with respect to novel chemical systems or uncontrolled errors when moving to temperatures, pressures, or environments that differ from those for which they were developed. Alternatively, it is possible to develop force fields entirely from first principles, using accurate electronic structure calculations to determine the intermolecular interactions. This introduces a new set of challenges, including the transferability of the resulting force field to related chemical systems. In response, we recently developed an alternative approach to develop force fields entirely from first-principles electronic structure calculations based on intermolecular perturbation theory. Making use of an energy decomposition analysis ensures, by construction, that the resulting force fields contain the correct balance of the various components of intermolecular interaction (exchange repulsion, electrostatics, induction, and dispersion), each treated by a functional form that reflects the underlying physics. We therefore refer to the resulting force fields as physically motivated. We find that these physically motivated force fields exhibit both high accuracy and transferability, with the latter deriving from the universality of the fundamental physical laws governing intermolecular interactions. This basic methodology has been applied to a diverse set of systems, ranging from simple liquids to nanoporous metal-organic framework materials. A key conclusion is that, in many cases, it is feasible to account for nearly all of the relevant physics of intermolecular interactions within the context of the force field. In such cases, the structural, thermodynamic, and dynamic properties of the system become naturally emergent, even in the absence of explicit parameterization to bulk properties. We also find that, quite generally, the three-body contributions to the dispersion and exchange energies in bulk liquids are crucial for quantitative accuracy in a first-principles force field, although these contributions are almost universally neglected in existing empirical force fields.


In Geological Carbon Sequestration (GCS), mineralization is a secure carbon dioxide (CO2) trapping mechanism to prevent possible leakage at later stage of the GCS project. Modeling of the mineralization during GCS relies on numerical reservoir simulation, but the computational cost is prohibitively high due to the complex physical processes. Therefore, deep learning (DL) models can be used as a computationally cheaper and at the same time, reliable alternative to the conventional numerical simulators.
 In this work, we have developed a DL approach to effectively predict the dissolution and precipitation of various important minerals, including Anorthite, Kaolinite, and Calcite during CO2 injection into deep saline aquifers. We established a reservoir model to simulate the process of geological CO2 storage. About 750 simulations were performed in order to generate a comprehensive dataset for training DL models. Fourier Neural Operator (FNO) models were trained on the simulated dataset, which take the reservoir and well properties along with time information as input and predict the precipitation and dissolution of minerals in space and time scales. During the training process, root-mean-squared-error (RMSE) was chosen as the loss function to avoid overfitting. To gauge prediction performance, we applied the trained model to predict the concentrations of different mineral on the test dataset, which is 10% of the entire dataset, and two metrics, including the average absolute percentage error (AAPE) and the coefficient of determination (R2) were adopted. The R2 value was found to be around 0.95 for calcite model, 0.94 for Kaolinite model, and 0.93 for Anorthite model. The R2 was calculated for all trainable points from the predictions and ground truth. On the other hand, the average AAPE for all the mappings was calculated around 1%, which demonstrates that the trained model can effectively predict the temporal and spatial evolution of the mineral concentrations. The prediction CPU time (0.2 seconds/case) by the model is much lower than that of the physics-based reservoir simulator (3600 seconds/case). Therefore, the proposed method offers predictions as accurate as our physics-based reservoir simulations, while provides a huge saving of computation time. To the authors' best knowledge, prediction of the precipitation and dissolution of minerals in a supervised learning approach using the simulation data has not been studied before in the literature. The DL models developed in this study can serve as a computationally faster alternative to conventional numerical simulators to assess mineralization trapping in GCS projects especially for the mineral trapping mechanism.


Demographic problem areas are perceived as one of the most important types of problem areas and require special research interest. Problem areas conditioned by population factor most often refer to rural areas. Presented article aims to identify and delimit rural demographic problem areas in Poland. The study covered rural areas distinguished on the basis of the classification of the European Commission DEGURBA The analysis enabled to identify depopulation areas, areas with disrupted population reproduction (ie areas of permanent natural decline), areas of permanent outflow of population, areas with impaired population structure by age and areas with disrupted population structure by sex in the group of people of marriage age (20-34 years). To indicate clusters of communes characterised by the presence of the unfavourable demographic phenomena and processes (rural demographic problem areas) the measure of local spatial autocorrelation (Anselin Local Moran's I) was applied. The application value resulting from the research may be the improvement of the effectiveness of public intervention carried out as part of the development policy.


The human (h) transporter, hZIP4 is the primary zinc importer in the intestine and is also expressed in a variety of organs such as the pancreas and brain. Dysfunction of hZIP4 can result in the zinc deficiency disease acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE), which disrupts digestive and immune system homeostasis. Structure-function studies of hZIP4 have been greatly hindered by the absence of a robust heterologous expression system. Here, we report the heterologous expression of hZIP4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both a wild type and a mutant S. cerevisiae strain, in which the endogenous zinc transporters are deleted, were used to test the expression and localization of an hZIP4-GFP fusion protein. A full-length hZIP4-GFP and a truncated membrane domain only (mhZIP4-GFP) protein were successfully produced and targeted to the plasma membrane in yeast.


This article explores the agreements and contradictions existed in the findings of research concerned with Attitude towards teaching with respect to some demographic, academic and psychological characteristics of individuals. The purposes of this article are (i) to review and analyze the literature of teaching attitude from teacher education perspective and (ii) to provide suggestions for the implication of future research. Author reviewed the contents of research articles and theses exploring issues related to attitude towards teaching. After review it was observed that majority of studies on Attitude towards teaching concentrated around some characteristics of individuals viz. Gender, Age, Locality, Qualification, Teacher training, subject stream type of institution, experience, etc. This reviewed probed into the influence of these characteristics on Attitude towards teaching. Majority of studies signified their influence on the attitude. On the other hand some of studies show contradictory results. Attitude towards teaching is also not an isolates concept but it has also some correlates to be meaningful and relevant in teaching profession. Respective reviews identified various correlates of Attitude towards Teaching. It concludes that Longitudinal and comparative studies on Attitude towards teaching were found lagged behind.


Renin, produced in renal juxtaglomerular (JG) cells, is a fundamental regulator of blood pressure. Accumulating evidence suggests that cytokines may directly influence renin production in the JG cells. TNF-alpha, which is one of the key mediators in immunity and inflammation, is known to participate in the control of vascular proliferation and contraction and hence in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Thus TNF-alpha may exert its effects on the cardiovascular system through modulation of renal renin synthesis. Therefore we have tested the effect of TNF-alpha on renin transcription in As4.1 cells, which represent transformed mouse JG cells, and in native mouse JG cells in culture. Renin gene expression was also determined in mice lacking the gene for TNF-alpha (TNF-alpha knockout mice). TNF-alpha inhibited renin gene expression via an inhibition of the transcriptional activity, targeting the proximal 4.1 kb of the renin promoter in As4.1 cells. TNF-alpha also attenuated forskolin-stimulated renin gene expression in primary cultures of mouse JG cells. Mice lacking the TNF-alpha gene had almost threefold higher basal renal renin mRNA abundance relative to the control strain. The general physiological regulation of renin expression by salt was not disturbed in TNF-alpha knockout mice. Our data suggest that TNF-alpha inhibits renin gene transcription at the cellular level and thus may act as a modulator of renin synthesis in (physio)pathological situations.


Radix Pseudostellariae is one of the most popular Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for promoting the immune system, treating asthenia after illnesses with a long history in China and some other Asian countries. Rapid discrimination of R. Pseudostellariae according to geographical origin is crucial to pharmacodynamic action control. FT-NIR spectroscopy and supervised pattern recognition was attempted to discriminate R. Pseudostellariae according to geographical origin in this work. LDA, ANN and SVM were used to construct the discrimination models based on PCA, respectively. The number of PCs and model parameters were optimized by crossvalidation in the constructing model. The performances of three discrimination models were compared. Experimental results showed that the performance of SVM model is the best among three models. The optimal SVM model was achieved when 5 PCs were used, discrimination rates being 100% in the training and 88% in prediction set. The overall results demonstrated that FT-NIR spectroscopy has a high potential to discriminate qualitatively R. Pseudostellariae according to geographical origins by means of an appropriate supervised pattern recognition technique.


This correspondence introduces a deadlock-avoidance algorithm for a class of manufacturing systems with the following characteristics: 1) Production orders are allowed to have assembly operations (which give the nonsequential nature to the resource allocation system model) but not disassembly operations, 2) the use of system resources must be conservative (resources are neither created nor destroyed), and 3) actions related to the granting of resources are controllable. The proposed solution represents a sufficient condition for a given system state to be safe and is based on an adaptation of the well-known Banker's approach for deadlock avoidance. The time complexity of the proposed solution is proved to be polynomial with the size of the Place/Transition net model


This study was carried out to synthesise some new Schiff bases compounds through condensation of ascorbic acid (keto form) with some compounds which have amine group in their structure also these compounds synthesized by using of microwave irradiation and traditional method and compare the results obtained. Microwave irradiation of organic reactions has quickly acquired popularity as it increases the speed of the reaction towards multiple kinds of synthetic transformations, solventless procedures without the use of supporting reagents and therefore eco-friendly, the antioxidant properties were studied for all compounds included in this study, the results indicate that IC50 for the compounds synthesized by using of microwave irradiation method were higher than the traditional method, and also the biological activity of the prepared compounds were also studied to estimate capability of suppressing Enterococcus, Staphyllo coccus aureus and E. Coli than the starting materials that have biological activity on these bacteria. This study shows that the diameters of inhibitions in Petri dishes have higher and wider at a concentration (10 mg / ml) for used bacteria.


In democracies throughout the world, intra-party factions manifest themselves in parties and governments. Formal and informal institutions have, however, proved crucial in managing factionalism. This is especially true in Thailand's emerging parliamentary democracy where the management of factionalism has become a major objective for Thai parties. This study explores factions and factionalism as well as how different types of parties try to manage intra-party dissension especially in the case of Thailand. The findings suggest that management style tends to be a function of a party's organization, with parties which practice a collegial style tending to be the more successful in controlling intra-party cliques over time. At the same time, the most important tools which party leaderships can use to control factions are the careful use of constitutional provisions and manipulation of party finance.


Abstract This paper reports an experimental investigation based on vibrational spectroscopy of biological materials by a new custom-made device allowing simultaneously applying tensile load with changes within a controlled chemical environment. The response of the molecular structures of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) discs under simulated daily mechanical stimulations was characterized by stress–strain analysis and Raman spectra. The results show that changes in the biochemical environment around tissue (associated to common disorders) led to significant modifications to its mechanical properties. The molecular response to stress was then fully characterized by a combination of molecular mapping followed by statistical analysis via Principal Component Analysis resulting in the identification of the phenylalanine-aromatic amino acids as a significant mechanical-chemical effector of TMJ discs. The coupled tensile machine and vibrational spectroscopy approach enabling in-situ molecular studies proves to be a powerful technique for biological material characterization and tissue engineering.


The lymphatic system associated with the central nervous system (CNS) includes the lymphatic vasculature that spins around the brain, the spinal cord, and its associated LNs. The CNS-associated lymphatic system is involved in the drainage of CSF macromolecules and meningeal immune cells toward CNS-draining LNs, thereby regulating waste clearance and immune surveillance within CNS tissues. Presented is a novel approach to obtain three-dimensional (3D) and cellular resolution images of CNS-associated lymphatics while preserving the integrity of their circuits within surrounding tissues. The iDISCO+ protocol is used to immunolabel lymphatic vessels in decalcified and cleared whole mount preparations of the vertebral column that are subsequently imaged with light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM). The technique reveals the 3D structure of the lymphatic network connecting the meningeal and epidural spaces around the spinal cord to extravertebral lymphatic vessels. Provided are 3D images of the drainage circuits of molecular tracers previously injected into either the CSF via the cisterna magna or the thoracolumbar spinal parenchyma. The iDISCO+/LSFM approach brings unprecedented opportunities to explore the structure and function of the CNS-associated lymphatic system in neurovascular biology, neuroimmunology, brain and vertebral cancer, or vertebral bone and joint biology.


Sir George Godber opens this series with an essay on epidemiology in which he notes its recent discoveries and points to what it may uncover in the next decade or two; pithy, practical, and characteristic of its author. There is more to be learned about infective agents, and very much more about the ill effects of drugs, bad habits, chemicals, and other environmental factors, all through the epidemiological approach. For community physicians this is directly in the line of their public health tradition. The other five essays are not. Professor E. G. Knox of Birmingham sets out a method of deciding how worth while it will be to screen a population for evidence of a specific disease. The structure of the population, the natural history of the disease, the accuracy of the tests used, and the results of treatment of discovered cases have all to be taken into account; beside these, costing is easy. The data are processed by a computer. With carcinoma of the cervix as an example, the conclusion emerges that "almost any cervical cytology programme. . . will take the easy pickings at modest cost, the first 10 per cent, say, of the mortality;" but as the programme is extended and refined every increment of expenditure saves fewer lives. "Sooner or later a point will be reached when the resources are better spent elsewhere." If a cost-effectiveness graph is achievable in this kind of problem (even though imperfect because the natural history of the disease is not fully known), it is clearly useful. Professor J. R. Ashford and his colleagues from the Institute of Biometry and Community Medicine at Exeter apply operation research techniques to problems of resource allocation, using as an example the maternity services for a population of 300,000-partly urban, partly rural. After mathematical programming has been put to work the computer calculates that two rural units staffed by general practitioners should be closed, the large urban units should be more fully used, and domiciliary deliveries should cease in the city and become less frequent in the country. All this would reduce the total cost by 11 per cent. Professor M. R. Alderson of Southampton elaborates proposed arrangements for data collection and information handling serving districts, areas, and regions in a unified Health Service, and "moulding the total flow of information into a flexible but unified hierarchical system." In part these arrangements are already under trial in the Wessex Region. Mr. J. M. Yates of the United Birmingham Hospitals discusses the information that should be supplied to (or requested by) clinicians in their cogwheels, to induce them and enable them to manage the flow and distribution of clinical work. In this context a pertinent distinction is made between mere data and information: the latter consists of data to be used in making decisions. "Too often the clinician makes requests for data rather than information." Finally Mrs. Catherine Hearn, Ph.D., from the University of Birmingham Health Services Research Centre, describes a methodology for measuring the work loads of nurses. It works in terms of time spent, by nurses of different grades, on routine patient care, special care of individual patients, and general ward work, and it will calculate just what nursing staff is necessary for a given number and mix of patients. Indeed, if the computer is given the information about the patients in a nursing area at 9 p.m. it will reply at once with the requirements for nursing staff for the ensuing night, the next day, and the next night. The method is in use in a number of hospitals. The enigmatic title of the book now becomes clear. All these things are happening and they indicate the way of the future. The essays are not theories and idealistic musings; they are solid sophisticated studies of practical exercises now in train. To many older clinicians they will be neither easy nor welcome reading, but they cannot be lightly dismissed. The day when the clinician could orient his practice towards the patients in whom he was most interested and expect all the facilities he asked for to be provided without question, is clearly gone. The complexity and the cost of medicine now oblige him to bring more order into it. These are examples of the tools to be used. But two warnings may fairly be emphasized. First, statisticians always start with some assumptions about their data, notably that these are accurate enough and consistent enough to justify the application of the statistical methods. Unless the statisticians are themselves closely familiar with medical practice they cannot be adeauate critics of their own assumptions. Someone who knows medicine from inside, and statistics as well, must have a hand in the business. Second, the mathematical methods of assessing cost-effectiveness and optimum use of resources may not be the best last word. They ignore what they cannot measure, and they treat one doctor or one nurse as the equal of another. Human relations are too subtle for that, and good human relations are a first consideration in a good health service. To achieve or to retain them the mathematical conclusions may often have to be bent. On both those counts the onus is on the clinicians to familiarize themselves with these new methods, and to ensure that they are sensibly used as guides and checks but not allowed to dominate the service. ROBERT ArMEN


Abstract In this present study, wear behaviours of high chromium white iron valve seat inserts and tappets used in the automotive sector were investigated. Wear behaviours of three different rates of high chromium white cast irons (containing 10, 12 and 14% chromium) were examined under heavy service conditions. For that purpose, the produced valve seat inserts were characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and hardness measurements. They were tested at a sliding speed of 1 ms−1, under 120 N load and for six different sliding distances (500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 m) by using a standard wear apparatus (pin-on-disk type). The result showed that as the amount of Cr increased in the alloys, their hardness decreased. The decrease in the hardness were considered to be as the result of transformation of M7C3 carbides into M23C6 carbides in the structure. This decrease in hardness with increasing chromium content also increased the weight loss. Thus, it was determined that the white iron with 14% Cr (which had a greater amount of M23C6 carbides) was subjected to the highest wear.


Advances and declining costs in sequencing technology will result in increasing number of studies with individual sequence data linked to phenotypic information, which has been dubbed medical sequencing. At least some of this linked information will be publicly available. Medical sequencing raises ethical issues for both individuals and populations, including data release and identifiability, adequacy of consent, reporting research results, stereotyping and stigmatization, inclusion and differential benefit and culturally and community-specific concerns. Those issues are reviewed, along with possible solutions to them.


Abstract SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19, generally has a mild disease course in children. However, a severe post-infectious inflammatory process known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children has been observed in association with COVID-19. This inflammatory process is a result of an abnormal immune response with similar clinical features to Kawasaki disease. It is well established that multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is associated with myocardial dysfunction, coronary artery dilation or aneurysms, and occasionally arrhythmias. The most common electrocardiographic abnormalities seen include premature atrial or ventricular ectopy, variable degrees of atrioventricular block, and QTc prolongation, and rarely, haemodynamically significant arrhythmias necessitating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. However, presentation with fever, hypotension, and relative bradycardia with a left axis idioventricular rhythm has not been previously reported. We present a case of a young adolescent with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with myocarditis and a profoundly inappropriate sinus node response to shock with complete resolution following intravenous immunoglobulin.


The first maps of the regional distribution of zeolites in the Palaeogene basalt plateau of the Faroe Islands are presented. The zeolite zones (thomsonite-chabazite, analcite, mesolite, stilbite-heulandite, laumontite) continue below sea level and reach a depth of 2200 m in the Lopra-1/1A well. Below this level, a high temperature zone occurs characterised by prehnite and pumpellyite. The stilbite-heulandite zone is the dominant mineral zone on the northern island, Vagar, the analcite and mesolite zones are the dominant ones on the southern islands of Sandoy and Suðuroy and the thomsonite-chabazite zone is dominant on the two northeastern islands of Viðoy and Borðoy. It is estimated that zeolitisation of the basalts took place at temperatures between about 40°C and 230°C. Palaeogeothermal gradients are estimated to have been 66 ± 9°C/km in the lower basalt formation of the Lopra area of Suðuroy, the southernmost island, 63 ± 8°C/km in the middle basalt formation on the northernmost island of Vagar and 56 ± 7°C/km in the upper basalt formation on the central island of Sandoy. A linear extrapolation of the gradient from the Lopra area places the palaeosurface of the basalt plateau near to the top of the lower basalt formation. On Vagar, the palaeosurface was somewhere between 1700 m and 2020 m above the lower formation while the palaeosurface on Sandoy was between 1550 m and 1924 m above the base of the upper formation. The overall distribution of zeolites reflects primarily variations in the maximum depth of burial of the basalt rather than differences in heat flow. The inferred thinning of the middle and upper basalt formation from the central to the southern part of the Faroes is in general agreement with a northerly source area for these basalts, centred around the rift between the Faroes and Greenland. The regional zeolite distribution pattern is affected by local perturbations of the mineral zone boundaries that reflect local differences in the temperature, perhaps related to the circulation of water in the underground. The zonal distribution pattern suggests that these temperature anomalies are in part related to NW–SE-trending eruption fissures or zones of weakness separating the present islands and are subparallel to transfer zones in the Faroe–Shetland Basin. Both the regional and the local distribution of zeolite assemblages are probably a reflection of the basic volcanic-tectonic pattern of the Faroe Islands.


The aim of the paper is to lay the theoretical foundations for the construction of a flexible tool that can be used by pensioners to find optimal investment and consumption choices in the distribution phase of a defined contribution pension scheme. The investment/consumption plan is adopted until the time of compulsory annuitization, taking into account the possibility of earlier death. The effect of the bequest motive and the desire to buy a higher annuity than the one purchasable at retirement are included in the objective function. The mathematical tools provided by dynamic programming techniques are applied to find closed form solutions: numerical examples are also presented. In the model, the trade-off between the different desires of the individual regarding consumption and final annuity can be dealt with by choosing appropriate weights for these factors in the setting of the problem. Conclusions are twofold. Firstly, we find that there is a natural time-varying target for the size of the fund, which acts as a sort of safety level for the needs of the pensioner. Secondly, the personal preferences of the pensioner can be translated into optimal choices, which in turn affect the distribution of the consumption path and of the final annuity.


Space syntax, the analytical tool of this study, is a set of techniques for representation and quantification of spatial patterns of buildings. In this paper quantitative analysis is performed in order to observe the relationship between privacy as cultural specific and the spatial configuration of the settlement in the city of Ghadames.The analysis is conducted on two levels of detail. Level of the whole Ghadames including three unconventional axial maps representing ground floor (male domain), upper floor (female domain), and the whole spatial system with entrances of buildings embedded. The second level of analysis covers nine sites representing three different cultural communities within Ghadames( Arab, Barbar and Tuarg). These community areas are analyzed as embedded within the city (embedded model) and as separated (cut out model).Analysis results indicate that ground floor (male domain) seems to be more locally and globally integrated than that of upper floor (female domain). Moreover, spaces of ground floor are more visually connected than the upper floor, which reveals that greater possibility in route choice for the users of ground floor. Their movement from one place to another is less restricted than that of the female in upper floor. Furthermore the results show that mechanisms are the physical elements that facilitate or impede privacy regulation in the city and/or enable users themselves to regulate privacy through their own locales.


To the Editor: Recent guidelines indicate cytologic diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma supported by ancillary techniques to be as reliable as that based on histopathology. It is strongly recommended that all malignant mesothelioma cases to be confirmed by immunocytochemistry (ICC) or immunohistochemistry (IHC). However, none of the ICC or IHC markers is entirely specific, which can sometimes lead to misinterpretation of the results. Here, I report a case of malignant mesothelioma with characteristic imaging findings and malignant pleural effusion that was found to be positive for calretinin, but also MOC-31 and BerEP4 by immunohistochemical stains. The tumor showed sarcomatoid features and focal D2-40 (podoplanin) immunohistochemical reactivity on the subsequent needle biopsy, and was diagnosed as sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Awareness of the expression of MOC-31 and BerEP4 in a small subset of malignant mesotheliomas can prevent misdiagnosis of adenocarcinoma in such cases. The patient is an 80-year-old man with a medical history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and hypertension, who presented with persistent cough for a month, left-sided chest pain, and shortness of breath. Initial computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest showed a large left pleural effusion with nearly complete collapse of the left lung, as well as 5.2 × 4.2 cm consolidation in the left upper lobe. Initial clinical impression was primary lung cancer. A left thoracentesis removed 2 L of bloody fluid. A ThinPrep and a cellblock were processed for cytologic examination. ThinPrep showed unequivocally malignant cells predominantly in large three-dimensional clusters or tissue fragments with scalloped to smooth surfaces. Malignant cells exhibited finely dispersed chromatin, one to multiple macro nucleoli, and moderate amount of cytoplasm (Figure 1A,B). A panel of immunohistochemical stains was performed on the cell block, including MOC-31, BerEP4, TTF-1, Napsin A, estrogen receptor (ER), CDX2, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), CK7, CK20, calretinin, CK5/6, and D2-40. Malignant cells were positive for MOC-31, BerEP4, calretinin (mostly nuclear staining), and CK7 (Figure 1C-E). Antibodies to other markers were largely nonreactive. A diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma was made based on the MOC-31 and BerEP4 results. However, calretinin expression is unusual to be seen in lung adenocarcinomas, although it has been shown in some breast carcinomas. Subsequent CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis showed diffuse left pleural thickening and enhancement with multiple pleura-based masses. There was no evidence of abdominal metastasis. A positronemission tomography (PET) study revealed hypermetabolic nodular left pleural thickening with small effusion and left hemidiaphragm invasion involving peritoneum, but no hypermetabolic lymph node or other metastasis. These imaging findings were most consistent with mesothelioma. A CT-guided needle biopsy of left peritoneal masses was performed to further clarify the diagnosis. Histologic examination showed sarcomatoid proliferation of malignant cells (Figure 1F). A panel of immunohistochemical stains was performed, including AE1/AE3, cam5.2, CK7, CK20, vimentin, TTF-1, Napsin A, PAX8, CDX2, PSA, PSAP, CD10, CK5/6, calretinin, D2-40, WT-1, EMA, and desmin. Malignant spindle cells were positive for AE1/AE3, CAM 5.2, CK7, vimentin, and CD10. All the other markers were negative. Because all the mesothelial markers tested were negative in the tumor, a diagnosis of poorly differentiated carcinoma with sarcomatoid features was made. This case was subsequently sent to a national academic institution, where immunohistochemical stains showed tumor cells were positive for AE1/AE3 and focally for D2-40, but negative for calretinin, WT1, CK5/6, and mesothelin. BRAC1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) retained nuclear expression. A diagnosis of sarcomatoid mesothelioma was made based on these results. It is possible that there were both epithelioid and sarcomatoid components in this malignant mesothelioma. The epithelioid component was positive for MOC-31, BerEP4, and calretinin as demonstrated in the pleural effusion, whereas the sarcomatoid component was focally positive for D2-40 as shown in the needle biopsy. Immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical stains have been well studied to distinguish between metastatic adenocarcinoma and malignant mesothelioma in malignant effusions. Commonly used antibodies against proteins expressed by adenocarcinomas include MOC31, BerEP4, B72.3, CD15 (Leu-M1), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and claudin-4. Commonly used mesothelial (both benign and malignant) markers include calretinin, CK5/6, D2-40, WT1, and mesothelin. Tissue specific markers can be added when a history of malignancy or a source of suspicion can be identified. MOC-31 and BerEP4 are antibodies both against the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), although it has been shown that MOC-31 performs better than BerEP4 in terms of both detecting carcinomas and reactivity with epithelioid mesotheliomas. B72.3 antibodies identify tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72), a high-molecular-weight mucin-like molecule. TAG-72 is low or nondetectable in normal adult tissues except secretory endometrium, but overexpressed in most adenocarcinomas. Only a small percentage (<10%) of epithelioid mesotheliomas have been found TAG-72 positive. Sarcomatoid mesotheliomas have not been shown to express this marker. CEA consists of a group of highly Received: 27 February 2019 Revised: 14 July 2019 Accepted: 4 September 2019 DOI: 10.1002/dc.24315


In order to deal with nonminimum phase problem in acceleration control of agile STT missiles, a new VSC control method was introduced, from which flat output was constructed. Real-time trajectory generation algorithm based on flatness was constructed to deal with unavoidable constraints in missile control system. Simulation was made for verification. Simulation results showed the effectiveness and correctness of the flatness based trajectory generation algorithm.


The present study aimed at synthesizing copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of mixed ascorbic acid and  nicotinamide and physiochemically characterize by solubility test, melting point, conductivity test, infrared, electronic and proton nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The result of the physiochemical studies indicated 1:1 stoichiometry and were supported by the spectroscopic data. The antimicrobial activities of the mixed complexes were carried out against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Penicillum, spp Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The result of the infrared data showed that ascorbic acid coordinates through the oxygen of the carbonyl group and that of enolic C-2 hydroxyl group, while nicotinamide coordinates through the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring. The result of the antimicrobial studies showed that the mixed complexes have higher inhibitory activity than the original ligands against the tested bacteria and fungi species. KEY WORDS : Ascorbic acid, Nicotinamide, Synthesis, Antimicrobial, Complexes.


Churches often validate their ministry training through Higher Education (HE) institutions in order to assure the academic quality of their awards. Although academic progress is carefully assessed, and churches have long debated formational aspects of ministry training, there has been little quantitative work that examines whether exposure to HE changes the faith of students. This study reports on the effects on various aspects of faith (such as beliefs about the Bible, biblical literalism, morality, exclusivity, quest orientation, and dogmatism) of a ministry programme delivered to Anglicans and Methodists that was validated by a United Kingdom university. A sample of 91 students completed questionnaires at the start and finish of their period of study, which ranged from one to three years. There was no evidence of systematic change in any of the tested variables that coincided with the period of study.


Clusters of cells in cytologic preparations from the urinary tract have been commented on repeatedly. To determine their significance we studied 88 patients with documented papillary carcinomas, Grades I-IV, who had cytologic examination of their urine. We defined two distinct cluster types, "rounded", and "papillary", which were easily distinguishable from artifactual excoriated cell aggregates. By cytologic techniques 64 per cent of the specimens were positive and 18 per cent suspicious for malignancy, with the lowest sensitivity for Grade I tumors, and the highest for Grade IV tumors. Clusters were observed in 39 per cent of the cases, and also were more common in the most undifferentiated tumors. However, many cases which were cytologically positive had no clusters, and in only one case were clusters present without other cytologic features of malignancy. It appears that the presence of cell clusters is not a more sensitive indicator of papillary lesions than usual cytologic criteria applied to single cells. Clusters may indicate a higher grade tumor.


Despite significant and rapid technology improvements, educators have frequently failed to make use of the new opportunities to create more authentic learning scenarios. Virtual worlds offer an attractive proposition to create 3D representations of real business environments to provide an authentic learning activity for higher education students to take part in. However, the controls and displays are still clunky and unnatural, reducing the opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the event and focus on experiential learning. To overcome this challenge we examine the role of using a headset display that allows the user to change perspective with a flick of the head, improving their ability to 'feel' part of the environment, and thus increase their immersion in the activities that they are engaged in through more realistic control and improved perspective in the virtual environment. A series of experiments are conducted comparing the technology to established technologies and the level of control exerted by the learner (e.g., they either 'control' or they 'passively observe' as someone else controls). These experiments provide evidence that consumer-technology can improve immersion and equip educators with an affordable instrument to present classes that learners 'take more seriously'.


The CRISPR-Cas9 of bacterial adaptive immune systems has garnered intense interests due to its potent and flexible ability to edit genes. However, the role and mechanism of CRISPR-Cas function in bacterial invasion of hosts have remained elusive. We demonstrate that the type I CRISPR-Cas system mediates evasion from host defense via targeting and regulation of bacterial endogenous genes. Our work shows that the CRISPR-cas type I has such a function in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14 strain). The type I CRISPR-Cas system of PA14 modulates quorum-sensing mast regulator LasR to dampen host immunity and inflammatory responses by evading TLR4 recognition. These findings provide insight into the role of Type I CRISPR-Cas system of pathogenic bacteria in the evasion of host immune response, reducing inflammatory response and less resistance to infection. Because we observed a similar evasion mechanism of host defense in other bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherchia coli, we reasoned that this phenomenon of "self-priming (endogenous target regulation)" is likely applicable other in pathogenic bacteria. Since the type I CRISPR-Cas system and quorum sensing system ubiquitously exist in a variety of bacteria, our findings indicate a potentially common strategy employed by bacteria to evade host immune function, which may have potential therapeutic interest.


Much has been learnt over the past 80 years of the pathogenesis and management of hyperparathyroid bone disease in uraemia. Clinically it has changed from a rare disorder of childhood and adolescence to a common and difficult problem in patients maintained on dialysis programmes. Whereas effective treatments are now available for hyperparathyroid bone disease, these are not curative and there is clearly much more work to be done before a full understanding of its pathogenesis, and the best methods of treatment and prevention, can be reached. ImagesFig. 2Fig. 3Fig. 4Fig. 1Fig. 6Fig. 7Fig. 5


INTRODUCTION
Carbon monoxide poisoning (CO) is a common intoxication. Diagnosis is sometimes difficult since the symptoms may be very varied. We report a case of repeated intoxication which led to several consultations and admission to hospital, since there were headaches and loss of consciousness suggesting basilar migraine.

CASE REPORT
A 30 year old woman consulted for repeated headaches over the previous six months, normally occurring in the morning, accompanied by vertigo, nausea and vomiting and loss of consciousness on two occasions. Clinical examination and the complementary tests done (laboratory analysis, cerebral MR, ECG, ECG Holter, EEG) were normal. Finally CO intoxication was diagnosed when levels of carboxyhemaglobin of over 30% were found in both the patient and her sister. The cause was a faulty water heater, confirmed on technical inspection.

CONCLUSIONS
CO intoxication may present as repeated headaches, with or without alteration in consciousness. Finding similar symptoms in other people living in the same place should increase suspicion. In certain case, anamnesis should include details regarding apparatus used for heating, cooking and bathrooms. More carboxyhaemaglobin estimations should be done in Emergency Departments.


Abstract Manufacturing technology of surimi and surimi seafood has been developed to keep the balance of the quality and quantity (yield) of surimi proteins. This review article covers the chemistry of surimi manufacturing with an emphasis on solubility of myofibrillar proteins as affected by ionic strength, pH, washing cycles, wash/meat (W/M) ratio, and proteolysis. In addition, water quality, waste water, and cryoprotection are reviewed. Ohmic heating and high hydrostatic pressure in relation to the manufacturing of surimi seafood are extensively discussed. Ohmic heating is the newest technology applied in the manufacturing of surimi seafood. High hydrostatic pressure has not been applied in the commercial practices of surimi seafood manufacturing, however, it has a great potential to make surimi gels stronger.


The object of the envisaged project is the development of easily fixable non-irritant stent of the lower urinary tract. The project has the aim to remove the obstruction and make passage-way through urethra which, after repeated operations, remains narrowed and requires repeated dilatations or, in the patients who have a chronic epicystostomy due to the non-passable urethra. The prosthesis must be self fixable, non-irritant, easily introduceable and removable by endoscopy, enabling normal urination with urinary continence and, last but not least, at a reasonable price.


We discuss some local analytic properties of the ring of Dirichlet series. We obtain mainly the equivalence between the irreducibility in the analytic ring and in the formal one. In the same way we prove that the ring of analytic Dirichlet series is integrally closed in the ring of formal Dirichlet series. Finally we introduce the notion of standard basis in these rings and we give a nitely generated ideal which does not admit standard bases.


NOOSE (Networked Object-Oriented Security Examiner) is a distributed vulnerability analysis system based on object modeling. It merges the functionality of host-based and network-based scanners, storing the results into several object classes. The remote agents are implemented as dynamically extended PERL agents. NOOSE is able to collect vulnerabilities from a variety of sources, including outputs from other vulnerability analysis programs (e.g., Muffet's CRACK), collecting information from systems that may or may not have cooperative agents on them. Communication is based on a secure, reliable datagram protocol implemented as a set of PERL object classes. Unlike some vulnerability systems, NOOSE presents the vulnerability information as an integrated database, showing how vulnerabilities may be combined into chains across multiple accounts and systems. It understands unconditional vulnerabilities (i.e., stack-overflow, password guessing) along with conditional (Trojan horse, rlogin, and NFS access). Conditional vulnerabilities gain limited or privileges if conditions exist, such as access to specific accounts. The information is presented as an object-oriented "spreadsheet" format, allowing the security manager to explore vulnerabilities at whim. Once complete, the vulnerability analysis can move both forwards and backwards interactively, showing both what a selected account can attack, as well as showing who can attack a selected account. Besides vulnerability analysis, the system can intelligently verify the installation of security patches, dynamically installing missing patches. NOOSE is therefore a flexible prototype, able to provide a subset of the functionality of COPS, SATAN and TRIPWIRE, yet because of the object model, be used for developing new paradigms, such as reacting to intrusions, information warfare, and survivability management systems.


Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Abstract Ocular point-of-care ultrasound has been used to assess for intraocular pathology, including retinal and vitreous detachment. We describe a pediatric patient whose initial point-of-care ultrasound examination appeared to be consistent with bilateral posterior vitreous detachment but who was ultimately diagnosed with intermediate uveitis.


Feinstein's criticism of epidemiology are summarized and evaluated. His major premises appear to be that methodologic errors inevitably result in false positive associations, that epidemiologists are complacent about methodology, and that epidemiologists encourage overinterpretation of epidemiologic data by the public. We challenge these premises and discuss a number of technical errors that underlie Feinstein's writings: he generally ignores the tendency of nondifferential exposure misclassification to dilute associations; he inappropriately interchanges measure of disease occurrence, which leads him to erroneous assertions regarding differences among studies; and he asserts that absence of a dose-response gradient precludes causality, despite the fact that causal effects need not follow a monotonic dose-response curve over the entire range of exposure. We also challenge his assertions that contradictory results necessarily indicate poor study methods and that prior beliefs of the data collectors inevitably affect study results in ways not apparent in the study methods. Feinstein's approach to the use of epidemiology in policy formulation ignores the need to weigh all evidence and distinguish important from unimportant biases. We illustrate this point by documenting how the use of Feinstein's "scientific standards" in evaluating the evidence linking aspirin to Reye's syndrome would have led to costly errors in medical practice.


The present communication deals with synthesis of some new triazole derivaties, their characterization and antibacterial activity against some medically important bacteria. The antibacterial activity was studied against E. coli (ATCC 25922), P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), S. aureus (ATCC 25923), B. cereus (ATCC 11778), A. fecalis (ATCC 8750), K. pneumoniae (NCIM 2719). The antibacterial activity in two solvents (1,4-Dioxan and DMF) was evaluated using Agar Ditch method. A differential effect of the compounds was found in the bacterial strains investigated and the solvents used, again suggesting that the antibacterial activity is dependent on the molecular structure of the compound, solvent used and the bacterial strains under consideration. In the present work, B. cereus appeared to be most susceptible bacteria while P. aeruginosa was the most resistant bacterial strain.


Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as a promising class of cancer therapeutics for targeted drug delivery. However, the synthesis of novel linkers for generating stable ADCs remains a key goal in the development of effective ADCs. Here we describe a unique linker (CORDLink) platform technology based on coordination chemistry that maintains the integrity of the antibody without impacting binding to the target. Using an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody and camptothecin, as examples of the targeting antibody and a highly cytotoxic payload respectively, we demonstrate that the linker enables the formation of a stable ADC via supramolecular coordinate bond. The robustness of our process and consistency was characterized through a variety of analytical tools, such as SE-HPLC, CEX-HPLC and HI-HPLC, while peptide mapping was done to elucidate the exact site of attachment. The ADCs were found to remain intact in media and serum using a fluorescence-based RP-HPLC method. The anti-HER2 antibody recognizes HER2 receptors on cancer cells inducing internalization of the conjugate. The ADC showed significant cytotoxicity in cells expressing HER2 receptor but not in HER2 negative cell lines with IC50s in the nM range. We have established robust characterization methods to validate and confirm the integrity of the prototype ADCs in vitro. Studies are underway to further evaluate these molecules in vivo. The CORDLink technology offers a highly versatile platform that can be leveraged to deliver a broad range of payloads to selected cells using different targeting molecules. Citation Format: Nimish Gupta, Johny Kancharla, Shelly Kaushik, Samad Hossain, Arindam Sarkar, Aniruddha Sengupta, Monideepa Roy, Shiladitya Sengupta. Supramolecular assembly of antibody-drug conjugates using CORDLink platform for targeted drug delivery. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 649. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-649


ABSTRACT Background We have previously obtained a mouse anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) antibody E6F6 with long-lasting serum HBsAg clearance effects. The E6F6 epitope-based protein CR-T3-SEQ13 (HBsAg aa 113-135) vaccination therapy in cynomolgus monkeys induced long-term polyclonal antibodies-mediated clearance of HBsAg in the HBV transgenic (HBV-Tg) mice. Methods We isolated monoclonal antibodies from CR-T3-SEQ13 vaccinated cynomolgus monkeys, compared their therapeutic effects with E6F6, identified their epitopes on HBsAg, determined the pharmacokinetics and studied their physical property. Results A panel of anti-HBsAg mAbs was generated through memory B cell stimulatory culture. Two lead monkey-human chimeric antibodies, C1-23 and C3-23, effectively suppressed HBsAg and HBV DNA in HBV-Tg mice. The humanized antibodies and humanized-mouse reverse chimeric antibodies of two antibodies exhibited comparable HBsAg clearance and viral suppression efficacy as those versions of E6F6 in HBV-Tg mice. Humanized antibody hu1-23 exhibited more efficacy HBsAg-suppressing effects than huE6F6-1 and hu3-23 in HBV-Tg mice at dose levels of 10 and 20 mg/kg. Evaluation of the binding sites indicates that the epitope recognized by hu1-23 is located in HBsAg aa 118-125 and 121-125 for hu3-23. Physical property study revealed that hu1-23 and hu3-23 are stable enough for further development as a drug candidate. Conclusions Our data suggest that the CR-T3-SEQ13 protein is a promising HBV therapeutic vaccine candidate, and hu1-23 and hu3-23 are therapeutic candidates for the treatment of chronic hepatitis b. Moreover, the generation of antibodies from the epitope-based vaccinated subjects may be an alternative approach for novel antibody drug discovery.


A photonic crystal (PC) light-emitting diode (LED) was fabricated using an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) nano-pattern technique, which has potential applications to mass production. The AAO nano-pattern, which was anodized in 0.3-M oxalic acid at 70 V, was transferred to the n-GaN bottom cladding through reactive ion etching and covered during the regrowth of GaN to form periodic air holes. The PC was embedded into the bottom cladding, which resulted in a low operating voltage. For the PC LED, the light output was enhanced by more than 20%, while the operating voltage increased only slightly. The radiation pattern of the PC LED showed two lobes at approximately plusmn30deg, which originated from the diffraction by PC.


The lack of suitable animal models for the study of cytoadhesion of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IEs) has necessitated in vitro studies employing a range of cell lines of either human tumour origin (e.g., BeWo and C32 cells) or non-human origin (e.g., CHO cells). Of the human cells available, many were isolated from adults, or derived from a pool of donors (e.g., HBEC-5i). Here we demonstrate, for the first time, the successful isolation of blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) from frozen stabilates of peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from small-volume peripheral blood samples from paediatric malaria patients. BOECs are a sub-population of human endothelial cells, found within the peripheral blood. We demonstrate that these cells express receptors such as Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1/CD54), Endothelial Protein C Receptor (EPCR/CD201), platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1/CD31), Thrombomodulin (CD141), and support adhesion of P. falciparum IEs.


The essay examines the threats and challenges that Finland has perceived first from imperial Russia, then from the Soviet Russia and now from the Russian Federation. Apart from studying the dynamics of Finland–Russia relations, it looks specifically at the Finnish responses for ensuring its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity in general and the self-defence strategies adopted by Finland in dealing with potential threats from Russia in particular. This is done in the context of Paul Schroeder's categorization of self-defence strategies.


The present study tests the hypothesis that the habitat of the globally extinct aurochs Bos primigenius was primarily riverine flat-lands. Landscape features in Britain were analyzed for sites with Late Pleistocene and postglacial finds of aurochs (n=188), and, for comparison, wolf (101), brown bear (96), red deer (73), beaver (68), roe deer (46) and moose (23). Find sites were defined as Ordnance Survey 1 km map squares containing 1 or more finds. For each, spot height above sea level, heights of contour lines, flatness of terrain, total length of watercourses, and presence of woods, rock and water features were noted. Comparisons of find sites among species (Kruskal-Wallis test) show significant differences that accord with knowledge of present-day habitat preferences at the landscape level. Considering the species separately each find site was then compared with a randomly selected control map square within 10 km. Compared with their respective control squares, find sites of beaver have, today, a stronger association with presence of lakes; those of brown bear and wolf with presence of cliffs and rock outcrops; and those of aurochs with absence of woodland and with lower elevation and greater flatness. The concordance of these findings with the present-day habitats of the extant species suggests valid inferences can be made about the habitat preference of the extinct aurochs. On this basis the aurochs appears, as hypothesized, to have selected low-lying, flat ground, which (indicated by its present-day use for purposes other than woodland) was relatively fertile.


In order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial vulvovaginitis (VV) in preschool children with urinary tract diseases, we conducted the prospective controlled study of 86 patients aged 3–6 years, of which: group 1 (n = 21) – VV; group 2 (n = 20) – VV against the background of chronic pyelonephritis with exacerbation; group 3 (n = 20) – VV against the background of acute pyelonephritis; group 4 (n = 25) – VV with dismetabolic nephropathy. Depending on the method of correction, the patients were divided into those that received standard treatment and those that received combined treatment with the use of a bacteriophage complex. It was revealed that chronic forms of VV prevailed in all groups, but when combined with urinary tract diseases (groups 2, 3, 4), the incidence of synechia of the labia minora was significantly increased. It was established that the number of relapses of VV after the combined treatment is significantly lower than after the standard treatment.Inflammatory urogenital diseases in girls are characterized by a high rate of relapse. The combination therapy of VV, including the use of a bacteriophage complex, improves the condition of the vaginal biotope, prevents the persistence of the infection.


Adequate folic acid intake is an effective dietary-based prevention tool for reducing the risk of neural tube defects. Achieving adequate intake for the prevention of neural tube defects frequently requires the consumption of foods fortified with folic acid and/or the use of folic acid-containing dietary supplements. To date, research on the potential for adverse effects of high intakes of folic acid has been limited. Without such research, it is difficult to define a value for high intake. In May 2015, an expert panel was tasked with examining the available scientific literature and making research recommendations within 4 general categories of potential folate-related adverse health effects: cancer, cognition in conjunction with vitamin B12 deficiency, hypersensitivity-related outcomes, and thyroid and diabetes-related disorders. This article summarizes the expert panel's conclusions, outlines the challenges faced when reviewing the literature, and examines some of the panel's recommendations for research.


This research assesses the effects of audience on the voice and persuasive processes of student writers and records the changes in students' concepts of their voice and powers of persuasion and the effects of audience specification on students' motivation. O'Haynes' peer-reviewed study used quantitative and qualitative procedures to determine the effects of audience specification on the writing and attitudes of three classes of first-year college writers at a small university. As a result of this study and years of research and teaching experience, O'Haynes advises the use of a variety of specified audiences in the writing classroom and recommends that all student-writing, aside from journal-writing, have a definite audience. Asking students to imagine an audience does not promote audience awareness. O'Haynes questions teaching theories that put emphasis on writing process, written product, or audience analysis in the absence of a viable audience—the primary purpose of all written communication.


Evaluation of information systems is crucial in solving challenges, informing policy and measuring return on investments in information systems. This paper carries out a systematic literature review in the evaluation of interoperability in health information systems and utilizes the parsimonious Delone and Mclean Success Model to present its findings. Key among the evaluation measures identified were standardization, scalability, security and privacy, data consistency, Vendor support, system efficiency and quality of care. The review further identified organizational interoperability as an area that has been understudied by evaluation studies and therefore calls for more research in areas like organizational structure, leadership support and politics. This paper contributes to both research and practice by identifying areas and measures to be adopted while carrying out evaluation of interoperable health information systems.


Human mind is interested to collect information's which in turn, is converted to knowledge by interconnecting it with known concepts and skills to achieve a goal. Knowledge facilitates predicting, adapting and controlling both physical, social and change phenomena. Application of knowledge yields expertise, analytical or experiential insights to constitute instances of wisdom. However, knowledge does not exist objectively. The validity and use of knowledge depends upon the ideological perspective for development of information. Knowledge reflects the dominant ideology in the society and has the power to contribute to social transformation. It is therefore, a major social responsibility to ensure socially transformative knowledge development and dissemination. Such development is important for a profession with social responsibility at its core, such as Social work. Higher education institutions have major role to play in development of Social work student's knowledge. Labour legislation subject is pertaining to the legal implications about labour welfare and industrial relations. It is presumed to be a difficult subject for the students who perceived their under graduation in other than English medium. It is needed for the teachers to adopt innovative pedagogy while teaching technical subjects which include abbreviations, calculations, reasoning, analogy etc. an innovative pedagogy will give a permanent solution to the students learning problems. This paper studies the impact of consistent learning pedagogy to facilitate slow learners to improve the learning ability in Labour Legislation Subject in Social Work Education through analyzing the factors like Gender, Learning Capacity, Medium of education and Average Hours of study.