Due to various reasons, the pharmaceutical industries growth has slowed in recent years. The current economic situation has therefore shifted the pharmaceutical companies ' focus from essential medicine to the new business model called "orphan drugs". Healthcare standards are among the worlds highest in Japan. For about 99 percent of its citizens, the Japanese government provides health insurance. Rare diseases fall under 'intractable diseases (Nanbyo)' in Japan. Japan regulatory body PMDA is providing all guidance and instructions on orphan drugs. In Australia, Australia's regulatory body providing all guidance on orphan drugs to the health care system. To be named an orphan drug in Australia, the pharmaceutical company that developed the medication will show to the Orphan Drug Program that the drug is not commercially viable for such a small population of patients. Often, the Orphan Drug System reduces the amount of time it usually takes for the TGA to test a drug. Once a drug is approved as an orphan drug, it is easier for the drug to become available, and it can be obtained through the Life Saving Drugs Program in certain situations. This review study provides comparative study of guidelines for orphan drug and rare diseases regulations in Japan and Australia.


70 years old woman, without history of illness, came to the Digestive Endoscopic Center of the Gastroenterology department of Arzobispo Loayza hospital, with the diagnosis of Abdominal pain syndrome, in which Upper Endoscopy was practiced. Upper endoscopy concludes the diagnosis of a malignant lesion probably an Early gastric cancer type IIa+IIc, which was confirmed with pathology. Endoscopic treatment was done with Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The lesion was totally removed, in accordance with the pathologist. Endoscopic controls at 10 weeks showed retractable red scar and a negative biopsy for neoplasm. This case is reported for being the first one published in our literature in which therapeutic ESD with IT-Knife2, was done in Early Gastric cancer.


Currently, robust and functional hydrogels have attracted extensive attention due to their potential applications in wastewater treatment, farmland water conservation and other fields. Herein, a series of hydrophobic association hydrogels assisted by titanium dioxide (TiO2) was fabricated via one-pot in situ photo-induced polymerization. TiO2 nanoparticles could act as both photo-initiators and physical crosslinking points. The TiO2-assisted hydrophobic association hydrogels exhibited a high tensile strength of 306 kPa, superior compression strength of 2.17 MPa and excellent fatigue resistance. Simultaneously, the incorporation of TiO2 endowed the hydrogel with photocatalytic capacity for dye wastewater treatment based on the inherent nature of TiO2. The results indicated that the hydrogels contributed to the degradation of various ionic dyes including methylene blue, rhodamine B and bromophenol blue, and the removal of methylene blue achieved a rate of 96.63%. Significantly, the hydrogel could be repeatedly utilized and the removal rate showed no evident decrease after five cycles, indicating that the hydrogels could be powerful candidates as photocatalysts for dye wastewater treatment.


The laser welding of biological tissues is a particular use of lasers in surgery. The technique has been proposed since the 1970s for surgical applications, such as repairing blood vessels, nerves, tendons, bronchial fistulae, skin and ocular tissues. In vascular surgery, two procedures have been tested and optimized in animal models, both ex vivo and in vivo, in order to design different approaches for blood vessels anastomoses and for the repair of vascular lesions: the laser-assisted vascular anastomosis (LAVA) and the laser-assisted vessel repair (LAVR). Sealing tissues by laser may overcome the problems related to the use of conventional closuring methods that are generally associated with various degrees of vascular wall damage that can ultimately predispose to vessel thrombosis and occlusion. In fact, the use of a laser welding technique provides several advantages such as simplification of the surgical procedure, reduction of the operative time, suppression of bleeding, and may guarantee an optimal healing process of vascular structures, very similar to restitutio ad integrum. Despite the numerous preclinical studies performed by several research groups, the clinical applications of laser-assisted anastomosis or vessel repair are still far off. Substantial breakthrough in the laser welding of biological tissues may come from the advent of nanotechnologies. Herein we describe the present status and the future perspectives in laser welding of vascular structures.


Of the three alcohols studied, $n$ -butanol was the most effective. At 0.15 M it prevented stomatal opening whereas methanol has the same effect at 0.5 M and ethanol at 0.9 M. Cytoplasmic movement is not affected by $n$ -butanol but the stomatal plastids are sometimes altered. It is supposed on the basis of numerous reports in the literature, that the lipophilic nature of this alcohol must have a major effect on the lipid constituents of the cell membranes and thus render impossible the maintenance of the low osmotic potential required for stomatal opening. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the stomata did not reopen in CO $\_2$ free air. Another possible effect is a disturbance of the redox equilibrium of the cells, particularly the NADH $\_2$ : NAD ratio, with the result that the active pumping system cannot perform the work required to drive in the cations. The lipid components of ATPase can also be damaged. It is concluded that when alcohols are used as solvents, care must be taken to avoid causing subtle membrane lesions.


Despite current debate over the details of implementing the privacy portion of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, experts say quality managers should continue their planning to comply with the new law. One way to prepare for the sweeping new mandates is to apply the lessons of Y2K to HIPAA.


Crustal Heat Flow (2001, Cambridge University Press) is an engaging volume, an inexpensive introduction to geothermal techniques and applications. This text was intended by the authors to be "a handbook for geologists and geophysicists who manipulate thermal data, particularly for petroleum exploration." It is also considered by the authors to be a text that would form the basis of a course on these topics. The book provides important information in a format accessible to specialists and lay-scientists interested in thermal methods, but suffers from some inconsistent handling of basic concepts.

The book is divided into three primary sections: the Thermal State of the Earth, Measurement Techniques, and Modelling Techniques. The first section includes background information on the origin and thermal evolution of our planet, units and fundamental theory, and mechanisms by which heat is created and transported. The second section describes methods for measuring thermal gradients, thermal properties, and paleo-thermal indicators (thermal maturity). The third section of the book describes calculation of heat flow from field and lab measurements, common corrections, correlations between heat flow and other geological parameters, models for lithospheric creation and evolution, numerical methods, and sedimentary basins.

Is there a need for a book like this? …


Plasma insulin responses to the intravenous injection of glucose in the doses of 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 gm./kg. were compared in spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) and weight-matched Swiss albino mice. The mean early (two-minute) plasma insulin response was significantly lower in Acomys at all doses of glucose injected; whereas, at later times (5, 15, and 30 minutes), differences in plasma insulin concentrations in the two species of mice were smaller or nonexistent. Plasma glucose clearance was significantly less in the Acomys. In terms of glucose dose kinetics, there was a decreased capacity of the mean plasma insulin response in Acomys compared with albino mice at two minutes; whereas, at later times, the mean dose response curve for Acomys was shifted to the right of that for albino mice, indicating a decreased sensitivity to glucose in the Acomys. There was, however, a large variation between the plasma insulin responses of the eight individual Acomys mice tested. There was a significant correlation in individual Acomys between the plasma insulin response, expressed as an insulinogenic index, integrated over the thirty minutes after injection of glucose 3.0 gm./kg. in vivo, and the insulin released from pancreatic islets obtained from the corresponding Acomys and perifused for thirty minutes with glucose 1,000 mg./100 ml. in vitro (r = 0.77, p < 0.05). It is concluded that the rate and magnitude of the insulin response to glucose in an individual Acomys reflects mainly the degree of sensitivity to glucose of the pancreatic beta cells in that animal.


Metro wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) networks play an important role in the emerging Internet hierarchy; they interconnect the backbone WDM networks and the local-access networks. The current circuit-switched SONET/synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH)-over-WDM-ring metro networks are expected to become a serious bottleneck-the so-called metro gap-as they are faced with an increasing amount of bursty packet data traffic and quickly increasing bandwidths in the backbone networks and access networks. Innovative metro WDM networks that are highly efficient and able to handle variable-size packets are needed to alleviate the metro gap. In this paper, we study an arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG)-based single-hop WDM metro network. We analyze the photonic switching of variable-size packets with spatial wavelength reuse. We derive computationally efficient and accurate expressions for the network throughput and delay. Our extensive numerical investigations-based on our analytical results and simulations-reveal that spatial wavelength reuse is crucial for efficient photonic packet switching. In typical scenarios, spatial wavelength reuse increases the throughput by 60% while reducing the delay by 40%. Also, the throughput of our AWG-based network with spatial wavelength reuse is roughly 70% larger than the throughput of a comparable single-hop WDM network based on a passive star coupler (PSC).


Our understanding of the pathophysiology of aplastic anemia has lagged behind advances in treatment of the disease. The data available indicate that the heterogeneous assortment of drugs, as well as the array of chemical, physical, and infectious agents that are clinically associated with aplastic anemia, probably exert their action through restricted pathways. Based on certain clinical features of aplastic anemia, animal models of hematopoietic failure, and considerations of the organization of the hematopoietic system, we propose two general types of aplastic anemia as a conceptual framework for further studies: type I aplastic anemia, representing a congenital or acquired stem cell defect that can only be cured by bone marrow transplantation, and type II aplastic anemia, which is caused by reversible suppression of normal stem cells by external agents and is amenable to immunosuppressive therapy.


The idiopathic facial is a interesting pathology of unknown etiology, with disputable treatment. The authors propose a diagnostic protocol, in search of a possible relation between this palsy and viral diseases or alteration of eight-cranial nerve conduction.


Urbanisation is an increasing phenomenon especially the last years, which is of major concern due to the damage that can cause on environmental components such as climate, biosphere, land and water resources. A prevalent way to control this damage and mitigate the negative impacts of urban areas, lately, is considered the use of international tools like BREEAM Communities. BREEAM Communities is a third party assessment and certification standard that assesses, rates and certifies international processes, addressing environmental, social and economic sustainability objectives that can have an impact on large-scale development projects. A prevailing aspect of an urban development process is the urban design part which demands a lot of effort during the whole process. This study, focuses on how BREEAM Communities incorporates and influences the urban design of a large-scale development. By analysis of case studies regarding development projects in Sweden that either used BREEAM Communities or rejected it, qualitative interviews with relevant actors and quantitative analysis of the tool with charts and diagrams, the benefits and the drawbacks of the tool in relation to urban design are being explored. The main methods used for collecting and analysing the data are a theoretical approach, case studies analysis and interviews. Based on the overall qualitative and quantitative results of this study, the tool proved to be urban design sensitive since it includes a wide range of issues related to urban design and in particular, it has the potential to provide inspiration and support to the urban design team from an early stage throughout the process. Finally, a set of certain guidelines for architects and urban designers were prepared in order to optimise their job by setting priorities and to make their work more time and cost efficient.


Background: Key risk factors for hypertrophic scarring and surgical-site infections are high-tension wounds, fat necrosis, and dead space. All could be prevented by appropriate superficial fascia suturing. However, the as-yet poorly researched anatomy of the superficial fascia should be delineated. This study is the first to quantify the superficial fascia throughout the human body in vivo. Methods: Ultrasound was used to analyze the superficial and deep fascia of 10 volunteers at 73 points on 11 body regions, including the upper and lower trunk and limbs. Number, thickness and percentage of superficial fascia layers, and deep fascia and dermis thickness, were measured at each point. Results: Seven hundred thirty ultrasound images were analyzed. Body regions varied markedly in terms of subcutaneous variables. Posterior chest had the thickest deep fascia and dermis and the highest average superficial fascia layer thickness [0.6 mm (95 percent CI, 0.6 to 0.7 mm)]. Anterior chest had the most superficial fascia layers [3.7 (95 percent CI, 3.5 to 3.8)]. Posterior and anterior chest had among the highest percentage of superficial fascia. Abdomen and especially gluteus had a low percentage of superficial fascia. Covariate analyses confirmed that posterior and anterior chest generally had higher superficial fascia content than gluteus and abdomen (both p < 0.001). They also showed that the dermis in the posterior and anterior chest increased proportionally to total fascia thickness. Conclusions: The superficial fascia, deep fascia, and dermis tend to be thick in high-tension areas such as the upper trunk. A site-specific surgical approach is recommended for subcutaneous sutures. Clinical Relevance Statement: Understanding the anatomical distribution of the superficial fascia and deep fascia will help surgeons optimize subcutaneous fasciae suturing, thereby potentially reducing the incidence of surgical-site infections and hypertrophic scars.


Influence of various extraction techniques (solvent-solvent, cold maceration and soxhlet extraction) on the mineral content and antioxidant capacity of ginger oil was investigated. The minerals determined were magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus. Flavonoid and phenolic contents were determined alongside the antioxidant capacity of the oils which was assayed using DPPH radical scavenging activity and total reducing power. Extracted oil showed strong characteristic pungent gingerly odor and was liquids at room temperature. Highest oil yield was obtained by soxhlet extraction technique (8.04± 0.04%); followed by cold maceration technique (5.30±0.03%) and the lowest by solvent-solvent extraction technique (4.83±0.08%). The results of the mineral analysis showed that oil obtained by soxhlet extraction technique had the highest concentration of all minerals determined, except manganese (3.80±0.01 mg/100g) which was highest in the oil obtained by cold maceration. The oil obtained by solvent-solvent extraction showed lowest concentration of all minerals determined, except calcium (1.08±0.10mg/100g) and zinc (0.63±0.11mg/100g) which were lowest in oil obtained by cold maceration. However, the concentration of phosphorus was highest in all the oils when compared with other minerals. Oil obtained by soxhlet extraction showed the highest concentration of flavonoids (118.00±1.00mgQE/g) and phenolics (217.33±1.53 mgGAE/g) as well as the highest average DPPH radical scavenging capacity (55.56±0.04%) and average total reducing power (0.88±0.002) while the least concentration of flavonoids (44.45±2.97 mgQE/g), phenolics (112.43±1.42 mgGAE/g), average DPPH radical scavenging capability (19.73±0.01%) and average total reducing power (0.55±0.030) were obtained for the oil obtained by solvent-solvent extraction technique. The results showed that heat and reflux condition involved in the soxhlet extraction technique enhanced the extraction of minerals and phytochemicals from ginger rhizome and also enhanced the antioxidant capacity of ginger rhizome oil.


In a previous note the author obtained necessary conditions for the optimal control of a system represented by a non-linear differential-integral equation with a general cost function. This note considers the special case of a linear system with a quadratic cost and proposes an iterative method for the solution of the necessary conditions. The method proposed is based on a similar approach suggested by Mueller in his report on systems with constant time lag.


The QI plan of a department or functional area is a statement of philosophy about quality improvement and a guide to doing quality improvement. In that sense, the QI plan is both a roadmap and a description of the journey. The form of the QI plan varies by organization and is a reflection of the individual style of the organization. The substance of the plan is important. QI plan developers who consider structure, process and outcome will generate a viable document that supports meaningful quality improvement.


: This article examines the telling of ghost stories of Indigenous Australians who were removed from their families during Australia's assimilation era. Known as the Stolen Generations, this group of people, were subjected to institutionalisation, adoption, and forced removals from their families, communities and Aboriginal country. In many of my ethnographic encounters with Stolen Generations, I was steadily drawn into their world of ghosts and hauntings. This article reflects on the challenge for the ethnographer in thinking with and through such encounters with the uncanny. It asks how we should approach the ghost as a real entity as well as a metaphorical, interpretative lens through which to understand the transgenerational trauma and suffering inflicted by settler colonial violences.


In this paper we describe how we applied a BIST-based approach to the test of a logic core to be included in system-on-a-chip (SoC) environments. The approach advantages are the ability to protect the core IP, the simple test interface (thanks also to the adoption of the P1500 standard), the possibility to run the test at-speed, the reduced test time, and the good diagnostic capabilities. The paper reports figures of the achieved fault coverage, the required area overhead, and the performance slowdown, and compares the figures with those for alternative approaches, such as those based on full scan and sequential ATPG.


The thesis focuses on the control of asymmetric permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) system, with particular reference to the suppression of its second harmonic (2h) power, DC bus voltage and torque ripples.
The asymmetries include the unbalanced resistances, unbalanced inductances, and unbalanced 3-phase back-electromotive forces (EMFs). The mathematical model of the general asymmetries in the PMSG system is firstly presented. The power ripple and torque ripple due to the asymmetries without/with negative-(N-) sequence currents are then analysed in detail. It shows that there are 2h impedances in the synchronous dq-axis frame. Consequently, the N-sequence currents emerge under the conventional current proportional and integral (PI) control, which will result in undesired 2h power, DC bus voltage and torque ripples.
To suppress the 2h torque resulted from the N-sequence currents, three typical methods aiming for balanced currents without N-sequence currents are reviewed, evaluated and their relationship is revealed. It shows that all these three methods are capable of suppressing the N-sequence currents as verified by experiments. However, the 2h power and DC bus voltage cannot be suppressed.
To suppress the undesired 2h power and DC bus voltage, an improved power control without any sequential component decomposers under general unbalanced conditions is proposed. Its effectiveness is validated by elaborated experiments on a prototype PMSG with inherent asymmetry and deliberately introduced asymmetries. However, the 2h torque is compromised.
To solve the 2h torque, power and DC bus voltage simultaneously, the compensation in parallel with the DC bus is investigated in the PMSG system with asymmetric impedances. The undesired 2h power from the PMSG is compensated by the 2h power from the compensation unit. Two topologies of the compensation unit and corresponding control methods are investigated, while the compensation effectiveness is validated by experiments.
Furthermore, the compensation unit with external circuits in series with the asymmetric PMSG is investigated. By the compensation in series, the original unbalanced system is modified to a balanced system in theory. Therefore, the N-sequence currents, 2h power, DC bus voltage, and torque ripple can be naturally suppressed. The feasibility of this compensation method is verified by experiments at different speeds and load conditions, although the effectiveness may be slightly affected by the non-linearity of the compensation inductors in practice.
Finally, the research of suppressing the 2h DC bus voltage and torque ripple is extended to the dual 3-phase PMSG system with one channel failed. By utilizing the windings, rectifier or inverter in the faulty channel which are still functional, three methods designated as two sets in parallel, two DC buses in parallel and N-sequence currents compensation are investigated, which require minimum extra hardware investment compared with the compensation in parallel and in series.


There are several approaches to delineation of statistically homogeneous units for pavement response variables in a selected property, and one of them, the cumulative difference approach, is presented in the AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures (1993). This method is a relatively powerful analytical one, when the nature of the measurements involves delineating homogeneous units with different mean value levels. However, there are other cases when the delineation procedure should be applied for data with different levels of scatter characteristics, such as with standard deviation or range. This modified cumulative difference approach is fully described in this paper with application to delineating statistically homogeneous units along a road profile of roughness measurements. The suggested approach provides an advantage in delineating scattered characteristics and shows a high level of efficiency as evidenced by practical applications. The results presented are expected to serve as a basis for enhancing quality control criteria in the construction, as well as in the maintenance stages. Another goal is to serve any advanced pavement management system (PMS).


The locality from which the following minerals were obtained has long been the scene of active speculation amongst geologists. The theories advanced have increased in number year by year, and are now legion. Whilst the geologist has been busy accumulating facts as to the presence of certain minerals in the rock masses which go to compose the crags, the chemical composition and analyses seem to have been allowed to lie almost unknown. Considering that chemistry might probably aid in clearing up a few of the difficulties which come in the way of the geologist, by giving him exact data as to the composition of the masses he is working with, I have instituted a series of analyses which will be communicated to the Society in short papers.

The rocks to which this paper refers were obtained from the south half of the crags, and refer to Mr Taylor's ‶South Vent.″ Sir James Hall, in the Edinburgh Royal Society ‶Transactions,″ published a series of analyses by Dr Kennedy, detailing the results of experiments on the formation of calc spar by compression, but the greenstone spoken of in that paper was obtained from the quarry above Holyrood Palace, and at the north end of the crags.

The first of the samples analysed by me was taken from the vent itself; the second from the rock next to and surrounding the vent; whilst the third analysis shows the course of the main or unaltered rock.

No. 1 Sample . The rock or plug of


Organic semiconductor photocells based upon P3HT:PCBM (1:1 by weight) have been subjected to X irradiation. The carrier lifetime has been determined using a pulsed optical method with continuous light to generate an open circuit voltage bias. No effect is observed on the carrier lifetime up to 300 krad (SiO2). However, changes in the open circuit voltage are observed and we argue that these result from compensation of the internal field which results from the built-in potential. The origin of the field modifications must lay in the presence of radiation induced trapped charge near the organic semiconductor/anode and/or cathode interfaces.


Spatially controlled coculture in three-dimensional environments that appropriately mimic in vivo tissue architecture is a highly desirable goal in basic scientific studies of stem cell physiological processes (e.g., proliferation, matrix production, and tissue repair) and in enhancing the development of novel stem-cell-based clinical therapies for a variety of ailments. This study describes a novel fabrication system for photopatterning and assembling cell-laden oligo(polyethylene glycol)-fumarate:poly(ethylene glycol)-diacrylate hydrogels with high spatial fidelity and thickness using a controlled, inert nitrogen environment without the need for expensive precision equipment. Cross-linking was performed using Irgacure-2959 photoinitiator and 365-nm light (∼7 mW/cm²) to form gels ranging from 0.9 to 3 mm in width. Employing a nitrogen environment increased gel thickness up to 240%, generating gels > 1 mm thick before swelling. This technique was further applied for spatially controlled patterning of primary tendon/ligament fibroblasts and marrow stromal cells in a single 1.5-mm-thick laminated hydrogel construct. Cells encapsulated using this technique maintained viability over 14 days in culture. This system potentially enables better understanding of paracrine effects on a range of stem cell functions and therefore may be useful as an in vitro model system for a wide array of regenerative medicine applications.


It is shown that the quotient maps of a monotopological construct A which are preserved by pullbacks along embeddings, projections, or arbitrary morphisms, can be characterized by being quotient maps in appropriate extensions of A.


In this study, we aim to build a rule-based intonation model for Turkish text-to-speech synthesis. A proper intonation model is required for a natural synthesized speech. Since verbs in Turkish are very important in the sentence, and their inflection rules are well known, the derived intonation rules are based on verbal inflections. Stress patterns of affirmative, negative and interrogative forms of verbs are investigated in terms of combinations of duration, pitch frequency and energy modifications. In the end, very much related with the quality of the synthesis, it is found that, for positive and negative affirmative sentences, no parameter differs much; nevertheless, for positive and negative interrogative sentences, pitch frequency and energy are seen to be the most important and effective parameters.


There are twelve administrative villages in Yaoqia township of Amdo county. The names of the villages are numbered according to the distance of the administrative village from the township government. This author has studied Village Five, and in line with sociological usage named the village "Yaoqia village." This village consists of forty-six households with a population of 225 people. The largest household consists of twelve members, and the average is 5.5 persons per household. The entire village adheres to the Tibetan Buddhist Ge Lu sect. There are no schools in the village, but the great majority of the villagers can read the Tibetan script, and some are able to both read and write. Very few speak the Han language.


We tested 91 asymptomatic adolescent male detainees in a short-stay detention facility in Seattle, Washington for the presence of leukocyte esterase in first-catch urine and for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. C. trachomatis was isolated from 10 subjects (11 per cent) and N. gonorrhoeae from five (5 per cent). Dipsticks detected leukocyte esterase in the urine of all 15 subjects with either infection and of 13 subjects with neither infection. Detection of leukocyte esterase was 100 per cent sensitive, 83 per cent specific, and 54 per cent predictive for the presence of either organism.


Cumulative plastic strain (CPS) damage index is proposed in this study for seismic fragility analysis by integrating the force analogy method into the energy balance equation, and CPS can be defined as the ratio of the demand of plastic dissipation energy to its capacity. The cumulative plastic strain can indicate the structural damage cumulative effect under earthquakes, which makes it especially suitable to be selected as the damage index for the structural component. Threshold values of cumulative plastic strain for different performance limit state (PLS) levels are obtained through the degree of consistency of interstory drift-based fragility curves and CPS-based fragility curves. Regarding the multidimensional fragility evaluation, CPS and the floor acceleration will be selected as the quantification indices for performance limit state of the structural component and nonstructural component, respectively. The probabilistic seismic demand model (PSDM) following multivariate logarithmic normal distribution will be developed, and taking PLS uncertainty and correlation into consideration, multidimensional PLS function is constructed to identify the structural failure domain. A full-scale 2-bay 2-story frame structure for the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) project is employed as the case study structure to demonstrate the proposed theory. Nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis is carried out for the structure to obtain its maximum responses under earthquakes. Consequently, the multidimensional fragility curves can be derived on the basis of CPS. Besides, the influence of PLS threshold value, engineering demand parameter (EDP) correlation, and PLS correlation on the multidimensional fragility is investigated. Results show that (1) CPS damage index can fully consider the cumulative effect of damage under earthquakes, which makes up for the deficiency of the interstory drift damage index in this aspect, (2) the multidimensional fragility framework can deal with the PLS correlation and EDP correlation simultaneously, which will generate a more precise seismic damage assessment result, and (3) multidimensional fragility is sensitive to PLS threshold values and PLS correlation parameters.


The Republic of Belarus has earned plaudits and words of gratitude from President Bill Clinton and his administration for its resolute commitment to nuclear disarmament. Immediately following the final collapse of the Soviet state in December 1991, officials in Belarus, one of four nuclear-armed successor states to the USSR, expressed a desire to become the first nation in history to voluntarily give up its arsenal of nuclear weapons. As the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) enters its third year of existence, Miensk has shown no sign of hesitation before the task. In February 1993, the Belarusian Parliament voted to ratify START-1 and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. With a U.S. pledge of $65 million toward the costs, Belarus has already dismantled nine of its 81 SS-25 missiles and shown interest in eliminating the remainder well ahead of the schedule imposed by START-1. Given mounting concerns over the intentions of other former Soviet republics, it is easy to understand why Secretary of State Warren Christopher, during a recently completed visit to Miensk, was profuse in his praise of the example Belarus was setting for a more sluggish Kazakhstan and an alarmingly recalcitrant Ukraine. Anti-nuclear sentiment indeed runs deep in this little-known country situated in the geographic center of Europe. In sharp contrast to their counterparts in neighboring Ukraine, even the most radical supporters of Belarusian independence shun discussion of maintaining a nuclear deterrent against potential Russian aggression. Public and parliamentary debate on the implications of nuclear disarmament for national security has been conspicuously absent, barring a few murmurs of protest from members of the former Soviet officer corps based in Belarus. Such aversion to the nuclear option can be explained in large part by the lingering trauma of Chernobyl—the consequences of which were most dramatic and widespread in Belarus—and by broad exasperation with the country's status as one of the most militarized societies in Europe in terms of the concentration of troops and arms. But to an important degree, the ready rejection of nuclear weapons also stems from a characteristically Belarusian sense of moderation. If many Ukrainians envision their country as a future powerhouse, the national self-image among Belarusians is more restrained and cognizant of the country's very poor endowment in natural resources. A good illustration was provided last year by


Clinicians and physicians need to be aware of the high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines use in patients with asthma, as it is found to be associated with lack of asthma control, though the degree to which associations exist is still not clear.

 We have performed a cluster analysis to characterize patterns defining different asthma control levels and the extent to which the medicines have an impact in these categories.

 We have explored the association of Complementary and Alternative medicines utilization with asthma control and the effect of asthma controller medications, with the conclusion that the usage of complementary and alternative medicines does not have a significant impact on partially and uncontrolled asthmatics.


Abstract Background A possible role of vitamin D in the pathophysiology of depression is currently speculative, with more rigorous research needed to assess this association in large adult populations. The current study assesses prospective associations between vitamin D status and depression in middle-aged adults enrolled in the UK Biobank. Methods We assessed prospective associations between vitamin D status at the baseline assessment (2006–2010) and depression measured at the follow-up assessment (2016) in 139 128 adults registered with the UK Biobank. Results Amongst participants with no depression at baseline (n = 127 244), logistic regression revealed that those with vitamin D insufficiency [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–1.22] and those with vitamin D deficiency (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.13–1.36) were more likely to develop new-onset depression at follow-up compared with those with optimal vitamin D levels after adjustment for a wide range of relevant covariates. Similar prospective associations were reported for those with depression at baseline (n = 11 884) (insufficiency: aOR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.00–1.23; deficiency: aOR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.13–1.50). Conclusions The prospective associations found between vitamin D status and depression suggest that both vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency might be risk factors for the development of new-onset depression in middle-aged adults. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency (and to a lesser extent insufficiency) might be a predictor of sustained depressive symptoms in those who are already depressed. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is very common, meaning that these findings have significant implications for public health.


The European Union (EU)'s keen concern about citizens' health and well-being advancement has been expressed at all levels. It has been understood that at present, these can only be achieved through coordinated actions at the individual member states' level based on EU directives, as well as through promoting and funding R&D and expanding the use of eHealth technologies. Despite the diversities and particularities among member states, common values such as universal access to good quality healthcare, equity, and solidarity have been widely accepted across EU. That demanded the adoption of policies and follow directives, which streamlined actions to bridge healthcare gaps, and facilitate cross-border healthcare. This paper articulates a framework for deriving a national healthcare system, based on interoperable Electronic Health Record (EHR) with safeguarding healthcare quality, enabling quadruple helix (Public, Academia, Industry, NGOs) driven R&D and guided by a patient-centered approach. A methodology to develop an integrated EHR at National level is proposed as a prerequisite for eHealth and put into perspective. Recommendations are given for the steps needed, from the managerial, legal, technical, and financial concerns in developing an open access, patient-centered national healthcare system based on the context and constraints of a country. The example of a small country to apply the proposed methodology is demonstrated. Stakeholders, including citizens, healthcare professionals, academia, and the industry are mobilized, enabled, and incentivized for implementing the methodology. Experiences are aspired to be offered as lessons learned for other countries to adapt on their environment.


Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) concentration and aspartate amino transferase (ASAT or GOT) activity were measured from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of rabbits before and after electrically induced convulsions. The convulsions caused a significant increase in CSF cAMP concentration. The treatment with phenobarbital, diphenylhydantoin and carbamazepine for 7 days decreased the basal cAMP values in CSF and partly inhibited the rise after the convulsions. The alterations in ASAT activity were parallel, but less striking. The present results suggest the involvement of cAMP in epileptic discharge and in the mechanism of action of anticonvulsants.


Previous cephalometric studies of occlusofacial angular and metric data show small variability within and between population samples of Caucasian children and adults. Comparable results were obtained by use of standardized X-ray cephalometry and direct craniometric measurements of skulls of mature specimens of Alouatta caraya and Cebus capucinus. These data measure facial and occlusofacial form and form relationships. Identical measuring techniques are applied to compare data derived from headplates of 19 young adult American Caucasians and 19 articulated Hindu skulls of mature individuals. The data are expanded to include measurements that relate symphyseal form to occlusal and nasomaxillary structure. The facial plane and an "internal" facial plane (nasion to a point tangential to the superior genial tubercles) straddle the mandibular symphysis. The angles they form at nasion and at their intersections with the maxillary occlusal plane were derived and statistically analyzed. The occlusal plane intersect angles show small absolute variability and are not significantly different (P greater than .05) in the two groups. The nasion plane angles are significantly different (P less than .025), reflecting sample differences in facial height. Linear measurements confirm a considerably larger dentoalveolar prognathism in the Hindu group. Data derived from the geometrically averaged tracings of Bjork, Broadbent, Sassouni, and Solow provide further evidence of occlusofacial form commonality. These shared phyletically conservative traits are evidence of highly integrated morphological adaptations for the attainment, maintenance, and functioning of the species-wide pattern of precisely fitting complementary crowns and crown parts that constitute the dental occlusion.


The COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary lapse in the development of otolaryngology trainee operative skills due to the cancellation of elective procedures and redeployment of trainees and attendings to COVID-19 units. Although transient, this disruption provided an opportunity for otolaryngology programs to develop contingency plans and formalize nascent simulation training curricula. Integration of formal simulation training alongside current didactic and surgical education may offset lost exposure during surgically lean times while providing the framework and resources for enhanced baseline training. Here, we provide an up-to-date overview of surgical simulation models in otolaryngology and identify easily implementable, low-cost, low fidelity models for junior trainees. By taking advantage of rapid advancements in technology and a paradigm shift to a more hands-on approach in medical education, formal simulation training may prove to be a beneficial tool at all stages of residency training, allowing for expanded peer-mentored skill development and providing a safe haven during unforeseen disruptions in surgical case volume.


such as the approaching unification of the 'Arab' world (p. 122), have not (yet) materialised. The big picture, however, remains.The seeds of contemporary American political incompetency, Kolko asserts, were sown long ago, in the first decade following the Second World War, at the latest; George W. Bush – considered by many as one of the worst US presidents ever – did not initiate the decline but simply exacerbated it (p. 165). The core problems of the US, the author argues, are its self-centred political system and its old-fashioned, useless military apparatus, which make it repeat the mistakes it made in Vietnam – now in Iraq and Afghanistan. Chapters 2 and 3 may be of special interest to students of American history in the twentieth century. The analysis in chapter 6 would probably interest those studying the art of intelligence and political decision making. Chapter 4 ('Israel: A Stalemated Accident of History') should be read by citizens of that political entity, as it may provide them with an external perspective on their state's international situation. By its very nature as a collection of articles, World in Crisis does not fully knit together all of its threads – financial, technological, political and economic. But it certainly lists the symptoms of the current situation, which in itself is an important thing.


A two-dimensional simulation model of thin-film deposition, which involves the effect of the incident kinetic energy of atoms and the mobility of the substrate temperature, is developed. Lennard-Jones potential and nuclear scattering are used to characterize the atom-atom interaction. The effect of substrate temperature on the relaxation of depositing particles is also considered. Some simulation results are presented and discussed in detail.


Abstract
A hydroponics experiment was conducted to compare effect of Fe-deficiency on concentration, uptake, translocation of Fe, Zn, Mn in some plants. A completely randomized block design in triplicates was conducted in research greenhouse. Seven plants with different Fe-efficiency contained two bread wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivium L. CVs. Backcross Roshan and Qods), triticale (X. Triticosecale Cv eleanor), dent corn (Zea Mays L. CV. S.C704) and two safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L. CVs Arak2811 and Koose) were grown in a nutrient solution at two Fe levels of 5 and 50 µM Fe EDTA. The most tolerant and the most sensitive of plants to Fe-deficiency were bread wheat (Qods genotype) with 125% Fe-efficiency and safflower (Arak2811) with 3.5% Fe-efficiency, respectively. A significant and positive correlation was found between the Fe-efficiency and Zn, Fe and Mn contents and root to shoot translocation of Fe among the studied crops. Large variation was found among the studied crops in shoot and root Zn, Fe and Mn content. The Qods and cross back Roshan wheat genotypes accumulated greater Zn, Fe and Mn in their shoots compared to other genotypes. Higher uptake and root to shoot translocation of microelements in the Fe-efficiency genotypes is an important aspect for biofertilization programs with the aim of improving crop quality.

Keywords: Hydroponic Culture, Iron deficient, Fe-efficiency, Micronutrient, Uptake, Translocation of micronutrient


Throughout the modern day Caribbean, artisanal fishing constitutes an important part of domestic subsistence and household economies. Many of the traditional fishing practices on the islands today were established during the Colonial Period, as enslaved Africans and their descendants developed social, economic, and subsistence strategies to persist under the plantation system. The historical record provides little insight into the day-to-day experiences of these enslaved laborers, including their subsistence regimes and practices. Fishing by slaves in the colonial French Antilles is portrayed in the historic literature as a practice reserved primarily for an "elite" group of fisherman held on wealthy plantations. Archaeology provides insight into the pieces of history left out of the written record and offers valuable information regarding the everyday lives of the enslaved peoples and communities underrepresented in this record. This article presents the results of the zooarchaeological analysis of faunal remains recovered from enslaved laborer and sharecropper occupations at Habitation Crève Cœur, an eighteenth–nineteenth century sugar plantation on the island of Martinique. The data reveal that fishing was an important economic activity for the slaves on this plantation and that the practice of fishing was likely more of a communal act than one for a privileged few. Furthermore, analysis indicates that fishing techniques that continue on the island today originated centuries ago, traditions developed by enslaved laborers living under the severe constraints of the oppressive plantation system.


Climate change is already affecting many of the world's ecosystems with far-reaching impacts. In this special issue, contributors focus on the current and projected impacts of climate change across different geographical regions of Oceania (Australia, Pacific Islands and New Zealand). In this synthesis, we examine how climate change is affecting the three main realms: terrestrial, freshwater (broadly including estuarine and inland saline systems) and marine. Within this context, we also examine general strategies for climate adaptation including reducing other threats (e.g., habitat loss and degradation), expanding protected areas, increasing connectivity, restoring habitat and translocations. We show that many of these general strategies will not overcome all the threats caused by climate change and specific solutions are likely to be necessary. Beyond the implementation of these strategies, there are significant future challenges which will hamper effective adaptation that need to be overcome by the scientific community. Our current understanding of the impacts of climate change on biodiversity remains poor; this is particularly true for poor nations in the region. There is also considerable uncertainty in forecasts of climate change, particularly at the local scale, and this uncertainty impacts pro-active planning. This makes effective implementation particularly challenging. Considerable focus is needed into ecosystem-based adaptation where local communities are integrally involved, allied with more active and accountable management of conservation, through adaptive management processes. The world is experiencing far reaching and long-term changes to ecosystems with major impacts on human communities, particularly in relation to ecosystem services. Our ability to develop effective adaptation strategies from the broad scale policy (e.g., emissions control) to local scale management (e.g., building resilience in ecosystems) will be significantly tested but the world is in an important period and scientists and practitioners need to keep trying different approaches and reporting their successes and failures to the wider community.


Antigen-coupled ethylene carbodiimide-fixed cells is an attractive therapeutic platform for treating human patients with type 1 diabetes since these cells can prevent and reverse diabetes in the non-obese diabetic mouse model of diabetes. However, the mechanisms contributing to the induction of T cell tolerance in vivo following treatment are unclear. Therefore, we used the BDC2.5 T cell transfer model to study how p31-coupled cells inhibit T cell function in vivo. Our results demonstrate that indirect antigen presentation was critical for tolerance induction in vivo. We further demonstrate that PD-L1 on the host antigen presenting cells is required for tolerance induction. Importantly, using two-photon microscopy we show that BDC2.5 T cells arrest on CD11c+ dendritic cells during the induction of tolerance, suggesting that these cells are responsible for presenting coupled cell antigen and tolerance induction. To increase the feasibility of translating antigen coupled cells to the clinic, we demonstrate that whole blood preparations and frozen cells are sufficient for tolerance induction, a significant concern for donor coupled cell sources when considering translation to human patients. These data further our understanding of how antigen-coupled cells induce tolerance and how this tolerance protocol could be altered to increase clinical feasibility.


Sir We read with interest the article on typhoid perforations by Gibney'. While listing the various procedures for operative treatment, mention of tube ileostomy in the treatment is omitted. This was originally described by Lusoya'. We agree that all typhoid perforations must be managed operatively after resuscitation. However, in view of the severity of contamination and marked bowel distension due to ileus there is danger of reperforation or fresh perforation if adequate decompression is not achieved. To this end we have advocated a tube ileostomy through the perforation using a 24 Fr Foley catheter. In case of multiple perforations it is put via the most proximal perforation and the rest closed in two layers using Vicrylh (Ethicon Limited, Edinburgh, UK) and silk. The tube is removed after 2 weeks. In patients with severe contamination and grossly distended bowel we perform laparostomy and repeat peritoneal toilet is done after 48 and 96 h. At this time any collections can be evacuated. It is also possible to identify reor fresh perforations and treat them. This procedure markedly reduces intra abdominal abscess formation and delayed mortality. During the period 1978-85, 71 cases of typhoid perforations were treated. The treatment undertaken and mortality respectively were: simple closure, 30; resection and anastomosis, 6; resection and ileotransverse colostomy, 5 ; and tube ileostomy, 28. Two cases were treated conservatively and both died. Consequently, since 1985 we have adopted tube ileostomy as standard treatment with selective laparostomy. A further 27 cases have been thus treated and laparostomy done in nine cases. Postoperative mortality numbered 2 (7.4percent). Both patients presented more than 72 h after perforation and mortality is related to septicaemia and delay in treatment . Enterocutaneous fistula is a major complication in these patients with live instances in the simple closure group and two in the resection anastomosis group. No patient in the tube ileostomy group developed fistula. There was no significant leak after removal of the tube. The mortality rate is comparable to those in other series and is among the best in literature. Eggleston3 reported a 32 per cent mortality rate using resection and anastomosis or ileotransverse colostomy. Meier4 reports a 32 per cent mortality rate using debridement and closure. Therefore it is our contention that tube ileostomy has a definite role in the treatment of typhoid perforations. The procedure is simple, safe and associated with low mortality and morbidity. R. Ardhanari N. Rangabashyam


Brush border myosin-I, or BBMI, constitutes the lateral links that connect in intestinal microvilli the core bundle of actin filaments to the membrane. Although related molecules have been identified in other higher eukaryotic tissues, northern blot analysis has indicated that the distribution of this particular myosin-I isoform is restricted essentially to intestine. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction we have identified BBMI in a wide range of tissues including liver and testis. Our results also indicate that in testis the BBMI gene might be alternatively spliced.


BACKGROUND
There is paucity of information on the effect of blood donation on iron stores in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The present study was, therefore, designed to assess, using a combination of haemoglobin and iron status parameters, the development of anaemia and prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in this area of Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three hundred and forty-eight unselected consecutive whole blood donors, comprising 96 regular donors, 156 relatives of patients and 96 voluntary donors, constituted the study population. Three haematological parameters (haemoglobin, packed cell volume, and mean cell haemoglobin concentration) and four biochemical iron parameters (serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation) were assessed using standard colorimetric and ELISA techniques.

RESULTS
The prevalence of anaemia alone (haemoglobin <11.0 g/dL) was 13.7%. The prevalence of isolated iron deficiency (serum ferritin <12 ng/mL) was 20.6% while that of iron-deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin <11.0 g/dL + serum ferritin <12.0 ng/mL) was 12.0%. Among the three categories of the donors, the regular donors were found to be most adversely affected as shown by the reduction in mean values of both haematological and biochemical iron parameters. Interestingly, anaemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia were present almost exclusively among regular blood donors, all of whom were over 35 years old.

CONCLUSION
Anaemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia are highly prevalent among blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It will be necessary to review the screening tests for the selection of blood donors and also include serum ferritin measurement for the routine assessment of blood donors, especially among regular blood donors.


President Clinton has asked Congress for "fast track" authority for implementing future trade agreements; this authority would limit congressional debate and prevent amendments to implementing legislation. Delays in completing this proposal were attributed to difficulties in reconciling conflicting pressures over environment and labor concerns. The President's proposal contains references to environmental concerns, but various interests are likely to seek clarification on these points.


Background: Appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis can reduce the risk of post-operative wound infections, but misuse and overuse of antibiotics increase cost and emergence of resistant bacteria. Despite the existence of general recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis, many deviations from these recommendations are still reported notably for antibiotic choice and duration of prophylactic administration.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of post-operative prophylactic antibiotics in surgical wards at Dhiraj Hospital, a tertiary care teaching hospital attached with SBKS Medical Institute and Research Center, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, a total of 200 patients from various surgical wards were included. Pretested pro forma which included information on choice of antimicrobial agents as well as their route, number and total duration of prophylaxis were completed. Furthermore, appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis was assessed as per standard guidelines.

Results: All the patients received post-operative antibiotic doses. The majority of patients (98, 49%) were prescribed three antibiotics. Most of the post-operative use of antibiotics was not as per standard guidelines in terms of choice of antibiotics and total duration of treatment. The patients received post-operative antibiotics for a mean duration of 9.84 days during their hospital stay.

Conclusion: In spite of existence of the written guidelines for antimicrobial surgical prophylaxis, there are significant deviations from the recommendations in current clinical practice. To promote the rational use of antibiotics in surgical prophylaxis, implementation of and adherence to evidence-based guidelines and recommendations for antimicrobial surgical prophylaxis is strictly required.


The CMA wants to work with national health care groups, such as the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), to explore ways providers can work collaboratively to provide quality health care. A joint working group of the CMA and the CNA recently examined collaborative care, focusing on examples provided in HIV/AIDS care. The group developed principles to help people work collaboratively in a variety of settings.


With the growth in size and complexity of High Energy Physics experiments, and the accompanying increase in the number of collaborators spread across the globe, the importance of widely relaying timely monitoring and status information has grown. To this end, we present online Web Based Monitoring solutions from the CMS experiment at CERN. The web tools developed present data to the user from many underlying heterogeneous sources, from real time messaging systems to relational databases. We provide the power to combine and correlate data in both graphical and tabular formats of interest to the experimentalist, with data such as beam conditions, luminosity, trigger rates, detector conditions and many others, allowing for flexibility on the user side. We also present some examples of how this system has been used during CMS commissioning and early beam collision running at the Large Hadron Collider.


Purpose: Docetaxel has activity against androgen-independent prostate cancer and preclinical studieshave shown that taxane-based chemotherapy canenhance antitumor response of vaccines. The primary objective of this study was to determine if concurrent docetaxel (with dexamethasone) hadanyeffectongeneratinganimmuneresponsetothevaccine.Secondaryendpointswerewhether vaccine couldbe given safelywithdocetaxel and the clinicaloutcomeof the treatment regimen. Experimental Design: The vaccination regimen was composed of (a) recombinant vaccinia virus (rV) that expresses the prostate-specific antigen gene (rV-PSA) admixed with (b) rV that expresses the B7.1costimulatory gene (rV-B7.1), and (c) sequential booster vaccinations with recombinant fowlpox virus (rF-) containing the PSAgene (rF-PSA). Patients receivedgranulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor with each vaccination. Twenty-eight patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer were randomized to receive either vaccine and weekly docetaxel or vaccine alone. Patients on the vaccine alone arm were allowed to cross over to receive docetaxel alone at time of disease progression. The ELISPOTassay was used to monitor immune responses for PSA-specificTcells. Results: The median increase in theseT-cell precursors to PSA was 3.33-fold in both arms following 3 months of therapy. In addition, immune responses to other prostate cancer ^ associated tumor antigens were also detected postvaccination. Eleven patients who progressed on vaccine alone crossed over to receive docetaxel at time of progression. Median progressionfree survival on docetaxel was 6.1months after receiving vaccine comparedwith 3.7monthswith the same regimen in a historical control. Conclusion: This is the first clinical trial to show that docetaxel can be administered safely with immunotherapy without inhibiting vaccine specificT-cell responses. Furthermore, patients previously vaccinated with an anticancer vaccine may respond longer to docetaxel compared with a historical control of patients receiving docetaxel alone. Larger prospective clinical studies will be required to validate these findings. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the most common noncutaneous malignancy diagnosed in American males and the second leading cause of cancer death. One of six men will develop clinically significant prostate cancer in his lifetime. During 2005, an estimated 232,900 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 30,350 will die from the disease in the United States (1). Overall survival for patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer has been improved with a docetaxel-based regimen. The clinical benefit shown in these recent studies is an f3-month increase in survival using an every-3-week regimen of docetaxel (2, 3). However, compared with the every-3-week schedule, weekly docetaxel is associated with significantly less grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity. Other studies have looked at combining weekly docetaxel with other agents (4, 5). A randomized phase II trial at the National Cancer Institute compared the addition of daily low-dose thalidomide (200 mg) to weekly docetaxel (30 mg/m) versus docetaxel alone (6). Docetaxel was administered for 3 consecutive weeks of a 4-week cycle. Nine of 25 patients (37%) in the docetaxel alone arm and 25 of 50 patients (50%) in the combination arm had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline of at least 50%. In a recent update, the overall survival of the combination arm was 25.9 months versus 14.7 months in the docetaxel alone arm (P = 0.041; ref. 7). www.aacrjournals.org Clin Cancer Res 2006;12(4) February15, 2006 1260 Cancer Therapy: Clinical Authors'Affiliations: Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Medical Oncology Clinical Research Unit, Biostatistics and Data Management Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, and Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland and Therion Biologics Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts Received 9/22/05; revised11/23/05; accepted12/9/05. Grant support: Intramural Research Programof theNIH, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research. The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges.This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with18 U.S.C. Section1734 solely to indicate this fact. Requests for reprints: Jeffrey Schlom, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD 20892-1750. Phone: 301-496-4343; Fax: 301-496-2756; E-mail: email@example.com. F2006 American Association for Cancer Research. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-05-2059 Research. on May 29, 2017. © 2006 American Association for Cancer clincancerres.aacrjournals.org Downloaded from Newer strategies for the treatment of metastatic androgenindependent prostate cancer are currently being evaluated. The development of vaccine strategies designed to break tolerance and generate a sustained immune response against prostate cancer represents a novel therapeutic approach. Preclinical and clinical studies with a range of vaccines have shown that the induction of T-cell responses directed against a self-antigen can lead to antitumor activity in the absence of toxicity. Both carbohydrate and glycoprotein vaccines using ''self'' antigens have been administered to patients with prostate cancer. Clinical studies have not yet determined which of these antigens would contribute to the most potent vaccine. Globo H hexasaccharide is a carbohydrate vaccine that has elicited antibody responses as well as declines in PSA velocities when administered to prostate cancer patients (8). MUC-1 and prostate-specific membrane antigen have also been used as targets in various prostate cancer clinical studies (9–11). PSA is a potential target for a prostate cancer vaccine owing to its restricted expression on prostate cancer and normal prostatic epithelium. Miller et al. (12) conducted a phase I trial using a PSA DNA vaccine (pVAX/PSA DNA) in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer, showing induction of T cells to PSA peptides in patients following vaccine. Because the majority of prostate cancer vaccines tested thus far have used ''self'' antigens, vaccines and vaccine strategies must be developed to enhance the immunogenicity of these targets. An advantage of using recombinant poxvirus when developing cancer vaccines is that recombinant proteins derived from genes inserted and transcribed in viral genomes are more immunogenic than protein in adjuvant (13–15). The use of poxviral vectors to stimulate an immune response to PSA has been evaluated in several clinical trials (16, 17). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group reported (18) a randomized phase II study in which 64 patients with increasing PSA following definitive local therapy with no evidence of disease on scans were randomized to receive four vaccinations with recombinant fowlpox vector (rF-) expressing the PSA gene (rF-PSA, designated ''F'' for fowlpox) alone or in sequence with recombinant vaccinia vector (rV-) expressing PSA (rV-PSA, designated ''V''; ref. 18). Patients in arm A received monthly vaccination of FFF, arm B with FFFV, and arm C with VFFF. There was a substantial difference in PSA progression-free survival favoring the VFFF arm (arm C), lending further support to the use of vaccinia priming and avipox vector boosting (19– 22). This study has recently been updated with a median followup time of 50 months. The median time to PSA progression is 9.2, 9.1, and 18.2 months for arms A, B, and C, respectively. The median time to clinical progression has still not been reached for any treatment group with 80% of men in arms A and B free of disease progression compared with 90% of men in arm C free of clinical progression (P = 0.73, log-rank test). These results suggest that men with hormone-dependent prostate cancer and an increasing PSA may derive long-term clinical benefit from vaccinations with poxviruses expressing PSA (23). Costimulatory molecules are critical in the generation of potent T-cell responses, especially to weak antigens such as tumor-associated antigens (TAA). The initiation of a potent immune response requires at least two signals for the activation of naive T cells by antigen-presenting cells. The first signal is antigen specific, delivered through the T-cell receptor via the peptide/MHC, and causes the T cell to enter the cell cycle. The second ''costimulatory'' signal involves the interaction of a costimulatory molecule [such as B7.1 (CD80)] expressed on antigen-presenting cells, with its ligand on the T cell (the ligand for B7.1 is CD28 and CTLA4; refs. 24–26). We have recently reported the results of two phase II prostate cancer clinical trials where we administered rV-PSA mixed with a recombinant vaccinia containing the T-cell costimulatory molecule B7.1 along with booster vaccinations of avipox-PSA. In the first study, 30 patients with localized prostate cancer were randomized in a 2:1 fashion to receive radiation therapy with vaccination or radiation therapy alone (27). There were eight monthly vaccine injections administered to the patients randomized to the combination therapy in this study. Seventeen of 19 patients assigned to the vaccine arm received all eight doses. Thirteen of these 17 patients had enhanced increases in PSA-specific T cells compared with none in the radiation alone group. This study showed that the vaccine could be given safely and that specific T-cell responses were achieved in the majority of patients (27). In the second study, 42 patients with nonmetastatic hormonerefractory prostate cancer were randomized to receive either vaccination or antiandrogen therapy with nilutamide. If, after 6 months of treatment, the patients had no metastasis and their PSA continued to increase, they could then receive a combination of both treatments. Three patients who


What's your favorite book? Chances are good that someone has tried to ban it. Banned Books Week September 27-October 3


The dissolution of a drug can be compromised by the presence of different polymorphs, which may have different solubilities. Importantly, the pharmacopoeia monographs, usually not have tests for the characterization of these polymorphic forms of a drug. Was performed a study of polymorphic forms of mebendazole present in raw materials and also pills available in the Brazilian pharmaceutical market through the techniques of infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dissolution , solubility and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRPD). Through the analysis of FTIR and DSC curves showed that there are three main polymorphic forms of mebendazole present in raw materials and tablets that compound. The data obtained in the dissolution and solubility tests showed that Form A is less soluble than Form B which is less soluble than the C form, when using a dissolution medium without added surfactant. It has been found that in some tablets mebendazole there is a mixture of polymorphic forms, and that the raw materials present two major polymorphic forms. Then it is suggested the need of quality control regarding the type of polymorph used in the production of mebendazole tablets to ensure greater therapeutic efficacy.


A lthough long term survivors are well documented, infants with the autosomal trisomies 18 (Edwards syndrome) or 13 (Patau syndrome) usually die in the first few days or weeks of life. Accurate estimates of life expectancy are few, particularly in the case of trisomy 13. There have been six population surveys of survival in trisomy 18, comprising 430 unselected cases.1–6 In contrast there have been only two such studies of trisomy 13 involving 35 cases.4,7 A reliable estimate of survival time is important when counselling parents following a pre- or postnatal diagnosis. The fact that a significant proportion of infants succumb within the first 24 hours is a major contributing factor to the short median survival time. Given this fact, a means of revising the estimate of survival when an infant is already several days old is important. Using information available on infants with trisomy 13 or 18 born in Scotland from 1974 to 1997, we have calculated median survival times in this population and prepared revised figures which take into account continued survival.

Cases were ascertained from two sources, the Scottish Trisomy Register 1989-1997 and the Glasgow Register of Congenital Anomalies 1974-1989. The Scottish Trisomy Register was established in 1989 and is a database of autosomal trisomies in Scotland; information is collected from the Scottish service laboratories and includes name, date of birth, type of sample, karyotype, and whether liveborn.8,9 Dates of death are ascertained separately. The Glasgow Register of Congenital Anomalies is a multisource, population based congenital anomaly database of offspring of mothers resident in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area. Diagnostic validation by trained registry workers is performed on all notified cases. Only liveborn, non-mosaic free trisomies, both pre- and postnatally ascertained, were included in this study. These two sources provide …


The decrease of the residual direct current (DC) voltage (Vrdc) of the anti-parallel liquid crystal (LC) cell using silver (Ag)-doped Polyimide (Ag-d-PI) alignment layers is presented in this manuscript. A series of Ag/PI composite thin layers are prepared by spurting or doping PI thin layers with Ag nano-particles, and Ag/PI composite thin layers are highly transparent and resistive. LC are homogeneously aligned between 2.0 mg/ml Ag-d-PI alignment layers, and the Vrdc of the cell that assembled with Ag-d-PI alignment layers decreases about 82%. The decrease of Vrdc is attributed to the trapping and neutralizing of mobile ions by Ag nano-particles. Regardless of the effect of Ag nano-particles on the conductivity of Ag-d-PI alignment layers, the voltage holding ratio (VHR) of the cells is maintained surprisingly. The experiment results reveal a simple design for a low Vrdc LC cell.


This article fills the gap in the critical political economy literature by acknowledging the adoption of derivatives as state policy in middle-income countries such as Mexico. The article argues that the Mexican state has turned derivatives into a policy instrument to deal with the capitalist contradictions intensified by neoliberalism. This has created a particular institutional setting that favours large firms and financial investors over working classes. The article examines the role of derivatives as policy instruments in Mexico through the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture's use of corn futures options during the 2007–8 food crisis and Ministry of Finance's and Central Bank's adoption of hedging strategies through oil derivatives and US dollar put options to preserve the state budget and increase foreign reserves respectively during the 2007–10 global financial crisis.


BaTiO3 ceramics were fabricated at various sintering temperatures by using a conventional solid-oxide reaction method. The ferroelectric properties and the electro-caloric effect (ECE) were investigated as functions of the sintering temperature. The sample had a low density (< 80% of the theoretical value) and a small grain size of about 1.5 µm when the sintering temperature was 1320 °C or lower whereas abnormal grain growth was observed at sintering temperatures above 1320 °C. The density and the matrix grain size increased significantly with increasing sintering temperature above 1320 °C. The P — E hysteresis loop of the sample showed a poor slanted-shape at 1320 °C and was well-saturated at sintering temperatures of 1350 °C and higher. The improvement in the P — E loop, which was obtained by increasing in the sintering temperature, might be caused by an increase in the matrix grain size or the appearance of abnormal grains. The maximum and the remanent polarizations decreased continuously with increasing measurement temperature from 60 °C to 160 °C. A constricted double-hysteresis P — E loop was observed at temperatures just above the Curie temperature (∼ 120 °C) due to an electric-field-induced phase transition. The adiabatic temperature change due to the ECE (ΔTec) was obtained using an indirect method. The maximum ΔTec was obtained just above Tc where the double P — E loop was observed. The sample sintered at 1365 °C showed the highest ΔTec and EC strength ((∣ΔT∣/∣ΔE∣), which were 1.30 °C at 2 kV/mm and 0.65 K·mm/kV, respectively.


Introduction Since the introduction of major trauma centres and regional trauma networks in 2012, management of splenic injury has shifted, with non-operative management now favoured. For those requiring intervention, splenic artery embolisation is well established as a first-line treatment in all but the most severely injured. Follow-up is variable, with few guidelines, highlighting the paucity of data addressing the need for further imaging and antimicrobial prophylaxis. This review was undertaken to assess practice and outcomes at our centre in the context of the contemporary literature. Methods This retrospective study captured splenic embolisations over five years (January 2012–December 2016). CRIS interventional radiology codes were used to retrieve embolisation cases and Trauma Audit and Research Network and hospital event statistics data were used to identify all cases of traumatic splenic injury and to identify splenectomy and non-operative management patients. Outcomes were compared with available standards from different sources. Results Over the study period 176 splenic injuries were identified, of which 122 underwent non-operative management, 28 were laparotomy first, and 26 undergoing embolisation with an increased trend to an 'embolisation-first' approach over this time. In the embolisation group, the age range was 16–79 yr (mean 41), 18 were male and the median time to intervention was 2 h 9 min (range 1.1–171 h), with eight following failed non-operative management. The proportion of proximal versus selective embolisation versus both was 10:14:1 and the predominant mechanism was coiling. One patient was not embolised due to absence of contrast extravasation on initial angiogram and two proceeded to splenectomy due to failure of splenic artery embolisation. There were complications in six patients: five ongoing left upper quadrant pain, one infected haematoma requiring drainage, two chest infections with pleural effusions, one of which required drainage. There were two deaths from other injuries. Fifteen of the 25 patients who underwent splenic artery embolisation had follow-up imaging, seven did not and three were excluded due to splenectomy and/or death; five patients were vaccinated according to the hospital splenectomy protocol, and six received prophylactic antibiotics. Conclusion Our data show that non-operative management is the mainstay of treatment for the majority of splenic injury patients. Serious complications are not common but variation does exist in follow-up. The changing management trends are in line with national data. These findings will help to further implement and develop local protocols but more work is required to address splenic function after embolisation and the requirement for antimicrobial prophylaxis.


Using very stable intense fs Ti:sapphire laser pulses, new structures in the ion versus intensity plot of are observed which can be attributed to electron trapping in excited electronic vibrational levels. This is further studied by a new and more sensitive technique based on high-order harmonic generation.


Uveal melanomas are rare tumors arising from melanocytes that reside in the eye. Despite surgical or radiation treatment, approximately 50% of patients with uveal melanoma will progress to metastatic disease, most often to the liver. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing is a promising technology due to the minimally invasive sample collection and ability to infer multiple aspects of tumor response. We analyzed 46 serial cfDNA samples from 11 patients with uveal melanoma over a 1-year period following enucleation or brachytherapy (n = ∼4/patient) using targeted panel, shallow whole genome, and cell-free methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing. We found detection of relapse was highly variable using independent analyses (P = 0.06–0.46), whereas a logistic regression model integrating all cfDNA profiles significantly improved relapse detection (P = 0.02), with greatest power derived from fragmentomic profiles. This work provides support for the use of integrated analyses to improve the sensitivity of circulating tumor DNA detection using multi-modal cfDNA sequencing. Significance: Here, we demonstrate integrated, longitudinal cfDNA sequencing using multi-omic approaches is more effective than unimodal analysis. This approach supports the use of frequent blood testing using comprehensive genomic, fragmentomic, and epigenomic techniques.


ABSTRACT USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates are usually resistant only to oxacillin, erythromycin, and, increasingly, levofloxacin. Of these, oxacillin and levofloxacin resistances are chromosomally encoded. Plasmid-mediated clindamycin, mupirocin, and/or tetracycline resistance has been observed among USA300 isolates, but these descriptions were limited to specific patient populations or isolated occurrences. We examined the antimicrobial susceptibilities of invasive MRSA isolates from a national surveillance population in order to identify USA300 isolates with unusual, possibly emerging, plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance. DNA from these isolates was assayed for the presence of resistance determinants and the presence of a pSK41-like conjugative plasmid. Of 823 USA300 isolates, 72 (9%) were tetracycline resistant; 69 of these were doxycycline susceptible and tetK positive, and 3 were doxycycline resistant and tetM positive. Fifty-one (6.2%) isolates were clindamycin resistant and ermC positive; 22 (2.7%) isolates were high-level mupirocin resistant (mupA positive); 5 (0.6%) isolates were trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) resistant, of which 4 were dfrA positive; and 7 (0.9%) isolates were gentamicin resistant and aac6′-aph2″ positive. Isolates with pSK41-like plasmids (n = 24) were positive for mupA (n = 19), dfrA (n = 6), aac6′-aph2″ (n = 6), tetM (n = 2), and ermC (n = 8); 20 pSK41-positive isolates were positive for two or more resistance genes. Conjugative transfer of resistance was demonstrated between four gentamicin- and mupirocin-resistant and three gentamicin- and TMP-SMZ-resistant USA300 isolates; transconjugants harbored a single pSK41-like plasmid, which was PCR positive for aac6′-aph2″ and either mupA and/or dfrA. USA300 and USA100 isolates from the same state with identical resistance profiles contained pSK41-like plasmids with indistinguishable restriction and Southern blot profiles, suggesting horizontal plasmid transfer between USA100 and USA300 isolates.


Aim: This study aimed to revisit previous findings of superior processing of motion direction in migraineurs with a more stringent direction discrimination task and to investigate whether increased internal noise can account for motion processing deficits in migraineurs. Methods: Groups of 13 migraineurs (4 with aura, 9 without aura) and 15 headache-free controls completed three psychophysical tasks: one detecting coherence in a motion stimulus, one discriminating the spiral angle in a glass pattern and another discriminating the spiral angle in a global-motion task. Internal noise estimates were obtained for all tasks using an N-pass method. Results: Consistent with previous research, migraineurs had higher motion coherence thresholds than controls. However, there were no significant performance differences on the spiral global-motion and global-form tasks. There was no significant group difference in internal noise estimates associated with any of the tasks. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that variation in internal noise levels is not the mechanism driving motion coherence threshold differences in migraine. Rather, we argue that motion processing deficits may result from cortical changes leading to less efficient extraction of global-motion signals from noise.


BACKGROUND
Childhood obesity poses a global health threat. We investigated the association of the cardiopulmonary exercise testing indexes with adipokines levels and insulin resistance along with the beneficial effect of physical exercise on insulin resistance in children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Thirty-two obese, 21 overweight, and 30 normal-weight children participated in the current study, with mean age 11.98 (±1.95), 10.91 (±1.72), and 11.35 (±2.21) years, respectively. All children were clinically healthy. The children and their parents provided data on physical activity, while spirometry and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing were performed for the functional evaluation of the respiratory status of the study population.

RESULTS
Leptin levels were significantly lower in normal-weight children compared to the obese ones (p <0.001). Maximum quantity of oxygen (VO2max) differences were statistically significant between the three groups (p =0.025 for normal weight vs overweight, and p =0.001 for normal vs obese children). Leptin levels were inversely related to VO2max in obese children (p =0.009, r =-0.491). Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was statistically significantly lower among children that were more physically active (p =0.042). Leptin was significantly related to body mass index among obese children (r =-0.582, p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Leptin is significantly inversely related to VO2max in obese children. This study, however, allows further assumptions for adipokines and childhood obesity, along with the possible role of leptin as an additional obesity index in relation with cardiopulmonary function. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 124-129.


Dorsal internal carotid artery (ICA) blister aneurysms are an uncommon aneurysm variant constituting 0.3% to 1% of intracranial aneurysms and can be due to ulceration, atherosclerosis, or dissection.1-3 Despite its rarity, it carries a high risk of rupture with an estimation of 0.9% to 6.5% among intracranial aneurysms.1,2 Blister aneurysms are small in size, have no distinguishable neck, and have a friable wall that can easily rupture if manipulated, hence the difficulty in its treatment utilizing both microsurgical and endovascular techniques.1,2,4-6 Endovascular coiling of these lesions may not be adequate due to the broad-based size; stenting requires the use of antiplatelet medications, which could lead to rebleeding; flow diversion takes longer to exert its treatment effect.1,4 Conversely, microsurgical management carries a higher intraoperative rupture rate.2 Microsurgical options include clipping, clip reconstruction, trapping with bypass, and wrapping.4,7 We present a case of a 38-yr-old man who presented with a ruptured right dorsal ICA blister aneurysm treated with microsurgical trapping with intraoperative flow measurements. We demonstrate how the use of quantitative intraoperative flow measurements allows confident sacrifice of the supraclinoid ICA. We also demonstrate in contrast another case example of utilizing a clip-graft repair. The patient remained unchanged with an intact neurological exam, and postoperative imaging showed no aneurysm remnant and patent anterior choroidal artery. We review the literature and management of dorsal ICA aneurysms.8-15 We also review the technical nuances and different endovascular and microsurgical treatments that can be used for this condition.  The patient gave informed consent for the procedure and verbal consent to the publication.


The purpose of the present article is to explore and analyze the cognitive dysfunctions on school-age children suffering from epilepsy. A second aim is to elicit inferences on the factors, nature and comorbidity of idiopathic epilepsy typologies with cognitive deficits in these subjects. The method used in the present study is of a retrospective and comparative type. The results of the metanalytical process will be determined through examination of specific literature and dynamic analysis of the nature and association of epilepsy with cognitive dysfunctions in this group-age. At the end of this article, some considerations will be articulated on the didactic, re-education and forms of effective psycho-education in order to modify not only the curricular but also the extracurricular dynamics of these subjects.


Graphene is a smart and relatively new material that has promising applications in many engineering fields. Recently it was found that graphene can be produced from burning waste materials which will have an impact on cost and the wide applications in many engineering fields including construction. The addition of tiny amounts of graphene in concrete mixes can enhance the mechanical and durability properties. This research investigated the effect of graphene as additive on the mechanical properties of concrete. The addition percentage (by weight of cement) was 0.02%, 0.035%, and 0.05%. Cubic and cylindrical specimens were prepared to assess the compressive strength, flexural strength, and elasticity modulus of concrete. Results showed that adding graphene to concrete led to an increase in both compressive and flexural strength as well as the modulus of elasticity. This will help in reducing concrete dimensions in different structural members like columns and beams and will contribute towards sustainable development.


In order to increase the detection range and radar cross section (RCS), the patch shape of a UHF RFID tag antenna is optimized using continuum design sensitivity analysis. To maximize RCS and reflect the practical RFID tag operating condition, the design goal is set considering not only the matching characteristics of the antenna but also the induced voltage at the RFID chip terminal when the plane-wave is incident upon the antenna. The complex impedance of the RFID chip is taken into account by defining a lumped port at the chip location. The design results show that the induced voltage at the chip has increased more than 32% after the optimization.


The reduction of helicopter vibration is of great importance to the helicopter industry and considerable effort has been devoted to research into active methods for vibration reduction. The article describes how active control techniques can offer good vibration reduction over significant areas of the fuselage and also provide the capability to adapt to changing speed, rotor conditions and structural dynamics. There are three main areas on the helicopter where active vibration control techniques can be applied: at the rotor; at the main gearbox to fuselage interface, and within the fuselage itself. The last area is termed the active control of structural response (ACSR) and is considered in more detail. Finally, the performance of the ACSR technique in minimising vibration in helicopter structures is analysed using results which demonstrate the performance potential under differing conditions.


Magnesium is reabsorbed in the thick ascending limb by paracellular conductance, mediated by the CLDN16-encoded tight junction protein, claudin-16. However, the role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2VitD] in renal Mg2+ handling is unclear. We have shown that Mg2+ depletion increases and 1,25(OH)2VitD inhibits CLDN16 transcription. We have now explored further the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of 1,25(OH)2VitD on claudin-16-mediated Mg2+ transport. Adult mice received parenteral 1,25(OH)2VitD or 1,25(OH)2VitD combined with either high-Mg2+ or low-Mg2+ diets. Administration of 1,25(OH)2VitD enhanced urinary excretion of Mg2+ and Ca2+. The 1,25(OH)2VitD also increased renal Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) mRNA and decreased renal claudin-16 and claudin-19 mRNA and claudin-16 protein, but did not affect renal claudin-2 mRNA. The 1,25(OH)2VitD reversed the expected increase in claudin-16 mRNA in Mg2+-depleted animals. Comparably treated HEK 293 cells showed similar changes in claudin-16 mRNA, but 1,25(OH)2VitD did not alter mRNA of the TRPM6 Mg2+ channel. A luciferase reporter vector containing 2.5 kb of 5'-flanking DNA sequence from human CLDN16 (hCLDN16) was transfected into HEK 293 and OK cells. The hCLDN16 promoter activity was modestly decreased by 1,25(OH)2VitD, but markedly inhibited in HEK 293 cells coexpressing CaSR. Coexpression in OK cells of dominant-negative CaSR completely abolished inhibition of hCLDN16 promoter activity by 1,25(OH)2VitD. The 1,25(OH)2VitD-induced decrease in hCLDN16 promoter activity was attenuated in Mg2+-depleted HEK 293 cells. In conclusion, 1,25(OH)2VitD transcriptionally inhibits claudin-16 expression by a mechanism sensitive to CaSR and Mg2+. This renal effect of 1,25(OH)2VitD may serve as an adaptive response to the 1,25(OH)2VitD-induced increase in intestinal Mg2+ absorption.


Both the author and the publisher are to be congratulated on this important addition to the literature on the South American preceramic stage. It is a most significant contribution to the miniscule body of full site reports on that subject, and it must be ranked among the two or three best of them. In a field in which most of the data have been published only in the most preliminary fashion, and in which fuller reports are often more confusing than enlightening, it is a pleasure to encounter simple typologies, intelligible terminology, straightforward descriptions, and full presentation of the evidence. Rarest of all, the illustrations are truly excellent and have been excellently reproduced. The report is not without its weaknesses, but they are the fault of the El Inga site itself. The deposit is shallow, with little visible stratigraphy, and is plagued by mechanical mixture of chronologically distinct materials. There are several preceramic cultural units as well as ceramic stage intrusions. Artifacts from all periods are found in almost every level. By plotting artifact type distributions both horizontally and vertically (in clear graphic presentations imposed on the excavation grid), Bell distinguishes three preceramic units, labeled El Inga I, II, and III, characterized, respectively, by fluted fishtail points, broad-stemmed and foliate points, and contracting-stemmed points. The numbers represent their presumed chronological order. Bell emphasizes that this sequence cannot be substantiated by the stratigraphic data and should be taken as a working hypothesis only (pp. 317-18). It seems to this reviewer that the early position of the fishtail points, relative to other projectile point forms, is substantiated by both internal distributional and external comparative evidence. When El Inga is compared with central Andean sequences, however, an alternate hypothesis would be equally consistent with the distributional evidence. The elaborate burin technology (e.g., dihedrals, burins on retouched truncations, side-edge retouch) resembles that of such Pleistocene industries as Oquendo and Exacto and is quite out of place in a post-Pleistocene Andean hunting culture. Also, in Peru at least, contracting-stem points precede rather than follow the little foliates of Inga II type. One might therefore, without violating the stratigraphy or denigrating Bell's excellent analysis, suggest that the burins and certain of the flake tools represent very old occupational debris mechanically mixed with the projectile points; and that, among the projectile points, the sequence should be: (1) fishtails, (2) broad-stems and contracting-stems, and (3) foliates. Finally, a word of appreciation for the bilingual presentation, intelligently arranged in separate sections with identical references to the illustrations that lie between. Many of our colleagues in South America fail to keep up with much recent literature because they do not read English. Similarly, those of us who live and work in the United States often fail to keep up with the latest publications in Spanish by regional and national institutions. Bell's report, and the Casa de la Cultura's handling of it, represent a real bridge across this lamentable chasm.


Chip-level integration in Silicon Photonics (SiP) technology of complex optical communication systems, like WDM or PAM systems, is the key to both power and cost efficient implementation of next generation Datacom applications. Semiconductor Mode-Locked-Lasers (MLL) [1] and Resonant Ring Modulators (RRM) [2,3] are considered elegant building block solutions for an efficient transceiver architecture. We have recently demonstrated a single channel link with 14G and 25G On-Off-Keying (OOK) modulation based on a single section MLL and RRMs [4,5]. Here, we will report on the latest progress towards a fully integrated 8 channel WDM Datacom transceiver system. The system features a SiP-PIC with a hybrid integrated MLL, a wideband filter for line selection, and 8 channels of high speed RRMs on the Tx side, as well as an 8 channel OADM DeMUX, and Ge-integrated waveguide photodiodes as well as flip-chip photodiodes on the receiver side. Figure 1 shows a micrograph and a block diagram of the transceiver SiP-PIC before assembly.
The SiP-PIC is assembled on a module PCB together with 8x 25G modulator drivers and 8x 25G transimpedance amplifiers (TIA) and packaged in a module housing. Figure 2 shows a test system assembly with an external MLL and SOA.


A number of behavioral and cognitive functions of brain differ between male and female. Occurrences of psychiatric disorders, e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, depression and schizophrenia also vary from male to female. Understanding the unique cognitive expressions in gender-specific brain functions may lead to insights into the risks and associated responses for a certain external simulation or medications. Previously resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (r-fMRI) has been used extensively to understand gender differences using functional network connectivity analysis. However, how the brain functional network changes during a cognitive task for different genders is relatively unknown. This paper makes use of a large data set to test whether task-fMRI functional connectivity can be utilized to predict male vs. female. In addition, it also identifies functional connectivity features that are most predictive of gender. The cognitive task-fMRI data consisting 475 healthy controls is taken from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) database. Pearson correlation coefficients are extracted using mean time-series from anatomical brain regions. Partial least squares (PLS) regression with feature selection on the correlation coefficients achieves a classification accuracy of 0.88 for classifying male vs. female using emotion task data. In addition it is found that inter hemispheric connectivity is most important for predicting gender from task-fMRI.