The syntheses of 12 new 2,5-bis[4-(N-alkylamidino)phenyl]furans are reported. The interaction of these dicationic furans with poly(dA-dT) and with the duplex oligomer d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 was determined by Tm measurements, and the effectiveness of these compounds against the immunosuppressed rat model of Pneumocystis carinii was evaluated. At the screening dose of 10 mumol/kg, 9 of the 14 N-alkylamidino furans described here are more active than the parent compound 1. Substitution of an alkyl group of the amidino nitrogen, except for in 9, 13, and 15, resulted in higher affinity for DNA than the parent compound as judged by the larger delta Tm values and suggests enhanced van der Waals interactions in the bis-amidine-DNA complex. Five of the compounds, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 12, yield cyst counts of less than 0.1% of control when administered at a dosage of 10 mumol/kg. Five compounds, 1, 6, 8, 10, and 12, show significant activity at a dosage of approximately 1 mumol/kg; 12 is the most active derivative, and it is approximately 100 times more effective than pentamidine in this animal model.


We derive a coherent multifactor model for pricing various derivatives written on the same underlying (potentially nontradable) asset. We show the difference between a case in which the underlying asset is self-financed and tradable and a case in which it is not. In the first case, an additional arbitrage condition must be introduced, which implies nontrivial parameter restrictions. These restrictions can be empirically tested to check whether the derivatives are priced as if the underlying were self-financed and tradable. This methodology allows us to define the tradability premium. As an illustration, we compute a daily tradability premium for the S&P 500.


Introduction: Spinal cord injury causes respiratory muscles paralysis, especially in high thoracic paraplegia and tetraplegia with injury above or right on the sixth thoracic segment, and also biomechanics, volumes, capacities and respiratory pressures changes in affected people. The elastic abdominal binder provides a mechanical support for respiratory function treatment, assisting with abdominal restraint and abdominal compliance reduction while at orthostatic position. Objective: To verify the elastic abdominal binder effect on the respiratory function of people with spinal cord injuries during standing position with the help of orthostatic table, from vertical angle position of 60° and 90°. Method: The study included 56 people suffering from spinal cord injury with motor level above or right on the sixth thoracic segment. They were randomly divided into four distinct groups regarding the use or not of the binder and different inclinations of the orthostatic table during the evaluation procedure. The measured outcomes were vital capacity, tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory pressure and oxygen saturation. The descriptive analysis presented according to average and standard deviation or median and interquartile. For the outcomes analysis of the five evaluations, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of two factors with repeated measures was used. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: The values obtained from respiratory parameters showed no statistical significance regarding the elastic abdominal binder intervention nor on the angle of the standing position. Conclusion: There was no contrasting effect regarding the use of the binder among the evaluated people, therefore it should not be nominated as a standard procedure in the treatment of spinal cord injury at orthostatic position. However, this procedure should not be absolute contraindicated, thus its effect has not demonstrated any harm to participants.


This paper analyzes data collected but not reported in the study featured in van der Linden, Leiserowitz, Feinberg, and Maibach (2015). VLFM report finding that a "scientific consensus" message "increased" experiment subjects' "key beliefs about climate change" and "in turn" their "support for public action" to mitigate it. However, VLFM failed to compare the responses of message-exposed subjects to those of control-group subjects exposed only to "distractor" news stories unrelated to climate change. After being told that "97% of climate scientists have concluded that human-caused climate change is happening," the former did indeed increase their own estimates of "the percentage of scientists [who] have concluded that human-caused climate change is happening." But the degree to which they thereafter "increased" their expressed levels of belief in global warming and support for mitigation did not vary significantly, in statistical or practical terms, from the degree to which the control-group subjects increased theirs. The median and modal changes in the 101-point scales used to measure these "increases" was in fact zero for both groups. Bayesian statistical analysis confirms the data were many times more consistent with the inference that being exposed to a consensus message had no impact on either belief in climate change or support for mitigating it than with the inference that the message had any impact on these outcomes. In addition to reporting the responses of the control-group subjects, the paper shows how the absence of an experimental effect was obscured by VLFM's use of a misspecified structural equation model. Other discrepancies between the data and VLFM's characterizations of them, including ones relating to the impact of the experimental treatment on subjects of opposing political outlooks, are also identified.


We present a new approach for studying the chemodynamical evolution of the Milky Way, which combines a thin disk chemical evolution model with the dynamics from N-body simulation of a galaxy with properties similar to those of our Galaxy. A cosmological re-simulation is used as a surrogate in order to extract ∼11 Gyrs of self-consistent dynamical evolution. We are then in a position to quantify the impact of radial migration at the Solar Vicinity. We find that the distribution of birth radii, r0, of stars ending up in a solar neighborhood-like location after ∼11 Gyr of evolution peaks around r0 = 6 kpc due to radial migration. A wide range of birth radii is seen for different age groups. The strongest effect from radial migration is found for the oldest stars and it is connected to an early merger phase typical from cosmological simulations. We find that while the low-end in our simulated solar vicinity metallicity distribution is composed by stars with a wide range of birth radii, the tail at larger metallicities (0.25 <[Fe/H]< 0.6) results almost exclusively from stars with 3 < r0< 5 kpc. This is the region just inside the bar's corotation (CR), which is where the strongest outward radial migration occurs. The fraction of stars in this tail can, therefore, be related to the bar's dynamical properties, such as its strength, pattern speed and time evolution/formation. We show that one of the main observational constraints of this kind of models is the time variation of the abundance gradients in the disk. The most important outcome of our chemodynamical model is that, although we used only a thin-disc chemical evolution model, the oldest stars that are now in the solar vicinity show several of the properties usually attributed to the Galactic thick disc. In other words, in our model the MW "thick disc" emerges naturally from stars migrating from the inner disc very early on due to strong merger activity in the first couple of Gyr of disc formation, followed by further radial migration driven by the bar and spirals at later times. These results will be extended to other radius bins and more chemical elements in order to provide testable predictions once more precise information on ages and distances would become available (with Gaia, asteroseismology and future surveys such as 4MOST).


Background New ACR/EULAR criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were recently proposed. Objectives The aim of this analysis was to examine the impact of fulfilling the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria at the initial visit on long-term progression of disease and radiographic progression. Methods For this observational cohort study within the Swiss RA registry SCQM, we included patients suffering from early RA or undifferentiated arthritis (UA, disease duration ≤1 year), as defined by the treating rheumatologist, who had not received any previous DMARDs. Baseline diagnosis of RA/UA was reassessed according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria at baseline. Patients were separated into 2 groups depending on whether or not they fulfilled the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria at baseline (≥ 6 points versus < 6 points). The primary outcome measures were the DAS 28 and erosions as measured by the Ratingen score over time. Results A total number 592 patients was analysed. 352 of them fulfilled the 2010 ACR/EULAR at baseline, 240 were not classifiable as RA according to the new criteria at baseline. The score calculated by the new ACR/EULAR criteria correlated with disease activity at disease onset. Treatment was initiated with DMARDs, mostly MTX, in all patients. There were no significant differences in the therapeutic strategies between patients fulfilling the classification criteria or not. The patients fulfilling ACR/EULAR criteria at baseline developed a 39.1%reduction of DAS 28 scores, as compared to a 33.6%reduction in ACR/EULAR-negative patients after 6 months, independent of their respective treatments. After 1 year of follow-up no differences were found comparing the mean DAS28 scores in the 2 groups. Average radiographic progression was higher among ACR/EULAR-positive patients (progression of Ratingen score/year 0.50 vs. 0.32, resp., p=0.03) after 3 years of follow up. Conclusions The 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria appeared to select a subset of patients among early RA/UA patients with a favourable clinical response to conventional anti-rheumatic therapy. Despite this therapy, radiographic progression was higher in 2010 ACR/EULAR positive patients. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


Smart technologies create opportunities for urban development and regeneration, leading to a proliferation of projects/programmes designed to address city strategies around environmental, economic and social challenges. Whilst there is considerable critical debate on the merits of smart city developments, there has been surprisingly little research on the evaluation of smart interventions, and the outcomes of embedded smart technologies for cities and citizens. This examines case-study research undertaken in Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Milton Keynes and Peterborough, on city approaches to smart city evaluation and reporting. Findings exemplify contemporary city evaluation and reporting practices, challenges and recommendations to support smart urban development.


The presence of stem and epithelial–mesenchymal-transition (EMT) features in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) determines their invasiveness, adaptability to the microenvironment, and resistance to proapoptotic signals and chemotherapy. It also allows them to fulfil the role of metastatic "seeds". We evaluated the heterogeneity of stem CTCs by their CD44, ALDH1, and CD133 expression depending on N-cadherin expression in breast-cancer patients. A total of 38 female patients were selected for this study. CTC phenotypes were determined by flow cytometry before any type of treatment. Multiplex immunofluorescence was used for the evaluation of tumor-cell heterogeneity in primary lesions. In patients who had CD44-CD24- CTCs, a subset of cells with the expression of other stem-cell markers (CD133 and ALDH1) were detected. Expression of CD133 and/or ALDH1 may be associated with expression of N-cadherin: all populations of N-cadherin+ CTCs demonstrate stem features; in the absence of N-cadherin expression, true nonstem (CD44-CD24-CD133-ALDH1-) cells are found. The heterogeneity of stem marker expression in CTCs was observed regardless of N-cadherin expression. In our study, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) receptor expression in CTCs did not depend on stemlike traits, but was instead associated with N-cadherin expression. Subpopulations of tumor cells, detected both in tumors and blood, were identified. Breast cancer was characterized by pronounced interpersonal and intrapersonal heterogeneity of CTCs by the presence and combination of various stem features and N-cadherin expression. To complete the characterization of stemlike features of CTCs, we suggest the simultaneous use of the three stem markers.


Background Many infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have genetic conditions. Previous research has shown that gaps exist in the genetics knowledge of nurses and that they lack comfort applying genetics information to clinical practice. Studies assessing the knowledge or comfort of NICU nurses with genetics have not previously been completed. Method A total of 122 NICU nurses completed a survey assessing perceived knowledge of genetics, comfort with clinical scenarios involving genetics, and desired genetics education. Results Perceived knowledge and overall comfort were correlated with highest degree received, how prepared a nurse felt by the genetics education received in their training, and having a close relationship with someone with a genetic condition. Almost all respondents (96%, n = 117) desired additional genetics education. Conclusion Gaps exist in the genetics knowledge of neonatal nurses in our cohort, and their overall comfort working with clinical scenarios involving genetics was low. There is significant interest in additional genetics education. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(1):16-24.].


To the Editor.— Professor Jennett's editorial, "Resource Allocation for the Severely Brain Damaged" ( Arch Neurol 33:595, 1976), is very timely. I would like only to make one point. I have found it helpful in dealing with this problem, for instance in the case of a wife, to tell the husband, "Your wife is dead. This is only her body. It can be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means, but I am sure this is not what she would have wanted." To the Editor.— The report by Medina et al ( Arch Neurol 33:587, 1976) of myokymia resulting from peripheral nerve injury merits further comment. I have never been confident of a qualitative distinction between fasciculation and myokymia. If one acknowledges that they possess some essential characteristics in common, and thus might represent different parts of a spectrum of involuntary motor unit activity, then a better example to indicate a peripheral origin


Abstract Submesoscale coherent vortices (SCVs, "meddies" or "bullets") are shown not to move along either potential density surfaces or neutral surfaces, due to the compressibility of sea water being a function of potential temperature and salinity. While it has been recognized that SCVs may make an important contribution to lateral property fluxes in the ocean, it is shown in this paper that they can also cause significant vertical fluxes across neutral surfaces. Since they represent the slow vertical translation of macroscopic water masses, these fluxes are not measurable with microstructure measurements of the dissipation of kinetic energy, but are nonetheless real. These vertical fluxes of heat and salt can be either down-gradient or up-gradient, corresponding to either a positive or a negative vertical diffusivity. The magnitude of the effective diffusivity for salt is different from that for heat. Formulae are derived for estimating the mean vertical velocity of SCVs through neutral surfaces.


This study looks at the minimum wage fixing in the Philippines after World War II. The rationale for such a wage policy is discussed, followed by a description of the guidelines observed in the setting of wage differentials in the legislations. Then the coverage and implementation of the minimum wage legislations are assessed. It also presents a theoretical framework for evaluating the impact of minimum wage fixing on employment, output, prices and incomes. The paper concludes with a proposal for an alternative wage policy for the Philippines. This review minimum wage-fixing in the Philippines exposes the general weakness of this wage policy in maintaining worker's income at subsistence level because it does not include the incomes of employers and price movements given the productivity changes at the firm level. In addition, the coverage of the wage policy has been limited and its implementation poor. Under these circumstances an alternative wage policy is proposed which takes cognizance of the relative sharing of income between the workers and the employers and which allows the two sectors to negotiate over the minimum wage and other wage supplements at the firm level.


The goal of radiographic imaging is to produce a diagnostically useful image while minimizing patient radiation dose. This study aimed to review variations in exposure factor selection by radiologic technologists for virtual patients with varying body mass index characteristics. Eleven technologists were asked to assign exposure parameters (kVp, mAs, source-to-image receptor distance, and grid use) to 10 computer-generated patient images for each of four radiographic examinations (anteroposterior [AP] shoulder; AP lumbar spine; lateral lumbar spine; AP portable chest). The virtual patients represented five body mass index categories‐underweight, healthy weight, overweight, obese, and superobese. As participants assigned exposures, their visual patterns were recorded by a Tobii TX300 eye-tracker. Significant (P < .05) correlation was found between radiographer age/experience and assignment of mAs for AP shoulder and lumbar examinations. Greater age/experience correlated with higher mAs for the AP shoulder examination, but with lower values for lumbar examinations. Strong correlations also existed between times to first fixations on relevant anatomic areas, and kVp/mAs values existed for the AP portable chest examination. Exposure selection differences related to age/experience highlight inconsistencies in the practice of exposure parameter setting. The reason for these inconsistencies requires further investigation, and how to address deficiencies in practice requires consideration to optimize safe patient care. Because of the small sample size used, further research into the relationship between visual factors and individual examinations is suggested, after the findings regarding the AP portable chest examination. R��


Analyzing biographies is a main field of qualitative social research that studies individuals' sensemaking in regard to transitions and life projects. The paper presents concepts for linking the macrosocial and micro-social levels in life course analysis. First, the concept of "status passage" is reviewed, with a focus on social structure, institutions, and biography. Second, the concept of "selfsocialization" is introduced, highlighting the notion of the "biographical actor". Third, recent elaborations of the concept of "agency" in life course research are discussed. Fourth, two examples of qualitative longitudinal research are presented: one on occupational careers, another on the process of family formation. Finally, methodological implications are sketched.


A new adaptive equalizer for wireless systems operating over time-varying and frequency selective multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels is proposed. The equalizer consists of a number of decision feedback equalizer (DFE) stages, each one detecting a single stream. The equalizer filters, as well as the ordering by which the streams are extracted, are updated according to a LS cost function in a VBLAST-like fashion. By taking advantage of the underlying order recursive problem structure, a computationally efficient and numerically robust algorithm is developed based on the Cholesky factorization of the input data autocorrelation matrix. The convergence and tracking capabilities of the equalizer are studied through extensive computer simulations, and its BER performance is evaluated for hostile, time and frequency selective channels


The site selection process to optimize renewable facilities has become a relevant issue, mainly due to the variability of such resources. Among the different solutions, Geographic Information Systems in combination with fuzzy logic and Multi-Criteria Decision Making approaches provide a consistent tools to solve these complex decision problems. Moreover, the versatility of GIS software has led to the generation of spatial analysis extensions, such as the fuzzy membership tool transforming the input data into real numbers that belongs to the unit interval. In this work, a comparative study between fuzzy membership tool of ArcGIS software and a combination of the fuzzy MCDM methodologies (AHP-TOPSIS) is applied to optimize the offshore wind site selection. A case study based on the offshore wind resource in the Gulf of Maine is also included and discussed.


The genus Sceloporus is a diverse clade of lizards that exhibits substantial variation in chromosome numbers and sex chromosome heteromorphisms, 2 features of the genome that are static among most other pleurodont iguanian lizards. Evolutionary changes to the fundamental number of chromosomes are hypothesized to be a primary factor responsible for driving the diversification of Sceloporus. We explore the patterns of chromosome evolution in Sceloporus using a combination of ancestral state estimations and species diversification tests. Phylogenetic relationships and divergence times within Sceloporus (53 species representing all 19 species groups) are estimated using 4 nuclear genes (>3.3 kb) and relaxed-clock analyses that incorporate a fossil calibration on the root of the tree. We test the hypothesis that chromosome evolution is correlated with shifts in species diversification using cross-validation predictive densities, a new Bayesian approach for modeling the number of species that are predicted to have evolved in the absence of a certain historical event (e.g., a change in chromosome numbers). Results of the cross-validation predictive densities approach indicate that chromosomal evolution is correlated with significantly higher species diversity than predicted under the background rate of diversification in Sceloporus. We conclude by discussing the future of comparative cytogenetic investigations in Sceloporus.


The role of data management is one of the greatest contributions in the research workflow for scientific experiments such as neutron scattering. The facility is required to safely and efficiently manage a huge amount of data over the long duration, and provide an effective data access for facility users promoting the creation of scientific results. In order to meet these requirements, we are operating and updating a data management infrastructure in J-PAPC/MLF, which consists of the webbased integrated data management system called the MLF Experimental Database (MLF EXP-DB), the hierarchical raw data repository composed of distributed storages, and the integrated authentication system. The MLF EXP-DB creates experimental data catalogues in which raw data, measurement logs, and other contextual information on sample, experimental proposal, investigator, etc. are interrelated. This system conducts the reposition, archive and on-demand retrieve of raw data in the repository. Facility users are able to access the experimental data via a web portal. This contribution presents the overview of our data management infrastructure, and the recent updated features for high availability, scaling-out, and flexible data retrieval in the MLF EXP-DB.


One-third of patients attending a general practitioner's office have some type of medical problem associated with pain. The most common types of acute pain in patients who consult a general practitioner are musculoskeletal pain in the neck and lower back with or without irradiation to the extremities and joint pain. The primary source of pain is very difficult to ascertain in the usual outpatient setting. However, therapeutic strategies do not directly depend on the primary source of pain, but are based on the pathogenetic mechanisms of pain. Acute nociceptive pain is often accompanied by inflammation, which is a key component of the transition of acute pain to the chronic phase, which should be taken into account when choosing therapeutic strategies. To date, the mechanisms associated with chronic pain are not fully understood due to their complex nature and the involvement of both peripheral and central mechanisms. In addition, complex interacting individual physical (age, female gender and overweight) and psychological factors also affect the transition from acute to chronic pain. The clinical management of acute pain requires an optimal balance between effective pain relief and the associated safety risks. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most effective drugs for the relief of inflammatory pain. To achieve optimal results, a personalized approach is needed to ensure that the properties of the drugs best match the patient's characteristics. Because of its multifactorial mechanism of analgesic action, nimesulide is an attractive therapeutic choice for the treatment of patients with acute pain.


Background: Interatrial block (IAB) and abnormal P-wave terminal force in lead V1 (PTFV1) are electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities that have been shown to be associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and death. However, their prognostic importance has not been proven in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients. Objective: To assess if IAB and abnormal PTFV1 are associated with new-onset AF or death in CRT recipients. Methods: CRT recipients with sinus rhythm ECG at CRT implantation and no AF history were included (n = 210). Automated analysis of P-wave duration (PWD) and morphology classified patients as having either no IAB (PWD <120 ms), partial IAB (pIAB: PWD ≥120 ms, positive P waves in leads II and aVF), or advanced IAB (aIAB: PWD ≥120 ms and biphasic or negative P wave in leads II or aVF). PTFV1 >0.04 mm•s was considered abnormal. Adjusted Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of IAB and abnormal PTFV1 on the primary endpoint new-onset AF, death, or heart transplant (HTx) and the secondary endpoint death or HTx at 5 years of follow-up. Results: IAB was found in 45% of all patients and independently predicted the primary endpoint with HR 1.9 (95% CI 1.2–2.9, p = 0.004) and the secondary endpoint with HR 2.1 (95% CI 1.2–3.4, p = 0.006). Abnormal PTFV1 was not associated with the endpoints. Conclusions: IAB is associated with new-onset AF and death in CRT recipients and may be helpful in the risk stratification in the context of heart failure management. Abnormal PTFV1 did not demonstrate any prognostic value.


The purpose of this research is to examine preservice elementary school teachers' geometry learning as investigated by both qualitative and quantitative methods. For the qualitative investigation, narrative analysis and thematic analysis methods were used. The findings of narrative analysis indicated two main kinds of stories: as a learner and as a beginning teacher. The thematic analysis findings yield to three themes: history of learning geometry, perceptions about geometry, effective geometry instructional practices. The findings informed the quantitative investigation on geometry content knowledge for the case of quadrilaterals. During the second phase of the study, 102 participants who enrolled in the methods course completed pre and post test of teachers' geometry content knowledge. Treatment group participants (n=54) received series of activities (geometry activities and student work analysis) focusing on quadrilaterals, and control group participants (n=48) received traditional instruction. Repeated measures ANOVA results showed a significant change in treatment group participants' geometry content knowledge. The mixed ANOVA results indicated a significant main effect of knowledge but no significant interaction between geometry content knowledge and grouping. Even though treatment group participants' geometry content knowledge growth was significant, the difference between treatment group and control group participants' growth in geometry content knowledge was not significant. This study informs mathematics teacher education in three important areas; limited knowledge of preservice teachers' geometry content knowledge, integrating mathematics content and the context of teaching into methods course, and use of student work with preservice teachers.


Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the physicochemical and sensory effects of glutinous rice flour substitution in Yakgwa. Methods: The glutinous rice flour was added to Yakgwa dough as ratio to ranging from 0, 20, 40, 60%. Dehydration, oil absorption, color, texture and preference properties of Yakgwa were then investigated. Results: Glutinous rice flour caused a decrease in dehydration and oil absorption during frying. For color determination, L-value increased while b-value decreased as the addition of glutinous rice flour increased. In the instrumental texture analysis, hardness and chewiness increased with increasing glutinous rice flour content. Yakgwa with 20 or 40% glutinous rice flour showed a significantly higher overall acceptability than others. Conclusion: It can be concluded that 20 or 40% glutinous rice flour substitution is appropriate for preparing Yakgwa, based on the sensory evaluation results.


pump adequate blood to provide for the needs of the body." 12 In UK clinical practice, the term is generally taken to describe the rapid onset of the symptoms and signs of HF occurring over hours to days; typically resulting in hospital admission. Conversely, AHF has also been used to in reference to any patient with HF requiring hospital admission. The latter term confusingly encompasses a different patient population by including those with a subacute or chronically progressive time course. Either may reflect a 'decompensation' of known HF, or a de novo presentation in a patient previously undiagnosed. In reality, the clinical features of AHF result from a heterogeneous group of syndromes with significant overlap reflecting multiple underlying aetiologies, of which only around 50 % have a reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) (see Table 1 ). 16 The clinical severity may vary in accordance with the particular syndrome, (e.g. from predominant peripheral oedema to cardiogenic shock), or dependent on the individual patient; while certain presentations require specific treatments delivered in a time-critical manner (e.g. HF with an acute coronary syndrome). For optimal management, therefore, it is essential that the assessing clinician is able to elicit and interpret the clinical history and physical Abstract Acute heart failure (AHF) is a leading cause of hospitalisation in developed nations with stubbornly poor outcomes in both the short and long term. Furthermore, alongside an ageing population the incidence continues to increase. Contemporary practice guidelines accordingly emphasise the importance of early recognition of heart failure in the acute setting to facilitate the timely instigation of key investigations, appropriate management and access to specialist care; all of which improve outcome. However, the diagnosis of AHF is often challenging, with no gold standard diagnostic test and presenting clinical features that may be non-specific, particularly in the elderly where they may be atypical, or masked by co-morbidity. This short review explores the main clinical signs and radiographic changes in patients with AHF relevant to clinical practice in accordance with the best available evidence.


Introduction There is clear guidance that naloxone should not be used for patients approaching end of life and should be used at a lower dose and with great caution in those receiving long term therapeutic opioids. After being asked to review a terminally ill patient with a reduced level of consciousness who had received boluses of naloxone and was about to be started on a naloxone infusion, we decided to examine local prescribing practice and assess whether guidelines are being adhered to. Methods Data regarding naloxone prescribing was obtained for two three-month periods; prior to and following the introduction of a prescribing order set which included guidance on the indications for naloxone use and appropriate doses. The notes of all patients who received naloxone in each time period were reviewed; and only patients prescribed long term opioids for pain were included in the audit. Data collected included age, sex, type and dose of opioid, equivalent doses of oral morphine per day, dose of naloxone administered, stated indication for use, respiratory rate, oxygen saturations and time to death where applicable. Results Prior to the intervention 15 patients were identified. All of these received inappropriately high doses of naloxone. Following the intervention, the number of patients reduced by more than 50% (n=7), however all patients still received inappropriate doses. Worryingly there were no patients in either time period who had documented evidence of respiratory depression; most clinicians cited reduced level of consciousness as the reason for administering the drug. Conclusion This intervention may have reduced the number of inappropriate prescriptions of naloxone in this subset of patients. However, more education is required to improve knowledge around the appropriate use of this potentially harmful drug. Future training sessions are planned to include staff from the emergency department and acute medicine.


After more than 20 years of research and practice in software configuration management (SCM), constructing consistent configurations of versioned software products still remains a challenge. This article focuses on the version models underlying both commercial systems and research prototypes. It provides an overview and classification of different versioning paradigms and defines and relates fundamental concepts such as revisions, variants, configurations, and changes. In particular, we focus on intensional versioning, that is, construction of versions based on configuration rules. Finally, we provide an overview of systems that have had significant impact on the development of the SCM discipline and classify them according to a detailed taxonomy.


The performance of surface channel MOSFET devices depends on the Si/SiO2 interface quality. The present study has examined the Si/SiO2 interface of strained Si n-channel MOSFETs fabricated on a Si/SiGe virtual substrate. Evidence of a variation in the oxidation rate of strained Si along the cross-hatch period is presented. The undulating oxide thickness was found to be accompanied by increased nanoscale roughness at the Si/SiO2 interface for the strained Si surface channel devices compared with conventional MOSFETs. Fluctuations in the strained Si surface channel thickness were additionally caused by the variation in oxidation rate. The control devices exhibited a tighter distribution of electrical characteristics than the strained Si devices due to the non-uniform cross-hatch severity across the Si/SiGe wafer. The results provide strong evidence that significantly enhanced performance of HNMOS surface channel devices is possible through optimization of epitaxial growth methods. Strain in the channel was maintained following device fabrication using a conventional process with a reduced thermal budget.


A facile chromatography-free route to Kang's intermediate for the synthesis of (+)-lactacystin, a potent proteasome inhibitor, has been developed starting with Brown's asymmetric crotylation of tert-butyl 5-formyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-ylcarbamate, easily available from 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol (Tris).


Historically, the urbanisation process in Zimbabwe was designed to facilitate the development of a prosperous settler community with black Africans providing migrant labour. The black Africans were seen as sojourners in the urban areas. This "two-legged" existence in both rural and urban areas meant that only the able-bodied were resident in the urban areas but who would eventually retire to their rural homes on termination of their employment contracts. This implied that only the colonial settlers eventually retired in the urban areas, a factor which necessitated the then colonial government to put in place welfare measures for the elderly people. On the other hand, the loosening up of the racist political framework in 1980 opened urban areas to the black Africans not only for employment, but also legitimised their residence in urban areas more permanent basis. But then, what is the government doing to accommodate and improve the welfare of this greying population in the urban environment? What are the survival strategies of the elderly people in urban areas? This book will try to answer these questions.


We ignore the history of philosophy at our peril. Engels, who typically conflates Marx and Marxism, points to the relation of Marxism to the tradition while also denying it. In his little book on Feuerbach, Engels depicts Feuerbach as leading Marx away from Hegel, away from classical German philosophy, away from philosophy and towards materialism and science. This view suggests that Marx is at best negatively related to Classical German philosophy, including Hegel. Yet Engels elsewhere suggests that Marx belongs to the classical German philosophical tradition. In the preface to Socialism, Utopian and Scientific, Engels wrote: "We German socialists are proud that we trace our descent not only from Saint Simon, Fourier and Owen, but also from Kant, Fichte and Hegel" (Marx & Engels, Collected Works). In this paper I will focus on Marx's relation to Fichte. This relation is rarely mentioned in the Marxist debate, but I will argue, it is crucial for the formulation of Marx's position, and hence for assessing his contribution accurately. One of the results of this study will be to indicate that Marx, in reacting against Hegel, did not, as is often suggested, 'leave' philosophy, but in fact made a crucial philosophical contribution.


The aim of the presented study was to compare the effect of o,p'-DDT [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-(p,p'-chlorophenyl)-ethylene] and p,p'-DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-ethane] and their metabolites DDE and DDD on estradiol secretion by ovarian follicles, the target organs of environmental estrogens. Theca interna (Tc) and granulosa cells (Gc) were collected from medium size porcine follicles and cultured as a monolayer. The cells were initially cultured for 24 h to allow attachment to the plates and then media were changed for the new ones and o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDT and their metabolites: o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE and o,p'-DDD were added at doses of 4, 40, 400 ng and 4 microg/ml medium to investigate dose-dependent effects. Media were collected after 24 h and frozen for estradiol content determination. When the effect of single and repeated exposure was investigated, the lowest dose of 4 ng/ml and the highest one of 4 microg/ml were chosen on the basis of the results of Experiment 1. o,p'-DDT exerted antiestrogenic action at all doses used while its metabolites and p,p'-DDT and its metabolites decreased estradiol secretion only when present in the medium at a dose of 4 ng/ml. The highest doses caused the increase in estradiol secretion. Parent o,p'-DDT and its metabolites showed antiestrogenic action after single exposure to 4 ng/ml while parent p,p'-DDT and its metabolites caused estrogenic action. All investigated compounds, except o,p'-DDT, increased estradiol secretion after single exposure to the dose of 4 microg/ml. Repeated exposure resulted in a massive antiestrogenic action of all investigated chemicals. In conclusion, our study points to time-dependent effect of DDT and its metabolites on ovarian follicles with the strongest estrogenic properties observed after single exposure and antiestrogenic action caused by repeated exposure. Given the duration of folliculogenesis, one can imagine many different potential mechanisms by which DDT could influence steroidogenesis.


Current climate models predict a shift to warmer, drier conditions in the southwestern US. While major shifts in plant distribution are expected to follow these climate changes, interactions among species and intraspecific genetic variation rarely have been incorporated into models of future plant distributions. We examined the drought‐related mortality of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) in northern Arizona focusing on trees that showed genetically‐based resistance or susceptibility to a nonlethal herbivore, the shoot‐boring moth, Dioryctria albovittella. Because moth resistant trees have outperformed susceptible trees during 20 years of study, and herbivory has been shown to increase drought related mortality, we expected higher mortality rates in susceptible trees. However, our field observations and greenhouse experiments showed several unexpected patterns relevant to understanding the consequences of climate change: (1) The mortality of adult P. edulis resistant to the moth was three times higher than the mortality of trees susceptible to the moth. (2) Over a few years, differential mortality caused a shift in stand structure from resistant dominated to equality (3 : 1 resistant : susceptible to 1 : 1). (3) Adult moth resistant trees suffered significantly greater water stress than adult moth susceptible trees, suggesting that variation among the two groups in drought tolerance may be a mechanism for differential mortality. (4) When grown under drought conditions in the greenhouse, seedlings from resistant mothers died sooner than seedlings from susceptible mothers. These data support the hypothesis that drought can act as an agent of balancing selection and that drought resistance is a heritable trait. Taken together, our findings suggest that genetic variation in a population can be an important factor in determining its response to future climate change, and argue for the inclusion of genetics into models developed to understand the consequences of climate change.


During the American stage of Mies the beauty of the constructive precision and the essentiality of space is emphasized, which subordinates the program to formal purity. Form is not invented, nor is it the corollary of function or technology, but is the result of placing transcendent and timeless values on secondary issues. The architect must establish an order that assures the formality of the work, but in modernity the systematic classicist rules no longer run. So the goodness of the result is a consequence of the ability of the architect and the user to share visual codes. The effort of Mies in this stage will be to establish certain certainties, universal and clear, developed around the relation among space, structure and shape. The Fifty by Fifty feet house marks a turning point in these intentions and points the path of his latest works.


Police checking for illegal drugs are much more likely to search the vehicles of African‐American motorists than those of white motorists. This paper develops a model of police and motorist behavior that suggests an empirical test for distinguishing whether this disparity is due to racial prejudice or to the police's objective to maximize arrests. When applied to vehicle search data from Maryland, our test results are consistent with the hypothesis of no racial prejudice against African‐American motorists. However, if police have utility only for searches yielding large drug finds, then our analysis would suggest bias against white drivers. The model's prediction regarding nonrace characteristics is also largely supported by the data.


alpha 2-Macroglobulin (alpha 2M) is an important proteinase inhibitor both in the blood and in the interstitial space of many mammalian species. Recently, occurrence of alpha 2M in human and fetal rat brain has been reported. However, its cellular origin remained obscure. Here it will be shown that astroglial cells cultured from newborn rats synthesize and secrete alpha 2M. In addition to astrocyte primary cultures a rat astrocytoma cell line, C6-cells, also synthesize and secrete alpha 2M. In contrast to hepatocytes of the adult rat, where alpha 2M is expressed as an acute-phase protein and where glucocorticoids and monocyte-derived factors are required for its synthesis, alpha 2M synthesis in astrocytes of newborn rats is independent from both. It is therefore concluded that expression of alpha 2M is differently regulated in the liver of the adult rat and fetal or neonatal brain.


UNLABELLED
A new web server, InterProSurf, predicts interacting amino acid residues in proteins that are most likely to interact with other proteins, given the 3D structures of subunits of a protein complex. The prediction method is based on solvent accessible surface area of residues in the isolated subunits, a propensity scale for interface residues and a clustering algorithm to identify surface regions with residues of high interface propensities. Here we illustrate the application of InterProSurf to determine which areas of Bacillus anthracis toxins and measles virus hemagglutinin protein interact with their respective cell surface receptors. The computationally predicted regions overlap with those regions previously identified as interface regions by sequence analysis and mutagenesis experiments.

AVAILABILITY
The InterProSurf web server is available at http://curie.utmb.edu/


The aim of this review article is to reveal the cons and pros of ethical relativism, especially conventionalism. This article is written with the intention of showing some of the practical upshots of conventionalism without totally denying some of its virtues in a world where diversity of cultures and customs is apparent. The article inquires the question: Is ethical relativism tenable? The review article relies on reviewing secondary sources. What I am arguing in this article is that despite the attraction of ethical relativism as an intellectual weapon to fight against ethnocentrism and cultural intolerance, the view still goes against the idea of intercultural comparison, criticism and moral argumentation, so that it would have serious disastrous implication on practice, especially on the universal character of human rights and shutters all together any sort of moral progress and reform. The article concludes that we can set forth certain objective moral codes, discovered through rational intercultural dialogue and discussion which could be applied regardless of cultural specificities upon which cultural inter-comparison, discussion and moral argumentation is possible.


The Rugby League Challenge Cup Final is one of Britain's major sporting occasions, a claim endorsed by the fact that since 1958 every one of them has been covered in full on BBC Television. First contested way back in 1897, the Final gained charisma and glamour following the brave but adventurous move to Wembley Stadium 80 years ago in 1929. It is a decision now vindicated through the massive crowds that flock each year to witness an event that often produces incredible team performances and heroic individual deeds, sometimes against all odds. Now staged at the new Wembley Stadium - its giant archway having superseded the former twin towers as the venue's new iconic image - each Rugby League Challenge Cup Final is restored to life in the pages of this latest compilation from respected Rugby League historian and writer Graham Morris. Supported by over 240 photographs and a wealth of statistics, all 108 Finals are fully documented, complete with a profile of each winning captain and comprehensive match facts. It provides a 'must have' addition for any avid sports fan's book collection, whether they watch the action unfold from the comfort of their armchair or join the annual exodus to a destination that can only be Wembley.


This study compares two adjacent remote valleys in the Himalayas of Pakistan, which only differ in terms of the availability of internet access. Using a unique methodological approach, combining a natural experiment design and an interview method, we explore the role of serendipitous exposure and interfaith contact on social media in relation to the religious majority's knowledge about religious minorities and willingness to engage with them. We find that those who have internet access and use social media show more knowledge about and engagement with religious minorities than those who do not. Serendipitous exposure largely explains the differences—social media users do not intentionally seek information about religious minorities but still serendipitously come across it while using social media for other activities. Moreover, social media users tend to have extensive networks of social ties (i.e., Facebook friends), which frequently cut across religious lines and likely act as the main facilitators of serendipity. We argue that mediated serendipity and increased interfaith contact promoted by social media platforms are essential contributors to democratic citizenship in present-day Pakistan, where religious minorities represent a small segment of the population and often face discrimination and persecution.


Ten patients with 12 severe limb injuries managed by external skeletal fixation over 2 years are presented. Two major indications for external skeletal fixation divided the fractures into groups: A) extensively open fractures requiring wound care and closure by other than primary methods, and B) grossly unstable fractures requiring stabilization for soft-tissue support and fracture alignment. Group A was composed of five extremity fractures with skin and muscle loss and deep tissue contamination. Wound management was the primary problem. Wound closure, prevention of an infection, and limb salvage were the treatment goals in this group. Group B was seven severely comminuted extremity fractures with significant swelling and in some cases, questionable soft-tissue survival. Five were open, but not extensively. Instability was the primary problem. Fracture control, soft-tissue support, and limb salvage were the treatment goals in this group. Mean followup period for all fractures was 9.4 months. No amputations, deep infections, or deaths resulted. Wound care and closure were facilitated in all open fractures. Loss of contused tissues with marginal vascular supply was felt to be minimized. Delayed unions were common in both groups. Two malunions and one nonunion occurred. Treatment goals in both groups were accomplished.


Objectives Studies have confirmed that both migration range (MR) and regional economic development level (REDL) have significant impacts on the accessibility of National Essential Public Health Services (NEPHS) for the internal migrants (IMs), but no studies have explored the interaction between MR and REDL, nor discussed the mechanism behind their influence.Method A sample of 115412 respondents from the China Migrant Dynamic Survey in 2017 was adopted, aged 18-59 years and residence duration more than one year. Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai were excluded. The MR was divided into inter-provincial and intra-provincial migration. Social capital (SC) was divided into cognitive social capital (CSC) and structural social capital (SSC). The REDL was divided into high income provinces (HIPs) and low-middle income provinces (LMIPs). Cross-table, chi-square test, logistic regression and other statistical methods were used to analyze impacts of MR and REDL on IMs' SC, awareness of NEPHS and establishment of health records (EHR).Results (1) The SC of inter-provincial IMs is always lower than that of intra-provincial IMs. The CSC of IMs in HIPs is lower but their SSC is not the same. The MR difference of IMs' SC is greater in HIPs. (2) The IMs' level of NEPHS utilization in the inter-provincial group and the HIPs group is lower, and the MR difference of IMs' level of NEPHS utilization is greater in the HIPs. (3) The IMs' SC can significantly promote their NEPHS utilization level, but this relationship is affected by the dimensions of SC, MR and REDL.Conclusions MR and REDL may affect the IMs' SC through cultural exclusion and institutional exclusion, and further affect the IMs' NEPHS utilization. When promoting equalization of NEPHS in HIPs, it is necessary for HIPs to expand more primary health facilities to increase the NEPHS supply, and take measures to stimulate the inter-provincial IMs' sense of identity and social participation.


It is a Sunday morning late in August. A few casually but neatly dressed young men and women exchange greetings and anecdotes as they survey the brunch buffet: plump blueberries in a handcrafted ceramic bowl, coffee cakes stuffed with nuts and fruit, a chafing dish of spiced sausage, and pitchers of coffee and apple cider. They fill their plates and join the other guests in the sun-dappled living room. Throughout the summer, this group—mostly medical students—has enjoyed many such Sunday gettogethers at this home in Evanston, Ill. The brunches, which have become something of a tradition, are actually planning sessions for another tradition, "The Realities of Medicine," a week-long program designed to acquaint second-year medical students at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago with issues pertinent to the art and practice of medicine before they embark on their clinical rotations. The program is the brainchild of the


Ixodes ricinus belongs to Ixodes ricinus complex composed of 14 species of ticks distributed worldwide and the most widely spread tick species in Europe I. ricinus is a major ixodid tick, involved in the transmission of a number of diseases to animals and humans in Eurasia. Genetic diversity of these tick populations may have implications on disease transmission. In order to investigate genetic diversity and to characterize the genetic structure of I. ricinus populations in the Baltic countries microsatellite markers described in literature were used. A total of 180 ticks (170 I. ricinus and 10 I. persulcatus ) collected from 18 locations in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were examined based on four polymorphic microsatellite loci. Genetic diversity of six I. ricinus populations from Lithuania (n  =  60), Latvia (n  =  60), and Estonia (n = 60) were compared. The number of observed alleles between loci ranged from 5 to 11. Observed heterozygosities were lower than expected at most loci. Mean estimates of expected heterozigosities (He) over loci and populations varied from 0.621 to 0.800, and observed heterozygosity (Ho) from 0.304 to 0.634. F statistics were calculated to analyze the differences between observed and expected heterozygosities, and to obtain genetic distances between populations. Two loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. However, the highest observed heterozygosity (Ho) was found in coastal locations and lowest - in continental parts, which shows the importance of birds as hosts to tick population structure.


Drivers account for up to 80% of the operational cost of transit agencies. This dissertation provides a method for improving the productivity of this workforce by introducing flexible contracts. Under these contracts drivers do not work the same number of hours every day. However, the number days and hours worked every week are kept constant. These contracts allow the agency to find a better match between the number of drivers needed and hired. Since people's preferences vary, introducing this flexibility should benefit both the agency and the drivers. Driver contracts are offered simultaneously to all drivers. Because drivers may be absent to work unexpectedly, these contracts must be designed to overstaff the system. However, current methodologies to determine these contracts fail to incorporate this uncertainty. There is also a lack of understanding as to how parameters of the problem such as driver wage, and the likelihood of absenteeism will impact the total cost. This dissertation aims to fill this gap. The methodology introduced here considers absenteeism, and provides cost sensitivities. Further cost savings can be achieved if these contracts are synchronized with the trips operated by the agency. To achieve this goal, this dissertation extends the contract scheduling work and investigates the opposite problem where contracts are given and timetables must be identified. Two different methodologies are used to study this timetable design problem: continuum approximation and numerical optimization. The continuum approximation work incorporates uncertainties and provides cost sensitivities. The numerical optimization approach is used to validate the approximated results. In the latter work cuts are designed to solve an otherwise intractable problem. These cuts are also valid for the production lot-sizing problem.


Dermoid cysts of the jaw are exceedingly rare, and only six such cases have been documented. The present paper reports a case with multiple microcysts showing histological characteristics of dermoid cyst in the surgically resected mandibular bone. These cysts were located near the inferior border of the mandibular bone, and histologically composed of an inner thin layer of squamous epithelium with marked hyperorthokeratinization and an outer layer of fibrous tissue containing numerous mature sebaceous glands. In addition, a hair follicle‐like epithelial sphere was seen in part. The present microcysts suggest that it arises de novo, and one possible cause of jaw cysts could be sequestration of the stomadeal ectoderm that may have been trapped deep in the surface and embedded in the developing mandibular bone during embryogenesis. It  may  not  be  possible  that  such  cysts  developed  from the odontogenic epithelial remnant undergoing dermoid metaplasia.


Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that emit less carbon dioxide have attracted much attention and rapidly become widespread, but further popularization of HEVs requires further technical advancement of mounted traction motors. Accordingly, our research group focuses on axial gap motors that can realize high torque density. In this paper, an axial gap motor with a novel interior permanent magnet (IPM) rotor structure is proposed and an examination of the proposed motor at the actual motor size of an HEV is presented. For comparison, we selected the newest radial gap-type 60 kW IPM synchronous motor equipped in the third-generation Toyota Prius. Under the condition that the size of the proposed motor be the same as the comparison motor, we confirmed through three-dimensional finite-element analysis that the proposed motor could output twice the maximum torque of the comparison motor. In addition, a comparison was made with a previously reported conventional IPM-type axial gap motor, and the proposed motor was found to be more effective in generating reluctance torque. Moreover, the proposed motor exhibited sufficient durability to irreversible demagnetization of the permanent magnets, to stress caused by rotating the rotor, and to unbalanced electromagnetic forces caused by axial rotor eccentricity.


As a treasure of traditional Chinese medicine culture,Dao-di herbs are famous for their high quality and good effect.However,traditional characteristics of Dao-di herbs and their producing areas are mostly confined to qualitative description,lacking objective evaluation indicators. Numerical taxonomy,which uses mathematical methods to improve the research of taxonomy from qualitative description to quantitative comprehensive analysis,is objective and accurate,so is widely used in the field of biology and medicine.This paper reviews the concept and main research fields of numerical taxonomy,and summarizes its application status and development prospects in the study of Dao-di herbs and characteristics of production areas,in order to lay the foundation for the objectification and standardization of Dao-di herbs.


Objective: To conduct a formative evaluation of progress to date with safety improvement initiatives in New South Wales. Design: Description of safety improvement initiatives. Secondary analysis of extant databases of reportable incidents, root cause analyses and categories of improvement actions to date. Setting: The state of New South Wales, Australia. Main outcome measures: Education initiatives, policy reforms, reportable incident data, root cause analyses categories, safety improvement activities. Results: Over 2,500 people have been trained in the safety improvement program. Over 1,000 others have been exposed to safety improvement educational sessions. This represents over 3.9% of the 90,000 full time equivalent staff in the New South Wales health system. Evidence shows incident reporting is increasing. Causal and contributing factors are more explicit via root cause analyses. Conclusions: There is early evidence of systems improvements in New South Wales.


Bare hand pointing on touch screens both benefits and suffers from the nature of direct input. This work explores techniques to overcome its limitations. Our goal is to design interaction tools allowing pixel level pointing in a fast and efficient manner. Based on several cycles of iterative design and testing, we propose two techniques: Cross-Keys that uses discrete taps on virtual keys integrated with a crosshair cursor, and an analog Precision-Handle that uses a leverage (gain) effect to amplify movement precision from the user's finger tip to the end cursor. We conducted a formal experiment with these two techniques, in addition to the previously known Zoom-Pointing and Take-Off as baseline anchors. Both subjective and performance measurements indicate that Precision-Handle and Cross-Keys complement existing techniques for touch screen interaction.


Older people can be at risk of financial exploitation by relatives and carers. As the population ages, healthcare professionals will increasingly be called on to support older people in cases of possible financial abuse. This article explains the signs to look out for and gives sources of information and support.


A supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Firms are constantly managing uncertainties, including unexpected delays in the provision of a critical input that can slow down or halt the production process, possibly making the manufacturer miss a delivery deadline. As most exporters are also importers of intermediate goods, supply chain unreliability related to import processing times at the border could impact downstream export dynamics. Exploiting a rich data set built on firm-level information for 48 developing countries over 2006-14, this paper relies on the Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood estimator to investigate how unpredictability in border clearance times for imports affects manufacturing firms' entry, exit, and survival in export markets. The analysis finds that uncertainty in the time to clear imported inputs impacts neither the entry nor the exit rate, but translates into lower survival rates for new exporters, reducing the number of firms that continue to serve the foreign market beyond their first year of entry. This effect grows larger over time, owing to rising reputational costs to input-importing exporters, and is mainly driven by South-North trade, possibly reflecting the time-sensitivity of buyers in developed countries. The results also reveal heterogeneous effects across export industries, as well as the mediating role of sunk costs of entry in foreign markets, which attenuate the negative effect of uncertainty on survival rates, as firms delay exiting the export market. Most importantly, the measure of uncertainty displays a distinctive effect on export performance, as neither the mean nor the median time to import impacts survival.


Halal marketing is an important concept for marketers doing business in Muslim-majority countries. To predict consumer behavior toward halal products, the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) explains the two components of the formation of purchase intentions, namely attitude and subjective norms. Consumer concern for the lawfulness of a product is also influenced by a person's level of religiosity. This study aims to empirically test the ability of religiosity as a moderator that affects attitudes, and subjective norms on purchase intentions. This study applied a quantitative design. One hundred and ninety respondents in Indonesia were collected through random sampling. Data were collected through an online questionnaire using Google Forms and analyzed by Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). This study explains that subjective attitudes and norms have a positive and significant effect on purchase intentions. Religiosity as a moderator is able to influence subjective attitudes and norms on purchase intentions. The results of this study provide information that halal products are unique because they have spiritual elements. In this regard, marketers must remember that Muslim consumers exercise additional vigilance to ensure that the product fulfills not only functional needs but also spiritual needs.


The linear mixing model is widely assumed when unmixing hyperspectral images, but it cannot account for endmembers spectral variability. Thus, several workarounds have arisen in the hyperspectral unmixing literature, such as the extended linear mixing model (ELMM), which authorizes endmembers to vary pixelwise according to scaling factors, or local spectral unmixing (LSU) where the unmixing process is conducted locally within the image. In the latter case however, results are difficult to interpret at the whole image scale. In this work, we propose to analyze the local results of LSU within the ELMM framework, and show that it not only allows to reconstruct global endmembers and fractional abundances from the local ones, but it also gives access to the scaling factors advocated by the ELMM. Results obtained on a real hyperspectral image confirm the soundness of the proposed methodology.


An analytical solution of the problem of light scattering by droplet aerosol propagating in a divergent CO(2) laser beam is carried out by a variety of simplifying assumptions. The formulas were obtained for calculating the scattered visible radiation field and the CO(2) laser thermal action function for a specified increase in the distance of scattered light detecton in aerosol. The results obtained of the solution enabled us to specify the characteristic parameters of the problem.


Background: miR-122 is the most abundant liver-specific microRNA that modulates hepatic lipid metabolism, hepatitis C viral replication and is downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of both rodent and human origin. However, it is not clear whether loss of miR-122 directly promotes or induces hepatocarcinogenesis. To address this question we have generated liver specific (LKO) and systemic (KO) miR-122 knockout mice and have studied the effect of the miR-122 deficiency on the liver function, hepatocyte proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis with or without administration of a chemical carcinogen, diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Materials and methods: LKO and KO mice were generated by crossing miR-122 conditional KO (floxed) mice to Albumin-Cre and E2A-Cre mice, respectively. Southern blot/PCR and Northern blot/RT-PCR analysis were performed to confirm deletion of the gene and depletion of miR122 in the mutants compared to the controls (floxed). Phenotypic changes in the mutants were identified by histopathological and biochemical analysis of the liver and serum, respectively. Microarray analysis of hepatic RNA was performed to identify molecular pathways altered in LKO mice. Identify novel miR-122 targets among the upregulated genes in LKO mice by RT-PCR, luciferase assay, immunoblot and immunohistochemical analysis. Development of HCC in LKO, KO and control mice with or without DEN injection was monitored. Results and conclusions: Both LKO and KO mice were born alive and fertile but developed inflammation, steatosis and fibrosis with age. Hepatic miR-122 level was depleted by ∼83% and 98% on postnatal day 0 in LKO and KO mice, respectively and by 99% at adult stage in both mice. Serology showed reduced total, HDL- and LDL-associated cholesterol. Increased CK19- and A6-postitve cells as well as elevated serum alkaline phosphatase indicate abnormality in the biliary system in knockout mice. These mice developed hepatic inflammation in early adult life, which progressed to bridging inflammation and fibrosis with age. T cells and macrophages predominantly constituted the inflammatory cells in the mutant mice. Upregulation of Ccng1, Ccnd1 and Igf2 correlated with increased proliferation (as determined by Ki-67 positivity) and dedifferentiation (increased expression of Afp, Igf2 and H19) of miR-122 deficient hepatocytes. Eight months after DEN injection, LKO mice exhibited pronounced liver damage, higher incidence of HCC compared to the control mice. After one year, both LKO and KO mice developed spontaneous liver cancers, including HCC and cholangiocarcinoma, and exhibited liver damage as demonstrated by increased serum ALT, ALP, GGT and bilirubin levels. Taken together, these observations suggest that miR-122 deficiency causes inflammation that leads to hepatocarcinogenesis. Data will be presented on the underlying molecular mechanism of the development of liver damage and cancer in the knockout mice. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2810. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2810


The goal of this work was to synthesize new molecular bricks which could be used as precursors of heterobimetallic low-dimensional compounds. Along this line, four compounds have been synthesized and structurally characterized, namely (NBu(4))(2)[Ni(Cl(2)opba)] (1), (NBu(4))(2)[Cu(Cl(2)opba)] (2), (NBu(4))(5)[Mn(Cl(2)opba)(DMSO)(2)](4) (3), and Cu(en)(2)[Mn(Cl(2)opba)(H(2)O)(2)](2).2DMSO (4), with Cl(2)opba = (4,5-dichloro-o-phenylene)bis(oxamato), NBu(4) = tetra-n-butylammonium, en = ethylenediamine, and DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural; they crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, Z = 4, with a = 18.708(2) Å, b = 17.525(2) Å, c = 14.763(9) Å, and beta = 92.03(4) degrees for 1 and a = 18.928(2) Å, b = 17.634(2) Å, c = 14.704(9) Å, and beta = 92.38(3) degrees for 2. 3 crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group P&fourmacr;2(1)c, Z = 2, with a = 26.295(10) Å and c = 12.342(7) Å. The structure shows a random occupation of the metal site by Mn(III) and Mn(II) ions in 3/4 and 1/4 ratios, respectively. 4 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P&onemacr;, Z = 1, with a = 7.066(7) Å, b = 11.844(1) Å, c = 14.292(5) Å, alpha = 105.64(2) degrees, beta = 97.67(5) degrees, and gamma = 102.13(3) degrees. The structure consists of Mn(III)Cu(II)Mn(III) trinuclear species, with Cu-O-Mn bridges involving oxygen atoms of the oxamato groups already linked to the metal atom. The magnetic properties of compounds 1-4 have been investigated and quantitatively interpreted. For 3, this magnetic investigation has been performed on a single crystal, which allows us to determine unambiguously the sign of the axial zero-field splitting parameter for the Mn(III) ion. The potentialities of these new molecular bricks have been discussed.


PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting an estimated 78,000 Australians. Predominantly it affects older people, although or younger. Medications to treat PD are aimed at controlling symptoms as there is no known cure. A regime of PD medications may involve taking doses at frequent intervals and adverse reactions are common. Education of the person with PD, their close carers and family that covers medications, observational techniques and dealing with side effects, along with unpredictable worsening of PD symptoms, may result in improvement in quality of life. When the person with PD has realistic expectations about PD drug therapy then the ability to cope with the physical disability caused by symptoms may be improved. It is important to educate about any possible interaction with commonly taken drugs including dietary supplements and over-the-counter medication. Before a medication education session, nurse activities should include assessment of the person with PD and their support network, development of an appropriate education plan and subsequent implementation, followed by evaluation. Ongoing nursing support at each clinic visit can provide opportunity for evaluation. An individualised session guided by the principles of adult learning theory may provide a successful tool for use in the education of people with PD as well as healthcare professionals. A large amount of available information and untested educational material does not address the educational needs of people with PD with regard to their medications. There is a need for further research in this area. The effectiveness of a one-on-one educational session about PD medication supported by printed, individualised PD medication information may provide more appropriate education and lead to improved quality of life. It is the focus of a planned research study.


Smart grid aims to empower the current power grid with the capability of supporting two-way energy and information flow; and facilitating the integration of advanced computer technology and renewable energy sources into the grid. We assume a smart home with a wireless sensor network based on Zigbee. The smart home contains elements like light or temperature sensors at every room, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), smart appliances, thermostat and smart meter. Furthermore, there is a central computer that can communicate with all these elements. Web service is implemented on central computer and it can be accessed over the internet. The paper proposes an approach that makes use of the web services technologies to remotely interact with smart home elements in a smart grid environment. These interactions include adjusting the temperature according to personal preference or reading energy consumption. Furthermore, utility provider can interact with the smart home via web services and can facilitate demand response or selling energy back to the grid. Some scenarios are shown to describe the interactions in more detail. The performance, advantage and limitations of the radio communications between user (e.g., utility provider) and elements via web services are demonstrated in this paper.


Abstract : Ice formation and accretion may hinder the operation of many systems critical to national infrastructure, including airplanes, power lines, windmills, ships, and telecommunications equipment. Yet despite the pervasiveness of the icing problem, the fundamentals of ice adhesion have received relatively little attention in the scientific literature and it is not widely understood which attributes must be tuned to systematically design ?icephobic? surfaces that are resistant to icing. Here we probe the relationships between advancing/receding water contact angles and the strength of ice adhesion to bare steel and twenty-one different test coatings (~200-300 nm thick) applied to the nominally smooth steel discs. Contact angles are measured using a commercially available goniometer while the average shear strengths of ice adhesion are evaluated with a custom-built laboratory-scale adhesion apparatus. The coatings investigated are comprised of commercially available polymers and fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (fluorodecyl POSS), a low surface energy additive known to enhance liquid repellency. Ice adhesion strength correlates strongly with the practical works of adhesion required to remove liquid water drops from the surfaces (i.e., with the quantity [1 + cos θrec]), and the average shear strength of ice adhesion was reduced by as much as a factor of 4.2 when bare steel discs were coated with fluorodecyl POSS- containing materials. We argue that any further appreciable reduction in ice adhesion strength will require textured surfaces, as no known materials exhibit receding water contact angles on smooth/flat surfaces that are significantly above those reported here (i.e., the values of [1 + cos θrec] reported here have essentially reached a minimum for known materials).


Modification to surface texture of biomaterials, protein adsorption and interactions of biomaterials and cells have been studied in vitro for several decades in tissue engineering. However, few reports focus on the decoration of in vivo environment to implanted biomaterials and the effects of the decoration on cells proliferation and wound healing. In this study, we used porous silk fibroin materials and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) sponges as dermal substitutes for dermis regeneration in rats. In addition, both materials were harvested at 3 days after implantation and used for cell culture. The decoration of in vivo environment to biomaterials, namely the organization of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the materials, was observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and histology. Furthermore, if the in vivo decoration can support fibroblast viability and proliferation in vitro and improve wound healing in vivo has been examined via MTT assay and histology. Besides, the effects of surface chemical composition and surface texture of the materials on the in vivo decoration have been assessed and discussed. The results showed that the deposition of proteins and organization of ECM (collagen fibers as the indicator) in the materials have been detected at 3 days after implantation. However, no cells could be found at this time. MTT assay suggested that cells seeded on the decorated PVA sponges had significantly higher viability than those seeded on the undecorated ones (PVA sponges). The histological analysis showed that fibrous encapsulation formed around PVA sponges at 3 days after implantation while even distribution of collagen fibers was seen in the porous silk fibroin materials, and that the fibrous encapsulation in PVA sponges existed at 18 days after implantation. Newly formed tissues containing functional blood vessels could be found in both materials, but the moderate infiltration of inflammatory cells and the interstices between PVA sponges and the newly formed tissues could be found in PVA sponges at 18 days after implantation. In conclusion, the implanted materials are firstly decorated by in vivo environment through the protein adsorption and the organization of ECM. This process plays a key role in improving cell proliferation and subsequent wound healing in vivo. Furthermore, the smooth surfaces in the porous silk fibroin materials have been more biocompatible to extracellular proteins compared to the rough surfaces in PVA sponges. Therefore, this study might provide insights into the selection of raw materials and the control of surface texture during development of biomaterials with better biocompatibility.


The events preceding cardiac arrest were investigated in 132 critically ill patients on the basis of the hemodynamic, respiratory, and metabolic status prior to cardiac arrest. Approximately one-half of the patients had respiratory acidosis prior to cardiac arrest and only one of these patients ultimately survived. An additional one-fourth had metabolic acidosis due to progressive perfusion failure (shock), and none survived. In the remaining one-fourth, an immediate catastrophic and potentially preventable event accounted for cardiac arrest, and all but one of the long-term survivors were included in this group. In thirteen patients, obstruction or dislodgment of endotracheal tracheostomy tubes, or interruption of ventilation, was recognized as the immediate cause. In an additional 20 patients, cardiac arrest was associated with an adverse effect of a drug. Twelve instances of cardiac arrest were associated with central venous injection of aminophylline.The initial cardiac resuscitation attempt was effective in 38% of patients. However, the majority of patients who survived the first episode succumbed after a second or third episode. The cumulative survival was disappointingly small. Only six patients, or 5% of the total group of 132 patients, were long-term survivors. These data may provide the basis for more restricted use of routine and repetitive resuscitative measures particularly for elderly patients in whom acidemia is due to progressive ventilatory or circulatory failure.


BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the value of dorzolamid as an adjunct to maximum tolerated medical therapy in glaucoma patients in whom surgery would otherwise be required.

METHODS
32 eyes of 21 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (14 patients), glaucoma in aphakia (3 patients), pigmentary glaucoma (2 patients), juvenile glaucoma (1 patient) and exfoliative glaucoma (1 patient) were included. The effect of additional dorzolamid application on intraocular pressure (IOP) was determined after 2 hours, 4 days, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. After 6 months, visual fields were checked.

RESULTS
Average reduction of IOP in eyes in which dorzolamid was continued was determined to be 31% after 2 hours, 18.3% after 4 days, 17.9% after 4 weeks, 12.1% after 3 months and 9.7% after 6 months. 19 (59%) eyes continued to receive dorzolamid after 6 months without being operated. No progression of glaucomatous damage could be detected in these eyes. In 11 (34%) eyes, treatment with dorzolamid was discontinued. 2 patients (4 (12%) eyes) did not tolerate local side effects of dorzolamid. In 7 (22%) eyes reduction of IOP was insufficient and filtration surgery had to be performed immediately.

CONCLUSION
The results of the present study demonstrate that dorzolamid represents an alternative to an immediate surgical management in patients on maximum tolerated therapy for at least six months.


Development of early math skills is linked to future success in mathematics and other academics. Educational video games have been shown to promote academic achievement; however, few rigorous studies have evaluated the use of educational video games in supporting math development, especially in early primary education. In the current study, an open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 134 first grade students to determine, using standardized assessments, the impact of the educational mathematics tablet-based video game, Knowledge Battle, on math scores and self-competency. Overall, Knowledge Battle did improve math skills in participants who played the game. Among those with lower pre-game math skills, the Knowledge Battle group's mean math score increased more than the control group's mean math score (9.7 vs. 6.0; p = 0.02). There was no association between perceived sense of self-competency and total math score (p = 0.8141). However, players who had a higher sense of self-competency were more likely to enjoy playing the game. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Knowledge Battle was an acceptable and enjoyable educational mathematical video game for first grade students, and may be most impactful for those with low math skills.


Abstract 2274

Background: Unfractionated heparin and it derivatives are known to produce pleotropic effects including the anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor actions. Preclinical evidence suggests that heparins have an effect on tumor progression independent of their anticoagulant activity. Heparin and low molecular weight heparin have also been shown to exhibit interactions with growth factors and other cellular receptors. Recently an ultra low molecular weight heparin namely, semuloparin has also been found to be effective in the management of cancer associated thrombosis (Save ONCO trial). This study was designed to investigate whether heparin and its derivatives are able to inhibit tumor growth in a Lewis Lung carcinoma model.

Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were obtained at 6–8 weeks of age and were implanted with 5×105 LN7 tumor cells by dorsal subcutaneous injection in the upper back. When tumors were initially palpable, at 7–10 days of growth, mice were treated with subcutaneous injections of heparin, a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), namely enoxaparin, an ultra LMWH, semuloparin or saline, daily for two weeks at approximately 1 cm away from the tumor growth, in a dose range of 1.0 – 0.25 mg/kg. After the treatment period, animals were sacrificed and the spleens and tumors were removed and tumor weight, tumor volume, spleen weight and spleen size were measured. Blood samples were drawn through heart puncture for ex vivo analysis. VEGF levels were measured using a commercially available ELISA method.

Results: At the 1.0 and 0.5 mg/kg dosages, both enoxaparin (p<0.01) and semuloparin (p<0.01) showed a decrease in tumor volume compared to the saline control animals. At the 1.0 mg/kg dosage although heparin was effective in reducing the tumor size, the mortality was higher in this group due to bleeding. At 0.5 mg/kg heparin was not different from the saline control in terms of reducing tumor growth. In addition, at a dosage of 0.25 mg/kg, only semuloparin showed a significant difference in reducing the tumor size in comparison to saline control (p<0.01). Similar results were observed for the tumor weight. There were no significant differences noted in spleen weight or spleen size among these agents. The mortality rates in the mice treated with enoxaparin and semuloparin were relatively lower (<10%) and were comparable between the two groups. Ex vivo analysis of blood showed a significant difference in the VEGF levels in the semuloparin group in comparison to enoxaparin and heparin.

Conclusions: These studies suggest that heparin and its derivatives are capable of inhibiting tumor growth in a dose dependent manner. Enoxaparin and semuloparin are more effective at reducing tumor growth compared to heparin. In addition, both the enoxaparin and semuloparin were safer than heparin at the 1.0 and 0.5 mg dosages as bleeding was observed in the heparin treated animals. Semuloparin downregulated the VEGF levels in comparison to the other groups suggesting that this mechanism potentially plays a role in the control of the tumor growth. Reported clinical studies have shown that semuloparin is safer and effective for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients and compares favorably to enoxaparin in terms of antithrombotic effect and safety profile. Therefore, semuloparin may be a better alternate for the management of cancer associated thrombosis.

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Bovine endometritis is one of the most common reproductive disorders in cattle. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammation potential of punicalagin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs) and to uncover the underlying mechanisms. bEECs were stimulated with different concentrations (1, 10, 30, 50, and 100 μg/ml) of LPS for 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 h. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability and to identify the conditions for inflammatory injury and effective concentrations of punicalagin. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Western blotting was used to assess levels of inflammation-related proteins. Treatment of bEECs with 30 μg/ml LPS for 12 h induced cell injury and reduced cell viability. Punicalagin (5, 10, or 20 μg/ml) pretreatment significantly decreased LPS-induced productions of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in bEECs. Molecular research showed that punicalagin inhibited the activation of the upstream mediator nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by suppressing the production of inhibitor κBα (IκBα) and phosphorylation of p65. Results also indicated that punicalagin can suppress the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Punicalagin may attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory injury and provide a potential option for the treatment of dairy cows with Escherichia coli endometritis.


Background: Online educational programs for nurse preceptors have been created based on various theoretical frameworks; however, no programs using a Strengths-Based Nursing (SBN) approach could be located. Purpose: This qualitative descriptive study explored the nurse preceptors' experiences in using a SBN approach to provide clinical teaching to nursing students after completing an online SBN clinical teaching course. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six nurses. Data was thematically analyzed. Findings: Although their levels of familiarity with SBN varied, all preceptors acknowledged that using a SBN approach in clinical teaching benefits both students and educators. They reported that it empowered students and that it allowed them to discover their strengths. Getting to know their students helped the preceptors provide tailored learning experiences and feedback. Using the SBN approach simultaneously enhanced the preceptors' self-confidence and created opportunities for shared learning. Conclusion: Using a strengths' approach offers nurse preceptors a powerful tool to facilitate student learning and skills development in clinical practice.


Abstract Hostage taking is a pervasive phenomenon in human relations, in groups, and in societies. It exists literally, figuratively, and psychologically, and hence is both a phenomenon in the mind and in the outside world. A case example illustrates how group members (including the leader) hold, or may seem to hold, others hostage by their words and actions. By conceptualizing and focusing on a series of interactions as a type of object relationship, that is, a complex idea worthy of attention, the group came to understand and experience hostage taking as a "psychoanalytic object."


We apply Marchenko redatuming using an adaptive double-focusing method to 3D field data of the Santos basin, Brazil. This method was already successfully applied to 2D field data and we now study the acquisition geometry and preprocessing requirements in 3D. We start from 3D synthetic data modeled on a dense grid of colocated sources and receivers and decimate down to a realistic NAZ streamer acquisition. The synthetic tests show that the sail line spacing and the missing outer cables are the acquisition parameters with the strongest effect on Marchenko redatuming. We can interpolate for the sail line spacing and the near offsets, but the missing outer cables are unfortunately a limitation of the acquisition. After applying the proposed interpolation to 3D field data, interbed multiples are successfully predicted and subtracted from the target area, resulting in a significant improvement in the geological interpretation. Naturally, the pre-processing requirements and challenges strongly depend on the acquisition geometry and the geology of the area under investigation (e.g. water depth, shape of the overburden, maximum dip). Hence, these tests only give a general idea about the limitations of 3D Marchenko redatuming


The depolymerization of natural biomass-based lignin is a definitive challenge, as it involves the integral breakdown of complex and well-constructed natural structures. A sustainable method called 'ionoSolv pretreatment' employs ionic liquids in biomass processing. In this study, Bronsted acidic IL (BAIL); 1-methyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-imidazolium chloride, [C3SO3HMIM]Cl was synthesized and commendably used to both assist the depolymerization of lignin under mild reaction conditions as well as to benefit from the commercially valuable vanillin. About 68% degree of depolymerization (DD) of lignin was achieved under optimized conditions (120 °C, 60 min), yielding ca. 43% of tetrahydrofuran (THF) soluble products. The influence of BAIL on the depolymerization was investigated using chromatographic (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectroscopic techniques (Fourier transform infrared). The HPLC analysis of the depolymerized lignin detected the clear presence of 12% of vanillin was obtained from 2 wt.% of rice husk's lignin.


The article revisits the originality of Hobbes's concept of happiness on the basis of Hobbes's two accounts found respectively in Thomas White's De Mundo Examined and Leviathan. It is argued that Hobbes's claim that happiness consists in the unhindered advance from one acquired good to another ought to be understood against the background of Hobbes's theory of sensation and the imagination, on the one hand, and Hobbes's doctrine of conatus, on the other. It is further claimed that the account of happiness in White's De Mundo differs from that in Leviathan. In the former work, happiness is defined not as the mere progression from one good to another but as the joy/mental pleasure derived from the awareness of one's unhindered advance. The traditional claim that Hobbes is an ethical subjectivist is examined in connection with Hobbes's view of the subjectivity of happiness and the rejection of the summum bonum. Lastly, Hobbes's distinction between worldly and everlasting happiness is discussed.


In the last 25 years Marxist thought has made some fundamental achievements which it would be a mistake to belittle. In stressing their importance, I have no intention of ignoring the flaws, vacillations, moments of confusion, and even the setbacks that have occurred. The road of science—not to mention that of revolution—is not an easy or straight one. The mere fact that Marxism has acquired a following of millions would be unexplainable if the theory had not progressed to the point of becoming, in more than one instance, a new social practice. Marxist thought has advanced the knowledge of the structure of matter, the interaction of the laws governing natural development and of those that make possible the practical application of scientific achievements. The Soviet Union's spectacular achievements in the space race, astrophysics, and nuclear physics are not accidental, nor are they mere expressions of our era's technological revolution. Nonetheless, it is the achievements in the social sciences that will be emphasized here.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.


It is introduced that replaceing steam by carbon dioxide (or part replacing) is used gasification media, and their technology present both at home and abroad and general applied situation. Practical sense of developing this technology study is summed up.


Up to the present time there seems to be some confusion about the nature, the origin, and the significance of the reactive forms of corneal cells under pathological conditions. The present paper represents an effort to demonstrate the main phases of the nonspecific cellular reactions of the cells of the corneal stroma. These reactions of the stroma cells will be compared with those of the cellular elements which invade the corneal stroma from the limbus. The cornea of the rabbit was chosen for this experimental study, since the histological slides of this tissue allow for a detailed photomicrographic recording of all its cells and their pathological changes. Furthermore, it is my impression that the reactions of the cells of the rabbit cornea are very similar to those in man. Experimental Methods and Histological Technique Corneae of normal rabbits were injured with (1) keratome incision, (2) keratome incision and bacterial infection,


The Curricular Windows of Popular Education Project in Hight Education aims to give students at  University of  Evora - by their participation in educational projects at Tulio Espanca Popular University / UPTE - opportunities to design, plan and implement non-formal education projects that are open to the participation of the Alentejo population, in result from the mobilization of knowledge and scientific, cultural, technical and technological skills derived from the respective academic formation and integrated, whenever possible, within the framework of didactic plannings in frequented course units.


Fe3O4/graphene/carbon nanotubes composite was successfully synthesized through a facile solvothermal process. The Fe3O4 particles are dispersed in the three-dimensional (3D) conductive network forming by graphene nanosheets and cross-linked CNTs. As anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the adding ratio of GO and CNTs in solvothermal process influences the electrochemical performance of the products. The obtained composite by the adding ratio of GO and CNTs 1:1 displays good electrochemical performance. The composite shows an initial charge capacity of 1244.9 and 1012.1mA·h·g−1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 500mA·g−1. At the current density of 1300mA·g−1, it delivers 710.2mA·h·g−1 after 200 cycles, remaining the initial charge capacity of 90.8%. In addition, the composite shows good coulomb efficiency and rate performance. The good performance of composite is described to the uniform distribution of Fe3O4 particles, graphene and CNTs in the 3D conductive network structure, which is beneficial for the electrolyte penetrating into the composite in all directions. © The Electrochemical Society of Japan, All rights reserved.


The crushed ores were transported to the assigned place by hoppers and belts and the whole work procedure of the hoppers and belts were automatically controlled by the PLC and sensor.When it was overload or light load,weight would be converted into power by measurement of the weighting sensor and the hopper gate was controlled by the electromagnetic valve so as to adjust transport quantity.


In Reply. —This letter is in response to Dr Watt's letter concerning discoloration of an IOL model SI-18NGB manufactured by Allergan Medical Optics (AMO), Irvine, Calif. We appreciate the opportunity to address Dr Watt's concerns and will be sending a clinical researcher to observe this lens firsthand. In the meantime, we have consulted the manufacturing records of this IOL and found that 34 other lenses from the same batch have been implanted with no report of discoloration. Dr Watt's description of a centrally located discoloration appears similar to our observations made during Food and Drug Administration core studies in 1987. Several investigators reported that under slit-lamp examination, eight subjects (1.6%) in the cohort were found to have a slight haze in the center of their SI-18B implant. However, all three investigators believed this haze to be clinically insignificant and noted no visual disturbance. In addition, all three investigators noted that