In this book, Johns Hopkins psychiatrist Phillip R. Slavney, M.D., offers a concise guide that will help primary-care physicians evaluate and treat patients who are delirious, demoralized, thinking of suicide, or refusing to follow medical advice. Although these patients exhibit emotional distress, cognitive disturbance, or maladaptive behavior, the cause of the problem is often their medical illness and treatment. For that reason, many such patients can receive excellent care from their own physicians-physicians who, given the resistance of managed care companies to specialist referrals, must now bear that responsibility in any event. After an introductory chapter on clinical assessment, Slavney discusses each of these common problems as it occurs in the clinical setting, with illustrative cases and specific advice about evaluation and treatment. "Dr. Slavney has written lucidly and carefully about these very important issues, clarifying his exposition through a series of case examples. This book should be enormously useful not only to students and house staff but also to practicing physicians and faculty, especially those making the rounds on clinical services. One wishes, in fact, that it were possible to have Dr. Slavney along on rounds; this volume is a useful move in that direction."-Jeremiah A. Barondess, M.D., from the foreword


Various tests have been described to differentiate the pathogenic and non-pathogenic types of E. histolytica. Recently DNA hybridization has been described to differentiate between the two subtypes. Using common HMC probe the presence of E. histolytica in stool was confirmed. Then on the basis of hybridization with DNA probe P 145 (pathogenic) and B 133 (non-pathogenic) E. histolytica was characterized as being pathogenic and non pathogenic respectively. Out of 137 patients studied 88 were symptomatic and 49 asymtomatic. 65 patients harboured E. histolytica as proved by microscopic examination of stool. Sixty-eight stool samples tested positive for DNA hybridization with common HMC probe, this included 65 microscopy positive samples and 3 microscopy negative samples. This gives a sensitivity of 100% and 96% specificity. All the 68 samples were then subjected to hybridization with P 145 and B 133 DNA probes. Out of 88 symptomatic patients stool samples of 57 patients were microscopy positive, however 58 were positive by common HMC probe and all of these were P 145 (pathogenic) positive and B 133 (non-pathogenic) negative. Of the 49 asymptomatic cases 8 were E. histolytica positive on microscopy and 10 positive on hybridization with common HMC probe and all 10 were P 145 negative and B 133 positive. It can be thus concluded that DNA hybridization is a reliable way to differentiate between pathogenic and nonpathogenic E. histolytica.


A 21-item observation tool developed by one of the authors was used to assess learning needs of 30 registered nurses who regularly suction intubated patients. Of the nurses observed, 97 percent had excellent regard for proper equipment utilization and 91 percent for maintenance of sterile environment. These high percentages were responsible for pulling the overall average score to 65 percent, thus partially disguising the acute need for patient assessment (38 percent), psychological support (57 percent), and procedure (62 percent). Scores for subgroups of nurses–associate degree (group I), diploma (group II), and baccalaureate (group III)—were 72, 69, and 65, respectively. Of particular concern were low scores in the assessment and psychological support categories. Despite increased emphasis on both of these areas in nursing programs in the last decade. AD graduates received scores of 52 and 57 percent while diploma graduates received scores of 38 and 58 percent and baccalaureate graduates received scores of 26 and 55 percent.


This article details how the influence of financial investment on insurance has produced a morality discourse that provides new insights on a social theory of stigma. Specifically, it examines the Insurance Development Forum (IDF) and the role morality plays in its commitments to climate governance. Initially conceived by political leaders advising on disaster risk reduction at a 2013 UN General Assembly meeting, the IDF recognizes financial institutions, practices, and devices as integral to addressing climate change. Through its activities and investments in an open-access database, insurance has come to shape material claims about the reputational status of people, things, natures, and places. At the heart of the article's analysis is the observation that the organizational structure of the IDF depends on the efficient flow of information to manage the stigma often associated with finance capitalism.


The intracellular localization of phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) was studied in cell lines with different levels of cell transformation. Immunofluorescence analysis of cell lines with differently organized actin cytoskeletons (A431 cells, HeLa cells, mouse hepatoma MH 22A, Zajdela ascitic hepatoma, primary human embryo skin and lung fibroblasts) gave evidence that PLC gamma 1 is colocalized only with cortical actin and not with stress fibers. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that PLC gamma 1 was bound to actin in all cell lines investigated. Further, the nuclei of highly transformed cell lines (A431 cells, HeLa cells, mouse hepatoma MH 22A, rat Zajdela ascitic hepatoma) were labeled with the anti-PLC gamma 1 antibody. In contrast, PLC gamma 1 was not observed in the nuclei of primary human embryo skin or lung fibroblasts. Since PLC gamma 1 exists only in the nuclei of highly transformed cell lines, we propose that the distinctive intracellular localization of PLC gamma 1 in normal and highly transformed cell lines may reflect differences in cell signaling systems and mitogenic cell signal transduction.


The invasive redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) was first detected in Savannah,GA, in 2002. This tiny beetle and its symbiotic fungal partner (Raffaelea lauricola) have led to one of the most devastating new plant diseases in recent times affecting laurel trees (Lauraceae), laurel wilt. In Florida, this devastating disease has also affected the agriculturally important avocado (Persea americana), and once symptoms are visible (i.e., wilting leaves), it is too late to save the infected tree. However, prophylactic systemic treatment with propiconazole can protect the trees from the disease for 12 months. This study evaluated the novel approach of using scent-discriminating canines (Canis familiaris) trained on the volatiles of laurel wilt pathogen as a proactive management tool for grove owners. Canine deployments in groves resulted in the detection of 265 presymptomatic avocado trees during two trials. In trial 1, 155 presymptomatic trees were treated with propiconazole and, over the subsequent 14-month monitoring period, 97% remained asymptomatic. In trial 2, the canines detected 100 presymptomatic trees that were not subsequently treated and 22 progressed to wilt within 2–5 weeks, and the remaining trees were removed, thus halting the observation period at 6 weeks. The canines have proven to be an effective proactive management tool.


This study was designed to investigate the usefulness of treatment with 5-FU preceding CDDP in combination chemotherapy with THP, 5-FU and CDDP. Using the human KB carcinoma cell line and its multidrug resistant cell line KB-C1, the difference in the antitumor effect due to the sequence of administration of CDDP and 5-FU (TCF or TFC) was examined on cultured cells and nude mouse tumor xenografts. When KB and KB-C1 were treated with THP (0.01 microgram/ml) on day 1, CDDP (0.05 microgram/ml) on day 2 or day 4 and 5-FU (0.25 microgram/ml) on day 3 and 4 or day 2 and 3, TFC suppressed the cell proliferation more strongly than TCF (p < 0.05), though there was no difference between KB and KB-C1. In nude mouse xenografts, intraperitoneal administrations of THP (0.5 mg/kg) on day 1, CDDP (2 mg/kg) on day 2 or day 5, and 5-FU (10 mg/kg) on day 3-5 or day 2-4 inhibited tumor growth more effectively in KB than in KB-C1. At three weeks postadministration, growth inhibition by TCF and TFC was 29.9% and 57.4% in KB and 25.2% and 49.8% in KB-C1, respectively. These results indicate that TFC was superior to TCF in cytocidal and antitumor effects for KB and KB-C1.


In a repeated measures design, the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ; Marks, 1973) was administrated to 10 participants each half hour in a single day between 8:00 and 20:00. The questionnaire was also administrated on four consecutive days following the original administration at 8:00, 14:00 and 20:00. These results were then fitted to a model with the superposition of two cosinusoidal functions. An analysis of the results suggested the coexistence of ultradian and circadian cycles in the determination of the vividness of visual imagery.


Electron diffraction at grazing incidence shows that the preferred one-degree crystal orientations developed in the surface region of gallium by unidirectional abrasion and by rolling are of the same type. A [100] axis is normal to the specimen surface or nearly so, possibly together with some [010] orientation, relative to the axes a=45107, b=45167, c=76448 A. This [100] orientation appears to be analogous to the [001] orientation observed on graphite after abrasion, in that the Ga atoms in the (100) planes form plane networks of linked hexagons. Unidirectional abrasion of a Ga single crystal on 4/0 emery paper resulted in only a small amount of Ga in the above one-degree orientation at the surface. Most of the surface Ga retained either the initial single-crystal orientation or a range of orientations obtained from this by rotation (up to about 10°) about an axis parallel to the surface and normal to the abrasion direction, as is typical of the `transition region' in other abraded metal crystals.


We aim to present three cases of carcinosarcoma of the ovary, a rare tumor associated with an aggressive clinical course and overall poor prognosis. Ovarian carcinosarcoma is a rare gynecologic malignancy that tends to develop in elderly women. These tumors are defined histologically by the presence of malignant epithelial and stromal elements. They are associated with a poor prognosis. The optimal chemotherapeutic regimen to treat this tumor is yet to be determined. The ages of patients were 56, 62, 58 years. Three patients underwent a primary debulking surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. After surgery, the pathologic examination reported a primary ovarian carcinosarcoma.


Introduction Haemangiopericytoma is a rare, soft-tissue tumor of vascular origin derived from pericyte that surrounds the smooth muscles of small blood vessels. The common sites are the musculatures of the lower extremities, head and neck. Computed tomographic angiography facilitates the diagnosis of vascular neoplasms, preoperative definition of blood supply, and therefore guide to embolization of tumor. Case presentation A 30-year-old young man presented with a four-year history of painless progressive lateral neck swelling, which was increasing gradually and bled at slight contact. The tumour showed high vascularity on computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and multiple pulmonary and spinal metastases. Histology revealed malignant haemangiopericytoma. He was being prepared for chemo-radiotherapy due to tumor unresectability. Conclusion This is a case of histologically proven haemangiopericytoma in a 30-year-old man who presented with painless progressive lateral neck swelling, which appeared hypervascular on CTA, which also showed a concurrent and an unusual cervical spinal and muli-focal pulmonary  metastases. The relevant literature was also reviewed Key words : hemangiopericytoma, computed tomographic angiography, vascular


Science shops are science-society interfaces that follow a bottom-up approach. They work on the translation of social-based research demands in terms of scientific questions. They support participatory research between Civil Society Organizations, academic research groups and students. The European Commission recognizes science shops as Responsible Research and Innovation tools. They are not widely known in France and southern Europe. We investigate their potentialities in terms of social innovation and co-building research analysis. We describe the co-creation process that we used for the design of our science shop in the North of France. This is based on a scenario-workshop engaging all stakeholders concerned by a science shop. Our science shop is now implemented in the "Community of Universities and Higher Education Institutions Lille-North of France". We provide a first typology of social demands. This experiment starts with two pilot projects, benefits from the support of motivated stakeholders, and deserves to be shared widely.JEL Codes: I23, I25, I28, O32, O35


The development of drugs able to inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory genes is of great interest in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). Chronic pulmonary inflammation in the lungs of patients affected by CF is characterized by massive intra-bronchial infiltrates of neutrophils. This process is initiated upon interaction of pathogens (including Pseudomonas aeruginosa) with surface bronchial cells. Consequently, they release cytokines, the most represented being the potent neutrophilic chemokine Interleukin (IL)-8 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. The chronic inflammatory process is crucial, since it leads to progressive tissue damage and severe respiratory insufficiency. In order to reduce the adverse effects of the excessive inflammatory response, one of the approaches leading to inhibition of IL-8 and IL-6 gene expression is the transcription factor (TF) decoy approach, based on intracellular delivery of double stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) mimicking the binding sites of TFs and causing inhibition of binding of TF-related proteins to regulatory sequences identified in the promoters of specific genes. Since the promoters of IL-8 and IL-6 contain consensus sequences for NF-κ B and Sp1, double stranded TF "decoy" ODNs targeting NF-κB and Sp1 can be used. Alternatively, screening of drugs targeting relevant TFs can be performed using drug cocktails constituted by extracts from medicinal plants inhibiting TF/DNA interactions. Finally, virtual screening might lead to identification of putative bioactive molecules to be validated using molecular and cellular approaches. By these means, low-molecular drugs targeting NF-κB and inhibiting IL-8 gene expression are available for pre-clinical testing using experimental systems recapitulating chronic pulmonary inflammation of patients affected by CF.


Wireless ad hoc networks are inherently vulnerable,as any node can disrupt the communication of potentially anyother node in the network. Many solutions to this problem havebeen proposed. In this paper, we take a fresh and comprehen-sive approach, simultaneously addressing three aspects: security,scalability and adaptability to changing network conditions. Ourcommunication protocol, Castor, occupies a unique point in thedesign space: it does not use any control messages except simplepacket acknowledgements, and each node makes routing decisionslocally and independently of other nodes without exchangingrouting state with them. This novel design makes Castor resilientto a wide range of attacks and allows it to scale to large networksizes and to remain efficient under high mobility. We compareCastor against four representative protocols from the literature.Our protocol achieves up to two times higher packet deliveryrates, particularly in large and highly volatile networks, incursno or only limited additional overhead and it is able to survivemore severe attacks and recovers from them faster.


The organisers of this conference have kindly provided me with the forum to look forward and examine the future of medical imaging. My view of the future is informed by my own research directions; thus, I illustrate my vision of the future with results from my own research, and from the research that has motivated me over the last few years. As such, the results presented are specific to the field of breast imaging; however, I believe that the trends presented have general applicability, and hope that this discourse will motivate new research. My vision of the future can be summarised in accordance with three broad trends: (1) increased prevalence of low-dose tomographic X-ray imaging; (2) continuing advances in functional and molecular X-ray imaging; and (3) novel image-based biomarker discovery.


Almost all of polymeric nanostructures are now prepared by a classical post-self-assembly strategy. An ambitious target is to quest new polymer in situ self-assembly ways. Here we pose a light-initiated in situ self-assembly method, named LISA, which can de novo form various nanostructures through orthogonal photoligation from multiple homopolymers. Tuning the initial componential or light parameter, one can predict and govern the systematic morphological evolution. This method circumvents tedious synthesis and solution-processing procedures of block copolymers in post-self-assembly strategy and allows the preparation of ordered assemblies from simple homopolymers in one-pot photoreaction. We anticipate that this photocontrolled in situ self-assembly strategy would provide a new vision for facile construction of high-ordered nanostructures starting from homopolymers


Silicon-vacancy (SiV) center in diamond is a photoluminescence (PL) center with a characteristic zero-phonon line energy at 1.681 eV that acts as a solid-state single-photon source and, potentially, as a quantum bit. The majority of the luminescence intensity appears in the zero-phonon line; nevertheless, about 30% of the intensity manifests in the phonon sideband. Since phonons play an essential role in the operation of this system, it is of importance to understand the vibrational properties of the SiV center in detail. To this end, we carry out density functional theory calculations of dilute SiV centers by embedding the defect in supercells of a size of a few thousand atoms. We find that there exist two well-pronounced quasilocal vibrational modes (resonances) with ${A}_{2u}$ and ${E}_{u}$ symmetries, corresponding to the vibration of the Si atom along and perpendicular to the defect symmetry axis, respectively. Isotopic shifts of these modes explain the isotopic shifts of prominent vibronic features in the experimental SiV PL spectrum. Moreover, calculations show that the vibrational frequency of the ${A}_{2u}$ mode increases by about 30% in the excited state with respect to the ground state, while the frequency of the ${E}_{u}$ mode increases by about 5%. These changes explain experimentally observed isotopic shifts of the zero-phonon-line energy. We also emphasize possible dangers of extracting isotopic shifts of vibrational resonances from finite-size supercell calculations, and instead propose a method to do this correctly.


Irradiation of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-2,3-epoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1a) in benzene gave the carbonyl ylide (2a) or the 1,3-diradical (3a), which was trapped with a variety of olefins, including simple alkenes, cycloalkenes, aromatic olefins, allyl alcohols, electron-rich olefins, and electron-deficient olefins. The excited state of (1a) was quenched by electron-rich olefins presumably via charge-transfer, while (2a) or (3a) react most readily with electron-deficient olefins. Cycloaddition of (2a) or (3a) to cis- and trans-but-2-ene proceeded stereospecifically. Further irradiation of the primary adducts gave the spirophthalide (5) and the alkylidenephthalides Z-(7) and E-(7)via preferential α-cleavage at the more crowded side. On the basis of the evidence of quantum yields and triplet lifetimes, this preference is believed to arise from the different efficiencies of the radical recombination of possible biradicals.


Leiomyosarcoma of the large arteries and veins is rare. In this paper, one case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the axillary vein is reported. The patient, a 66 year old man, was admitted because of a mass in the medial side of right upper arm for three years and increasingly growing. The tentative diagnosis was neurologic fibroma. A local resection was performed and the final diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma of the right axillary vein was established by pathology. So far, there are 86 cases reported in the foreign literature but only one in the Chinese literature. The neoplasm most frequently occurs in the large veins (68 cases) and approximately one half in the inferior vena cava (33/68). 18 neoplasms are originated from the large arteries and of them, 10 from the pulmonary arteries. Primary leiomyosarcoma in large veins is about four times as common as that in arteries. The primary sites in order of incidence: (1) inferior vena cava; (2) pulmonary artery; (3) other large veins and (4) other large arteries.


Objective: To consider the role of State, food industry and population in the consolidation of obesogenic environment in Mexico, beyond the prevailing individualistic approach of obesity. Methodology: Documentary review –including specialized articles, official reports and journalistic articles- from a historical point of view. Results: Ideological foundations of the State, in first time, and the late economic opening –which food industry took advantage of it- gave impulse to the dietary patterns change. On the other hand, at the population level highly industrialized food consumption has been associated to socioeconomic improvement. Limitation: General processes depicted require specific empirical analyses. Conclusion: To analyze in a joint way the governmental, industrial and population actions, is necessary to understand and to answer the health risks of obesogenic environment.


Sub-mm/THz monolithic circuit components made of layered dielectric waveguide are characterized using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) technique. The use of FDTD analysis allows for the characterization of these components in a very wide frequency range. Numerical results for a sub-mm wave distributed directional coupler are presented and compared to the response of an ideal coupler.<<ETX>>


We demonstrate a nonlinear Hall effect due to the boundary spin accumulation in Pt films grown on Al2O3 substrates. This Hall effect and the previously demonstrated Hanle magnetoresistance provide a complete picture of the spin-precession control of the spin and charge transport at the boundary of a spin-orbit coupled material, which we refer to as spin-Hall Hanle effects (SHHE). We also show that the SHHE can be employed to measure the spin diffusion length, the spin-Hall angle, and the spin relaxation time of heavy metal without the need of magnetic interface or the input from other measurements. The comprehensive demonstration of SHHE in such a simple system suggests they may be ubiquitous and needs to be considered for unravelling the spin and charge transport in more complex thin film structures of spin-orbit coupled materials.


Our aim is to report a case applied to our clinic with abdominal distension and pain and underwent succussfull myomectomy. 37 years old (G1P0) woman, who did not have a complaint before and married 6 months ago, referred to our clinic with pregnancy, myoma uteri and abdominal pain diagnoses. On abdominal examination, the uterus was in 8 months hugeness, and sensitive on palpation. There was asymmetric growth on her abdomen. On ultrasonograhic examination we detected 13w4d of fetus and pedinculated myoma. After preoperative evaluation,successful myomectomy performed. Myomectomy during pregnancy has been understood well nowadays. With detailed ultrasonografic examination, preoperative management can be determined. When performed by experienced surgeons, this procedure can be successfull.


Abstract Understanding the relationships between intraspecific diversity and habitat has been greatly enhanced with the advent of molecular markers. Such understanding may help to elucidate complex microevolutionary processes. Melanoplus alpinus, a montane/alpine grasshopper species found in the central and northern Rocky Mountains, has a disjunct distribution with highly divergent mtDNA lineages, structured among meadows and drainages within mountain ranges. Previous analyses showed that genetic differentiation is not distance driven, so habitat factors may account for genetic structuring and diversity within the species. In this study, 3 mtDNA lineages were analyzed for their association with ecological variables, and PCR-RFLP haplotype genetic diversities were analyzed for relationships with elevation, elevation-latitude index, and meadow size. Chi-square analysis revealed mtDNA lineage predominance in particular soil textures, indicating the potential of soil to function as a limiting environmental factor in the distribution of lineages within this species. Genotype-habitat associations did not extend beyond soil, however. No significant relationships existed between genetic diversity within meadows and elevation, elevation-latitude index, or meadow size.


Temu mangga (Curcuma mangga Val.) has been widely used to overcome health problems in Indonesia, one of them as the ingredient of Madurese herbal medicine. The active compounds contained in C. mangga extract have potential as a medicine to improve female fertility. This study aims to determine the content of phytochemicals and antifungal and antioxidant activity of C. mangga rhizome extract in some solvents based on their polarity.C. mangga rhizome was extracted by a maceration method using ethanol (polar), chloroform (semi-polar), and n-hexane (non-polar) solvents. Standard phytochemical methods were used for a preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant extracts. Antioxidant activity test was conducted using DPPH method with extract concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm. The antifungal activity test against Candida albicans used the Kirby Bauer method with a 100% concentration and microdilution method with percent concentrations of 50, 25,12.5, 6.25, 3.13, 1.56, 0.78, and 0.39.Phytochemical analysis of the ethanol and n-hexane extracts showed the presence of alkaloids and triterpenoids, while chloroform extracts revealed the present of triterpenoid only. The antioxidant activity test of ethanol extract, chloroform, and n-hexane yielded IC50 values of 99.33 ppm (active), 119.3 ppm (medium), and 192.1 ppm (medium) and the inhibitory zones of C. albicans fungi were 5.172 mm, 1.780 mm, and 3.343 mm, respectively. MIC values of all extracts studied were found at 0.78% concentration and MFC values at 1.56%.Rhizome of C. mangga extracts contain flavonoid, alkaloids, and triterpenoids that have antioxidant properties and antifungal activities against C. albicans. Ethanol is the most promising solvent for extracting the active compound of C. mangga rhizome, which functions as an antioxidant and antifungal, proven to produce a higher antioxidant and antifungal activity than chloroform and n-hexane.


Dysferlin (DYSF) is involved in the membrane-repair process, in the intracellular vesicle system and in T-tubule development in skeletal muscle. It interacts with mitsugumin 53, annexins, caveolin-3, AHNAK, affixin, S100A10, calpain-3, tubulin and dihydropyridine receptor. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2B (LGMD2B) and Miyoshi myopathy (MM) are muscular dystrophies associated with recessively inherited mutations in the DYSF gene. The diseases are characterized by weakness and muscle atrophy that progress slowly and symmetrically in the proximal muscles of the limb girdles. LGMD2B and MM, which are collectively termed "dysferlinopathy", both lead to abnormalities in vesicle traffic and membrane repair at the plasma membrane in muscle fibers. SJL/J (SJL) and A/J mice are naturally occurring animal models for dysferlinopathy. Since there has been no an approach to therapy for dysferlinopathy, the immediate development of a therapeutic method for this genetic disorder is desirable. The murine models are useful in verification experiments for new therapies and they are valuable tools for identifying factors that accelerate dystrophic changes in skeletal muscle. It could be possible that the genetic or immunological background in SJL or A/J mice could modify muscle damage in experiments involving these models, because SJL and A/J mice show differences in the progress and prevalent sites of skeletal muscle lesions as well as in the gene-expression profiles of their skeletal muscle. In this review, we provide up-to-date information on the function of dysferlin, the development of possible therapies for muscle dystrophies (including dysferlinopathy) and the detection of new therapeutic targets for dysferlinopathy by means of experiments using animal models for dysferlinopathy.


Purpose: The objective of this study was evaluation of accuracy of pure alanine dosimeters measuring intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dose distributions in a thorax phantom. Methods: Alanine dosimeters were prepared in the form of 110 mg pure L-α-alanine powder filled into clear tissue-equivalent polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) plastic tubes with the dimensions 25 mm length, 3 mm inner diameter, and 1 mm wall thickness. A dose-response calibration curve was established for the alanine by placing the dosimeters at 1.5 cm depth in a 30×30×30 cm3 solid water phantom and then irradiating on a linac with 6 MV photon beam at 10×10 cm2 field size to doses ranging from 1 to 5 Gy. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to determine the absorbed dose in alanine. An IMRT treatment plan was designed for a commercial heterogeneous CIRS thorax phantom and the dose values were calculated at three different points located in tissue, lung, and bone equivalent materials. A set of dose measurements was carried out to compare measured and calculated dose values by placing the alanine dosimeters at those selected locations inside the thorax phantom and delivering the IMRT to the phantom. Results: The alanine dose measurements and the IMRT plan dose calculations were found to be in agreement within ±2%. Specifically, the deviations were −0.5%, 1.3%, and −1.7% for tissue, lung, and bone; respectively. The slightly large deviations observed for lung and bone may be attributed to tissue inhomogeneity, steep dose gradients in these regions, and uncontrollable changes in spectrometer conditions. Conclusion: The results described herein confirmed that pure alanine dosimeter was suitable for in-phantom dosimetry of IMRT beams because of its high sensitivity and acceptable accuracy. This makes the dosimeter a promising option for quality control of the therapeutic beams, complementing the commonly used ionization chambers, TLDs, and films.


In this short communication, we redefine smartphone and enable it to monitor blood glucose as glucometer. The proposed smartphone is not only a mobile phone but also a medical device‐glucometer. An electrometer module, acquiring the electrochemical current from the disposable enzymatic test strip on which a 0.5 μL human peripheral whole blood drop is placed, was integrated in the smartphone. The medical smartphone is capable of directly measuring blood glucose concentration and uploading into personal health center by the 4G mobile communication internet.


There was a time, not so long ago, when a black man - a good black man - killing a white man in an action movie was tentatively accomplished. Not the killing itself, which was as bold and as marked by "righteousness" as the killing of bad whites by good whites. The tentativeness was, rather, both formal and narrative meaning that it was most evident in the careful unfolding of story and character within the limited universe of the film itself. Whites were changed a little, at first, becoming evil, faceless, and generic in new ways and blacks, the good blacks charged with dispatching these new bad white were, at least in the beginning, always flanked by more heroic heroes - white men - wilder men willing to kill and killing more effectively than their darker skinned counterparts. But that was only the beginning. What began as tentative within the narrative structure and characterization of action films has since exploded into a new pattern of race relations evident in, if not governing, a good many of the action films of the new millennium. Black men now are not only buddies paying second fiddle to the rampages of their white counterparts (Pfeil 1995); they are not only expendable characters sent off by whites, like a canary in a cage, to test the efficacy of unseen adversaries, nor are they merely scenery, filling up streets or starships - a silent fluid and chromatic backdrop against which the action takes place (Wallace 1995). Black men now are also, and often, heroes in their own right. They are cast as vengeful and lively characters, both likable and utterly fantastic, and they kill, as all action heroes must, with indiscretion. Who they kill is the topic of this essay, and not only who they kill, but how that killing has come to form the very ground - the necessary premise - of both their heroism and their goodness. Or to put it another way, we know them to be heroes not despite the fact that they kill white characters but because of it.


In recent years, web-push strategies have been developed in cross-sectional mixed-mode surveys to improve response rates and reduce the costs of data collection. However, pushing respondents into the more cost-efficient web mode has rarely been examined in the context of panel surveys. This study evaluates how a web-push intervention affects the willingness of panel members to switch survey modes from mail to web. We tested three web-push strategies in a German probability-based mixed-mode panel by randomly assigning 1,895 panelists of the mail mode to one of three conditions: (1) the web option was offered to panelists concurrently with the paper questionnaire including a promised €10 incentive for completing the survey on the web, (2) the web option was presented sequentially two weeks before sending the paper questionnaire and respondents were also promised an incentive of €10, or (3) same sequential web-first approach as for condition 2, but with a prepaid €10 incentive instead of a promised incentive. The study found that a sequential presentation of the web option significantly increases the web response in a single survey but may not motivate more panelists to switch to the web mode permanently. Contrary to our expectation, offering prepaid incentives neither improves the web response nor the proportion of mode switchers. Overall, all three web-push strategies show the potential to effectively reduce survey costs without causing differences in panel attrition after five consecutive waves. Condition 2, the sequential web-first design combined with a promised incentive was most effective in pushing respondents to switch to the web mode and in reducing costs.


This study aims at investigating the effect of the sliding speed and the applied load on the dry sliding wear behavior of thermally sprayed Ni-based self-flux alloy coating. Ni-based self-flux alloy powders were flame-sprayed onto a carbon steel substrate and then these coatings were heat-treated at temperature of 1000 oC. Dry sliding wear tests were performed using the sliding speeds of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 m/s and the applied loads of 5, 10, 15 and 20 N. AISI 52100 ball (diameter 8 mm) was used as counterpart material. Wear behavior of Ni-based self-flux alloy coatings was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). It was revealed that microstructure and wear behavior of the Ni-based self-flux alloy coatings were much influenced by the sliding speed and the applied load.


The authors confirm the validity of a method of detection for 18 benzodiazepines. Its original feature consists of the extraction in an acid medium. Between 70 and 100 per cent of the drug is recovered, except for the benzophenones which are strongly basic. The yield of hydrolysis is between 70 and 95 per cent, except for diazepam and lormetazepam, for which the yield is about 50 per cent. Depending on the nature of the benzodiazepines, the limit of detection of the process described is between 5 and 20 micrograms/l of urine. Following a single therapeutic dose in non-dependent volunteers, the benzodiazepines were detectable for at least 36 to 48 hours.


SUMMARY Yield gaps have become a useful tool for guiding development-related agronomy, especially in the global South. While critics have challenged some aspects of the yield gap methodology, and the relevance of food security advocacy based on yield gaps, very few studies question the actual relevance, application and scalability of yield gaps for smallholder farmers (and researchers) in the tropics. We assess these limitations using two contrasting case studies: maize-based farming systems in Western Kenya and rice-based farming systems in Central Luzon, the Philippines. From these two cases, we propose improvements in the use of yield gaps that would acknowledge both the riskiness of crop improvement options and the role that yield increases might play within local livelihoods. Participatory research conducted in Western Kenya calls into question the actual use and up-scaling of yield measurements from on-station agronomic trials to derive estimates of actual and water-limited yields in the region. Looking at maize yield gaps as cumulative probabilities demonstrates the challenges of assessing the real magnitude of yield gaps in farmers' fields and of deciding whose yield gaps count for agricultural development in Kenya. In the case of rice-based farming systems, we use a historical dataset (1966–2012) to assess changes in rice yields, labour productivity, gross margin and rice self-sufficiency in Central Luzon, the Philippines. While large rice yield gaps persist here, there appear to be few incentives to close that gap once we consider the position of crop production within local livelihoods. In this context, economic returns to labour for farm work were marginal: labour productivity increased over time in both wet and dry seasons, but gross margins decreased in the wet season while no trend was observed for the dry season. Since most households were rice self-sufficient and further increases in crop production would offer minimal returns while relying increasingly on hired labour, we question who should close which yield gap. Our case studies show the importance of contextualising yield gaps within the broader livelihood context in which farmers operate. We propose that this should be done at farm and/or farming systems level while considering the risks associated with narrowing yield gaps and looking into multiple performance indicators.


Design of agroforestry has the objectives of improving the system which has been existing and providing directives for agribusiness on the basis of physical, economical, and socio-cultural condition. Design of a system is inevitably related with pre-diagnosis and diagnosis activities which are aimed at discovering the existing constraints and problems inside the system, followed by technological intervention for system improvement and determining the best agroforestry system in critical land condition. Method used in this study was identifying the existing agroforestry system, followed by evaluation of land suitability, financial analysis and community social analysis. This study found three agroforestry systems based on the existing components, namely agrisilviculture, silvopasture, and agrisilvopasture. Evaluation of land suitability showed that in general, land suitability ratings for woody crops and perennial crops were categorized as moderately suitable (S2), while those for annual crops / non rice food crops were categorized as marginally suitable (S3). Results of financial analysis showed that all existing agroforestry system are feasible to be practiced, with highest benefit cost ratio 2.7 was found in agrisilvopasture system. On the basis of landscape consideration, species of Non-MPTs were more adapted if they were planted in hill ridge, while that of species of MPTs and perennial crops in slope and valley, and that of annual crops in valley.

Key words: agroforestry, land suitability, critical land, design


A strain of Group A streptococcus previously considered to belong to Type 14 was shown to have two immunologically distinct M antigens, designated Type 14 and Type 51. Most strains having the Type 14 M antigen were found to have also the Type 51 M antigen, and are considered to belong to Type 14–51. Four strains had the Type 51 M antigen without the Type 14 M antigen and one strain had the Type 14 M antigen without the Type 51 M antigen. The failure of a variant to produce the known M antigen of the parent strain does not necessarily mean that the strain is M-, because a second M antigen may be present as was the case in several strains described here.


BACKGROUND
It is well established that patients with chronic schizophrenia have a substantially higher rate of attempted and completed suicide than the general population. However, the actual prevalence of suicide attempts at first-episode psychosis is relatively unknown. Previous studies showed that suicidal schizophrenia patients demonstrate higher cognitive function than nonsuicidal patients, though with inconsistent results. The aims of the study were to examine the prevalence of suicide attempts and the association of this prevalence with demographic and clinical variables and cognitive function in Chinese first-episode, drug-naive (FEDN) schizophrenia patients using a cross-sectional and case-control design.

METHOD
A total of 357 FEDN inpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and 380 healthy controls were enrolled and completed a detailed in-house questionnaire. The suicide attempt data were collected from medical records and interviews with the patients and their family members. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was administered to measure cognition in the 28 patients with and 95 patients without a history of suicide attempt and 151 healthy controls. Also, patients were rated on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). This study was conducted from June 2013 to December 2015.

RESULTS
A suicide attempt rate of 12.0% was found in inpatients with first-episode schizophrenia. The attempters were more likely to smoke (34.4% vs 17.9%; χ² = 5.49, P = .019) and had lower severity of negative symptoms (F₁,₃₅₄ = 4.12, P = .043) as compared to FEDN patients without a suicide attempt. All 5 RBANS subscales (all P < .001) except for the Visuospatial/Constructional index (P > .05) showed significantly lower cognitive performance for FEDN patients than for healthy controls. Among the FEDN patients, the suicide attempters performed better than nonattempters on attention (F₁,₁₂₁ = 5.12, P = .025), with an effect size of 0.49. The following variables were independently associated with suicide attempt as shown by multivariate regression analysis: PANSS negative symptom subscale score (Wald χ²₁ = 7.90 P = .005; adjusted OR = 0.807, 95% CI, 0.696-0.936) and Attention (Wald χ²₁ = 4.69, P = .03; adjusted OR = 0.957, 95% CI, 0.918-0.997).

CONCLUSIONS
FEDN patients with schizophrenia attempt suicide more often than the general population. The suicidal patients were more likely to smoke, had lower severity of negative symptoms, and showed better attention than nonsuicidal patients.


WHO advocates the use of comprehensive 4-pronged strategy for PMTCT of HIV. It includes HIV prevention, preventing unintended pregnancies in HIV positive women and follows up treatment and support as well as therapeutic interventions around delivery. This study examines PEPFAR's funding of Nigerian PMTCT, via an analysis of the funded activities of 396 agencies PEPFAR funds to do PMTCT. PEPFAR Sub-partners selected for this study were included because they were funded to do therapeutic intervention around delivery, but significant gaps were identified regarding the other 3 prongs advocated by WHO. Up to 70% were not funded to do any primary prevention. PEPFAR's own reporting does not allow assessment of Sub-partner involvement in preventing unintended pregnancies. Regarding follow up treatment and care, some Sub-partners were not funded at all. PEPFAR is not supporting a comprehensive approach to PMTCT in the way it funds PMTCT in Nigeria.


The perovskite oxide LaCoO3 was synthesized by three different preparative methods i.e., the calcination of a mixture of La2O3 and CoO (La–Co–O) and pyrolysis of a co-precipitated precursor (La–Co–ox), La2 (C2O4)3 · xH2O + CoC2O4 · yH2O, and a heteronuclear complex (La–Co–CN), La[Co(CN)6] · 5H2O. The obtained powders were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and specific surface area measurements. The formation of LaCoO3 single phase is clearly recognized for La–Co–O, La–Co–ox and La–Co–CN at temperatures above 1000, 1200 and 600 °C, respectively. The nano-sized LaCoO3 powder was obtained at low temperatures by pyrolysis of La–Co–CN. The mean particle diameter of La–Co–CN calcined at 600 °C for 2 h was 72 nm.


Analyzing data from the Programme for International Student Assessment Hong Kong 2009 and 2012 (n = 7,669), we examined the differences in socioeconomic characteristics of fathers and mothers and levels of parental involvement between two-parent, single-mother, and single-father families in Hong Kong. We found that parents from single-mother and single-father families fare differently in terms of sociodemographic background and parental involvement at home. We also investigated the differences in students' academic performance among these families. Past studies failed to find any significant effect of single parenthood on students' academic performance in Hong Kong. We found negative effects of single fatherhood, but not single motherhood, on educational outcomes. The disadvantages of single fatherhood are partially explained by the poorer sociodemographic background and lower levels of parental involvement.


The ancient schwannoma is a rare variant of a neurilemoma with a course typical of a slow-growing benign neoplasm. Histologically, it can be confused with a malignant mesenchymal tumor because of increased cellularity, nuclear pleomorphism, and hyperchromatism. Despite the degree of nuclear atypia, mitotic figures are absent. We describe the clinical and histopathologic features of an ancient schwannoma of the orbit.


Highly random nature of input power from wave energy converters (WEC), especially from direct-driven point absorbers, demands customized power electronic converters for grid connection. In this paper, analysis and comparison of the DC-link stresses in the converter systems for two cases - a single and three collective units, of wave energy converters is given. The AC/DC/AC converter system includes a conventional uncontrolled three phase rectifier, a DC/DC converter to boost the DC-link voltage and an inverter with RL load. The system has been studied under two different controller actions for the DC/DC converter: with constant boost factor and with constant DC-link voltage. A Proportional Integral controller has been used to regulate the voltage in the latter case. Matlab/Simulink based system simulation has been done to compare the DC-link stress. The analysis shows the comparison in DC-link stresses and the requirements of the system for different cases, proving the advantages and the importance of having customized active power conversion methods for minimizing the DC-link stresses.


This paper aims in identifying effect of constraint point against critical area of 1300 cc national car steering knuckle using finite element method. The material of this steering knuckle is cast iron ASTM A536. The steering knuckle is modeled using a computer aided design software and the dimensions is assigned according to 3D scanning files. Meanwhile, steering knuckle is simulate using commercial finite element software where the load is assigned based on three conditions of constraints. The three conditions are fixed at hub, fixed hub and brake clamp and fixed at hub, brake clamp and steering arm of steering knuckle. Result shows that the positions of constraint points are significantly effect on stress value of steering knuckle. By acknowledging the presence or absent the effect of constraint on steering knuckle will aid in detecting critical area on this steering knuckle. Thus, approach could be conducted to optimize and enhance the life cycle of a steering knuckle. The data will be further utilized in testing the steering knuckle under variable amplitude strain signal.


This paper studies the distributed state estimation problem for a class of discrete-time stochastic systems with nonlinear uncertain dynamics over time-varying topologies of sensor networks. An extended state vector consisting of the original state and the nonlinear dynamics is constructed. By analyzing the extended system, we provide a design method for the filtering gain and fusion matrices, leading to the extended state distributed Kalman filter. It is shown that the proposed filter can provide the upper bound of estimation covariance in real time, which means the estimation accuracy can be evaluated online. It is proven that the estimation covariance of the filter is bounded under rather mild assumptions, i.e., collective observability of the system and jointly strong connectedness of network topologies. Numerical simulation shows the effectiveness of the proposed filter.


The study of the first decade of the Republic permits one to reflect on the numerous myths that permeate Brazil's history. These myths have served to reduce social conflict and to provide ideological foundations for the holders of power. In particular, examination of the 1890s challenges the commonly accepted notion of the peaceful character of the Brazilian historical process and the myth of consensus. The roots of these traditions, according to Henry Keith, date from the viceregal period. But the republicans were particularly active in reinforcing it by exalting the bloodless character of the change of regime in 1889. "Revolution without blood" the politicians Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada of Sao Paulo and Karl von Koseritz of Rio Grande do Sul would say. The Correio Mercantil of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul agreed; the country had witnessed a "marvelous political change that Brazil brought about instantaneously without shedding a drop of blood, without firing a single bullet."


Autoionization of Rydberg states and delayed ionization are two decay processes where the excess energy in the molecule or cluster is released by ejecting a free electron. While precise spectroscopic studies of molecular autoionization are commonly performed, allowing a very detailed understanding of the ongoing processes, the study of delayed ionization in clusters is by far less well known and its description is noticeably less precise. Indeed, in complex systems such as clusters, only a statistical approach is found to be suitable for describing the decay dynamics of the system. Beyond these apparent profound differences it is shown that both phenomena are actually two facets of the same general phenomenon and that delayed ionization, or thermionic emission in clusters, are analogous to molecular autoionization. The transition from autoionization of Rydberg states to delayed ionization, depicted as a transition from a process entirely described within the framework of quantum mechanics to a process described only in the framework of statistical mechanics may further be foreseen as a prototype of the transition from quantum to classical dynamics.


A 1 year and 4 months old, intact female French Bulldog was presented because of weakness, anorexia, and vomiting for 3 days. Laboratory findings included azotemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, sodium to potassium (Na:K) ratio was 23.88, and the lower level of basal cortisol concentration than the detection limit. The small size of both adrenal glands obtained from abdominal ultrasonography. Subsequently, the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was performed, and the diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism was confirmed. The desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) with a smaller dose and lesser frequency than the recommendation of 2.2 mg/kg every 25 days. The dog received DOCP subcutaneous injection at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg initially and followed by 1.37 mg/kg 55 days after the first injection, 1.37 mg/kg 28 days after the second injection, and more than 84 days after a dose of 1.37 mg/kg of the third injection. Glucocorticoid administrations were in recommended doses for the whole period of management. Improvement of clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of the dog was observed a week later after the DOCP intervention. A smaller than recommended dose and lesser frequency of the DOCP with prednisolone seems adequate for controlling clinical problems in the successful management of the hypoadrenocorticism in a French Bulldog.


SUMMARY Water scarcity is a major constraint of agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas. In the face of future water scarcity, one possible way the agricultural sector could be adapted is to change cropping patterns and make adjustments for available water resources for irrigation. The present paper analyses the temporal evolution of cropping pattern from 1960 to 2008 in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID), China. The impact of changing cropping patterns on regional agricultural water productivity is evaluated from the water footprint (WF) perspective. Results show that the area under cash crops (e.g. sunflower and melon) has risen phenomenally over the study period because of increased economic returns pursued by farmers. Most of these cash crops have a smaller WF (high water productivity) than grain crops in HID. With the increase of area sown to cash crops, water productivity in HID increased substantially. Changing the cropping pattern has significant effects on regional crop water productivity: in this way, HID has increased the total crop production without increasing significantly the regional water consumption. The results of this case study indicate that regional agricultural water can be used effectively by properly planning crop areas and patterns under irrigation water limitations. However, there is a need to foster a cropping pattern that is multifunctional and sustainable, which can guarantee food security, enhance natural resource use and provide stable and high returns to farmers.


ABSTRACT Hasan, G.M.J.; van Maren, D.S., and Hin Fatt, C., 2013. Numerical study on mixing and stratification in the ebb-dominant Johor Estuary. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic model is used to investigate intratidal spring-neap variations of turbulent mixing and stratification in the Strait of Singapore and its adjacent Johor estuary area. The waters in the Johor estuary are ebb dominant because of interaction of the O1–K1–M2 tidal constituents. In most estuaries mixing rates during the flood are larger than during the ebb because of a flood-dominant tidal asymmetry. The Johor estuary is an example where tidal asymmetry supports stronger mixing during ebb tides, whereas similar to other estuaries, tidal straining promotes stable stratification during the ebb. Therefore an analysis of intratidal variation in stratification reveals the relative importance of both mechanisms. Vertical profiles of salinity, flow velocity, and eddy diffusivity show a marked asymmetry between flood and ebb tides. Small changes in the tidal currents substantially influence the eddy diffusivity, energy dissipation rate, and build up of stratification, which is explained using the nondimensional Richardson number. The estuary is found completely mixed during flood tide and slightly stratified during ebb tide, suggesting tidal straining (generating ebb stratification) is more important for the intratidal variation in mixing and stratification than tidal asymmetry (flood stratification).


INTRODUCTION:
Cell blocks prepared from residual tissues fluids and fine needle aspirations can be useful adjuncts to smears for establishing a more definitive cytopathologic diagnosis. Conventional smear cytology, however carefully prepared, leaves behind residue that is not further investigated but that might contain valuable diagnostic material. The cell block technique employs the retrieval of small tissue fragments from the residual sample which are processed to from a paraffin block. Multiple sections can be obtained from this block. This allows for immunostains and other studies to be performed similar to the paraffin sections produced in histopathology.
They can be particularly useful for categorization of tumors on cytology specimens that may not be possible from smears themselves.
AIM OF THE STUDY:
Preparation of cell blocks from fluids (pleural fluid, bronchial washings) and residual FNAC material. To compare the diagnostic accuracy of cell block technique with conventional smears. To use immunohistochemistry on cell block for subtyping tumors and in cases suspicious for malignancy.
METHODS:
In this prospective study, 100 samples which include 50 pleural effusion samples, 35 bronchial wash samples and 15 imaging guided FNAC samples were subjected to make both conventional smear and cell block. Cell blocks were made by plasma thromboplastin method. Both the techniques were compared based on the cellularity, architecture, quality and diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry was performed in cell blocks to confirm and subtype malignant tumors.
RESULTS:
Abundant cellularity was seen in 31% of the cases by cell block and only 10% of the cases had abundant cellularity by conventional smear. Excellent architecture equivalent to histology was seen in 15% of the cases by cell block and this was not seen in conventional smear. By conventional smear, benign, suspicious of malignancy, malignant and non-diagnostic cases were 66%, 8%, 15%, 11% respectively. By cell block 71% benign, 24% malignant, 5% non-diagnostic. Combining both conventional smear and cell block, the diagnostic yield of malignancy increased by 9%. Immunohistochemistry was performed in 18% of the cases to confirm and subtype the malignancy.
CONCLUSION:
Cell block is a very good adjunct to conventional smear study in the better yield of cellularity and architecture with an advantage to do immunohistochemistry, leading to better diagnosis of malignancy in the fluids and residual FNAC samples of pulmonary lesions. Ideally cell block technique should be used in routine practice for cytological diagnosis.


The internal audit elaborates recommendations in order to improve the government process for the fulfilling of some strategic objectives, amongst one can mention: the promotion of ethic values within the patrimonial entities, the insurance of accountability, the efficient functioning of the legal entity management, the efficient communication of the risks and information on the internal control to the structures within the economic entity, the effective coordination of activities, the information communication within the management, between the internal and external auditors, as well as the good management of the relation with the Board of Directors. The study is based on the relation between the internal audit and the corporate governance, within the context where the internal audit became an essential pillar for a modern company, because it highly reflects the efficiency by properly using human resources and materials, a better coordination between various departments in a legal entity. By ensuring the fact that the economic entity respects the corporate governance standards, the internal audit establishes the development of an integrity reputation, the development of business relations based on trust.


Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) defines disease surveillance as continuous, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related data needed for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. Its aims are to serve as an early warning system for impending public health emergencies, document the impact of an intervention, or track progress towards specified goals and monitor and clarify the epidemiology of health problems, to allow priorities to be set and to inform public health policy and strategies (WHO, 2016). The need for disease surveillance networking in India arose from the challenges encountered in the year 2009 when Pune city experienced the major effect of H1N1 pandemic (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, [MHFW] 2009). A large proportion of the population was affected. The situation was made worse by a lack of prepared public health surveillance system, unregulated private health sector and a large urban population whose health demands exceeded the available health care (N Prasad, M Mithilesh and G Rao, 2010). Usually, surveillance activities in the ward are done by malaria surveillance inspector from Pune Municipal Corporation, (PMC). The team performs active surveillance by visiting a few designated diagnostic laboratories and hospitals regularly to collect data on laboratory confirmed cases of Vector Borne Diseases, (VBD). Any confirmed case activates standard response from PMC (also referred to malaria officer in the study). By this approach, not all diagnostic laboratories and hospitals in the area are visited, nor are all cases reported. Similarly, suspected cases are neither reported nor followed up. The private sector which constitutes more than 85% of the urban health resources is not involved in disease surveillance. A network, Community Disease detection and Response Network, CODREN, was developed as a tool for collecting surveillance data.This study therefore used CODREN in Karve road ward office area, Pune, India, as a supplement to the existing disease surveillance network system administered by PMC through Malaria Officer while determining its effectiveness. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of CODREN in Karve road ward office area, Pune, as an early disease detection system for disease outbreaks using Malaria, Chikungunya and Dengue virus as an example. Methodology: Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study design, Sample size: Three hundred and eighty (380) facilities were selected conveniently to be part of the study, because they had the necessary minimum technological facilities. One person from each of the facilities was recruited into the study. Data collection: The selected person from each facility was to enter data on CODREN as soon as a case was detected, whether confirmed or suspected for a period of three months beginning 1 of October to 31 of December 2012. This was done alongside the existing surveillance system by PMC. Analysis: Resultant data was then analyzed using excel and SPSS version 20.0 whereby descriptive statistics were considered-Frequencies and means of the CODREN data Vis a Vis data from the already existing tool (PMC) in terms of effectiveness' were considered. Results and conclusions: Suspected cases of malaria, (92%) which were not captured by PMC responded to antimalarials drugs indicating that they were missed true cases of malaria. Seven (0.12%) confirmed cases of malaria and five cases (92%) of Chikungunya were also missed out by PMC surveillance system but captured by CODREN. This is an indication that CODREN as a surveillance tool would significantly complement the already existing PMC system of surveillance.


The flow pattern inside an impeller should be determined for maximum efficiency and performance. The effects of the design parameters on the pump performance can be determined using numerical calculations instead of empirical equations. Incompressible 3D time-dependent Euler equations, written in a conservative form, are used. An artificial pressure term is added to preserve the hyperbolic character of the equations. A finite-volume technique is used for space discretization. A fourth-order Runge-Kutta time-stepping scheme is used for time discretization. A steady-state solution is achieved using time-marching technique. An industrial pump impeller with known experimental data was used to calculate the flow in the impeller. The comparison of the calculated and measured data reveals that the use of these calculations enables the prediction of impeller performance.


Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may result from experiencing severe distress, and is in part amygdala dependent. Animal studies demonstrate that stress and negative affect enhance the amygdala-release of the neuropeptide substance P (SP) which binds to the neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor. This positron emission tomography (PET) study investigated if NK1 receptor availability in the amygdala of PTSD patients were different from healthy control subjects. Methods: Eleven male patients with DSM-IV defined PTSD and nine healthy male control subjects were PET scanned during 60 min at rest using the NK1 preferring tracer [11C]GR205171. Parametric Patlak images were generated and analyzed using statistical parametric mapping software. The effect of age was co-varied out because the amount of NK1 receptors decline with age. Results: PTSD patients had elevated uptake of [11C]GR205171 in the amygdala as compared to controls, also when anxiety differences were controlled for. Conclusions: We suggest that enhanced NK1 receptor availability could be a risk factor for developing PTSD rather than reflecting trauma induced alterations.


The New World arenavirus Junin (JUNV) is the etiological agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF). Previous studies of human macrophage infection by the Old-World arenaviruses Mopeia and Lassa showed that while the non-pathogenic Mopeia virus replicates and activates human macrophages, the pathogenic Lassa virus replicates but fails to activate human macrophages. Less is known in regard to the impact of New World arenavirus infection on the human macrophage immune response. Macrophage activation is critical for controlling infections but could also be usurped favoring immune evasion. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how the JUNV infection modulates macrophage plasticity to clarify its role in AHF pathogenesis. With this aim in mind, we compared infection with the attenuated Candid 1 (C#1) or the pathogenic P strains of the JUNV virus in human macrophage cultures. The results showed that both JUNV strains similarly replicated and induced morphological changes as early as 1 day post-infection. However, both strains differentially induced the expression of CD71, the receptor for cell entry, the activation and maturation molecules CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR and selectively modulated cytokine production. Higher levels of TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-12 were detected with C#1 strain, while the P strain induced only higher levels of IL-6. We also found that C#1 strain infection skewed macrophage polarization to M1, whereas the P strain shifted the response to an M2 phenotype. Interestingly, the MERTK receptor, that negatively regulates the immune response, was down-regulated by C#1 strain and up-regulated by P strain infection. Similarly, the target genes of MERTK activation, the cytokine suppressors SOCS1 and SOCS3, were also increased after P strain infection, in addition to IRF-1, that regulates type I IFN levels, which were higher with C#1 compared with P strain infection. Together, this differential activation/polarization pattern of macrophages elicited by P strain suggests a more evasive immune response and may have important implications in the pathogenesis of AHF and underpinning the development of new potential therapeutic strategies.


Good indoor air quality improves productivity at the workplace. On the other hand, poor indoor air quality could lead to losses in productivity as a result of comfort problems, ill health and sickness-absenteeism. The aim of the study was to assess indoor air quality in various rooms of university buildings covering the offices, lecture theatre, laboratory or workshops and public restroom across eight faculties in a conventional university. Investigations were conducted at twenty-nine indoor locations in the main campus of University of Lagos. Noise level, PM2.5, PM10, relative humidity and temperature, CO, SO2, NOx, and the microbial quality (fungal and bacterial) were all determined. The microbial quality was determined using the sedimentation method (open petri dishes) containing different culture media for sample collection. Noise level ranged from 61.60 to 84.10 dBA. The noise level is quite high in almost all sampling points especially in the workshops, yet there was no significant difference (P>0.05) across all the indoor sampling points and the WHO limit.SO2 were mostly absence, however, the highest value of 0.4 ppm was recorded which was higher than recommended limit of 0.1 ppm.PM2.5 ranged between 4.0–25.0 µg/m3 and PM10 were between 8.0–47.0 µg/m3. Though, there was high variation in PM2.5 and PM10 across all the indoor sampling points, there were no significant difference (P>0.05). They were below the maximum limit of 150 µg/m3.The total fungi load ranged from 10.4 to 963 CFU/m3. There was generally higher number of fungi in the restroom than all the other indoor environments and they were significant in Faculty of social sciences. Fungi isolates include Aspergillus spp. (86.2%), unidentified mold (13.77%) and Sporothrix schenckii (0.03%). Total bacteria load ranged from 96.3 to 689 CFU/m3. The lowest load of bacteria (9.63 x 101 CFU/m3) was recorded in the dean's office at the faculty of environmental science. The rest rooms have higher bacterial load (6.89 x 102 CFU/m3), which was higher than the recommended maximum limit of 500 CFU/m3. Identification from the colonies showed that about 55% were gram negative and 45% were gram negative cells. Morphological studies showed that cocci were also more predominant over the bacillary shape bacteria (55% versus 45%).


Stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in rats was found to be effective in enhancing the tolerance to high g acceleration stress. Utilizing 10 daily consecutive intraperitoneal injections of endotoxin at increasing doses from 100 to 1200 μg, the median survival time of 122 rats undergoing 20 positive g acceleration was increased from a control level of 9.7 min to 14.2 min. One group of 48 rats had a median survival of 23.6 min compared to a control level of 11.3 min. The protective action of RES stimulation and the inhibitory action of RES blockade were found to be effective in rats with normal or prolonged survival but not in rats with diminished tolerance before stimulation or blockade. An analysis of factors for optimal RES stimulation is presented as are possible mechanisms of action.

Submitted on July 3, 1961


This paper is based on recent interdisciplinary experimental studies that emphasize the steps in language acquisition during the first few years of life. These steps are characterized as changes in levels of consciousness. The object is to place successive levels of consciousness in a complex adaptive systems (cas) framework, a framework that centers on learning agents that interact via exchanges of signals such as gestures and utterances. The cas framework thus provides a strong emphasis on the social nature of language acquisition and evolution. The models described are exploratory, not predictive. As such, the models are meant to suggest new mechanisms and experiments that will increase our understanding of language.


The joints connecting the ITER magnet busbars and coils utilize the twin-box "shaking hands" concept: inside a helium leak tight box, a bare cable is pressed in an indium-tinned copper base. To form the joint, two boxes are tightly compressed against each other on the copper side with a layer of indium in between. This concept was chosen to address the different requirements of the joints: to provide low electrical resistance without degradation and need of maintenance during ITER lifecycle, to sustain cyclic electromagnetic and pressure loads, to be easily dismountable in case of failure, to be tolerant to manufacturing and assembly misalignments, to provide low coolant flow impedance, and to limit ac losses and at the same time to facilitate current redistribution in the busbars. This paper presents the design; the key results of the electromagnetic, thermal, and stress analysis; and the major manufacturing and qualification steps. The latter includes cryogenic fatigue test of the joint welds and joint resistance measurements.


In this article, on the basis of analysis of extensive scientific and factual materials, a hypothesis will be formulated providing answers to the noted questions and allowing predictions to be made for both the immediate future of the evolution of the sports records as well as the general direction of evolution in the far distant future. Knowing that the evolution of the human performances is made through leaps, the time periods for which it is made the approximation must be longer than the time between two performance leaps of the tested sportsman, but at the same time must not include more than three evolutions bearing because the prediction for a too longer time can't be made. Ill. 5, bibl. 9 (in English; abstracts in English, Russian and Lithuanian).


Network-based strategies and competencies are probably even more important in poor societies with limited means of communication and less effective formal structures than in developed economies. And they often deal with life and death matters. This paper presents lessons from and insights about the nature of and the impacts of informal social networks in reducing fertility and coping with HIV/AIDS in Kenya and Malawi based on analyses of quantitative longitudinal data and qualitative data that the authors and their collaborators have been collecting and analyzing for over a decade. Specific lessons include the relevance of social networks and informal interactions for many different domains related to health – and thus life and death – in developing countries, the importance of accounting for the endogeneity of network partners in analyzing network effects, that networks are important even with control for endogeneity, that network effects may be nonlinear, that there may be multiple equilibria, that which networks may either reinforce the status quo or help diffuse new options and behaviors, that both the context (e.g., the degree of market development) and the density of networks matter (possibly interactively), and that multiple approaches, including both qualitative and quantitative analyses, can be informative in providing more in-depth understanding of what networks do and how they function.


Abstract : Recent operations have forced the United States Army to re-examine the "art" of fighting insurgencies. This monograph draws a correlation between insurgent organizations and organized criminal groups. Then, by extension, examines what the Army can learn from the law enforcement community. To limit the scope of this research, only criminal organizations in America were examined. Youth gangs and Mafia style organized crime are included in the study; however, international organized criminal groups are not. This work starts with a doctrinal examination of counterinsurgency operations. It then compares the nature of insurgent organizations to criminal organizations. It does so by correlating five common characteristics: leadership within the organization, organizational structure, culture of the organization, recruitment, and finances. The parallel between insurgents and organized criminals established, the law enforcement community is studied for ways to assist the Army in counterinsurgencies. Five concepts are identified as promising candidates for Army adoption, as well as evidence that the Army should dedicate more research to learn from law enforcement. All of these concepts are easier to adopt than a major weapons platform. These all have a very real potential to assist fighting current and future insurgencies faced by the United States Army.


The mechanical deformations and stresses have been analyzed by the finite element method (FEM) in 3 dimensions on the rotor bars of a small squirrel cage induction motor. We considered the magnetic forces and the centrifugal forces as sources which provoked the deformations and stresses on the rotor bars. The mechanical calculations have been performed after doing the electromagnetic finite element modeling on the motor in steady state with various slip conditions.


The 'Three Houses' designs are for a site adjacent to 'The Gill House'. The project is live and has been submitted for planning permission with the decision pending. The project was conceived as a vehicle to explore sustainable house design and the use of modular timber framed prefabricated construction techniques. It was also used as a further opportunity, following the 'Gill House' to explore the knowledge transfer relationship of research practice and teaching. The house designs are based around the use of a composite frame (steel and timber) construction. Steel elements are incorporated to allow the inclusion of shading devices and the timber frame components, which constitute pre-formed timber panels, form the rest of the structure. Each house design is different, but based on the same set of timber module dimensions. The aim is to build three houses with a zero-carbon footprint from sustainable materials.The project was accompanied by a series of student projects, which explored different aspects of the location and site, each written specifically to take advantage of any possible knowledge transfer from innovative practice to teaching and teaching to practice. The resultant house designs and student work were the subject of an invited exhibition at the Waterloo School of Architecture Public Gallery Canada. The invitation was extended after members of the Exhibition Committee within the School saw the exhibition held at the David Azrelli Gallery Ottawa. The exhibition entitled 'Synthesis – Three Houses' was held (?2007tbc) and had an accompanying catalogue (ISBN ???tbc) including a forward by gallery curator John McMin. Following this exhibition the authors have been invited to contribute to the forthcoming Architectural Design issue on Interior Atmospheres due for publication in 2008.


We address the problem of how magnetic skyrmions can propagate along a guided direction by parametric pumping. As evidenced by our micromagnetic simulations, skyrmions can hardly be driven by either a static electric field or a static magnetic field alone. Although the magnetic anisotropy can be modified by an electric field, parametric pumping with an oscillating electric field can only excite the breathing modes. On the other hand, a static magnetic field can break rotational symmetry through the Zeeman interaction, but it cannot serve as an energy source for propelling a skyrmion. Here we found that the combination of a perpendicularly oscillating electric field and an in-plane static magnetic field can drive a skyrmion undergoing a wiggling motion along a well defined trajectory. The most efficient driving occurs when the frequency of the oscillating field is close to that of the breathing mode of a skyrmion. The physical mechanism is analyzed with a generalized Thiele equation, where we find that a net spin current excited by the parametric pumping can drive the skyrmion propagation through angular momentum transfer. Compared with other alternative proposals, our results open new possibilities for manipulating skyrmions in both metals and insulators with low-power consumption and high precision.


Arterial diseases, promoted by alterations in arterial wall properties, are among the main causes of mortality. Mechanical stresses of the arterial wall caused by pulsatile luminal pressure define arterial function in normal and pathological conditions. This study aims to determine dynamic stress distribution in the arterial wall subjected to physiological pressure waveforms. Finite element models of a typical artery are developed to evaluate Von Misses stress in the arterial wall due to physiological pressure waveforms and with differing mechanical properties. Mechanical parameters include Young's modulus of elasticity, non-linear stress-strain relationship and visco-elastic parameter. The appropriate boundary conditions are allocated to allow radial expansion. Application of physiological pulsatile pressure results in stress waves with the values and waveforms markedly influenced by mechanical properties of the arterial wall and blood pressure pulse. Elevated elastic modulus of the arterial wall results in significant increase in maximum stress. Viscoelastic property leads to reduction of the peak stress and smoothening of the stress waveform. The pressure waveform is also a major parameter affecting the stress pattern in arterial wall. Hypertensive arteries result in higher and sharper stress waves not only because of a higher systolic value but also because of the sharper waveform. The combination of these parameters produces the resultant stress pattern in the arterial wall.


Background Carboxymaltoside-iron (CMI)and isomaltoside-iron (IMI)have both indications for the treatment of iron deficiency when oral preparations are ineffective or cannot be used. Purpose To describe the use of CMI and IMI, and to evaluate its effectiveness and cost in a tertiary-level hospital. Material and methods Retrospective observational study based on the analysis of the data obtained through the CMI and IMI prescriptions of 1 year. The main variable used to evaluate effectiveness was the percentage of patients with an increase in haemoglobin (HB) compared to baseline HB higher than 1 g/dL between 30 to 60 days' post-administration. The mean increase in HB (g/dL) by cumulative dose in the same period of time was the second variable. A search was made on our system, and sex, dose, posology, prescribing service, treatment with erythropoiesis stimulating factors (ESF) and direct cost per cumulative dose. Results Thirty-one patients(13 females, 18 men) were treated with CMI and 35 (25 females and 10 men) with IMI. The median cumulative dose was 500 mg (500–1000) for CMI and 1000 (1000–1000) for IMI. The median cost per cumulative dose was €89 for CMI (89–178) and €148 (148–148) for IMI. Prescription services were: nephrology 25%, haematology 12.5%, cardiology 12.5%, digestive system 25%, surgery 6.25% and systemic diseases 18.75% for CMI compared to nephrology 45.45%, haematology 36.36% and cardiology 18.18% for IMI. The percentage of patients with an increase in HB compared to baseline HB higher than 1 g/dL:50% for CMI and 45.45% for IMI. Among patients on ESF treatment these percentages were 3125% for CMI and 27.27% for IMI. Mean increase of HB compared to baseline HB (g/dl) by cumulative dose: 1.04±2 for CMI and 0.73±1.29 for IMI (p=0.3) and among patients receiving ESF was 2.2±1.03 for CMI compared to 0.94±1.31 for IMI (p=0.046). Conclusion The effectiveness in the patients studied was higher with CMI than with IMI because better results were observed with a lower cumulative dose. It was also observed that the effectiveness was higher in patients receiving ESF for both compounds, and it was statistically significant among patients on ESF treatment. In terms of use, the service with the greatest number of prescriptions in both compounds was nephrology. No conflict of interest


Maternal behavior in rodents is associated with long-term programming of individual coping capacities in the offspring and includes a large number of components. This work was aimed to study maternal behavior in tame and aggressive gray rats selected for absence and enhancement of aggressiveness towards human. The study was carried out from 1 to 12 days of nursing at various time of day. It was shown that the frequency of "outside the nest" and passive nursing was higher and the frequency of maternal arched-back nursing and mother licking/grooming was lower in tame compared to aggressive dams especially at the first week of nursing. The tame dams spent less time building nest, they displayed "rest" and self-grooming more frequently. Beginning from the first week of nursing the frequency of "outside the nest" increased in the morning (09:00) and the evening and night (18:00 and 22:00) in tame dams, while the increase of activity was observed in aggressive females only in dark phase (22:00). In the third week of nursing the similar circadian changes of activity were observed in tame and aggressive dams. It is supposed that decreased anxiety in tame compared to aggressive dams could provoke the attenuation of maternal behavior.


Vineyards with trunk diseases (Botryosphaeria dieback, Esca, Eutypa dieback, and Phomopsis dieback) can have negative returns in the long run. Minimizing economic impacts depends on effective management, but adopting a preventative practice after infection occurs may not improve yields. Pest control advisers may reduce grower uncertainty about the efficacy of and need for prevention, which often entails future and unobservable benefits. Here, we surveyed advisers in California to examine their influence over grower decision-making, in the context of trunk diseases, which significantly limit grape production and for which curative practices are unavailable. Our online survey revealed adviser awareness of high disease incidence, and reduced yields and vineyard lifespan. Advisers rated both preventative and postinfection practices positively. Despite higher cost estimates given to postinfection practices, advisers did not recommend preventative practices at higher rates. High recommendation rates were instead correlated with high disease incidence for both preventative and postinfection practices. Recommendation rates declined with increasing cost for preventative, but not for postinfection, practices. Our findings suggest that even when advisers acknowledge the risks of trunk diseases, they may not recommend preventative practices before infection occurs. This underscores the importance of clear outreach, emphasizing both the need for prevention and its long-term cost efficacy.


There is increasing interest in Life Cycle Design with the purpose of raising sustainability and reducing energy and material consumption. By increasing energy efficiency, selecting more suitable materials and lessening maintenance requirements it is practical to reduce life cycle cost. Conventional Heat pump air conditioners operate to effect a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. They are large consumers of energy, partly due to the need to exhaust air (with consequent energy wastage) from the conditioned building so that healthy ventilation air may be introduced in its place. Rather than drawing all the energy from community electricity and gas supplies, the designer should design these systems so they recover as much energy as is feasible from both building exhaust air and the environment. A low life cycle cost solar air conditioner design is described that obtains under peak load more than 90% of its energy from a combination of building exhaust air and insolation with a reduction in life cycle cost approaching a factor of 10. In basic terms, with a reduction of a factor of 3 in energy consumption along with a life increase also of a factor of 3 it is possible to approach a factor of 10 improvement in product life cycle cost.Copyright © 2006 by ASME


In this paper we proposes a reference cell with variable spectral response characteristics to be used for measurement of various rypes of solar cells, and describe the design and experimental manufacturing of such a reference cell. The reference cell consists of a c-Si cell, a filter wheel mounted with 15 sharp cut-off filters, and a computer. In this system, characteristic synthesis of output light signals through each filter is done rapidly by the computer, thus realizing a cell having arbitrary characteristics. The composite wavelength ranges from 320 nm to 850 nm with a minimum control width of 40 nm. This system can function as 5 reference cells simultaneously, and has a continuous display with the response rate of once per second. The accuracy of measurement was within ±2%, which proves the practicality of the system.


A prospective observational comparative case study on the outcome of manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS) at the base hospital and improved surgical eye camps in FarWestern region in Nepal was conducted during June and November 2010. A total of 445 cataract patients aged above or equal to 40 years without coexisting ocular pathologies were recruited and operated with SICS. Patients were examined on the first day of surgery and followed up after one week and again after 4 to 6 weeks. The uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity (VA) with pinhole was recorded on day one and after one week. Refraction and kerotometry was done at 4 to 6 weeks follow up. Comparison of the uncorrected and best corrected postoperative visual acuity at base hospital with surgical eye camps was done at 4 to 6 weeks. Of the 221 cases operated at base hospital 189 (85.5%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 80.9 - 90.2) and of the 224 cases operated at camps 202 (90.2%; 95% CI: 86.3 - 94.1) were available at the follow up period of 4 to 6 weeks. The VA improved significantly at one week and 4 to 6 weeks follow up in both the groups. A comparative analysis of two surgical set-ups showed no significant difference of uncorrected (p = 0.400) and best corrected (p = 0.580) VA in the operated eye at 4 to 6 weeks follow up time respectively. The surgical complications were low in both the settings; 8 out of 221 (3.6%; 95% CI: 1.2 - 6.1) at base hospital and 3 out of 224 (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.0 - 2.8) in camps and did not differ significantly (p = 0.580). Cataract surgery at surgical eye camps with improved settings offers safe and noticeably good outcome, equivalent to that of the hospital set-up if the appropriate surgical protocol is maintained and surgery is performed by an experienced ophthalmic surgeon in the western region in Nepal.


The embodiments provide structures and mechanisms for removal of etch byproducts, dielectric films and metal films on and near the substrate bevel edge, and chamber interior to avoid the accumulation of polymer byproduct and deposited films and to improve process yield. In an exemplary embodiment, a plasma processing chamber configured to clean a bevel edge of a substrate is provided. The plasma processing chamber includes a bottom electrode configured to receive the substrate, wherein the bottom electrode is coupled to a radio frequency (RF) power supply. The plasma processing chamber also includes a top edge electrode surrounding an insulating plate opposing the bottom electrode. The top edge electrode is electrically grounded. The plasma processing chamber further includes a bottom edge electrode surrounding the bottom electrode. The bottom edge electrode opposes the top edge electrode. The top edge electrode, the substrate disposed on the bottom electrode, and the bottom edge electrode are configured to generate a cleaning plasma to clean the bevel edge of the substrate. The bottom edge electrode and the bottom electrode are electrically coupled to one another through an RF circuit tunable to adjust the amount of RF current going between the substrate disposed on the bottom electrode, the bottom edge electrode and the top edge electrode.


Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural processes that will not be exhausted and sustainable if managed properly. In its use, to maintain the continuity of the availability of electrical energy maximally, it is necessary to combine several types of power plants that are connected to the grid or better known as hybrid grid connected power systems. This research took place at Villa Peruna Saba, Gianyar - Bali which uses a hybrid grid connected power system that combines photovoltaics and generators connected to the grid utilty in supplying electricity loads. The analysis is carried out on the characteristics of the average load, the contribution of each electric power source and the workings of the hybrid grid connected hybrid power plant system. From the analysis, it is known that the contribution of power derived from solar power plants is 561.27 kW or 22.41% in April 2018 and 510.72 kW or 20.71% in May 2018.


Radioactive iodine-125 (I-125) is the most widely used radioactive sealed source for interstitial permanent brachytherapy (BT). BT has the exceptional ability to deliver extremely high doses that external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) could never achieve within treated lesions, with the added benefit that doses drop off rapidly outside the target lesion by minimizing the exposure of uninvolved surrounding normal tissue. Spurred by multiple biological and technological advances, BT application has experienced substantial alteration over the past few decades. The procedure of I-125 radioactive seed implantation evolved from ultrasound guidance to computed tomography guidance. Compellingly, the creative introduction of 3D-printed individual templates, BT treatment planning systems, and artificial intelligence navigator systems remarkably increased the accuracy of I-125 BT and individualized I-125 ablative radiotherapy. Of note, utilizing I-125 to treat carcinoma in hollow cavity organs was enabled by the utility of self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs). Initially, I-125 BT was only used in the treatment of rare tumors. However, an increasing number of clinical trials upheld the efficacy and safety of I-125 BT in almost all tumors. Therefore, this study aims to summarize the recent advances of I-125 BT in cancer therapy, which cover experimental research to clinical investigations, including the development of novel techniques. This review also raises unanswered questions that may prompt future clinical trials and experimental work.


One of the most important and precious manuscripts of ancient Italian literature – the thirteenth-century Saibante-Hamilton 390, now preserved at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – has a hardly readable ownership note. This paper provides its interpretation, allowing to get relevant informations concerning the place of execution, the recipients and the target of the codex.


Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG), as described by Liebow et al. and subsequent reports,2'3 was defined as a distinct entity on the basis of clinicopathological features. The idea of LYG as a lymphomatous condition was suggested as early as 1977,4 and substantiated by the fact that 15% of cases were associated or evolved to lymphoma."2 This could not be demonstrated until late 80's by detection of clonal rearrangement of the beta T-cell receptor (0-TCR) gene.5 Our patient was diagnosed in 1985, and techniques for detection ofclonal rearrangement in the P-TCR gene were not available by that time in our hospital. Therefore, the diagnosis of LYG was made on clinicopathological grounds. In our patient, only an atypical presentation delayed the diagnosis. We chose for our patient the most suitable and efficacious treatment by the time the diagnosis was made.' He had an acceptable quality of life up until complications developed which required surgical procedures and a long admission in an intensive care unit.


It is frequently desirable to display the results of computation in a graphical form. This is often done through the use of special hardware such as digital X,Y-plotters. Programmed graphical output for standard printers is preferable in several situations: (1) when economic considerations do not justify the expense of special hardware for the purpose, (2) when a combination of graphical output with some other kind, such as explanatory material, is desired, and (3) when some special variety of graphical output is needed which cannot readily be drawn by an analog device.
A number of routines have been prepared (primarily by users rather than manufacturers) to convert numerical data into graphical form for printing by output typewriters or line printers. Virtually nothing on this subject has been published, and this report represents an admittedly incomplete attempt to describe this technique and suggest possibilities for its use.


This paper aims to succeed in mutual relationship of pedagogues as leadership and students. Speaking about the teacher as a pedagogical figure is such delicate and vast issue. Further more it brings into everybody's mind the first-teacher at elementary or someone else who is really different from the traditional teacher. The reason why I am focusing my article on the teacher (pedagogues) in University auditorium and their appraisals in relationship with the student is that, I frankly think that the traditional process of the teaching methods should change, during time, space and people themselves. Obviously radical –changes need time and the causes are evident. Having a suggestive and psychological opinion on some of the problem during lessons and the relationship with the students is evident. Surely I don't pretend to give a solution to the problems risen up, but to be focused on such important point that should change. According to such ideas and my personal belief and experience I have followed an expression of Robert Ratherford, in the process of teaching "If the child (student) is not learning the way you are teaching,then you must teach in the way the child (student) learns!" In this article we intend to emphasize the role of leadership(teacher) based on our experience and the re-dimensioning of the world's knowledge in order to show the necessity of creating new models, aimed at preparing young specialist able to meet real world challenges. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n7p31


Taking into account the existential process as a continuous development of each subject, whose subjective implications are built according to the interaction with his or her social and cultural environment, the present work highlights the challenge faced by adolescents' parents in the contemporary family, aiming, thus, at promoting contemplation. So, following the review on narrative literature, data over the definition of family has been researched, of its evolutionary process and trying to understand how its social function is established. Later, some adolescent's behavioral characteristics were presented, which in specific contexts they convey the need for guidance from the parents, whose roles were afterwards discussed. It's understood, for this reason, that the need for a dialogue between parents and kids based on tenderness and respect is essential to the success in their relationship, since that through inter relational harmony and balance the parents take over the function of educating effectively.