Intraoperative patient registration may significantly affect the outcome of image-guided surgery (IGS). Image-based registration approaches have several advantages over the currently dominant point-based direct contact methods and are used in some industry solutions in image-guided radiation therapy with fixed X-ray gantries. However, technical challenges including geometric calibration and computational cost have precluded their use with mobile C-arms for IGS. We propose a 2D/3D registration framework for intraoperative patient registration using a conventional mobile X-ray imager combining fiducial-based C-arm tracking and graphics processing unit (GPU)-acceleration. The two-stage framework 1) acquires X-ray images and estimates relative pose between the images using a custom-made in-image fiducial, and 2) estimates the patient pose using intensity-based 2D/3D registration. Experimental validations using a publicly available gold standard dataset, a plastic bone phantom and cadaveric specimens have been conducted. The mean target registration error (mTRE) was 0.34±0.04 mm (success rate: 100%, registration time: 14.2 s) for the phantom with two images 90° apart, and 0.99±0.41 mm (81%, 16.3 s) for the cadaveric specimen with images 58.5° apart. The experimental results showed the feasibility of the proposed registration framework as a practical alternative for IGS routines.


A case of Moebius syndrome with bilateral aplasia of the medial and lateral recti is reported. The fibrous bands that replaced the medial recti were inserted posteriorly on the globe resulting in a restrictive large angle esotropia. Surgical intervention resulted in alignment in the primary position. The present case favors a primary mesodermal dysplasia of the extraocular musculature in Moebius syndrome.


Peace-building is longer-term mission to secure peace by dealing with the origin causes of a potential or past conflict. The peace will last only if corresponding, long-term action is taken to eliminate the basis of the conflict. Peace-building is especially important and difficult for the United Nations is that such conflicts the root causes are internal issues. Peace-building operations are complex and difficult. Peace-building process should include: establishment and maintenance of law and order, providing humanitarian assistance such as repatriation and reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons, performance of basic civil administrative functions, development of local democratic political institutions, and the building of infrastructure and civil society, and economic reconstruction and development.


Neuropathies are very common in the population over 65 years old and their prevalence increases with age. The prevalence of polyneuropathies is about 7% in the elderly. However, other possible neuropathies should not be overlooked. Diabetes mellitus is the first cause of neuropathy in the world. Beyond 80 years-old, the risk of finding no etiology is about 40% but it implies a minimum initial explorations. A vitamin deficiency, a dysimmune or even hereditary cause should be eliminated in the elderly subject, keeping in mind the characteristics of age. We propose a review of the different forms of neuropathies by emphasizing the clinical or electrophysiological particularities of the elderly.


This paper presents the application of free/open source software
(FOSS) for teaching and learning one specific topic in Supply
Chain Management (SCM) course. In the last few years, there is
abundant FOSS for educational tools. However, educator still
faces problems to implement such an education FOSS for
improving the quality of education i.e. customizing of software
function, developing of a specific educational media, and
illustrating of a course content. The purpose of this research is to
design an educational tool for increasing efficiency in conveying
subject matter especially distribution problem. It has a module of
real distribution problem in commodity paddy was captured. We
crated an interactive Web-based application by using WSDL,
PHP and My SQL, and SOAP. The result of the research will be
able to improve the pedagogic approach for learning of SCM
course.
Keywords:
Educational tool, FOSS, interactive media, SCM course.


Background. The value of routine MRI follow-up after surgical treatment of musculoskeletal soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) is controversial. Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of MRI-based surveillance for musculoskeletal STS represented by the proportion of local recurrences (LRs) discovered by MRI versus clinically, stratified by imaging surveillance intensity; the characteristics of LRs detected on imaging versus clinically; and the impact of imaging surveillance on survival. Evidence Acquisition. Multiple electronic databases were searched systematically through November 2022 for controlled trials and cohort studies on the usefulness of MRI-based surveillance for musculoskeletal STS. The risk of bias was assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Random effects meta-analyses of the proportion of LRs discovered by MRI as opposed to clinically were conducted. The association of low- versus high-intensity surveillance (high intensity was defined as at least one local surveillance imaging examination for low-risk tumors and at least three for high-risk tumors during the first 2 posttreatment years) with the proportion of LR detected on MRI was assessed with a chi-square test of subgroup differences. Evidence Synthesis. A total of 4821 titles and abstracts were identified, and 19 studies were included. All studies were retrospective cohorts. There was substantial variability in follow-up approaches. The risk of bias was moderate in 37% and high in 63% of studies. The pooled proportion of LRs detected on MRI was 53% (95% CI, 36-71%) with high-intensity surveillance and 6% (95% CI, 3-9%) with low-intensity surveillance (p < .01). Comparison of LR characteristics (size, depth, grade, location, margins) detected on imaging versus clinically identified inconsistent results between studies. Trends toward better survival for imaging-detected LRs or more frequent imaging use were noted in four studies. Conclusion. When used at a high intensity, MRI-based surveillance can detect many clinically occult LRs, although the studies are small, occasionally conflicting, and often of poor quality. A survival benefit could be associated with imaging use, but further research is needed to evaluate the causality of any observed survival differences. Clinical Impact. MRI-based surveillance after surgical treatment of musculoskeletal STS is useful to detect clinically occult LRs and could improve patient outcomes.


What are "traditional" districting principles? The meaning of that term is critical to curbing abusive districting practices, because states must redistrict according to those criteria to defeat claims of racial gerrymandering. Yet, the Supreme Court has never identified those criteria explicitly or the qualities that make a criterion "traditional." Exploiting the Court's failure to intelligibly define traditional redistricting criteria, conflicted interests are attempting to define that term in service of their private interests at the expense of the public's. For example, legislatures pushing redistricting plans that would advantage certain parties or incumbents claim that those districting objectives are "traditional"—and must be judicially protected—by relying on anecdotal examples of a state having used them.

This Article proposes a definition of "traditional" districting criteria that would both reduce such abuse and stay faithful to the commonly understood meaning of that word: widely accepted as standard practice. Under this alternative, which we call the empirical definition, a criterion is "traditional" only if a majority of states require or allow it and fewer than a quarter prohibit it in state constitutions, statutes, or legislative guidelines. According to the empirical definition and our database of redistricting laws in the fifty states, compactness, contiguity, equal population, and preserving county and city boundaries are traditional criteria. Among others, partisan advantage, incumbent protection, and preserving communities of interest are nontraditional. The empirical definition would not only curb abusive districting, but also reduce the influence of undesirable judicial activism over redistricting by binding judges' discretion to an objectively discernible definition of "traditional" criteria.

In addition to practical gains, the empirical definition is also validated by constitutional theory. Responding to concerns of judicial legislation, we argue that the empirical definition merely defines a central element of redistricting law, which the Supreme Court has failed to, according to the public will and the Court's requirement of traditionality. The empirical definition also advances a constitutional principle that courts purport, but often fail, to follow: redistricting must not unduly discriminate against any candidate. In the status quo, courts would uphold discriminatory criteria such as incumbent protection if they are applied consistently to all electoral districts in a state. Moreover, the courts' "consistent application" approach would contradict their own precedents by incorrectly deeming certain criteria to be nontraditional, such as the contiguity principle. The empirical definition would neither commit such self-contradiction nor condone abusive redistricting on condition that everyone suffer from it.


Large capacity of wind generation is expected to be installed across Great Britain by 2020. Wind generation is variable, therefore fast ramping generation plants will be required to balance electricity demand. Gas-fired generation plants will most likely be used to compensate for wind generation variability because of their ramping capability and large installed generation capacity. This will cause comparable gas demand swings in the gas network as wind varies. A combined gas and electricity network optimisation model (CGEN) is used to quantify impacts of wind variability on gas network operation. Analysis is performed on mitigation measures such as greater dual fuel capable gas-fired power plants and gas storage capacity in order to reduce gas network constraints and provide alleviation against wind generation variability.


We present the first Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) catalog of long-term γ-ray transient sources (1FLT). This comprises sources that were detected on monthly time intervals during the first decade of Fermi-LAT operations. The monthly timescale allows us to identify transient and variable sources that were not yet reported in other Fermi-LAT catalogs. The monthly data sets were analyzed using a wavelet-based source detection algorithm that provided the candidate new transient sources. The search was limited to the extragalactic regions of the sky to avoid the dominance of the Galactic diffuse emission at low Galactic latitudes. The transient candidates were then analyzed using the standard Fermi-LAT maximum likelihood analysis method. All sources detected with a statistical significance above 4σ in at least one monthly bin were listed in the final catalog. The 1FLT catalog contains 142 transient γ-ray sources that are not included in the 4FGL-DR2 catalog. Many of these sources (102) have been confidently associated with active galactic nuclei (AGNs): 24 are associated with flat-spectrum radio quasars, 1 with a BL Lac object, 70 with blazars of uncertain type, 3 with radio galaxies, 1 with a compact steep-spectrum radio source, 1 with a steep-spectrum radio quasar, and 2 with AGNs of other types. The remaining 40 sources have no candidate counterparts at other wavelengths. The median γ-ray spectral index of the 1FLT-AGN sources is softer than that reported in the latest Fermi-LAT AGN general catalog. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that detection of the softest γ-ray emitters is less efficient when the data are integrated over year-long intervals.


In this paper, we present a novel approach to generate Alloy code from Natural Language (NL) constraints. The proposed research is basically an extension of two projects, NL2OCL and UML2Alloy.Our method uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Model Transformation (MT) to transform constraints expressed in NL to Alloy. We do not directly transform NL to Alloy, instead we use multiple intermediate translations such as NL2SBVR and SBVR2OCL and finally OCL2Alloy. Such intermediate translations help us to monitor the whole process of translation and produce intermediate artifacts such as OCL constraints, which can be used for documentation purposes. and ensure that actual semantics of NL have been transformed to Alloy. The generated Alloy code can then be used to check if the original NL constraints are consistent. We also introduce the use of OMG's standard SBVR in translation of NL to formal languages. The NL2Alloy approach is also implemented as an Eclipse plugin.


This tracer study determined the employment status of BS Computer Science Graduates of LPU from 2004-2009. It also assessed the relevance of BSCS curricula, knowledge, skills and work values acquired by the graduates relevant to their employment; identify the personal and professional characteristics and job placement of Computer Science graduates and the school related factors associated with their employment. The findings of the study served as the basis of the researcher to improve, update or enhance the curricula of BSCS program to make this more responsive to the needs of fast changing technology. There were 85 percent of the surveyed respondents who were gainfully employed; majority have professional, technical and supervisory position, landed on their first job related to their course completed, obtained their first jobs in less than 1 year; stayed in their first job more than 1 year, career challenge, salaries and benefits are the prime reasons for changing the job and lack of work experience is the number 1 problem they encountered when looking for a job. Information Technology and communication skills developed by LPU were considered very much useful to the present work of the respondents. Work related values like love for God, supportiveness, courage, tolerance and perseverance were also deemed very much useful to the present employment of the respondents. The proposed program of the study focused on academic development, employment opportunity and enhancing leadership capability of Computer Science graduates. It is strongly recommended that the graduating students before graduation must be given ample time to experience pre – employment examinations and interviews. Faculty development trainings must be given to the faculty members teaching professional subjects. As to general Education Subjects, Mathematics and Language subjects must also be strengthened. All Offices and Departments must continue to improve their services towards the attainment of maximum customer satisfaction.


The development of total pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in the subhuman primate, Macaca mulatta, was investigated in brain, liver, kidney cortex, and skeletal and cardiac muscle. Newborn primates delivered prematurely at 135 days of gestation had only 32% of this enzyme activity present in the brain compared to the full-term animal. Full-term animals were similar to adults. All tissues showed high activities of enzyme at 1 year of age compared either with neonates or adults. Kidney cortex showed an increase in activity from 807 +/- 74 mumol/g/min in prematurely delivered neonates to a maximum of 3,769 +/- 275 mumol/g/min in 1-year-old animals. The results are discussed in relation to the developing energy requirements of the tissues concerned.


Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is one of the most common diseases that occur in children throughout the world. Salivary proteins such as lactoferrin (LF) can play an important role in the etiology and prevalence of oral diseases and in the development of dental caries. LF has demonstrated a strong action against Streptococcus mutans. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of LF as a caries prediction test that can be used as a biomarker in children with ECC. Unstimulated saliva was collected from 28 children (14 caries-free and 14 with ECC; age range, 3–6 years) using a disposable plastic pipette and inserted into a tube separator sample. The saliva samples (minimum, 2 ml) were taken from under the tongues of the children. The levels of LF in the saliva were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Significant differences in LF levels between the children with ECC and the caries-free children were ascertained using the Mann Whitney U test. The LF levels were significantly higher in the children with ECC compared to those without caries (p = 0.006). This study shows that lactoferrin can be used as a biomarker to detect ECC. Clinical article (J Int Dent Med Res 2020; 13(4): 1519-1522)


The main goal of our target article was to provide concrete recommendations for improving the replicability of research findings. Most of the comments focus on this point. In addition, a few comments were concerned with the distinction between replicability and generalizability and the role of theory in replication. We address all comments within the conceptual structure of the target article, and hope to convince readers that replication in psychological science amounts to much more than hitting the lottery twice.


156 Spinal Ultrasound to Facilitate Neuraxial Anesthesia in Obese Parturients: A Comparison Between the Transverse and Longitudinal Plane Abstract Type: Original Research Paul Sahota, M.D.; Jose CA Carvalho, M.D., Ph.D.; Mrinalini Balki, M.D.; Cristian Arzola, M.D., M.Sc. Mount Sinai HospitalType: Original Research Paul Sahota, M.D.; Jose CA Carvalho, M.D., Ph.D.; Mrinalini Balki, M.D.; Cristian Arzola, M.D., M.Sc. Mount Sinai Hospital Introduction: Spinal ultrasound (US) in the transverse median plane (TM) may underestimate the distance to the epidural space in obese pregnant women, most likely due to compression of the subcutaneous (SC) tissue(1).The superior image quality in the longitudinal paramedian plane (LP) may allow better imaging with less compression,and therefore increase accuracy.This study was conducted to test this hypothesis. Methods: With REB approval and informed consent, we recruited obese pregnant women undergoing epidural/CSE analgesia.Ultrasound imaging was performed with a 5-2 MHz curved probe to identify the insertion point and the distance from the skin to the epidural space (UD) in the LP and TM planes.The UD was measured with the least possible compression of the SC tissue. An anesthetist blinded to the UD performed the epidural/CSE at the pre-determined insertion point,and marked the distance from the skin to the epidural space (ND).The agreement between UD and ND in both TM and LP planes was calculated using the Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC). Bland-Altman analysis was used to determine the 95% limits of agreement (LOA) between UD and ND. Results: We studied 45 women: 19 class I,12 class II,14 class III.The UD-LP was 6.4±1.2cm,UD-TM 6.4± 1.1cm,and ND 6.5±1.4cm (mean±sd).The quality of imaging was good in the LP and in the TM plane in 88.6% and 72.7% of women respectively.The success of the insertion point was 95.6% with a median number of 1 re-direction (p25-p75=0-3).The CCC between UD-LP and ND was 0.877(95% Cl:0.811-0.943), and that between UD-TM and ND was 0.891 (95% CI:0.834-0.948), with 95% LOA of -1.364 to 1.092cm and -1.248 to 1.023cm respectively (Figure).The CCC between UD-LP and UD-TM was 0.965(95% CI: 0.945-0.985) with a 95% LOA of -0.630 to 0.583cm. Discussion: In obese women,the quality of spinal US imaging in the LP plane is superior to that in the TM plane. The UD in the LP and TM planes show strong correlation and can be used interchangeably,which is useful when the image quality in the TM plane is poor. The optimization of the spinal US technique with less compression of the SC tissue Results in excellent correlation between UD and ND in both planes.However,the LOA of this correlation are as wide as in a previous study in which the optimization was not used (1).Caution should be exercised when using UD as a guide for ND, and an error of up to 1.4 cm should be expected. References:1) Anesth Analg 2009;108:1876-81


Toxoplasmosis is a potentially fatal complication after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Pre-transplant seropositivity of graft recipient to Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) is an important factor for disease reactivation after HCT. As toxoplasmosis epidemiology varies all over the world, we performed a Polish nationwide retrospective cohort study to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in donors and pediatric allogeneic and autologous HCT recipients and the incidence of clinically evident toxoplasmosis in this patient group. Polish adult donors had higher anti-T. gondii seroprevalence than Polish pediatric donors (28% vs 8%; OR = 4.4; p = 0.02) and allo-HCT recipients (28% vs 17%; OR = 1.9; p = 0.01). Clinically apparent disease occurred in 1% of allo-HCT recipients: it was diagnosed by PCR as cerebral and/or ocular toxoplasmosis and successfully treated with antiprotozoal therapy. Regarding current practice, no prospective screening for infection of T. gondii in pediatric HCT centres is being performed, but, vast majority of HCT pediatric patients are receiving anti-T. gondii active prophylaxis. Since pre-HCT T. gondii serology was not assessed in all HCT; recipients, we propose this test should be a standard practice. Standardisation of management with infection of T. gondii in children after HCT is needed.


The purpose of the study was to find out the job satisfaction of teachers in Kathmandu district. This research was conducted among the population of teachers working in public secondary schools of Kathmandu district, focusing on job satisfaction. This study was based on a cross sectional survey method. To measure the teachers' job satisfaction, the researcher employed the questionnaire developed by him. The reliability and validity of the tool was ensured by the test retest method. The teachers who had been teaching Mathematics, English, Science, Computer and Social Subjects were not found satisfied. Except Nepali and mixed subject teachers, majority of all subject teachers were found neither satisfied nor dissatisfied whereas the majority of Science and Computer teachers' was seen in a satisfied category.


Optofluidic devices are of high interest for online monitoring and analyzing biochemical targets in water by integrating the complex on-chip pretreatment of target analytes and spectral analysis. Compared with the traditional bulk equipment, versatile optical detection and biochemical analysis are more easily integrated on an optofluidic chip, which promotes the development of on-chip real-time rapid detection and monitoring. Here, we report an optofluidic platform for online monitoring total phosphorous in water by absorption spectrometry, which naturally combines the merits of both the photo-Fenton effect and microfluidics to realize the rapid on-chip digestion of phosphate at room temperature and normal pressure. The functional cells for chromogenic reaction and optical absorption detection are, respectively, fabricated on the platform to analyze the content of total phosphorus in surface water. In the experiment, the on-chip digestion time of phosphate is dramatically declined to 8.6 sec, and thus, the detection time is greatly shortened to a few minutes. The detection range of total phosphorus is demonstrated as 0.005–1.00 mg L−1, which satisfies the detection requirements of most environmental water samples. Its availability for measuring the total phosphorous in real water samples is also verified. Predictably, this platform is adapted to on-chip analysis of many other biochemical targets in water.


Portable concrete barriers (PCBs) are commonly used to protect work-zone personnel and to shield motorists from hazards in construction areas. It is not uncommon to encounter longitudinal gaps within PCB installations resulting from the practice of constructing and connecting the barriers from different ends during setup or contractor operations. Longitudinal gaps can also be created by tensioning issues following an impact event. These gaps can range from 6 in. to a full barrier segment length of 12.5 ft. Longitudinal gaps between adjacent installations of PCB systems pose a serious safety concern for the errant motorist. Therefore, a need existed to develop a treatment capable of shielding the longitudinal gaps that occur between adjacent installations of PCB systems. In this research, design concepts for the gap-spanning hardware were conceived, and two design concepts were selected for further investigation and refinement through LS-DYNA computer simulation. Based on simulation results and input from the Midwest Pooled Fund Program member states, the design concept utilizing nested thrie-beam spanning the gap was chosen for full-scale crash testing under Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware 2016 (MASH 2016). Two tests were conducted to MASH test no. 3-11 to evaluate the length of need of the system, as well as the transition from the gap-spanning hardware to the PCBs. In both tests, the 2270P vehicle was contained and safely redirected. Recommendations are provided for system implementation and future installation with current PCB systems.


CONTENTS I. β-Substituted propionic acids 839 II. Esters of β-substituted propionic acids 840 III. Amides of β-substituted propionic acids 841 IV. Nitriles of β-substituted propionic acids 841 V. Alkylations with the aid of β-substituted propionic acids and their derivatives 843 VI. Mechanism of β-eliminations 844


Recent scaling up of POMDP solvers towards realistic applications is largely due to point-based methods which quickly provide approximate solutions for medium-sized problems. New multi-core machines offer an opportunity to scale up to much larger domains. These machines support parallel execution and can speed up existing algorithms considerably. In this paper we suggest several ways in which point-based algorithms can be adapted to parallel computing. We overview the challenges and opportunities and present experimental evidence to the usability of our suggestions. Our results show that the opportunity lies mainly in parallelizing at the algorithmic level, not at the point-based backup level.


Pulsed ESR-based Electron Spin Transient Nutation (ESTN) spectroscopy has been extended to field-swept two-dimensional fine-structure ESR spectroscopy in non-oriented media. 2D ESTN spectroscopy inherent in the nature of pseudo zerofield time-domain spectroscopy intensifies resolution enhancement in terms of spin identification for high-spin mixed fine-structure spectra. The resolution enhancement intrinsic to 2D ESTN spectroscopy does not require cw fine-structure spectra of high quality. Some theoretical aspects of ESTN spectroscopy are discussed. Also, unequivocal and experimental identifications of molecular spin quantum numbers for fine structure spectra in non-oriented media are exemplified.


In theory, there are analogous transformations of light's spin and orbital angular momentum [Allen and Padgett, J. Mod. Opt. 54, 487 (2007)]; however, none have been observed experimentally yet. In particular, it is unknown if there exists for the orbital angular momentum of light an effect analogous to the spin angular momentum-based optical rotation; this would manifest itself as a rotation of the corresponding Hermite-Gauss mode. Here we report an experimental search for this effect in a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer, using strongly focussed, spin-orbit coupled light. We find that the relative phase velocities of the orbital modes constituting the Hermite-Gauss mode agree to within 10(-5).


In this chapter, Ronny Gey, Sarah Langer, and Andrea Fried draw attention to the actual enactment of standards in organizations. They describe a software developing project of the crane manufacturer CraneSolutions which is confronted with a situation where no standards are directly suitable for its niche products. The case of CraneSolutions is a striking example of mainly attentive deviance from standards. The chapter analyses how the organization succeeds in committing to standards while deviating from them attentively. Based on a structurationist framework, the analysis of CraneSolutions enables understanding of the enactment of standards as represented in the interpretative schemes, the facilities, and the social norms of the organization. Moreover, the authors explain organizational deviance from standards as a way of how organizations deal effectively with emerging asymmetries and contradictions during the enactment of standards. This chapter represents one of the two commitment-oriented types of organizational deviance introduced in the book.


Background: Although numerous studies are conducted every year on how to reduce the fatality rate associated with sepsis, it is still a major challenge faced by patients, clinicians, and medical systems worldwide. Early identification and prediction of patients at risk of sepsis and adverse outcomes associated with sepsis are critical. We aimed to develop an artificial intelligence algorithm that can predict sepsis early. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of an observational cohort study from the Intensive Care Unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. A total of 4,449 infected patients were randomly assigned to the development and validation data set at a ratio of 4:1. After extracting electronic medical record data, a set of 55 features (variables) was calculated and passed to the random forest algorithm to predict the onset of sepsis. Results: The pre-procedure clinical variables were used to build a prediction model from the training data set using the random forest machine learning method; a 5-fold cross-validation was used to evaluate the prediction accuracy of the model. Finally, we tested the model using the validation data set. The area obtained by the model under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.91, the sensitivity was 87%, and the specificity was 89%. Conclusions: This newly established machine learning-based model has shown good predictive ability in Chinese sepsis patients. External validation studies are necessary to confirm the universality of our method in the population and treatment practice.


Seismic full waveform inversion (FWI) has been applied to simple elastic problems with certain symmetries, such as isotropic, transverse isotropic or vertical transversely isotropic media. In this study, the FWI concept is extended to the most general anisotropic case with 21 independent elastic material parameters and no symmetry plane (triclinic). Beside a short description of the 3-D finite-difference scheme to solve the forward problem and the FWI optimization algorithm, we present a sensitivity study for a simple anisotropic medium. This test problem consists of a homogenous triclinic anisotropic full space, which contains 21 spatially separated spheres. In each sphere one component of the elastic tensor deviates by 5 per cent from the background medium. The resolution of the different spheres, ambiguities between the different elastic parameters, as well as the effect of the acquisition geometry can be systematically investigated. Due to the high computational costs of the triclinic forward problem a few compromises have to be made regarding the acquisition geometries. Point sources are replaced by plane wave sources which lead to a limitation of incidence angles and therefore a strong decrease in resolution of the nondiagonal elastic tensor components. It is shown that, despite these limitations, a tomographic acquisition geometry would be able to resolve to some extent a monoclinic symmetry via FWI. Restricting the acquisition geometries (e.g. VSP combined with reflection seismic or reflection seismic only) significantly reduces the number of resolvable tensor elements in strict dependence of the covered incidence angles.


The Lisburne Group of arctic Alaska contains coral faunas of Osagian (Early Mississippian) to Atokan (Middle Pennsylvanian) age. Beds of Osagian age have a small fauna of solitary and tabulate corals. Beds of Meramecian and very earliest Chesterian ages contain a large fauna of Ekvasophyllum spp., Faberophyllum spp., Diphyphyllum klawockensis Armstrong, D. nasorakensis Armstrong, Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) dutroi Armstrong, L. (S.) sinuosum (Kelly), L. (S.) warreni Nelson, L. (S.) lisburnensis Armstrong, Lithostrotion reiseri Armstrong, Lithostrotionella niakensis Armstrong, L. banffensis (Warren), L. mclareni (Sutherland), L. birdi Armstrong, L. pennsylvanica (Shimer), Thysanophyllum astraeiforme (Warren), T. orientale Thomson, Sciophyllum lambarti Harker and McLaren and S. alaskaensis Armstrong. Corals are rare in beds of younger Chesterian age; they include Lithostrotionella aff. L. mclareni (Sutherland), Lithostrotion (S.) ignekensis Armstrong, Syringopora spp., and a few solitary corals. Pennsylvanian (Atokan) beds of the Lisburne Group contain Lithostrotionella wahooensis Armstrong, Corwenia jagoensis Armstrong, a thick-welled syringoporoid, and Michelinia sp. The Lisburne Group limestones are cyclic and were deposited on a slowly subsiding carbonate platform. Colonial corals of Meramecian and Atokan ages are present in carbonate rocks associated with shallow-water shoaling facies. The scarcity of corals in carbonate rocks of Osagian, Chesterian, and Morrowan ages is attributed to regional temperature or salinity changes that inhibited their growth. Beds of Atokan age contain more calcareous algae and Foraminifera, indicating warmer waters. Paleoecologic analysis of the carbonate beds associated with the colonial corals of Atokan age indicates that the corals lived in clear, agitated water between oolitic tidal flats. Carboniferous corals are not known to have formed reef-like masses in arctic Alaska. End_of_Article - Last_Page 768------------


The serious morbidity and mortality of staphylococcal pneumonia in infants and children is associated with a high incidence of complications requiring surgical management. These complications include tension pneumatocele, residual pneumatocele, pneumothorax, and acute and chronic empyema. 2,11,12,14,24 Although the management of such complications has been repeatedly discussed in the past,* further emphasis is justified by the current, relatively greater, incidence of staphylococcal pneumonia 3,11-13 and the desirability of prompt definitive management of these patients by a broad segment of the profession. 18 A review of 12 recent instances of complicated staphylococcal pneumonia provides material to illustrate the importance of early drainage for such complications. We shall not attempt a detailed presentation of the clinical picture in each of the 12 patients. They varied in age from one month to 4 years, all but one being less than a year old, with an average age of 9 months. All showed empyema


Coronene and its derivatives were synthesized using methanol inside Ca2+ ion-exchanged small-pore zeolites with an 8-membered ring window, such as LTA and RHO zeolites. The polyaromatic hydrocarbon product exhibited white fluorescence under a UV light excitation, as characterized by UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence microscopic images. The formation of coronene and even larger polyaromatics from methanol could be attributed to that Ca2+ ions, unlike hydroxyl protons of acidic zeolite frameworks, effectively attract π-electron clouds of benzene rings of small polycyclic intermediates with no disruption of the aromaticity, which leads to the rapid growth of the aromatic ring system. The molecular dimensions of the resultant polyaromatic product were determined by the confined α-cages of the LTA and RHO zeolites. This phenomenon could be extended to CHA zeolite with smaller pore sizes, restricting the molecular growth more severely than the cases of the LTA and RHO zeolites.


Consider a high-dimensional data set, in which for every data-point there is incomplete information. Each object in the data set represents a real entity, which is described by a point in high-dimensional space. We model the lack of information for a given object as an affine subspace in Rd whose dimension k is the number of missing features. Our goal in this study is to find clusters of objects where the main problem is to cope with partial information and high dimension. Assuming the data set is separable, namely, its emergence from clusters that can be modeled as a set of disjoint ball in Rd, we develop a simple data clustering algorithm. Our suggested algorithm use the affine subspaces minimum distance and calculates pair-wise projection of the data achieving poly-logarithmic time complexity. We use probabilistic considerations to prove the algorithm's correctness. These probabilistic results are of independent interest, and can serve to better understand the geometry of high dimensional objects.


We have carried out the synthesis of side-chain rosin-ester-structured poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) through a combination of ring-opening polymerization and click chemistry. Rosin structures are shown to be effectively incorporated into each repeat unit of caprolactone. This simple and versatile methodology does not require sophisticated purification of raw renewable biomass from nature. The rosin properties have been successfully imparted to the PCL polymers. The bulky hydrophenanthrene group of rosin increases the glass-transition temperature of PCL by >100 °C, whereas the hydrocarbon nature of rosin structures provides PCL excellent hydrophobicity with contact angle very similar to polystyrene and very low water uptake. The rosin-containing PCL graft copolymers exhibit full degradability and good biocompatibility. This study illustrates a general strategy to prepare a new class of renewable hydrocarbon-rich degradable biopolymers.


At Hitchin there is an admirable section laid open by the deep cliff-cutting of the Great Northern Railway, which exhibits faults affecting both chalk and an old gravel which, thanks to the investigations of Mr. Seeley (in Cambridgeshire) and the independent research of Mr. Thomas McKenny Hughes (nearer Hertford), I am enabled to refer to the Boulder-clay period. There is no ambiguity in this section. The chalk rises from the railway-level in bold cliffs, 60 or 70 feet high, capped here by chalk-drift, and there by fine, yellowish, stratified gravel—the latter in certain spots, e. g. the lime-kilns, coming down almost to the level of the road, and again rising up to near the top of the cliff. The beds of chalk undulate a good deal; and the older gravel follows its curves into curious depressed spaces, both north and south of the station. These depressions are, as the section will show, due not to erosion, but to faults. The upper gravel, which fills pipes in the chalk, and everywhere caps both chalk and drift, is much more varied in its composition than the lower and older gravel; often it is a chalk-rubble, especially along the higher ground, but interstratified with gravelly loam, full of broken and worn chalk-flint. More commonly it is a darker-coloured, yellow, gravelly clay or loam; and in this latter condition it may be seen in the large deserted gravel-pit just south of the bridge for the high road from Hitchin, south of the station. Close


We investigate pivot-based translation between related languages in a low resource, phrase-based SMT setting. We show that a subword-level pivot-based SMT model using a related pivot language is substantially better than word and morpheme-level pivot models. It is also highly competitive with the best direct translation model, which is encouraging as no direct source-target training corpus is used. We also show that combining multiple related language pivot models can rival a direct translation model. Thus, the use of subwords as translation units coupled with multiple related pivot languages can compensate for the lack of a direct parallel corpus.


PURPOSE
The National Guard provides critical support both domestically and abroad with soldiers dispersed throughout America and spanning the urban-rural continuum. To determine if location-specific interventions may be needed, we compared the prevalence and severity of cannabis and alcohol use among National Guard members across localities.

METHODS
Michigan National Guard members were enrolled (N = 2,746) during drill weekends as part of a larger randomized behavioral trial. Cannabis (ASSIST; prevalence = 5%) and alcohol use (AUDIT; prevalence = 82%) were compared using hurdle regression models across locality status after adjusting for covariates.

FINDINGS
Prevalence of cannabis and alcohol use was predicted by locality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.913, 95% CI: 0.838-0.986, P = .029; AOR = 0.963, 95% CI: 0.929-0.998, P = .038, respectively), with more use in urban localities. Neither severity of cannabis nor alcohol use was predicted by locality status.

CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of cannabis and alcohol use in the National Guard is differentially elevated across localities with higher prevalence in more central, densely populated areas. Findings may inform future work considering accessibility and utilization of prevention and treatment services for Guard members across the urban-rural continuum.


Education is a key feature in the development of an agenda for a sustainable world. Education usually is associated with developing a responsible and ethical citizenship, aware of the main challenges for a sustainable development. Mathematics used to play a role as gatekeeper to achieve good educational performance. This article explores six case studies of Roma developing successful learning stories in learning mathematics. We identify five main characteristics in their educational trajectories that may explain Roma students' success in the school. This article moves forward previous studies characterizing Roma cultural features of mathematics learning, reporting stereotypes towards Roma in school. We conclude that in order to promote educational inclusion, successful stories may inform effective educational programs that, ultimately, may lead towards a sustainable education, including students from the most disadvantaged groups, as in the case of the Roma people.


Herein we report the novel synthesis of nitrile-containing naphthalimide aryl ether derivatives via transition metal-free cyanide ion-promoted nucleophilic displacement of nitronaphthalimide with alcohols or phenols. The transformation involves a one-pot reaction, which is operationally simple and mild and bereft of transition metal catalysts. This work provides a novel route for the preparation of diaryl ether derivatives.


All-color subwavelength output of lasers was demonstrated in a rationally designed organic microdisk/silver nanowire heterostructures. The dye-doped flexible microdisks served as the wavelength tunable whispering-gallery-mode lasers with low lasing thresholds, whereas the silver nanowires supported the output of the lasing mode as subwavelength coherent light sources. The wavelength of the outcoupled laser was tuned over the full visible spectrum scope owing to the flexibility of the microdisks and their compatibility with various organic laser dyes. Furthermore, a multicolor subwavelength laser was achieved in a single heterostructure and the laser output was successfully modulated by varying the surface plasmon polariton propagation length.


Objective The post-translational methylation of arginine residues by PRMT enzymes can yield asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA); which, following proteolysis is released into the cytosol and enters the circulation. Elevated plasma ADMA concentrations are recognised as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease including hypertension, atherosclerosis and stroke. In part, this is due to ADMA acting as a competitive inhibitor of the NOS enzymes reducing NO production and contributing to endothelial dysfunction. However, recently we have identified the Calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) as a target for physiological concentrations of ADMA. CaSR is a GPCR which binds both Ca2+ and amino acids, and has been shown to positively modulate NO production in endothelial cells (ECs). Our objective was to determine whether physiological concentrations of ADMA had a positive effect on NO production via CaSR stimulation. Methods Inducible CaSR overexpressing HEK293 cells (Hek-CaSR) were generated using the FLP-IN T-REX transfection method. Intracellular Ca2+ mobilisation was assessed using the Ca2+ sensitive dye CAL520, while cAMP accumulation was measured using an ELISA kit. CaSR was stimulated by Gd3+ in the presence of 10μM ADMA. ADMA-CaSR signalling in ECs was investigated using human lung microvascular ECs (HuLMVECs). NO production was assessed using the fluorescent sensor DAF-AM. The CaSR antagonist NPS-2143 was used to show specificity to CaSR signalling. Results Gd3+ releases stored intracellular Ca2+ and suppresses cAMP production in a dose dependent manner in HEK-CaSR cells. Incubation with 10μM ADMA for 1 hour prior to Gd3+ stimulation was found to sensitise CaSR and shift the dose-response curve for Ca2+ mobilisation leftward (CTRL EC50 0.16mM, ADMA EC50 0.05mM p=0.01). ADMA pre-treatment suppressed forskolin induced cAMP production to 70% of the maximal response. Ca2+ stimulation of HuLMVECs releases intracellular Ca2+ in a dose dependent manner, in the presence of 10μM ADMA maximal fluorescence is increased with no change to the EC50. Given cytosolic Ca2+ release increases NOS activity we determined whether low concentrations of ADMA (10μM) promoted NO production. At maximal CaSR stimulation ADMA increased NO production by 40% (p=0.04). Consistent with previous reports higher concentrations of ADMA (100μM) blocked NO production through inhibition of NOS. The action of ADMA was blocked by the addition of the CaSR inhibitor NPS-2143. Conclusion Physiological concentrations of ADMA increase CaSR-mediated intracellular Ca2+ release and increase CaSR-mediated suppression of cAMP synthesis. In ECs, physiological concentrations of ADMA increase Ca2+ stimulated NO synthesis. In contrast pathophysiological concentrations directly inhibit EC NO synthase. These data suggest that physiological concentrations of ADMA positively regulate vascular reactivity while high concentrations of ADMA seen in cardiovascular disease reduce vascular function through NO blockade. Conflict of interest None


Background and Purpose:Cigarette smoking has been associated with the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Even though the molecular mechanism(s) are not clear, the pathology has been related to oxygen free radicals present in cigarette smoke. Thus, the main objective of this study was to establish the changes in the oxidation/antioxidation balance induced by cigarette smoking. Methods:Thirty healthy subjects (15 smokers and 15 nonsmokers) of both sexes were studied. The smokers group had smoked a mean of 14 cigarettes per day for an average of 4.5 years. Fasting serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione (GSH), and vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids) were measured. Results:Fasting NO concentration was significantly higher in smokers (51.3 ± 5.3 μM) than in nonsmokers (35.2 ± 4.8 μM, P < 0.05). The smokers had significantly higher serum dehydroascorbic acid levels (2.4 ± 0.5 mg/dL, P < 0.03) than the nonsmokers (1.08 ± 0.08 mg/dL). No significant differences were observed in the levels of ascorbic acid, MDA, and GSH between the smokers and nonsmokers. Conclusions:Our results suggest that exposure to cigarette smoke increases NO synthesis, such that NO may act in a compensatory way as an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation. Smoking also activates other antioxidative mechanisms such as involving vitamin C. These protective mechanisms appear to be enough in preventing accumulation of oxidative products such as MDA and avoiding oxidative damage.


Background Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are more prevalent with advancing age. Worldwide trends towards longer life expectancy result in a more prevalent disease in an increasingly aged co-morbid population. Utilising enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and better preoperative assessment of patients using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) may in part mitigate the challenges of dealing with a more elderly co-morbid population. However significant challenges remain. Prehabilitation seeks to prevent injury, or minimise its impact before it occurs. This thesis describes the development and validation of a prehabilitation program in patients prior to hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases. Methodology An exercise program was developed within a laboratory and validated in 12 health volunteers. This program was then tested in a randomized clinical trial of patients prior to hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases. The measurement of liver function and prediction of post hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a challenge. Further work measuring liver function is needed, and a component of this thesis demonstrated the application of liver slicing as a model of human hepatic functioning. Results The part of this thesis demonstrates that a 4 week exercise program can deliver meaningful (1.5 ml.kg-1.min-1) improvements in the Oxygen uptake (Vo2 uptake ml.kg-1.min-1) at the anaerobic threshold (AT). Within the main component of this thesis (the randomized trial) 38 patients were randomized (20 prehabilitation, 18 standard care). 35 (25 male, 10 female) completed both preoperative assessments and were analysed. There were no differences in baseline characteristics. Prehabilitation led to improvements in the preoperative Vo2 uptake (Oxygen uptake ml.kg-1.min-1) at both anaerobic threshold (AT) (+1.5 ml.kg-1.min-1, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.2 - 2.9 ml.kg-1.min-1) and peak exercise (+2.0 ml.kg-1.min-1, 95% CI 0 – 4.0 ml.kg-1.min-1). The O2 pulse (Oxygen uptake per heart beat) at the anaerobic threshold improved (+0.8 ml.beat-1, 95% CI 0 - 1.9 ml.beat-1) and a higher peak work rate (+13 watts, 95% CI 4 – 22 Watts) was achieved. This was associated with improved preoperative QoL, with overall SF-36 increasing by 11 (95% CI 1:21) (p<0.05) and overall SF-36 mental health by 11 (95% CI 1:21)(p<0.05). Conclusions Prehabilitation can deliver improvements in CPET scores, and QoL. This may impact on perioperative outcome.


Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common risk factor for HCC. The HBV proteins can induce oncogenic or synergy effects with a hyperproliferative response on transformation into HCC. CREBH (cAMP-responsive, element-binding protein H), activated by stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is an ER-resident transmembrane bZIP (basic leucine zipper) transcription factor that is specifically expressed in the liver. In the present study, we address the role played by CREBH activated by ER stress in HBV-induced hepatic cell proliferation. We confirmed CREBH activation by ER stress and showed that it occurred as a result of/via hepatitis B virus X (HBx)-induced ER stress. CREBH activated by HBx increased the expression of AP-1 target genes through c-Jun induction. Under pathological conditions such as liver damage or liver regeneration, activated CREBH may have an important role to play in hepatic inflammation and cell proliferation, as an insulin receptor with dual functions under these conditions. We showed that CREBH activated by HBx interacted with HBx protein, leading to a synergistic effect on the expression of AP-1 target genes and the proliferation of HCC cells and mouse primary hepatocytes. In conclusion, in HBV-infected hepatic cells or patients with chronic HBV, CREBH may induce proliferation of hepatic cells in co-operation with HBx, resulting in HCC.


A unique pastoral community uses the arid rangelands of eastern Ladakh, known as Changthang, northern India. The nomadic people rear a variety of livestock such as sheep, goats, horses and yaks, which provide them with various goods and services. Nevertheless, the needs and aspirations of the people are changing. There is a trend towards increasing the livestock population, especially of a breed of goat that produces one of the finest natural fibres: Pashmina, which is the mainstay of their economy. This increase in goat population, however, is jeopardising the long‐term survival of the wild herbivores in the region, and as such is not sustainable. We present information on the current trends in socio‐economy, Pashmina production, wildlife conservation, and the conflicts of interest between wildlife and nomads in the region. On the basis of this information, we make suggestions for the conservation of natural resources in the region. We recommend preserving the historical societal norms and notions of the people, and capitalising on them to manage natural resources. We also recommend joint management of natural resources by the local people, State and non‐governmental organisations. Our findings provide a platform on which a grazing policy for the region may be formulated.


Down-regulation of hepatic beta-adrenergic receptors was indicated by a 56% decrease in the specific activity of 125I-iodocyanopindolol bound to rat liver membrane preparations from rats fed diets containing 15% of casein supplemented with cysteine, instead of methionine or unsupplemented. Down-regulation of hepatic beta-adrenergic receptors by cysteine appears to be mediated through an effect of cysteine on the tissue concentration of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). The liver tissue concentration of SAM in rats fed cysteine-supplemented diets decreased 53% compared to those fed diets supplemented with methionine. The decrease in liver SAM in rats fed the diet supplemented with cysteine appears to reflect a non-competitive inhibition of methionine adenosyl-transferase by cysteine. Lineweaver-Burk plots demonstrated a dose-related Vmax response to cysteine but did not change the apparent Km at any concentration tested.


The molecule of the title compound, [Sn(C5H5S)4], lies on a special position of site symmetry. The SnIV atom shows a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination.


Background To review the personal experience of a single surgeon over a 31 year period. Method A retrospective analysis of 7447 rhinoplasties performed by a single surgeon from 1969 to 2000. Ninety-five surgeries performed at educational courses were excluded from this series. Results During the many years of performing rhinoplasties, cartilage splitting, delivery, and external approach are among the most common techniques. In the first decade, 62% were cartilage splitting, 33% delivery, and 3% external. In the second decade, 13% were cartilage splitting, 58% delivery, and 26% external. In the third decade, 11% were cartilage splitting, 52% delivery, and 36% external. Conclusion Over a three-decade period, the techniques of the author have been influenced by national trends, training, and patient outcomes.


Single-cell multimodal profiling provides a high-resolution view of cellular information. Recently, multimodal profiling approaches have been coupled with CRISPR technologies to perform pooled screens of single or combinatorial perturbations. This opens the possibility of exploring the massive space of combinatorial perturbations and their regulatory effects computationally from the extrapolation of a few experimentally feasible combinations. Here, we propose MultiCPA, an end-to-end generative architecture to predict multimodal perturbation response at single cell level. Two mixing strategies to integrate multiple modalities are introduced and compared with existing methods. MultiCPA was also shown to accurately predict unseen combinatorial perturbation responses for multiple modalities. The code to reproduce the results is available on GitHub, theislab/multicpa.


Travel times and delays on freeways are highly dependent on the discharge rate of the bottlenecks. Consequently, it is important to model the traffic flow at bottlenecks as accurate as possible. However this is not straightforward in merge bottlenecks as the traffic flow is impacted by the acceleration, deceleration, and lane changing maneuvers induced by the merging vehicles. The interaction of these factors results in a reduced discharge rate when the bottleneck is congested compared to the discharge rate observed when the bottleneck is uncongested. This phenomenon is often referred to as capacity drop. Therefore, a traffic flow model of merge areas must reproduce the capacity drop phenomenon features including: (i) magnitude of drop in the outflow, (ii) when and how the capacity drop occurs, and (iii) how and when the bottleneck can recover nominal capacity. This can be achieved by a model able to reproduce capacity drop and the correct imputation of its parameters. Here we tackle the imputation of parameters aspect by proposing a calibration procedure that ensures the aforementioned aspects of capacity drop are captured. The procedure, based on the Multi-Objective Differential Evolution (MODE), does not require any information about the calibrated model and therefore is applicable to different models. The output contains multiple solutions in contrast to the usual single solution in single-objective optimization. Therefore, it returns multiple combinations of parameters that can reproduce the field measurements with similar level of accuracy. Unlike single objective approach, defining weights is not necessary. This is beneficial even when the ultimate goal is to find a single solution. The practitioner can inspect the model outputs of each parameter set and pick the one that suits better. Also, the multiple solutions can be used for further analysis and applications such as parameter and output uncertainty. The procedure is tested against field data of a bottleneck in which capacity drop is consistently observed based on data of 16 days. The following implementations of link transmission model (LTM) are calibrated: (a) standard LTM with no extension (capacity drop is not captured), (b) LTM with outflow reduction based on the upstream queue (density); (c) LTM with outflow reduction based on on-ramp flow, and (d) LTM with outflow reduction based on on-ramp flow and queue. In all cases the algorithm output approximate the Pareto Frontier or trade-off curve between downstream outflow and density errors. As expected, the errors are smaller as additional features are added to the model (from case (a) - no feature - to case (d) - two features); however, among the models with one additional feature ((b) and (c)), considering ramp flows had lead to smaller errors. With the multiple solutions, time-dependent upper and lower bounds of density, outflow, and travel times can be obtained by applying the model for all solutions given expected demands. Therefore a possible application is the estimation of lower and upper bounds of travel times.


Propositions Propositions belonging to the thesis, entitled:'A study on the potential of insect protein and lipid as a food source'.  Liya Yi Wageningen, 9 February 2015.High protein quality is, next to high protein content, a major argument to use insects as an alternative protein source.  (this thesis) With respect to aqueous extraction, proteins from Tenebrio molitor behave similarly as proteins from meat and fish. (this thesis) In contrast to what Pascucci & Magistris (2013) claim, consumer information is not enough to achieve consumer acceptance of novel food. Pascucci, S., & Magistris, T. d. (2013). International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 16, 1-16. Reducing environmental impact by changing human diet into a plant-based diet ( Joyce, Dixon, Comfort, & Hallett, 2012 ) will not result in meeting the increasing global food demand.Joyce,   A.,   Dixon,   S.,   Comfort,   J.,   &   Hallett,   J.   (2 012).   Journal   of Environmental and Public Health,  2012, 7. Scientific evidence and the availability of technology are not guarantees for a change in human behaviour. The statement of the Finnish writer Sebastyne Young "We all want to be extraordinary and we all just want to fit in. Unfortunately, extraordinary people rarely fit in." applies to science where generation of extraordinary knowledge results in less fitting in.


Abstract A continuous ℤ⊗TG action on a subshift of finite type consists of a subshift of finite type with its shift transformation, together with a group, G, of homeomorphisms of the subshift and a group automorphism T, so that the commutation relation σ ° g = Tg ° ∑A is any positive entropy subshift of finite type, G is any finite group and T is any automorphism of G then there is a non-trivial ℤ⊗TG action on ∑A. We then classify all such actions up to 'almost topological' conjugacy.


Understanding the role of soils in regulating water flow through the unsaturated zone is critical in assessing the influence of vegetation on soil moisture dynamics and aquifer recharge. Because of fire, introduced ungulates and landscape‐level invasion of non‐native grasses, less than 10% of original dry forest (~730 mm precipitation annually) still exists on leeward Haleakalā, Maui, Hawaiian Islands. Native dry forest restoration at Auwahi has demonstrated the potential for dramatic revegetation, allowing a unique experimental comparison of hydrologic function between tracts of restored forest and adjacent grasslands. We hypothesized that even relatively recent forest restoration can assist in the recovery of impaired hydrologic function, potentially increasing aquifer recharge. To compare restored forest and grassland sites, we experimentally irrigated and measured soil moisture and temperature with subsurface instrumentation at four locations within the reforested area and four within the grassland, each with a 2·5 × 2·5‐m plot. Compared with grassland areas, water in reforested sites moved to depth faster with larger magnitude changes in water content. The median first arrival velocity of water was greater by a factor of about 13 in the reforested sites compared with the grassland sites. This rapid transport of water to depths of 1 m or greater suggests increased potential aquifer recharge. Improved characterization of how vegetation and soils influence recharge is crucial for understanding the long‐term impacts of forest restoration on aquifer recharge and water resources, especially in moisture‐limited regions. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.


We have previously described a monoclonal antibody (mAb 135D4) to an unidentified 70- to 72-kDa African swine fever virus (ASFV) protein that exhibited high levels of neutralizing activity against various virulent ASFV isolates. Here, we identify the reactive ASFV protein as the major virus structural protein p72. In vitro-translated products of the p72 protein gene were specifically immunoprecipitated by mAb 135D4. Immunoprecipitation of a nested set of truncated p72 in vitro translation products defined the region between amino acid residues 400 and 404 as necessary for mAb 135D4 reactivity. Five partially overlapping peptides (15mers) covering residues 388-446 failed to react with mAb 135D4, suggesting the conformational dependence of the epitope. Supporting this interpretation, larger in vitro translation products representing residues 56-282, 159-361, 360-508, and 507-646 also failed to react with mAb 135D4. Consistent with its involvement in virus neutralization, immunoelectromicroscopy, using a rabbit antiserum against mAb 135D4-purified p72, located the protein on the surface of unenveloped virus particles.


BACKGROUND/AIMS
To compare effectiveness between total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) for proximal gastric cancer.

METHODOLOGY
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library and Chinese CNKI databases were searched to select eligible studies comparing TG to PG for proximal gastric cancer. Outcome measures included overall survival, recurrence, mortality and morbidity rates, as well as nutritional states. Meta-analyses were performed by RevMan 5.0.

RESULTS
One randomized controlled trial and 7 retrospective studies involving 1077 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference of 5-year overall survival rate (OR=0.89, p=0.53). However, TG achieved a lower recurrence rate (Peto OR=0.53, p=0.004). PG experienced higher morbidity risk (OR=0.11, p<0.00001), concerning higher risks of reflux esophagitis (OR=0.04, p<0.00001) and anastomotic stenosis (OR=0.14, p<0.00001) in a short period. TG performed longer operation time (p=0.002) and more blood loss (p<0.00001). Operative mortality and nutritional states were comparable without significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on current retrospective evidences, TG and PG had similar overall survival outcome for proximal gastric cancer, but TG showed lower recurrence rate. PG with gastroesophagostomy had higher incidence of reflux esophagitis and anastomotic stenosis. TG can be recommendation for proximal gastric cancer, although more high-quality trials are still expected.


The hydrothermal reaction of CuSO(4), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate (phth), and 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-yl)ethane (bime) yields the two-dimensional metal-organic framework {[Cu(5)(bime)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(phth)(4)](H(2)O)(2)}(n) (1), which is based on the pentanuclear copper(II) cluster [Cu(5)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(phth)(4)] and shows dominant ferromagnetic interactions within the pentanuclear cluster.


This study was conducted to find sensitive indicator of food intake and specific food group related to cognitive function and to analyze the pathway among factors affecting food intake and cognitive function of the aged. 179 people over 50 years old were investigated and all the data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0 package. Food frequency was more sensitive indicator to show the relationship between food intake and cognitive function of the aged than the numbers of standard amount of food eaten. Consumption of grains and starch, meat, fish, eggs and beans were strongly related to cognitive function of the aged and intake of vegetables and fruits also have relationship with it. Moreover, the more frequent eating the carbohydrate and the protein, the higher the cognitive level of the aged. Age, education period, income, blood pressure, duration after retirement, frequency of physical activity and BMI were correlated with food intake and cognitive function of the aged. Among them, age and frequency of physical activity were most strongly correlated with food intake, and education period with cognitive function of them. This investigation shows that more stable intake of carbohydrate and protein containing foods need to be supplied to low income aged and the importance of physical activity of the aged must be emphasized with food intake for better life of the aged.


BACKGROUND
While type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common condition of midlife women, few studies have examined its influence on the symptom features of menopause. To explore this relationship, we conducted a study of symptom patterns of diabetic patients using a random sample of female veterans receiving care in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare system.

METHODS
A cross-sectional comparison was conducted with three groups of postmenopausal respondents (ages 45-60 years) to a mailed national survey who also consented to clinical data access: no diabetes (n=90), diabetes with better glucose control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]≤7%, n=135) and diabetes with worse glucose control (HbA1c>7%, n=102).

RESULTS
Respondents, on average, were obese (body mass index: 33.9±0.4 kg/m(2)), 11.30±0.2 years postmenopause, with more than one chronic illness. Despite higher body mass index and increased comorbidities in women with diabetes compared with nondiabetic women, measures of mental health (anxiety, depressed mood, stress) were similar across groups. The pattern of menopause symptoms did not differ by group. Muscle aches/joint pain was the most prevalent symptom (78.6%), followed by vasomotor symptoms (74.4%). Respondents with elevated HbA1c demonstrated higher total menopausal symptom severity scores (DM-HbA1c>7: 15.4±0.8 vs. DM-HbA1c≤7%: 12.2±0.8 vs. No diabetes: 12.3±0.8; p=0.006) than the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONS
In postmenopausal female veterans with diabetes, glucose control is associated with the severity of those symptoms commonly attributed to menopause. Joint pain is an important part of the postmenopausal symptom complex in this population.


We have studied theoretically the optical properties of twist grain boundary smectics. We find many reflection bands even at normal incidence. In some of the reflection bands an incident light in any state of polarization gets strongly reflected while in some others the strongly reflected state is of a circular polarization with the same or the opposite handedness as that of the structure. At oblique incidence, depending upon the screw symmetry, a reflection band either has three sub-bands of different polarizations or is a single band of a particular polarization. We find optical diffraction for light incident perpendicular to the twist axis. The diffraction pattern is completely different for TGBA and TGBC. In addition in absorbing TGBC the pattern can even become asymmetric. From a Fourier inversion of the complex diffracted amplitudes we can evaluate in some cases the sizes of the smectic blocks and the grain boundaries.


ABSTRACT Natural granular porous media are composed of particles of varying grain shapes and grain volumes. The average grain sphericity of a finite number of grains with varying grain sphericity and grain volume is of much practical value and utility. Average grain sphericity is shown to be a function of fractional porosity and specific surface of the natural porous media as well as of specific spherical surface per unit solid volume if the natural irregular grains are replaced by fictitious spheres of equal volume as those of natural grains. These three variables can be easily measured by thin section or by thin section cum loose grain methods but the thin section method is preferred because of its greater accuracy in the whole range of size of interest, its ease and quickness, and its appli ability to consolidated as well as unconsolidated granular media.


To The Editor

Shiha et al pose a contentious question in their recent article entitled "Diagnosing coeliac disease in the elderly: a United Kingdom cohort study" (1). They muse at the necessity for active case finding of coeliac disease in the elderly, implying that the burden of breaking nutritional habits may exceed the benefits of diagnosis.
While one may concede that the adage "scientia potentia est" may not always hold true, we are inclined to disagree with the authors in this instance. Bone health is an important consideration both in the elderly and in those with coeliac disease, independently. It follows that this should be of particular concern with respect to the elderly with coeliac disease. Regarding the authors reference to the need to establish the risks of not pursuing a diagnosis, we feel their suggestion belies a lack of appreciation for the potential to recognise and prevent bone related morbidity in such patients. An audit of patients within the catchment of our tertiary level hospital in the South-East of Ireland shows that such an under-appreciation may be widespread. The British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines on coeliac disease state that patients should undergo a vitamin D level check at diagnosis (2). On reviewing our laboratory records of patients with a positive IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase for over 18 months, from January 2018 to June 2019, we found that only 14.6% of patients had their vitamin D levels checked within 6 months of a first positive result.
Coeliac disease is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture(3), and just 1 year of adhering to a gluten free diet in such patients has been shown to lead to an improvement in objective markers of bone mineral density(4). In light of this, we feel the need to express our respectful disagreement with the proposal to not seek out a diagnosis of coeliac disease in old age.Additionally, we should be reminding our clinician colleagues of its relationship with bone disease and to actively manage those patients who have multiple osteoporotic risk factors. This appears to be especially true in the case of coeliac disease given the poor compliance with guidelines in relation to vitamin D assessment in the cohort of patients within the catchment of our institution.


There is a great demand for optimization of high performance composite structures, particularly in the aerospace sector. To avoid vibrational resonance in aerospace and naval structures, laminated plates can be designed using fundamental frequency constraints. Composite panels are particularly attractive because the vibration response can be optimised by tailoring the fibre angles of different layers without incurring weight penalties. A viable alternative is to use circumferential and radial layers for optimizing fundamental frequencies. This work focuses on the application these two types of theoretical layers and investigating its efficiency, for plates with and without cutouts.


Abstract Undergraduates report a variety of reasons for not reading assigned text(s), including confusion regarding instructors' expectations, while faculty report using reading as a major instructional tool and attest to the negative consequences of students' lack of reading. To bridge this divide, we propose Task-Oriented Reading Instruction (TORI) as a theoretically-based framework which faculty can use to explicitly communicate reading goals to students, specify effective reading strategies, and align class assessments with assigned reading goals. Synthesizing educational and psychological research on effective reading, this general framework can be applied across courses and disciplines.


Tubercle bacilli were preincubated with the membrane fraction separated from casein-induced peritoneal exudate cells of guinea pigs, and subsequently exposed to exogenous phospholipase A2. Marked reduction in viable counts occurred in the incubation mixture at pH 5.6. The additional presence of cholesterol esterase, which alone was inactive, enhanced greatly the phospholipase A2-induced mycobactericidal activity of the fraction. Lipid analysis revealed degradation of phospholipids. The use of cell sap, in place of the membrane fraction, was not only ineffective in the same experimental system, but also neutralized the enzyme-induced activity of the latter. Bacteriostatic effect was also demonstrated in the enzyme-containing Kirchner semi-solid agar medium into which the bacilli were inoculated after being preincubated with the membrane fraction. An additional observation was that the mycobactericidal effect was also revealed when the artificial biomembrane (liposomes) prepared with phospholipids extracted from the exudate cells was used in place of the membrane fraction. These results support such an assumption that toxic fatty acids released from membrane phospholipids have an opportunity to kill the mycobacteria which are in close contact with the membrane.


It would be a technological feat to be able to create a system that can hold a meaningful conversation with humans about what they watch. A setup toward that goal is presented as a video dialog task, where the system is asked to generate natural utterances in response to a question in an ongoing dialog. The task poses great visual, linguistic, and reasoning challenges that cannot be easily overcome without an appropriate representation scheme over video and dialog that supports high-level reasoning. To tackle these challenges we present a new object-centric framework for video dialog that supports neural reasoning dubbed COST - which stands for Conversation about Objects in Space-Time. Here dynamic space-time visual content in videos is first parsed into object trajectories. Given this video abstraction, COST maintains and tracks object-associated dialog states, which are updated upon receiving new questions. Object interactions are dynamically and conditionally inferred for each question, and these serve as the basis for relational reasoning among them. COST also maintains a history of previous answers, and this allows retrieval of relevant object-centric information to enrich the answer forming process. Language production then proceeds in a step-wise manner, taking into the context of the current utterance, the existing dialog, the current question. We evaluate COST on the DSTC7 and DSTC8 benchmarks, demonstrating its competitiveness against state-of-the-arts.


HighLight, a file system combining secondary disk storage and tertiary robotic storage that is being developed as part of the Sequoia 200 Project, is described. HighLight is an extension of the 4.4BSD log-structured file system (LFS), which provides hierarchical storage management without requiring any special support from applications. The authors present HighLight's design and various policies for automatic migration of file data between the hierarchy levels. The performance of HighLight was compared with that of the 4.4BSD LFS implementation. The initial results indicate that HighLight's performance is comparable to that of 4.4BSD LFS for disk-resident data, and the overhead associated with accessing data from the tertiary cache is negligible.<<ETX>>


We investigate the use of a simple, discriminative reranking approach to plan recognition in an abductive setting. In contrast to recent work, which attempts to model abductive plan recognition using various formalisms that integrate logic and graphical models (such as Markov Logic Networks or Bayesian Logic Programs), we instead advocate a simpler, more flexible approach in which plans found through an abductive beam-search are discriminatively scored based on arbitrary features. We show that this approach performs well even with relatively few positive training examples, and we obtain state-of-the-art results on two abductive plan recognition datasets, outperforming more complicated systems.


To augment training data for machine learning models in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data classification and identification, this thesis focuses on the generation of realistic GPR data using Generative Adversarial Networks. An innovative GAN architecture is proposed for generating GPR B-scans, which is, to the author's knowledge, the first successful application of GAN to GPR B-scans. As one of the major contributions, a novel loss function is formulated by merging frequency domain with time domain features. To test the efficacy of generated B-scans, a real time object classifier is proposed to measure the performance gain derived from augmented B-Scan images. The numerical experiment illustrated that, based on the augmented training data, the proposed GAN architecture demonstrated a significant increase (from 82% to 98%) in the accuracy of the object classifier.


Although chemical oxygen demand (COD) is an important issue for wastewater treatment, COD reduction with microalgae has been less studied compared to nitrogen or phosphorus removal. COD removal is not efficient in conventional wastewater treatment using microalgae, because the algae release organic compounds, thereby finally increasing the COD level. This study focused on enhancing COD removal and meeting the effluent standard for discharge by optimizing sludge inoculation timing, which was an important factor in forming desirable algae/bacteria consortium for more efficient COD removal and higher biomass productivity. Activated sludge has been added to reduce COD in many studies, but its inoculation was done at the start of cultivation. However, when the sludge was added after 3 days of cultivation, at which point the COD concentration started to increase again, the algal growth and biomass productivity were higher than those of the initial sludge inoculation and control (without sludge). Algal and bacterial cell numbers measured by qPCR were also higher with sludge inoculation at 3 days later. In a semi-continuous cultivation system, a hydraulic retention time of 5 days with sludge inoculation resulted in the highest biomass productivity and N/P removal. This study achieved a further improved COD removal than the conventional microalgal wastewater treatment, by introducing bacteria in activated sludge at optimized timing.


Aims: To address, through a literature review, the management of hand burns, with emphasis on the initial care. Methods: Between February and July 2015, 30 articles selected in the databases Medline/PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and Google Scholar were reviewed. Both the English and Portuguese languages were included in the search. Selected articles were published in the last 10 years and matched the following descriptors: hand burn; hand injury; acute treatment; primary treatment; and their counterparts in Portuguese. Results: Classification of burns is displayed, including depth, extent and aggravating factors. The initial management that avoid complications such as claw hand, compartment syndrome and infection is addressed. Early procedures include occlusive dressings, escharotomy, fasciotomy, and carpal tunnel opening, followed by dressings with topical antimicrobial agents, debridement and grafting. Controversial aspects are discussed on the most appropriate time for surgical intervention, if it is necessary. Conclusions: The correct early approach to hand burns can prevent irreversible consequences. The appropriate management on hand burns includes since the initial clinical evaluation of the burned area by a general practitioner, to the realization of early procedures in order to prevent limb function loss and unnecessary future reconstructions. The high incidence of this type of burn also stresses the importance of a proper conduct.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the development in muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and strength capability of the reciprocal muscle groups in the upper arm and thigh. Subjects were 130 boys aged 7 to 18 years; 7-9 yr aged-group (n = 30), 10-12 yr (n = 30), 13-15 yr (n = 35), and 16-18 yr (n = 35). Anatomical CSAs of elbow flexors (EF), elbow extensors (EE), knee flexors (KF) and knee extensors (KE) were determined with a B-mode ultrasound apparatus. Isokinetic strength during elbow or knee extension as well as elbow or knee flexion was measured by using a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer at the pre-set constant velocity of 60 degrees/s. The effect of age associated with a significant increase in both CSA and strength with a marked increase in 13-15 yr. The elder aged-groups had a significantly higher ratio of strength to muscle CSA than in the lower aged-groups. The effect of age on EF/EE CSA ratio was not significant, but EF/EE strength ratio was the highest in 16-18 yr and the lowest in 7-9 yr. With advancing age, KF/KE CSA ratio had a tendency to increase, but KF/KE strength ratio remained almost unchanged. These results indicate that (1) children in the pre-puberty or the early stage of puberty do not develop strength in proportion to their muscle CSA, and (2) the flexors and extensors in limbs have reciprocally different growth rates in either CSA or strength even in the same region.


This paper presents a simulation method for UMTS radio link in the presence of the Rayleigh fading, for different user equipment speeds. The propagation channel simulation method is described in detail. Finally, as an application of the presented radio link simulation, some results are highlighted for different user equipment speeds and a number of interesting conclusions are highlighted.


Benign lymphadenopathy is common in the pediatric population and may be clinically striking. As in adults, lymph node evaluation in pediatric patients requires careful morphologic and immunohistochemical assessment and clinical contextualization of the findings. It is important for the pathologist to be familiar with benign and reactive conditions that may mimic malignancy. This review presents non-neoplastic or indolent processes or patterns of lymphoid hyperplasia that may be confused with or raise the differential of lymphoma, with a focus on those more commonly encountered in the pediatric/adolescent population.


BACKGROUND
Sleep deprivation is a common problem in the intensive care unit. Animal models have demonstrated that sleep deprivation alone is associated with increased mortality. We have previously shown that septic insult with sleep deprivation results in increased mortality in a murine model. The aging process is known to reduce the restorative phases of sleep. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of age on mortality with sleep deprivation during recovery from septic insult.

METHODS
C57BL/6J male mice aged 2 months (young) or 9 months (old) underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Animals were randomized to receive sleep interruption (SI) for 48 hours or standard recovery (no SI). Sham animals underwent laparotomy and cecal manipulation without puncture. SI was achieved by securing animal housing to an orbital shaker set to repeatedly cycle at 30 rpm over 120 seconds (30 seconds on/90 seconds off). The primary outcome was survival at 5 days post-CLP. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test was used to explore differences in mortality.

RESULTS
SI resulted in an increase in time awake for both light and dark cycles (p < 0.001). Mortality after CLP with SI (n = 30) was 57% and mortality after CLP without SI (controls; n = 33) was 24%. SI was associated with a greater than 3-fold increase in mortality after CLP (RR = 3.29; 95% CI, 1.42-7.63). Young mice (n = 28) had a mortality of 31% with CLP alone increasing to 67% with SI (p = 0.03). Old mice (n = 35) had a mortality of 18% with CLP alone increasing to 50% with SI (p = 0.05). There was no difference in survival between young and old mice undergoing SI (p = 0.49).

CONCLUSIONS
Sleep deprivation after septic insult increases mortality in both young and old mice. However, sleep deprivation after septic insult does not have a more profound effect on mortality in either age group. These findings suggest that sleep deprivation experienced in the intensive care unit setting during recovery from critical illness may increase mortality. This effect appears independent of increased age. Further studies evaluating extremes of age are warranted.


The main research programs in quantum gravity tend to suggest in one way or another that most (if not all) spacetime structures are not fundamental. At the same time, work in quantum foundations highlights fundamental features that are in tension with any straightforward spacetime understanding. This paper aims to explore the little investigated but potentially fruitful links between these two fields.


A stabilized photonic link has been developed that significantly simplifies X-band and Kaband signal transport for high-performance reference frequency distribution and antenna array applications. A cost-effective, integrated fiber-optic calibration technology provides long-term phase stability in the actual link used for broadband signal transport. This should directly benefit antenna array downlink applications that require signal phase alignment at a central site in order to correlate received signals. It also provides direct benefit to antenna array uplink applications that require phase alignment of all transmitted signals at the receiving target. We report the general design concepts with applicability to downlink/uplink array designs and present initial phase sensitivity tests and stabilization results.


Both spatial and temporal selection require focused attention. The authors examine how temporal attention affects spatial selection. In a dual-task rapid serial visual presentation paradigm, temporal selection of a target (T1) impairs processing of a second target (T2) that follows T1 within 500 ms. This process is the attentional blink (AB). To test the effects of withdrawing temporal attention, the authors measured concurrent distractor interference on T2 when the distractors were presented during and outside of the AB. Perceptual interference was manipulated by the similarity in color between T2 and concurrent distractors, and response interference was manipulated by the flanker congruency task. Results showed that perceptual interference was larger during the AB. Response interference also increased during the AB, but only when perceptual interference was high. The authors conclude that temporal selection and spatial selection rely on a common attentional process.


Methods have been developed for the rapid detection of C. burnetii by specific hybridization of labelled DNA probes to rickettsial plasmid DNA sequences present in clinical samples. One DNA probe detects all C. burnetii strains, while additional probes differentiate, between organisms associated with chronic or acute disease. Using these probes, C. burnetii can be identified in blood, urine, and tissue samples. The plasmid-derived DNA probes detect as few as 10(4) organisms and less than 1 ng of Coxiella DNA. Host-cell DNA has no effect on the hybridization signal from C. burnetii DNA, and these probes do not cross-react with a variety of microorganisms, including both common laboratory contaminants and organisms that cause clinical symptoms similar to those of Q fever. The sensitivity of the assay is markedly enhanced when the procedure employs the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify C. burnetii DNA. This requires construction of oligonucleotide primers to DNA sequences flanking the target region of the DNA being amplified. For C. burnetii detection, several sets of primers have been prepared. One set is derived from the QpH1 H fragment, a region that is shared by all C. burnetii plasmids (homologous sequences are also present in the plasmidless strains of C. burnetii). The H primers detect all strains of C. burnetii. To differentiate between C. burnetii strains, additional primers, specific for DNA sequences that are unique either to chronic or acute disease-related strains of C. burnetii are employed. PCR amplifies target sequences up to 10(6)-fold. When DNA hybridization is used in conjunction with PCR, the test can detect less than 10 C. burnetii cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Short- and long-term follow-up results of intima-preserving exoprosthetics of ascending aortic aneurism in 50 patients were studied. The group of control consisted of 54 patients, whom traditional linear prosthetics of ascending aortic aneurism had been performed. Time of artificial circulation and myocardial ischemia was significantly shorter in first group: 60,3±2,6 min and 21±1,7min, respectively. Patients of both groups showed no significant aortic distension postoperatively (34,5±0,7 - 36,6±0,8 mm). Thus, a dosed resection of the ascending aortic aneurism with intima-preserving exoprosthetics proved to be relatively simple and promising technique.


Aiming to develop efficient blue-emitting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) compounds, we have designed and synthesized derivatives of the well-known sky-blue emitter 2CzPN that contain electron-accepting phosphine chalcogenide groups to stabilize the HOMO level relative to the pristine compound, thus increasing the HOMO-LUMO gap and blue-shifting the emission wavelength. By cyclic voltammetry, photophysical data and quantum-chemical calculations, it was found that polar solvents and matrices validated the proposed concept, but these trends were not recovered in non-polar media. The suitability of these 2CzPN derivatives in polar matrices for optoelectronic applications was explored with electrochemiluminescence (ECL) by measuring emission delays, radical stability, emission stabilities, emission efficiencies and emission spectra. Some of the 2CzPN derivatives showed an unprecedented delayed onset of the ECL, and delayed rising time to the ECL maximum, as well as long ECL emission decay. All of these mentioned delay times suggest that these luminophores primarily emit via organic long-persistent electrochemiluminescence (OLECL) mechanisms. The derivatization of the donor groups of the emitters affected both the radical stability and the predominant emission mechanism, providing important insight into their potential as emitters in solid-state electroluminescent devices.


conflict unscathed. Still, Anderson sets this up more as an international thriller than a nuanced examination, with Abdi's redemption after being involved in atrocities too simplistic. Similarly, a happy ending where Abdi reunites with his brother, his family is delivered safely to the US, and bad guys are easily delineated from good guys clashes with the groundwork laid in previous chapters. Nonetheless, it's an exploration of a conflict overlooked in the West, and readers may appreciate the undeniably detailed action adventure. An author's note suggests that this imagining of contemporary East Africa comes from a researched but unfortunately distant perspective; a glossary of non-English terms is appended. WJ


Mer tyrosine kinase is ectopically expressed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and associated with enhanced chemoresistance and disease progression. While such effects are generally ascribed to increased engagement of oncogenic pathways downstream of Mer stimulation by its ligand, Gas6, Mer has not been characterized beyond the scope of its signaling activity. The present study explores Mer behavior following prolonged exposure to Gas6, a context similar to the Gas6-enriched microenvironment of the bone marrow, where a steady supply of ligand facilitates continuous engagement of Mer and likely sustains the presence of leukemic cells. Long-term Gas6 exposure induced production of a partially N-glycosylated form of Mer from newly synthesized stores of protein. Preferential expression of the partial Mer glycoform was associated with diminished levels of Mer on the cell surface and altered Mer localization within the nuclear-soluble and chromatin-bound fractions. The presence of Mer in the nucleus is a novel finding for this receptor, and the glycoform-specific preferences observed in each nuclear compartment suggest that glycosylation may influence Mer function within particular subcellular locales. Previous studies have established Mer as an attractive cancer biologic target, and understanding the complexity of its activity has important implications for potential strategies of Mer inhibition in leukemia therapy. Our results identify several novel features of Mer that expand the breadth of its functions and impact the development of therapeutic modalities designed to target Mer.


: A 10-week sex education program was designed for 55 students who were 14 to 15 years old. A 25-item check list of sexual concerns was given at the beginning and end of the course. The course had little effect in reducing the number of students expressing concern on listed topics, and several topics were of more concern after the course than before. The use of list to measure the impact of such programs is discussed.


In the last two decades, very-high-energy gamma-ray astronomy has reached maturity: over 200 sources have been detected, both Galactic and extragalactic, by ground-based experiments. At present, Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) make up about 40% of the more than 200 sources detected at very high energies with ground-based telescopes, the majority of which are blazars, i.e. their jets are closely aligned with the line of sight to Earth and three quarters of which are classified as high-frequency peaked BL Lac objects. One challenge to studies of the cosmological evolution of BL Lacs is the difficulty of obtaining redshifts from their nearly featureless, continuum- dominated spectra. It is expected that a significant fraction of the AGN to be detected with the future Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) observatory will have no spectroscopic redshifts, compromising the reliability of BL Lac population studies, particularly of their cosmic evolution. We started an effort in 2019 to measure the redshifts of a large fraction of the AGN that are likely to be detected with CTA, using the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). In this contribution, we present two results from an on-going SALT program focused on the determination of BL Lac object redshifts that will be relevant for the CTA observatory.


AbstractThe area of salesforce turnover has emerged in recent years as a topic of considerable interest among both researchers and managers. The problem of turnover is considered to be especially acute among new salespeople. This study investigates the relationship between organizational commitment, major facets of job satisfaction (pay, promotion, supervisor, work, and coworkers) and turnover among new salespeople from a cross-sectional as well as longitudinal perspective. Among other findings, the results indicate significant differences between stayers and leavers in their level of organizational commitment very early in their tenure with the organization.


ABSTRACT This studies were conducted to investigate the effect of holding time of broiler at slaughter house on chicken meat quality. Short holding time (1 ~ 2 hrs) increased chicken meat quality compared to long holding time (14 ~ 15 hrs), which resulted in 14% higher grade 1 + chicken. In portioned meat, short holding time (1 ~ 2 hrs) resulted in 15% higher inci-dence of grade 1 + chicken breast. Also, long holding time occurred higher PSE incidence of chicken breast. pH value of the chicken meat with short holding time was similar to that with long holding time, and that with medium holding time showed the lowest. L * (lightness) value of the chicken meat was lower with medium holding time than with short holding time, but that in muscle and skin showed increasing tendency with long holding time. Holding time showed no effect on a * (redness) of the chicken meat, but longer holding time decreased b * (yellowness) value. This indicated that long holding time adversely affected chicken meat quality.(Key words : broiler, holding time, chicken, meat quality)