We examined paraffin sections for the expression of interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, in 40 cases of Hodgkin's disease. Our purpose was to study the role of these cytokines in the "inflammatory" histological features and "B" symptoms in this disease. Immunohistochemistry with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method was used. The findings were compared with those of 20 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and of 20 non-neoplastic lymphadenopathies. Evidence for EBV infection and myc and ras oncoproteins expression was also studied in these patients, but no correlation between any of these features and cytokine expression was found. We found a significant correlation between the expression of interleukin-1 beta and several "inflammatory" histological features, as well as between the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and B symptoms and tumor bulk. The differential correlations between these major pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and the "inflammatory" manifestations in Hodgkin's disease are remarkable, considering the complexity of the cytokines composing the cytokine network involved in this disease.


Kinship terms system is one of the most common features in the world,but different countries have different kinship expressions.This paper mainly states the differences between English and Chinese kinship terms and Cultural differences between English and Chinese kinship terms.The cultural differences between English and Chinese kinship terms exist in several aspects.The causes of differences between English and Chinese kinship terms are various,and the major aspects we will consider are history,like different patriarchal clan system;worldview,like different ideas of birth and numbers of birth;different social organization and system changes of social system.


Here we study an inverse problem for a quasilinear hyperbolic equation. We start by proving the existence of solutions to the problem which is posed as the minimization of a suitable cost function. Then we use a Lagrangian formulation in order to formally compute the gradient of the cost function introducing an adjoint equation. Despite the fact that the Lagrangian formulation is formal and that the cost function is not necessarily differentiable, a viscous perturbation and a numerical approximation of the problem allow us to justify this computation. When the adjoint problem for the quasi-linear equation admits a smooth solution, then the perturbed adjoint states can be proved to converge to that very solution. The sequences of gradients for both perturbed problems are also proved to converge to the same element of the subdifferential of the cost function. We evidence these results for a large class of numerical schemes and particular cost functions which can be applied to the identification of isotherms for conservation laws modeling distillation or chromatography. They are illustrated by numerical examples.


A number of previously used logistic, n-power and other models describing the dynamics of the human population were analyzed. The proposed methods of mathematical modeling allowed to describe demographic transition dynamics of the human population in terms of its size from 0.3 to 7 billion, and determine the initial numbers of humanity and the phase portrait of that process.


In industrial application, an engine group with several engines running in parallel produces emissions, and because of its variable operation conditions and the number of engines being run, it produces great pollution. This study proposes a distributed control system (DCS) method to deal with NOx emissions from a diesel engine group. This DCS method contains several diesel engine test benches in parallel, and each engine is connected to an independent DCS unit with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, and the central processing unit (CPU) distributes controlling quantities to each DCS unit. A dimensionless parameter, coefficient of difficulty K, is introduced to evaluate the NOx conversion efficiency of each unit. A control algorithm adopting the minimum K as the optimization control object to distribute the real-time NOx conversion efficiency for each unit is presented. This DCS deNOx technology has been applied in 10-engine test benches in parallel, and the results show that the DCS method not only controls NOx emissions of the engine group within the emission standard limit but also exhibits a good economic performance for suitable NOx conversion efficiency distribution and economical urea injection dose. This DCS emission control method is suitable for multiple diesel engines running in parallel under conditions of varied speeds and loads.


The severity of COVID-19 ranges from asymptomatic subclinical infections to severe acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Patients admitted to the hospital have increased mortality rates and patients requiring intensive care have significantly increased mortality rates. Multiple factors influence these outcomes. This study used simple demographic information available on admission to evaluate possible associations between these variables and outcomes, including mortality and length of stay. Clinical outcomes in 63 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in West Texas were reviewed. Older patients, patients admitted from nursing homes, and patients admitted to medical intensive care units had increased mortality. Unadjusted analysis indicated that males had increased mortality. Adjusted analysis indicated that males spent nearly 5 days longer in the hospital than females. In summary, age, chronic illness requiring nursing home placement, and acute severe illness requiring intensive care unit admission identify patients with worse prognoses. In addition, males will likely have a longer length of hospital stay.


Lichen is a thallophyte consists of fungus (mycobiont) and alga (photobiont) in a symbiotic relationship. Lichen can grow in a variety of habitats such as trees, on the ground, even in the rock surface. As one of the subjects in the course of thallophyte botany, during this lichen was observed by the students of botanycal labolatory specimen collections that have been preserved. In fact, around on the State University of Malang Collage lichens are found growing in various habitats. Thus, the area of Malang State University Collage can be used as a natural laboratory to improve student's knowledge about the several of lichen. The study was conducted in June - July 2012 in the area of Malang State University collage area of 453 860 m2. The purpose of research is to determine the diversity of lichens in the area of Malang State University collage and its prospects as a learning resource thallophyte botany subjects. This research is a descriptive exploratory. The method which has been used is modification of Nimis's method. Lichen diversity studies based on morphological, anatomical and chemical characters. In this research found 10 species of lichen, Acrocordia salweyi , Graphis scripta , Graphis elegans , Pannoparmelia sp., Parmelinopsis subfatiscens , Parmotrema eurysacum (Hue.) Hale, Xanthoparmelia tegeta Elix, Xanthoparmelia xanthofarinosa Elix. Peltigera sp , Physcia aipolia . Based on that result, it was known that lichen diversity in State University of Malang had prospect to be applied as learning resourcesof thallophyte botany subject. Keywords : lichen diversity, thallophyte botany


Noroviruses are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis affecting people of all ages. Humans are believed to be the sole norovirus host. Among the very young, the very old, and people who are immunocompromised, norovirus infection can be severe and life-endangering. Of special concern for pharmacists in long-term care facilities, norovirus infections typically spread quickly. Norovirus is hardy in many environments, infectious in extremely low doses, and so genetically diverse and mutates so often that any immunity conferred after infection is most likely short-lived. In the last decade, norovirus epidemiology has changed significantly. Global studies show that a new pandemic strain emerges every two to four years. Concurrent diarrhea and vomiting are typical symptoms. Most people will experience a virulent bout of norovirus illness and recover within a few days, but approximately 10% experience more serious symptoms. Acute dehydration is a serious concern. Facilities need to be prepared to act quickly if norovirus breaks out.


We analyzed an eight-year multi-source longitudinal data set that followed a healthcare system in the Eastern United States as it implemented a major conflict management initiative to encourage line managers to consistently perform Personal Management Interviews (or PMIs) with their employees. PMIs are interviews held between two individuals, designed to prevent or quickly resolve interpersonal problems before they escalate to formal grievances. This initiative provided us a unique opportunity to empirically test key predictions of Integrated Conflict Management System (or ICMS) theory. Analyzing survey and personnel file data from 5,449 individuals from 2003 to 2010, we found that employees whose managers provided high-quality interviews perceived significantly higher participative work climates and had lower turnover rates. However, retention was worse when managers provided poor-quality interviews than when they conducted no interviews at all. Together these findings highlight the critical role that line mangers play in the success of conflict management systems.


With few exceptions, studies have conceived of the glass ceiling as reflecting internal promotion biases. In this article, the authors argue that glass ceiling patterns can also be the result of external recruitment and hiring processes. Using data on people applying by means of the Internet for jobs at 441 small- and medium-sized high-tech firms, they find evidence that the glass ceiling is produced by both internal and external hiring processes. On the supply side, females are sorted into lower-level job queues than males. On the demand side, screening biases against women also are evident, but a series of "what if" simulations suggest that demand-side screening processes play a comparatively minor role in producing the glass ceiling pattern. These results suggest that bias remediation policies designed to equalize gender differences in hiring chances are likely to be less effective than recruitment and outreach policies designed to improve gender disparities in candidate pools.


Preretinal and prepapillary new vessels developed in a case of severe ocular toxoplasmosis. Fluorescein angiography failed to demonstrate any area of ischemic retina. Neovascularization disappeared with medical treatment and ocular inflammation resolution.


ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the correspondence between the actions contained in the fall prevention protocol of the Ministry of Health and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) by a cross-mapping. Method: this is a descriptive study carried out in four stages: protocol survey, identification of NIC interventions related to nursing diagnosis, the risk of falls, cross-mapping, and validation of the mapping from the Delphi technique. Results: there were 51 actions identified in the protocol and 42 interventions in the NIC. Two rounds of mapping evaluation were carried out by the experts. There were 47 protocol actions corresponding to 25 NIC interventions. The NIC interventions that presented the highest correspondence with protocol actions were: fall prevention, environmental-safety control, and risk identification. Regarding the classification of similarity and comprehensiveness of the 47 actions of the protocol mapped, 44.7% were considered more detailed and specific than the NIC, 29.8% less specific than the NIC and 25.5% were classified as similar in significance to the NIC. Conclusion: most of the actions contained in the protocol are more specific and detailed, however, the NIC contemplates a greater diversity of interventions and may base a review of the protocol to increase actions related to falls prevention..


Objective: To determine the value of the dual energy computerized tomography (DECT) for detection of residual viable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods: Single-source (ss) DECT of liver was performed in adult patients who were diagnosed as HCC and treated with TACE at Siriraj Hospital during October 1st, 2013- December 31st, 2014. The diagnostic 5-point performance score of conventional liver CT imaging set (CCTI) and iodinated material density imaging set (IMDI) obtained simultaneously by using DECT, were evaluated by two radiologists. The follow up imaging at 6 months was regarded as gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated by assigned score 4 or 5 lesions as positive for the presence of HCC, assigned score 1 or 2 lesions as negative for viable tumor and assigned score 3 lesions as uncertain diagnosis. McNemar's test was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity between CCTI and IMDI. The reading time of both technique and radiation dose were recorded and the mean reading time were compared using a paired t-test. Results: Out of total 21 patients with 66 lesions, 81% were male and 19% were female with mean age 61.8 ± 10.2 years old. After monitoring for 6 months, 35 of the total 66 lesions were still viable HCCs and 31 lesions became non-viable HCCs. CCTI had excellent inter-observer agreement while IMDI had moderate agreement (K = 0.931 and 0.534, respectively). The sensitivity of CCTI and IMDI for detection of viable tumor were 88.6% and 100%, respectively (p-value cannot be computed). The specificity of CCTI and IMDI were 96.8% and 93.5%, respectively (p-value = 1.000). The mean reading time of two radiologists for CCTI was 151.2 ± 134.7 seconds and 123.2 ± 126.8 seconds for IMDI (p-value = 0.048). Total radiation dose of dynamic liver CT was 1194.22 ± 179.44 mGy cm. Conclusion: IMDI has higher sensitivity for detection of viable HCCs after TACE and consumes less reading time than CCTI.


By means of the theory of electromagnetic wave propagation and transfer matrix method, this paper investigates the band rules for the frequency spectra of three kinds of one-dimensional (1D) aperiodic photonic crystals (PCs), generalized Fibonacci GF(p, 1), GF(1,2), and Thue-Morse (TM) PCs, with negative refractive index (NRI) materials. It is found that all of these PCs can open a broad zero- gap, TM PC possesses the largest zero- gap, and with the increase of p, the width of the zero- gap for GF(p, 1) PC becomes smaller. This characteristic is caused by the symmetry of the system and the open position of the zero- gap. It is found that for GF(p, 1) PCs, the possible limit zero- gaps open at lower frequencies with the increase of p, but for GF(1,2) and TM PCs, their limit zero- gaps open at the same frequency. Additionally, for the three bottom-bands, we find the interesting perfect self-similarities of the evolution structures with the increase of generation, and obtain the corresponding subband-number formulae. Based on 11 types of evolving manners Qi (i = 1, 2, ..., 11) one can plot out the detailed evolution structures of the three kinds of aperiodic PCs for any generation.


Activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined in plasma, kidney, liver, and muscle from five species of captive birds. Few differences occurred in plasma activities between sexes but considerable differences occurred between species. All five enzymes were detected in each of the tissues sampled. Relative enzyme activities in liver, kidney, and muscle were similar for each species. CPK activitiy was much higher in muscle than in liver or kidney and, of the five enzymes studied, may be the best indicator of muscle damage. Most of the other enzymes were more evenly distributed among the three tissues, and no organ-specific enzyme could be identified for liver or kidney. Because of interspecific variations in plasma enzyme activities, it is important to establish baseline values for each species to ensure accurate interpretation of results.


Blackboard Collaborate (BC), a synchronous, multimodal platform, has been incorporated into Open University Australia (OUA) students' online learning experiences. This study sought to investigate the perspectives of 134 interdisciplinary OUA students via an online survey and follow-up interviews. Findings revealed students' positive perceptions about BC as an engaging, real-time medium for feedback exchange, knowledge sharing, and virtual community building. Despite appreciating lecturers' telepresence, some students preferred not to show faces or use voice chat and queried the expediency of the BC technology and the timing of lecturer feedback, however. This investigation highlighted the pedagogical implications of synchronous teaching in distance education.


Given the country's condition today, the 2011 military intervention by NATO in Libya is now seen as having largely been a failure. Gustav Meibauer argues that NATO's failure in that country has also now tainted the utility of no-fly zones as an intervention in such conflicts. While previously regarded as a relatively low-cost intervention that goes beyond sanctions, the relatively forceful imposition of the Libyan no-fly zone means that the policy tool is now viewed with suspicion.


In addition to the classical posterior alpha rhythm and Rolandic mu rhythm, a third type of rhythmical activity in alpha- (or sub-alpha-) frequency can be recorded over the temporal lobe and especially over the midtemporal region. This rhythm usually escapes detection in the scalp EEG but is commonly seen over bone defects ("breach rhythm"). With the use of epidural electrodes, however, this rhythm becomes quite prominent and dominates the activity of the temporal lobe unless there is excessive local EEG abnormality and/or pathology. This temporal rhythm lies in the range of 6-11/sec and thus often extends into the theta frequency range. There is no proven blocking effect; this mere fact sets it apart from posterior alpha and Rolandic mu rhythm. It is essentially a rhythm of the waking state but may linger into drowsiness and even into light NREM sleep. It is also separable from the highly controversial frontotemporal "kappa rhythm" of bygone times. EEG recordings from the depth of the temporal lobe (limbic structures) do not demonstrate such a rhythm that is likely to originate from the neocortical portion. Its neurophysiological and psychophysiological significance is enigmatic.


Background Antibiotic bacterial resistance is one of the major challenges for hospitals worldwide. Escherichia coli (E coli) is the main bacterial germ in healthcare services in our hospital. this bacteria has changed its sensitivity to different antibiotic classes remarkably in the last decades. Purpose Our objective was to study consumption of three classes of antibiotics: penicillins (amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid), cephalosporines (ceftriaxone and ceftazidim) and quinolones (ciprofloxacin), and also to study the evolution of E coli resistance to these three classes of antibiotics. Material and methods We studied consumption of the three antibiotic classes using daily defined dose (DDD) per 1000 hospitalisation days between 2006 and 2015. Also, we monitored the change in E coli resistance to these three classes between 2009 and 2015 using the WHONET 5.3 percentage of resistant strains with respect to all the strains collected. Results 3603 E coli strains were collected (57% of BGN). Consumption of the three antibiotics classes and E coli resistance to these molecules are summarised in the table. Conclusion E coli resistance to the three antibiotic classes has increased over the years. Selection pressure is one of the most important reasons for this evolution of resistance and the high antibiotic consumption. The increasing resistance of E coli to penicillins has pushed consumption towards other classes, such as the cephalosporines and quinolones, increasing consumption of these two classes which will undoubtedly accelerate the emergence of bacterial resistance phenomenon to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. Consequently, close monitoring of antibiotic consumption must be established by hospital pharmacists. References and/or acknowledgements Acknowledgements to microbiology team. No conflict of interest


The dynamic properties of positon solutions of integrable nonlinear evolution equations are studied. The intricate relation between the dynamics of the pole of a positon and the motion of the positon itself is demonstrated for the Korteweg-de Vries equation. The new features of positons of higher order are shown. The soliton-positon interaction is sketched, a comparison with some well known singular solutions of the Korteweg-de Vries equation is given and the connection between these singular solutions is shown. The extension of the analysis to positons of other nonlinear evolution equations is indicated.


Self-interference (SI) occurs if the transmission is through a multipath channel. The channel distorts helps to break the orthogonality between the spreading codes. In addition, the amplitude of linear precoded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (LP-OFDM). LP-OFDM signals have strong fluctuations. Thus, it is necessary to seek or to minimize these two problems by the reduction of term SI and the amplitude of fluctuations Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR). In this paper a new method of allocation of spreading code has proposed. It consists of a double selection of spreading codes minimizing joint SI and PAPR. Simulation results show that the LP-OFDM system is optimized by this proposal compared to the conventional solution where the systems don't operate in full load.


Although the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, the HHS9s Healthy People 2020 draft objectives and multiple professional medical societies recommend genetic counseling as the standard of care for women with family history suggesting increased risk for breast cancer, there is clear evidence that this standard is not being achieved. On the one hand, many women who are appropriate for genetic counseling are not receiving it, while on the other, many individuals are inappropriately undergoing BRCA testing. A number of factors have been identified as contributors to these poor public health outcomes, including lack of physician proficiency in genetics and lack of availability of genetic counseling services due to limited number of trained genetics professionals and their limited geographic distribution. We report a novel systematic approach implemented through a large regional health plan (approximately 500,000 members, 14,000 network providers, 112 commercial hospitals, and 58 medicare hospitals) to address these issues, and present data regarding its performance. Components of the program include: 1) implementation of a model BRCA coverage policy that follows USPSTF guidelines recommending genetic counseling, 2) increased access to genetic counseling via telephone delivery and 3) removal of financial, language, convenience and other barriers to genetic counseling services. The program was implemented in January, 2010 and data will be presented for January through September. Specific results include 1) changes in volume of BRCA testing (including by provider specialty), 2) decrease in rates of inappropriate BRCA test requests (i.e., requests not meeting national guidelines/clinical criteria for testing), 3) discrepancies in reported family history based on methods of data collection, 4) increased awareness and dissemination of genetic services in the community setting, and 5) cost-effectiveness estimates. This program may serve as a model for appropriate translation of genetic testing into public health benefit. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-10-06.


Myositis ossificans progressiva is a rare disorder of young adults characterized by ossification of the connective tissue of the voluntary muscles and ligaments. Although it is trauma-related, up to 40-60% of these patients have no history of previous injury. A young female with marked kyphosis and ankylosis of the spine presented with a recent onset of a rapidly growing painful mass over the anterior aspect of her left shoulder. She received an excisional biopsy but recurrent ossification developed soon after. It then spread to the biceps muscle with subsequent contracture deformities of the shoulder and elbow joints. A plain radiogram of her spine revealed similar characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis. However, the final diagnosis was made by the pathognomonic ectopic ossification of muscles and para-articular soft tissue. Despite poor response of the established constracture, the painful mass did respond well to prednisolone treatment within 2 months, in terms of size and consistency.


This paper presents recent progress towards developing a prognostic health management framework for passive components of advanced reactors (AR). The focus of this paper is on lifecycle prognostics for passive components using a Bayesian prognostic algorithm that provides a natural framework for incorporating different sources of variability and uncertainties inherent in the operations of AR. High-temperature creep damage, a prototypic failure mechanism in AR materials, is used as the context for this research. A Bayesian model selection approach is implemented to select the appropriate creep degradation model at any given time, using relevant sensor measurements reflecting the material degradation state. The model selection approach, based on reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, is integrated with Bayesian particle filter-based prognostic framework. The proposed approach is evaluated using strain measurements obtained from accelerated creep testing of stainless steel specimens. Results indicate feasibility of the proposed approach in accurately identifying the creep degradation stage from the available measurements at a given time. Effect of uncertainties in material degradation model and measurement noise on the performance of the prognostic algorithm is also investigated.


A facilitated consumer innovation model is discussed from the innovation broker's viewpoint. Consumers are involved through consequent stages of the product or service innovation process. The customer innovation process and the role of the facilitator, the innovation broker, are discussed. Explicit contracting is applied to support commitment and clarify the rights of the participants. Innovator motivation is enhanced through offering and negotiating incentives. A framework theory for evaluation and management of communicative influences is presented. The proposed customer innovation process has been applied in trial cases. Case data is evaluated and interpreted against the framework of communicative influences. The framework proved useful to continue experimenting with the brokered customer innovation process.


It has been supposed for some time that the T-wave in the electrocardiogram is high in hyperthyroidism and low, absent or even inverted in hypothyroidism. White and Aub1made a study of a series of twenty-seven cases of thyroid disease in adult patients in this hospital, to determine if there was any parallelism between the basal metabolism and the amplitude of the electrocardiographic T-wave. They found a very limited parallelism, practically none in hyperthyroid cases, but a considerable degree in hypothyroid cases. It was observed that the administration of thyroid in cases of hypothyroidism caused the T-wave to increase under treatment. Zondek2reported observations on the heart in myxedema, in 1918 and 1919, in which he found that the heart, shown by roentgenogram, was enlarged, that the pulse action was weak with a slow rate, and that the blood pressure was normal. In the electrocardiogram he found both


Background: Detailed characterization of hospitalized COPD patients and their clinical outcomes in Malaysia is lacking. Such understanding is important to combat the rising COPD burden.
Patients and Methods: 120 patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation in an urban-based state hospital were consecutively recruited. Comprehensive data on socio-demographics, Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score, clinical parameters, healthcare experiences and hospital outcomes was prospectively collected from medical records and interviews with patients and/or carers.
Results: GOLD A, B, C and D categories consisted of 7 (5.8%), 76 (63.3%), 2 (1.6%), and 35 (29.1%) patients respectively. The mean age (SD) was 68 (10.2) years old and 91% were male. Most had only primary school education and low incomes. Most were smokers and frequent exacerbators. About half smoked ≥40 pack years and 10% had ≥5 exacerbations a year. 55% had no comorbidites. The commonest comorbidity was diabetes (20%). 15.8% had previous TB infection. 6.6% had probably ACOS. Over half were treated with inhaled corticosteroids for ≥6 months. Mean BCKQ score was <50%. Anxiety and depression were reported in 14% and 26% respectively. Median length of hospital stay was 6 days. 11.6% had assisted ventilation. 3.3% patients died during the hospital stay. Except for Group C, distributions across categories were similar. Multivariate logistic regressions showed that the likelihoods of assisted ventilation and hospital mortality were increased with arterial pCO2 (adjusted OR 2.63, p<0.01) and respiratory rate (1.73, p=0.01) respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that GOLD categories (p=0.0125 by log rank test for trend), assisted ventilation (p=0.005) and antibiotic administration (p=0.009) were associated with probability of prolonged hospital stay.
Conclusions: Our findings identified the many areas that can be intervened to improve COPD management. GOLD categories as a combined assessment tool of COPD severity are clinically relevant for hospitalized patients.

http://chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease.imedpub.com/Detailed Characterization of Hospitalized COPD Patients in Relation to Combined COPD Assessment by GOLD.pdf


We present spectroscopic measurements looking for the coherent coupling between molecular magnetic centers and microwave photons. The aim is to find the optimal conditions and the best molecular features to achieve the quantum strong coupling regime, for which coherent dynamics of hybrid photon-spin states take place. To this end, we used a high critical temperature YBCO superconducting planar resonator working at 7.7 GHz and at low temperatures to investigate three molecular mononuclear coordination compounds, namely (PPh4)2[Cu(mnt)2] (where mnt2- = maleonitriledithiolate), [ErPc2]-TBA+ (where pc2- is the phtalocyaninato and TBA+ is the tetra-n-butylammonium cation) and Dy(trensal) (where H3trensal = 2,2',2''-tris(salicylideneimino)triethylamine). Although the strong coupling regime was not achieved in these preliminary experiments, the results provided several hints on how to design molecular magnetic centers to be integrated into hybrid quantum circuits.


(first paragraph of the review:)Architecture and Narrative: the formation of space and cultural meaning, looks at how meaning isconstructed in buildings and how it is communicated to the viewer. It does so by studying narrative through a series of contrasting studies, framing the question of narrative slightly differently in eachstudy. This gives the opportunity to study narrative not only from different perspectives, but in different historical periods. The book is not, however, a historical study of narrative in architecture but focuses on modernity - a limitation that seems to mostly have been for the better. It further focuses primarily on cultural buildings, and more specifically on museums. In a sense, this makes it a continuation of the discussions in Thomas A. Marcus Buildings & Power, which leaves off at the end of the 19th century. Nevertheless, Psarra's point of departure takes on the broad sweep of history. Thus, the first part of the book consists of a study of the Parthenon and the Erectheon, followed by an investigation of Mies' Barcelona Pavilion; the second part deals with architecture and narrative in literature through two chapters focusing on literary works of the 20th century by the Argentinean author Jean Luis Borges; the third part studies narrative in museums of history and art in a more or less chronological order; ending up with the fourth part which constitutes a theoretical synthesis and conclusion.


Laboratory and field evaluation programs leading to the development of a design process for lime-stabilized airfield pavement layers are described. The entire process can be completed in 3 to 7 d. The design procedure, which includes selection of the optimum percentage of lime, rapid cure, durability testing, and residual strength requirements, uses common laboratory tests and requires no sophisticated equipment. It is appropriate for expedient and nonexpedient construction situations. Residual-strength curves were constructed from the results of a computer study that used a nonlinear finite-element code capable of simulating multiple wheel-gear loadings.


The off-site power system is the preferred source of power for the power plant. This system includes the grid, the transmission lines, transformers, switchyard components, and associated control systems provided to supply electric power to safety-related equipment and other equipment. The function of the off-site power system (assuming that the emergency on-site power systems are not available) is to provide sufficient capacity and capability to assure that the specified acceptable fuel design limits and design conditions of the reactor coolant pressure boundary will not be exceeded and to ensure that core cooling, containment integrity, and other vital functions will be maintained in the event of postulated accidents.


The effects of iron substitution on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of SrHCo6.8-xFexHf0.2 (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7) compounds were investigated by means of x-ray powder diffraction and magnetic measurements. The as-east SMCo6.8-xFexHf0.2 compounds crystallize in the TbCu7-type structure with the space group P6/mmm. The lattice parameters a and c increase with the Fe content. The SMCo6.8-xFexHf0.2 compounds exhibit ferromagnetic order with a strong room temperature uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The Curie temperature and saturation magnetization increase with the Fe content. The magnetic anisotropy field of the compounds reaches a maximum value at x = 0.5. The anomalous concentration dependence of the anisotropy field is explained by considering the contribution of individual site anisotropy in combination with the preferential occupation of 3d ions on different sites.


CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2008 Abstracts

Abstract #14

Background : Historically, standard endocrine treatment for postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive early breast cancer (EBC) was 5 years' tamoxifen. However, the inclusion of an aromatase inhibitor (AI) is now considered standard practice. There is increasing evidence that whether as initial adjuvant treatment or as a switch treatment following 2-3 years of tamoxifen therapy, Ais improve patients' outcomes compared with 5 years' tamoxifen monotherapy. To date, there is limited evidence comparing a prospective sequencing strategy of 2 years of tamoxifen followed by 3 years of an AI compared with 5 years' tamoxifen. Previously presented data from ABCSG Trial 8 (SABCS 2005), at a median follow-up of 55 months, revealed a 24% reduction in the risk of recurrence in favor of a sequencing strategy compared with 5 years' tamoxifen (hazard ratio [HR] 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56-1.02), although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.07). Here we present updated data from ABCSG Trial 8. Methods : Postmenopausal women with histologically verified G1 or G2, locally radically treated invasive or minimally invasive hormone receptor-positive breast cancer were eligible for inclusion. Newly diagnosed patients were randomized to receive 5 years' tamoxifen therapy or 2 years' tamoxifen followed by anastrozole for 3 years. The primary endpoint was event-free survival, including locoregional and distant metastatic recurrences and new contralateral breast cancers. Results : This final analysis will report the data cut-off point, the number of eligible patients, and the median follow-up period of the trial, which will exceed 5 years. The incidence of first events, local recurrences, distant metastases, and contralateral breast cancers for the two treatment arms of the study will be presented. The effect of treatment on the trial endpoint will be analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model and data will be presented as estimated HRs with two-sided 95% CIs and p-values. Conclusions : The updated analyses of ABCSG Trial 8 will provide evidence regarding 2 years' treatment with tamoxifen followed by 3 years' anastrozole in comparison to 5 years' tamoxifen for postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed hormone-sensitive EBC.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 14.


Through recent years, there have been an increase of well integrity issues arising from the build-up of pressure in a well's casing annulus, or Sustained Annulus Pressure (SAP). The casing annulus (the volume between 2 concentric casings) are typically not designed for intervention and are only accessible from the casing valves at surface. While the A-annulus (the volume immediately next to the production tubing) may have limited accessibility from the tubing itself, for B- and C- annulus, this access is non-existent. Up until now, this has been the primary challenge in rectifying SAP issue in casings. Current well intervention technologies or methodologies are unable to rectify SAP issues and the wells had to be shut-in (production deferment) or required bleed-off facilities installed (additional CAPEX and OPEX). A breakthrough technology and methodology is required to resolve SAP issues and prevent risk escalation and production deferment. The desired solution should have the following characteristics: Ability to enter casing annulus, effectively lubricate the annulus, practicable at offshore and cost effective.
 Based on the objectives, a technology selection process was performed concurrently with development of the execution methodology. This resulted in the selection and vetting of the Annulus Intervention System (AIS) Wellspring which utilizes a compact and flexible conveyance system known as 'wellspring' to be installed at the casing gate valve, ability to deliver fluid up to 400m away from pumping point and have integrated well control barrier for safe intervention into a live condition well. In addition, a suppression fluid placement methodology was designed using a heavy (14.8 ppg) brine system to replace the existing (lighter) casing annulus fluid. This was calculated to have a net pressure downwards and therefore suppressing the SAP.
 With systematic process and procedure in place, team managed to prove the AIS can be conveyed through the casing head valve, passthrough the casing hanger and entered the B-annulus. The suppression fluid which is 14.8ppg brine also was able to be pump into the annulus to replace the degraded water-based mud with an optimum pumping rate and operating pressure. By achieving that, the team manage to suppress the SAP which ultimately safeguard the production from the well.
 This paper shall discuss the process of identification, diagnostic and subsequently the step-by-step method that has been taken by the team to ensure the AIS system is well suited to rectify the sustained annulus pressure. It will also discuss the execution strategy, technical challenges faced and lesson learnt during the execution of the project.


The human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) are a family of retroviruses that causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). The objective of this study is to elucidate the host genes affected by the HTLV-1 Tax protein, find how host genes are affected, and how this influence is related to several cancer pathways. The DAVID program was used to examine genes affected by Tax, and the gene list was significantly enriched: pancreatic cancer, chronic and acute myeloid leukemia, small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, glioma, melanoma, and bladder cancer. The influence of Tax on genes involved in these pathways was studied and the effects on the progression of the pathway were deduced. HTLV-1's Tax protein contributes epigenetically to the development of different cancers by altering normal transcription and translation, cell cycle signaling systems, and tumor suppressing mechanisms. The discovered effects of Tax on the NF-κB, MAPK, Cyclin-CDK, ErbB, Jak-STAT, VEGF, TGF-β, PI3K-Akt, and β-catenin pathways active during the progression of pancreatic cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia, small cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer indicates that HTLV-1's effects are not limited to ATL, can activate cancer-specific biomarkers including ZEB-1, ZEB-2, EZH2, E2F, TRIM33, GLUT1, HK2, PKM2, and LDHA, and can mimic the cancer-specific oncogenes BCR-ABL, K-Ras, and APC. Four signaling networks were elucidated to represent these signaling events, creating a useful representation of an HTLV-1 infection's role in different cancers, which can aid in identifying and characterizing HTLV-1-associated cancers, determining prognosis, and selecting effective treatments for patients.


A method for immobilization of metal sulfide ultrafine particles formed in reverse micellar systems in polythiourethane via bonding of the thiol groups to a metal sulfide surface is investigated. CdS or CdS-ZnS coprecipitated ultrafine particles-polythiourethane composites (CdS-PTU and CdZnS-PTU) were prepared by polymerization (polyaddition) of xylene-α, α′-dithiols and hexamethylene diisocyanate in the presence of the metal sulfide ultrafine particles formed in a reverse micellar system and then surface-modified with thiophenol. The immobilized metal sulfide particles in the PTU composites are able to be characterized spectrophotometrically by measuring the scattered light from dispersions of the composites and found to show a quantum size effect. The particle exposed fraction, F, is defined as the ratio of the quantity of Cd or Zn dissolved from the composites by HCl to the quantity of the metal dissolved by concentrated H2SO4 (total analysis). The value of F can be controlled by the quantities of the monomers, and also by the value of Wo (=[H2O]/[AOT]) of the original reverse micellar system. The PTU composites were applied to photocatalytic H2 generation from aqueous solution of 2-propanol. They showed improved stability against photodegradation compared with the thiophenol-modified CdS particles before immobilization. The value of F seems to show the fraction of the metal sulfide particles effective for the photocatalytic reaction, and the photocatalytic activities of the PTU composites are possibly evaluated by using the quantity of H2 generated per unit quantity of the exposed metal sulfide particles.


Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is growing in popularity for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD). PPV achieves favorable anatomic and visual outcomes in a wide variety of patients, especially in pseudophakic RD. A growing number of clinical series, both retrospective and prospective, have demonstrated generally comparable outcomes comparing PPV and scleral buckling (SB) under a variety of circumstances. The Scleral Buckling Versus Primary Vitrectomy in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (SPR) study is a multicenter, randomized, prospective, controlled clinical trial comparing SB versus PPV. This study should provide useful guidelines in the future. At this time, the choice of SB versus PPV should be based on the characteristics of the RD, the patient as a whole, and the experience and preference of the individual retinal surgeon.


Background Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis with a genetic component estimated to be larger than psoriasis alone. Recent studies have identified PsA-specific loci that begin to explain this increased burden, for example, amino acids in HLA-B and our own Immunochip study reported evidence for PsA-specific risk at chromosome 5q31 and IL23R. Methods A total of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were selected from our recent Immunochip study (P <1x10-4) to validate in 3,139 PsA cases and 11,078 controls from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany, Australia, Sweden and Italy using the Life Technologies QuantStudio genotyping platform. Association testing was performed using PLINK. For loci not previously reported for psoriasis we compare effect sizes using multinomial logistic regression, performed in Stata, and directly compare PsA genotypes from Immunochip (n=1,936) to the psoriasis WTCCC2 study (excluding known PsA, n=1,784). To control for phenotype misclassification with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we include a genetic risk sore comprised of the 41 RA susceptibility reported in the RA Immunochip study as a covariate and re-analysed the PsA Immunochip. Results We find genome-wide significant association to rs2476601, mapping to the gene PTPN22 (P=1.49x10-9, OR =1.32). There was no evidence for association to rs2476601 in the psoriasis WTCCC2 cohort (P=0.34) and the effect estimates were significantly different between PsA and psoriasis (P=3.2x10-4). Direct comparison of genotypes for PsA and psoriasis found significant association to an increased risk of PsA (P=4.4x10-4, OR=1.3). The association to PTPN22 in the PsA Immunochip data was not affected by the inclusion of the RA-GRS as a covariate. In addition, we find genome-wide significant association to the previously reported psoriasis risk loci; NOS2 (rs4795067, P=5.27x10-9). No other SNPs reached genome-wide significance in the combined dataset. Conclusions For the first time, we report genome-wide significant association of PTPN22 (rs2476601) to PsA susceptibility. The risk allele (A) and direction of effect are consistent with previous reports for RA and type I diabetes, but opposite of that reported for Crohn's disease. We provide evidence that this is a PsA-specific risk locus as no association to psoriasis was observed in the WTCCC2 cohort and the effect estimates are significantly different between PsA and psoriasis when compared in multinomial logistic regression. Disclosure of Interest None declared


A direct method for the transformation of α-amino acids into β-amino aldehydes was developed, and applied to the modification of the C-terminal residue of peptides. The method takes place in good yields and under mild conditions. The application of this methodology to the preparation of small peptides with γ-amino alcohol units, which are precursors of analogues of peptaibol antibiotics, is also described.


Cadherin-11 (CDH11) is a member of the cadherin superfamily mainly expressed in osteoblasts but not in epithelial cells. However, prostate cancer cells with a propensity for bone metastasis express high levels of cadherin11 and reduced levels of E-cadherin. Downregulation of cadherin-11 inhibits interaction of prostate cancer cells with osteoblasts in vitro and homing of prostate cancer cells to bone in an animalmodel ofmetastasis. These findings indicate that targeting cadherin-11may prevent prostate cancer bonemetastasis. To explore this possibility, a panel of 21 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) was generated against the extracellular (EC) domain of cadherin-11. Two antibodies, mAbs 2C7 and 1A5, inhibited cadherin-11–mediated cell–cell aggregation in vitro using L-cells transfected with cadherin-11. Both antibodies demonstrated specificity to cadherin-11, and neither antibody recognized E-cadherin or N-cadherin on C4-2B or PC3 cells, respectively. Furthermore, mAb 2C7 inhibited cadherin-11–mediated aggregation between the highly metastatic PC3-mm2 cells and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Mechanistically, a series of deletion mutants revealed a unique motif, aa 343-348, in the cadherin-11 EC3 domain that is recognized by mAb 2C7 and that this motif coordinated cell–cell adhesion. Importantly, administration of mAb 2C7 in a prophylactic setting effectively prevented metastasis of PC3-mm2 cells to bone in an in vivomouse model. These results show that targeting the extracellular domain of cadherin-11 can limit cellular adhesion and metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer cells. Implications: Monotherapy using a cadherin-11 antibody is a suitable option for the prevention of bone metastases. Mol Cancer Res; 11(11); 1401–11. 2013 AACR.


Cloning of cDNA obtained from 16S rRNA (16S rcDNA) selectively retrieves species-specific sequence information useful for analyzing the composition and structure of natural microbial communities. With this technique we obtained recombinant 16S rcDNA libraries from Escherichia coli and from a model hot-spring cyanobacterial-mat community. The recombinant plasmids contained exclusively 16S rRNA-derived inserts. This selective approach is independent of biasing culture techniques and eliminates the laborious screening required to locate 16S rRNA gene-bearing recombinants in genomic DNA libraries obtained from natural communities.


Machine learning models have liberated manpower greatly in many real-world tasks, but their predictions are still worse than humans on some specific instances. To improve the performance, it is natural to optimize machine learning models to take decisions for most instances while delivering a few tricky instances to humans, resulting in the problem of Human Assisted Learning (HAL). Previous works mainly formulated HAL as a constrained optimization problem that tries to find a limited subset of instances for human decision such that the sum of model and human errors can be minimized; and employed the greedy algorithms, whose performance, however, may be limited due to the greedy nature. In this paper, we propose a new framework HAL-EMO based on Evolutionary Multi-objective Optimization, which reformulates HAL as a bi-objective optimization problem that minimizes the number of selected instances for human decision and the total errors simultaneously, and employs a Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) to solve it. We implement HAL-EMO using two MOEAs, the popular NSGA-II as well as the theoretically grounded GSEMO. We also propose a specific MOEA, called BSEMO, with biased selection and balanced mutation for HAL-EMO, and prove that for human assisted regression and classification, HAL-EMO using BSEMO can achieve better and same theoretical guarantees than previous greedy algorithms, respectively. Experiments on the tasks of medical diagnosis and content moderation show the superiority of HAL-EMO (with either NSGA-II, GSEMO or BSEMO) over previous algorithms, and that using BSEMO leads to the best performance of HAL-EMO.


Purpose
This study aims to test for factors affecting environmental sustainability and purchase intention in the fashion industry. Accordingly, the authors developed a framework that depicts the relationships between perceptions of social responsibility, consumer attitude, trust, purchase intention and perceived consumer effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was conducted with an internationally diverse sample of 216 consumers. Data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings
The results indicated that perceptions of social responsibility directly affect consumers' attitudes towards these fashion brands, as well as trust and perceived consumer effectiveness. Also, consumers need to perceive sustainability efforts of these brands as altruistic, and trust was found to be a direct predictor of purchase intention. However, both consumer attitude and perceived consumer effectiveness did not predict purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications
The survey was primarily distributed to young people. Therefore, a generalisation of the findings to other age groups might be limited.

Practical implications
Practicing managers should emphasise the fact that environmental sustainability and fast fashion brands could be sustainable to increase trust among consumers.

Social implications
When it comes to environmental issues, positive perceptions regarding the companies' social responsibility efforts are vital to enhance both consumers' trust towards the brands and their individual feeling of empowerment.

Originality/value
This study intends to shed light on the key elements that shape consumers' attitudes and willingness to purchase green apparel.


Purpose of reviewAcute kidney injury (AKI) continues to contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in the ICU setting, especially when associated with distant organ dysfunction. There is increasing evidence that AKI directly contributes to organ dysfunction in lung, brain, liver, heart and other organs. This review will examine our current understanding of the deleterious organ crosstalk in the critically ill, which can provide a framework for developing novel therapeutics. Recent findingsThe majority of studies correlating AKI with distant organ dysfunction have demonstrated the pathophysiological importance of proinflammatory and proapoptotic pathways as well as oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Leukocyte activation and infiltration, changes in levels of soluble factors such as cytokines and chemokines, and regulation of cell death in extra-renal organs are potentially important mechanisms by which AKI modulates multiorgan dysfunction. SummaryThere is increasing knowledge of AKI and deleterious interorgan crosstalk that arises, at least in part, due to the imbalance of immune, inflammatory, and soluble mediator metabolism that attends severe insults to the kidney. Further studies can build on these new mechanistic observations to develop strategies to improve outcomes in the critically ill patient.


High sea surface temperatures caused global coral bleaching during 2015-2016. During this thermal stress event, we quantified within- and among-species variability in bleaching severity for critical habitat-forming Acropora corals. The objective of this study was to understand the drivers of spatial and species-specific variation in the bleaching susceptibility of these corals, and to evaluate whether bleaching susceptibility under extreme thermal stress was consistent with that observed during less severe bleaching events. We surveyed and mapped Acropora corals at 10 sites (N = 596) around the Lizard Island group on the northern Great Barrier Reef. For each colony, bleaching severity was quantified using a new image analysis technique, and we assessed whether small-scale environmental variables (depth, microhabitat, competition intensity) and species traits (colony morphology, colony size, known symbiont clade association) explained variation in bleaching. Results showed that during severe thermal stress, bleaching of branching corals was linked to microhabitat features, and was more severe at reef edge compared with lagoonal sites. Bleaching severity worsened over a very short time-frame (~1 week), but did not differ systematically with water depth, competition intensity, or colony size. At our study location, within- and among-species variation in bleaching severity was relatively low compared to the level of variation reported in the literature. More broadly, our results indicate that variability in bleaching susceptibility during extreme thermal stress is not consistent with that observed during previous bleaching events that have ranged in severity among globally dispersed sites, with fewer species escaping bleaching during severe thermal stress. In addition, shaded microhabitats can provide a refuge from bleaching which provides further evidence of the importance of topographic complexity for maintaining the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning of coral reefs.


There is an increasing need for biodegradable, environmentally friendly plastics to replace the petroleum-based non-degradable plastics which litter and pollute the environment. Starch-based plastic film composites are becoming a popular alternative because of their low cost, biodegradability, the abundance of starch, and ease with which starch-based films can be chemically modified. This paper reports on the results of using sugar cane bagasse nanofibres to improve the physicochemical properties of starch-based polymers. The addition of bagasse nanofibre (2.5, 5, 10 or 20 wt%) to (modified) potato starch ('Soluble starch') reduced the moisture uptake by up to 17 % at 58 % relative humidity (RH). The film's tensile strength and Young's Modulus increased by up to 100 % and 200 % with 10 wt% and 20 wt% nanofibre respectively at 58% RH. The tensile strain reduced by up to 70 % at 20 wt% fibre loading. These results indicate that addition of sugar cane bagasse nanofibres significantly improved the properties of starch-based plastic films


We theoretically demonstrate flat photonic bands in two-dimensional photonic crystals with kagome lattices. In such photonic crystals composed of circular rods, electromagnetic waves localizing at the rods form flat photonic bands. The flat photonic bands are important for the omnidirectional lasing and the enhancement of the omnidirectional electromagnetic interaction of materials. Dependences of flat photonic bands on the dielectric constant and radii of rods are discussed.


Guidelines for managing pain due to VOC published in the United States in 1999 and in England in 2003 suggest prompt initiation of parenteral opioids (within 30 min of arrival); use of an adequate opioid starting dose (5–10 mg or 0.1 mg/kg of morphine intravenously); frequent opioid administration (every 15–30 min) with dose titration if pain is not improved; and individualization of treatment based on the patient's prior opioid response history. The impact of these guidelines on actual practices has not been assessed however. Thus, the treatment of adults with uncomplicated VOC at a major urban medical center ED during calender year 2005 was reviewed. The ED protocol during this period called for prompt pain reduction using 4–16 mg of IV morphine every 10–30 minutes according to patient specific protocols. Patients on chronic long-acting opioids, with a history of substance abuse, or with impaired renal or hepatic function were excluded from analysis. A total of 58 visits by 20 patients were evaluable. Inpatient admission was required after 25 visits (43%). Of these admissions, 12 occurred after only 1–3 opioid doses (48%) and 8 occurred within 2 hours of initiating therapy (32%). Opioid treatment was begun within 30 min of arrival in the ED on only 10 occasions (18%) and patients were not treated for >2hr on 18 occasions (32%). Similarly, the interval between the first and second opioid dose was ≤30 min in only 16 of 54 evaluable visits (30%) and >1 hr in 15 of them (28%). Subsequent doses tended to be more frequently delayed with only 6 of 39 patients (15%) receiving a third opioid dose within 30 min of their second treatment. The initial treatment dose was 0.19±0.11 mg/kg of parenteral morphine equivalents with a range of 0.05–0.50 mg/kg. Individual patients tended to receive the same initial dose at each ED visit with 9 usually treated with doses of 0.05–0.1 mg/kg (45%) while 6 consistently required doses >0.2mg/kg (30%). However, dose titration during an ED visit was limited. Thus, in the 10 patients receiving an initial dose th and 7 th treatment respectively. Conversely, another patient eventually admitted to the hospital received an initial dose of 0.11 mg/kg but the subsequent 2 doses were only 0.05 mg/kg each. When comparing ED visits which resulted in hospital admission with those in which the patient was able to go home, no significant differences were noted in the mean values for the time to first treatment, time between doses, initial opioid dose or cumulative opioid dose. In summary: both the time to initiation of opioid therapy and the intervals between dosing were usually significantly longer than guideline recommendations; loading dose requirements in individual patients vary greatly with many patients requiring more than twice the usually recommended dose; the decision to admit a patient is often made after only a very brief trial of analgesic therapy; and dose titration in patients with more refractory symptoms is often not done or delayed. These findings suggest that, despite protocols consistent with current guidelines, timely, effective therapy of VOC in SCD may be compromised in the setting of an overburdened urban ED resulting in delayed pain control and possibly avoidable hospital admissions.


Ingestible electronics capable of laboratory quality biomolecular analysis occupying pill-sized volume, operating at sub-mW with a robust wireless interface can transform medical diagnostics and personalized healthcare. Miniaturization of complex biomolecular systems in such a volume is extremely challenging, including a wireless interface that is capable of robust communication through inches of tissue. This article presents for the first time a fully packaged biosensor system with transmitter (Tx)/receiver (Rx) antennas coupled to a single CMOS chip that integrates a low-power wireless interface and a 15-pixel fluorescence biosensor array with on-chip nanoplasmonic optical filters. The IC, operating across multiple industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM)/medical implant communication system (MICS) bands, employs pulse-pause-encoded ASK/OOK modulation, and achieves reception energy efficiency of 28 pJ/bit at 7 Mb/s and −58 dBm of sensitivity with $196 \mu \text{W}$ of dc power. The entire biocompatible package is miniaturized to a size of 1.2 $\times $ 2.5 cm2. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this work demonstrates for the first time a packaged bio-pill with in situ biomolecular sensing and quantification with pM sensitivity in CMOS ICs that also encompasses wireless transmission capability through inches of tissue at state-of-the-art energy efficiency.


A thick layer of mucus covering the gastrointestinal tract acts as an innate barrier guarding the epithelial surface. The high molecular weight and cross-linked glycoproteins (mucins), the major building blocks of mucus, can effectively obstruct or trap invading noxious substances, such as detrimental bacteria and virus. The mucus layer as well as any trapped material can be regularly removed by the friction force from food flow and gastrointestinal peristalsis, the process of which primarily relies on the viscoelastic and shear-thinning properties. Conversely, the process by which beneficial substances, such as drug nanoparticles, cross the mucus layer and contact the epithelium is also influenced by the chemical and rheological properties of the mucus layer. Gastrointestinal disorders, most notably colitis, are often accompanied by changes to the mucosal structure. In this study, we experimentally characterized the viscoelasticity and dynamic viscosity of mucus collected from human intestinal cells. In addition, we developed a bi-component mesoscopic-scale mucus model that contained Muc2, the dominant mucin secreted in healthy individuals, and Muc5AC, which is secreted by intestinal goblet cells in certain intestinal disorders. This model enabled us to study the effects of cross-linking and mucin concentration on rheological properties of mucus. Furthermore, we quantified changes in the diffusion dynamics of nanoparticles in mucus networks caused by factors such as the size of nanoparticles, nanoparticle-mucin interactions, and the degree of mucin cross-linking.


A rapid and efficient approach for Neurospora crassa transformation using low melting point agarose purified DNA. This regular paper is available in Fungal Genetics Reports: https://newprairiepress.org/fgr/vol35/iss1/12 9. Add 10 ul NaOAc and top off the eppendorf tube with EtOH. Invert gently several times. Nice DNA "ropes" appear again. 10. Microcentrifuge as above 30 seconds to 2 minutes to pellet the DNA. Pour off the supernatant and rinse the pellet with 70% EtOH. Invert to drain 1 minute. 11. Dry the tubes in a vacuum oven at 50° C for 15 minutes at most. 12. Resuspend the DNA pellet in 100 ul of TE and store the tubes at -20° C. 5 to 10 ul is plenty for a digest. Treat with RNase after the digest as called for by the method of Zolan and Pukkila. Department of Botany, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720. # Current address: Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, 334 Plant Science Bldg. Ithaca, NY 14853-5908. Liu, Q. and J. C. Dunlap Sib selection, which takes advantage of a highly efficient transformation system (Akins, A rapid and efficient approach for R.A. and A.M. Lambowitz. 1985 Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:2272-2278; Vollmer, S.J. and C. Yanofsky 1986 Neurospora crassa transformation PNAS USA 83:4869-4873), has been an efficient cloning method for Neurospora crassa. Normally, using low melting point agarose CsCl gradient purified DNA is required to achieve high transformation efficiency. We have found purified DNA. that miniprep DNA prepared by the boiling method or by the alkaline lysis method (Maniatis, T. et al. 1982 Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory pp. 366369) can be used to transform Neurospora at high efficiencies if it is purified through LMP (low melting point) agarose. DNA from restriction and modification reactions can also be purified in this way. In our hands, the transformation efficiency of cosmid DNA prepared in this manner approaches that of CsCl gradient purified cosmid DNA (Table 1). Transformation efficiency shows strain dependence (see also Clements, A. and G.A. Marzluf. 1985 Neurospora Newsletter 32:6), and also varies among individual preparations of the same DNA clone. It is possible that some LMP agarose preparations will not work as well as others; the only one we have used in SeaPlaque LMP agarose from FMC Bioproducts, Rockland, ME. We have successfully used this method for the sib selection and subcloning of arg13, cloning of os-1, and other purposes. For sib selection, cosmid clones in 96 well microtiter dishes are replicated into ampicillin/LB plates (liquid cultures have not been used in order to minimize the effects of differential growth rates of individual clones). Bacterial colonies arising from overnight growth at 37°C are resuspended in 15 ml sterile HOH, collected by centrifugation, and processed by the alkaline lysis method. After ethanol precipitation, DNA is resuspended in TE (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 1 mM Na2EDTA), mixed with equal volume of 5 M LiCl, microfuged after 10 minutes ice incubation (Pelham, H. 1985 Trends Genet. 1:6) and then precipitated once more with ethanol (Vollmer and Yanofsky op cit.). DNA is resuspended in 40 ul HOH, and 20 ul is loaded on a 0.5% LMP gel with 0.5 X TBE (Maniatis et al. op cit., p. 156) as the running buffer. Electrophoresis is at 20-60 volts for 6 hours to overnight, and we usually load only alternate wells to minimize cross contamination. Cosmid DNA will appear as a smear from the point of loading; the whole band is cut out, avoiding any excess liquid and agarose in order to maximize DNA concentration. We usually attain a final yield of 4 to 10 ug DNA in 100 to 400 ul LMP agarose. The volume of the cosmid DNA can be minimized by electrophoresing it only a short distance; this does not appear to affect the purity significantly. We basically follow the Vollmer procedure for transformation. In sib selection, we normally use 20-60 ul (0.5-4 ug) pool DNA in LMP agarose, melted at 65°C, diluted to 160 ul with warm HOH, and then add 10 ul spermidine 3HCl (50 mM) and 25 ul heparin (5 mg/ml in 1 M sorbitol/50 mM Tris Cl, pH 8.0/50 mM CaCl2) and mix well. Add 240 ul 1M sorbitol/50 mMTris Cl, pH 8.0/50 mM CaCl2 and 60 ul 40% w/v PEG 3350/50 mM Tris Cl, pH 8.0/50 mM Cacl2 and mix well, then add 2 x 10^7 spheroplasts (200 ul, 10-25% viability, 99.9% spheroplasting) and mix. The mixture is transferred to ice water (to achieve rapid cooling) for 30 minutes, then moved to room temperature. 5 ml 40% w/v PEG 3350/50 mM Tris Cl, pH 8.0/50 mM CaCl2 are added. After 20 minutes at room temperature, 25 ml regeneration agar are added, mixed and the mixture plated onto bottom agar containing 0.5 ug/ml benomyl in 150 x 15 mm petri dishes. Normally, transformants will grow up after two days incubation at 30°C. It is critical to keep IMP agarose liquid before adding the spheroplasts. If LMP agarose resolidifies, reheat it at 65°C for 5 minutes. Temperature of the transformation mixture should not exceed 4O°C just before the addition of spherop1asts. Transformation can be scaled down if fewer transformants are needed. TABLE 1. Numbers of stable transformants (± one standard deviation) obtained when 2 x 10^7 spheroplasts were transformed as described in the text with 1 ug of cosmid DNA prepared wither by CsCl gradient or by alkaline lysis followed by purification through LMP agarose. Numbers reported are pooled from many transformations. The variability among LMP agarose preparations is partially due to the use of different sources of DNA (different cosmid pools). Inaccuracies in the estimation of DNA concentration also contributes to variability, since estimates based on fluorescence in agarose gels cannot be extremely precise Sources of cosmid DNA LMP agarose CsCl gradient bd A 1450 ± 619 1800 ± 307 Spheroplasts bd al-2 arg-13 a 1670 ± 776 1940 ± 394 Purification of miniprep DNA through LMP agarose has several advantages: (1) it is rapid, with no need of an ultracentrifuge; (2) DNA so prepared efficiently transforms Neurospora; (3) DNA so prepared can be used for a number of other purposes without further purification: it can be used for restriction and modification reactions, bacterial transformations (Struhl, K. 1985 Biotechniques 3:452), and radioactive labelling (Feinberg, A.P. and B. Vogelstein. 1984 Anal. Biochem. 137:266-267). Dept. of Biochemistry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03756 Mattern. I.E., P.J. Punt and A vector of Aspergillus transformation conferring phleomycin resistance. expressed A. nidulans gpd gene, Recently, transformation of Aspergillus species with vector pAN7-1, conferring resistance to hygromycin B was reported (Punt et al. 1987 Gene 56:117-124). Here we describe a transformation vector (pAN8-1, Fig. 1) containing the Streptococcus hindustandus phleomycin resistance gene (obtained from G. Tiraby, Toulouse, France) flanked by the promoter region of the highly and the terminator region of the A. nidulans trpC gene. Transformation of A. nidulans and A. niger was achieved with this vector at frequencies of 1 to 20 transformants per ug pAN8-1 DNA. These frequencies are similar to those found for transformation with pAN7-1. Transformants could be selected at low concentrations of phleomycin (5-10 ug/ml for A. niger, 10-20 ug/ml for A. nidulans). A. oryzae, which cannot be transformed with pAN7-1 because of its innate insensitivity to hygromycin B, is inhibited in its growth at 50-100 ug/ml phleomycin. Phleomycin resistant transformants were obtained by cotransformation of an A. oryzae pyrG mutant with pAB4-1 (containing the A. niger pyrG gene) and pAN8-1 (Mattern et al. 1987, MGG 210:460-461). Experiments are in progress to achieve direct selection of phleomycin resistant transformants of A. oryzae. Figure 1. Vector pAN8.1. A 0.4 kb NcoI-StuI fragment from pUT701 (G. Tiraby, unpublished) containing the coding region of the S. hindustandus phleomycin resistance gene was ligated into pAN52-3, which was cut with HindIII, treated with T4 polymerase and subsequently cut with NcoI. Vector pAN52-3 is a derivative of pAN52-1 (Punt et al. 1987 Gene 56:117-124) in which the unique BamHi site was converted into a Hind III site by site directed mutagenesis.


Nonreplicated shared data of distributed applications is optimally allocated to pre-specified multilevel memory partitions at the sites of a heterogeneous multicomputer network to minimize a weighted combination of systemwide mean time delay performance and mean communication cost per access request. Greedy and fast optimization algorithms are presented for nonqueueing lightly-loaded as well as heavily-loaded multiqueue system models with channel, l/O, and memory hierarchy queues. Extensions to data exhibiting nonuniform access demand rates and distinct query and update statistics are presented.<<ETX>>


Exposure of cells to heat inhibits a number of nuclear activities associated with semi-conservative replication of DNA including the incorporation of radiolabelled precursors into acid-insoluble DNA, the initiation of new replicons, the elongation of the DNA fibre at the replication fork, the synthesis and deposition of new histones into chromatin and the reorganization of nascent DNA into mature chromatin. These effects are likely to underlie the heat sensitivity of S-phase cells and may contribute to the radiosensitization observed in this phase of the cell cycle. While some of these effects may be explained as 'passive' consequences of heat-induced damage on chromatin structures, experiments reviewed here point to the activation of a checkpoint as a contributing factor to the observed inhibition of DNA replication. Activation of a heat responsive S-phase checkpoint targets the activity of RPA via interaction with nucleolin. Nucleolin, a major nucleolar protein, is found normally sequestered in the nucleolus. Exposure of cells to heat causes a rapid translocation of nucleolin from the nucleolus into the nucleoplasm that enables RPA/nucleolin interaction. This interaction inhibits functions of RPA associated with the initiation of DNA replication and contributes to the immediate inhibition of DNA synthesis observed after heat shock. The results suggest that the nucleolus serves as a sequestration centre for the temporary inactivation of regulatory molecules, such as nucleolin, capable of regulating essential cellular functions after heat shock. It is speculated that this regulatory process is integrated in the network of responses that determine cell sensitivity to heat and that it may be involved in heat radiosensitization to killing as well.


When and why ethnic groups rebel remains a central puzzle in the civil war literature. In this paper, we examine how different types of inequalities affect both an ethnic group's willingness and opportunity to fight. We argue that political and economic inter-group inequalities motivate ethnic groups to initiate a fight against the state, and that intra-group economic inequality lowers their elite's costs of providing the necessary material and/or purposive incentives to overcome collective action problems inherent to rebel recruitment. We therefore predict that internally unequal ethnic groups excluded from power and/or significantly richer or poorer relative to the country's average are most likely to engage in a civil war. To assess our claim empirically, we develop a new global measure of economic inequality by combining high-resolution satellite images of light emissions, spatial population data, and geocoded ethnic settlement areas. After validating our measure at the country- and group level, we include it in a standard statistical model of civil war onset and find considerable support for our theoretical prediction: greater economic inequality within an ethnic group significantly increases the risk of conflict, especially if political or economic inequalities between groups provide a motive.


Data are presented on the formation of neuropsychic disorders in mine shaft sinkers and drill operators at different stages of vibration disease. Neuropsychic disorders in this category of workers should be considered in the treatment and expertise examination of working capacity.


Abstract. This paper presents the importance of using Earth observation to assess the impact of fire events on monitoring cultural heritage sites. The use of sensors such as Sentinel 2 can detect burnt areas in order to determine the extent of fire events on cultural heritage sites, using the fire event in Arakapas, Cyprus as a case study. Sentinel-2 is a multispectral optical sensor acquiring information in a range extending from the visible up to the short-wave infrared, which is the most sensitive spectral range for the detection of damages caused by fire. Sentinel-2 can support cultural heritage monitoring and assessment allowing rapid revisit of any site of interest using pre- and post-event images, where burned areas can be detected with change detection techniques coupled with suitable, spectral indices. Such derived products assist in quickly raising awareness on the endangerment of cultural and natural heritage sites and landscapes, emphasising the importance of Earth observation data for monitoring natural hazards for the protection of valuable cultural heritage sites.


ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Clearing is an essential step in processing tissue for light microscopy. Xylene is the clearing agent used most commonly worldwide. Xylene is toxic and therefore a threat to personnel working in histopathology laboratories. We evaluated a safer alternative clearing agent for use in the histopathology laboratory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 230 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 19 different tissues. Half of the specimens were processed using xylene and half were processed using UltraClear™. Tissues were evaluated for eight parameters: sectioning, nuclear staining, cytoplasmic staining, overall cell morphology, clarity of staining, uniformity of staining, quality of immunohistochemistry (IHC), and cost. RESULTS: Both UltraClear™ and xylene processed sections scored 100% for IHC. Sections processed using UltraClear™ were easy to cut (81.7%) as were xylene processed sections (96.5%). UltraClear™ processed sections showed 67%, 60.9%, 52.2%, 63.5%, and 67% for nuclear staining, cytoplasmic staining, cell morphology, clarity of staining, and uniformity of staining, respectively. UltraClear™ is twice as expensive as xylene. We found that tissues processed using UltraClear™ were easy to cut and worked well for both hematoxylin and eosin and IHC staining. CONCLUSION: UltraClear™ is less toxic, less flammable, friendlier to the environment, and easy to handle, but it is two times expensive than xylene. The findings of this study recommend the use of UltraClear™ solution as a routine clearing agent in histopathology laboratories. However, further studies are required.


The public perception of insurance all over the world is central to the patronage and consumption of insurance services. Notwithstanding the huge population of over 190 million people in Nigeria, the insurance premium penetration rate of 0.7% of GDP is very low in comparison with other markets around the world. While customer perception of insurance is an expression of attitude, extant studies has shown that relationship marketing is a strategic tool that can be used to influence consumer behavior. Hence, this study examine the influence of relationship marketing on customer perception of insurance in Lagos State, Nigeria. The objective is to provide possible solutions to the problem of low patronage of insurance in Lagos State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of study consisted of 375,000 estimated consumers of insurance service in Lagos State, Nigeria. A sample size of 1,650 consumers were drawn from selected Local Government Areas of Lagos State through non-probability sampling technique. A questionnaire titled influence of relationship marketing and customer perception of insurance was adapted and validated. 1,650 copies of the questionnaire were administered, with a response rate of 80%. The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient for the constructs ranged between 0.76 and 0.90. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential (multiple linear regression analysis) statistics. The finding shows that relationship marketing has significant effect on customer perception of insurance in Lagos State, Nigeria (Adj. R2 = 0.301; F5/1306 = 113.510, p<0.05). The value of Adjusted R2 of 0.301 suggests that 30.1% of the variations in customer perception of insurance are accounted for by relationship marketing leaving 69.9% to be predicted by other factors. The study concluded that relationship marketing is a predictor of customer perception of insurance in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study recommended that Insurance companies should adopt relationship marketing as a tool to influence customer perception of insurance, through the application of customer awareness, customer trust, customer service quality, product innovation and customization, and customer satisfaction.


Climate change affects the Arctic environment with regards to permafrost thaw, changes in the riverine runoff and subsequent export of fresh water and terrestrial material to the Arctic Ocean. In this context, the Fram Strait represents a major pathway for export to the Atlantic basin. We assess the potential of visible wavelength dissolved organic matter fluorescence (VIS-FDOM) to trace the origin of Arctic outflow waters. Oceanographic surveys were performed in the Fram Strait, as well as on the east Greenland shelf (following the East Greenland Current), in late summer 2012 and 2013. Meteoric (fmw), sea-ice melt (fsim), Atlantic (faw) and Pacific (fpw) water fractions were determined and FDOM components were identified by PARAFAC modeling. In Fram Strait and east Greenland shelf, a robust correlation between VIS-FDOM and fmw was apparent, suggesting it as a reliable tracer of polar waters. However, variability was observed in the origin of polar waters, in relation to contribution of faw and fpw, between the sampled years. VIS-FDOM traced this variability, and distinguished between the origins of the halocline waters as originating in either the Eurasian or Canada basins. The findings presented highlight the potential of designing in situ DOM fluorometers to trace the freshwater origins and decipher water mass dynamics in the region.


Lens epithelium–derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75) is a cellular cofactor of HIV-1 integrase (IN) that interacts with IN through its IN binding domain (IBD) and tethers the viral pre-integration complex to the host cell chromatin. Here we report the generation of a human somatic LEDGF/p75 knockout cell line that allows the study of spreading HIV-1 infection in the absence of LEDGF/p75. By homologous recombination the exons encoding the LEDGF/p75 IBD (exons 11 to 14) were knocked out. In the absence of LEDGF/p75 replication of laboratory HIV-1 strains was severely delayed while clinical HIV-1 isolates were replication-defective. The residual replication was predominantly mediated by the Hepatoma-derived growth factor related protein 2 (HRP-2), the only cellular protein besides LEDGF/p75 that contains an IBD. Importantly, the recently described IN-LEDGF/p75 inhibitors (LEDGINs) remained active even in the absence of LEDGF/p75 by blocking the interaction with the IBD of HRP-2. These results further support the potential of LEDGINs as allosteric integrase inhibitors.


Congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and ciliary arrhythmia are three epidemic cardiovascular conditions threatening the mankind in the XXIcentury. Ciliary arrhythmia is the commonest disturbance of cardiac rhythm characterized by inability of the atrium to maintain coordinated contractions.The importance of ciliary rrhythmia as a problem facing public heath services is underlain by its role as a risk factor of disturbed cerebralcirculation and severe cardiac insufficiency, the two most serious and costly cardiovascular complications influencing life expectancy of the affectedsubjects.


Past therapies for the treatment of obesity have typically involved pharmacological agents usually in combination with a calorie-controlled diet. This paper reviews the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapies for obesity focusing on drugs approved for long-term therapy (orlistat), drugs approved for short-term use (amfepramone [diethylpropion], phentermine), recently withdrawn therapies (rimonabant, sibutamine) and drugs evaluated in Phase III studies (taranabant, pramlintide, lorcaserin and tesofensine and combination therapies of topiramate plus phentermine, bupropion plus naltrexone, and bupropion plus zonisamide). No current pharmacotherapy possesses the efficacy needed to produce substantial weight loss in morbidly obese patients. Meta-analyses support a significant though modest loss in bodyweight with a mean weight difference of 4.7 kg (95% CI 4.1 to 5.3 kg) for rimonabant, 4.2 kg (95% CI 3.6 to 4.8 kg) for sibutramine and 2.9 kg (95% CI 2.5 to 3.2 kg) for orlistat compared to placebo at ≥12 months. Of the Phase III pharmacotherapies, lorcaserin, taranabant, topiramate and bupropion with naltrexone have demonstrated significant weight loss compared to placebo at ≥12 months. Some pharmacotherapies have also demonstrated clinical benefits. Further studies are required in some populations such as younger and older people whilst the long term safety continues to be a major consideration and has led to the withdrawal of several drugs.


Background: Over the years, open surgery has been the primary treatment for trigger finger, a prevalent issue among hand illnesses. There has been some resistance to the technique's routine use, despite the fact that the percutaneous release of triggers provides a quicker recovery than surgery. As a result, the study proposed that the percutaneous release technique outperforms open surgery. The objective of this study was to compares the trigger finger surgery's open and percutaneous releases in terms of short-term results. Methods: From 2014 to 2020, 166 patients who underwent open or percutaneous release surgery for the trigger finger at Naresuan University Hospital were the subjects of this retrospective analysis. For one, three, and six weeks, the initial characteristics and post-operative hemorrhage, digital nerve and artery injury, surgical site pain, inability to flex the finger, and other outcomes were compared. The visual analog scale (VAS) score and the impairments of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score were also compared between the two groups. Results: The age, sex, and number of patients in both groups were statistically comparable. Before the procedure, there was no difference between the groups in terms of DASH and VAS scores for pain; however, at six weeks, the percutaneous release group showed a substantial difference and low VAS scores. There were no differences between the groups in terms of consequences, including wound pain, damage to digital nerves and arteries, and others. Conclusion: Based on the patients' short-term outcomes, the study found that percutaneous release of the trigger finger is just as successful as traditional open surgery.


Until recently, noise pollution has not been paid adequate attention as air, water and land pollution. In order to assess (predict) the impact of bauxite mine noise on employees health and in and around bauxite mine environment, general noise sources and equipment noise were monitored. All these noise sources were compared with prescribed standard noise levels laid down by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Data has also been compared with reference site, north block hill top which is barren and virgin plateau/top covered with grass only and free from human interference. Equipment noise levels were much higher than the other zone of the mine which does not have the corresponding standards. Rock breaker recorded the highest noise level with 73.1 +/- 14.2 to 89.5 +/- 10.1 dB (A) while from ripper dozer it was least with 61.0 +/- 17.3 to 76.2 +/- 6.2 dB (A). Meteorological parameters did not have much influence upon equipment noise up to 100 feet from the source.


In this study, we measured in vitro proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both leprosy patients across the clinical spectrum and also healthy contacts from a leprosy-endemic population to delipidified cell components of Mycobacterium leprae (DCC) and Dharmendra lepromin. Dharmendra lepromin was poor in inducing in vitro T cell proliferation in all the study groups, even though it elicited marked in vivo skin test reaction in tuberculoid leprosy patients and healthy contacts. In contrast, Dharmendra preparation of BCG induced marked T-cell response in tuberculoid as well as bacterial index negative lepromatous patients. DCC induced a significantly higher lymphoproliferative response than Dharmendra lepromin in all study groups. A significant positive correlation was observed between the lymphoproliferative responses to DCC and BCG. The present study, based on a large number of leprosy patients and healthy contacts, clearly demonstrates that DCC, depleted of glycolipids and lipopolysaccharides, is a good antigenic preparation for evaluating T-cell reactivity to M. leprae.


Preparation and characterization of TiO2 films were made. Films were synthesized on glass substrates by the SILAR (Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction) method. The preparation consisted of 150 cycles of a successive and alternate immersion of substrates in the precursor solution and in distilled water at 353 K. Growing was conducted at two conditions of the precursor solution which contained TiCl3 and NH2CONH2: at room temperature and at 343 K. After the growth, films were annealed at 723 K for 2 hours. Regarding characterization, samples were studied using XRD, SEM and UV-Vis. Structural characterization results showed that, in general, the films presented an amorphous crystalline structure except those which were grown with precursor solution at 343 K and thermally treated after the growths, which presented an anatase crystalline structure. Concerning their morphology, a granular structure and a random distribution of a flower-like structure were observed. Grain sizes did not change significantly after annealing. The optical study was carried out taking into account an indirect transition allowed determining the band gap energy to be around 3.1 eV. This value, which is typical for TiO2, decreases after annealing, usual for this type of films.


Background: Image guidance in radiation oncology has resulted in significant improvements in the accuracy and precision of radiation therapy (RT). Recently, the resolution and quality of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for image guidance has increased so that tumor masses and lymph nodes are readily detectable and measurable. During treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), on-board CBCT setup imaging is routinely obtained; however, this CBCT imaging data has not been utilized to predict patient outcomes. Here, we analyzed whether changes in CBCT measurements obtained during a course of radiation therapy correlate with responses on routine 3-month follow-up diagnostic imaging and overall survival (OS). Materials/Methods: Patients with oropharyngeal primary tumors who received radiation therapy between 2015 and 2018 were included. Anatomical measurements were collected of the primary tumor and largest nodal conglomerate (LNC) at CT simulation, end of radiation treatment (EOT CBCT), and routine 3-month post-RT imaging. At each timepoint anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral (ML) and craniocaudal (CC) measurements were obtained and used to create a 2-dimensional (2D) maximum. Results: CBCT data from 64 node positive patients were analyzed. The largest nodal 2D maximum and CC measurements on EOT CBCT showed a statistically significant correlation with complete response on 3-month post-RT imaging (r=0.313, p=0.02 and r=0.318, p=0.02, respectively). Furthermore, patients who experienced a 30% or greater reduction in the CC dimension had improved OS (continuous HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.15, p=0.045). Conclusion: Decreased size of pathologic lymph nodes measured using CBCT setup imaging during a radiation course correlates with long term therapeutic response and overall survival of HNSCC patients. These results indicate that CBCT setup imaging may have utility as an early predictor of treatment response in oropharyngeal HNSCC and could ultimately help guide management.


Remote warfare has evolved from the use of strategic airpower to attack an enemy's economic infrastructure in World War II and the role of intercontinental ballistic missile systems in promoting strategic deterrence during the Cold War to the use of contemporary weapons systems and techniques, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ( a.k.a. UAVs or 'drones') and cyber warfare which are designed to carry out strikes against targets far removed from a traditional battlefield, disrupt an adversary's command, control and communications functions and maintaining initiative and information superiority in a non-geographically defined battle-space. While there is general agreement that international law, including international humanitarian law ( IHL/LOAC applies to these new weapons and techniques, it is not always clear how it must be interpreted and applied. Each of these new forms of remote warfare present specific challenges and raise particular questions. This contribution is aimed at identifying a number of the most important of these and providing initial indications on how these should be addressed.


The question of what qualifies as a manifestly unlawful element is not purely academic. It is a practical, day-to-day dilemma for every subordinate in an executive body, who must decide forthwith whether or not to obey an illegal order. In the Israeli legal system there are, to date, four distinct approaches for identifying manifestly illegal orders. As such, the rationale for the superior order defense - the construction of a legal method to balance the principle of the rule of law and excuse and justification factors - is rendered meaningless. This Article examines the different approaches of the superior order defense in Israeli case law. Their examination shows that each one of them is unsuitable at one time for a specific set of circumstances when an appropriate balance between the rule of law and other public interests is not achieved. On the basis of the advantages of each of the four approaches, and in accordance with the central trends in Israeli case law concerning this legal issue, a new approach is suggested - the integrated approach.


Use of stable isotopes in applied nutrition has been a developing field for over 60 years. The past 20 years has seen improvements in computer and mass-spectrometer technology that has opened up even greater possibilities in the understanding of human metabolism. While improvements in technology can bring great opportunities, it can also cause problems if there is no consensus among the stable isotope user-community on standardization of new techniques and methods. Users of stable isotopes have traditionally been split into two groups; those who work with heavy isotopes (e.g., 58Fe, 70Zn) and those who work with light isotopes (e.g., 2H218O). Standardization issues have been addressed by the light isotope users and awareness of this type of problem is starting to emerge within the heavy isotope community.


It is commonly accepted that microplastic (MP) ingestion can lead to lower food intake and bioaccumulation of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in aquatic organisms. However, causal links between MP and contaminant levels in biota are poorly understood and in situ data are very limited. Here, we investigated whether HOC concentrations in herring muscle tissue (Clupea harengus membras) are related to MP ingestion using fish caught along the West coast of the Baltic Sea. The MP occurrence exhibited a large geographic variability, with MP found in 22.3% of the fish examined, and the population average being 0.9 MP ind-1. However, when only individuals containing MP were considered, the average MP burden was 3.9 MP ind-1. We also found that MP burden decreased with reproductive stage of the fish but increased with its body size. To predict MP abundance in fish guts, we constructed a mass-balance model using literature data on MP in the water column and physiological rates on ingestion and gut evacuation for clupeids of a similar size. The model output was in agreement with the observed values, thus supporting the validity of the results. Contaminant concentrations in the muscle tissue varied substantially across the study area but were unrelated to the MP levels in fish, suggesting a lack of direct links between the levels of HOCs and MP ingestion. Thus, despite their ubiquity, MP are unlikely to have a measurable impact on food intake or the total body burden of hydrophobic contaminants in Baltic herring.


The ion energy distribution in oxygen plasma in a planar inductive discharge was measured in the pressure range 3-20 mTorr using a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The ion energy distribution is broad and bimodal at low pressures, indicating that there is capacitive coupling between the rf coil and the discharge. At higher pressures multiple peaks generally related to charge-exchange processes in the sheath are apparent. The mean ion energy increases with decreasing gas pressure, from about 10 eV at 20 mTorr to roughly 25 eV at 3 mTorr. The mean ion energy follows closely the d.c. plasma potential measured by a Langmuir probe. The mean ion energy of ions is generally 10-40% higher than the mean ion energy of ions.


In critically ill surgical patients, nutritional therapy is an important component of overall care. As our knowledge increases, "tailor-made" diets designed to meet specific nutritional requirements in specific patients may play an important role. Although the data reviewed here suggest that glutamine-supplemented diets may have a significant impact in some clinical settings, it should be emphasized that additional carefully designed studies are necessary before the use of glutamine-enriched nutrition in critically ill patients should be advocated. It is clear, however, that the concept that the intestine is an organ of inactivity during critical illness merits reconsideration.