Several previous studies concluded that opioid receptors do not mediate the capacity of inhaled anesthetics to produce immobility in the face of noxious stimulation because administration of naloxone (a nonspecific opioid receptor antagonist) does not increase the minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) of inhaled anesthetic that produces immobility in 50% of subjects given a noxious stimulation. In contrast, a recent study found that 0.1 mg/kg naloxone given intraperitoneally increased sevoflurane MAC in mice by 18% (P < 0.01). We repeated the recent study with sevoflurane in the same strain of mice, administering nothing (control), 0.1 mg/kg, and 1.0 mg/kg of naloxone. Our study differed in that we also tested a parallel group given saline rather than naloxone. We were blinded to drug administration. MAC decreased 4.8% ± 11.0% (mean± sd) and 2.4% ± 12.5% with the first and second administrations of saline. Similarly, MAC decreased 4.7% ± 7.1% and 5.5% ± 10.0% with the administration of 0.1 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg of naloxone. We do not find that naloxone increases MAC. Opioid receptors do not underlie a portion of the capacity of inhaled anesthetics to produce immobility.


An amperometric malic acid biosensor was developed by immobilizing malate dehydrogenase on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) coated on screen printed carbon electrode. The screen printed carbon electrode is made up of three electrodes viz., carbon as working, platinum as counter and silver as reference electrode. Detection of L-malic acid concentration provides important information about the ripening and shelf life of the fruits. The NADP specific malate dehydrogenase was immobilized on carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes using cross linker EDC [1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide] on screen printed carbon electrode. An amperometric current was measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) which increases with increasing concentrations of malic acid at fixed concentration of NADP. Enzyme electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The detection limit of malic acid by the sensor was 60 - 120 μM and sensitivity of the sensor was 60 μM with a response time of 60s. The usual detection methods of malic acid are nonspecific, time consuming and less sensitive. However, an amperometric malic acid nanosensor is quick, specific and more sensitive for detection of malic acid in test samples.


The rapid increase in attacks on software systems via malware such as viruses, worms, trojans, etc., has made it imperative to develop effective techniques for detecting and analyzing malware binaries. Such binaries are usually transmitted in packed or encrypted form, with the executable payload decrypted dynamically and then executed. In order to reason formally about their execution behavior, therefore, we need semantic descriptions that can capture this self-modifying aspect of their code. However, current approaches to the semantics of programs usually assume that the program code is immutable, which makes them inapplicable to self-unpacking malware code. This paper takes a step towards addressing this problem by describing a formal semantics for self-modifying code. We use our semantics to show how the execution of self-unpacking code can be divided naturally into a sequence of phases, and uses this to show how the behavior of a program can be characterized statically in terms of a program evolution graph. We discuss several applications of our work, including static unpacking and deobfuscation of encrypted malware and static cross-phase code analysis.


PURPOSE
The Palmaz Genesis Peripheral Stainless Steel Balloon Expandable Stent in Renal Artery Treatment (GREAT) Trial was designed to assess the safety and performance of a low-profile stent for the treatment of obstructive renal artery disease by looking at 6-month renal artery patency uniformly analyzed by a Core Lab.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty-two consecutive patients (mean age, 63.7 years) were successfully treated with the Palmaz Genesis Peripheral Stent (Cordis, Miami, FL) on the Slalom 0.018-inch Delivery System (Cordis Europe N.V., Oosteinde 8, NLO-9301 LJ Roden, The Netherlands) at 11 investigational centers. Patients with severe renal failure and > 8-mm renal artery were excluded. Primary endpoint was angiographic determination of in-stent percent diameter stenosis at 6 months. Fifty-one patients were treated with one stent, one patient was treated with two stents to cover the complete lesion.

RESULTS
Mean percentage diameter stenosis before renal angioplasty was 68.2% +/- 12.0%. No stent implantation failure, displacement, need for additional stent implantation, or procedural complication was observed. Six-month angiography was performed in 41 of 52 patients (79%) resulting in a mean in-stent percent diameter stenosis or Quantitative Vessel analysis (QVA) at 6 months of 23.9%. The in-stent binary (percent diameter stenosis > 50%) restenosis rate at 6 months was 14.3%. No fatal events occurred up to 6 months after implantation. Major adverse events occurred in five patients: four patients (7.7%) required a revascularization and one patient (1.9%) experienced a cerebrovascular event, which regressed spontaneously.

CONCLUSIONS
The Palmaz Genesis stent (Cordis) provides good results for renal artery stent placement, with an in-stent binary restenosis rate (percent diameter stenosis > 50%) at 6 months of 14.3% as determined with angiography.


A technique has been developed at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory to sum high resolution gamma-ray pulse spectra from systems with multiple Ge detectors. Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company operates a multi-detector spectrometer configuration at the Stored Waste Examination Pilot Plant facility which is used to characterize the radionuclide contents in waste drums destined for shipment to Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. This summing technique was developed to increase the sensitivity of the system, reduce the count times required to properly quantify the radio-nuclides and provide a more consistent methodology for combining data collected from multiple detectors. In spectrometer systems with multiple detectors looking at non homogenous waste forms it is often difficult to combine individual spectrum analysis results from each detector to obtain a meaningful result for the total waste container. This is particularly true when the counting statistics in each individual spectrum are poor. The spectrum summing technique adds the spectra collected by each detector into a single spectrum which has better counting statistics than each individual spectrum. A normal spectral analysis program can then be used to analyze the sum spectrum to obtain radio-nuclide values which have smaller errors and do not have to be further manipulated to obtain results for the total waste container.


Complement fixing capacity, antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity and in vivo opsonic function of rabbit anti-DNP precipitating and co-precipitating antibodies were analysed. Precipitating antibody activated the complement system, but co-precipitating antibody did not. Both antibody preparations behaved similarly in antibody-dependent cytotoxicity reactions. When chicken erythrocytes were employed as target cells, both antibodies were inactive with homologous (rabbit) lymphocytes as effector cells but were active with heterologous lymphoid effector cells (human, guinea-pig). Clearance of antigen from the blood of mice was accelerated following injection of an optimal dose of precipitating antibody but co-precipitating antibody was ineffective even at different doses. Competition between precipitating and co-precipitating antibodies in complement fixation and antigen elimination following interaction with antigen successively or at the same time was investigated. In these tests, both antibodies competed with antigen by mass but not by affinity. The possibility exists that co-precipitating antibody has one high and one low affinity binding site and thus acts as an univalent blocking antibody and is therefore not able to form active complexes with antigen. The possible role of co-precipitating antibody in some humoral and cellular immune mechanisms is discussed.


Sixteen orchid species are first reported for the area of Quepos in addition to those recorded for Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica. Generic descriptions are provided for the genera not previously recorded for the area, and each species is described and illustrated. Data on distribution and phenology are provided, together with keys to the genera including more than one species in the area. A new species, Epidendrum montis-narae Pupulin & L.Sanchez, is decribed and illustrated. Two previously recorded species, Epidendrum isomerum and Oncidium polycladium, are illistrated from material collected within the study area.


Abstract The majority of young Welsh speakers now come from English-speaking homes and reside in communities where English is the dominant language (Jones 2008: 550; Jones 2012: 6). Previous studies have shown, however, that these speakers use Welsh less than those from Welsh-speaking homes in Welsh-dominant communities (Jones 2008: 553). This article examines the correlation between speakers' backgrounds and their language attitudes, self-confidence in their language skills and use of Welsh. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 27 participants from two cohorts of Welsh-medium Sixth Form units in a Welsh-dominant area of North West Wales and an English-dominant area of North East Wales. While attitudes towards Welsh were generally positive, those from English-speaking homes feel less confident in their Welsh in both areas. The use of Welsh amongst those from English-speaking homes is also relatively low regardless of the dominant language of the community. Amongst those from Welsh-speaking homes, use is significantly lower amongst those who reside in the North East. It is suggested that these results are attributable to peer-group dynamics in the two areas: in the North West, language-specific peer groups were found whereas English was the language of all peer groups in the North East.


We present the error analysis of two time-stepping schemes of fractional steps type, used in the discretization of a nonlinear reaction-diffusion equation with Neumann boundary conditions, relevant in phase transition and interface problems. We start by investigating the solvability of a such boundary value problems in the class \begin{document}$ W^{1,2}_p(Q) $\end{document} . One proves the existence, the regularity and the uniqueness of solutions, in the presence of the cubic nonlinearity type. The convergence and error estimate results (using energy methods) for the iterative schemes of fractional steps type, associated to the nonlinear parabolic equation, are also established. The advantage of such method consists in simplifying the numerical computation. On the basis of this approach, a conceptual algorithm is formulated in the end. Numerical experiments are presented in order to validates the theoretical results (conditions of numerical stability) and to compare the accuracy of the methods.


A global mean ocean model including atmospheric heating, heat capacity of the mixed layer ocean, and vertical thermal diffusivity in the lower ocean, proposed by Cess and Goldenberg (1981), is used in this paper to study the sensitivity of global warming to the vertical diffusivity. The results suggest that the behaviour of upper ocean temperature is mainly determined by the magnitude of upper layer diffusivity and an ocean with a larger diffusivity leads to a less increase of sea surface temperature and a longer time delay for the global warming induced by increasing CO2 than that with smaller one. The global warming relative to four scenarios of CO2 emission assumed by Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) is also estimated by using the model with two kinds of thermal diffusivities. The result shows that for various combinations of the CO2 emission scenarios and the diffusivities, the oceanic time delay to the global warming varies from 15 years to 70 years.


Abstract:  Despite an increasingly sophisticated understanding of pain mechanisms, acute and chronic pain remain undertreated throughout the world. This situation reflects the large gap that exists between evidence and practice in pain management and is typified by inappropriate use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The scientific evidence around these drugs continues to expand at a high rate, yet physicians are often unaware of best practice. To address this gap among physicians in Africa and the Middle East, an Expert Panel meeting was convened with representatives from the region. The principal objective of the meeting was to review the latest guidelines on the management of acute and chronic pain and to review the efficacy, safety, and cost‐effectiveness of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors in these settings. The main outcome of this review process was a number of consensus statements concerning the definitions of acute and chronic pain, and the efficacy, safety and cost‐effectiveness of traditional nonselective NSAIDs (nsNSAIDs) and selective COX‐2 inhibitors (coxibs). The panel agreed that nsNSAIDs and coxibs are effective analgesics with similar efficacy for acute pain; for chronic musculoskeletal pain, NSAIDs are significantly more effective than either placebo or paracetamol. Coxibs offer important safety advantages over nsNSAIDs, including gastrointestinal safety and preservation of platelet function; notably, the cardiovascular safety of coxibs has been the subject of much recent debate. Furthermore, the panel agreed there is substantial evidence to indicate that cost savings can be achieved by using celecoxib in patients at moderate to high risk of gastrointestinal adverse events, even in countries with moderate healthcare expenditures.


A method and apparatus for generating nuclear fusion by ion cyclotron resonance in an ion trap reactor. The reactor includes a cylindrical housing having an axial axis, an internal surface, and first and second ends. First and second end plates that are charged are respectively located at the first and second ends of the cylindrical housing. A gas layer is adsorbed on the internal surface of the cylindrical housing. Ions are desorbed from the gas layer, forming a plasma layer adjacent to the cylindrical housing that includes first ions that have a same charge sign as the first and second end plates. A uniform magnetic field is oriented along the axial axis of the cylindrical housing. Second ions, that are unlike the first ions, but have the same charge sign, are injected into the cylindrical housing along the axial axis of the cylindrical housing. A radio frequency field resonantly accelerates the injected second ions at the cyclotron resonance frequency of the second ions. The second ions circulate in increasing helical orbits and react with the first ions, at the optimum energy for nuclear fusion. The amplitude of the radio frequency field is adjusted to accelerate the second ions at amore » rate equal to the rate of tangential energy loss of the second ions by nuclear scattering in the first ions, causing the ions to continually interact until fusion occurs.« less


The growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of countries is largely linked to technological advance, because the latter encourages productivity. This technological advance is often associated with capital owing to the replacing of machinery and equipment that it entails. This firstly influences the fact that capital accumulation increases a country's GDP, and secondly, the fact that the capital depreciates because the existing machinery becomes obsolete. Therefore, it has been proven that the countries with high capital depreciation have in the long term a high growth rate. A UPV/EHU researcher has built an economic model that takes this positive correlation into consideration. Her research has been published in the journal Economic Modelling.


In this paper, the risk of the preparation of artificial DNAs via an interrupted automated solid-phase triester procedure is discussed. These results differ completely from the corresponding results obtained by a gradual non-automated synthesis, indicated as solution-phase chemistry. With experimental results focused on model systems under various conditions and molecular–mechanics calculations, it feels as a challenge to offer an explanation for this different behavior. Attention is briefly given to click-linked DNA fragments as a substitute of phosphate linkages.


In compliance with government regulations, mining companies in Indonesia are obliged to reclaim and return a post-mined area into its pre-mining condition. Revegetation, as part of reclamation activity, performs a significant role in the rehabilitation of degraded post-mined areas to restore their productive land uses. Hence, this study aimed to assess tree growth on the reclamation sites across four mining companies in East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, South Sumatra, and West Java in Indonesia and to evaluate whether the companies have met the legal requirements set for site revegetation. The success parameters were based on the applicable regulations of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF) P.60/Menhut-II/2009 and tree growth parameters (stem diameter, total height and basal area). The parameters set by MOEF included revegetation realization, survival rate, tree density, tree health, species composition and rotation length. The four mining companies applied the two-phase planting method that included the planting of Enterolobium cyclocarpum for the first phase; and in the second phase, the slow growing native species, such as Intsia palembanica, Sycygium polyanthum, Shorea spp. and Elmerrillia tsiampaca. The tree growth parameters showed different performances over species and reclaimed sites. An extremely high growth of stem basal area of 57.6 m2/ha in 11 years, was recorded in the E. tyclocarpum stand of the Mining Company in South Sulawesi. All four mining companies strived to comply with the regulation with scores of revegetation success ranging from 15 to 25 out of 25 possible points. However, these favorable results may not be representative of all the mining companies, as the ones assessed were only those voluntarily supporting this research. Moreover, each of the four companies made some distinct efforts in implementing post-mining revegetation, such as by establishing plots of Melaleuca cajuputi trees producing cajuput oil and polycultures of native species.  Keywords: mining, reclamation, reforestation, rehabilitation, success parameters    Â


Thirty patients of either sex (23 M, 7 F) ranging in age between 16 and 36 years, affected of acne vulgaris, were given 20% azelaic acid cream over a period of 6 months. The product, very well tolerated, was significantly and substantially effective for all types of acne, especially for the deep lesions, i.e. nodules and cysts. The rates of improvement obtained indicate that azelaic acid can interfere with various aetiopathogenetic process of acne.


Despite continued debates about the role of Group A streptococcal infections in the etiopathogenesis of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections), experts on both sides of the controversy agree that a subgroup of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have an unusually abrupt onset of symptoms, accompanied by a variety of comparably severe and acute neuropsychiatric symptoms. The acuity of symptom onset is the hallmark feature of their clinical presentation and the basis for the name proposed for an expanded clinical entity: Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Modifying the PANDAS criteria to eliminate etiologic factors and to clarify the initial clinical presentation produced three potential diagnostic criteria for PANS. These three criteria are discussed in detail. The article also proposes strategies for applying the PANS criteria in clinical settings and evaluating their validity and reliability through prospective research investigations.


Niobium films have been prepared by bias sputtering in a conventional sputter system operated in the triode configuration. Gas analysis of the discharge and of the deposited films as well as resistivity and lattice‐parameter measurements provide the basis for the interpretation of the deposition process under ion bombardment. The importance of defining the relative rate of arrival of energetic ion versus neutrals in addition to defining the energy of arriving particles is emphasized. The close relationship of bias sputtering to ion implantation is stressed. A model for bias sputtering is developed which is suited for fine‐tuning film composition and structure and thereby the resultant thin‐film properties.


Objective: This study evaluated a novel diabetes treatment device that combines commercially available continuous glucose monitoring and insulin infusion technology in such a way as to perform insulin delivery and glucose sensing through a single skin insertion site (single-port device). Methods: Ten type 1 diabetes patients used the device for up to six days in their home/work environment for open-loop insulin delivery and glucose sensing. On an additional day, the device was used in combination with an algorithm to perform automated closed-loop glucose control under hospital settings. To assess the performance of the device, capillary blood glucose concentrations were frequently determined and a continuous glucose sensor was additionally worn by the patients. Results: The average mean absolute relative deviation from blood glucose concentrations obtained for the sensor of the device was low (median, 13.0%; interquartile range, 10.5–16.7%; n = 10) and did not differ from that of the additionally worn glucose sensor (versus 13.9%; 11.9–15.3%; P = 0.922). Furthermore, insulin delivery with the single-port device was reliable and safe during home use and, when performed in combination with the control algorithm, was adequate to achieve and maintain near normoglycemia. Conclusion: Our data show the feasibility of open- and closed-loop glucose control in diabetes patients using a device that combines insulin delivery and glucose sensing at a single tissue site. Significance: The reduction in device size and invasiveness achieved by this design may largely increase patient convenience and enhance acceptance of diabetes treatment with continuous glucose monitoring and insulin delivery technology.


BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus and its complications are a public health problem of epidemic proportions. Both diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) increase the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Months after a single episode of acute ischaemia to the diabetic kidney, we have found an accelerated progression of nephropathy, with impaired function, severe renal inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, fibrosis and apoptotic cell death. We termed this entity the post-ischaemic inflammatory syndrome. We now test the hypothesis that blocking inflammation ameliorates the post-ischaemic inflammatory syndrome.

METHODS
Obese-diabetic ZS rats (F(1) hybrids of spontaneously hypertensive heart failure and Zucker fatty diabetic rats) were treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), subjected to renal ischaemia or sham surgery, and monitored via the powerful technique of intravital microscopy.

RESULTS
Amelioration of post-ischaemia inflammation with MMF therapy improved long-term renal function, microvascular dysfunction, fibrosis and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION
These data support the hypothesis that the post-ischaemic inflammatory syndrome accelerates diabetic CKD, is a critical determinant of injury, and can be successfully treated.


Orientation: Depression and anxiety can have undesirable consequences for employees and their employers. It is therefore important that employers pay attention to the existence and extent of depression and anxiety. However, measuring these constructs requires unbiased, reliable and valid instruments.Research purpose: To facilitate unbiased measurement of depression and anxiety, we investigated differential item functioning of the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7) in a sample of non-clinical African and white working adults.Motivation for the study: Biased measurement instruments can lead to serious problems when comparing scores between groups, using raw score cut-offs, or creating norm scores. Practitioners are legally and ethically required to ensure that any instrument used is unbiased.Research approach/design and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used. The CESD-R and GAD-7 were administered to working adults. A final sample of 551 CESD-R responses and 529 GAD-7 responses were included in the analyses. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to investigate differential item functioning.Main findings: Both CESD-R and GAD-7 showed some evidence of differential item functioning although it was mostly small in magnitude. Item bias had some minor non-negligible impact on aggregated observed scores within specific ranges of the underlying traits.Practical/managerial implications: Both CESD-R and GAD-7 show promise as instruments that can be utilised to explore the experience of anxiety and depression in African and white employees.Contribution/value-add: This study is a promising first step towards the measurement fairness of the CESD-R and GAD-7 in the South African context.


Thin silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy) and silicon-rich silicon-oxide (SiOx,x⩽2) films of varying composition have been deposited by electron cyclotron resonance plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Films were deposited using various source gas flow rates while maintaining a constant chamber pressure. Thicknesses and refractive indices for these films were determined using ellipsometry. Bonding of the constituent atoms was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR spectroscopy also allowed for the detection of bonded species such as hydrogen. Compositional characteristics were determined using various forms of ion beam analysis such as Rutherford backscattering and elastic recoil detection. These analysis techniques were used to determine the values of x and y, the molar fractions of oxygen and nitrogen, respectively, and the total amount of hydrogen present in the films. Using the results obtained from these methods the film characteristics were determined as a function of the d...


Nowadays, there is a generalized consent in relating strategy with value creation. In this zeal to define value creation there was a remarkable emphasis to associate it with financials. This work pivoted between the fields of strategy and value analysis toward the assessment of determinants of shareholders' value creation. The purpose of the study was to identify what kind of relationship links strategic performance with shareholder's value creation and what its main determinants were. The research was also focused on identifying differences between determinants within and among industries and if their relative weights were different too. The final interest of this work was to assess if determinants could work as predictors of shareholders' value creation. A sample of 919 diversified listed companies in the NYSE or NASDAQ were studied along the period 1996-2005. Strategic performance was measured through Fortunes' Corporate Reputation Report attributes: quality of management, quality of products and services, financial soundness, long-term investment value, wise use of corporate assets, innovativeness, ability to attract and retain talented people, and social responsibility to the community and the environment. Compustat database was used to extract data related to shareholders' value creation as M/B ratios and shareholders' annual and abnormal returns. Findings suggested that the relationship between strategy and value analysis, far from being conceptual, is statistically significant and therefore it could be quantified. All strategic performance variables were significantly related to M/B, shareholders' annual returns and shareholders' abnormal returns, indicating collateral value creation processes to other stakeholders different than shareholders. Findings also showed that industries present different degrees of differentiation within competitors in determinants and the same differences were accounted among sectors, industry groups and industries. When the prediction power of determinants was assessed, the portfolio of top performers companies were able to explain shareholders' abnormal returns, being this fact confirmed by the empirical evidence. Implications of this study were related to strategy modeling, corporate performance measurement, market research and portfolio management. Future research was pointed in topics like customers' value creation, social responsibility and corporate value, determinants differentiation and industries' regulation, abnormal returns as value creation measurement standard and quality of management.


RESULTS OF RECONSIDERATION OF THE CARBONIFiEROUS SERIES FROM BORE-HOLE ZAŁUCZE 1 Bore-hole Zalucze 1, situated south of the Świety Krzyz Mountains and sunk in 1948-1950, is the first deep drilling .to discover the Lower Carboniferous in the·substratum of the foreland of the Middle Carpathians. Although J. Czarnocki (I956) described the lithological profile of the series found at the depth from 1734.40 to 2229.40 m. assigning it to the Lower Carboniferous, up to now its fauna has not been identified. This author determined .here the occurrence brachiopods, corals, crinoids, pelecypods, fishes and ostracods. According to J.Czarnocki the Carboniferous is represented in the discussed bore-hole mainly by grey limestones, compact and recrystallized; at times pseudo-oolitic, with transitions to marls, and containing intercalations of marly or clayey shales, alabasters and dolomites.


This paper is to implement the architecture-centric self-adaption. The basic components is formally defined as agent abstraction, then their relations are establishment. Flexible pivot of models are ground on agent-oriented concept. By architecture rulespsila relationship, the implementation conditions are defined formally and abilities simulated. In final, self-adaptive architecture is gotten as "modularization of relations" and "relationship of models".


This article describes the factors influencing the utilisation of the female condom (FC2) among healthcare providers, which is part of a study that aimed at developing strategies to improve the utilisation by the patients of FC2 in prevention of STIs, HIV and AIDs and unplanned pregnancies. Like other women in the world, female healthcare providers are also biologically two to four times more vulnerable to STIs, HIV and AIDs infections than men. Women are also vulnerable to unplanned pregnancies. However, the utilisation of FC2 by healthcare providers is still inadequate. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research approach was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants, because only healthcare providers responsible for the provision of FC2 were selected. In-depth individual interviews were used during data collection. Data were analysed following the qualitative data analysis methods. Factors influencing the utilisation of FC2 were identified as the main category during data analysis. The study confirmed that the healthcare providers are unable to utilise the FC2 because of: the shape and size of the FC2; complexities of the female genital organs hindering procedure; partners' reaction to FC2; and cultural background around accepting FC2 use. The development of strategies to enable healthcare providers to use FC2 was recommended, in order to ensure protection and prevention of STIs, HIV and AIDs and unplanned pregnancies among healthcare providers.


Background Previously, we reported a different renal prognosis between two onset categories of lupus nephritis (LN): LN that developed as a flare of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after treating the prior non-renal SLE conditions successfully (delayed, D-LN) and LN manifesting at the time of SLE onset (early, E-LN).1) D-LN had a poorer renal prognosis than E-LN independent of the renal histology based on the chart review, but we had not analyzed the serological data in those LN patients. Objectives This study investigated possible differences in the serological profiles and activities between E-LN and D-LN. We focused on the serum levels of complement C3 and anti-ds DNA antibodies (Ab) as serological activities, and anti-Sm Ab as a serological profile. Methods Our hospital records for 1990–2015 were reviewed, and we identified 361 SLE patients diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE. This study had two parts. 1. Serological activity (C3 and anti-dsDNA Ab): Of the 361 patients, 166 with LN (83 E-LN, 83 D-LN) had serum C3 and anti-dsDNA Ab levels measured on each admission to treat a total of 347 active SLE events (204 renal and 143 non-renal events). The serum data were compared between the E-LN and D-LN groups using the Mann–Whitney U-test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). 2.Prevalence of positive serum anti-Sm Ab: From the 361 patients, we enrolled 129 patients diagnosed with SLE between Jan. 1996 and Oct. 2010 who were observed for more than 5 years. Patients diagnosed before 1996 were excluded because comprehensive anti-Sm Ab data were not available. Anti-Sm-Ab-positive patients were defined by at least once positive result before or at an LN manifestation. The frequency of anti-Sm-Ab-positive patients was compared among three patient-groups: E-LN, D-LN, and non-LN-SLE (the patients with no LN for more than 5 years). Results 1. The treated SLE conditions in the 83 E-LN patients included 91 renal events (35 flares) and 36 non-renal events, and those in the 83 D-LN patients comprised 113 renal events (52 flares) and 107 non-renal events. Serum anti-dsDNA Ab levels were higher in D-LN than in E-LN for the renal events (169 ± 139 IU/mL (EIA), n=98 vs. 120 ± 143 IU/mL, n=73, p<0.01) and renal flare events (169 ± 130 IU/mL, n=47 vs. 48.8 ± 79.7 IU/mL, n=35, p<0.01) (Fig). In both the D-LN and E-LN groups, the serum anti-dsDNA Ab levels were higher at renal events than non-renal events. The serum C3 levels were similar in the D-LN and E-LN groups during renal events. 2. The enrolled patients comprised 39 E-LN, 23 D-LN, and 67 non-LN-SLE. The frequency of anti-Sm-Ab-positive patients was higher in D-LN than non-LN-SLE (15/23, 65.2% vs. 16/67, 23.9%, p=0.001) and higher in D-LN than E-LN (15/23, 65.2% vs. 12/39, 30.8%, p=0.016). Conclusions High serum anti-dsDNA Ab titers were characteristic of LN that developed later in the course of an SLE flare (D-LN) compared with LN manifesting at the onset of SLE (E-LN). D-LN may reflect intractable SLE conditions. Positive serum anti-Sm antibodies were prevalent in D-LN patients in our study. Therefore, anti-Sm-Ab-positive SLE patients without LN may be at risk for the subsequent development of D-LN. References Takahashi Y, et al. Time of initial appearance of renal symptoms in the course of systemic lupus erythematosus as a prognostic factor for lupus nephritis. Mod Rheumatol 2009; 19: 293–301 Disclosure of Interest None declared


One approach to the reduction of testing time is through the use of "programmed tests," which are tests based on a sequential system of branching in which a subject is directed to items appropriate to his ability level.

The programmed tests considered in the present paper comprised two major sections: (1) A routing section which contains the branching necessary to direct the subject to the appropriate items, and (2) a measurement section which contains a short test with the item difficulties concentrated at the appropriate level for the subject.

Four methods were investigated on an existing item data for — 885 students. By using approximately 40 items in the programmed tests it was possible to obtain correlations with the total test score on 190 items that were quite close to the reliability of the 190-item test. However, essentially the same results were achieved for two shortened conventional tests consisting of the 40 or 42 items with the highest point-biserial correlations with the total test score.


Very concentrated solutions of lithium and sodium can be obtained in ethylamine when these alkali metals are put in contact together in this solvent. The major species in presence are solvated lithium cations and sodium anions. The stoechiomeuy of the solution can be written as Li+(C2H5NHi),.Na-. The liquid corresponding to x = 4 is highly viscous and has a bronze metallic luster. Impedance measurements indicate that for x > 10, the behavior of the solution is similar to that of ordinary sodides in the same solvent. When x becomes close to 4, highly conducting systems are obtained. EPR spectroscopy measurements show only a single line having a g-value close to that of the free electron whose width increases as the temperature is decreased. A discontinuity is observed at about the freezing temperature of the solvent, but a paramagnetic signal is still present in the solid state. Band shape analysis indicates complex systems of several gaussian lines. "Dysonian" lines, characteristic of the onset of a metallic state, were never observed. INTRODUCTION Akalides compounds containing alkali metal anions were f i t prepared with the help of a non reducible complexant of alkali metal cations such as a crown ether, a cryptate or their nitrogen equivalent. The role of the complexant was to favor the dissolution and dismutation of alkali metal atoms in an appropriate solvent following the general scheme : 2M + C ----> (M+C) + Mwhere M stands for an alkali metal, C, for a complexant molecule, and (M+C) represents a complexed cation. The complexant prevents the reverse recombination reaction between ions of opposite charge when the solvent is removed. It must be noted that ammonia is not a proper solvent for these studies, since it promotes the formation of solvated electrons rather than alkali anions. When solid compounds are formed, via solvent removal, the complexed cation occupies a very important space in the crystal structure. Therefore in most of the cases, the anions are well separated from one another and from the cation and they form ordinary ionic salts. However, this not always the case, EPR studies have revealed that electrons trapped at anionic defects could have a large contact density on the cation ( I ) , X-ray crystal studies of some alkalides have shown that in compounds such as K+C222.K-, pairs of Kwere observed while alkali metal anion chains extending through the crystal existed in Cs+C222.Cs-(2). This last phenomenon occurs because the size of the anions becomes large with respect to the complexed cation, but as yet there is no explanation for the existence of such "alkali dimers dianions" although some ab initio calculations tend to indicate the existence of such metastable entities (3). It has been recently reported that lithium amine complexes such as Li(CH3NHd4 could assist the solubilization of various alkali metals in solvents in which they are usually sparingly soluble (4). Alkali metal NMR studies and optical absorption studies revealed that, in the case of the dissolution of sodium. Article published online by EDP Sciences and available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/jp4:1991535 C 5 3 0 4 JOURNAL DE PHYSIQUE IV sodide anions were formed while Li was present as a cation. When ethylenediamine (en) was used to complex lithium, the compound Li+(en)2.Nawas identified (5 ) Our work is focused on the use of ethylamine as a complexant to form the compound Li+(C2H5NH2)4.Naand also as solvent of this compound. NMR studies have shown that lithium cations and sodium anions were present. This compound is diamagnetic down to 2 K as indicated by static magnetic susceptibilities measurements (6). These compounds are currently the simplest sodides. Their physical aspect is shiny bronze or gold, and is very reminiscent of that of concentrated metal-ammonia solution in the metallic state. The distance between anions may become smaller than in the case of sodides involving crown ethers or cryptates; this fact joined to the high polarizability of Na(ionic radius : 2.6 A) might lead to the fom~ation of a new metallic system. Similar compounds involving K, Rb and Cs have recently been prepared (3 Two techniques were used in this work, the measurement of electrical impedance as a function of the frequency and of the concentration, and EPR spectroscopy. EPR has been used for long to show the presence of conduction electrons in alkali-metals usually characterized by dysonian line shapes (9 EXPERIMENTAL Lithium and sodium metal of high purity were used as received. They were cut and weighed in a argon filled glove box. Typical quantities were 17.5 mg of Li and 57.5 mg of sodium for EPR experiments and of 140 mg Li and 460 mg of Na for impedance measurements. The metals were first dissolved in dry ammonia in order to disperse them. Ammonia was slowly removed by evaporation and the remaining metals were pumped at 1x10-5 torr overnight at room temperature. Solvents were dried over alkali metals or sodium-potassium liquid alloy. They were transferred by evaporation under vacuum from a blue solution. Quantities were determined either by gas volumetry or gravimetrically for large quantities. EPR samples were prepared in small spherical vessels to which the EPR sample tube (SUPRASIL 4 mm OD) was attached via a Pyrex to silica graded seal. Appropriate quantity of ethylamine was condensed in the bulb and the assembly was sealed off the vacuum line. The solvent was left in contact with the alkali metals at -40 C for a period of several days. The resulting bronze liquid was poured into the EPR tube taking care to keep the whole cell at the same low temperature. The volume of the solution was small enough that all of the liquid was inside the EPR dewar. EPR spectra were measured on a BRUKER ESP 300 spectrometer using X-band. Temperature was regulated by a stream of cold nitrogen. The cell used for impedance measurements was a modification of the standard "K-cell" used for alkalide and electride synthesis (9). A small extension equipped with two facing tungsten electrodes sealed through Pyrex (2 mm or 4 mm in diameter) was added to the bottom of one side. Tungsten electrodes were cleaned by electrodissolution in a 1 M aqueous KOH solution. After rinsing with conductance water, the cell was dried by evacuation at better than 1x10-5 torr for several hours. Alkali metals were introduced on the side having no electrodes where the solution was prepared. After the step of ammonia dispersion, a large measured quantity of ethylamine was distilled. Alkali metals and solvent were kept in contact at 40 C for several days to ensure the formation of the complex while minimizing the possibilities of decomposition. The resulting liquid was poured on the measurement side through a coarse frit to avoid metal carry over. More concentrated were obtained through removal of the solvent taking care to keep the system at low temperature to prevent decomposition. Impedance were measured in the frequency range 104 to Hz using a Solartron (Schlumberger) frequency response analyzer. RESULTS The only solvent used in this work was ethylamine, accordingly we shall call dilute solutions systems such as Li+(C2H5NH2),.Nawhen x becomes larger than 4. Very high concentrations of Nacan be reached in these systems, when x=4 it can be as high as 0.1 molekg. This about two orders of magnitude larger than the concentration obtained via dissolution of Na+C222.Nain the same solvent. These liquids have a very high "wetting" ability of the glass system, very much higher than that of Li(NH3)4 or Li(CH3NH2)4 Bronze films formed on the walls have no tendency to flow. Accordingly, all the liquid transfers had to be performed very slowly with the whole apparatus kept at the same low temperature. Figure 1 : Impedance diagram of a dilute Li+(C2H5NH2)4Nasample at two temperalures : 0 : -20 "C ; 0 : -40 "C Itnpedances Tungsten electrodes were found to be compatible with sodide solutions; platinum catalyzes decomposition, gold is reduced by alkali metals ('9 as well as by alkalides. The response of the cell was calibrated by using standard solutions of Fe(CN)6K4/Fe(CN)6K3 and comparing the diagrams to those obtained in cells having a known geometry. Since the aim of this work was to study properties of highly concentrated systems, no support electrolytes were used. The impedance diagram in the Nyquist plane of a dilute solution of Li+(C2H5NH2),.Nahaving x = 16 are shown in figure 1. When the excess ethylamine is removed and that overall stoichiometry gets closer to that of Li+(C2H5NH2)4Na-, the whole diagram collapses to a single point. In this last case, the resistance is analogous to that of a short circuit between the two electrodes. Similar experiments were run for concentrated lithium solutions (Liamine = 0.1) These solutions are dark blue and do not show any metallic shine. Their diagram consists of a single point situated on the real axis. (Dilute solutions of lithium in methylamine have also the same behavior). EPR Spectra The EPR spectra of a variety of samples having the stoichiomeuy Li+(C2H5NH2)4Na, Li+(C2H5NH2)16.Naand pure lithium in ethylamine in the temperature range 150-250 K have been recorded. In every case a single symmetrical line is observed. Its position is close to that expected for solvated electron. Under no circumstances, "dysonian" lineshapes were observed. Hyperfine structure characteristic of the existence of alkali metal monomer or of others radicals could not be detected. The C5-306 JOURNAL DE PHYSIQUE I V saturated Li-ethylamine solutions are strongly paramagnetic and do not show any tendency to form metallic systems.


Extrusion cooking was first introduced in food and feed processing in the late 1950s. Since then, the systems involved have grown in popularity, efficiency and flexibility. Extrusion cooking technology is most used for cereal and protein processing in the food industry and is closely related to the pet food and feed sectors. In the last decade, the development of extruders has evolved to yield sophisticated products, new flavour generation, encapsulation and sterilisation.


This paper aims to interpret the morphological formation processes of Naju eup-seoung during the Goryeo and Joseon periods. Based on the analysis of historical records, old & topographical map and first land registration map, the morphological period of Naju can be divided in four; formation of eup-seong and T-based main route system in Korea, partial reconstruction and expansion of Korea eup-seong in early Joseon Dynasty, reconstruction and expansion of eup-seong including Naju river in middle Joseon Dynasty, large expansion of eup-seong in late Joseon Dynasty. Main factors of the transformation of town plan and eup-seong is reorganization of administrative facilities, residential population growth, flood disaster management and restoration of war damage, reinforcement of defensive demand of eup-seong. Especially, in the process of reconstruction and expansion of eup-seong, the route system based on functional aspect was transformed to route system with formality based on the town planning principle of Joseon. In this process the route system connecting 4 gates of eup-seong and Gaeksa(錦城館) and administrative center(衙舍) had formed irregular pattern.


In recent years, aridity and drought have become crucial issues at the global scale because of their environmental and socio-economic implications. On the one hand, aridity causes a reduction in the biological and economic productivity of terrestrial ecosystems, and represents a serious threat to ecological, biogeochemical, and hydrological processes. On the other hand, human use (and abuse) of vulnerable dry land ecosystems may lead to unsustainable land management. Based on these considerations, this paper analyses the recent land cover changes observed in Latium (Italy) during the exceptionally dry period 2000–2007. More than 50% of the area investigated was classified as dry in 2004–2007 compared with 0% in 2000–2003. Moreover, climatic aridity impacted differently on semi-natural, agricultural, and built-up land. These findings illustrate a possible scenario for suburban Mediterranean regions: increasing aridity (mainly due to rising temperatures) mainly impacting on peri-urban land.


Re-ranking of strain additive genetic effect and heterosis expression in different culture environments is not well understood in shellfish species. This study was carried out to estimate the strain additive genetic and heterotic effects on harvest body weight in a 3 × 3 complete diallel cross involving three populations of Portuguese oyster (Crassostrea angulata), two populations from Cat Ba (RIA1) and Nam Dinh, northern Vietnam, and an imported stock from China. Strip spawning was applied to produce full- and half-sib families simultaneously of nine cross-combinations for performance testing at two locations (Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong city and Van Don Island, Quang Ninh province, Vietnam) using two culture systems ('single seed' and 'cultch set'). A total of 7269 individual oysters were examined over a grow-out period of 270 days. A linear mixed model was used to estimate strain additive genetic and heterotic effects for body weight at harvest. Ranking of strains based on their additive genetic effects did not differ between the locations and culture systems. The non-additive genetic (heterotic) effects were low and not significantly different from zero for the traits studied among culture systems. There were no significant differences in levels of heterosis for harvest body weight between the two test environments or culture systems. Based on the non-significant heterotic and large additive genetic effects among strains used for this study, a future breeding programme in this species (C. angulata), setting aside issues of diversity, could be based simply on choice among different strains based on their performance.


Background : Blood is an important ingredient in the modern public health delivery system to save the lives of many patients. However, in developing countries, due to lack of safe and reliable sources many patients requiring blood do not have timely access to it. Objective : This study sought to identify the status and correlates of blood donation among civil servants in Bahir Dar Town. Methods : This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at Bahir Dar town. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 387 civil servants. The association between blood donation practice and socio demographic characteristics of respondents was tested using Chi-square. Principal Component Analysis was also used to identify the deterrents of blood donation. Results : The majority (75.7%) of donors were males. Eighty-two percent of respondents never experienced blood donation. Among the 18 percent donors, 61 percent were replacement donors and 18.3 percent were voluntary donors. The associations between blood donation practice (P-values < 0.05) for sex and access to information (pvalues < 0.01) were found statistically significant. Blood donation knowledge of participants was inadequate, but have positive attitude towards voluntary blood donation. Inconvenience and knowledge gap related factors are important deterrents for blood donation among civil servants. Conclusion : Low levels of knowledge and inconvenience related factors are major hindrances for blood donation. Therefore, extensive awareness creation and adjusting blood collection hours and establishing mobile blood collection centers at different public sectors could encourage voluntary blood donors.  Key words : blood donation; Bahir Dar; blood donation attitude; civil servants; blood donation deterrents.


ABSTRACT Canonical babbling (CB) is commonly defined as present when at least 15% of all syllables produced are canonical, in other words a canonical babbling ratio (CBR) ≥0.15. However, there is limited knowledge about inter-rater reliability in classification of CB status based on CBR and inter-rater differences in assessment of CBR. We investigated inter-rater reliability of experienced Speech Language Therapists (SLTs) on: classification of CB status based on CBR ≥ 0.15, CBRs and the total number of syllables per infant used to calculate CBR. Each infant (n = 484) was video-recorded at a clinical site in play interaction with their parent as part of the randomised controlled trial Timing of Primary Surgery for Cleft Palate. Each recording was subsequently assessed by three independent SLTs, from a pool of 29 SLTs. They assessed the recordings in real time. The three assessing SLTs agreed in classification of CB status in 423 (87.4%) infants, with higher complete agreement for canonical (91%; 326/358) than non-canonical (77%; 97/126). The average difference in CBR and total number of syllables identified between the SLT assessments of each infant was 0.12 and 95, respectively. This study provided new evidence that one trained SLT can reliably classify CB status (CBR ≥ 0.15) in real time when there is clear distinction between the observed CBR and the boundary (0.15); however, when the observed CBR approaches the boundary multiple SLT assessments are beneficial. Thus, we recommend to include assessment of inter-rater reliability, if the purpose is to compare CBR and total syllable count across infants or studies. Trial registration number here: www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT00993551


The tuberous roots of the Yam Daisy/murnong Microseris lanceolata were a staple plant food for Indigenous peoples in Victoria and New South Wales. In contrast, although the Yam Daisy occurs in Tasmania, it is not recorded as being eaten by the Tasmanian Aborigines (palawa) although fossil Liguliflorae pollen indicate that this perennial herb was growing here before European occupation in 1805. Unlike in Victoria up to the 1840s, as yet, there is no fossil evidence to show the species was sufficiently common to make a significant non-seasonal contribution to the palawan diet. However, assuming an adequate supply of the tubers, the palawa could have obtained energy from the modest content of simple sugars (via glycolysis) and its substantial content of fructans (prebiotics, converted to absorbable fatty acids by gut bacteria). Its sweet taste at certain seasons may have encouraged seasonal consumption. Recent research suggests that fructans may have health benefits, e.g., improved immune function; however, it seems improbable that the palawa specifically recognised those benefits


There has been conjecture about the value of giving antibiotics in addition to incision and drainage (I&D) in themanagement of skin abscesses. The published literature includes a 2015 systematic review that suggested no benefit from added antibiotics. In contrast, a recent multicentre randomised controlled trial, the largest to date addressing this question, favours the use of antibiotics. A total of 1247 adults and (some) children aged >12years who underwent I&D for uncomplicated skin abscesses were randomised to trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole or placebo for 7 days. Almost half the cases were culture confirmed as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Outcomes were assessed at 7 and 14days from completion of treatment. In the modified intention-to-treat analysis, clinical cure was achieved in 80.5% of participants who received trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole and 73.6% who received placebo (risk difference, 6.9%; 95% CI 2.1 to 11.7; P = 0.005). The number needed to treat with antibiotics to achieve one additional cure would be 14 patients. Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazolewas associated with an increased rate of mild gastrointestinal adverse effects. The same proportion of participants in both treatment groups progressed to invasive infections (0.4%). It seems that appropriate spectrum oral antibiotic treatment in addition to I&D should not yet be abandoned for skin abscesses.


In this paper, a deep Siamese architecture for depth-based face verification is presented. The proposed approach efficiently verifies if two face images belong to the same person while handling a great variety of head poses and occlusions. The architecture, namely JanusNet, consists in a combination of a depth, a RGB and a hybrid Siamese network. During the training phase, the hybrid network learns to extract complementary mid-level convolutional features which mimic the features of the RGB network, simultaneously leveraging on the light invariance of depth images. At testing time, the model, relying only on depth data, achieves state-of-art results and real time performance, despite the lack of deep-oriented depth-based datasets.


Abstract Knowledge of surgical anatomy is of paramount importance during surgical dissection for facelift surgery, regardless of the type of facelift procedure performed. This article reviews the relevant surgical anatomy for facelift, including the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), and course of the facial nerve relative to the SMAS, zygomatic arch, and mandible. Also, this article reviews the various retaining ligaments, and some types of facelift procedures recommend release of these ligaments to achieve a more effective aesthetic result.


Background: Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count of less than
 150 × 109/l. The various comorbidities in the severely ill patient affect platelet
 homeostasis, and consequently, thrombocytopenia is very common in critically ill
 patients treated in the ICU.
Objective: To assess the frequency of thrombocytopenia in patients admitted to
 the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of King Fahad Central Hospital and its risk
 factors, during the period from October 2018-January 2019.
Methodology: Data were collected from 160 adult patients admitted to the ICU.
 The baseline platelet count was measured and was repeated every other day (for
 one-week) during the ICU stay period. Thrombocytopenia was defined as platelet
 count of less than 150x109/l.
Results: Among 160 critically ill patients admitted to ICU, 92 (57.5%) were males
 and 68 (42.5%) were females. The majority of them 72 (45%) found in age group >60
 years. The mean of platelets at admission was 237.6 ± 4.6 and after one-week the
 mean of platelets was 121 ± 31.8 (P=0.000). The prevalence of thrombocytopenia
 was 70%. Thrombocytopenia was significantly developed in the patients found in
 age group >60 years (50%) (P=0.008). The occurrence of thrombocytopenia was
 significantly high in the patients received thromboprophylaxis (75%; P=0.000),
 antibiotic (89.3%; P=0.000), sedation and mechanical ventilator support (50%;
 P=0.003). Additionally the SOFA score was significantly high in the patients with
 thrombocytopenia (5.0 ± 0.2 vs. 3.7 ± 0.3; P=0.002) and all the patients (n=4; 100%)
 with score 10-12 and the most of the patients (85.7%) with score 7-9 developed
 thrombocytopenia (P=0.046).
Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is common in critically ill patients admitted in the
 ICU. Also, thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with elders, in addition
 to the patients received thromboprophylaxis, antibiotic, sedation and mechanical
 ventilator support as well as the patients with higher SOFA score.


Psoralen-conjugated triple-helix-forming oligonucleotides have been used to generate site-specific mutations within mammalian cells. To investigate factors influencing the efficiency of oligonucleotide-mediated gene targeting, the processing of third-strand-directed psoralen adducts was compared in normal and repair-deficient human cells. An unusually high mutation frequency and an altered mutation pattern were seen in xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV) cells compared with normal, xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XPA), and Fanconi anemia cells. In XPV, targeted mutations were produced in the supF reporter gene carried in a simian virus 40 vector at a frequency of 30%, 3-fold above that in normal or Fanconi anemia cells and 6-fold above that in XPA. The mutations generated by targeted psoralen crosslinks and monoadducts in the XPV cells formed a pattern distinct from that in the other three cell lines, with mutations occurring not just at the damaged site but also at adjacent base pairs. Hence, the XPV cells may have an abnormality in trans-lesion bypass synthesis during repair and/or replication, implicating a DNA polymerase or an accessory factor as a basis of the defect in XPV. These results may help to elucidate the repair deficiency in XPV, and they raise the possibility that genetic manipulation via triplex-targeted mutagenesis may be enhanced by modulation of the XPV-associated activity in normal cells.


Objective The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent Chinese media coverage of tobacco issues in 17 Chinese cities comprises messaging known to motivate healthy behaviour. Methods This study involved a content analysis of 4821 articles that contained at least one full paragraph focused on tobacco issues from newspapers published in cities that participated in the Tobacco-Free City—Gates Tobacco Control Project in China between 1 January 2008 and 30 June 2011. Results The number of tobacco-focused articles increased over the study period. The number of articles varied considerably among different newspapers and cities. Education, prevention and cessation programs (35%) were the most frequent theme. There was also considerable variation in the volume of coverage each month. News articles were the most frequent article type (70%). The majority of the articles (72%) were positive for tobacco control. There were significant differences between party newspapers and local newspapers in prominence, article type, slant and fear appeal. One quarter (n=729) of the articles mentioned the severity of tobacco use, while only 10% of the articles referred to susceptibility to the threat. Conclusions The coverage of events was predominantly positive toward tobacco control. However, media reports could better support tobacco control efforts if they did a better job at provoking an emotional response to the harms of tobacco use and promoting a sense among smokers that they can succeed in quitting smoking.


The paper reports a critical analysis of the thermal inertia approach to map surface soil water content on bare and sparsely vegetated soils by means of remotely sensed data. The study area is an experimental area located in Barrax (Spain). Field data were acquired within the Barrax 2011 research project. AHS airborne images including VIS/NIR and TIR bands were acquired both day and night time by the INTA (Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial) between the 11th and 13rd of June 2011. Images cover a corn pivot surrounded by bare soil, where a set of in situ data have been collected previously and simultaneously to overpasses. To validate remotely sensed estimations, a preliminary proximity sensing set up has been arranged, measuring spectra and surface temperatures on transects by means of ASD hand-held spectroradiometer and an Everest Interscience radiometric thermometer respectively. These data were collected on two transects: the first one on bare soil and the second from bare to sparsely vegetated soil; soil water content in both transects ranged approximately between field and saturation values. Furthermore thermal inertia was measured using a KD2Pro probe, and surface water content of soil was measured using FDR and TDR probes. This ground dataset was used: 1) to verify if the thermal inertia method can be applied to map water content also on soil covered by sparse vegetation, and 2) to quantify a correction factor of the downwelling shortwave radiation taking into account sky cloudiness effects on thermal inertia assessment. The experiment tests both Xue and Cracknell approximation to retrieve the thermal inertia from a dumped value of the phase difference and the three-temperature approach of Sobrino to estimate the phase difference spatial distribution. Both methods were then applied on the remotely sensed airborne images collected during the following days, in order to obtain the spatial distribution of the surface soil moisture on bare soils and sparse vegetation coverage. Results verify that the thermal inertia method can be applied on sparsely vegetated soil characterized by fractional cover up to ~0.25 (maximum value within this experiment); a lumped value of the phase difference allows a good estimate of the thermal inertia, whereas the comparison with the three-temperature approach did not give conclusive responses because ground radiometric temperatures were not acquired in optimal conditions. Results also show that clear sky only at the time of the remote sensing acquisitions is not a sufficient condition to apply the thermal inertia method. A corrective coefficient taking into account the actual sky cloudiness throughout the day allows accurate estimates of the spatial distribution of the thermal inertia (r2 ~ 0.9) and soil water content (r2 ~ 0.7).


Obesity induces some pertinent physiological changes which are conducive to either development of asthma or cause of poorly controlled asthma state. Obesity related mechanical stress forces induced by abdominal and thoracic fat generate stiffening of the lungs and diaphragmatic movements to result in reduction of resting lung volumes such as functional residual capacity (FRC). Reduced FRC is primarily an outcome of decreased expiratory reserve volume, which pushes the tidal breathing more towards smaller high resistance airways, and consequentially results in expiratory flow limitation during normal breathing in obesity. Reduced FRC also induces plastic alteration in the small collapsible airways, which may generate smooth muscle contraction resulting in increased small airway resistance, which, however, is not picked up by spirometric lung volumes. There is also a possibility that chronically reduced FRC may generate permanent adaptation in the very small airways; therefore, the airway calibres may not change despite weight reduction. Obesity may also induce bronchodilator reversibility and diurnal lung functional variability. Obesity is also associated with airway hyperresponsiveness; however, the mechanism of this is not clear. Thus, obesity has effects on lung function that can generate respiratory distress similar to asthma and may also exaggerate the effects of preexisting asthma.


Herein we report a facile method for the synthesis of N-doped crystalline mesoporous titanium dioxide (NMT) with ordered structure. Structural characterization and HR-TEM studies revealed that NMT exhibits pure anatase phase with highly crystalline ordered mesoporous structure in NMT. The N2 isotherms are of type IV with an H1 hysteresis loop and a pronounced capillary condensation step at high relative pressure for NMT, suggesting the presence of well-ordered mesoporous structure. The reflectance spectrum of NMT shows stronger absorption in the visible region above 400 nm, owing to the substitution of the lattice oxygen by nitrogen. XPS results proved the doping of nitrogen in to oxygen in TiO2 lattice, which confirmed by the presence of peak at 401 eV for N1s. The efficiency of photocatalyst was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine-B and antibacterial activity against E. coli under visible-light irradiation. N-doped mesoporous TiO2 shows superior photocatalytic and anti-bacterial activity compared to pure TiO2 under visible-light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of NMT is attributed to synergistic effect of NMT that is N-doping and well ordered crystalline mesoporous structure with high surface area of NMT. These findings suggest that N-doped mesoporous TiO2 has potential application in many areas such as degradation of hazardous pollutants, anti-bacterial agents, fuel cells, battery electrode, sensors, opto electronic devices, photo active self-cleaning surfaces.


The purpose of this case report is to report the orthodontic surgical treatment and subsequent dental rehabilitation in two patients with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome. Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by ocular, dental, craniofacial, and periumbilical abnormalities. The treatment of two patients with various anomalies in Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome is described and discussed. Early recognition of the syndrome and referral during childhood to a specialized oral and maxillofacial surgery, special dental care, and orthodontic unit provide the optimal starting point for this complex treatment.


Hourly mixing ratios of HNO3, NH3 and various other trace gas and aerosol species were determined at Harvard Forest in central Massachusetts between 1991 and 1995 in order (1) to ascertain the representativehess of this composite data set, (2) to identify general seasonal and diurnal trends in the mixing ratios of HNO3 and NH3 at this site, (3) to establish how these mixing ratios depend on characteristic meteorological parameters such as wind direction and temperature, and (4) to examine HNO3 relative to the other reactive nitrogen species measured. Harvard Forest receives air masses from both urban and rural source regions resulting in mean midday HNO3 mixing ratios 4 times higher when surface winds were from the SW (~ 2000 parts per trillion by volume (pptv)) as opposed to the NW (~ 500 pptv) wind sector. The HNO3 diel cycle provides evidence of entrainment of HNO3 from aloft as the nocturnal inversion breaks down. Gaseous NH3 mixing ratios are typically 200-300 pptv and on average exhibit little diel variability. High levels of atmospheric sulfate consistently suppress NH3 concentrations below the predicted NH3 compensation point of the canopy, even during periods when the sum of NH 3 and NH4 + (NHx) mixing ratios are quite high. The aerosol SO4 2regulation f NHx partitioning changes a a function oftemperature. At the same SO4 2mixing ratio, colder ambient temperatures result in lower NH3/NHx. On average HNO3 makes up about 20% of NOr at midday. The sum of the measured NOr species (NO, NO2, HNO3, and particulate NO3-) typically account for 60-80% of NOr, suggesting that peroxyacetylnitrate and other organic nitrates are a significant fraction of NOr at this predominantly oak forested site.


To identify subtypes of functional disorders of stomatognathic system is a valid aid in order to render an appropriate treatment plan and prognosis. A classification of neuromuscular disorders and internal derangements of TMJ proposed by Evaersole is reviewed. The data obtained on a sample of patients with disfunction are presented.


Mobile (HP) is a tool used by many people in Indonesia, to communicate and seek information. HP is not only used by teenagers and adults, but also can be used by children. Children who use mobile phones are only used for pleasure, such as playing games, which only can be downloaded at HP. Elementary school students (elementary) class VI is the final level students who will face the National Examination (UN). Subjects of mathematics is one of the subjects that are not so popular. To anticipate gnats students not only play at HP but also can learn, it will be made application of the measurement is one of the materials on the subjects of Mathematics. Applications created using the Android operating system. System development method used is the Wireless Software Engineering.


Summary. This study described criterion‐referenced tests of electrocardiograph reading skill and basic knowledge in cardiology, assessed their dependability and validity, and explored their impact on overall certification rates. Data indicated that the standard‐setting processes and the two criterion‐referenced tests produced dependable results both separately and together. Scores of each had the expected relationships with quality of residency training and experience with the examination. Moreover, these sections of the examination identified a small subset of examinees who failed the criterion‐referenced sections but passed the norm‐referenced examinations. Taken as a whole these results replicate the findings of an earlier study in terms of a criterion‐referenced test of electrocardiograph reading skill and extended them to a criterion‐referenced test of basic knowledge in cardiology.


Maternal and fetal effects of anesthesia for 423 cesarian section, performed during the past three and quarter years period in this hospital, have been evaluated. It is emphasized that the selection of anesthetic agent and method should depend upon the physical status of the patients and the ability of both obstetrician and anesthesiologists. Author results were as follows: 1. The incidence of c-section was 13.9% of total deliveries. 2. More than about three fourths of total cases were emergency cases. 3. Almost all cases were operated under general anesthesia. 4. The good physical states of patients resulted in better Apgar score of infants. 5. The shorter the interval from induction of anesthesia to delivery, the better was the Apgar score of infants.


The emergence of fake news, as well as filter bubbles and echo chambers, has precipitated renewed attention upon the ways in which news is consumed, shared and reflected and commented upon. While online news comments sections offer space for pluralist and critical discussion, studies suggest that this rarely occurs. Motivated by common practices of annotating, defacing and scribbling on physical newspapers, we built a mobile app -- Newsr -- that supports co-annotation, in the form of graffiti, on online news articles, which we evaluated in-the-wild for one month. We report on how the app encouraged participants to reflect upon the act of choosing news stories, whilst promoting exploration, the critique of content, and the exposure of bias within the writing. Our findings highlight how the re-design of interactive online news experiences can facilitate more directed, "in-the-moment" critique of online news stories as well as encourage readers to expand the range of news content they read.


This paper assesses International Joint Venture (IJV) marketing performance in the Republic of Thailand, as opposed to general business performance. Furthermore, the paper develops an objective measure to assess IJV marketing performance and compares two different types of measures for measuring IJV marketing performance, a subjective measure and an objective measure, and finds both measures to be significantly correlated. The objective measure of IJV marketing performance is a composite measure that includes strategic objectives for establishing an IJV. The objective measure assesses the respondents' satisfaction with the achievement of the strategic objectives and the subjective measure is a perceptual measure. The data for this study are from a sample of 161 IJVs located in the Republic of Thailand with the sample coming from a wide cross-section of industries including agriculture, mining, light, metal-working, electronics, chemical and the service industries.


The paper presents research findings concerning the complex system of the mashing and brewing section of the brewery by methods of nonlinear dynamics. We have analysed the time series of the variable technological processesof making beer wort. The prior information and analysis on the dimensions of the reconstituted phase trajectories of the object determined our selection of the structures and functions of the basic models of the dynamics in the process of mashing wort; the structures and functions had the form of nonlinear algebraic polynomials and fractional rational functions of the 3-6 order, respectively. As a result, the calculated and established coefficients of the dynamic models have provided adequacy of the experimental data model that is sufficient for practical purposes: the prediction error does not exceed 6 %. Simulation in the VectorODE package made it possible to upgrade predictor functions for predicting the progress of mashing beer wort in chaotic regimes of the process. We have determined the optimal structure and parameters of differential equations as predictors for the criteria of time and prediction accuracy. Besides, we have proved effectiveness of the obtained models for predicting the behaviour of the object in a wide range, including chaotic regimes. The derived models were checked through time test series that showed the effectiveness of these predictor functions: the depth of the prediction was 8-17 minutes with an accuracy of 3 % to 7 %. Using predictor functions ensures the implementation of effective management strategies in the technological complex of beer production in conditions of intermittency.


Object of this thesis is the study of PT Sinar Sosro in Belfast, one distributor of tea in a bottle with the brand Botol Sosro. PT RAY SOSRO is a ready to drink tea in bottles of the first in Indonesia and in the world. SOSRO is the pioneer of tea ready to drink products in the packaging of the first in Indonesia. The problems studied were measuring Brand Awareness study on Teh Botol Sosro product in Bandar Lampung. Teh Botol Sosro product still perceived by most people in the region known to Bandar Lampung. Indonesian society is very fond of drinking tea, the survey result from various research institutes such as AC Nielsen, MARS and SWA, since 1999 until now, shows the level of market penetration for the tea reaches more than 95%. That means drink tea or almost have been consumed by every member of society. The method of this research is Descriptive method is to identify and analyze Brand Awarenes, which consists of Top of Mind Brand Recall, Brand Recognition and unaware of Brand on Teh Botol Sosro product in Bandar Lampung. The method used in this study were : Research Library and Field Research. The research literature is the research done by studying literature, literature and reading books related to this thesis research. Documentation, which is used to obtain daata on the number of consumers and the sales volume and others. As for Field Research is a method of field research conducted by the method of survey is to collect data from questionnaires or interview. The results of studies on Brand Awareness Measurement on Teh Botol Sosro product in Bandar Lampung, figures obtained 51.6% of the respondents surveyed. This figure could be raised again for the better when the PT Sinar Sosro can increase brand awareness held by consumers with more incentive to do the promotion again in collaboration with others, so that consumer brand awareness has increased. In this way will further enhance consumer loyalty on Teh Botol Sosro product brand that will increase corporate profits, then the direct sales of bottled tea Sosro will increase to higher than now.


This article argues for the distinctiveness of the presentation of crowds in the Old English version of the Legend of the Seven Sleepers . In traditional Old English poetry, crowds are mostly conspicuous by their absence, since the social groupings portrayed are typically those ofthe lord's retinue and the fellowship of the hall. In writings deriving from Latin traditions (in Anglo-Latin, Old English prose and strands of Old English poetry) such as historiography andhagiography, crowds are presented in highly conventional terms based on literary models. The crowd scenes in the Legend of the Seven Sleepers , on the other hand, have an immediacy and urgency that seem based on real-life experience of Anglo-Saxon England rather than simply imitative of the work's Latin (ultimately Greek) source or of other literary models. Drawing upon crowd theory and historical studies, the article demonstrates that the crowds in this text are presented in "domesticated" Anglo-Saxon terms and may be seen as reflective of growing urbanization in late Anglo-Saxon England. "Real" crowds are glimpsed elsewhere inAnglo-Saxon literature but in the Legend of the Seven Sleepers they are particularly foregrounded; this text also presents the literature's liveliest picture of town life more generally.


Using Reichenbach's (1947) theory of tenses and temporal structures as a point of departure, McGilvray modifies it to produce a theory of his own. Analysing the difficulties Reichenbach's theory has in explaining the relationship of a speaker to a world, he introduces a new model for this relationship based on the three-interval temporal topology that Reichenbachian theory assigns to the sentences of natural languages. McGilvray explains and defends in detail Reichenbach's theory of tense and temporal structure, criticising and rejecting the major rival theory, found in tense logic. He also applies Reichenbach's nonstandard topology to English, showing that it is correct for the language. A significant aspect of McGilvray's study is the supplementing of Reichenbach's topology by including speakers, sentences, situations, and things spoken about with the temporal intervals. McGilvray relocates and reinterprets a prime source of faulty intuitions concerning time and tense -- our feeling that the past, present, and future must be thought of in terms of the settled, the immediate, and the unsettled. He uses his theory to explain the temporal and semantic structure of complex constructions in English, including propositional attitudes, modals, and conditionals. As well, he adapts the structure that Reichenbach's theory assigns to sentences to the aspects perfective (complete) and imperfective (incomplete). The novel view of temporal and semantic structure developed by McGilvray touches on virtually all the puzzles concerning the philosophy of language -- meaning and meaningfulness, the nature of reference, truth, propositions, and worldmaking. His emphasis is on how the speaker, by articulating sentences and understanding them, is both free and constrained -- free to describe something which can be located at any time and in any world, but constrained by the beliefs, evidence, information, and commitments held or made at the time of speech.


With the increasing complexity in the die and package designs and ever increasing cost pressure in today's microelectronic industry, the design for input/output (I/O) routing has assumed a vital role in the overall product design. This scenario is primarily driven by the increase in the I/O terminal counts in both die and package. Several authors have already described the possibility of using various escape routing models in order to maximize the number of I/Os in a given area. However, these models suffer from many drawbacks and fail to address the importance of processing factors and the actual manufacturing conditions. Therefore, a new design guideline for escape routing has been developed to achieve the maximum I/O density under the actual manufacturing, processing and cost related constraints. The correlation between the real world constraints and their impact on I/O routing has been explored and used as a foundation for developing design guidelines. This approach has been presented through a comprehensive case study that covers various design scenarios, provides the right set of real world trade-offs that need to be considered and simultaneously highlights the drawbacks in existing models.


Title: "Reflections From a Different Journey" Author: Klein ISBN: 0071422692 Category: Parenting Trim Size: 6 x 9 UPC: 639785385547. Most parents of children with disabilities lack personal experience with adults with disabilities. Hearing from people who have lived the disability experience can provide all parents with essential information about the possibilities for their children. "Reflections from a Different Journey" comprises forty inspiring and realistic essays written by successful adult role models who share what it is like to grow up with a disability.Compiled by two award-winning advocates for the disabled, each eloquently written essay is an insightful source of wisdom, inspiration, and emotional support as well as a rare glimpse inside the lives and minds of people with many different disabilities - cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism, learning disabilities, deafness, blindness, mental illness, developmental disabilities, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, congenital amputation, and chronic health conditions. In preparing their essays, the authors were each asked to write about something they wished their own parents had read or been told while they were growing up.The essays, which demonstrate that, first and foremost, people with disabilities are human beings with the same needs and desires as people without disabilities, are arranged thematically: 'Love Me and Accept Me as I Am' essays express appreciation for parents who provided unconditional love and a sense of belonging and accepted them as whole people - including that part of them considered to be a disability. "Parents Are the Most Important Experts" essays describe how their parents addressed their unique needs and became the most important experts in their lives. 'Parental Expectations' essays present different approaches to expectations and standards and encourage every child to have hopes and aspirations. 'Sexuality' essays explore how all children need to talk about and learn about intimacy and sexuality.'Education About Disability' essays explain why it is important for parents and children to learn all about a child's disability and how to facilitate necessary accommodations so that each child can enjoy a full life. The foreword is written by Marlee Matlin, the Academy Award-winning actress who is deaf. The afterword is written by the book's coeditor, John D. Kemp, a successful attorney and advocate for the disabled who was born without arms and legs.Brimming with a wealth of life-affirming lessons, "Reflections from a Different Journey" offers many specific suggestions for parents and family members of people with disabilities, older disabled children, and education and health care professionals. Stanley Klein, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and frequent speaker to parents and health care and education professionals, has worked with children with disabilities and their parents for fifty years, and has received numerous national awards for his work. A cofounder and former editor in chief of "Exceptional Parent" magazine, Dr. Klein has coedited "The Disabled Child and the Family", "It Isn't Fair: Siblings of Children with Disabilities", "You Will Dream New Dreams: Inspiring Personal Stories by Parents of Children with Disabilities", and "From There to Here: Stories of Adjustment to Spinal Cord Injury". He lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts. John Kemp is a successful Washington, DC, attorney and lifelong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. He is a frequently sought-after speaker, giving up to fifty keynote presentations each year.Kemp has been recognized for his work on behalf of people with disabilities, including service as the 1960 National Easter Seal Society Poster Child, 1991 membership in the Horatio Alger Award of Distinguished Americans, the Freedom of the Human Spirit Award from the International Center for the Disabled, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws and the Distinguished Alumni Fellow Award from his alma mater, Washburn University Law School.'As the mother of a son with profound physical disabilities, I want every parent of a child in similar circumstances to read this remarkable eye-opening book. The lessons it brings from adults with disabilities are essential to giving our kids the start they deserve and to understanding how close their hopes and aspirations are to kids we see as 'normal' - Judy Woodruff. 'Advice to parents about how to raise and guide their children with disabilities is rarely offered in such a compelling and insightful way as it is in "Reflections from a Different Journey". Nobody says it any better than people with disabilities themselves when topics such as risk taking, social acceptance, envisioning a life of greater independence, and all the challenges confronting any parent arise. These essays will educate, inform, and entertain every parent who wants to know how to be the very best parent he or she can be' - Senator Robert Dole.'The significant education for those helping, supporting, advising, and motivating people with disabilities is in listening to them. These writers with disabilities are brilliant in portraying their lives with pathos and even humor. Professionals and parents trying to achieve equality for people with disabilities must read this masterpiece' - Henry Betts, M.D., former medical director and CEO, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.'A fabulous contribution to the field of disabilities. Parents everywhere need to read this book. Everyone involved with children with disabilities needs to read it. It answers so many questions about what works and what doesn't. And it answers the questions in the most reliable manner - in the voice of the son or daughter' - Patricia McGill Smith, Senior Policy Advisor, National Down Syndrome Society.


Abstract Context. Understanding habitat selection is important for determining conservation and management strategies for endangered species. The Carolina northern flying squirrel (CNFS; Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) is an endangered subspecies found in the high-elevation montane forests of the southern Appalachians, USA. The primary use of nest boxes to monitor CNFS has provided biased information on habitat use for this subspecies, as nest boxes are typically placed in suitable denning habitat. Aims. We conducted a radio-telemetry study on CNFS to determine home range, den site selection and habitat use at multiple spatial scales. Methods. We radio-collared 21 CNFS in 2012 and 2014–15. We tracked squirrels to diurnal den sites and during night-time activity. Key results. The MCP (minimum convex polygon) home range at 95% for males was 5.2 ± 1.2 ha and for females was 4.0 ± 0.7. The BRB (biased random bridge) home range at 95% for males was 10.8 ± 3.8 ha and for females was 8.3 ± 2.1. Den site (n = 81) selection occurred more frequently in montane conifer dominate forests (81.4%) vs northern hardwood forests or conifer–northern hardwood forests (9.9% and 8.7%, respectively). We assessed habitat selection using Euclidean distance-based analysis at the 2nd order and 3rd order scale. We found that squirrels were non-randomly selecting for habitat at both 2nd and 3rd order scales. Conclusions. At both spatial scales, CNFS preferentially selected for montane conifer forests more than expected based on availability on the landscape. Squirrels selected neither for nor against northern hardwood forests, regardless of availability on the landscape. Additionally, CNFS denned in montane conifer forests more than other habitat types. Implications. Our results highlight the importance of montane conifer to CNFS in the southern Appalachians. Management and restoration activities that increase the quality, connectivity and extent of this naturally rare forest type may be important for long-term conservation of this subspecies, especially with the impending threat of anthropogenic climate change.


Background and aims: Anxiety disorders and psychological manifestations play significant roles in the incidence of psychosomatic disorders. Moreover, personality traits are one of the psychological constructs associated with psychosomatic symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of integrative therapy on distress and psychosomatic symptoms in female patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction with type D personality. Methods: The present study was semi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population in this study included all the patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders who referred to the Institute of Psychology Hamdam Hamrah in 2020, 24 patients were selected by targeted sampling method (patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction, apart from the gastrointestinal cancer patients, who had a high de-personality score) and were randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control with 12 patients in each group. Data were obtained using the type D personality scale (DS-14), ROME III questionnaire, psychological distress scale, and depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21). Data analysis was performed using repeated measure analysis of variance by SPSS version 22. Results: Descriptive findings of psychological distress variables were obtained in the experimental group in the pre-test (40.08±7.75), post-test (.25±7.59), and follow-up (28.33±6.45). Furthermore, descriptive findings psychosomatic symptoms were obtained in the pre-test (49.17±15.65), post-test (42.25±10.36), and follow-up sessions (40.33±9.28), showing a decrease in the values of these variables in post-test and follow-up sessions. The results indicated that integrative therapy was effective in decreasing distress (P<0.001) and psychosomatic symptoms (P<0.001) in female patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction with type D personality. Conclusion: It can be concluded that integrative therapy effectively reduces distress and psychosomatic symptoms of female patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction with type D personality and improves psychological problems in female patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction.


Explains how senior management determined to achieve a more open style in the workplace based on committed teams engaged in open and honest communication to plan and achieve corporate, business and individual objectives. Using a 23‐point questionnaire returned anonymously by staff the results were aggregated by a consultant firm. Results shared between manager and staff showed that being negative increases the problems in the workplace. Suggests that other organisations searching for ways to increase the effectiveness of their workforce should consider the use of upward feedback.


Some of the important underlying scientific aspects of photochemical and photothermal processes are reviewed. The discussion concentrates on those areas of laser chemistry which offer a considerable potential for commercial applicaion and examples are selected which illustrate this. Thus this paper is not a comprehensive review of current research in laser chemistry. Specific subjects treated include laser isotope separation, purification, chemical synthesis, laser pyrolysis, laser production of novel materials, laser-initiated chain reactions, laser control of electronic effects, and laser chemistry at surfaces.


The Kozeny equation for fluid flow through isotropic unconsolidated porous media is developed. It is shown that the utility and application of this equation to consolidated and non-isotropic porous media hinge on the derivation of appropriate values for the Kozeny constant, k. It is postulated on the basis of a dichotomy originally suggested by Carman that the Kozeny constant for any porous system can be measured. Electrical methods to determine tortuosity in isotropic, non-isotropic, and partially saturated porous media are outlined and experimental data bearing on the validity of these methods are examined. By combining the fundamental postulates of the Kozeny equation with the properties of the capillary pressure desaturation curve of a porous medium, a new expression for permeability is obtained: [EQUATION] Similarly, the wetting phase relative permeability is shown to be, [EQUATION] Here K is permeability, ^ggr interfacial tension, F formation factor, ^phgr porosity, Sw fractional wetting phase saturation, and Pc capillary pressure. It is noted that the principal difference between unconsolidated and consolidated porous media lies in the higher tortuosities applicable to the latter. By the preparation of thin sections and the use of a statistical method for determining surface area, it is shown that the Kozeny equation appears to give valid surface areas for consolidated porous media. Such measurements make possible an estimate of the average grain sizes of many consolidated porous media.


Enhanced planar Hall voltage changes were measured for a cross-diagonal current - voltage configuration in multilayers deposited on square Si(100) substrates by magnetron sputtering. A voltage maximum change is observed with an current flow along one diagonal of the square and the voltage output measured along the other diagonal, for external magnetic fields of applied in the film plane perpendicular to the edges. This result is discussed in terms of known galvanomagnetic effects in ferromagnetic thin films used in sensors.


We have recently introduced a new model for the distribution of dark matter (DM) in galaxies, the Ruffini-Arg\"uelles-Rueda (RAR) model, based on a self-gravitating system of massive fermions at finite temperatures. The RAR model, for fermion masses above keV, successfully describes the DM halos in galaxies, and predicts the existence of a denser quantum core towards the center of each configuration. We demonstrate here, for the first time, that the introduction of a cutoff in the fermion phase-space distribution, necessary to account for the finite Galaxy size, defines a new solution with a compact quantum core which represents an alternative to the central black hole (BH) scenario for SgrA*. For a fermion mass in the range $48$~keV$/c^2\lesssim m \lesssim 345$~keV$/c^2$, the DM halo distribution fulfills the most recent data of the Milky Way rotation curves, while harbors a dense quantum core of $4\times10^6 M_\odot$ within the S2 star pericenter. In particular, for a fermion mass of $m\sim 50$~keV$/c^2$ the model is able to explain the DM halos from typical dwarf spheroidal to normal elliptical galaxies, while harboring dark and massive compact objects from $\sim 10^3 M_\odot$ up to $\sim 10^8 M_\odot$ at their respective centers. The model is shown to be in good agreement with different observationally inferred universal relations, such as the ones connecting DM halos with supermassive dark central objects. Finally, the model provides a natural mechanism for the formation of supermassive BHs as heavy as $M_{\rm BH}\sim$ few $10^8 M_\odot$. We argue that larger BH masses ($M_{\rm BH}\sim 10^{9-10} M_\odot$) may be achieved by assuming subsequent accretion processes onto the above heavy seeds, depending on accretion efficiency and environment.