Background: At the time of our study, occupational health evidence specific for long-term care employees was mostly lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of positive cases in employees after the first COVID-19 wave in May 2020. We also determined the prevalence of asymptomatic cases. Method: The study population included all health care workers (HCW) employed at one mid-size long-term hospital in Spain (May 2020). A cross-sectional study design included an interviewer-administered self-reported questionnaire (including sociodemographic questions, risk factors for COVID-19 complications such as hypertension or diabetes, and previous polymerase chain reaction [PCR] results) and antibody determination (Biozek rapid test). Data were analyzed using Student's t, Fisher, and chi-square tests. Two multivariate logistic models were created to evaluate exposure factors and symptoms separately on the outcome of having had COVID-19. Findings: Of the 97% of workers who participated (580/596), 300 (51.7%) suffered symptoms of COVID-19, 161 (27.8%) of the rapid antibody tests were positive for IgM and/or IgG, 160 (27.6%) workers had at least one risk factor, and 32 (19.0%) of the 168 SARS-CoV-2-positive cases were asymptomatic. The proportion of negative or unavailable PCRs, with positive antibody, was 11.7% (56/477). Casual contact without protection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–3.4), doctor occupation (OR 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1–10.2), and nursing assistant occupation (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2–5.8) were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: Physicians and nursing assistants in a long-term care setting were at a higher risk of SARS-COV-2 infection over other occupations in the first wave of the pandemic, especially when in contact with patients without protection. Almost one-fifth of the workers with a positive PCR test for SARS-COV-2 were asymptomatic and seroprevalence (27.8%) was well below the approximated herd immunity cutoff (60–70%). Essential workers in long-term care must be monitored frequently by Employee Health Service and should be required to wear personal protective equipment including a fit-tested N-95 while in close contact with patients and coworkers.


The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) is a multimeric protein complex composed of over 20 different proteins, utilized by Gram-negative bacteria to infect eukaryotic host cells. The T3SS has been implicated as a virulence factor by which pathogens cause infection and has recently been characterized as a communication tool between bacteria and plant cells in the rhizosphere. The T3SS has been repurposed to be used as a tool for the delivery of non-native or heterologous proteins to eukaryotic cells or the extracellular space for a variety of purposes, including drug discovery and drug delivery. This review covers the methodology of heterologous protein secretion as well as multiple cases of utilizing the T3SS to deliver heterologous proteins or artificial materials. The research covered in this review will serve to outline the scope and limitations of utilizing the T3SS as a tool for protein delivery.


Manual offset measurements, with respect to stretched wires, are used since decades for accelerator alignments at CERN, e.g. for the SPS and the LHC. A measurement system based on photogrammetry offers appreciated possibilities of automation in comparison to the manual method used so far for the radial offset measurement. Such a system built with pre-calibrated cameras is under development for different possible applications e.g. measurements in the LHC arcs or the upgrade of the LHC collimator measurement train. The article deals with the use of image processing techniques like morphological operators and the Hough transformation for the identification and precise sub-pixel edge measurement of the stretched wire in the 2D images. The magnet fiducials are measured by means of an ellipse operator in the images. In addition, the calculation process to get the positions of the straight wire and the fiducials in 3D with CERN's compensation software LGC is described. The related algorithms have been evaluated based on image data acquired in the LHC accelerator. The attained precision is typically of a few hundredths of millimetres.


Background and aims Deficits in emotion regulation (ER) are associated with mental disorders. To date, there are hardly any studies focusing on the role of ER strategies in the context of gambling behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between specific ER strategies and pathological as well as problematic gambling in a proactively recruited sample. Methods A large and unselected sample (n = 4,928) has been screened proactively and systematically in vocational schools. We assessed the Affective Style Questionnaire to measure ER strategies and the Stinchfield questionnaire for assessing problematic and pathological gambling. Associations were investigated with linear and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results The analyses showed a significant negative correlation between the subscales "Adjusting" and "Tolerating" and the Stinchfield sum score. Lower scores on these subscales were associated with a higher number of endorsed Stinchfield items. A lower score on the ER strategies "Adjusting" [conditional odds ratio (COR) = 0.95, confidence interval (CI) = 0.91–0.99] and "Tolerating" [COR = 0.95, CI = 0.92–99] led to a higher chance of being classified as a pathological gambler. In problematic gambling, on a subthreshold level, only "Tolerating" turned out to be significant [COR = 0.96, CI = 0.93–0.99]. Discussion and conclusions For the first time, deficits in specific ER strategies were identified as independent risk factors for problematic and pathological gambling in a large and proactively recruited sample. ER skills, especially acceptance-focused strategies, should be considered in prevention and psychotherapy.


Naegleria fowleri is thermophilic, free living amoeba commonly known as "Brain eater". The habitats are in fresh water reservoirs and soil at a temperature of 46 .It is capable of invading CNS via the nose in humans, causing fatal condition known as Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). The symptoms initially present like bacterial meningitis and ultimately death within 5-7 days. So differential diagnosis done by withdrawing the sample of CSF from the patient to confirm the presence of amoeboid trophozoites. Other molecular test is Polymerase Chain Reaction but it is less favorable because of time consumption.  The treatment protocol reported as combination therapy, which includes amphotericin B, miconazole, fluconazole, miltefosine depending upon the early diagnosis and condition of the patient.
A vast study revealed approximately 260 cases throughout the world since 1962-2014 which are from Pakistan, 17 cases, United States 132, Venezuela 7, Mexico 9, In Australia 19, 9 from New Zealand. India 11, Nigeria 4. 1 case in Namibia, Iran, Costa Rica, New Guinea, South Africa and Madagascar.5 cases from Thailand and Belgium. In the Czech Republic, 16 cases and in United Kingdom 2 cases were reported.It is the rapidly replicating and lethal condition having more than 95% fatality rate with only 11 survivals throughout the world.


This paper explores the economic implications of vouchers for chronic disease management with respect to achieving objectives of equity and efficiency. Vouchers as a payment policy instrument for health care services have a set of properties that suggest they may address both demand-side and supply-side issues, and contribute to equity and efficiency. They provide a means whereby health care services can be targeted at selected groups, enabling consumer choice of provider, and encouraging competition in the supply of health services. This analysis suggests that, when structured appropriately, vouchers can support consumers to choose services that will meet their health care needs and encourage competition among providers. Although they may not be appropriate across the entire health care system, there are features of vouchers that make them a potentially attractive option, especially for the management of chronic disease.


Oil and gas industry is a strategic industry being of central importance for global economy as a vital source of energy for all other sectors of engineering industry. This vital role is being challenged as the important reserves of oil and gas which are left to be discovered and produced are mainly concentrated in difficult locations which are under severe operational conditions of high pressure, high temperature and aggressive environments. Therefore the materials and the technology required for exploration, production and transportation must possess appropriate properties considering the excessive cost of replacements or failures in these difficult-to-access locations.

Carbon steel because of its tremendous and inherent properties such as low cost; easy to shaping, forming and machining; good weldability; wide availability; its properties have been studied in depth and are well understood; good mechanical properties etc is preferred over all other conventional engineering materials and has found extensive use in the oil and gas industry. However, carbon steels are susceptible to corrosion attack particularly in harsh oilfield environments thus affecting the capital expenditure (CAPEX), operational expenditure (OPEX) and health, safety and environment (HSE). Regardless of these disadvantages, carbon steel still remains the material of choice because no alternative materials have adequately exhibited better properties for oil and gas applications. Therefore efforts are being continuously made to improve the properties of carbon steel through diverse physical, chemical and thermo-mechanical processes with the aim of developing new materials which are stronger, lighter, and more resistant to corrosion.

The quest to mitigate the corrosion susceptibility of carbon and low alloy steels for effective use as structural materials in oil and gas industry particularly in challenging locations and under severe conditions has led to the development of micro-alloyed steels. For the past six decades when micro-alloying was generally accepted, micro-alloy steels have become an indispensable class of structural materials providing desirable combinations of properties such as strength, toughness, formability, weldability, and corrosion resistance at affordable cost. This excellent combination of properties can be attributed to the presence of fine grain structures occasioned by the addition of small quantity of alloying elements, controlled processing technologies and appropriate heat treatments. Most of the elements located at the left of iron in the periodic table are considered as strong carbide-formers. These elements have found extensive application in micro-alloying of steels. Among these elements, Zr and Hf have not received comparative application like the other neighbouring elements such as Ti, V, Nb, and Cr.

A comparative and systematic assessment of the corrosion behaviour of three proprietary micro-alloy steels designated as (i) ASTM A694-F65 forged steel bar (F65) (ii) improved collapsed grade P110 IC pipe (P110) and (iii) high collapsed sour service grade TN95 HS pipe (TN95) were conducted in different media/electrolytes using different environmental parameters, electrochemical techniques (Linear polarization resistance (LPR), Tafel polarization (TP), Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiostatic polarization (PP)), weight loss measurements and surface analyses. API 5L X65 steel grade (X65) was used as reference sample. The results of the preliminary investigations showed that the corrosion rates of these micro-alloy steels using different electrochemical techniques and in all the environments corroborated each other and revealed a ranking order of F65 < X65 < P110 < TN95. The main reasons for this behaviour were microstructure and chemical composition of the respective microalloy samples.

The two worst corrosion rate steels (P110 IC and TN95 HS) were selected for alloying with different quantities (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 wt%) of Zr and Hf with a view to improving their corrosion resistance. The analysis of the alloyed specimens showed microstructural modification exhibiting grain refinement with increase in alloying elements (Zr and Hf). This was attributed to the formation of Zr- and/or Hf-base intermetallic precipitates. These precipitates have the ability to pin down grain boundaries thus limiting grain growth which resulted in improved mechanical properties such as increased hardness and tensile strength without any negative impact on toughness of the alloyed samples. The alloyed steels were subjected to corrosion tests in simulated produced water (SPW) saturated with 99.98% CO2 at 250C and pH 6.5. The results showed that the specimens alloyed with Zr and Hf exhibited superior corrosion resistance than the unalloyed and the reference samples with the corrosion rate of the alloyed steel decreasing with increase in the quantity of alloying elements. This signified that Zr and Hf has suppressive effect on electrochemical reactions thus leading to passivation with the resultant improvement in corrosion resistance ranging from 3% - 35% for Hf addition and 27% - 44% for Zr addition in TN95. This can be attributed to higher dissolution with the corresponding formation of more intermetallic precipitate of Zr in Fe than Hf.


This study used multinomial logistic regression to examine relationships between child-care experience (in the context of overall family functioning) and preschool attachment. Attachment behavior was assessed at 36 months with the Strange Situation, and A, B, C, and D attachment classifications were assigned using the MacArthur coding system. Maternal sensitivity was the strongest predictor of preschool attachment classification. With respect to child-care effects, as at 15 months, no child-care factors (quantity, quality, or type) predicted. in and of themselves, attachment security at 36 months. However, 1 of 3 interactions involving child care that were detected at 15 months reemerged at 36 months: When maternal sensitivity was low, more hours per week in care somewhat increased the risk of the insecure-ambivalent (C) classification. There was significant but modest stability of attachment classifications from 15 to 36 months, especially for children with A and C classifications.


OBJECTIVE Despite new endovascular techniques and technological advances in microsurgery, the treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms is still a daunting neurosurgical task. Many of these aneurysms have a large, calcified neck, directly involve parent and collateral branches, and are partly thrombosed. In this retrospective review, we focused our analysis on the indications for high-flow, extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery using a saphenous vein graft. METHODS A series of 130 patients were treated between 1990 and 2004; 31 patients were managed endovascularly, and 99 patients were treated microsurgically (surgical clipping in 58 patients and high-flow EC-IC bypass followed by aneurysm trapping in 41 patients). We examined the patients' clinical records and pre- and postoperative case notes for cerebral angiographic examinations. Graft patency was verified with cerebral angiography, computed tomographic angiography, Doppler ultrasound, or graft palpation. RESULTS The high-flow EC-IC bypass was used for all surgically treated prepetrous aneurysms (3 patients), intracavernous aneurysms (1 patient), intracavernous aneurysms with subarachnoid extension (23 patients), as well as for some supraclinoid aneurysms (12 of the 32 patients). It was also used for 1 of the 9 aneurysms located in the carotid bifurcation and 2 of 5 vertebrobasilar circulation aneurysms. Of the 58 patients managed by surgical clipping, 4 (6.9%) died, and 51 (94.4%) improved. Of the 41 patients managed with high-flow EC-IC bypass, 4 (9.8%) died and 34 (91.9%) improved. Graft patency at the follow-up examination was 92.7%. CONCLUSION The "gold standard" for the treatment of giant aneurysms remains surgical clipping. When direct surgical clipping or endovascular repair is contraindicated, the high-flow EC-IC bypass is a viable surgical option.


The antitumor activity of a novel ansamycin antibiotic, trienomycin A, against various murine tumors was studied with two treatment schedules. The intraperitoneal injection of the antibiotic showed remarkable antitumor activity on sarcoma 180 and P388 leukemia at doses of 160 or 320 mg/kg, showing 151% and 100% increase in life span, respectively. Trienomycin A inhibited the growth of Ehrlich and Meth A cells in vitro at doses of 0.1-0.4 microgram/ml when the cells were exposed to the antibiotic for 72 hours. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine into acid precipitable material in HeLa cells was slightly more marked than that of [3H]uridine and [3H]leucine when the cells were exposed to 0.04 or 0.08 microgram/ml of trienomycin A for 4 hours. It appeared that trienomycin A showed antitumor activity by direct cytotoxic action.


The transmission power and the reception power are the main source of energy consumption in wireless sensor nodes. Therefore, reducing the amount of consumed power through the transmission and reception processes in the routing protocol will lead to an increase in the lifetime of the wireless sensor network and distribute the consumed power among the wireless sensor nodes. This paper proposes a mechanism to reduce the transmission and reception power for the frequently used nodes. This proposed techniques and a hybrid technique with the power consumption distribution technique in [1] have been compared to the original Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol. Simulation results based on NS-2 showed that the hybrid technique and the proposed mechanism have better performance than the original AODV routing protocol. The new mechanism and the hybrid technique have increased the lifetime of the wireless sensor network by around 40%, and 70% respectively.


Piritrexim (PTX) is a second-generation, lipid-soluble inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Metabolic inhibition occurs within seconds after rapid diffusion into human cancer cells. We describe the initial phase I studies with iv and oral forms of this drug given on a daily basis for 5 days to patients with cancer. The dose-limiting toxicity is primarily hematologic (leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia), but phlebitis is also encountered with iv administration and gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting) with oral administration. Oral toxicity can be reduced by giving the daily dose in 2 divided doses. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for the iv route is 170 mg/m2 per day for 5 days; for the oral route it is 480 mg/m2 per day for 5 days. Unlike an earlier lipid-soluble folate antagonist, piritrexim did not cause neurologic or histamine-like disorders.


In this paper, we present the complete isotropy analysis of a caster wheeled omnidirectional mobile robot (COMR) with nonredundant/redundant actuation. It is desirable for robust motion control to keep a COMR close to the isotropy but away from the singularity as much as possible. First, with the characteristic length introduced, the kinematic model of a COMR is obtained based on the orthogonal decomposition of the wheel velocities. Second, a general form of the isotropy conditions of a COMR is given in terms of physically meaningful vector quantities which specify the wheel configuration. Third, for all possible nonredundant and redundant actuation sets, the algebraic expressions of the isotropy conditions are derived so as to identify the isotropic configurations of a COMR. Fourth, the number of the isotropic configurations, the isotropic characteristic length, and the optimal initial configuration are discussed.


To determine whether coronary atherosclerosis develops with age in asymptomatic patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and whether long-term cholesterol-lowering therapy is effective for primary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) in such patients, 13 patients with heterozygous FH (10 men, 3 women, aged 34 to 66 years) were examined by coronary angiography, and followed up for 5.8 +/- 3.4 years. The extent of coronary atherosclerosis was expressed as the coronary score (CS) by scoring (0 to 5) points in each of 15 American Heart Association segments. The mean CS was 2.4 times higher in men than in women (11.5 +/- 7.9 vs 4.7 +/- 4.2) although the mean age was lower in the former than in the latter (51.2 +/- 8.4 vs 57.7 +/- 0.6 years). In men, CS correlated significantly with age (CS = 0.682 x age-24.4; r = 0.800, p < 0.01). All patients except one had received cholesterol-lowering agents throughout the follow-up period. The untreated patient developed CAD 7 years later. One treated patient also developed CAD, but within 6 months of enrollment in this study. The other 11 treated patients did not develop CAD. Reexamination by coronary angiography in two of these patients revealed no significant progression after 6-year treatment. Coronary atherosclerosis develops with age in asymptomatic FH patients and long-term cholesterol-lowering therapy may be effective for primary prevention of CAD in such patients.


Cysts occupying the third ventricle are rare lesions and may appear as an unusual cause of hydrocephalic crisis. A 40-year old woman with headache and one episode of fainting attack was diagnosed with a cystic lesion in the third ventricle after brain MRI study. She was operated with the pre-operative diagnosis of a colloid cyst. A yellowish, thick and mucoid cyst was observed intra-operatively. The total removal of the cyst was done along with the cyst wall. On histopathological evaluation, the cyst wall was lined by ciliated cuboidal to pseudostratified columnar epithelium resting on an eosinophilic basement membrane. The ultrastructural study showed the characteristic 9+2 pattern of cilia. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratin (CK), and negative staining for Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Histopathological and ultrastructural findings confirm the diagnosis of a colloid cyst of third ventricles favoring the endodermal origin of the cyst.


PCR amplification of the rRNA gene is the most popular method for assessing microbial diversity. However, this molecular marker is often present in multiple copies in cells presenting, in addition, an intragenomic heterogeneity. In this context, housekeeping genes may be used as taxonomic markers for ecological studies. However, the efficiency of these protein-coding genes compared to 16S rRNA genes has not been tested on environmental data. For this purpose, five protein marker genes for which primer sets are available, were selected (rplB, pyrG, fusA, leuS and rpoB) and compared with 16S rRNA gene results from PCR amplification or metagenomic data from aquatic ecosystems. Analysis of the major groups found in these ecosystems, such as Actinobacteria, Bacteroides, Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria, showed good agreement between the protein markers and the results given by 16S rRNA genes from metagenomic reads. However, with the markers it was possible to detect minor groups among the microbial assemblages, providing more details compared to 16S rRNA results from PCR amplification. In addition, the use of a set of protein markers made it possible to deduce a mean copy number of rRNA operons. This average estimate is essentially lower than the one estimated in sequenced genomes.


Fixation of displaced patella fractures with tension band wiring is a commonly performed technique. Broken metal wires after such surgeries are not uncommon, however, intra-articular wire migration after failure of the tension band wires in the patella is uncommon and rarely described. In this study, we report a case of locking knee symptoms secondary to the migration of a broken patella wire into the knee joint through the pseudarthrosis line.


From the perspective of new economic sociology, all economic activities are embedded in social relation network and are influenced by it. As present active economic organization, external network is no exception. So we make study on the influence of Chinese relation network on external network. For China has rich relation resource, the influence must be enormous. Therefore, the research has much practical value. By combining the Chinese traditional culture psychological structure, this paper analyzes the influence of the relation network between external network and government and the relation network among member enterprises in external network on external network. On this basis, we propose several suggestions to establish high efficient and normative operating external network.


The insurgence of newly arising, rapidly developing health threats, such as drug‐resistant bacteria and cancers, is one of the most urgent public‐health issues of modern times. This menace calls for the development of sensitive and reliable diagnostic tools to monitor the response of single cells to chemical or pharmaceutical stimuli. Recently, it has been demonstrated that all living organisms oscillate at a nanometric scale and that these oscillations stop as soon as the organisms die. These nanometric scale oscillations can be detected by depositing living cells onto a micro‐fabricated cantilever and by monitoring its displacements with an atomic force microscope‐based electronics. Such devices, named nanomotion sensors, have been employed to determine the resistance profiles of life‐threatening bacteria within minutes, to evaluate, among others, the effect of chemicals on yeast, neurons, and cancer cells. The data obtained so far demonstrate the advantages of nanomotion sensing devices in rapidly characterizing microorganism susceptibility to pharmaceutical agents. Here, we review the key aspects of this technique, presenting its major applications. and detailing its working protocols.


We describe a method for developing broad-coverage semantic dependency parsers for languages for which no semantically annotated resource is available. We leverage a multitask learning framework coupled with an annotation projection method. We transfer supervised semantic dependency parse annotations from a rich-resource language to a low-resource language through parallel data, and train a semantic parser on projected data. We make use of supervised syntactic parsing as an auxiliary task in a multitask learning framework, and show that with different multitask learning settings, we consistently improve over the single-task baseline. In the setting in which English is the source, and Czech is the target language, our best multitask model improves the labeled F1 score over the single-task baseline by 1.8 in the in-domain SemEval data (Oepen et al., 2015), as well as 2.5 in the out-of-domain test set. Moreover, we observe that syntactic and semantic dependency direction match is an important factor in improving the results.


BACKGROUND Although Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the main causes of peptic ulcers disease (PUD), recently the prevalence of idiopathic peptic ulcer (IPU) is increasing in most parts of the world. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IPU in Kerman, the center of largest province in south-east Iran. METHODS We included 215 patients with peptic ulcer in our study. Combined methods rapid urease test (RUT), histology, and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on endoscopic samples of peptic ulcers. NSAID use was determined by medical history. SPSS software version 16 was used for data analysis. p value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS Of 215 consecutive patients with peptic ulcer, four (1.8%) had H.pylorinegative and NSAID-negative PUD. There were not significant differences between patients with IPU and patients with peptic ulcer associated with H.pylori or NSAIDs regarding the sex, age, cigarette smoking, and opioid abuse. CONCLUSION Our study showed that in contrast to other reports from western and some Asian countries, the prevalence of IPU is low in Kerman and H.pylori infection is still the major cause of PUD. We recommend a large and multi-central study to determine the prevalence of IPU in Iran.


Purpose To express the protein coded by the TRAF-type zinc finger domain of myasthenia gravis (MG) related gene P9( simply named as P9-ZED) and to prepare P9-ZFD polyclonal antibody. Methods The cDNA fragment encoding P9-ZFD was amplified from the skeletal muscle of MG patient by RT-PCR and sequenced. The cloned P9-ZFD fragment was ligated into the expression vector pET-24a and P9-ZFD fusion protein was induced in E. coii BL21 (DE3) and purified by histidine affinity chromato-graphy. P9-ZFD antibody was prepared through immunizing Balb/c rats with purified P9-ZFD fusion protein. The specificity of antibody was determined by Western blot. Results The cDNA sequence of amplified P9-ZFD fragment was the same as its sequence inscribed in GeneBank. The molecular weight of purified P9-ZFD fusion protein was about 30 000. Its purity was more than 95 % . Western blot analysis revealed that P9-ZFD antibody produced specific immunologic reaction only with purified P9-ZFD fusion protein. Conclusions The protein coded by P9-ZFD can be expressed in prokaryocyte. Polyclonal antibody of P9-ZFD which has peculiar immunoreactive can be prepared.


The usefulness of utility assessment as a method for revealing individual patients' desires is limited by two methodological problems. Different utility assessment methods can yield inconsistent results, both within a single clinical context and in different contexts; and the methods may not reflect universal rules that a patient may wish to abide by. To make utility assessment useful to the clinician, future research needs to address these problems in the clinical context.


Introduction: We investigated the effect of hematoma volume reduction with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) on intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in patients with large spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: Post-hoc analysis of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Plus Alteplase for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Evacuation (MISTIE III) study, a clinical trial with blinded outcome assessments. The primary outcome was the proportion of ICP readings ≥20 and 30 mmHg, and CPP readings <70 and 60 mm Hg. Secondary outcomes included major disability (modified Rankin scale >3) and mortality at 30 and 365 days. We assessed the relationship between proportion of high ICP and low CPP events and MIS using binomial generalized linear models, and outcomes using multiple logistic regression. Results: Of 499 patients enrolled in MISTIE III, 72 patients had guideline based ICP monitors placed, 34 in the MIS group and 38 in control (no surgery) group. Threshold ICP and CPP events ≥20/ <70 mmHg occurred in 31 (43.1%) and 52 (72.2%) patients respectively. On adjusted analyses, proportion of ICP readings ≥20 and 30 mmHg were significantly lower in the MIS group vs. control group [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.27, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.11–0.63 (p = 0.002); OR = 0.18, 0.04–0.75, p = 0.02], respectively. Proportion of CPP readings <70 and 60 mm Hg were also significantly lower in MIS patients [OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15–0.63 (p = 0.001); OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11–0.83 (p = 0.02)], respectively. Higher proportions of CPP readings <70 and 60 mm were significantly associated with short term mortality (p = 0.04), and (p = 0.006), respectively. Long term mortality was significantly associated with higher proportion of time with ICP ≥ 20 (p = 0.04), ICP ≥ 30 (p = 0.04), and CPP <70 mmHg (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that surgical reduction of ICH volume decreases proportion of high ICP and low CPP events and that these variables are associated with short- and long-term mortality.


A SOC integration platform provides a multi-application system backbone for various application families. With minor effort, multiple designs in the same domain can be reached by reusing IP cores. However, there are several steps in SOC conception that can cause the design to fail. In addition of platforms, SOC designers need methodologies and formal models for success. One of the most important problems is the IP core integration. Successful integration of IP/VC blocks indeed requires a set of views that provides the ad hoc information for each IP block through the SOC design flow. This paper describes some key points of our IP integration methodology that exploits both IP designer and SOC integrator constraints. As an illustration, we present an example of a quantizer core reused from an MPEG design into a JPEG2000 encoder both implemented on the same SOC platform.


The principal purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of using the "publico" system of Puerto Rico as a basis to provide transportation service in certain markets in urban and rural areas in the United States. The general approach followed consisted of gathering extensive information on the "publico" system including general and specific characteristics of the level of service, users, and operators. The information was analyzed to determine significant differences between the characteristics in four study areas and to compare to paratransit systems in the United States. The comparisons were utilized to assess positive and negative aspects of the "publico" system and to arrive at conclusions and recommendations regarding its potential transferability to other areas. The most important conclusions of this study are: 1. The "publico" system has significant advantages that would justify efforts to facilitate its transferability to the United States. 2. There are several barriers which hamper the potential of transferring "publicos" to the U.S., but there are several changes cccurring in the public transportation environment which could result in the elimination of some of these barriers. 3. Due to the inherent uncertainty in the transferability of any technology, "publico" demonstration experiments should be conducted in the most promising U.S. markets.


The most sensitive hearing and peak frequencies of courtship calls of the stream goby, Padogobius martensii, fall within a quiet window at around 100 Hz in the ambient noise spectrum. Acoustic pressure was previously measured although Padogobius likely responds to particle motion. In this study a combination pressure (p) and particle velocity (u) detector was utilized to describe ambient noise of the habitat, the characteristics of the goby's sounds and their attenuation with distance. The ambient noise (AN) spectrum is generally similar for p and u (including the quiet window at noisy locations), although the energy distribution of u spectrum is shifted up by 50-100 Hz. The energy distribution of the goby's sounds is similar for p and u spectra of the Tonal sound, whereas the pulse-train sound exhibits larger p-u differences. Transmission loss was high for sound p and u: energy decays 6-10 dB10 cm, and sound pu ratio does not change with distance from the source in the nearfield. The measurement of particle velocity of stream AN and P. martensii sounds indicates that this species is well adapted to communicate acoustically in a complex noisy shallow-water environment.


This paper describes the experience of a group based parenting programme for mothers with past, or ongoing, domestic violence experience in Surkhet district, Midwestern Nepal. Twenty women took part in the programme, with meetings every three weeks over a period of nine months. The results, after data triangulation, showed significant improvements for the majority of caregivers with respect to: (a) increased understanding of children's attitudes, feelings and behaviours; (b) improvements in management of conflict situations within the family; and (c) greater empowerment and self-confidence. Some of the main challenges encountered by the facilitators while running the sessions are discussed. This encouraging experience suggests that a combination of programmes, using behaviour, relationship and psychotherapeutic approaches, can be a source of support to reduce negative parent/child interactions for mothers harmed by violence. Presenting this study provides an opportunity to examine some of the current challenges of supporting parenting skills within violent environments.


A biorepository of human samples is essential to support the research of life science. Lymphoblastoid B cell line (LCL), which is easy to be prepared and can reproduce indefinitely, is a convenient form of sample preservation. LCLs are established from human B cells transformed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Chinese National Immortalized Cell Bank has preserved human LCLs from different ethnic groups in China. As there are many studies on the nature of LCLs and public available resources with genome-wide data for LCLs, they have been widely applied in genetics, immunology, pharmacogenetics/genomics, regenerative medicine, cancer pathogenesis and immunotherapy, screening and generation of fully human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and study on EBV pathogenesis. Here, we review the characteristics of LCLs and their contributions to scientific research, and introduce preserved samples in Chinese National Immortalized Cell Bank to the scientific community. We hope this bank can support more areas in the scientific research.


Summary 162 patient cohort with serial Metal Artefact Reduction Sequence MRI scans. Patients with normal initial scans can be followed up at 1 year. Those with abnormal scans should be followed up at a shorter interval of 6 months. Introduction Cross-sectional imaging is a key investigation in the assessment and surveillance of patients with metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasty. We present our experience of Metal Artefact Reduction Sequence (MARS) MRI scanning in metal on metal hip arthroplasty. We aimed to investigate the natural history and radiological disease progression from Adverse Reactions to Metallic Debris. Methods A total cohort of 626 patients who had metal on metal arthroplasty underwent MARS MRI scanning with 162 patients having more than one MRI scan. A musculoskeletal radiologist reviewed and reported on all MRI scans. The findings were described as either normal or classified according to Hart et al. We then considered the patient9s progression between groups on serial scans and the time intervals between them. Results 65 patients had a normal first MRI, 38 (54%) remained normal on follow-up scan with a mean scanning interval of 14.6 months. The remaining 27 patients who progressed form normal to either Type 1/2/3 did so over a mean scan interval of 14 months. Of those 56 patients with a Type 1 (thin walled fluid collection) 28.5% of these progressed during interval scanning and 8.9% of Type 1 reactions returned to normal. Over half the patients with an abnormal initial MARS MRI scan 46/85 (54%), with either Type 1 or 2 abnormal soft tissue reaction, had progressed to more severe types following a mean interval scan time of 12.2 months. Discussion A safe interval for a follow-up MARS MRI scanning in a patient who has normal initial findings appears to be 12 months. We consider a 6-month scan appropriate for patients under surveillance who have initial abnormal cross-sectional imaging.


This article aims at examining Pramudya Ananta Toer's Buru Tetralogy. Many literary scholars have studied this tetralogy from the points of view of nationalism, posctolonialism, and feminism. However, this article presupposes that this tetralogy is conscpicuous especially regarding the political nuance of the ruling regime and some political issues encountered by the protagonist, Minke. Sosiology of literature is the approach underpinning the scrutiny of four novels incorporated in the tetralogy. Swingewood's sociology of literature helps this current research to find any relation between the political and historical background of the novels and detils on the political issues found in them. Results show that some political agendas in the novel have proven equal to some political agendas under the Soeharto regim. Oligopoly and oligarchy in the novels which are practiced by the regim is an instance to this. This paper elucidated the regim's political decisions and the political events confronted by Minke. Constraint of this research is on its textual examination of Pram's tetralogy Buru. In order to investigate these literary texts and the historical political moments under Soeharto's regime, further research on the historical and political events of the regime need to be elucidated and have to refer to the historical and political documents and medias.
 Key words: Tetralogy Buru, sociology of literature, historical and political issues, Pramoedya Ananta Toer.


Antifouling nanofiltration (NF) membrane surfaces capable of combating membrane fouling caused by different foulants are highly desirable for their broad applications. In this study, amphiphilic NF membranes with both hydrophilic domains and low surface energy domains were prepared to optimally integrate the fouling-resistant defense mechanism and fouling-release defense mechanism for enhanced antifouling performance. The construction of amphiphilic surfaces involved two-step surface modification of the hydrophilic polyamide NF membrane: (1) the introduction of primary amine groups as active sites by grafting triethylenetetramine (TETA) onto the carboxyl groups of the polyamide membrane; (2) the subsequent grafting of 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFBM) through the Michael addition reaction. The amphiphilic membranes had better antifouling properties compared with the hydrophilic polyamide membrane during the filtration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein solution, humic acid solution and oil/water emulsion, which exhibited lower flux decline during utilization and higher flux recovery after water cleaning. Hopefully, this study is applicable to prepare a broad spectrum of antifouling NF membranes.


The carbon fixation / carbon concentration estimated in certain trees and shrubs indicated that there are certain tree species with high ability to fix atmospheric carbondioxide into their biomass. The trees and shrubs selected with high carbon concentration were Eugenia caryophyllata 51.66%, Litsea glauscensens 51.34 %, Rhus virens 50.35%, Forestiera angustifolia 49.47%, Gochantia hypoleuca 49.86%, Forestiera angustifolia 49.47%, Pinus arizonica 49.32%, Cinnamomum verum 49.34%, Bumelia celastrina 49.25%, Tecoma stans 48.79%, Acacia rigidula 48.23%, Eryobotria japonica 47.98 %, Rosamarinus officinalis 47.77%. Few of these species may be selected for plantation in highly carbon dioxide polluted areas in cities, road sides and factory areas with high emisssion of carbon dioxide.


THE author is an enthusiastic follower of structuralism, and believes that Apollonius' poem is entirely made up of mathematical structures. In 8 tables (pp. 105 ff.) he offers specimens of his total reduction of poetry to mathematics. Like Hurst (cf. Journ. Hell. Stud. 1969, p. 136), Thierstein fails to make converts to the structuralistic faith because the very foundations of his contention are arbitrary and fly in the face of mathematics. For instance, if he wants to obtain the relation 7:7, and 4 lines are in his way, he will promptly eliminate these as mere 'Uberleitungsverse' (p. 34); in order to create two groups of 84 lines each, he must not only invoke 'die Moglichkeit fur sich stehender Oberleitungsverse', but, for good measure, ignore Apollonius' precise 'Ortsund Zeitangaben', dismissing these as 'zu ausserlich' (p. 66); 'zeitliche Einheit' is regarded as the criterion for creating one 'Szenengruppe' (p. 49), but 'die Einheit der Zeit als Kriterium der Abgrenzung' is soon thrown overboard when it does not accord with his aims (p. 51); if one 'Szene' does not correspond to the others, he will sweep the discrepancy under the carpet by stating that the offending portion can afford to be discordant because it is 'kompositorisch bedeutsam' (p. 57); if three 'Szenen' turn out to be of disturbingly 'verschiedene Lange', he creates 'das Ebenmass' by grouping two of them into one (p. 86). His panacea, resorted to whenever his structuralistic strait-jacket does not fit Apollonius' poetry, consists in 'iiberleitende Verse': these are, according to him, 'nach hinten und vorne offen' and can as such 'eventuell ganz, eventuell zum Teil in die anstossenden Szenen einbezogen werden', to suit the structuralist's fancy (p. 32).


The study of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus has focused on the use of the CA3-CA1 lamellar network. Less attention has been given to the longitudinal interlamellar CA1-CA1 network. Recently however, an associational connection between CA1-CA1 pyramidal neurons has been shown. Therefore, there is the need to investigate whether the longitudinal interlamellar CA1-CA1 network of the hippocampus supports synaptic plasticity. We designed a protocol to investigate the presence or absence of long-term synaptic plasticity in the interlamellar hippocampal CA1 network using electrophysiological field recordings both in vivo and in vitro. For in vivo extracellular field recordings, the recording and stimulation electrodes were placed in a septal-temporal axis of the dorsal hippocampus at a longitudinal angle, to evoke field excitatory postsynaptic potentials. For in vitro extracellular field recordings, hippocampal longitudinal slices were cut parallel to the septal-temporal plane. Recording and stimulation electrodes were placed in the stratum oriens (S.O) and the stratum radiatum (S.R) of the hippocampus along the longitudinal axis. This enabled us to investigate the directional and layer specificity of evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials. Already established protocols were used to induce long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) both in vivo and in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the longitudinal interlamellar CA1 network supports N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) with no directional or layer specificity. The interlamellar network, however, in contrast to the transverse lamellar network, did not present with any significant long-term depression (LTD).


Nonproteolytic strains of Clostridium botulinum will grow at refrigeration temperatures and thus pose a potential hazard in minimally processed foods. Spores of types B, E, and F strains were used to inoculate an anaerobic meat medium. The effects of various combinations of pH, NaCl concentration, addition of lysozyme, heat treatment (85 to 95 degrees C), and incubation temperature (5 to 16 degrees C) on time until growth were determined. No growth occurred after spores were heated at 95 degrees C, but lysozyme improved recovery from spores heated at 85 and 90 degrees C.


In antiquity, Jews developed the concept of a seven-day week with the seventh day, named 'Shabbat', devoted to rest and worship. This concept was later borrowed by other religions and cultures but the day of rest was shifted to other days of the week. When the name 'Shabbat' was transmitted through Islam, it continued to denote the name of the seventh day of the week, but no longer the day of rest. When the name was transmitted through Christianity, however, a more complicated situation developed. Some day names derived from 'Shabbat' now denote the seventh day of the week, but no longer the day of rest and worship, while other names derived from 'Shabbat' denote the day of rest, but no longer the seventh day of the week. Many terms derived from 'Shabbat' denote new and unrelated concepts. This paper discusses the etymology and the range of meanings of the root 'sh-b-t' in biblical and modern Hebrew. It then traces the semantic changes that the day name 'Shabbat' has undergone upon being borrowed into other languages and cultures. In addition, it examines the names of Saturday obtained from sources other than Shabbat.


Multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) techniques play an important role in industrial batch process monitoring and control. This research illustrates the capabilities and limitations of existing MSPC technologies, with a particular focus on partial least squares (PLS).In modern industry, batch processes often operate over relatively large spaces, with many chemical and physical systems displaying nonlinear performance. However, the linear PLS model cannot predict nonlinear systems, and hence non-linear extensions to PLS may be required. The nonlinear PLS model can be divided into Type I and Type II nonlinear PLS models. In the Type I Nonlinear PLS method, the observed variables are appended with nonlinear transformations. In contrast to the Type I nonlinear PLS method, the Type II nonlinear PLS method assumes a nonlinear relationship within the latent variable structure of the model. Type I and Type II nonlinear multi-way PLS (MPLS) models were applied to predict the endpoint value of the product in a benchmark simulation of a penicillin batch fermentation process. By analysing and comparing linear MPLS, and Type I and Type II nonlinear MPLS models, the advantages and limitations of these methods were identified and summarized. Due to the limitations of Type I and II nonlinear PLS models, in this study, Neural Network PLS (NNPLS) was proposed and applied to predict the final product quality in the batch process. The application of the NNPLS method is presented with comparison to the linear PLS method, and to the Type I and Type II nonlinear PLS methods. Multi-way NNPLS was found to produce the most accurate results, having the added advantage that no a-priori information regarding the order of the dynamics was required. The NNPLS model was also able to identify nonlinear system dynamics in the batch process.Finally, NNPLS was applied to build the controller and the NNPLS method was combined with the endpoint control algorithm. The proposed controller was able to be used to keep the endpoint value of penicillin and biomass concentration at a set-point.


Currently, eight genes are known to be involved in coenzyme Q6 biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we report a new gene designated COQ9 that is also required for the biosynthesis of this lipoid quinone. The respiratory-deficient pet mutant C92 was found to be deficient in coenzyme Q and to have low mitochondrial NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity, which could be restored by addition of coenzyme Q2. The mutant was used to clone COQ9, corresponding to reading frame YLR201c on chromosome XII. The respiratory defect of C92 is complemented by COQ9 and suppressed by COQ8/ ABC1. The latter gene has been shown to be required for coenzyme Q biosynthesis in yeast and bacteria. Suppression by COQ8/ABC1 of C92, but not other coq9 mutants tested, has been related to an increase in the mitochondrial concentration of several enzymes of the pathway. Coq9p may either catalyze a reaction in the coenzyme Q biosynthetic pathway or have a regulatory role similar to that proposed for Coq8p.


BACKGROUND/AIM
  Intrusive luxation in the permanent dentition is an uncommon injury but it is considered one of the most severe types of dental trauma because of the risk for damage to the periodontal ligament, pulp and alveolar bone. Management of intrusive luxation in the permanent dentition is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pulp survival and periodontal healing in intrusive luxated permanent teeth in relation to treatment alternatives, degree of intrusion and root development.

MATERIAL AND METHOD
  The material consisted of 60 intruded permanent teeth in 48 patients (32 boys and 16 girls) aged 6-16 years (mean 9.4, median 9.0). The observation time was 6-130 months (mean 47.8, median 40.0). The analysed treatments were spontaneous re-eruption (17 teeth), orthodontic extrusion (12 teeth) and surgical reposition (31 teeth). The degree of intrusion was registered as mild (0-3 mm), moderate (4-6 mm) and severe (≥7 mm). Root development was categorized with respect to root formation and development of the apex into four stages; one-quarter to three-quarters root formation, full root formation with open apex, full root formation with half-closed apex and full root formation with apex closed. Ankylosis-related resorption with pulp necrosis was diagnosed in 20 teeth, ingrowth of bone apically in two teeth, pulp necrosis without ankylosis-related resorption in 23 teeth and pulp revitalization occurred in 15 teeth.

RESULTS
  Significant correlations to the treatment outcome were root development (P = 0.03) and degree of intrusion (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS
  No firm conclusion could be drawn for the difference in outcome between orthodontic extrusion and surgical reposition. To conclude, evaluation of the prognosis for intruded teeth should be based on the stage of root development and degree of intrusion. In teeth with immature root development, no active treatment appears to result in fewer healing complications.


Twenty patients with lichen planus and 5 healthy controls were investigated for their glucose tolerance. using steroid- primed glucose tolerance test. 60% of patients showed abnormal glucose tolerance as compared to none in control. Glucose intolerance was found to be more commonly associated with recent onset of disease but no relationship with the extent of involvement was observed.


Alveolar macrophages (AM) play a regulatory role in asthma. AM from asthmatics are activated, release increased amounts of cytokines, and express higher levels of the low affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RIIb/CD23b) and receptors for adhesion molecules. The bronchial microenvironment may modulate the phenotypic and functional characteristics of AM. On AM from normal subjects, the effects of histamine were studied on the expression of adhesion molecules (LFA-1, ICAM-1) and CD23b as well as on the release of fibronectin. The expression of LFA-1, ICAM-1, and CD23b was examined by immunocytochemistry using the alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase technique. The expression of CD23b mRNA was studied by in situ hybridization. The release of fibronectin was measured by enzyme immunoassay. We found that histamine induced in a dose- and time-dependent fashion a significant increase of AM expressing the three membrane markers and a significant increase in the release of fibronectin. The maximum effect of histamine was observed after an incubation of 12 to 24 h and a dose of 1 microM. The histamine effects were specific, since they were significantly inhibited by an H1-blocker, pyrilamine, used at a concentration of 10 microM. The effect of an H2-blocker (ranitidine, concentration of 10 microM) was inconstant. Cycloheximide blocked the histamine effects, suggesting that it requires protein synthesis for its action. This study provides an in vitro model of cellular interaction between mast cells and AM, which might be relevant in the airway inflammation in asthma.


Building a quantum analog of classical deep neural networks represents a fundamental challenge in quantum computing. A key issue is how to address the inherent nonlinearity of classical deep learning, a problem in the quantum domain due to the fact that the composition of an arbitrary number of quantum gates, consisting of a series of sequential unitary transformations, is intrinsically linear. This problem has been variously approached in literature, principally via the introduction of measurements between layers of unitary transformations. In this article, we introduce the quantum path kernel (QPK), a formulation of quantum machine learning capable of replicating those aspects of deep machine learning typically associated with superior generalization performance in the classical domain, specifically, hierarchical feature learning. Our approach generalizes the notion of quantum neural tangent kernel, which has been used to study the dynamics of classical and quantum machine learning models. The QPK exploits the parameter trajectory, i.e., the curve delineated by model parameters as they evolve during training, enabling the representation of differential layerwise convergence behaviors, or the formation of hierarchical parametric dependencies, in terms of their manifestation in the gradient space of the predictor function. We evaluate our approach with respect to variants of the classification of Gaussian xor mixtures: an artificial but emblematic problem that intrinsically requires multilevel learning in order to achieve optimal class separation.


Due to the accumulation of space charge inside the insulating layer of HVDC cables, the electric field under load conditions may be altered compared to what is established in HVAC cables. For example, a high thermal gradient leads to the inversion of the electric field pattern until the maximum value is reached in proximity of the dielectric-semicon interfaces. These maximum values can be further increased due to transient overvoltages and polarity reversal events until reaching electric field values higher than the rated ones. The main goal of this research is to investigate the possibility that, during these transient phenomena, conditions are created that favor the occurrence of partial discharges (PDs). In order to calculate the effect of a polarity reversal on the occurrence of partial discharge in HVDC cables a 3D thermal and electric model of a typical HVDC cable is coupled with a conductance model for the evaluation of partial discharges. A void volume is inserted in the dielectric layer close to the outer surface. The main characteristics of partial discharges occurring during and immediately after a polarity reversal event are evaluated and discussed in this paper. The findings of this research offer in-depth view of the partial discharge phenomena in HVDC cables under load during a polarity reversal in terms of energy released around defects.


This paper presents a soft error hardened latch suitable for reliable operation. The proposed circuit is aimed to tackle the particle hit effect on the internal nodes, external logic, as well as the pulse generator circuit. The hardening method is based on redundancy to protect internal nodes and filter out transients resulted from combinational logic. It also uses redundant clocking technique which results in more robustness. The circuit is designed in 90nm CMOS technology and simulated with the HSPICE. Simulation results indicate its lower-power and -delay, and ability to recover from single particle strike on internal and clock nodes, and input transient tolerance up to 120ps.


Abstract Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are commonly encountered in patients undergoing coronary angiography, but percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTO is currently infrequently performed owing to the perception of limited clinical benefit, high complexity and cost of intervention, and perceived risk of complications. Numerous observational studies have demonstrated that successful CTO revascularization is associated with better cardiovascular outcomes and enhanced quality of life (QOL). However, in the absence of randomized trials, its prognostic benefit remains debated. Nevertheless, over the past decade the interest in CTO-PCI has exponentially grown due to important developments in dedicated equipment and techniques, resulting in high success and low complication rates. A number of factors must be taken into consideration in selecting patients for CTO-PCI, including presence of symptoms attributable to the CTO, extent of ischaemia distal to the occlusion, and degree of myocardial viability. In this review, we focus on the impact of CTO revascularization on clinical outcomes and QOL and on appropriate patient selection. Data regarding efficacy and safety of recent advances in PCI-CTO techniques will be discussed. Steps involved in setting up a dedicated CTO program will be outlined and the current CTO landscape in Belgium will be briefly highlighted. The overall aim of this review is to promote a more balanced approach to management of patients with a CTO.


According to current criteria, the diagnosis of psychogenic motor defect is based on the tests which allow recording of movements in the pseudo-paralyzed extremity. Using polysomnography, electromyography and videomonitoring of motor activities during sleep, movements in the pseudo-paralyzed left arm were recorded in a patient with Munchhausen syndrome and psychogenic plegia in the left arm. A reduced motor activity in the left side of the body, in particular in the pseudo-paralyzed arm was observed as well. Possibilities of using movement monitoring during sleep for the diagnosis of psychogenic motor defect are discussed.


Abstract In the article, the author analyses the impact of the tragic experiences during the Holocaust on contemporary ethics and literature. Such considerations coincide with yet another anniversary – the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, celebrated globally as Holocaust Memorial Day. The article also considers the reasons why testimonies from Holocaust survivors have not had an adequate impact on society. The author argues that trivialisation of the Holocaust tragedy occurred in modern science and it is related to the fact that traditional ethics has not been able to convincingly explain why the Holocaust occurred in the most civilised nations. Thus, Holocaust testimonies should be constantly popularised in society for the good of all mankind. Literature seems to be the best form of mass media for this task and it is also a recorder of human emotions. According to the author, it is essential that humanity is protected this way against the possibility of a similar tragedy occurring in the future.


It is essential that special education teachers help and support regular education teachers so tat they can work effectively with special needs students in their classes. Students with disabilities need modified lesson plans and methods of teaching in order to succeed and since the majority of teachers in regular education are not trained to work with special needs students, it becomes important that they collaborate with special education to teachers to provide the needed support for those students. Hence, the current study aimed at identifying the level of practicing collaboration between special education teachers and regular education teachers in Abu Dhabi school district. The study sample consisted of 135 teachers; 75 regular education teachers and 60 special education teachers. A researcher designed questionnaire based on extensive review of literature was used and the final version of the questionnaire consisted of ten items. Analysis of data revealed that the level of collaboration between special education teachers and regular education teachers was medium; also no significant differences were found between teachers based on gender, however a significant difference was found between teachers based on the level of education being better for those with higher education.


Ferroelectric liquid-crystal gray-scale effects are reviewed. The experimental behavior of a charge-controlled surfacestabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal pixel of area 1 mm2 is reported. Obliquely evaporated silicon-oxide alignment is compared with rubbed-nylon alignment. The experimental behavior of a deformable helix ferroelectric liquid crystal cell is reported.


Background . Despite the popularity of applying serious games in project management education and their potential advantages in simulating complexity, their value compared to other methods is uncertain. Few studies compare project management games with other methods, and still fewer investigate how the increased project complexity levels in games affect the learning experience. Aim . This study aims to examine students' preferred learning method when selecting between project management games and a simulation exercise. It also evaluates whether games which simulate more complex projects are preferred over those with less complexity. It further analyses the underlying reasons (i.e. mentioned and unmentioned) behind students' preference. Methodology . An empirical study was conducted on a group of Master's degree students majoring in management of projects. Students were taught project crashing (acceleration) principles by implementing three learning methods. Their feedback in terms of preferred learning method and learning style was gathered using an online questionnaire. Results . This research finds that there is no dominant preferred learning method between the games and the simulation exercise. Students who prefer the project management games tend to value fun, attractiveness and teamwork. Those who prefer the simulation exercise tend to value clarity and accessibility. Furthermore, the game that simulates a more complex project is preferred over the less complex one, as the first offers a desirable unique experience, which is complex, challenging and realistic, which the latter does not. Finally, this study also finds that students' learning style (i.e. intuitors vs sensors) affect their project management learning method preference.


In this paper, we have proposed a Relay based Improved Throughput and Energy-efficient Multi-hop Routing Protocol (Rb-IEMRP) for the Intra Wireless Body Sensor Network (Intra-WBSN). Moreover, mathematical analysis has been presented, to calculate the minimum number of relay nodes require to be deployed corresponding to the bio-sensor nodes in Intra-WBSN. Normal sensing data from bio-sensor nodes forwarded to BNC through relay nodes while emergency data is directly transmitted to BNC. Relays nodes are placed in the patients' cloth. It can be easily replaced or recharged that facilitates effective health monitoring. The proposed routing protocol has achieved better network stability, network lifetime, energy efficiency and throughput as compared to Stable Increased Throughput Multi-Hop Protocol for Link Efficiency in Wireless Body Area Networks (SIMPLE) and Reliable Energy Efficient Critical Data Routing in Wireless Body Area Networks (REEC) routing protocols. It has been validated through simulation results.


We analyze the known problems of optimal control of speed (OCS) and methods for their solution. It is shown that the use of the one criteria in these tasks (the speed criterion) does not sufficiently reflect real situations. The solution of the OCS problem in real situations leads to a deviation from the nominal or optimal values of a number of other indicators. Proceeding from this, a generalization of the OCS problem is considered taking into account other indicators as a criterion for optimal control. In this aspect, three generalized statements of the OCS problem are analyzed, where in the first formulation, the OCS task is expanded with additional constraints on other indicators; in the second setting, other indicators were used as criteria alongside with the performance criterion; and in the third formulation, the expansion of the formulation is considered with the introduction of restrictions also on the criteria themselves, formed from other measured indicators. In the article, the most general — the third multicriteria problem is considered as the subject of research and the necessary condition for optimality of its solution in the form of the maximum principle is obtained. A traditional and iterative scheme for solving the generalized by OCS problem is presented, based on the obtained necessary optimality condition, in contrast to the traditional criteria, which are also dependent on the degree of preference.


The preliminary argument used by most organizations that choose to source their software from other organizations is the perceived cost savings. The nature of the relationship between the customer and supplier has to necessarily evolve in order for it to remain mutually beneficial over the long run, i.e., the 'arms-length' relationship becomes one of strategic partnering. Studying this evolving relationship requires a set of methods that capture the context within which these organizations exist, make explicit the gap (if any) between the actual and articulated nature of the relationship between the two organizations, and can be used to create some useful constructs for managing/ evolving the relationship. This paper illustrates how the paradigm of engaged scholarship has been applied to studying the EuroTel-IndiaCo relationshi


This paper proposes a novel distribution-level voltage control scheme that can compensate voltage sag and swell conditions in three-phase power systems. Faults occurring in power distribution systems or facilities in plants generally cause the voltage sag or swell. Sensitivity to voltage sags and swells varies within different applications. In order to mitigate power interruptions, this paper proposes a scheme for voltage sag support based on a pulse width modulated autotransformer. The proposed scheme is able to quickly recognize the voltage sag or swell condition, and it can correct the voltage by either boosting the input voltage during voltage sag events or reducing the voltage during swell events. The key advantage in this voltage control topology is that it uses only one controlled switch per phase to control the output voltage, thereby resulting in minimum cost per KVA. The paper presents the new voltage control topology, as well as the voltage detection method, the snubber design, and the commutation logic for the thyristors bypass switch. Experiments have been carried out to verify the validity of the proposed scheme.


Purpose: Capsulolabral reconstruction in a traumatic anterior instability of the glenohumeral joint is successful not only for the prevention of recurrent instability but also for the restoration of function. Materials and Methods: However, a capsulolabral procedure alone cannot guarantee a successful result when there is severe bone loss of the glenoid. Results: We report the surgical technique and results of capsulolabral repair and extraarticular bone block with an autogenous iliac crest graft performed on three cases (all male, average age 28 years, minimum follow-up 12 months) with traumatic anterior instability associated with more than 30% glenoid bone loss.


A process for the evaluation of the true fuel flow rate supplied to a tested vehicle engine, in particular an industrial vehicle, the process including:
the determination of a reference fuel flow rate, corresponding to the exact flow rate measured on a reference engine of the same type as the tested engine under various operation conditions as a function of a load the engine is subjected to;
the measurement of the deceleration (An/At) of the tested engine from a first to a second rotation speed which are preset in the absence of fuel supply, corresponding to a load the engine is subjected to;
the determination, based on said deceleration, and based on the actual operation conditions of the engine under similar load conditions, of the corresponding reference flow rate.


Abstract Author's Note: The following is an abstract of a talk given before the Tulsa Geological Society February 12, 1962. The full paper is to be published under the title "Subsurface Geology of the North Gotebo Area, Kiowa and Washita Counties, Oklahoma. The producing area is in Townships 7 and 9 North, Ranges 16 and 17 West, in Kiowa and Washita Counties, Oklahoma. Several field names were given because of irregular development but it is now convenient to use the name North Gotebo for the whole producing trend which is approximately nine miles long by one-half mile wide. (See ) Located regionally on the north flank of the subsurface expression of the Wichita Mountain complex, this area is characterized by thrust faulting, over-turned folds, and upside-down producing sands. The principal thrust fault, here called the Gotebo Fault, dips to the south at the rate of 5000 feet per mile. The oldest rocks so far encountered in the overthrust block are Hunton, of Siluro-Devonian age, resting on Springer, of probable Mississippian age. The entire area is overlain by Permian rocks, at the base of which occurs the Pontotoc conglomerate. The erosion prior to the deposition of this conglomerate has erased much of the record so that the maximum extent of the thrusting cannot be accurately determined. The present trace of the Gotebo Thrust where it meets the unconformity is a convenient boundary to use between the Wichita Mountains and the Anadarko Basin. North Gotebo is principally a gas field but oil is also produced from Springer sands beneath the thrust. There are four sand zones identifiable and in most wells they are upside-down due to overturn folding. Springer sands also occur in normal attitude, in the overthrust block, but are not productive. Inconsistent bottom-hole pressures and oil production structurally higher than gas in correlative sands, indicate discontinuous reservoirs. This may be due to permeability barriers or minor faulting but in either case, the per-well gas reserves are therefore rather low, and variable, ranging from one billion to six billion cubic feet. Average porosity of the sands is twelve to fifteen per cent and permeability is estimated to be 100 millidarcies since most of the wells flow naturally, without fracture treatment. The formations involved in the thrust faulting are primarily the Morrow-Springer-Chester section whose rocks are relatively incompetent. They lend themselves readily to overturned folding which ultimately results in thrust faulting. The thrusting is considered to have occurred originally at the end of Morrow time and to have been rejuventated in late Pennsylvanian time. The Gotebo thrust, or one like it, can be traced for some miles in either direction from the North Gotebo production. It is probable that similar geologic conditions exist adjacent to any mountain complex, particularly if relatively incompetent beds are present.


As the largest and most visible organ, the skin provides opportunities to investigate immune responses in clinical studies offering insights that extend beyond our protective coat. The interplay between bench-to-bedside approaches are complemented by bedside-to-bench exchanges epitomizing translational medicine. Conversations beyond improvement in skin lesions that include the impact on patients' lives and well-being are also becoming more frequent. Just as advances in the realm of cutaneous oncology earned malignant melanoma the title of poster child for personalized cancer therapy, new advances involving psoriasis are pointing to this moniker in dermatology once again. In this commentary, the successful cycle of interactions between psoriasis patients, dermatologists, immunologists, and the pharmaceutical industry are highlighted. Lessons learned from psoriasis-based studies indicate a bright future for translational medicine based in dermatology research labs and clinics.


Objective: This study deals with investigation of cardiovascular system autonomic control in perimenopausal women taking into account the differences in their clinical status. Materials and Methods: We studied 185 perimenopausal women (59.3±8.5 years) and 104 women with conserved menstrual cycle (45.1±5.8 years). We estimated the general clinical status, presence of hot flushes, heaviness of climacteric syndrome (Kupperman index), sex hormone levels (estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and testosterone), indexes of heart rate variability (heart rate, SDNN, CV, RMSSD, PNN50, power of low and high frequency bands in ms2 and percents), and index S of synchronization between low-frequency (about 0.1 Hz) oscillations in heart rate variability and photoplethismograph. Results: We have not revealed statistically significant differences in the most of indexes of autonomic regulation of blood circulation (except heart rate) between the women groups with conserved menstrual cycle and in menopause. The majority of heart rate variability indexes correlated with the term of natural menopause (correlation coefficient r took values from 0.17 to 0.24). Remoteness of surgical menopause beginning correlated only with index S of synchronization between 0.1 Hz oscillations (r=-0.41, р=0.039). Statistically (not clinically) significant correlations were revealed between several indexes of autonomic regulation and sex hormone levels. Conclusion: We have not revealed clinically significant correlations between the indexes of cardiovascular system autonomic regulation and characteristics of menopausal status in women (sex hormone levels, hot flushes, and Kupperman index). However, we have shown statistically (not clinically) significant correlations between several indexes of autonomic regulation and remoteness of menopause beginning (SDNN, CV, RMSSD, PNN50, power of low and high frequency bands correlated with natural menopause while index S correlated with surgical menopause) and sex hormone levels.


Microstructure modification of thick anode is an effective way to enhance cell performance of the anode-supported planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this work, the influence of multilayer anode microstructure with gradient porosity on cell mass transfer and electrical performance is numerically investigated. The coupled phenomena of fluid flow, multicomponent mass transfer, charge transport, and electrochemical reactions of SOFC, in three-dimensions (3D), are simulated by using the finite element computational fluid dynamics approach. Quantitative analyses of hydrogen concentration and anodic overpotentials are conducted to better understand the effect mechanism of the gradient porosity anode on the cell performance. The effect of gradient porosity distribution on the cell performance is also systematically discussed. It is found that the gradient porosity anode can significantly enhance the cell mass transfer performance to reduce the anodic concentration overpotential. The combined effects of activation, concentration, and ohmic overpotentials can effectively improve the cell electrical performance. For the cases studied, porosity gradient and porosity of anode functional layer 2 (AFL2) both range from 0.1 to 0.3. Results indicate that increasing the porosity gradient or porosity of AFL2 can enhance the cell mass transfer performance. As the porosity of AFL2 is higher than 0.2, the gradient porosity anode design is beneficial to improve the cell electrical performance.


This study aimed to identify factors that affect the size of benign thyroid nodules and to predict nodule size by using a newly developed model. Because most thyroid nodules are benign, they are commonly only monitored. Only a few studies have evaluated the natural progression or regression of benign thyroid nodules. Large-scale studies on the subject are nonexistent. Between January 2001 and December 2011, our study subjects were selected from among 1,564 patients with benign thyroid nodules (2,469 nodules) in a retrospective analysis. We measured nodule size and volume and attempted to predict nodule size by using a newly developed model. Nodules were considered to have increased in size if the total volume increased by >15%. Nodules that increased in size over time required a longer follow-up period than nodules that decreased in size. The proportion of females and the cystic proportion of the nodules were relatively high in our study sample. For thyroid nodules that increased in size, we analyzed potential predictive factors. Larger nodule volume, extended follow-up period, and high cystic proportion were positively associated with increased nodule size. According to the model we developed in our study, the nodules in the group with an increase in size grew at an approximate rate of 0.034 cm3 per year when controlled for other factors. Percutaneous ethanol injection or radiofrequency ablation is performed for cosmetic purposes and proper functioning if or when nodules reach a certain size. The model used in our study may offer helpful insight in determining an optimal treatment schedule for benign thyroid nodules.


In the paper, takes the improvement of the performance for an OWC converter from the mechanical side. An OWC conversion structure was proposed, studied, modeled and simulated using a FEM simulator. A wave generation method was applied instead of using an ordinary sin wave generator on the tank to make the waves the closest possible to the real sea waves. A mechanical prototype was built for this purpose to get an oscillated wave model. On the electrical side a pitch angle control system based on fuzzy set was applied on the turbine to be auto-adapted for the fast variation of the airflow speed to establish and maximize the extracted power from the OWC the model have been studied and implemented and tested to validate the results obtained by simulation.


A compact, repetitively pulsed HF chemical laser, built with a gas recirculator loop to cool and process the gas mixture is described. A simple corona phototriggered discharge is used to produce vibrationally excited HF molecules at typical pressures of 90-150 Torr. This laser produced over 5 J per pulse in single- shot operation, and a maximum average power of 500 W. at a repetition rate of 110 Hz. The electrical efficiency is 3%.


This article provides commentary and analysis of the arguments in Walden v. Fiore, on the Supreme Court's November 2013 docket. In 2006, a DEA agent at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport seized $97,000 in cash from Gina Fiore and Keith Gipson when these professional gamblers were making a connecting flight from Puerto Rico to Las Vegas, Nevada. After they sued in Nevada, the agent challenged personal jurisdiction and venue. The Court will determine whether the Ninth Circuit's decision upholding personal jurisdiction and venue in Nevada was erroneous.The Court will decide two issues, one relating to a court's exercise of personal jurisdiction and the other addressing a court's proper venue. The issues are: (1) Whether a federal court may assert personal jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant, consistent with due process, where the defendant causes an intentional tort injury to Nevada residents, and (2) Whether a Nevada federal court is an appropriate venue, under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2), which provides that a case may be brought in a district "in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred." This appeal involves an alleged intentional tort by Walden and therefore focuses on Nevada's assertion of personal jurisdiction based on commission of an intentional tort. Courts have adopted a three-part test to evaluate personal jurisdiction derived from the Court's decision in Calder v. Jones, 465 U.S. 783 (1984). For a state to assert personal jurisdiction, a defendant must have (1) committed an intentional act, (2) expressly aimed his conduct at the forum state, and (3) caused harm that the defendant knows is likely to be suffered in the forum state. Consequently, the nub of the dispute concerns whether Walden expressly aimed his conduct at Nevada within the meaning of Calder, also focusing on Calder's so-called "effects test." This appeal, therefore, invites the Court to clarify the Calder doctrine that the lower courts have developed in that decision's wake. The appeal additionally asks the Court to umpire the language in the venue provision allowing venue to be laid in any district in which "a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred." Ironically, the Court has been asked to clarify a statutory amendment that Congress intended to clarify a previous ambiguous venue provision which the current language replaced. It remains to be seen whether the Justices will make recourse to the legislative history behind the 1990 amendment, or whether those Justices who eschew reference to legislative history will default to a plain reading of the statutory text. If so, the outcome is uncertain as both sides argue that the plain text of the venue statute dictates venue either in Georgia (as the defendant argues) or Nevada (as the plaintiffs contend).The Court also may pay heed to the Walden's policy arguments: that affirmation of the Ninth Circuit's decision will render law enforcement personnel, journalists and publishers, internet users, and businesses vulnerable to personal jurisdiction in far-flung places. Several business-oriented amici therefore have filed briefs in Walden's support. In addition, the United States Department of Justice also has filed an amicus brief on Walden's behalf endorsing these same concerns. If the Court agrees that these policy arguments are compelling enough, the Court will have to craft a nuanced doctrine cabining the reach of the Calder effects test.


From 1978 to 1981, the Research Department of Volkswagen constructed and tested the Research Car Auto 2000 sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology. This car is equipped with a fully electronic driver information system (DIS). The system consists of some microcomputers, a liquid crystal display, centralized controls and data input for various functions, and a synthesized voice output system. It controls and receives data from a radio set and a route guidance system (ALI), and exchanges data with the electronic engine control (EEC).


In this article, single-crystalline tetrahedral Ag3PO4 microcrystals with exposed {111} facets was successfully synthesized via a facile wet chemical method. The tetrahedral Ag3PO4 with exposed {111} facets showed the highest photocatalytic activity in visible light irradiation among the {111}, {110} and {100} facets. By DFT calculations, it is demonstrated that the surface energy of the {111} facets is higher than that of the {110} and {100} facets. It was found that the largest band gap of the Ag3PO4 {111} surface is likely to suppress the recombination of electron–hole pairs by exploring the electronic structures of the different surfaces of Ag3PO4. Meanwhile, the dispersion between the valence bands and conduction bands of the {111} surface is beneficial for the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes on the {111} surface, which further improves the photocatalytic activity of the {111} surface.


Achilles tendon ruptures are prevalent musculoskeletal injuries accounting for 20% of all large tendon ruptures with a re-rupture rate of 2.1-8.8%. Ineffectual management of these injuries can lead to a significant loss in push-off strength and overall ankle function. The field of orthopedic surgery has shown an increasing interest in biologic augmentation. Encouraged by its success in various other applications, this approach holds promise for potentially enhancing outcomes in Achilles tendon repairs, especially in poor tendon tissue. The BioBrace® (ConMed, New Haven, Connecticut) is a biocomposite scaffold made of highly porous type I collagen and bioresorbable poly (L-Lactide) (PLLA) microfilaments. It can be applied in conjunction with Achilles tendon repair or reconstruction. It provides immediate strength to the augmented repair upon implantation and simultaneously promotes new, organized tissue growth throughout its resorptive phase. Here, we outline a technique to effectively augment an acute Achilles tendon repair utilizing the BioBrace® reinforced bio-inductive implant.


Whether the biological effect of melatonin in humans is directly related to the circulating levels of the hormone, has not heretofore been investigated. In this study, we investigated whether previously described hypothermic melatonin properties are dose related. The nocturnal decline of the body temperature (BT) observed in 16 early follicular phase women, following placebo administration at 18.00 h, was compared with that observed during the preceding or following night, after melatonin suppression with the beta 1-adrenergic antagonist atenolol (100 mg). In 6 subjects (37.5%) with lower nocturnal melatonin levels (p < 0.05) atenolol induced a complete melatonin suppression and an attenuation of the nocturnal BT decline (p < 0.02), whereas in the remaining 10 subjects (62.5%) atenolol induced an incomplete melatonin suppression with no modification of the nocturnal BT decline. During a 3rd night, 2 of the 6 subjects with complete and 6 of the 10 subjects with incomplete melatonin suppression blindly received atenolol plus melatonin (1 mg at 19.30 h and 0.75 mg at 21.00 and 23.00 h). Exogenous melatonin restored the full expression of the nocturnal BT decline in the 2 subjects with complete melatonin suppression, but did not modify the BT decline in the 6 subjects with atenolol-induced incomplete melatonin suppression. Our data show that markedly, but not completely attenuated nocturnal melatonin levels are sufficient to exert maximal thermoregulatory effects, indicating rather a threshold than a dose-response effect of melatonin action on human BT.


Models designed for intelligent process automation are required to be capable of grounding user interface elements. This task of interface element grounding is centred on linking instructions in natural language to their target referents. Even though BERT and similar pre-trained language models have excelled in several NLP tasks, their use has not been widely explored for the UI grounding domain. This work concentrates on testing and probing the grounding abilities of three different transformer-based models: BERT, RoBERTa and LayoutLM. Our primary focus is on these models' spatial reasoning skills, given their importance in this domain. We observe that LayoutLM has a promising advantage for applications in this domain, even though it was created for a different original purpose (representing scanned documents): the learned spatial features appear to be transferable to the UI grounding setting, especially as they demonstrate the ability to discriminate between target directions in natural language instructions.


This paper describes a multiple access protocol, which answers the need for an efficient handling of the traffic coming from a wide range of broadband applications over geo-synchronous satellite air-interfaces. We propose a hybrid medium access control scheme, which combines both random access and demand assignment multiple access policies. It is coupled with a connection admission control algorithm, exploiting the advantages of statistical multiplexing. Dynamic management of the frame header allows minimizing the signaling overhead and maximizing the effectiveness of the reservation procedure.


The object of this study was to explore the effects of Panax notoginosides (PNS) on proliferation and differentiation of human CD34(+) stem/progenitor cells. CD34(+) cells were isolated from human bone marrow by using immune beads of Dynal M- 450 system. The cells were exposed to PNS at different concentrations in both liquid and semi-solid culture for 14 days. The cells were marked with monoclonal antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry after culture. The CFU-Mix colony formation from CD34(+) cells was assayed. The results showed that: (1) The yield of CD34(+) cells after being selected by immune beads were (1.03 +/- 0.74)% out of bone marrow nuclear cells with purity of 86% - 93%. (2) PNS (10 - 25 mg/L) stimulated the proliferation of CD34(+) cells, and raised the colony numbers of CFU-Mix obviously in vitro. PNS 25 mg/L was the optimal concentration to promote proliferation of CD34(+) cells, the increasing rate of CFU-Mix colony was (34.7 +/- 16.0)%. (3) The differentiation of CD34(+) cells was induced by exposure to PNS (25, 50 and 100 mg/L) in liquid culture for 14 days. The percentages of CD33(+) and CD15(+) cells were increased after PNS exposure, which were significantly higher than those of control (P < 0.01), however CD71(+) and G-A(+) cells were no obviously difference after PNS treatment. In conclusion, Panax notoginosides not only promote the proliferation of CD34(+) cells, but also induce the differentiation committed to granulocytes.


We have examined the development of behavioral states in preterm infants born at a postmenstrual age < 30 weeks. The infants were longitudinally recorded up untill 40 weeks of postmenstrual age. The data of the first 16 babies recorded four times or more have been analysed. The behavioral states were assessed by 120 minutes of continuous observation and polygraphic recordings. Using the three-minutes moving window, five different behavioral "states" were scored according to Prechtl. The remainder of each recording session was assigned as "no-state". In a two-hour recording the total amount of no-state showed a significant systematic decrease from an average of 70 to 20 minutes as a function of development (fig). These results suggest that assessment of behavioral states is a good indicator for estimating the degree of brain maturation in preterm infants.


Introduction Maintaining one's integrity in the midst of compromise is the challenge of the political enterprise. Many people are tested when they hold adamantly to a position and discover they cannot obtain all they want. Some would even sacrifice getting a modicum of their goal by opting for nothing as a way of saving face, showing devotion to their cause, or having the courage of their convictions--proving their commitment to their comrades. Such obduracy is understandable; however, whether the choice to refuse to compromise when little else is in the offing is constructive and effectuates the greater attainment of justice can be analyzed with regards to the decision made by leaders of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) at the Democratic National Convention in 1964. In addition, the role of movers and shakers in the Democratic Party and the involvement of Martin Luther King, Jr., an icon of the Civil Rights Movement, figure significantly in demonstrating the complexities of the political process. Furthermore, the developing contumely and contumacy of the young adults and youth among the members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and other burgeoning organizations helped to foster a bifurcation of reality (i.e., right vs. wrong; good vs. evil) while commanding respect for their assertiveness, stick-to-itiveness, and blatant obstinacy. These nuances or gradations in approaches put in sharper relief the ambiguities and ramifications of compromise. Securing the right to vote for all citizens during the 1960s became a signature campaign of the major civil rights organizations. Denying people that right was likewise a chief objective of staunch segregationists, particularly in the South. Mississippi, characterized as the most racist state in the U.S. republic at the time, was the center of the struggle for the franchise. King described it as an environment similar to a "concentration camp" or a "police state" (Carson, 1998). Captivated by the possibilities of participating in the reshaping of U.S. history, many northern students and young people elected to venture to the Magnolia State to empower the black populace through access to the ballot box. King had talked about this critical component of the destiny of freedom, equality, and justice on the third anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas with his stirring refrain of "Give Us the Ballot." Earlier on the night that Byron de la Beckwith murdered the state field director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, President John F. Kennedy gave his seminal speech on civil rights, in which he declares: ... it ought to be possible for American citizens of any color to register to vote in a free election without interference or fear of reprisal. ...If an American, because his skin is dark ...cannot vote for the public officials who represent him ...he cannot enjoy the full and free life which all of us want (Carson et al., 1987, pp. 120-121). But Kennedy was late in arriving at this basic insight about humanity. Many attribute to Pres. Lyndon Johnson a carrying of the baton of Kennedy's newfound civil rights agenda--capitalizing on the ongoing grief over his assassination. Historically, even Johnson was not the herald of civil rights advocacy in the executive branch of government and certainly not during his tenure on Capitol Hill. That pioneer during the 1950s was none other than Hubert Horatio Humphrey (Solberg, 2003)! Johnson was outraged over the insistence of the leaders of the predominantly black MFDP delegation, especially after July 2 when he had signed into law the civil rights bill Kennedy had envisioned a year earlier. He wanted a smooth transition into a duly elected term in the White House--an administration he could call all his own! He expected his soon-to-be running mate, Humphrey, to handle the conflict with some measure that would be acceptable to all. …


The South African mining industry has been the backbone of the country's economy for much of the past century. Mining has, however, had major impacts on both agricultural resources and the urban environment. Rehabilitation of such impacted soils, which are often characterized by high acidity and low fertility, requires major inputs to ensure the successful establishment and sustainability of a protective and restorative vegetation. The safe use of biosolids has been made feasible by combining it with coal combustion products. The resultant product (SLASH) has been shown to have a positive effect on the pH, Ca, Mg and P of a moderately acid agricultural soil and on the production of a range of vegetable and flower crops. With a view to using such a product in the rehabilitation of impacted soils, SLASH was applied to an infertile soil and a range of forage species, used in different revegetation programs, were used as test crops. These included an annual cereal crop (Triticale -Triticum x Seca/e), commonly used to ensure early stabilization of minelands and/or as a stubble mulch for the establishment of perennial species, as well as perennial legumes (Sweet Clover -Melilotus alba and Crown Vetch Coronilla varia) and grasses such as KentuckY Bluegrass Paa pratensis, Tall Fescue Festuca arundinaceae and Buffelgrass Cenchrus ciliaris). SLASH had marked beneficial effects on productivity of forage as well as root development for as long as two years after initial treatment. Additional