Purpose We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a virtual eye assessment triage system implemented in response to COVID-19. Patients and Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using a consecutive sample of all virtual assessments conducted from March 24 to June 7, 2020 at a single ophthalmology center in Toronto, ON, Canada. Visual acuity and smartphone photographs were uploaded to an electronic assessment website. All patients were virtually triaged to an email or phone consult. Patient outcomes and satisfaction were assessed with a quality assurance survey. Primary outcome measures were the incidence of unplanned additional in-person visits and changes in treatment. Results We performed 1535 virtual assessments. Of the triage pathways, 15% received an email consult only and 85% received a phone consult. Subsequently, 15% required an in-person assessment, 3% were referred elsewhere, and 0.1% were sent to the emergency. Presentations were most commonly cornea (52%) and retina (25%). They were non-urgent in 68% of cases and no pharmacologic treatment was required for 49%. Of 397 patients that responded out of 653 patients surveyed, 4% had an unplanned additional visit to the emergency, after which two patients underwent urgent retinal surgery and one patient underwent urgent glaucoma surgery. Two patients (0.5%) had a minor change in treatment. Conclusion As routine regular in-person visits were not possible during the COVID-19 lockdown, virtual eye assessments provided an opportunity to triage patients. Virtual assessments have the potential to reduce in-person visits, but caution must be exercised to not miss vision-threatening conditions.


Abstract A new generation of artificial intelligence (NGAI), currently based on big data and machine learning, follows a path of connectionism. Although this path achieves huge success in data-intensive applications under closed environments, there are some bottleneck problems, including a lack of explainability, the difficulty of ethical alignment, the weakness of cognitive reasoning, etc. To address these problems inevitably involves the depiction of information from an open, dynamic and real environment and the modeling of human reasoning and explanation mechanisms. Formal argumentation is a general formalism for modeling various types of knowledge representation and reasoning in a context of disagreement, and is flexible enough to incorporate other types of knowledge for decisionmaking, such as preferences, weights, and probabilities. Meanwhile, there are various approaches for efficient computation of argumentation semantics by exploiting the locality and modularity of argumentation, and for providing explanations based on arguments and dialogues. The organic combination of formal argumentation with existing big data and machine learning techniques can be expected to break through some existing technical bottlenecks and facilitate the sustainable development of NGAI.


The basic function of the intake manifold is to get the air from the carburetor or throttle body directed into the intake ports. A great intake manifold design can provide substantial performance advantages than a less optimal one. Design goals to be met by the intake manifold• Low resistance to airflow. • High air velocity for a given flow rate. • Excellent fuel and air distribution


The purpose of this study was to determine if salivary chromogranin a secretion in dogs exhibits a circadian rhythm. Saliva sampling was performed during three different sessions occurring in three nonconsecutive 24-h periods. Sixteen healthy adult beagle dogs (8 males and 8 females) were moved to a sampling room and housed individually in cages. Saliva samples were obtained every 4 h from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. the following day. In the interest of habituation, saliva was obtained hourly from each dog 3 h before the experiment was started. Salivary chromogranin A concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. No circadian rhythm was detected for salivary chromogranin A secretion, and no differences in salivary chromogranin A concentrations measured every 4 h were demonstrated during the 24-h cycle in dogs.


In this note we examine Littlewood's proof of the prime number theorem. We show that this can be extended to provide an equivalence between the prime number theorem and the nonvanishing of Riemann's zeta-function on the one-line. Our approach goes through the theory of almost periodic functions and is self-contained.


Most recent studies on electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have been carried out using vaping regimens consistent with mouth-to-lung inhalation (MTL) and not with direct-to-lung (DTL) inhalation. This paper aimed to characterizing the influence of inhalation properties (puff duration, puff volume, airflow rate) on the mass of vaporized e-liquid (MVE). Because the literature on DTL is non-existent, an intense vaping regimen consistent with DTL inhalation (i.e., puff volume = 500 mL) was defined. The use of a low or standard (ISO/DIS 20768) regimen and the proposed intense vaping regimen were first compared using the Cubis 1 Ω atomizer on a large power range, and then by using two atomizers below 1 Ω and two others above 1 Ω on their respective power ranges. An analysis of the e-cig efficiency on the e-liquid vaporization was proposed and calculated for each MVE. The intense vaping regimen allowed a broader power range in optimal heating conditions. MVE linearly increased with the supplied power, up to over-heating conditions at higher powers. Moreover, the e-cigs' efficiencies were higher when low-resistance atomizers were tested at high powers. All these results highlighted that the generated vapor might be better evacuated when an intense vaping regimen is used, and illustrate the obvious need to define a suitable standardized vaping regimen consistent with DTL inhalation.


In modern wireless communication systems andincreasing other wireless applications, wider bandwidth, multiband and low profile antennas are in great demand for both commercial and military applications. Since the microstrip antenna has its various advantages like low profile, small size, inexpensive cost and ability to be integrated with VLSI design. The current paper proposes a simple, methodical approach to design a microstrip antenna. Where the antenna behaviors are investigated. Simulation result of this antenna shows a dual band with little wider band width. From the return loss plot, it is concluded that a single antenna has two resonance frequencies, which are at 5.2Ghz and 7.69Ghz.Operating frequency of proposed antenna is 5.2 Ghz. Traditionally, each antenna operates at a single or multi frequency bands, where different antenna is needed for different applications. In addition to the theoretical design procedure, numerical simulation was performed using Methods of Moments and IE3D software. Index Terms : Microstrip antenna, VSWR, Return loss, Radiation pattern .


Abstract The idea of living beneath the sea is very new if compared with millennia of shipping activity. In fact, ocean surface was considered mainly as medium suitable for transport of persons and goods as well as aggression and robbery. More practical attempts to live "on" the water surface are limited to well protected internal waters. The presented concept of "an underwater-above water accommodation, especially for residential purposes" proposes a possible solution. It was developed under the name of "Water Discus". To some extent it is a response to expressed requirements of potential operators as well ideas of European Commision regarding development of the "blue economy" (doc COM (2014) 254). Several basic research and design experiments were required to achieve current understanding of the concept requirements..


Introduction Workers' mental health should be valued since the causes of work abandonment due to problems related to mental health already occupy the first position in the statistics in some countries. Knowledge about the means of measuring the mental load in the work environment can help the occupational health team to identify causes of absence, propose ways of prevention, seeking a better adaptation of the work cycle to the worker. The comprehension of the measurement methods available in the literature also helps to guide the choice of the most appropriate scale according to the type of demand to be applied. Methods Literature review about the forms of evaluation of mental workload, carried out between June and November of 2016, using the following descriptors combined: 'occupational mental load', 'Mental work load', and 'NASA-TLX' at SciELO, Lilacs and Medline databases. Result A total of 34 articles were selected, of which 80% used the NASA-TLX scale as a method of analysis or as a comparison for validation of new scales. Discussion The mental workload scales should be selected according to what is prioritised in the research results. In addition, variability may occur in the application of the same scale with different populations; which corroborates with the definition that the mental load has factors that are specific to the individual and his sociocultural environment. Thus, external and personal factors may interfere in different ways in the assessment of mental load expenditures according to the task.


In the years 2004 and 2005 we collected samples of phytoplankton, zooplankton and macroinvertebrates in an artificial small pond in Budapest. We set up a simulation model predicting the abundance of the cyclopoids, Eudiaptomus zachariasi and Ischnura pumilio by considering only temperature as it affects the abundance of population of the previous day. Phytoplankton abundance was simulated by considering not only temperature, but the abundance of the three mentioned groups. This discrete-deterministic model could generate similar patterns like the observed one and testing it on historical data was successful. However, because the model was overpredicting the abundances of Ischnura pumilio and Cyclopoida at the end of the year, these results were not considered. Running the model with the data series of climate change scenarios, we had an opportunity to predict the individual numbers for the period around 2050. If the model is run with the data series of the two scenarios UKHI and UKLO, which predict drastic global warming, then we can observe a decrease in abundance and shift in the date of the maximum abundance occurring (excluding Ischnura pumilio, where the maximum abundance increases and it occurs later), whereas under unchanged climatic conditions (BASE scenario) the change in abundance is negligible. According to the scenarios GFDL 2535, GFDL 5564 and UKTR, a transition could be noticed.


Abstract: Animal coloration is widely involved in a variety of social interactions, and mammals can convey information to conspecifics by visual signals, such as colored or contrasting body marks. The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) has a vibrant and unusual chest mark. Here, we describe the characteristics of sun bear chest marks and their patterns of individual variation by (1) sex, (2) time, and (3) some biochemistry values related to fur pigmentation. Sun bear pictures were taken from 2009 to 2018 at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Free the Bears sanctuary. We hypothesize that chest marks may serve in conspecific communication and, thus, we mainly expect that (a) these marks allow for sexual recognition and, thus, they should show remarkable differences by sex; (b) marks do not change over time because their consistency allows for easier intraspecific recognition; and (c) patterns of variation may be dependent on the age and/or physical condition of an individual. The most common shapes of sun bear chest marks (n = 63 M and 108 F) were U (M = 60.3%, F = 57.4%) and V (M = 31.8%, F = 32.4%) shapes. We did not detect differences in shape patterns by sex and, over the years, chest mark shape never changed for the same bear (n = 49 individuals, 16 M and 33 F). The number of dark dots in chest marks showed large amounts of individual variation (mean ± SD = 37.7 ± 26.8 dots; range = 1–143), and the quantity of dark dots increased with bear age. The complexity of sun bear chest marks might be related to the existence of complex interactions among individuals of the same species, which may allow for recognition and evaluation of their individual characteristics, such as age and health. Experimental approaches are needed to understand the potential functions of sun bear chest marks.


The participation of women in top-level corporate boards (or rather the lack of it) is subject to intense public debate. Several countries are considering legally binding quotas to increase the share of women on boards. Indeed, research on board diversity suggests positive effects of gender diverse boards on corporate governance and even firm performance. The mechanism through which these benefits materialize remain however mostly speculative. We study boards of directors in a large sample of listed companies in 15 European countries over the period 2003-2011 and find that female representation on firms' non-executive boards is associated with reduced turnover and an increase in tenure of executive board members. An increase in the performance-turnover sensitivity of executives suggests that this effect may be explained by better monitoring practices rather than by less effective control or a "taste for continuity".


Abstract:  Although autoantibody activities are rather often associated to monoclonal gammopathies, only monoclonal immunoglobulins of the IgM isotype are really directed against autoantigens that are often polysaccharides or are formed by highly repetitive structures. This strict association is frequently revealed also by clinical manifestations of the autoimmune response generated by the monoclonal macroglobulin. Most monoclonal immunoglobulins of non‐IgM isotype are instead totally inactive toward self‐antigens, the autoantibody activity being instead associated, if present, to polyclonal immunoglobulins. Although the same BAFF/APRIL system is involved in perpetuation of humoral autoimmunity as well as in stimulation of clonal B‐cell expansion, the autoimmune commitment of B cells of a non‐IgM isotype is hardly compatible with their possible involvement in an uncontrolled proliferation pathway, whose prerequisite is the homing of these B cells to the bone marrow compartment. The IgM‐secreting cells appear instead to possess a much lower tendency, and/or a looser requirement, for their homing in the bone marrow prior to their actual proliferation. This may explain the quite different consequences, in terms of autoimmunity, between IgM and non‐IgM paraproteinemias.


Shoulder pain is associated with abnormal movement of the scapula. Quantitative measurement and classification of abnormal scapular kinematics, however, is difficult due to the gliding nature of the scapula beneath the skin surface, and large variation in data. The aims of this study were to determine the validity and reliability of the acromion marker cluster (AMC) in measuring scapular kinematics during the arm lowering phase, to measure poor control of the scapula in people with a history of shoulder pain and a group with shoulder impingement, and objectively classify poor control scapular control. The validity and reliability of the AMC was compared to the scapular locator. The AMC was valid during sagittal and scapular plane arm lowering movements (max root mean square error = 6.1°), but had poor to fair reliability (ICC = 0.12 – 0.76). The AMC was used to determine whether a group of people with a history of pain, and those with shoulder impingement, exhibited poor scapular control when performing a scapular repositioning clinical manoeuvre, compared to a healthy control group. The history of pain group exhibited an increased position of scapular downward rotation (-7.9° ± 6.3) at the end of the manoeuvre when compared to the healthy control group (0.3° ± 4.4). There were no statistical differences in people with shoulder impingement. A statistical classification technique based on the Dempster-Shafer Theory of Evidence (DST) was used to objectively classify participants as having poor scapular control. Six kinematic variables were was used as input in to the DST classifier which classified 5 out of the 6 history of pain participants as having poor scapular control, with an accuracy of 72%. The DST multivariate classifier was reasonably successful at classifying participants with poor scapular control suggesting its potential use for future analysis of abnormal scapular kinematics.


The corrosion resistance at defect of paint film for Sn-bearing steels exhibiting superior atmospheric corrosion resistance under high chloride content environments was investigated by an accelerated corrosion test. It was found that the delaminated area and corrosion depth around the defect of paint film for the Sn-bearing steels after the test were drastically suppressed, comparing with that for carbon steels. Even on rusted and Cl − − contaminated surfaces simulating insufficient surface preparation when repairing the paint film, the Sn-bearing steel showed the superior corrosion resistance. Sn ion dissolved at the defect by anodic reaction can inhibit the anodic dissolution of Fe.


Background:  Contraceptive use can reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and improves the socio-economic status of families, communities and the nation. The objectives of this study are to assess contraceptive awareness, attitude and pattern of use among women aged 15-49 years in a Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos, Nigeria. Methodology:  This is a descriptive cross-sectional study design. A community survey was done using multi-staged sampling technique to select 220 women of reproductive age from the LCDA. Information on the awareness of contraceptive methods and use was obtained using an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Epi InfoTM statistical software. Result:  Most respondents were educated up to secondary school (85.5%), married (57.3%), and less than half had no children (42.7%) and still in school (36.4%). Majority of respondents are aware of contracepetive methods (86.0%), Condoms and injectables are the most known. Few respondents are currently using any form of contraceptive method (31.8%), and had ever used them before (36.4%). The commonest contraceptive method used are condoms ([24.3% for currently using]; [47.5% for ever used]); oral pills ([28.6% for currently using]; [41.3% for ever used]) and injectables ([18.6% for currently using]; [26.35% for ever used]). The commonest side effect reported is irregular menstruation (31.4%). There was no positive association between contraceptive use and marital status, education and occupation of respondents (p > 0.05 in all). Conclusion:  The study concludes that despite the high level of awareness of contraceptive methods, the level of use is low among women studied. Keywords: Contraceptives methods, awareness, use, maternal mortality, women, reproductive age, Urban District, Lago


Analytical and numerical methods were used to investigate the flow induced by a shock wave in a shock-tube channel containing air laden with suspended small solid particles. Exact results are given for the frozen and equilibrium shock-wave properties as a function of diaphragm-pressure ratio and shock-wave Mach numbers. The driver contained air at high pressure. A modified random-choice method together with an operator-splitting technique show clearly both the decay of a discontinuous frozen shock wave and a contact discontinuity, and the formation of a stationary shock structure and an effective contact front of finite thickness. The effects of particle diameter, particle-number density and diaphragm- pressure ratio on the transitional behaviour of the flow are investigated in detail. The alteration of the flow properties owing to the presence of particles is discussed thoroughly and compared with classical shock-tube flows.


Results Only a few studies of unipolar depressive disorderwereretrieved.The meanrelative riskof developing bipolar affective disorder amongmigrantswas 2.47 (95% CI1.33^4.59).However, after excludingpeople of African^Caribbean origin inthe UK this riskwasno longer significantly increased.Themeanrelative riskofmood disorders of unspecified polarity was1.25 (95% CI1.04^1.49) and thatof anymood disorderwas1.38 (95% CI1.17^1.62).


This paper focuses on a new controller design for both AC output voltage and DC voltage sides of a 3-level voltage source converter (VSC) of STATCOM based on complex transfer function. With this approach, the current regulator control with two-input two-output for the AC side of VSC can be represented by a complex transfer function with single-input single-output. In addition, the complex pole-zero compensation by the complex proportional integral (PI) controller is proposed to eliminate the cross coupling effect between the real and reactive currents in the current regulator. As a result, the practical current regulator control loop can be implemented to control the AC output voltage of VSC. For the DC side, the DC voltage control loop is also established by a PI controller. Parameters of PI controllers in both AC and DC control loops are designed by modulus optimum and symmetrical optimum criteria. Simulation results by PSCAD/EMTDC show that the proposed controller provides superior stabilizing effects on the cross coupling over the decoupling control.


Following an application from Kraft Foods Europe, submitted pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to "slowly digestible starch in starch-containing foods" and "reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses". The food constituent, "slowly digestible starch (SDS)", as defined by the applicant in applying an appropriate method (such as the method developed by Englyst et al. (1996; 1999)), which is the subject of the health claim, and the comparator food constituent, "rapidly digestible starch (RDS)", as defined by the applicant, are sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect. The claimed effect, reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses (as long as post-prandial insulinaemic responses are not disproportionally increased), may be a beneficial physiological effect. The studies provided consistently showed that consumption of 40–50 % of digestible starch as "SDS" in cereal products containing about 55–70 % of available carbohydrates as starch and 30–45 % as sugars in the context of a meal providing at least 60 E% of available carbohydrates induced significantly lower post-prandial glycaemic responses (without leading to disproportionally increased post-prandial insulinaemic responses) than the consumption of all digestible starch as "RDS" in cereal products with a similar content of available carbohydrates, starch and sugars. Cereal products, however, providing around 30 % of digestible starch as "SDS" and containing around 70 % of available carbohydrates as starch and 30 % as sugars did not show such an effect. A cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of "SDS", as compared to the consumption of "RDS", in cereal products and reduced post-prandial glycaemic responses (without disproportionally increased post-prandial insulinaemic responses).


BACKGROUND
The Thai Phase III Trial of ALVAC-HIV and AIDSVAX B/E showed an estimated vaccine efficacy (VE) of 31% to prevent acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Here we evaluated the effect of vaccination on disease progression after infection.

METHODS
CD4(+) T-cell counts and HIV viral load (VL) were measured serially. The primary analysis evaluated vaccine efficacy (VEP) as the percent reduction (vaccine vs placebo) in cumulative probability of a primary composite endpoint of clinical and CD4(+) count components at prespecified time points after infection. Secondary analyses of biomarker-based endpoints were assessed using marginal mean and linear mixed models.

RESULTS
There were 61 endpoints in the modified intent-to-treat cohort (mITT; n = 114). There was no evidence for efficacy at 30, 42, 54, and 60 months in the mITT and per protocol (n = 90) cohorts. Estimated VEP (mITT) was15.8% (-21.9, 41.8) at 60 months postinfection. There was weak evidence of lower VL and higher CD4(+) count at 60 and 66 months in the vaccine group. Lower mucosal VL was observed among vaccine recipients, primarily in semen (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS
Vaccination did not affect the clinical course of HIV disease after infection. A potential vaccine effect on the genital mucosa warrants further study.


democracy, authoritarianism, citizens' rights, and the exclusion or inclusion of people based on notions of 'race,' ethnicity, gender, and class;" to present case studies emphasizing regional variations; and they "endeavor to exemplify the rich potential of a pragmatic political culture perspective for deciphering the processes involved in the formation, reconstruction, or dissolution of historical polities" (3). The contributors succeed admirably in the first two goals. The essays in the collection reveal the power exercised by non-elite groups throughout the Andes. Elite attempts to reform and strengthen states all too often foundered, in part because of popular opposition. Many of the essays emphasize the capacity of non-elite groups to subvert elite programs and conceptions, using them as vehicles to press their own claims on weak politicians. To cite just one example, Margarita Garrido describes how some of the "free people of all colors" in late colonial New Granada challenged the connections between ethnic and moral hierarchies. Having achieved modest success within the colonial system and having obeyed most of its rules guiding behavior, these people made new claims to "honor," claims that the colonial state increasingly accepted. Through attention to issues of identity and inclusion, the contributors portray non-elite Andeans as important historical actors. To their credit, the editors also make important progress on their third goal. Their introductory and critical essays by Alan Knight highlight some of the strengths and limitations of a "political culture perspective," particularly its emphasis on subjectivity and discursive power. There is, however, little follow-up discussion of these issues. This is unfortunate since the contributors to the volume themselves represent different approaches to the study of political culture. For example, the excellent essays by Aline Helg and Mary Roldin pay more attention to material conditions than some of the other essays in the collection. Involving the contributors in an even wider discussion of their various approaches to political culture could have been even more productive. Nevertheless, this collection will be essential reading for many professional scholars. Its case studies and its efforts to discuss the merits of a "political culture perspective" will serve as points of departure not only for those interested in the Andes but also for historians of Latin American politics in general.


There is much interest in attaching polyethylene glycol (PEG) and other hydrophilic, neutral polymers to surfaces to reduce the extent of protein and cell adsorption. Interestingly, these same surface-bound polymers are effective in masking surface charge and reducing electrokinetic effects such as particle electrophoretic mobility, streaming potential, and electroosmosis. It is apparent that similar molecular properties are responsible for both protein and cell rejection and reduction of electrokinetic effects. In this work we compared the fibrinogen-rejecting ability and the effect on electrophoretic mobility of three polymer coatings bound to polystyrene. The three polymers were side-bound dextran, end-bound dextran, and end-bound PEG. The results of these measurements were used to elucidate the importance of polymer packing density and polymer layer thickness on protein adsorption and reduction of electrokinetic effects. Protein adsorption appears not to be sensitive to polymer layer thickness or the presence of dilute polymer tails in a surface coating, while electrokinetic effects are. Protein adsorption is, however, very sensitive to the availability of exposed surface. Finally, the unique effectiveness of PEG is apparent in this research as in previous studies.


Support of real-time applications that impose strict requirements on packet loss ratio and latency is an essential feature of the next generation Wi-Fi networks. Initially introduced in the 802.11ax amendment to the Wi-Fi standard, uplink OFDMA seems to be a promising solution for supported lowlatency data transmission from the numerous stations to an access point. In this paper, we study how to allocate OFDMA resources in an 802.11ax network and propose an algorithm aimed at providing the delay less than one millisecond and reliability up to 99.999% as required by numerous real-time applications. We design a resource allocation algorithm and with extensive simulation, show that it decreases delays for real-time traffic by orders of magnitude, while the throughput for non-real-time traffic is reduced insignificantly.


Chiapas, a state in southern Mexico, burst into international news in January 1994. Several thousand insurgents, given a voice in the communiques of Subcomandante Marcos, took control of the capital and other key towns and held the Mexican army and government at bay for weeks. Proclaiming themselves the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, they captured both land and headlines. Worldwide, people wanted to know the answer to one question: why had revolutionaries taken over a Mexican state? No other study of Chiapas answers that question as thoroughly as does this book. The uprising and government's armed occupation of the state are but the latest violent episodes in a region that is now and has always been a rich land worked by poor people. By studying the impoverishment of the laboring class in Chiapas, Benjamin addresses how the Chiapan elite survived the Revolution of 1910 and remain in control of the state's development and destiny. More clearly than anyone else, Benjamin shows in his new final chapter that the contemporary agrarian uprising is the legacy of Chiapan underdevelopment.


Abstract. The Geographic scene is a conceptual model that provides a holistic representation of the environment. This model has been developed in order to overcome limitations of geographic information systems (GIS) concerning interactions between features and the representation of dynamics. This contribution translates the theoretical model into an implementation of a dynamic data model in the graph database Neo4j and applies it to GIS data representing the dynamic information of a typhoon. The specific focus of the contribution is on choices made in the process of generation of the implementation of the example and the potential queries it supports.


The Southern Hemisphere Westerly Winds (SHWW) exert important controls on regional and global climate. Instrumental and reanalysis records indicate strengthening and poleward contraction of the SHWW belt since the late twentieth century. Such changes also have implications for Southern Ocean upwelling and CO 2 degassing. Therefore, a better understanding of the long-term SHWW behaviors and dynamics beyond recent decades is critical for projecting future changes. Here, we applied isotope analysis of Sphagnum moss cellulose from a peat bog in southernmost Patagonia (~54°S) to reconstruct changes in oxygen isotope composition of precipitation ( δ 18 O p ) that could elucidate past shifts in moisture sources and trajectories. We interpreted the positive shifts in δ 18 O p to indicate weaker SHWW and, impor-tantly, more frequent easterly flows that enhance moisture supply sourced from the Atlantic Ocean. In contrast, negative shifts in δ 18 O p indicate stronger SHWW and intensification of the Andean rain shadow. Our data, along with other evidence from southernmost Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula, suggest a coherent pattern of centennial-scale variability in SHWW strength on either side of the Drake Passage over the past two millennia, probably as a teleconnection response to El Niño–Southern Oscillation–like variability. Our study implies that investigations of past changes in the SHWW and associated teleconnection mechanisms should consider synoptic-scale atmospheric circulation patterns, rather than seeing SHWW as a simplistic west-to-east (zonal) wind-flow pattern, particularly on the time scales over which the SHWW express zonal asymmetry among different sectors of the Southern Ocean.


Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) [1] is a non-invasive imaging modality that measures the local diffusion of water molecules through biological tissues. Recently, DTI fiber tractography has been employed for the analysis of several diseases [2-4]. Yoshikawa et al. demonstrate that patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) had significantly decreased fractional anisotropy in the region along a line between the substantia nigra and the lower part of the putamen/caudate complex, a region which includes the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, a key site for degeneration in PD [3]. While the primary focus of neuro-degeneration in PD is the nigrostriatal pathway, neuroimaging studies have demonstrated widespread altered function within cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical loops in PD [4]. In this paper, we investigate various properties of white matter fiber tracts connecting the primary motor cortex to the striatum from DTI in Control and PD subjects. After image acquisition, manual delineation of primary motor cortex and striatum, and generation of cortico-striatal fiber bundles, we collect features of interest and perform statistical analysis to see if such features can be used as markers in the classification of PD subjects from control subjects. In addition to the use of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), we investigated the divergence (DIV) of the major eigenvectors field of the DTI in the region of interest to assess any difference between the two groups. Our results show that PD subjects have reduced FA and MD but increased DIV of major eigenvectors field.


Di Geronimo R. 2009. — A new species of Gruvelialepas Newman, 1980 (Crustacea, Cirripedia) from the northern Atlantic and remarks on living and fossil closely-related genera. Zoosystema 31 (1): 63-70. ABSTRACT The pedunculate barnacle Gruvelialepas leguillouxi n. sp. (Crustacea, Cirripedia), is described from the north east Atlantic (Armorican margin). It was collected on Madrepora oculata (Linnaeus, 1758), at a depth of 1000 m and represents the third known living species in the genus, besides G. pilsbryi (Gruvel, 1911) and G. kempi (Annandale, 1911), both recorded from Northern and Eastern Atlantic deep waters. Gruvelialepas leguillouxi n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners in having the following characters: carina strongly arched, scutum with the apico-basal ridge dividing the plate unequally, tergum with a flat apico-basal ridge marked by a deep squared groove, rostrum higher than wide and rostrolatus strongly curved inwards. Moreover, the new species differs from G. pilsbryi in having the rostrolatus overlapping the carinolatus. Differences among all described Gruvelialepas Newman, 1980 species, based on morphological features of the plates, are discussed in detail. The geographic distribution of Gruvelialepas and the related genera Aurivillialepas Newman, 1980 and Scillaelepas Seguenza, 1876, are also reported. Frequent misidentifications in examining fossil taxa point out a necessary review of fossil material.


Poultry farmers are confronted with choice for efficient allocationof farm resources between the different enterprises so as to optimize production objectives. The study therefore, was focused on optimum poultry enterprise combinations among small holder farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using questionnaires and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary technique and linear programming model. Of the seven poultry enterprises identified, the most profitable enterprise combination was that of layers/broilers with a benefit cost ratio of ? 1.92 while the enterprise that yielded the least net farm income was the sole cockerel which had a benefit cost ratio of ? 1.57.The profitability of sole and combined poultry enterprises was limited by high cost of production in which the feed cost constitutesmore than three-quarter of the total cost. Although, the optimal poultry enterprise combination was layers/broilers, the farmers in the study area attested to the fact that poultry business was still highly profitable.It is therefore recommended that both farmers and government must partner to find a means of reducing feed cost by financing poultry research. Also, poultry farmers should concentrate and intensify their poultry combination practices especially that of layers/broilers, which may be the appropriateoptimal combination enterprise.


In a controlled randomized cross-over trial, 21 patients with coronary artery disease and frequent ventricular arrhythmias were studied to test the efficacy and tolerance of mexiletine 200 mg t.i.d. in comparison to a released application form of mexiletine perlongettes 360 mg b.i.d. During 24-hour Holter monitoring, all patients but one showed more than 30 ventricular premature beats/h; additionally, in 16 patients, complex ventricular arrhythmias (Lown class IV) were documented. In all patients each medication was given for 5 days. Before treatment and during both medication periods, a 4 days' wash-out period was interposed. Mexiletine and mexiletine perlongettes each resulted in a suppression of ventricular ectopy of more than 84% in 10/21 patients (47%); in two patients the response was different. The mean reduction rate in all patients was 68% for mexiletine and 64% for mexiletine perlongettes. In the responder group, the mean reduction rate amounted to 95% under both medications. Ventricular pairs and tachycardia were reduced by more than 90%. Plasma concentration under mexiletine perlongettes was slightly higher, as compared to the standard form of mexiletine; however, under mexiletine, significant changes of plasma concentration were observed during the day only when the standard form was used. Side effects were observed in 8/21 patients (38% for mexiletine) and in 5/21 patients (24% for mexiletine perlongettes). These were mainly gastrointestinal or neurological, but were mild in all patients and did not necessitate discontinuation of the medication in any patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


curanderismo beyond Mexican American ethnic communities and as part of a global network of healers and metaphysical religions. Toward this effort, Hendrickson profiles several self-promoting curanderos who engage in direct outreach with multiethnic clientele, both in traditional person-to-person and digital formats. Included in this final section is also a necessary discussion on potential challenges in religious transcultural exchange, such as issues of (mis)appropriation. "If some Anglos have turned to curanderos for healing, and even for training," the author notes, "they have also participated in some of the same problematic dynamics that have marked transcultural and religious exchanges throughout the western colonial enterprise" (184). Overall, Hendrickson offers a good general introduction geared to readers completely unfamiliar with this topic. His strongest section is the final one, which includes insightful ethnographic accounts, such as the author's participation in a local temazcal (a traditional Mexican sweat lodge) ceremony in conjunction with a course on curanderismo through the University of New Mexico. Not surprisingly, then, this is also the only section in the book that engages directly with original oral history interviews Hendrickson conducted, numbered fewer than eight overall. Still, to his credit, he was able to rely upon excerpts of testimonies from previously published material, particularly memoirs, throughout his text. In addition, the author was successful in situating Mexican American curanderismo, and its complex hybrid manifestations through the present, within the larger milieu of religious healing practices at the national and even global level.


Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a recently emerging technique that uses arrays of sources and detectors to obtain spatially dependent optical parameters of tissue. DOT techniques have been applied for a wide range of applications, especially for breast and head as well as animal imaging. We have developed an integrated dynamic MR/DOT imaging system. This combined system can acquire MR and optical data simultaneously with a high temporal resolution. Hence, the enhancement kinetics of multiple MR and optical contrast agents can be monitored independently.Copyright © 2008 by ASME


This is a retrospective study of 74 patients with penetrating injuries of the abdominal inferior vena cava; the cause of injury was gunshot in 91% and stabbing in 9%. Of the patients, 77% underwent lateral venorrhaphy, 5% underwent infrarenal ligation of the inferior vena cava (IVC), and 18% died perioperatively before any caval repair could be carried out. There was an overall perioperative mortality of 39%. Persistent shock, the site of the venous injury, particularly in the retrohepatic position, and the number of associated vascular injuries were directly related to mortality. Irrespective of the improvements in resuscitation and the various operative methods available, penetrating trauma of the abdominal IVC remains a life-threatening injury.


Within the pediatric age group, chylothorax is rare and has been reported almost exclusively in the setting of thoracic surgical procedures or central venous hypertension secondary to central venous catheter thrombosis. We report on the development of central venous thrombosis and chylothorax in the absence of the usual risk factors in a patient with septic shock, and we expand on the role that procoagulant states, such as those induced by sepsis, might play in the development of this complication. This case reminds the practitioner that central venous thromboses and their complications may occur in the absence of the usually reported risk factors and must therefore still be considered when other clinical events suggest their presence. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:230–233. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Background Comorbities, advanced age, and prednisone usage are known risk factors for infection in RA patients who already have compromised immune systems. However, both the infection risk in ethnic minorities with RA and the utility of biologic use as a predictor are unknown. Objectives To evaluate infection risk scores (IRS)1 in a diverse ethnic minority RA cohort, and the effect of biologic therapy. Methods Enrolled, consented EMRAC patients were evaluated. IRS measures including socio-demographic (age), previous patient-reported serious infections, extra-articular RA (amyloidosis, Felty's syndrome, vasculitis, pleuritis), RA disease activity-parameters (ESR), prednisone usage, comorbidities (HTN, DM, lipidemia, CVD event), and biologic were abstracted. IRS were estimated using (1) as-published methods, (2) substituting current biologic use for inferred infection risk, and (3) adding current biologic use to published method. Comparisons of IRS risk categories as well as other categorical data was analyzed between ethnic groups using Chi-square test; differences in continuous measures between ethnic groups were estimated using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results 468 EMRAC subjects were available for analysis: 393 were female (84%) with mean age of 56.4 years; 183 were Caucasian (39%), 169 were African American (AA) (36%), 79 were Hispanic (17%), and 37 were Other (8%). Comorbidities were reported in 19%, biologic therapy use in 32%, and previous infections in 3%. With previously reported infection, estimated IRS was significantly higher in AAs compared to other ethnic subsets (16% had a 5-10% risk compared to 5%, p=0.001), but was not significant when biologic use was included, either with or without previous infection. Conclusions Compared to Caucasians/other ethnic subsets, African American RA patients with previous infections are at increased risk for recurrence. These data suggest a need for increased surveillance for recurrent infections in African American RA patients, and a potential impact on treatment decisions. References Crowson, C. Arth. Rheum, 2012. Acknowledgements Genentech, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb Disclosure of Interest G. Kerr Grant/research support from: EMRAC Group receives unrestricted grant support from Genentech, Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb, Y. Yazici: None Declared, C. Swearingen: None Declared, C. Luo: None Declared, L. Espinoza: None Declared, Y. Sherrer: None Declared, E. Treadwell: None Declared, A. Mosley-Williams: None Declared, R. Alamino Perez: None Declared, S. Dowell: None Declared, A. Godoy: None Declared, M. Paul: None Declared


Drones have become essential tools in a wide range of industries, including agriculture, surveying, and transportation. However, tracking unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in challenging environments, such cluttered or GNSS-denied environments, remains a critical issue. Additionally, UAVs are being deployed as part of multi-robot systems, where tracking their position can be essential for relative state estimation. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of a multi-scan integration method for tracking UAVs in GNSS-denied environments using a solid-state LiDAR and a Kalman Filter (KF). We evaluate the algorithm's ability to track a UAV in a large open area at various distances and speeds. Our quantitative analysis shows that while"tracking by detection"using a constant velocity model is the only method that consistently tracks the target, integrating multiple scan frequencies using a KF achieves lower position errors and represents a viable option for tracking UAVs in similar scenarios.


This article outlines the development and trial of peer assessment procedures for implementation within a music performance context in the Australian tertiary environment. An overview of the literature on peer assessment is presented, followed by reference to specific trials of peer assessment within a tertiary music student context. The paper then presents the rationale for and methodology applied in developing two forms of peer assessment of music performance, for trial across one academic year. Student evaluation data obtained via mid- and end-of-year questionnaires are analysed and discussed, as are implications for further research.


Conditions for efficient transformation of Amycolatopsis orientalis (Nocardia orientalis) protoplasts by Streptomyces plasmid cloning vectors were identified. Three streptomycete plasmid origins of replication function in A. orientalis, as do the apramycin resistance gene from Escherichia coli, the thiostrepton resistance gene from Streptomyces azureus, and the tyrosinase gene from Streptomyces antibioticus. A. orientalis appears to express some restriction and modification, because highest transformation frequencies (10(6)/micrograms of DNA) were obtained when plasmid pIJ702 was modified by passage in A. orientalis.


This paper describes the parallel connection of 4.5 kV integrated gate commutated thyristors (IGCTs) and diodes. The impact of varying device characteristics on the stationary current distribution of parallel connected semi-conductors is investigated. Possible solutions to improve the current sharing at steady state are presented. A thermal stabilization effect of parallel connected IGCTs is discussed. Furthermore, the behaviour of parallel connected devices during switching transients is investigated experimentally in a 1.5 kV, 5 kA buck converter. Especially the impact of asymmetrical circuit layouts, different turn-on and turn-off delays and junction temperatures are considered. It is shown, that a substantial current derating is necessary to enable a reliable operation of parallel IGCTs and diodes.


Civil and Construction Engineering (CCE) is a discipline that seeks to engineer the physical world, yet students in classrooms are limited to studying and applying concepts predominantly on paper or computer screens. This paper proposes a framework for the use of augmented reality (AR) sandboxes to bring the vastness of the physical environment that characterizes the problem domains of civil and construction engineering and the students will eventually be working in, into the classroom. Because the surface of the sandbox can be intuitively fashioned to represent a scaled-down version of the wide range of terrain found in the physical world, this tool can demonstrate not just the application of classroom concepts, but even their development from first principles. A description of the AR Sandbox is provided along with the software architecture that is created to enable course delivery to meet the related learning objectives for earthwork planning. This paper presents learning CCE design and analysis concepts that are traditionally presented through diagrams to be delivered through an AR Sandbox. A framework for evaluating the effectiveness of this new mode of instruction is proposed which can inform guidelines on the implementation of novel visualization and interaction technologies in the CCE classroom. Implications of this work include use by earthwork construction teams and professional engineers where AR sandboxes can aid planning and managing large scale construction projects.


We conduct a game theoretic analysis on the problem of scheduling jobs on computing platforms composed of several independent and selfish organizations, known as the Multi-Organization Scheduling Problem (MOSP). Each organization shares resources and jobs with others, expecting to decrease the makespan of its own jobs. We modeled MOSP as a non-cooperative game where each agent is responsible for assigning all jobs belonging to a particular organization to the available processors. The local scheduling of these jobs is defined by coordination mechanisms that first prioritize local jobs and then schedule the jobs from others according to some given priority. When different priorities are given individually to the jobs — like in classical scheduling algorithms such as LPT or SPT — then no pure e-approximate equilibrium is possible for values of e less than 2. We also prove that even deciding whether a given instance admits or not a pure Nash equilibrium is co-NP hard. When these priorities are given to entire organizations, we show the existence of an algorithm that always computes a pure p-approximate equilibrium using any p-approximation list scheduling algorithm. Finally, we prove that the price of anarchy of the MOSP game using this mechanism is asymptotically bounded by 2.


BACKGROUND
Heartburn and regurgitation frequently occur in the third trimester of pregnancy, but their impact on quality of life has not been thoroughly investigated.

OBJECTIVE
To measure health-related quality of life of third-trimester pregnant women with heartburn and regurgitation. Methods Data on obstetric history, heartburn and regurgitation frequency and intensity, history of heartburn and regurgitation and health-related quality of life were collected of 82 third-trimester pregnant women.

RESULTS
Sixty-two (76%) women had heartburn, and 58 (71%), regurgitation; 20 were asymptomatic. Mean gestational age was 33.8±3.7 weeks; 35 (43%) women had a family history of heartburn and/or regurgitation, and 57 (70%) were asymptomatic before pregnancy. The following quality of life concepts were significantly reduced: physical problems and social functioning for heartburn; physical problems and emotional functioning for regurgitation. There was agreement between heartburn in present and previous pregnancies.

CONCLUSION
Heartburn and/or regurgitation affected health-related quality of life of third trimester pregnant women.


This letter aims to investigate the optimum locations for ultrawideband (UWB) nodes placement on the body for reliable and power-efficient body-centric wireless communications. System-level modeling is analytically and numerically performed on the basis of multiband orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (MB-OFDM) system. System performance is evaluated for different parts of the body based on real-time measurements. Results and analyses, based on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bit error rate (BER), demonstrated that BER is less than or equal to 0.1% for 96.43% of lower-body locations (for on-body communications) and 83.68% of the human trunk ones (for off-body communications), respectively, with low power requirements.


Sequence characterization of the near full-length genomes of HIV-1 isolates BCF-Dioum and BCF-Kita, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was continued. These NED panel isolates, contributed by F. Brun-Vezinet (ENVA-France), were first identified as subtypes G and H, respectively. Our earlier analyses of portions of their pol genes showed that both were likely to be intersubtype recombinants of different composition. This study analyzed the remainder of each genome, confirming them to be complex recombinants. The BCF-Dioum genome resembles CRF06_cpx strains found in West Africa, composed of subtypes A/G/J/K. The BCF-Kita genome is a unique complex recombinant A-F-G-H-K-U strain. These data support previous observations of the complexity of strains originating from the DRC. BCF-Dioum may be a suitable strain for standards and reagents since it matches a defined circulating recombinant form. Studies and reagents made from BCF-Kita should take into account its complex genome.


The aims of this qualitative case study were (1) to investigate the general characteristics of the Life Sciences Curriculum (LSC); (2) to examine how the LSC is implemented in a public primary school from the perspectives of teachers, students and administrators; and (3) to identify whether implementation of the curriculum was in line with the principles of constructivist pedagogy. The study participants consisted of the school administrator, 2 co-administrators, 4 classroom teachers and 87 students from second- and third-grade classrooms chosen from a primary school in one of the districts of Ankara, Turkey. Data was collected through document analysis, classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with administrators, stimulated-recall interviews with teachers, and creative drama activities with students. Findings indicated that LSC was prepared consistent with constructivist pedagogy. Explicitly, multiple intelligences theory and contemporary teaching-learning approaches were kept in view in the design of the LSC, and the curriculum composed of thematic units that focuses on developing skills like critical thinking, creative thinking and problem-solving. Keywords: Curriculum Evaluation, Life Sciences Curriculum, Constructivist Pedagogy, Implementation Evaluation, Elicitation Techniques.


The influence of vortex strength on the helicopter blade-vortex mechanism of interaction is investigated using large eddy simulation (LES). The simulations were performed for a Reynolds number, Re = 1.3 x 10 6 , based on the chord, c, of the airfoil (NACA0012). Computations are carried out to investigate the influence of the vortex strength on the aerodynamic coefficients and acoustic field. It was observed that the vortex strength influences both, the aerodynamic coefficients and aeroacoustic field. The amplitudes of aerodynamic coefficients increase with the increase of vortex strength. Also the SPL values associated with BVI increase with the increase of the vortex strength.


The efficient red material Sr2CeO4:Eu3+ (SCOE) has been studied as a potential thermographic phosphor for application in the single-color fluorescence thermometry technique. The temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra and the integrated emission intensity of SCOE at different temperatures indicate that this red-light-emitting phosphor is extremely sensitive to ambient temperature. On this basis, we designed another three red materials as potential thermographic phosphors that have higher brightness and temperature sensitivity than SCOE, by means of adding Li+, Na+, and K+ ions into the lattice.


Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) is a peptide hormone originally identified in the X-organ/sinus gland (XO/ SG) complex of the eyestalks. It belongs to the CHH family which also includes molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone (VIH), and mandibular organ-inhibiting hormone (MOIH), and ion transport peptide (ITP). Multiple molecular variants of CHH are generated by both post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. In addition to the XO/SG complex, CHH gene is widely expressed in many extra-eyestalk tissues. Functionally, available data indicate that CHH is involved with the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and stress-induced hyperglycemia. Several other physiological processes, including molting, ion and water balance, reproduction, and immunity, are likely also regulated by CHH. The functional role(s) of the alternatively splice form CHH-like peptide (CHH-L) are different from those of CHH and remain unknown. Combined results showed that cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) plays important roles in mediating the effects of CHH on carbohydrate metabolism. Recent studies of receptor guanylyl cyclase (rGC) may lead to characterization and identification of CHH receptor(s). Future efforts are needed to fully understand the functional roles of the different CHH variants; identification of CHH receptor(s) hold the promise of revealing in greater depth the structure/functional relationships of the various structural variants.


An increasing number of young massive clusters (YMCs) in the Magellanic Clouds have been found to exhibit bimodal or extended main sequences (MSs) in their color–magnitude diagrams (CMDs). These features are usually interpreted in terms of a coeval stellar population with different stellar rotational rates, where the blue and red MS stars are populated by non- (or slowly) and rapidly rotating stellar populations, respectively. However, some studies have shown that an age spread of several million years is required to reproduce the observed wide turnoff regions in some YMCs. Here we present the ultraviolet–visual CMDs of four Large and Small Magellanic Cloud YMCs, NGC 330, NGC 1805, NGC 1818, and NGC 2164, based on high-precision Hubble Space Telescope photometry. We show that they all exhibit extended main-sequence turnoffs (MSTOs). The importance of age spreads and stellar rotation in reproducing the observations is investigated. The observed extended MSTOs cannot be explained by stellar rotation alone. Adopting an age spread of 35–50 Myr can alleviate this difficulty. We conclude that stars in these clusters are characterized by ranges in both their ages and rotation properties, but the origin of the age spread in these clusters remains unknown.


Eel is freshwater fish commodities. This fish can be encountered in almost all parts of Indonesia, but its utilization is still low, due to the fish not known by many people. Eel as fish consumption who have a good taste and high nutrient content so no wonder if this fish has a very promising market.
Field Work Practice purpose (PKL) this is to acquire additional knowledge and experience of working on eel rearing techniques and to investigate the issues that arise as well as get information about rearing eel prospects. Field Work Practice was conducted at the Center for Aquaculture Production Business Services (BLUPPB) Karawang on 14th January until 15th February 2013. Working methods used in the Field Work Practice is descriptive method.
Eel rearing activities began with an improved construction, pond preparation consists of drying, the basic soil tillage, liming and filling the water and the installation of fencing biosecurity, anco and shelter. The next activity is the selection of seeds, with a stocking density of 7-10 eel/m2. Pasta feed was given at a dose of 1-2% of biomass is done twice a day. Sampling is done once a month to look at the growth of eel and to control fish health. Water quality is measured consists of temperature from 27.8 to 30.3; DO 7.33 to 8.17; pH 7.07 to 8.16; nitrite from 0.003 to 0.1925, and ammonia from 0.1238 to 0.4797. Harvesting once every 8 months with a survival rate of 80% and earn profit Rp. 43.608.800, Return Cost Ratio 1,83 and Pay Back Periode 25 days.


Among various coating systems for industrial and engineering applications, glass ceramic coatings have advantages of chemical inertness, high temperature stability and superior mechanical properties such as abrasion, impact etc as compared to other coating materials. Besides imparting required functional properties such as heat, abrasion and corrosion resistance to suit particular end use requirements, the glass ceramic coatings in general also provide good adherence, defect free surface and refractoriness. This research tends to produce a cheep and effective glass- ceramic coating from glass cullet and different percent of crystallization agents ZrO 2 , and study the final corrosion resistance properties of them. After several set of acid resistance testing at temperatures range (25, 50, 75,100,125 o C) it has been found that porcelain enamel with (4 wt %) ZrO 2 has the best acid corrosion resistance.


Abstract Aim. The aim of the study is to evaluate a relationship between demographic and work-related factors and a work stress coping style as well as a relationship between a work stress coping style and symptoms of occupational syndrome. Material and methods. Material was collected from 50 nurses employed in intensive care units of clinical hospitals of the Medical University of Lodz. The study was conducted as a diagnostic survey using the following survey techniques: author's questionnaire and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Results. The study group demonstrated the highest mean value for the task-oriented coping style and the lowest mean value – for the avoidance-oriented coping style. Age, education level and subjective determination of the degree of work-related stress affect the value of the task-oriented coping style. The emotion-oriented stress style is accompanied by heart palpitations and avoidance of physical activity. The value of the avoidance-oriented coping sub-style, i.e. distraction, depends on atmosphere at workplace, heart palpitations and sleep problems. The value of the avoidance-oriented coping sub style, i.e. social diversion, is contributed by marital status, fertility and work organization. Conclusions. Nurses working in intensive care units prefer the task-oriented coping style. Work stress coping style is related to demographic factors and perception of work environment. An unadaptive style of coping with work-related stress is accompanied by symptoms of somatic occupational burnout syndrome.


The currently reported methods for preparing cellulose acetate hydrogels use chemical reagents as cross-linking agents, and the prepared ones are non-porous structured cellulose acetate hydrogels. Nonporous cellulose acetate hydrogels limit the range of applications, such as limiting cell attachment and nutrient delivery in tissue engineering. This research creatively proposed a facile method to prepare cellulose acetate hydrogels with porous structures. Water was added to the cellulose acetate–acetone solution as an anti-solvent to induce the phase separation of the cellulose acetate–acetone solution to obtain a physical gel with a network structure, where the cellulose acetate molecules undergo re-arrangement during the replacement of acetone by water to obtain hydrogels. The SEM and BET test results showed that the hydrogels are relatively porous. The maximum pore size of the cellulose acetate hydrogel is 380 nm, and the specific surface area reaches 62 m2/g. The porosity of the hydrogel is significantly higher than that of the cellulose acetate hydrogel reported in the previous literature. The XRD results show that the nanofibrous morphology of cellulose acetate hydrogels is caused by the deacetylation reaction of cellulose acetate.


The effects of cibenzoline were examined in the dog with multifocal ventricular arrhythmias 24 h after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and on isolated, superfused canine cardiac tissues which were studied using standard microelectrode techniques. In the intact dog, 5 mg/kg cibenzoline consistently exerted antiarrhythmic effects. In all experiments, the percentage of normal sinus beats was greatly increased as the ventricular ectopic cycle length was significantly prolonged. Cibenzoline also slightly decreased the mean sinus cycle length. In isolated, driven Purkinje fibers, cibenzoline (1–5 mg/L) exerted lidocaine-like effects, significantly shortening the plateau of the action potential and decreasing the maximum rate of depolarization. Cibenzoline (2.5 mg/L) did not decrease the rate of normal automaticity in Purkinje fibers (with maximum diastolic potentials [MDPs] > −85 mV), but did slow the rate of fibers pretreated with isoproterenol (0.5–10 μM) for > 30 min. It did not slow these fibers via β-adrenergic blockade, because superfusion of cibenzoline-pretreated fibers with isoproterenol (0.5–10 μM) produced positive chronotropic responses which were as large as those that occurred in these fibers prior to cibenzoline exposure. Cibenzoline, 1–5 mg/L, also significantly slowed "abnormal automaticity" in Purkinje fibers with MDPs of - 60 to - 40 mV. In experiments on automaticity in fibers with normal MDPs, cibenzoline, 2.5–5.0 mg/L, was found to induce early afterdepolarizations and triggered activity within 16–30 min of the start of exposure. These early afterdepolarizations could be terminated by stimulating the fibers at cycle lengths of 2,000 ms or less. The antiarrhythmic actions of cibenzoline may result from negative chronotropic effects on abnormal automaticity or on catecholamine-induced (triggered) automaticity, or from effects on conduction dependent on its local anesthetic actions.


Abstract Context: Eythrina excelsa Baker (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant used to treat various ailments including those of the female genital tract. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the estrogenic and cytotoxic effects of the ethanol extract of the stem bark of E. excelsa. Materials and methods: Erythrina excelsa was evaluated in vitro using the yeast estrogen screen (YES). The extract was then tested in a 3-day uterotrophic assay on ovariectomised Wistar rats at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg BW/d. Cytotoxic effects were assessed on breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) cancer cell lines using the MTT cell viability assay. Additionally, a LC–PDA–ESI (+)–HRMS and HRMS/MS method was developed and applied for the identification of representative secondary metabolites scaffolds in the extract. Results: In the YES, the extract stimulated the transactivation of the estrogen receptor in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 value of 1.8 μg/mL. In rats, E. excelsa increased uterine wet weight, uterine epithelial height, and the mRNA expression of estrogen-responsive genes in the uterus and liver at 50 whereas at 100 mg/kg BW/d anti-estrogenic effects were observed. In the MTT-assay, a dose-dependent decrease of the viability of both cell lines was observed with EC50 values of 13.6 μg/mL (MCF-7) and 27.7 μg/mL (HT-29). The phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract is rich in isoflavonoids, mainly prenylated and pyran-derivatives thereof. Conclusion: Erythrina excelsa is rich in prenylated and pyran-substituted isoflavonoids, exhibits estrogenic/anti-estrogenic and cytotoxic effects and warrant sufficient interest for deeper investigations


We report the results of the first population study of 51 magnetic early B-type stars, based upon a large database of high-resolution spectropolarimetry assembled by the MiMeS and BinaMIcS collaborations. Utilizing these data, rotational periods were determined for all but 5 of the sample stars. This enabled us to determine dipole oblique rotator model parameters, rotational parameters, and magnetospheric parameters. We find that the ratio of the Alfvén radius to the Kepler corotation radius is highly predictive of whether or not a star displays Hα emission from a Centrifugal Magnetosphere (CM), as expected from theoretical considerations. We also find that CM host stars are systematically younger than the general population, as expected given that CM emission requires rapid rotation and a strong magnetic field, and a strong magnetic field will lead to rapid magnetic braking. We conclude that emission-line magnetic early B-type stars are, almost without exception, strongly magnetized, rapidly rotating, and young.


Background

Infertility is a major problem persisting all around the world. According to WHO the rate of infertility is approximately 15% worldwide and it differ from geographical location, ethnicity and social status. Lifestyle habits, environmental and occupational hazards, physical parameters can be recognized as major risk factors which may affect male infertility. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with male infertility in Sri Lanka.
Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted on 299 individuals participated for an infertility clinic in a Teaching hospital in Sri Lanka. Socio-demographic, occupational and environmental characteristics were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. Semen samples were collected from each participant for laboratory investigations. Sperm concentration and motility, morphology and viability of sperms were measured.
Results

Out of total participants, 30.1% of participants had a sperm concentration of < 15 × 10⁶and the sperm mortality was < 32% in 34.7% participants. Older age, tobacco smokers, individuals using tight under wears and individuals exposed to either heat or chemical hazards were identified as risk groups with low sperm concentration and low semen volume. In addition, older age, individuals using tight under wears and individuals exposed to either heat or chemical hazards were significantly associated with low or abnormal sperm mortality and morphology. Individuals having diabetes showed a significantly higher non-motility rate of sperms. Alcohol usage, betel chewing, mumps, special radiation exposure, body mass index and waist circumference were not significantly associated with semen parameters.
Conclusion

Older age, tobacco smoking, wearing tight underwear, occupational exposures, and diabetes mellitus has shown a great risk for the generation of poor semen parameters, which can lead to male infertility. Furthermore it is very important to carry out extended studies regarding this problem to establish the effect of above factors.


Soaring insurance deductibles and medical bills have put growing strains on middle-class Americans. Is single-payer health care the answer? Or will costs just soar higher as millions move to government coverage? Award-winning journalist Noam Levey will discuss healthcare access and affordability in a conversation moderated by Professor Larry Jacobs.

Noam Levey is a national healthcare policy journalist writing for the Los Angeles Times. Based in Washington D.C., his writing has regularly appeared in the Chicago Tribune and Baltimore Sun, has been published in Health Affairs and the Journal of the American Medical Association, and he is a regular guest on nationally broadcast public radio programs. He has written extensively about the 2010 Affordable Care Act as well as medicare, medicaid, and healthcare affordability. He received his degree in Middle Eastern history from Princeton University.


This review deals with the state of the art and perspectives of description of nonequilibrium many-body systems using the nonequilibrium Green's function (NGF) method. The basic aim is to describe time evolution of the many-body system from its initial state over its transient dynamics to its long time asymptotic evolution. First, we discuss basic aims of transport theories to motivate the introduction of the NGF techniques. Second, this article summarizes the present view on construction of the electron transport equations formulated within the NGF approach to nonequilibrium. We discuss incorporation of complex initial conditions to the NGF formalism, and the NGF reconstruction theorem, which serves as a tool to derive simplified kinetic equations. Three stages of evolution of the nonequilibrium, the first described by the full NGF description, the second by a non-Markovian generalized master equation and the third by a Markovian master equation will be related to each other.


In this paper we address the need to characterize and quantify resource usage in IEEE 802.11 WLANs in order to support radio resource management. We present a compact and intuitive framework for performance characterization and resource utilization that is based upon the concept of MAC bandwidth components. These MAC bandwidth components are directly related to the transmission rate and serve to quantify the resource requirements associated with accessing the wireless medium. We also introduce a graphical technique for presenting these MAC bandwidth components that illustrates how WLAN stations interact in contending for access to the wireless medium. We demonstrate the usefulness of this framework for radio resource management using a number of computer simulations based upon the emerging IEEE 802.11e QoS standard.


During World War II, American media consistently portrayed the typical young female Frank Sinatra fan as a disinterested citizen who failed to devote adequate attention to the war effort and harbored an inappropriate obsession with the pop idol. What contemporaneous critics and current scholars have generally not acknowledged, however, was how Sinatra fandom allowed thousands of American teenage girls to navigate their stressful, confusing, and often contradictory wartime realities with purpose and enthusiasm. This article examines wartime Frank Sinatra fan clubs through the lens of fan club newsletters and correspondences, which were authored, printed, and distributed entirely by the primarily teenage female members of these clubs. In contrast to professionally published press coverage and criticism, these fan-made texts provide unprecedented insight into how this specific fan community used their adoration of Sinatra as a base to explore international relationships, develop professional skills, and engage in personal expression amidst heightened feelings of nationalism and conflicting expectations regarding American gender roles.


Background The ability to accurately predict survival in older adults is crucial as it guides clinical decision making. The added value of using health care usage for predicting mortality remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate if temporal patterns of healthcare expenditures, can improve the predictive performance for mortality, in spousal bereaved older adults, next to other widely used sociodemographic variables. Methods This is a population-based cohort study of 48,944 Danish citizens 65 years of age and older suffering bereavement within 2013–2016. Individuals were followed from date of spousal loss until death from all causes or 31st of December 2016, whichever came first. Healthcare expenditures were available on weekly basis for each person during the follow-up and used as predictors for mortality risk in Extreme Gradient Boosting models. The extent to which medical spending trajectories improved mortality predictions compared to models with sociodemographics, was assessed with respect to discrimination (AUC), overall prediction error (Brier score), calibration, and clinical benefit (decision curve analysis). Results The AUC of age and sex for mortality the year after spousal loss was 70.8% [95% CI 68.8, 72.8]. The addition of sociodemographic variables led to an increase of AUC ranging from 0.9% to 3.1% but did not significantly reduce the overall prediction error. The AUC of the model combining the variables above plus medical spending usage was 80.8% [79.3, 82.4] also exhibiting smaller Brier score and better calibration. Overall, patterns of healthcare expenditures improved mortality predictions the most, also exhibiting the highest clinical benefit among the rest of the models. Conclusion Temporal patterns of medical spending have the potential to significantly improve our assessment on who is at high risk of dying after suffering spousal loss. The proposed methodology can assist in a more efficient risk profiling and prognosis of bereaved individuals.


Children have many abilities that continue to develop; there are musical abilities of children who also develop. At the Kintelan Semarang State Kindergarten there is a kolintang extracurricular to support the development of children's musical abilities, but not all children join the kolintang extracurricular. The aim of this study was to determine the musical ability of children who take kolintang extracurricular activities with children who do not take kolintang extracurricular activities at Kintelan Semarang State Kindergarten. This research uses quantitative research with comparative methods. The subject and population of this study were children of Class B of Kintelan Semarang State Kindergarten. The data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires. The data analysis technique used is the analysis of the independent sample t-test, which was previously subjected to a prerequisite test, namely the normality and homogeneity tests. The results showed that children who took kolintang extracurricular activities got a minimum value of 86, a maximum score of 134, and an average value of 119.79, while children who did not take extracurricular kolintang received a minimum value of 70, a maximum value of 114, and an average value of 90.93. tcount > ttabel is 4,389> 1,701 and Sig <0.05 is 0,000 <0.05. The conclusion of this study is that there is a significant difference in the musical abilities of children who take kolintang extracurricular activities with children who do not take kolintang extracurricular activities. The suggestion of this research is that the teacher should motivate all children to be able to participate in kolintang extracurricular activities so that their musical abilities can develop optimally.


This aim of this article is to examine the attitudes of university members towards accepting students with intellectual disabilities (ID). To gather relevant data, 12 articles were selected from a wide range of online databases using a three-step search strategy. First, the search strategy and keywords were used to shortlist 31 articles. Second, inclusion–exclusion criteria were applied from which 23 articles were shortlisted. Finally, 12 articles were selected for the article based on the criteria for quality assessment. The examination of these selected articles revealed significant findings regarding the positive attitude of the university members towards students with ID. In 7 of the 12 articles, common findings included the positive attitude of teachers and university members towards accepting students with ID. Further, it can be concluded from the findings that universities have been adopting some key measures to improve the acceptance of students with ID. These measures include teacher training, the use of technology, effective lesson planning, curriculum design, and help to enhance student skills. However, substantial challenges remain in accepting students with ID and fulfilling their personal and educational requirements.


An extract of Smilax china, Hemidesmus indicus and Nigella Sativa on the ratio 3:2:1, prepared by boiling in water and concentrated could completely cure cases of oral canger diagnosed by modern methods. Cytotoxic studies with the three components showed activity in Nigella sativa at a concentration of 25 microgram equivalent of the dry powder against Dalton's lymphoma ascites cells. Animal experiments indicated the retarded growth of ascites as compared to the controls with a longivity of 90%.


This thesis describes the research towards automatically generating textual explanations for the behaviour of techniques of Artificial Intelligence, in order to obtain a greater transparency for HeMAS. HeMAS is an expert-system-like multi agent system with agents that apply divergent Artificial Intelligence techniques. It applies datamining on medical patient data and deduction on the newly formed rules to give advice or a diagnosis concerning individual patients. In this thesis, a solution towards enhanced transparency is proposed that includes the adaption of existing HeMAS agents to make them explainable and the implementation of a new agent that combines all obtained information from the agents and forms coherent explanations. This research is one of the fields of Explainable AI as well as Natural Language Generation and borrows from the field of Argumentation Theory. Involved aspects concerning the generation of explanations are the application of Toulmin Models for the capturing of the reasoning of the agents and the translation of First Order Predicate logic to natural language which is largely covered by LogicBabelfish, a new small programming language for this very purpose. The in this document described solution has been partially implemented and was applied to a small test case. The resulting explanations seem convenient.


Predictive modeling using fundamental physical principles is critical to developing new Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) since it can be used to quantify the effect of particle volume fraction and arrangements on the effective thermal conductivity. In our prior work, we described a Random Network Model (RNM) [2] that can efficiently capture the near-percolation transport in these particle-filled systems, taking into account the inter-particle interactions and random size distributions. The accuracy of the RNM is dependent on the parameters inherent in analytical description of thermal transport between two spherical particles, and their numerical approximation into a network model. In the present study, based on a finite element analysis, the network model is improved by developing an approximation of the critical cylindrical region between two spherical particles over which energy is transported. Taking the finite element (FE) results (generated by COMSOL™) as a reference, this critical parameter demonstrated a much larger effect on the thermal conductance of a single cell than other parameters (thermal conductivity ratio of fillers and matrix, ratio of radii of two neighboring particles and distance between two neighboring particles). Thirty different microstructures were generated using COMSOL™ at volume fractions of 40%, 50%, 58% and 70% respectively. Comparing RNM results with FE results and experimental data, a linear relationship of the critical parameter and the volume fraction was found that provides a more accurate prediction of the effective thermal conductivity of the particulate thermal interface material for a given volume fraction.


Significant reduction of the bulk resistivity in a ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.45Ti0.55)O3 thin film is observed before the remnant polarization started to decrease noticeably at the onset of its fatigue switching process. It is associated with the increase of charge carriers within the central bulk region of the film. The decrease of bulk resistivity would result in the increase of Joule heating effect, improving the temperature of the thin film, which is evaluated by the heat conduction analysis. The Joule heating effect in turn accelerates the polarization reduction, i.e. fatigue. Enhancing the heat dissipation of a ferroelectric capacitor is shown to be able to improve the device's fatigue endurance effectively.


Microbiology's ecological turn, as it shifts its gaze from the individual microbe to the entanglement and ubiquity of microbial life, is transforming conceptions of human nature and disease in the sciences and humanities. Both the fields of Christian theological anthropology and medical anthropology are tuning in to these microbiological shifts for their reformative possibilities. Meanwhile, practical resistance to these shifts in recent pandemic responses suggest that forces greater than just the "pure science" of microbiology are informing attachments to hyper-modern or Pasteurian epidemiologies and radically independent, buffered views of the self. This essay explores the roots of such resistance. It investigates the interplay of shifts in theological anthropology and disease theories. Cultural anthropology and critical studies offer accounts of epidemiology's fraught relationship to a history of colonialism, racialization, and vilification of pathogens and pathogenicized humans. This essay adds a theological analysis of the historical entanglement of perspectives on disease and Christian doctrine, which bears on the present pandemic response. It illuminates the ways some Christians "benefit" from germ theory's influence. Germ theory interrupts key Christian doctrine (especially theodicy) that makes Christian theology resistant to relational accounts of being human. Germ theory's theological reshaping of Christian teaching may also encourage the current resistance to more relational pandemic responses known as One Health strategies. While reformative and more realistic possibilities of emergent and entangled multispecies accounts of humanity's microbiality are ample and apt, they must account for the ways in which microbiology has never been epidemiological without also being colonial and theological. In other words, this essay explores the smallest and most reviled "animals" in relationship to Christian conceptions of sin, contagion, and evil as groundwork for engaging humanity's micro-animality and diseases' relational aspects. To conclude, I offer four modest suggestions.


Abstract There is a growing need for geropsychologists who are specialists in practice, research, education, and advocacy for older adults. The combined USF/Tampa VA geropsychology fellowship program focuses on the training of three post-doctoral Fellows each year in public sector service delivery across diverse long term care (LTC) and primary care settings. Addressing the bio-psycho-social needs of frail, poor, and minority older adults within an interdisciplinary framework exposes geropsychology Fellows to the complex nature of mental health problems of older adults and the need for collaborative efforts across professional lines. The program builds on prior geropsychology training at the graduate and internship levels by providing an integrated framework to achieve clinical, didactic, program evaluation, and advocacy goals: (1) delivery of state-of-the-art evidence-based psychological services to disadvantaged older adults in geriatric public sector primary care sites; (2) mastery of the knowledge base on diversity and interdisciplinary teamwork as they relate to providing services to older adults, including those residing in rural areas; (3) gaining competence in the evaluation of services to disadvantaged older adults; and (4) experience in public health advocacy for improvement of the LTC system.


More and more women are appointed to ministerial positions in Europe, across countries and political parties. Yet, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the factors which shape where and when women are appointed, and the impacts these appointments have on public policy. By considering the partisan dynamics and motivations of party leaders, I provide an insight into systematic variation in the number of women appointed to governments, the policy portfolios women are allocated, and the policy outcomes of women ministers on parental leave policy. This develops our understanding of women's access to government positions, which has important implications for how women are represented in the most powerful policy-making positions.

I develop a theoretical framework for the role of gender in ministerial selection and portfolio allocation by considering the policy, office and vote-seeking motivations of party leaders. Through a cross-national, time-series analysis over 45 years of European governments, I find that more women are appointed to European cabinets by left-wing parties, and by female party leaders. Women are better represented in cabinets in gender-progressive countries, and where party supporters have more gender-equal social attitudes. When women are allocated to the government, they are significantly less likely to be appointed to the 'core' offices of state, and 'masculine' and 'neutral' policy areas, but this is moderated by party ideology. I find that women are more likely to be appointed to 'masculine' portfolios where a party's voters have more progressive gender attitudes.

Considering the policy implications of women's appointment to ministerial positions, I examine the circumstances under which government reforms of parental leave for fathers follow the 'dual-earner/dual-carer' model of family policy. I find that women's active engagement in paid work is a necessary condition for the most gender-balanced forms of parental leave. The sufficiency pathways arising from a qualitative comparative analysis suggest that left-wing female ministers are 'entrepreneurial' in pursuing progressive family policy, while male right-wing ministers require pressure from public attitudes. The sufficiency pathway for leftist ministers also includes a left-dominated Parliament.


We study the Maximum Weighted Matching problem in a partial information setting where the agents' utilities for being matched to other agents are hidden and the mechanism only has access to ordinal preference information. Our model is motivated by the fact that in many settings, agents cannot express the numerical values of their utility for different outcomes, but are still able to rank the outcomes in their order of preference. Specifically, we study problems where the ground truth exists in the form of a weighted graph, and look to design algorithms that approximate the true optimum matching using only the preference orderings for each agent (induced by the hidden weights) as input. If no restrictions are placed on the weights, then one cannot hope to do better than the simple greedy algorithm, which yields a half optimal matching. Perhaps surprisingly, we show that by imposing a little structure on the weights, we can improve upon the trivial algorithm significantly: we design a 1.6-approximation algorithm for instances where the hidden weights obey the metric inequality. Our algorithm is obtained using a simple but powerful framework that allows us to combine greedy and random techniques in unconventional ways. These results are the first non-trivial ordinal approximation algorithms for such problems, and indicate that we can design robust matchings even when we are agnostic to the precise agent utilities.


This investigation focuses on the development of narrowband control strategies which are e ective for structural systems subjected to both harmonic exogenous forces and stochastic uncertainties in the model or measurements. A cantilever beam with surface-mounted piezoceramic actuators is used as a prototypical structure since it exhibits physical attributes of a variety of vibrating structures but is suÆciently simple to facilitate initial control design. A PDE model for the structure is discretized using a spline-based Galerkin technique to obtain a semi-discrete system that is appropriate for nite-dimensional control design. A narrowband control method, which can be tuned to attenuate either natural frequencies or speci c frequencies in the exogenous input, is developed and compared with standard LQR techniques through numerical examples. Corresponding Author: email@example.com, (919) 515-7552


This paper discusses the consistent specification and estimation of asset demand equations in a disequilibrium model of financial markets. We estimate the effective asset demands of savings and loan associations, allowing for rationing in the mortgage market. These disequilibrium estimates are not very different from the estimates of notional demands with no rationing assumed. Savings and loans seem to be least affected by excess demand situations in that they are apparently not reluctant to raise mortgage rates and/or to ration borrowers.


In this paper I describe in detail the concepts of volatility, diversification and contagion, three basic keys to understand the seemingly whimsical behaviour of financial markets. The presentation is deliberately non-technical and largely self-contained, with most required concepts defined along the way. Nevertheless, the analysis is mostly empirically oriented, with an emphasis on the methods that have been proposed to measure those concepts and a discussion of the stylised facts that the resulting measures imply. I also use those measures to study the effects of the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the euro sovereign debt crisis of 2010-2012 on Spain.


ABSTRACT Mucormycosis is a life-threatening fungal infection almost uniformly affecting diabetics in ketoacidosis or other forms of acidosis and/or immunocompromised patients. Inhalation of Mucorales spores provides the most common natural route of entry into the host. In this study, we developed an intratracheal instillation model of pulmonary mucormycosis that hematogenously disseminates into other organs using diabetic ketoacidotic (DKA) or cyclophosphamide-cortisone acetate-treated mice. Various degrees of lethality were achieved for the DKA or cyclophosphamide-cortisone acetate-treated mice when infected with different clinical isolates of Mucorales. In both DKA and cyclophosphamide-cortisone acetate models, liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) or posaconazole (POS) treatments were effective in improving survival, reducing lungs and brain fungal burdens, and histologically resolving the infection compared with placebo. These models can be used to study mechanisms of infection, develop immunotherapeutic strategies, and evaluate drug efficacies against life-threatening Mucorales infections.


We report results from a study of the integrated column density and expansion dynamics of ground-state-selected Ba 1 ions in a laser‐plasma plume using a new experimental system—VPIF ~vacuum-ultraviolet photoabsorption imaging facility!. The ions are tracked by recording the attenuation of a pulsed and collimated vacuum ultraviolet beam, tuned to the 5p ‐6 d inner-shell resonance of singly ionized barium, as the expanding plasma plume moves across it. The attenuated beam is allowed to fall on a CCD array where the spatial distribution of the absorption is recorded. Time-resolved ion velocity and integrated column density maps are readily extracted from the photoionization images.


Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease that mainly occur in children. The aim of this investigation is to explore the immune microenvironment of LCH and feasibility of immunotherapy for children with LCH. Methods: Tissue samples were collected from 15 children with LCH and their clinical characteristics were recorded. The expressions of PD-1 ligand 1(PD-L1) and the presence of CD8 T lymphocytes were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: Of the total 15 patients, 8 of them were PD-L1 positive and it accounted for 53.33% and 9 of them were CD8 T lymphocytes positive and it accounted for 60%. There were 8 out of the 15 patients that were both PD-L1 positive and CD8 positive and they accounted for 53.33%.Conclusions: Our results showed that the expression of PD-L1 and presence of CD8 T lymphocytes occurred in the microenvironment of LCH. The findings indicated a possible new treatment option for LCH in children.


In the present investigation anti ulcer activity of methanol extract (flower) of the medicinal plant Couroupita guianensis was evaluated in Wistar rats .The experimental rats were divided into four groups (n= 6). The rats were administered with distilled water (Control), Omeprazole (10 mg/kg) (Positive control), MECG (200mg/kg b.w) MECG (400mg/kg b.w) and was followed by the ligation of pylorus region of the stomach for ulcer induction. The stomach of the sacrificed rats were microscopically analysed ,gastric juice parameters such as gastric juice volume, pH, free acidity and total acidity and the biochemical parameters such as carbohydrate ,protein and pepsin level were quantified. The results of the present investigation revealed that the ulcer protection was 86.82% in rats treated with MECG 400 mg/ml and the ulcer score level was found 4.93±0.22 %. .The MECG reduced gastric juice, free acidity, total acidity and P H in the experimental Wistar rats. The total acidity range and free acidity level was recorded 88.50± 5.09 and 61.83±4.71 respectively at the concentration of 400 mg / ml.The biochemical marker enzyme pepsin level was reduced to 15.36 µg/ml when compared with the ulcer induced control group (24.62 µg/ml).