textabstractHuman immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-I and HIV-2), the causative
agents of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in humans, are members
of the Lentivirinae subfamily of the Retroviridae family. The lentivirus
subfamily also includes related members from other species, like monkeys
(simian immunodeficiency viruses [SIV]), cats (feline immunodeficiency viruses
[FIV]), and the ungulates sheep, goats, horses and cattle.
Mature lentiviruses are spherical to ellipsoid particles with a diameter of
approximately 100 nm consisting of a lipid envelope surrounding a cone shaped
core (Gelderblom et al 1989) (Fig. I). In HIV-I the core is formed by a 24 kd
capsid protein (p24). It contains two identical strands of positive-sense genomic
RNA closely associated with the nucleocapsid proteins (p7 and p9) and several
copies of the reverse transcriptase. A membrane associated matrix protein p 17 is
situated between the core and the envelope. In the envelope a 41 kd
transmembrane glycoprotein (gp41) is anchored. The transmembrane protein is
non-covalently attached to the 120 kd surface glycoprotein (gpI20). The other
lentiviruses have a similar structure, with slightly different molecular weights of
their proteins.


This paper reports a wafer-level transfer technique for forming thin, flexible, and freestanding parylene membranes. Parylene thin films (~1.3 mum) have been successfully transferred from one wafer to another to form a freestanding membrane encapsulating over wide and shallow cavities (< 5 mum deep and 2000 times 2000 mum2 square) with fine alignment (< 3.0 mum) and 87% yield. Transferred membranes may be a composite of parylene/metal/parylene, contain through-hole patterns of diverse size (5 times 5 ~ 2000 times 2000 mum2), have mild tension (1.14 MPa), and remain freestanding and flat through various standard post-transfer microfabrication processes such as photolithography, evaporation, and wet etching. They also provide excellent sealing against pressure of up to 20 kPa and long-term stability over repeated deflection. This paper focuses on two areas: (1) the study of issues involving optimum transfer conditions, minimum achievable gap between transferred membranes and device wafers, patterned-film and composite-layer transfer, and aligned transfer; and (2) the characterization of the post-transfer membrane properties, including stress/tension, sealing capability, effects of post-transfer processing, and long-term stability after a repeated deflection.


Transactions involving intellectual property play an increasingly significant role in economic activity at every level from global to local, with particular challenges for taxation and revenue authorities. Moreover, the manifold complexities associated with identifying, valuing and transferring intangibles make this an issue requiring a creative review of existing transfer pricing methodologies and techniques. In this ground-breaking new study, Michelle Markham offers an in-depth examination of attitudes at the forefront of this rapidly evolving area of taxation law, focusing her work on a comparative analysis of the US, OECD, and Australian perspectives on the transfer pricing of intangible assets.

The Transfer Pricing of Intangibles not only highlights the current problems encountered in inter-affiliate transactions of intangible property, but also attempts to offer a variety of solutions to these problems. Among the issues explored are the following:

how the tax treatment of intangible in the context of transfer pricing has become a major international tax concern;
definitional issues which are vital to an understanding of transfer pricing;
application of the arm's length principle to intangible asset transactions;
determination of legal and economic ownership of group intangible assets;
intangible asset valuation and transfer;
transfer pricing methodologies;
global formulary apportionment;
transfer pricing documentation requirements;
penalties for non-compliance;
resolution of transfer pricing disputes; and,
advance pricing agreements

Revenue authorities, multinational enterprise executives, and tax practitioners around the world will greatly appreciate the recommendations and solutions proposed in this knowledgeable and thoughtful book. Its acute sense of the opportunities and pitfalls of an ever-more-complex area of economic activity place it in a category of its own, of inestimable benefit to interested parties.


Attempting to understand and predict weather on a local and global basis has challenged both the scientific and engineering communities. One key parameter in understanding the weather is the ocean surface wind vector because of its role in the energy exchange at the air-sea surface. scatterometers, radars that measure the reflectivity of a target offer a tool with which to remotely monitor these winds from tower-, aircraft-, and satellite-based platforms. This paper introduces three current airborne scatterometer systems, and presents data collected by these instruments under low-, moderate-, and high-wind conditions. The paper focuses on airborne scatterometers because of their ability to resolve submesoscale variations in wind fields. Discrepancies between existing theory and the observations are noted and the concerns in measuring low-wind speeds discussed. Finally, the application of using this technology for estimating the surface-wind vector during a hurricane is demonstrated. >


The RNA-binding proteins LIN28A and LIN28B have diverse functions in embryonic stem cells, cellular reprogramming, growth, and oncogenesis. Many of these effects occur via direct inhibition of Let-7 miRNAs, although Let-7 independent effects have been surmised. Our past studies have shown that LIN28B expression in colorectal cancers is associated with poor prognosis and cancer recurrence, and that LIN28B promotes migration, invasion, and metastasis of CRC cell lines in mouse xenograft models. Considering these studies, and the observation that LIN28B is more frequently up-regulated in a variety of other cancers, we sought to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of LIN28B function in intestinal homeostasis and colorectal cancer. We report that intestine-targeted expression of Lin28b in mice causes intestinal hypertrophy, crypt expansion, and Paneth cell loss. Lgr5-positive crypt base columnar cells were not expanded, nor compromised by the depletion of Paneth cells. However, Lin28b fostered intestinal polyp and adenocarcinoma formation. We observed that higher Lin28b levels also correlated with increased incidence of adenocarcinoma. This is consistent with human epidemiological data illustrating that increased LIN28B levels are observed at early stages of CRC, with high expression at both stages I and II disease correlating inversely with patient survival and higher probability of recurrence. To examine potential Let-7-independent functions of LIN28B, we pursued ribonucleoprotein cross-linking, immunoprecipitation, and high-throughput sequencing (CLIP-Seq) to identify direct RNA targets. This revealed that LIN28B protein binds a substantial number of mRNAs, many of which are specific to epithelial cells. LIN28B modestly augmented protein levels of these target mRNAs, in vivo. Conversely, Let-7 had a profound effect; modulation of Let-7 levels via deletion of the mirLet7c2/mirLet7b genes recapitulated effects of Lin28b overexpression. Furthermore, intestine-specific Let-7 expression could reverse hypertrophy and Paneth cell depletion caused by Lin28b. Previous reports have linked Let-7 to the regulation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway via regulation of Insr, Igf1r, and Irs2 mRNAs, yet we found that Lin28b did not have a significant impact on these mRNAs or insulin-PI3K-mTOR signaling. Kras and Myc mRNAs, which are also reported to be Let-7 targets, were likewise unaffected. Instead, we found profound up-regulation of Hmga2, Igf2bp1, Igf2bp2, and E2f5 in the context of Let-7 depletion or Lin28b over-expression. Our study reveals that Let-7 miRNAs are critical for repressing tissue growth and promoting Paneth cell differentiation. These results highlight the critical nature of LIN28B and Let-7 dosage, where a stepwise reduction of Let-7 levels has a direct effect on target mRNAs and adenocarcinoma risk. These Let-7 dependent effects of LIN28B appear to supersede any Let-7 independent effects. In sum, LIN28B can definitively act as an oncogene in the absence of canonical genetic alteration in intestinal carcinogenesis. This abstract is also presented as poster A42. Citation Format: Blair Madison, Qi Liu, Xue Zhong, Christopher M. Hahn, Nan Lin, Matthew Emmet, Ben Z. Stanger, Anil K. Rustgi. LIN28B promotes growth and tumorigenesis of the intestinal epithelium primarily via Let-7 repression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Third AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; Sep 18-22, 2013; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(19 Suppl):Abstract nr PR04.


Electron cyclotron (EC) absorption in tokamak plasma is based on interaction between wave and electron cyclotron movement when the electron passes through a layer of resonance at a fixed frequency and dependent magnetic field. This technique is the principle of additional heating (ECRH) and the generation of non-inductive current drive (ECCD) in modern fusion devices. In this paper we are interested by the problem of EC absorption which used a microscopic description of kinetic theory treatment versus the propagation which used the cold plasma description. The power absorbed depends on the optical depth which in turn depends on coefficient of absorption and the order of the excited harmonic for O-mode or X-mode. There is another possibility of heating by dissipation of Alfven waves, based on resonance of cold plasma waves, the shear Alfven wave (SW) and the compressional Alfven wave (FW). Once the (FW) power is coupled to (SW), it stays on the magnetic surface and dissipates there, which is cause the heating of bulk plasmas. This present calculation allows us to compare the two heating systems.


Epidermal keratinocytes are considered as the most important neighboring cells that modify melanogenesis. Our previous study used microarray to show that guanine deaminase (GDA) gene expression is highly increased in melasma lesions. Hence, we investigated the role of GDA in skin pigmentation. We examined GDA expression in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) lesions, diagnosed as Riehl's melanosis. We further investigated the possible role of keratinocyte-derived GDA in melanogenesis by quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence staining, small interfering RNA-based GDA knockdown, and adenovirus-mediated GDA overexpression. We found higher GDA positivity in the hyperpigmentary lesional epidermis than in the perilesional epidermis. Both UVB irradiation and stem cell factor (SCF) plus endothelin-1 (ET-1) were used, which are well-known melanogenic stimuli upregulating GDA expression in both keratinocyte culture alone and keratinocyte and melanocyte coculture. GDA knockdown downregulated melanin content, while GDA overexpression promoted melanogenesis in the coculture. When melanocytes were treated with UVB-exposed keratinocyte-conditioned media, the melanin content was increased. Also, GDA knockdown lowered SCF and ET-1 expression levels in keratinocytes. GDA in epidermal keratinocytes may promote melanogenesis by upregulating SCF and ET-1, suggesting its role in skin hyperpigmentary disorders.


Road traffic safety is a complex problem which involves many factors as human, vehicle, road and environment and so on. For the road factor, the horizontal alignment can not be ignored, especially the horizontal curve. Although the accident rate happened on curve is higher than the straight line, it is inevitable to design horizontal curve. As the traffic accident becomes serious gradually, the paper analyzes the relation between road horizontal alignment and traffic safety based on investigation, in the horizontal alignment design, the curve radius, super-elevation, widen, transition curve and sight distance have the important effect for traffic accidents, summarizes the importance of the geometric design elements which improves safety and the consistency of each element. At last the paper puts forward some advice for highway horizontal curve design.


This study examined the effects of a physical therapy program on quality of life (QOL), and neck and shoulder disability in head and neck cancer patients. The program included neck and shoulder range of motion (ROM) exercises, massage, progressive strengthening exercises, and stretching exercises. Sixteen patients who were assigned to an experimental group performed physical therapy for 40 minutes three times a week for eight weeks. Fifteen other patients were assigned to a control group who did not performed the physical therapy program. The European organization for research and treatment of cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) and head and neck (EORTC QLQ-H&N) instruments, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) were assessed before and after the rehabilitation program. The 40-minute program consisted of a 10-minute ROM exercise for the neck and shoulder, a 10-minute massage and 15-minute of progressive resistance exercises, followed by a five-minute stretching exercises. Statistically significant differences were noted for changes in global health, physical function in the EORTC QLQ-C30 and cancer related symptoms in the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 (p<.05). The NDI also showed significant differences (p<.05). Physical therapy may therefore benefit the physical aspects and QOL and improve neck and shoulder disability in patients with head and neck cancer.


CASE
A 50-year-old woman involved in a motorcycle accident sustained a transscaphoid transcapitate perilunate fracture dislocation with complete extrusion of the proximal scaphoid pole and lunate as a unit into the forearm. The patient underwent urgent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with screw fixation of the capitate and Kirschner wire fixation of the scaphoid, midcarpal joint, and lunotriquetral intervals. At 1-year postoperatively, radiographs confirm healing of capitate and scaphoid fractures, with no signs of avascular necrosis of the lunate.

CONCLUSION
Despite a complex fracture-dislocation pattern, treatment with ORIF can successfully lead to scaphoid and capitate union and lunate revascularization.


The phenotype of T-helper cells conferring protection against Trichinella spiralis (Ts) was studied using adoptive transfer procedures and T-helper cell subsets isolated by monoclonal antibodies. With these techniques OX8- OX22+ and OX8- OX22- T-helper cell populations were isolated from thoracic duct lymph (TDL) of infected rats three-five-fold more concentrated than in unfractionated lymph. The OX8- OX22- cell subset alone transferred enhanced rejection of adult worms from the intestine. The origin of protective OX8- OX22- cells was examined in mesenteric lymphadenectomized (MX) rats. After MX, protective cells were found in the cell population draining directly from the intestine on Days 2-3 after infection. Protective cells first appeared in the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and efferent lymph at Day 3. MX rats rejected T. spiralis at the same time as intact controls and showed enhanced rejection when immune TDL were transfused. No evidence was found for a direct role of the MLN in the generation or expression of parasite rejection. Depletion of migrating OX8- OX22- blast cells by 48-hr drainage of TDL did not influence the expression of an anamnestic response to challenge infection. This suggests that an intestinally resident cell population has a substantial role in mediating primary worm rejection and anamnestic immunity. Day 2 OX8- OX22- cells from MX rats proliferated in response to the presentation of adult and muscle larvae antigens in vitro. We conclude that protection resides in the OX8- OX22- T-helper cell subset that is produced and functions in the intestine.


Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the interest in and adoption of solar energy all over the world. However, despite ongoing efforts to protect photovoltaic (PV) plants, they are continuously exposed to numerous anomalies. If not detected accurately and in a timely manner, anomalies in PV plants may degrade the desired performance and result in severe consequences. Hence, developing effective and flexible methods capable of early detection of anomalies in PV plants is essential for enhancing their management. This paper proposes flexible data-driven techniques to accurately detect anomalies in the DC side of the PV plants. Essentially, this approach amalgamates the desirable characteristics of ensemble learning approaches (i.e., the boosting (BS) and bagging (BG)) and the sensitivity of the Double Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (DEWMA) chart. Here, we employ ensemble learning techniques to exploit their capability to enhance the modeling accuracy and the sensitivity of the DEWMA monitoring chart to uncover potential anomalies. In the ensemble models, the values of parameters are selected with the assistance of the Bayesian optimization algorithm. Here, BS and BG are adopted to obtain residuals, which are then monitored by the DEWMA chart. Kernel density estimation is utilized to define the decision thresholds of the proposed ensemble learning-based charts. The proposed monitoring schemes are illustrated via actual measurements from a 9.54 kW PV plant. Results showed the superior detection performance of the BS and BG-based DEWMA charts with non-parametric threshold in uncovering different types of anomalies, including circuit breaker faults, inverter disconnections, and short-circuit faults. In addition, the performance of the proposed schemes is compared to that of BG and BS-based DEWMA and EWMA charts with parametric thresholds.


Camera systems play a key role in mobile robotics because of their reliability in varied environments, compact size and cost effectiveness. Regardless of the assigned task, a key component of any mobile robot is the ability to localize itself in its environment. In the most general case, this means that it should be capable of mapping its environment during exploration and recognizing objects and previously visited locations in this map. Mapping and recognition together allow the robot to localize itself in its environment.
This thesis contributes towards two aspects of the localization problem: loop closing and mapping. We use a monocular camera to recognize previously visited locations (loop closing) in large-scale urban environment [28]. We use GPS positioning to narrow down the search area and use a pre-trained vocabulary tree to find the best matching image in this search area. Geometric consistency is used to reject the false positive matches. We compare several vocabulary trees on outdoor urban sequences. We experiment with Hierarchical K-means [44] based trees as well as Extremely Randomized Trees [18] and compare results obtained using five different trees.
Our second contribution studies a constrained version of the camera pose estimation problem, where the camera positions are known in a fixed world coordinate system, using a GPS, for example. Formally, we study the problem of estimating camera orientations from multiple views, given the positions of the viewpoints in a world coordinate system and a set of point correspondences across the views [5]. Given three or more views, the above problem has a finite number of solutions for three or more point correspondences. Given six or more views, the problem has a finite number of solutions for just two or more points. In the three-view case, we show the necessary and sufficient conditions for the three essential matrices to be consistent with a set of known baselines. We develop algorithms to impose the known baseline constraints during Structure from Motion and study their suitability under noise through experiments on synthetic data. We also conduct experiments on data from the ICCV2005 Computer Vision Contest [55] and self acquired data.


In this study, the authors extended the concept of spherical fuzzy optimization models by considering different parameters of spherical fuzzy linear programming problem as symmetric and asymmetric spherical numbers. Eight spherical fuzzy linear programming models are discussed by converting decision variables, parameters, and coefficients of objective function and constraints into symmetric and asymmetric spherical fuzzy numbers. To verify the validity and efficiency of this study in contrast with a linear programming numerical and a physical energy optimization model for the textile industry is considered. The application of these symmetric and asymmetric spherical fuzzy optimization models is discussed along with the postoptimal analysis of the best optimization models that provide the feasible and most optimal solution.


A pseudoknot forms in an RNA when nucleotides in a loop pair with a region outside the helices that close the loop. Pseudoknots occur relatively rarely in RNA but are highly overrepresented in functionally critical motifs in large catalytic RNAs, in riboswitches, and in regulatory elements of viruses. Pseudoknots are usually excluded from RNA structure prediction algorithms. When included, these pairings are difficult to model accurately, especially in large RNAs, because allowing this structure dramatically increases the number of possible incorrect folds and because it is difficult to search the fold space for an optimal structure. We have developed a concise secondary structure modeling approach that combines SHAPE (selective 2′-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension) experimental chemical probing information and a simple, but robust, energy model for the entropic cost of single pseudoknot formation. Structures are predicted with iterative refinement, using a dynamic programming algorithm. This melded experimental and thermodynamic energy function predicted the secondary structures and the pseudoknots for a set of 21 challenging RNAs of known structure ranging in size from 34 to 530 nt. On average, 93% of known base pairs were predicted, and all pseudoknots in well-folded RNAs were identified.


This paper presents a post processing strategy for myocardial velocity fields obtained by phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Such data can be used to track cardiac motion and to calculate strain. The method combines data regularization with optical flow estimation to overcome the partial volume effect in the image acquisition. Validation is performed both in vitro and in vivo and it is shown that the method improves the accuracy of cardiac motion tracking


The wake of a freely flying European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) has been measured using high speed, time-resolved, particle image velocimetry, simultaneously with high speed cameras which imaged the bird. These have been used to generate vector maps that can be associated with the bird's location and wing configuration in the wind tunnel. Time series of measurements have been expressed as composite wake plots which depict segments of the wing beat cycle for various spanwise locations in the wake. Measurements indicate that downwash is not produced during the upstroke, suggesting that the upstroke does not generate lift. As well, the wake velocities imply the presence of streamwise vortical structures, in addition to tip vortices. These two characteristics indicate similarities between the wake of a bird and the wake of a bat, which may be general features of the wakes of flapping wings.


CONTENTSIntroduction § 1. The stably weak convergence of probability measures in metric spaces § 2. A martingale characterization, and convergence of measures corresponding to semimartingales § 3. The stably weak convergence of point processes § 4. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence of semimartingales and point processes References


The ability to perform exercise is impaired if the diet is inadequate. Conversely, performance may be improved by appropriate dietary manipulation. The primary need for the diet of athletes in training is to meet additional nutrient requirements imposed by the training load. Many athletes consider that a high protein diet is essential to stimulate muscle growth and promote repair. Evidence shows that hard exercise increases the protein requirement, but athletes eating a varied diet in sufficient quantity to meet their energy demands will obtain adequate protein. Carbohydrate is the main fuel used by the muscle in hard exercise, and carbohydrate intake must be sufficient to enable the training load to be sustained. During each strenuous training session, depletion of the glycogen stores in the exercising muscles and in the liver takes place. If this carbohydrate reserve is not replenished before the next training session, training intensity must be reduced, leading to corresponding decrements in the training response. It is recommended for athletes in training that carbohydrate should account for 60-70% of total energy intake, but the type of carbohydrate consumed is not crucial. With regular training, there must be an increased total energy intake to balance the increased energy expenditure. Provided that a reasonably normal diet is consumed this will supply more than adequate amounts of protein, minerals, vitamins and other micronutrients. Possible exceptions are iron and calcium, especially when energy intake is restricted to control body weight. There is no good evidence to suggest that specific supplementation with any of these dietary components is necessary or that it will improve performance. Attention must be paid, however, to ensure an adequate water intake during training: dehydration will reduce performance. The body does not adapt to dehydration. Consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet for the few days before competition with a reduction in the training load can double the muscle glycogen content and is generally known to be effective in increasing endurance performance. There is some evidence that the muscle glycogen content may also influence performance in events lasting only a few minutes. A high muscle glycogen content may be important when repeated sprints at near maximum speed have to be made. There is scope for nutritional intervention during exercise only when the duration of events is sufficient to allow absorption of drinks or foods ingested and where the rules of the sport permit. The primary aims must be to ingest a source of energy, usually carbohydrate, and fluid for replacement of water lost as sweat. Carbohydrate-electrolyte (sodium) drinks are the most effective way of achieving this. Each athlete must establish by trial and error 1000 the most suitable dietary programme for training and competition.


This article explores the significance of mid-Victorian domestic embroidery, relying on resources from literature, essays, women's magazines, paintings, and embroidered objects. Victorian embroidery can be difficult to understand for modern viewers. Although it was viewed as an ancient and prestigious craft, its practitioners were happy to rely on speedy execution, easy shortcuts, mass-produced materials and widely-circulated patterns.A reflection on time seems to transpire through these text-iles. The practice of embroidery staged a tension between historicity and modernity, allowing middle-class women to engage in modern modes of production while imagining themselves as aristocratic ladies of the past. Moreover, by circumventing the dominant print culture, it provided women with an alternative locus for expression with which to "write" their own narratives. In this sense, embroidered artefacts are discursive tools in their own right, providing material memories of women's history. Finally, because they are intimately linked to the bodies and psyches of the women making them, these objects act as souvenirs, as receptacles for memories, providing, in Susan Stewart's words, "a narrative of interiority and authenticity."


Sequential carbophilic addition of organolithium reagents and N-acyliminium ion cyclization of N-phenethylimides 1 affords the substituted isoquinolones 3 in high yields, with the possibility of varying the substituent at the C-1 position of the isoquinoline ring by changing the organolithium reagent. Ready access to the isoquinoline nucleus via Parham-type cyclization of imides 2 is also described. We have shown that iodinated imides 2 tolerate the metal-halogen exchange in the presence of the imide group, and the intramolecular cyclization of the so-obtained aromatic organometallic derivatives leads to the corresponding enamides 4. Both approaches have allowed the efficient preparation of various types of the isoquinoline class of alkaloids, just by changing the substitution pattern on the readily available starting imides. Thus, we have developed convenient alternative routes for the synthesis of benzo[a]quinolizidones and their 2-oxa analogs, isoindoloisoquinolones, dibenzo[a,h]quinolizidones, and thiazolo- and oxazolo[4,3-a]isoquinolones.


Theoretically, all cancers would be curable if the diagnosis were made quickly enough and the proper treatment were applied immediately. Because in some sites the disease may be insidious in onset and so protean in its early symptomatology, this goal will never be reached until the cause of cancer is determined or until the universal cure for cancer is found. With all the advances made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the last twenty-five years, it is a fact that the reduction of cancer mortality, potentially possible, has hardly begun. The primary reason for this failure is not due to inadequate therapeutic measures. The basic cause for the lack of improvement is the prolonged delay between the time when the patient has first symptoms and the time when definitive treatment begins. In Dorn's 1 recent survey it has been estimated that there are 300,000 new cases of cancer


Personalized medicine has reached the mainstream, accounting for more new drug approvals and a promising pipeline of candidate therapeutics. Recent advances in genomics, computational biology, medical imaging, diagnostic technologies, and translational medicine are creating the possibility for scientists to develop diagnostic tools and new treatments for cancer, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases that may be particularly effective in biomarker-defined subpopulations. Drug development under this model creates new challenges that will require the need for increased regulatory flexibility, novel clinical trial designs, and translational science development. In this review, the authors highlight key developmental and regulatory challenges in the advancement of personalized medicines and their associated companion diagnostics with the need for innovative clinical trial designs to support drug/diagnostic development and registration. Further, the clinical complexities of implementing new technologies are considered, such as high-throughput next-generation sequencing in personalized medicine, and offer a glimpse of the regulatory and policy considerations shaping this methodology in multimarker diagnostic development.


Three optical, noncontact, automated experimental techniques for determining the topography of object surfaces were assessed. The main objective was to test the limitations of three experimental techniques: projection moire, stereo imaging, and phase-measuring profilometry. Phase-measuring profilometry is the most promising of the three techniques for mapping rock fracture surfaces automatically, accurately, quickly, and with high resolution. The experimental set-ups used to assess these different techniques are similar, and they require essentially the same equipment. It is relatively easy and inexpensive to go from one experimental set-up to another. Also, the experience gained in implementing one experimental technique is often applicable in another, although the basic principles of each experimental technique are sometimes very dissimilar. The first technique, projection moire, is an optical experimental technique that is useful for displaying and measuring the three-dimensional form of large objects. Manual analysis of


Sevoflurane and desflurane are commonly used inhalation anesthetics in clinical practice. This study compared the synergistic effects of sevoflurane and desflurane on the muscarinic agent vecuronium in laparoscopic colon cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to compare sevoflurane and desflurane in a synergistic effect on the muscle relaxant vecuronium in laparoscopic colon cancer surgery. Sixty patients undergoing elective laparoscopic radical resection of colon cancer were randomly divided into sevoflurane (n = 30) and desflurane (n = 30) groups. After anesthesia and successful tracheal intubation, patients in both groups were maintained with combined remifentanil. Muscle relaxant effects were monitored in both groups using a muscle relaxant monitor (train of stimuli-Watch), the onset time, T1 and T2 recovery time, and muscle relaxant dosage of vecuronium were observed. Hemodynamic changes were observed in both groups, and the dosage of vasoactive drugs was recorded. The quality of recovery of the patients was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the discharge from the Aldrete score criteria. There was no significant difference in the onset time of vecuronium between the two groups (P > .05). The desflurane group's T1 and T2 recovery times were later than that of the sevoflurane group. The dosage of vecuronium was statistically significantly less than that in the sevoflurane group (P < .05); the extubation time in the desflurane group was statistically significantly longer than that in the sevoflurane group (P < .05). There were no significant differences in preoperative and intraoperative mean arterial pressure, heart rate, ephedrine and atropine dosage, MMSE score, and Aldrete score between the 2 groups (P > .05). Compared with sevoflurane, desflurane has a stronger synergistic effect on the muscle relaxant of vecuronium without increasing the incidence of cardiovascular adverse reactions and affecting patient recovery.


Intestinal malrotation is primarily a surgical condition of neonates due to abnormal intestinal rotation during fetal development. Usually, the presentation is immediately after birth. Adult midgut malrotation is rare and primarily detected at laparotomy or incidental radiological imaging for various conditions. We report a sporadic case of a 35-year-old male who presented to the surgical outpatient department (OPD) complaining of dull aching abdominal pain after taking meals for two months. He was able to tolerate a liquid diet only and able to carry out his routine work comfortably. In imaging studies, it was found to be a case of midgut malrotation with volvulus and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombosis with collaterals without features of intestinal obstruction. The patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, and a midgut volvulus was identified with Ladd's bands. He underwent exploratory laparotomy with Ladd's procedure. Postoperatively symptoms were resolved, and the patient was discharged in stable condition. If intestinal malrotation presents in adults, it is challenging to diagnose it as it presents with atypical symptoms like chronic vague abdominal pain and weight loss. Often radiological correlation is essential to diagnose such patients. For surgical intervention, a laparoscopic approach is considered better in expert hands. Even though the disease has a chronic course, a high index of suspicion should arise when treating such cases of intestinal malrotation in an adult male. Timely surgery can do miracles and prevent catastrophic complications.


This paper presents a framework for row-action type iterative reconstruction from projection data measured over small number of projection views, or sparse projections. Image reconstruction from sparse projections usually suffers from streak artifacts that degrade the image quality. However, this imaging scenario becomes a hot topic of research due its possibilities to reduce patient dose and other benefits in several imaging applications. The motivation behind this work is the use of ℓ1=ℓ0 norm distance to a reference image to select the sparse solution corresponding to the difference between the reconstructed image and the reference image. The concept of Lagrangian duality is used to derive the iterative thresholding framework which can be classified as an ART-like reconstruction method. The work presented here can be thought as a generalization of the previous work in (Li et al., 2004) which mainly focuses on the reconstruction of sparse objects, such as blood vessels. However, most of clinical applications consider imaging of non-sparse objects. The extension to the general case of x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging, where the target object is non-sparse, is presented here. Experimental data indicates the power of the proposed method in reducing streak artifacts produced from data down-sampling


We present a case of a 69-year-old male who presented with acute left facial nerve palsy, serous bloody otorrhea, otalgia, and exposed necrotic bone on the floor of his left ear canal. His medical history revealed a left canal wall-down (CWD) mastoidectomy thirty years ago. Subsequently, twenty years later, he received primary chemoradiotherapy for tonsil cancer on the same side. The patient's medical history, the typical clinical picture, and a comprehensive diagnostic workup, including imaging modalities and electrophysiology, finally led to a diagnosis of osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone (ORNTB), with secondary facial nerve palsy. The facial nerve, unfortunately, did not recover and treatment remained conservative, as per the patient's preference. ORNTB is a rare, delayed complication after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, which occurs after about 8 years and a minimum of 41.8 Gray of radiation to the affected area. Facial nerve palsy in ORNTB is rare, with only 2.9% of patients experiencing it, but, in our particular case, the patient had undergone an additional CWD mastoidectomy. The treatment options need to be personalized and aimed at symptom control. There should be awareness of the condition among ENT specialists, especially during head and neck cancer follow-ups, and in patients who have had mastoidectomy and radiotherapy affecting the ipsilateral temporal bone.


The purpose of the present study was to test a model that examines the characteristics of the escalation process among heterosexual couples. It also examined how women's use of verbal and physical violence is associated with a sense of danger in men.The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) is a critical concern for public health. IPV has serious physical and mental health consequences on the victim.Participants were 165 women. The first subsample (n = 70, 42.42%) comprised women from the general population, and the second (n = 95, 57.57%) was composed of women living in relationships characterized by high‐intensity conflict (research population). Structural equation modeling was performed to assess the hypothesized model and to test the research hypotheses.Analysis indicates that the use of violence (verbal and/or physical) by one partner was positively correlated to the use of violence by the other partner. The analysis also shows that the woman's use of violence positively affects the man's sense of danger only for couples from the general population. Finally, the man's sense of danger is related to his violence toward the woman.In a high‐conflict relationship, violence is less reciprocal but escalates more easily, whereas in the general population, violence is more reciprocal but more moderate. In addition, emotions are an essential component of marital conflict and influence the development and management of conflict. Emotional components, such as a sense of danger, may be a risk factor in the escalation of conflict to violence.


Current evidence-based practice guidelines for the management of nonacute persistent and recurring musculoskeletal-related pain have emphasized the use of holistic multidisciplinary approaches including nonpharmacological therapies. Kinesiology taping is a simple, economical, easy-to-apply, nondrug therapeutic technique that is used by health-care professionals for managing and rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries. High-quality research on kinesiology taping is limited, although recent evidence suggests that kinesiology taping may have a small effect in mitigating pain and may be associated with mild cutaneous side effects. We present a review of the principles of kinesiology taping and an evaluation of research on its efficacy to catalyze discussion among clinicians about the merits of kinesiology taping as an adjunct for pain management.


Quadruped motion includes a wide variation of gaits such as walk, pace, trot and canter, and actions such as jumping, sitting, turning and idling. Applying existing data-driven character control frameworks to such data requires a significant amount of data preprocessing such as motion labeling and alignment. In this paper, we propose a novel neural network architecture called Mode-Adaptive Neural Networks for controlling quadruped characters. The system is composed of the motion prediction network and the gating network. At each frame, the motion prediction network computes the character state in the current frame given the state in the previous frame and the user-provided control signals. The gating network dynamically updates the weights of the motion prediction network by selecting and blending what we call the expert weights, each of which specializes in a particular movement. Due to the increased flexibility, the system can learn consistent expert weights across a wide range of non-periodic/periodic actions, from unstructured motion capture data, in an end-to-end fashion. In addition, the users are released from performing complex labeling of phases in different gaits. We show that this architecture is suitable for encoding the multi-modality of quadruped locomotion and synthesizing responsive motion in real-time.


The aim of The Cerebral Palsy Register is to follow the development of cerebral palsy in East Denmark as reported from the children's departments within the area. The prevalence among Danish children born in 1971-1982 is reported. Postnatal cases have been excluded. The live-birth prevalence has increased from 1.7 per 1000 in 1971-1974 to 2.3 per 1000 in 1979-1982. An increased proportion with birthweight under 2500 g and neuroimpairment was found in the latest birth year period. A re-evaluation of diagnostic information confirmed the increasing trend of the prevalence. Preterm births were dominated by perinatal etiology, while term births equally often had a prenatal etiology. It is worrying that the prevalence is rising and that the children have more disabilities. The reason for the increasing trend is most probably due to the decreasing neonatal mortality.


Elastic differential and total cross sections are presented for electron scattering by zinc and cadmium using the optical model. The cross sections are determined for scattering by free atoms and by atoms bound in a solid. The phase shifts are obtained from solutions to the reduced radial wave equation based on an optical potential consisting of static, polarization, and exchange terms. Electron energies from 12.5 to 200 eV are considered. Differences in the total cross section from using two different forms of the exchange potential are examined. A simple parametric fit of the total cross section which is suitable for Monte Carlo applications is given.


Resistive switching memory technologies (RRAM) are seen by most of the scientific community as an enabler for Edge-level applications such as embedded deep Learning, AI or signal processing of audio and video signals. However, going beyond a "simple" replacement of eFlash in micro-controller and introducing RRAM inside the memory hierarchy is not a straightforward move. Indeed, integrating a RRAM technology inside the cache hierarchy requires higher endurance requirement than for eFlash replacement, and thus necessitates relaxed programming conditions. By doing so, the reliability bottleneck is moved from programming to the read operations (i.e., read margin is reduced and the risk of read failure is increased). Based on this observation, in this work, we propose to explore how Edge-level applications running on a RRAM-based Edge device could fail because of Bias Temperature Instability (BTI). BTI causes threshold voltage (Vt) degradation on the transistors along the memory WordLines (WL), leading to a reduction of the read margin along regularly used WLs. We thereby propose a 3-steps methodology consisting in (i) characterizing the RRAM bitcell and identifying beyond which Vt shift the read operation is going to fail. (ii) characterizing applications and extracting the memory traces. And (iii) running a long term BTI simulation to extract the actual Vt shift of the bitcells sharing the same array WordLine. Based on this, we show that for a 1T1R bitcell featuring a 250% High/Low Resistance State (HRS/LRS) ratio, read failures tend to happen after less than a month in the case of a constantly running convolution kernel. These simulations highlight the fact that transistor-level reliability can be critical for embedded RRAM and that specific workload aware simulation frameworks are required to assess their effects.


Here, we present fine-scale measurements of stem diameter variation from three common arctic-alpine dwarfshrub species monitored in two mountain regions of Central Norway. All three species (Betula nana, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, and Phyllodoce caerulea) are abundant within the studied regions and highly important contributors to potential future arctic-alpine vegetation shifts. A profound understanding of their radial growth patterns therefore has the potential to yield crucial information regarding climate-growth relations within these ecosystems. We used high-resolution dendrometers (type DRO) to monitor 120 specimens, taking measurements near the shoot base of one major horizontal stem. Along with the shrub growth measurements, we measured on-site micro-environmental data at each studied site, including shoot zone and root zone temperatures as well as soil moisture. All data were recorded at an hourly scale and are presented as daily mean values. The monitoring period spanned five full years (2015 2019), with additional data from 2014 and 2020. Data were collected within one of the most continental climate regions of Europe, the Vågå/Innlandet region, and in the oceanic climate region Geiranger/Møre og Romsdal, spanning a steep climate gradient over just ~100 km horizontal distance. Both study regions are characterized by steep elevational gradients and highly heterogeneous micro-topography. The studied sites were chosen to represent these natural conditions using the transect principle. The collection of our original data is subject of our long-term alpine ecosystem monitoring program since 1991, from which numerous publications function as the basis for a recent project on the use of dendrometer data in alpine ecosystem studies.


BACKGROUND
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is frequently used for emergency support in patients with profound cardiogenic shock (CS) of all etiologies. However, no controlled study investigating ECMO in myocardial infarction (AMI)-induced CS is available.

METHODS
Retrospective analysis of patients experiencing AMI induced CS; ECMO therapy vs. non ECMO therapy. A total of 476 patients with AMI-induced CS were investigated. One hundred twenty-seven patients (26.7%) received emergency veno-arterial ECMO support, 349 patients did not receive ECMO support. Patients were propensity score matched based on relevant clinical and laboratory factors and revealed 127 matched pairs.

RESULTS
Mean age of patients was 65.0±12.3 years and mean Syntax score was 25.9±7.3 in the full unmatched patient population. Survival at 1, 3 and 5 years after CS was 45.6%, 43.5%, and 41.3% in the ECMO group and 17.4%, 15.8%, and 14.9% in the full unmatched control group (log-rank: P<0.001). After propensity score matching, 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival was 14.4%, 13.5%, and 11.2% in the matched control group (P<0.001). Cox regression analysis identified ECMO support (HR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.89-3.50; P<0.001) and completeness of revascularization (HR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.74-2.34, P=0.003) to be independent predictors for long term survival.

CONCLUSIONS
Extracorporeal life support by ECMO significantly increased survival in patients with AMI-induced CS. ECMO insertion increased survival probability 2.57-fold and should be considered as first line treatment in patients with profound AMI-induced CS.


A statistical modeling method to size concentration is presented based on multi-sensor information fusion and principal component regression analysis. The criteria for selecting principal components are adopted in modeling procedure in which the relation between the signs of regression coefficients and the signs of correlation coefficients is considered as rules for principal component selection. The results of example demonstrate that a size concentration model with the lower relative errors can be obtained by using strict rules for principal component selection.


Current signal control strategies tend to ignore the pedestrian delays that may be imposed by reducing traffic delays. Such an objective is reasonable for motorways and rural roads where vehicular traffic is dominant over pedestrian traffic. However, it is not the case in metropolitan cities with large volume of pedestrian demands. This paper developed a traffic signal optimization strategy that considers both vehicular and pedestrian flows. The objective of the proposed model is to minimize the weighted vehicular and pedestrian delays. The deterministic queuing model is used to calculate vehicular traffic delay and pedestrian delay on sidewalk. Pedestrian delay on crosswalk is calculated based on an empirical pedestrian speed model, which considers interactions of pedestrian platoons and their impacts on average walking speed. The proposed model is first implemented at a Japanese intersection. MATLAB is utilized to solve the optimization problem and to output a set of MOEs. The results show that the proposed model improved average person delay (APRD) by 10% without changing the existing cycle length. Moreover, the model can optimize the cycle length and further improve APRD by as much as 44%. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model for general cases, this paper also conducted sensitivity analysis. According to the results, the proposed model is most significant and necessary for two circumstances: (1) metropolitan areas with high pedestrian demands and (2) major urban arterials with high pedestrian demands crossing the major streets.


Zinc oxide nanoparticles with different morphologies were fabricated successfully by generating DC arc plasma of pure zinc. Different ratios of oxygen and argon gas were used as fabrication atmosphere. The morphology evolutions of ZnO nanoparticles and the effect of atmosphere components on it were investigated by changing the ratios of atmosphere components. Morphologies and structures of the fabricated samples were analyzed by XRD, SEM and TEM. Comparison between the results of this study and our previous works showed that the morphologies of nanoparticles dominantly were determined by the oxygen partial pressure. It was also shown that the total pressure which was exerted on constituent components had a less important role in final shapes of nanoparticles.


Psychological treatments for chronic pain have helped many people around the world. They are among the most researched and best evidenced treatments a person can receive when they have persistent, disabling and distressing pain. At the same time, improvements in the effectiveness of these treatments appear to be at a standstill. This may be due to an inherent lack of generalizability from aggregated group data to the individual, limited utility of our current schemes for categorizing people with pain conditions, faced with their inherent heterogeneity, our relatively coarse categories of treatment types and focus on treatment packages rather than individual methods, and our current failures to find adequate predictors of outcome, or to assign people their best‐suited treatment methods, based on group data. In this review, it is argued that the development and examination of truly personalized treatment is a next logical step to create progress and improve the results people achieve.


The present invention has a high water permeability, it is difficult to be blocked, also relates to a separation membrane receiving habae without being porous resin layer is peeled off from the porous substrate. The present invention is part of a resin, which has a porous resin layer on the surface of the porous substrate to form a porous resin layer is, and into the porous substrate to form a composite layer with the porous substrate, the following (1) and (or ) relates to a separation membrane that is characterized to satisfy (2). (1) it is within a range of average pore diameter of 0.01 to 0.2 ㎛ surface of the resin layer porous, and the standard deviation of the pore size is less than O.1 ㎛, (2) When the thickness d of the porous substrate A, the macro voids than the minor axis 0.05 × A present in the porous resin layer, and also the rejection of fine particles having an average particle size of 0.9 ㎛ yisangim at least 90%. Separation membrane, the porous substrate, the porous resin layer, a composite layer, a water permeable, and drain, macrovoids, rejection


OBJECTIVE
To translate and validate the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire from English to Urdu.

METHODS
The validation study was conducted at the Rheumatology outpatient department of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from July 1 to September 30, 2019. Two translators were given the modified health assessment questionnaire for translation from English to Urdu. It was then back-translated by two independent translators. The translated version of the tool was applied to rheumatoid arthritis patients to check for reliability, test-retest and internal consistency. It was applied to another group of patients to check for criterion validity. Reliability analysis was checked by applying Cronbach alpha. Criterion validity was checked by assessing disease activity score-28 and its correlation with Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.

RESULTS
Of the 30 patients in the initial testing, 28(93%) were females and 2(6.6%) were males, with an overall mean age of 38±13.2 years. Of the 100 patients in the second group, 97(97%) were women and 3(3%) were men, with an overall mean age of 42±12.37 years. The mean disease duration of the cohort was 8.4±4.8 years. The Cronbach alpha value was 0.797 and interclass coefficient was 0.7, reflecting good reliability. A significantly high correlation between Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire and disease activity score-28 was noted along with pain, tenderness, swollen joints, patient global assessment, age and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.05), while poor correlation was found with gender, disease duration, rheumatoid arthritis factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The Urdu version of the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire was found to be a reliable tool for the indigenous population.


Abstract Children with ventricular cerebrospinal fluid shunts for treatment of hydrocephalus require frequent evaluation for potential shunt malfunction. Current practice relies heavily on neuroimaging, particularly cranial computed tomography, which repeatedly exposes children to ionizing radiation. Rapid cranial magnetic resonance imaging is a new radiation-sparing alternative to CT for evaluation of potential shunt malfunction. We review the diagnostic test performance, radiation exposure, advantages, and limitations of the major neuroimaging modalities available to providers caring for children with possible shunt malfunction in the emergent setting.


Eleven growth hormone deficient (GHD) subjects were treated regularly for 3 years with an authentic recombinant growth hormone preparation (0.35 to 0.5U/kg/week). Growth velocity (GV) increased from a mean o 2.91 +/- 1.58cm/year during the 1st year to 8.62 +/- 2.81cm/y in the 2nd and 7.63 +/- 1.84cm/y in the 3th year of follow up. During that period height age (delta HA) increased by 4.9 +/- 1 years while bone age advanced 4.3 +/- 1.4 year (delta BA) resulting in a delta HA/delta BA of 1.1 +/- 0.2. Since the height increment was associated with BA advancement the final height within normal range could not be attained. Thus, GHr therapy should be instituted before the height deficit would became intense as it happened in the majority of our patients. Early diagnosis and therapy of GHD is important, when growth retardation is less severe, in order to allow a better final height.


Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was first identified over 30 years ago as a marker of malignant colonic cells, but has since been shown to be expressed by a range of normal epithelial cells. Moreover, CEA is one member of a larger gene family and shares structural homology with other family molecules. Despite this confused picture, CEA is now known to function in several biological roles, including cell-cell adhesion. Its use in the diagnostic setting has also changed over the years, where in routine immunohistochemistry, monoclonal antibodies to CEA are useful in aiding diagnosis when used as part of a panel. Here, recent advances in understanding the biological role(s) that CEA and CEA-related antigens may play in cell adhesion are highlighted, together with results from molecular studies that illustrate how structure can influence the choice of CEA antibodies for use in both the research and diagnostic laboratory.


This chapter presents the design approach of an Improved Approximated Simplest Fuzzy Logic Controller (IASFLC). A cascade combination of simplest 4-rule Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) and an nth degree polynomial is proposed as an IASFLC to approximate the control characteristics of a 49-rule FLC. The approximation scheme is based on minimizing the sum of square errors between the control outputs of a 49-rule FLC and a simplest 4-rule FLC in the entire range of Universe Of Discourse (UOD). The coefficients of compensating polynomial are evaluated by solving instantaneous square error equations at various test points in the entire UOD. This IASFLC maps the output of a 49-rule FLC with absolute deviation of less than 5%. The proposed IASFLC is used to control the dc link voltage of a three-phase shunt Active Power Filter (APF). A detailed analysis is performed during transient and steady state conditions to check Power Quality (PQ) and dynamic performance indices under randomly varying balanced and unbalanced loading conditions. The performance of proposed IASFLC is compared with a 49-rule FLC and Approximated Simplest Fuzzy Logic Controller (ASFLC) based on minimization of the deviation at central values of Membership Functions (MFs). It is found comparatively better for harmonic and reactive compensation with a comparable dynamic response. The memory requirement and computational time of proposed IASFLC are even lesser than the ASFLC. Asheesh K. Singh Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, India Rambir Singh Inderprastha Engineering College, India DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-6098-4.ch011


This paper discusses the performance and cost needs of high-density wiring substrates and the challenges to the materials and processes of MCM-D/L technology. The approach proposed by the Packaging Research Center (PRC) at Georgia Tech to meet these needs and challenges is presented along with some up-to-date advances in microvia technology. Finally, further research and development planned on microvia technology is presented.


Purpose of review The comparative effectiveness of medical interventions has recently been emphasized in the literature, typically for interventions in a similar class. Value-based medicine, the practice of medicine based on the value (improvement in quality of life and/or length of life) conferred by medical interventions, allows a measure of comparative effectiveness of interventions across all of health care, no matter how disparate. This report discusses recent comparative effectiveness studies in the vitreoretinal literature. Recent findings Vitreoretinal interventions have good to excellent comparative effectiveness compared with commonly utilized interventions across health care, such as treatment for osteoporosis and hyperlipidemia. They also tend to be cost-effective when an upper limit of $100 000/quality-adjusted life-year is utilized. Summary Value can be measured using either or both of two outcomes – the quality-adjusted life-year gain and/or the percentage improvement in value – both of which allow for an evaluation of comparative effectiveness, which can be compared on the same scale for every intervention. This value can also be integrated with costs using the outcome of dollars expended per quality-adjusted life-year ($/quality-adjusted life-year, or the cost-utility ratio), which allows a comparison of cost-effectiveness across all interventions. The majority of vitreoretinal interventions confer considerable value and are cost-effective.


A case of a woman with spontaneous pneumoperitoneum as result of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is reported. A brief review of this rare disease and its pathogenetic mechanisms is presented. The clinical course of the pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis was characterized by abdominal pain and distention, vomiting. The disease was proved by contrast X-ray examination. The pneumoperitoneum was the result of subserous cyst rupture and had a benign course. It was treated successfully with chemotherapeutics. The participation of extensive bacterial growth in the pathogenesis of the pneumoperitoneum is discussed.


To clarify the influence of carbon dioxide (CO2) on cerebral oxygen metabolism and blood volume during laparoscopy with CO2 insufflation in 12 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, changes in the concentrations of cerebral oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), reduced hemoglobin (HbR), total hemoglobin (total Hb), and oxidized cytochrome aa3 (Cyt aa3) were measured using near-infrared laser spectroscopy. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide (66%)-oxygen-sevoflurane. Pneumoperitoneum was maintained at an endoabdominal pressure of 10 to 12 mm Hg using CO2. Minute ventilation was constant before and after CO2 insufflation. End-tidal CO2 tension (PETCO2) increased significantly, from 33.9 +/- 1.3 to 52.8 +/- 3.3 mm Hg, after CO2 insufflation. The concentration of HbO2 increased significantly, from 0 to 7.3 +/- 2.8 mumol/L, after CO2 insufflation. The concentration of HbR increased significantly, from 0 to 2.2 +/- 1.2 mumol/L, after CO2 insufflation. Therefore, the concentration of total Hb increased significantly, from 0 to 8.8 +/- 3.3 mumol/L after CO2 insufflation. The concentration of Cyt aa3, however, did not change significantly during pneumoperitoneum. These results suggest that cellular respiration remained intact despite a concomitant increase in PETCO2 and cerebral blood volume during laparoscopy with CO2 insufflation.


INTRODUCTION
Among the different factors described, nutritional support has been associated to prevention and management of enterocutaneous fistulae (ECF).

OBJECTIVES
To assess the influence that the parameters related to nutritional, clinical status, and surgical variables have on the occurrence of ECF.

METHODS
An observational case/control retrospective study was performed on patients admitted to the General and Digestive Surgery Department. The parameters analyzed were: diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), pathologic personal history, number of surgical interventions (SI) and complications (previous infection, bleeding, and ischemia). In patients with SI, we analyzed: number and type of SI, time until onset of nutritional support, and type of nutritional support. We performed a multiple logistic uni- and multivariate regression analysis by using the SPSSv.19.0 software.

RESULTS
The primary diagnoses related to the occurrence of ECF were pancreatic pathology (OR = 5.346) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (OR = 9.329). The surgical variables associated to higher prevalence of ECF emergency SI (OR = 5.79) and multiple SI (OR = 4.52). Regarding the nutritional variables, the late onset of nutrition (more than three days after SI) was associated to the occurrence of ECF (OR = 3.82).

CONCLUSIONS
In surgical patients, early nutritional support , independently of the route of administration, decreases the occurrence of fistulae. Pancreatic pathology, IBD, emergency SI, and multiple SI were associated to higher prevalence of ECF. The variable hyponutrition appears as a risk factor that should be confirmed in further studies.


In this paper, we consider issues of constructing mathematical models of extraction processes from solid polydis-perse porous materials considering the porosity of structure of particles, taking into account the connection of the residence time of fractions with particle size in the extractant, based on inverse problems of recovery of coefficients of diffusion processes under various variants of boundary conditions by a spatial variable.


For further characterization immunoglobulins G (IgG) of 14 patients with Graves' disease were fractionated on Protein A bound Sepharose. Sufficiently enriched IgG-subclasses were obtained despite incomplete separation. TSH displacing activity (TDA) was not homogeneously distributed in the subclasses, however IgG1 was most predominant in TDA followed by IgG3, IgG2 being essentially inactive. In two subjects TDA in whole IgG gave positive results in subclasses after fractionation, thus providing evidence, that it would be theoretically possible to move sensitivity of the method close to 100% after subfractionation. TDA was not enriched together with thyroid cell antibodies. We conclude from these results that TDA-IgG is characterized by restricted heterogeneity notwithstanding the incomplete separation of the IgG-subclasses.


A surgical simulator with real-time tactile perception is produced to replicate cochlear implantation. Visual and force feedback are provided during electrode insertion into a virtual 3D model of the human Scala Tympani (ST). The haptic representation is based on real-world, physical data. Force profiles are compared with experimental insertion studies for system validation. This system is the first of its kind to offer haptic modelling and force quantification during real-time insertion of a virtual Cochlear Implant (CI). The methods presented may be applied to other medical procedures where visual feedback is precluded, to enhance tactile perception and medical instruction.


Body-worn video (BWV) cameras are increasingly utilized by police departments to provide a record of police-public interactions. However, large-scale BWV deployment produces terabytes of data per week, necessitating the development of effective computational methods to identify salient changes in video. In work carried out at the 2016 RIPS program at IPAM, UCLA, we present a novel two-stage framework for video change-point detection. First, we employ state-of-the-art machine learning methods including convolutional neural networks and support vector machines for scene classification. We then develop and compare change-point detection algorithms utilizing mean squared-error minimization, forecasting methods, hidden Markov models, and maximum likelihood estimation to identify noteworthy changes. We test our framework on detection of vehicle exits and entrances in a BWV data set provided by the Los Angeles Police Department and achieve over 90% recall and nearly 70% precision -- demonstrating robustness to rapid scene changes, extreme luminance differences, and frequent camera occlusions.


Pathologic proliferation of the plasma cell population can produce a wide spectrum of disorders, ranging from benign solitary plasmacytoma to malignant multiple myeloma. The presentation of the resulting disease can be either localized or systemic, depending on the affected area. Multiple myeloma typically presents with systemic symptoms secondary to skeletal lytic lesions, anemia, renal failure, infection, and hyperviscosity syndrome; a diagnosis of multiple myeloma is not suspected in the absence of these features. Multiple myeloma of the skull base is very rare. We present the case of a 66-year-old man who came to us with a 2-year history of disequilibrium and who was found to have multiple myeloma with extensive involvement of the skull base.


Objective: Lipid oxidation and generation of free radicals are important factors contributing to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Bilirubin is supposed to play a protective role against atherosclerosis, coronary artery diseases (CAD) and inflammation for its strong antioxidant property. Thus, this study aims at investigating the relationship of bilirubin level with the severity and type of coronary artery stenosis (CAS) in different patient groups. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 200 consecutive patients, who underwent elective angiography in Madani Heart hospital, Tabriz, Iran, were selected and their blood samples were measured for total, direct, and indirect bilirubin level, with Diazo method using colorimetric technique. Following angiography, comparisons were made between the severity and location of CAS and therapeutic follow-up plan with total, direct, and indirect bilirubin level. Results: Of 200 studied patients, 129 (64.5%) and 71 (35.5%) subjects were male and female, respectively. The cases were classified into 5 subgroups based on angiography results as follows: 59 (29.5%) cases with normal angiography, 11 cases (5.5%) with minimal CAD, 56 cases (28%) with single vessel involvement, 35 (17.5%) cases with two vessel involvement and 39 cases (19.5%) with three vessel involvement. The mean total bilirubin level was 1.47 ± 0.8 mg/dl, 1.27 ± 0.12 mg/dl, 1.27 ± 0.06 mg/dl, 1.6 ± 0.04 mg/dl and 0.98 ± 0.05 mg/dl, respectively for the cases with above order. The mean difference in serum total bilirubin between normal angiography group and three-vessel involvement group was 0.49 mg/dl (P < .0001). There was a significant inverse relation between bilirubin level (total, direct and indirect) and number of involved vessels and involvement intensity increased as serum bilirubin level decreased. Severity of coronary arteries stenosis as well as the number of involved vessels increased as serum bilirubin level decreased. Conclusion: According to results, there was a significant inverse relation between serum bilirubin level and coronary involvement (type and intensity). Higher bilirubin serum levels played a protective role against CAD, even in the presence of other risk factors. Therefore, bilirubin level can be used as a predictor of CAD in the future.


In vivo microdialysis sampling was coupled to capillary liquid chromatography (LC)/electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) to monitor [Met]enkephalin and [Leu]enkephalin in the striatum of anesthetized and freely-moving rats. The LC system utilized a high-pressure pump to load 2.5 microl samples and desalt the 25 microm i.d. by 2 cm long column in 12 min. Samples were eluted with a separate pump at approximately 100 nl min(-1). A rapid gradient effectively separated the endogenous neuropeptides in 4 min. A comparison was made for operating the mass spectrometer in the MS2 and MS3 modes for detection of the peptides. In standard solutions, the detection limits were similar at 1-2 pM (2-4 amol injected); however, the reproducibility was improved with MS3 as the relative standard deviation was <5% compared with 20% for MS2 for 60 pM samples. For dialysate solutions, reconstructed ion chromatograms and tandem mass spectra had much higher signal-to-noise ratios in the MS3 mode, resulting in more confident detection at in vivo concentrations. The method was successfully used to monitor the peptides under basal conditions and with stimulation of peptide secretion by infusion of elevated K+ concentration.


Studies about woman and about femininity, inside the psychoanalytic field may follow some very different rumors. The theme is enclosed by polemics and contradictions, once the after-Freud authors such as Klein, Brunswick, Bonaparte, Muller, Horney, Jones and Lacan introduce different points of view and disagree, even in the interpretation, with what Freud presented in his works. This survey aims to bring back the Freudian theory about woman and femininity, as well as solve some theoretical conflicts based on the misinterpretation of his texts. For a better understanding of the problem a brief description of the historic track of the theories about woman and femininity in the psychoanalytic stroke was accomplished. Among the said authors, stand out Lacan, for his innovations in the femininity conception and the feminine enjoyment. However, the mean objective of this work is Freud s theory, that led him up to clinic studies. Hysteria, phobia and obsession are the pathologies found in the woman analised by Freud and that are part of this work. Each one of these diseases show a different logic in the production of symptoms, however all of them contribute to the construction of a theory about the feminine. In the works that talk about social themes antrophology, artistic and literary, Freud define the woman s place in the social function, as well as he claim his point of view about the subject. References of femininity can be found in seductive and dangerous women as Medusa; and at the same time in feminine figures that represent love and fertility. Freud describe women as defenders of the familiar institution, that sometimes do not consider the social rules. This way of being, typically feminine hasn t appeared just because of the culture of a civilization but also because of the sexuality. So, Freud s text about feminine sexuality are also very import sources of woman conception. The castration complex, appeared with the investigation about the anatomic difference between the sexes and caused psychics consequences that brought the self satisfaction. So, the idea that Freud had created a falocentric theory in which the woman is always subordinate to her husband came on the scene. Trying to take part in this critic about the Freudian model, Birman propose a new view about the femininity. The definitions about feminine, though, can lead the psychoanalysis and the psychoanalysis philosophy theorists as David-Menard to study about the universality of the femininity construction in Freud and Lacan. Thus, the study about femininity and the woman is led to a way across the Freudian work and includes experience in the psychosexual and cultural environment education. Keyworks: femininity, woman, feminine sexuality, castration complex.


The clinical and experimental use of infrared scanning instruments for surface temperature measurements requires a knowledge of heat distribution in living tissue. A heat coil and a temperature registering thermistor encased in titanium were implanted subcutaneously in rabbits. After a healing period the relation between the power output from the heat sources at various depths and the temperature pattern of the overlying skin surface was studied.


Objective To examine perceptions, behaviors, and impacts surrounding COVID-19 early in the pandemic response. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey of 1,030 U.S. adults was administered on March 31st, 2020. This survey examined attitudes toward media, government, and community responses to COVID-19 by political ideology and sociodemographic factors. Knowledge, anxieties, and impacts of COVID-19 were also assessed. Results Conservatives were more likely to report that COVID-19 was receiving too much media coverage and people were generally overreacting; liberals were more likely to report the government had not done enough in response to the pandemic. Females and those with lower income experienced more COVID-19 related economic anxieties. Those working and with children at home reported higher social, home, and work disruption. Social distancing behaviors were more common among liberals and were associated with increases in depressive symptoms. General knowledge about COVID-19 was widely exhibited across the sample, however, Black and Hispanic respondents were less likely to correctly answer questions about the availability of a vaccine and modes of transmission. Conclusions Public health experts should consider the political climate in crafting messaging that appeals to the values of those across the political spectrum. Research on the COVID-19 pandemic should continue to monitor the effects of social distancing on mental health and among vulnerable populations.


Mixed-ligand complexes of the type [M(SB)2acphen], where M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II), HSB = 3,5-dibromosalicylideneaniline and acphen = bis(acetophenone)ethylenediamine, have been prepared and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, magnetic measurements, thermogravimetry, and infrared and electronic absorption spectroscopy. All the mixed-ligand complexes exhibit an octahedral geometry. The mixed-ligand complexes show antimicrobial activities against bacteria, yeast and fungi.


A report discusses the design of the rocker-bogie suspensions of the Mars Exploration Rover vehicles, which were landed on Mars in January 2004. Going beyond the basic requirements regarding mobility on uneven terrain, the design had to satisfy requirements (1) to enable each suspension to contort so that the rover could be stowed within limited space in a tetrahedral lander prior to deployment and (2) that the suspension be able to absorb appreciable impact loads, with limited deflection, during egress from the lander and traversal of terrain. For stowability, six joints (three on the right, three on the left) were added to the basic rocker-bogie mechanism. One of the joints on each side was a yoke-and-clevis joint at the suspension/differential interface, one was a motorized twist joint in the forward portion of the rocker, and one was a linear joint created by modifying a fixed-length bogie member into a telescoping member. For absorption of impact, the structural members were in the form of box beams made by electron-beam welding of machined, thin-walled, C-channel, titanium components. The box beams were very lightweight and could withstand high bending and torsional loads.


While many species of animals form only social or foraging intraspecific groups, a variety of taxa of marine invertebrates may further establish tissue unions (natural chimeras) between conspecifics. A model system is the tunicate Botryllus schlosseri, in which histocompatibility is governed by shared alleles on a single, highly polymorphic fusibility locus. Proposed benefits that have been attributed to natural chimerism have not been confirmed in this model system. Furthermore, laboratory studies on bichimeras, each consisting of two partners, have shown that fusion is usually followed by morphological elimination (resorption) of one partner, However, freely circulating stem cells from the subordinate' partner in resorption may parasitize the soma and germline of the winner. Here we show that multi-partner chimeras form more stable and vigorous entities than bichimeras. Multi-chimeras grow faster, reach larger sizes, do not fragment, reduce incidence of morphological resorption and show other characteristics of more equilibriated entities. It is proposed that in these multi-partner entitites, the different intraspecific conflicts alleviate each other, generating an improved entity where natural selection may act on group' level instead of on each individual genome. The state of multi-chimerism incurs, however, some costs such as a one quarter reduction in the potential maximum chimerical size as compared to bichimeras.


High-mobility-group protein 17 (HMG-17) was identified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis as a major component in acidic extracts of transplantable rat glucagonoma tissue but not in insulinoma tissue of similar origin. The peptide was purified in a single step and the entire sequence of 89 amino acids was determined. Rat HMG-17 has a molecular mass of 9238 Da and shows strong similarity to human, bovine (94.4%) and chicken (88.8%) HMG-17. Six of the seven residues which vary among the mammalian sequences are located within a short segment (positions 64-83) present in the acidic, non-DNA-binding C-terminal part of HMG-17. This region shows least similarity to the otherwise related proteins HMG-14 and H6 (a trout HMG protein). Interestingly, four of the six variable positions are Asp in rat HMG-17 which results in an overall net increase in the negative charge of the C-terminal region. The nature of selective hyper-expression of HMG-17 in glucagon but not in insulin-producing tumor tissue remains to be clarified.


Undisturbed trade-wind conditions comprise the most prevalent synoptic weather pattern in Hawai'i and produces a distinct pattern of orographic rainfall. Significant total rainfall contributions and extreme events are linked to four types of atmospheric disturbances: cold fronts, Kona lows, upper-tropospheric disturbances, and tropical cyclones. In this study, a 20- year (1990-2010) categorical disturbance time series is compiled and analyzed in relation to daily rainfall over the same period. The primary objective of this research is to determine how disturbances contribute to total wet season rainfall on the Island of O'ahu, Hawai'i. On average, 41% of wet seasonal rainfall occurs on disturbance days. Seventeen percent of seasonal rainfall can be directly attributed to disturbances (after a background signal is removed) and as much as 48% in a single season. The intensity of disturbance rainfall (mm/day) is a stronger predictor (r2 = 0.49; p < 0.001) of the total seasonal rainfall than the frequency of occurrence (r2 = 0.11; p = 0.153). Cold fronts are the most common disturbance type; however, the rainfall associated with fronts that cross the island is significantly higher than rainfall produced from non-crossing fronts. In fact, non-crossing fronts produce significantly less rainfall than under mean non-disturbance conditions 76% of the time. While the combined influence of atmospheric disturbances can account for almost half of the rainfall received during the wet season, the primary factor in determining a relatively wet or dry season/year on O'ahu are the frequency and rainfall intensity of Kona Low events.


Mycobacteriaceae comprises pathogenic species such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. leprae and M. abscessus, as well as non-pathogenic species, for example, M. smegmatis and M. thermoresistibile. Genome comparison and annotation studies provide insights into genome evolutionary relatedness, identify unique and pathogenicity-related genes in each species, and explore new targets that could be used for developing new diagnostics and therapeutics. Here, we present a comparative analysis of ten-mycobacterial genomes with the objective of identifying similarities and differences between pathogenic and non-pathogenic species. We identified 1080 core orthologous clusters that were enriched in proteins involved in amino acid and purine/pyrimidine biosynthetic pathways, DNA-related processes (replication, transcription, recombination and repair), RNA-methylation and modification, and cell-wall polysaccharide biosynthetic pathways. For their pathogenicity and survival in the host cell, pathogenic species have gained specific sets of genes involved in repair and protection of their genomic DNA. M. leprae is of special interest owing to its smallest genome (1600 genes and ~1300 psuedogenes), yet poor genome annotation. More than 75% of the pseudogenes were found to have a functional ortholog in the other mycobacterial genomes and belong to protein families such as transferases, oxidoreductases and hydrolases.


Treatment of young and mature mice with potent preparations of mouse interferon results in a marked enhancement of the expression of histocompatibility antigens on the surface of thymocytes and splenic lymphocytes, as measured by an enhanced absorption of alloantiserum. These modifications in the expression of cell surface antigens may reflect an effect of interferon on lymphocyte naturation and may be relevant to theffect of interferon on lymphocyte function.


In order to investigate the structural requirements for gastroprotective activity in 6-[[1(S)-(3(S),4-dihydro-8- hydroxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl)-3-methylbutyl]amino]-4(S),5(S)-dihydroxy 6-oxo-3(S)-ammoniohexanoate [AI-77-B, 1], a product of Bacillus pumilus AI-77, nine derivatives were prepared and then tested for protective activity against stress-induced ulcers in rats. Neither the chromophore, [1-(3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl)-3-methylbutyl]ammonium chloride (2), nor the side-chain moiety, 4-amino-2,3-dihydroxyhexanedioic acid (4), as separate fragments alone showed any significant activity. Hydrolysis of the lactone ring of the 1H-2-benzopyran-1-one skeleton, to give 6-[[1-(2-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-5-methylhex-3-yl]amino]-4, 5-dihydroxy-6-oxo-3-ammoniohexanoate (5), led to a considerable decrease in activity. The formation of a gamma-lactone ring in the side chain, 4-[1-hydroxy-2-[[1-(3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl) -3-methylbutyl]-amino]-2-oxoethyl]butan-4-olid-3-yl]ammonium chloride (6), resulted in a small decrease in activity. Selective acetylation at the primary amine position of 6, to give 4-[1-hydroxy-2- [[1-(3,4-dihydro-8- hydroxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl)-3-methylbutyl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]-3- (acetylamino)butan-4-olide (7), led to a considerable decrease in activity. Both di- and triacetylated derivatives of 6, 4-[1-acetoxy-2 -[[1-(3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl)-3-methylbutyl] amino]-2-oxoethyl]-3-(acetylamino)butan-4-olide (8) and 4-[1-acetoxy-2- [[1-(3,4- dihydro-8-acetoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl)-3-methylbutyl]amino]-2- oxoethyl]-3-(acetylamino)butan-4-olide (9), were inactive. Selective methylation of the phenolic hydroxyl group of to give 1, 6-[[1-(3,4-dihydro-8-methoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl) -3-methylbutyl]amino]-4,5-dihydroxy-6-oxo-3-ammoniohexanoate (15), resulted in a small decrease in activity. On the other hand, conversion of the carboxyl group of the side chain to an amide, to give [6-[[1-(3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl)- 3-methylbutyl]amino]-4,5-dihydroxy-6-oxo-3-hexanamido]ammonium chloride (10), caused a considerable increase in both activity and toxicity. The findings showed that modifications at the position of the amino acid moiety of 1 significantly influenced the activity and that the 1H-2-benzopyran-1-one skeleton was also required for activity to occur.


When a high dynamic range image is synthesized by using a set of differently exposed low dynamic range (LDR) images, it is important to detect moving objects so as to remove ghosting from the final HDR image. A pixel level movement detection scheme was recently proposed in [8]. It included a pixel level similarity index for differently exposed LDR images, an adaptive threshold for the classification of pixels and an approach that utilizes intensity mapping (IMF) function for patching invalid regions. In this paper, we first propose a new adaptive threshold and a new patching approach to improve the scheme in [8]. Then, a sub-sampling method is introduced to simplify the improved movement detection scheme. Experimental results show that the improved movement detection scheme indeed outperforms the scheme in [8]. In addition, the speed is significantly improved by the proposed fast movement detection scheme.


This paper presents a numerical model and modeling study of gas flow through extremely low permeability unconventional reservoirs. In contrast to conventional reservoirs, gas flow and transport in low-permeability rock is subject ore nonlinear processes, such as stronger Klinkenberg effect, non-Darcy flow, strong interaction of gas molecules with solids, and adsorption. This is because of the small or nano size pores and high heterogeneity of such shale gas or tight gas formations. In this paper, we will discuss the fundamentals of nonlinear gas flow in low-permeability porous and fractured reservoirs.


SUMMARY Human and non-human animals can use geometric information (metric information and left–right discrimination sense) to reorient themselves in an environment. The hypothesis that in so doing they rely on allocentric (map-like) representations has received wide consensus. However, theoretical models suggest that egocentric representations may represent efficient strategies for visuo-spatial navigation. Here, we provide, for the first time, evidence that a view-based strategy is effectively used by animals to reorient themselves in an array of landmarks. Domestic chicks were trained to locate a food-reward in a rectangular array of either four indistinguishable or distinctive pipes. In the key experimental series, the pipes had four openings, only one of which allowed the chicks to access the reward. The direction of the open access relative to the array was either maintained stable or it was changed throughout training. The relative position of the pipes in the array was maintained stable in both training conditions. Chicks reoriented according to configural geometry as long as the open access pointed in the same direction during training but failed when the positions of the openings was changed throughout training. When the correct pipe was characterized by a distinctive featural cue, chicks learnt to locate the reward irrespective of the stability of the direction to openings, indicating that place-navigation was dissociated from non-spatial learning. These findings provide evidence that view-based strategies to reorient by geometry could be used by animals.


Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of interpersonal relationships of head nurses in interacting with others in general hospital settings. Methods: The data were collected by individual in-depth interviews from seven head nurses and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Five major categories emerged and they represent a major strategy according to five different groups of interacting people. 'Establishing trust' was identified as the key strategy in dealing with patients and family members. 'Embracing with sisterly love' and 'helping with self-defense' were major strategies for subordinate nurses and physicians, respectively. 'Respecting and recognizing' was the main approach for other professionals such as dietitians and 'emphasizing rules and educating' were a major one for non-professionals. Head nurses paid more attention and made efforts in dealing with their subordinate nurses than with other groups of people, because they felt the most difficulty in their relationship with subordinate nurses. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that head nurses employ unique strategies in interacting with different groups of people to increase the efficiency of communication. This study would help nurse administrators establish an effective program for improving interpersonal relationships of head nurse.


Preserving soil resources is a main environmental issue, especially in semiarid and subhumid areas that can be seriously affected under the perspectives of climate change and exploring the potential of using cost effective indicators is of interest to promote soil conservation strategies. In stable and well developed soils, the profiles of magnetic susceptibility gradually decrease from top layers to deeper layers as a result of the natural evolution of a soil but this pattern is not maintained in degraded soils. In mountain agroecosystems of Mediterranean environments erodible soils are threatened by erosion due to intensive land use and occurrence of erosive rainfalls. In Spain, agricultural land extends over large surfaces on mountain terrains and rainfed crops occupy many semiarid and subhumid areas. To maintain the sustainability of these productive agrosystems it is of interest to assess the status of the soil, in reference to its conservation or degradation. In this research an attempt to use profiles of magnetic susceptibility as indicators of soil processes and land uses is presented. The depth distribution of magnetic susceptibility is measured in soils that are characterized as eroded and deposition profiles by using fallout Cs. Analyses of Fe, Al, and other heavy metals are combined to derive information for assessing the status of the soil.


Colon-specific drug delivery systems (CDDS) are developed to reduce side effects and to achieve high local drug concentration at the affected site in the colon, hence optimal therapeutic effectiveness and good patient compliance. The aim of the present investigation was to develop colon targeted drug delivery system for methotrexate using guar gum and pectin as a carriers in the treatment of crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer, etc. Fastdisintegrating methotrexate core tablets were compression-coated with different ratios of guar gum and pectin. All the formulations were evaluated for the hardness, drug content uniformity, and subjected to in vitro drug release studies with and without rat caecal contents. The in vitro studies concluded that, amongst the different formulations, the F10 containing polymers 50%(guar gum and pectin) in the ratio 1:1 showed better drug release and satisfactory results showing a release of 83.4±0.98% of methotrexate after degradation by colonic bacteria at the end of 24 hrs of the dissolution study and 49.4±0.9% in simulated colonic fluids. The statistical significance was tested by using Student's t-test and found statistically significant. Optimised F10 formulation was subjected to stability studies at 40oC±2oC/75%±5% RH for 3 months and observed no significant change either in physical appearance, drug content or dissolution pattern. The DSC study showed that methotrexate did not react with polymers (guar gum & pectin) or other excipients used in the study.


In this paper, we consider the waveform design of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmitter which simultaneously functions as a MIMO radar and a base station for downlink multiuser communications. In addition to a power constraint, we require the covariance of the transmit waveform be equal to a given optimal covariance for MIMO radar, to guarantee the radar performance. With this constraint, we formulate and solve the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) balancing problem for multiuser transmit beamforming via convex optimization. Considering that the interference cannot be completely eliminated with this constraint, we introduce dirty paper coding (DPC) to further cancel the interference, and formulate the SINR balancing and sum rate maximization problem in the DPC regime. Although both of the two problems are non-convex, we show that they can be reformulated to convex optimizations via the Lagrange and downlink-uplink duality. In addition, we propose gradient projection based algorithms to solve the equivalent dual problem of SINR balancing, in both transmit beamforming and DPC regimes. The simulation results demonstrate significant performance improvement of DPC over transmit beamforming, and also indicate that the degrees of freedom for the communication transmitter is restricted by the rank of the covariance.


While large language models (LLMs) have enabled learning knowledge from the pre-training corpora, the acquired knowledge may be fundamentally incorrect or outdated over time, which necessitates rectifying the knowledge of the language model (LM) after the training. A promising approach involves employing a hyper-network to generate parameter shift, whereas existing hyper-networks suffer from inferior scalability in synchronous editing operation amount. To mitigate the problem, we propose the MAssive Language Model Editing Network (MALMEN), which formulates the parameter shift aggregation as the least square problem, subsequently updating the LM parameters using the normal equation. To accommodate editing multiple facts simultaneously with limited memory budgets, we separate the computation on the hyper-network and LM, enabling arbitrary batch size on both neural networks. Our method is evaluated by editing up to thousands of facts on LMs with different architectures, i.e., BERT-base, GPT-2, T5-XL (2.8B), and GPT-J (6B), across various knowledge-intensive NLP tasks, i.e., closed book fact-checking and question answering. Remarkably, MALMEN is capable of editing hundreds of times more facts than strong baselines with the identical hyper-network architecture and outperforms editor specifically designed for GPT. Our code is available at https://github.com/ChenmienTan/malmen.


With ever-increasing amounts of graph data from disparate sources, there has been a strong need for exploiting significant graph patterns with user-specified objective functions. Most objective functions are not antimonotonic, which could fail all of frequency-centric graph mining algorithms. In this paper, we give the first comprehensive study on general mining method aiming to find most significant patterns directly. Our new mining framework, called LEAP (Descending Leap Mine), is developed to exploit the correlation between structural similarity and significance similarity in a way that the most significant pattern could be identified quickly by searching dissimilar graph patterns. Two novel concepts, structural leap search and frequency descending mining, are proposed to support leap search in graph pattern space. Our new mining method revealed that the widely adopted branch-and-bound search in data mining literature is indeed not the best, thus sketching a new picture on scalable graph pattern discovery. Empirical results show that LEAP achieves orders of magnitude speedup in comparison with the state-of-the-art method. Furthermore, graph classifiers built on mined patterns outperform the up-to-date graph kernel method in terms of efficiency and accuracy, demonstrating the high promise of such patterns.