Background: Despite the extensive literature on facilitating advance care planning (ACP) with patients with serious illnesses, opportunities to include surrogates or family caregivers are overlooked. The research objective was to examine whether previous medical decision-making involvement for a loved one is associated with one's own ACP conversations with family and the potential mediating effect of knowledge of a loved one's end-of-life treatment preferences. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design using data from the 2016 Kaiser Family Foundation/The Economist Four-Country Survey on Aging and End-of-Life Medical Care. The sample included 627 US adults who completed the survey and were involved in making medical decisions for a loved one in the past. Multiple binary logistic regression and linear regression models were established for mediation analyses. Results: Participants in our nationally derived sample were largely confident in their knowledge of a deceased loved one's end-of-life treatment preferences. 66.8% of the sample had ACP conversations with family. The involvement in a loved one's medical decision making was significantly associated with higher odds of having ACP conversations with family (OR = 1.93, P = .01), but this relationship was significantly mediated by knowledge of one's end-of-life treatment preferences (b = .31, Boot CI = .12-.49). Conclusions: Previous experience in making medical decisions for a loved one may facilitate one's own ACP behavior through knowing a loved one's end-of-life treatment preferences. Clinicians in end-of-life settings are uniquely positioned to engage family members who were involved in medical decision-making for others before in ACP.


The proportion of information systems outsourcing and its importance have continuously increased to improve public services. However, there has been a lack of empirical evidence on how the successful completion of projects and its outsourced systems can give rise to public values. In other words, there has been little research attention on a project owner's beneficial leverage of public business from outsourcing project performance. In order to address this, this paper suggests the concept of owner dynamic capability. Previous project capability studies have tended to focus heavily on the roles of project suppliers, and the differentiated perspective on a project owner's capabilities is still insufficient. Moreover, the concept of project capability in classic analysis does not clearly distinguish dynamic capabilities and operational capabilities. Thus, by defining the owner dynamic capability, we aim to explain a project owner's outsourcing project capabilities, and to analyse required owner dynamic capabilities to realise business benefits in the public sector. The aim of this paper is to examine owner dynamic capabilities for delivering benefits from IS outsourcing, by uncovering key IS project issues in the public sector. Qualitative content analysis was employed to investigate information systems outsourcing projects in the UK central government. Fifteen National Audit Office Value-for-Money reports covering thirty one information systems projects were analysed. The findings draw our attention to the necessity of owner dynamic capabilities and the significance of project back-end capabilities as one of owner dynamic capabilities.


Antigen immunization studies in cynomolgus monkeys (cyno) provide an opportunity to study in vivo immune responses in a higher order species. Such models can also be useful for testing candidate immunomodulatory drugs which lack rodent cross-reactivity. Here, we have optimized and validated eight, 6-7 color panels of cyno-human cross-reactive antibodies allowing extensive flow cytomtric phenotyping of immune cell populations under steady state, Tetatanus Toxoid (TT), or Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) primed conditions. Comparisons were made between fresh & overnight cells in Na/Hep tubes to cells phenotypically stabilized in Cytochex tubes. We followed 17 distinct lymphocyte subsets including T, B & NK cells and tracked their activation status over 85 days following primary or secondary immunization. Similar to humans, cyno B & T cell compartments demonstrated a history of prior stimulation evidenced by elevated memory:naive cell ratios and significant baseline expression of CD95, GrB, Ki-67, PD-1, CXCR3, CCR6 and CD11c. In response to immunization, frequencies of circulating Ki67+ B & T cells increased, followed by an elevation of T dependent Ab titers. Changes in Th1 and Th17 subset frequencies as well as CD25 and CD69 expression following immunization were also observed. Direct application of these Ab panels to leukocytes from Rheumatoid Arthritis patients has recapitulated published observations supporting the utility of modeling immune responses in cyno.


This study aimed to evaluate the results from an experience of multiprofessional health-related graduate courses based on active methodologies, from the viewpoint of its graduates. The methodological design consisted of an evaluative investigation that brought together quantitative and qualitative approaches. A structured questionnaire, semistructured interview and focus group were used as the data-gathering instruments. The quantitative treatment of the data consists in a frequency description, using the chi-square test and extension of Fisher's exact test. In qualitative terms, the method of sense interpretation based on hermeneutic and dialectic perspectives was used. Among the main results, the significant positive reaction to the course can be highlighted. Limits to the application of the results from the course to professional practice were also seen, mainly because of structural questions. It was concluded that use of active methodologies might contribute towards professional training at postgraduate level that is better aligned with the current national healthcare policies.


The psychotomimetic drug phencyclidine (PCP) induces symptoms closely related to those of schizophrenia in humans. In order to test the hypothesis that cytokines may be involved in the aetiology and treatment of schizophrenia, this study investigated the levels of cytokine mRNAs in rat brain after acute and chronic administration of PCP, in the presence and absence of antipsychotic drugs. The levels of the mRNAs encoding TNF, IL-2, IL-6, TGF 1, 2, 3, IL-3 and GM-CSF were measured in the prefrontal cortex, cortex, hippocampus, ventral and dorsal striatum regions of male hooded Long Evans rats after acute drug administration. Antipsychotic drugs and PCP significantly reduced the levels of TNF in the prefrontal cortex compared to vehicle-treated animals, whilst other cytokines remained unchanged. In addition, significant reductions in the levels of TNF mRNA in the prefrontal cortex still occurred 24h after acute PCP administration. However, levels of TNF mRNA were restored to control values after chronic PCP treatment, whereas increased expression was detected in animals co-administered with haloperidol. Levels of TNF mRNA were also found to be significantly increased in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic subjects. The relationship between TNF levels and schizophrenia are discussed.


The protein-bound conformations of six new allosteric effectors similar to bezafibrate that markedly decrease the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Comparisons are made with the bound conformations of three urea analogues reported by Lalezari, Perutz, and co-workers. All six new molecules bind at the same site previously observed for bezafibrate and exhibit a wide range of allosteric activity. Unlike the urea derivatives, which show two binding sites for the most potent derivatives, only one of the six new molecules (one with moderate allosteric activity) exhibits a second binding site. A new computer program, HINT (hydrophobic interactions), has been created and utilized to identify the major interactions between small molecules and the protein. The three strongest interactions identified by HINT involve Arg 141 alpha with the acid of the analogues, Lys 99 alpha with the bridging amide carbonyl, and the amide NH of the side chain of Asn 108 beta with the halogenated aromatic ring.


The National Curricular Guidelines direct education to changes in the teaching-learning process, seek the appreciation of training when they establish in their structure, general and specific competences and emphasize the importance of a systematic and permanent follow-up evaluation aimed at improving graduation. The present research had the objective of evaluating the development of the general competences of undergraduate students of nutrition. An analytical study with a quantitative approach and cross-sectional method using a questionnaire, elaborated and validated by Matia and Coelho (2015) composed of 44 questions, which was applied to students and teachers, from four educational institutions, through the Google forms Software. For the descriptive analysis of the data, we used measures of central tendency and measures of variability and the tests Mann Whitney, Tukey and Test-t, with level of significance of p <0.05, realized through Free software R version 3.1.1. A total of 210 answers were obtained, of which 110 were students of both sexes and 100 of teachers. The mean age of students was 24.66 ± 7.41 years. The sample consisted of a predominance of female participants (87.3%). In the view of the teachers, the evaluated students seem to be developing more competences and abilities of Management in health and Education in health and in the vision of the students there was small emphasis only in Education in health. It is concluded that the students of the courses of nutrition involved in the research, are not developing the general skills necessary for the training, pointed out in the guidelines, in its entirety.


This paper considers an investment timing problem in a duopoly framework. The results of the seminal contribution by Fudenberg en Tirole (1985, RES) are extended by introduction of uncertainty. Three scenarios are identified. In the first scenario we have a preemption equilibrium with dispersed investment timing, while in the second scenario an equilibrium with joint investment prevails. In the third scenario preemption holds in case uncertainty is low, and joint investment is the Pareto dominating equilibrium if uncertainty is large. From the theory of real options it is known that it is optimal to invest when the net present value exceeds the option value of waiting. In this paper we modify the real options investment rule by taking into account strategic interactions. Now the net present value must be compared with the so-called strategic option value of waiting. It can be shown that, compared to the option value of waiting in the monopoly case, the strategic option value of waiting is the same in the joint investment case and lower in the preemption equilibrium. In the latter case it can even occur that investing is optimal, while the net present value is negative.


Human skin is the largest organ and the most external interface between the environment and the body. Vast communities of viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, and mites, collectively named the skin microbiome (SM), cover the skin surface and connected structures. Skin-resident microorganisms contribute to the establishment of cutaneous homeostasis and can modulate host inflammatory responses. Imbalances in the SM structure and function (dysbiosis) are associated with several skin conditions. Therefore, novel target for the skincare field could be represented by strategies, which restore or preserve the SM natural/individual balance. Several of the beneficial effects exerted by the SM are aroused by the microbial metabolite butyrate. Since butyrate exerts a pivotal role in preserving skin health, it could be used as a postbiotic strategy for preventing or treating skin diseases. Herein, we describe and share perspectives of the potential clinical applications of therapeutic strategies using the postbiotic butyrate against human skin diseases.


Pituitary dysfunction is now well recognised after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adults; however, little except anecdotal evidence is known about this potential complication in childhood and adolescence. Histopathological evidence exists for both hypothalamic and pituitary damage, but few data specific to children have been published. We review the available paediatric data, which shows that after both mild and severe TBI, hypopituitarism may occur, with GH and gonadotrophin deficiencies appearing to be most common. Precocious puberty has also been documented. Road-traffic accidents, falls, sport and child abuse are the most common aetiological factors for paediatric TBI. There are no published data on the incidence or prevalence, neither within a population of children with TBI, of hypopituitarism, nor on its natural history or response to hormone replacement. We urge paediatric endocrinologists, in collaboration with adult endocrinologists, to perform formal prospective research studies in patients suffering from TBI to clarify these questions.


Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands have diverse biological effects including striking antiestrogenic activity. We have investigated at the molecular level the antiestrogenic activity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). We show that the previously documented TCDD-mediated decrease in estradiol-inducible gene products such as cathepsin D (cat D) is due to a sharp decline in mRNA accumulation despite any change in estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA levels. The decline in cat D mRNA level is most likely due to a decrease in transcription of the cat D gene since TCDD blocks the ability of ER to transactivate from an estrogen response element. AhR is required for this activity as TCDD is no longer antiestrogenic in a mutant cell line that is deficient in functional AhR. We provide evidence that the loss of transactivation potential by ER in the presence of TCDD is due to a sharp decrease in its ability to bind to an estrogen response element. Reciprocally, estradiol treatment blocked TCDD-induced accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA and AhR-mediated activation of the CYP1A1 promoter. This is due to the ability of liganded ER to interfere with the binding of AhR to the xenobiotic response element. These results provide a molecular mechanism for the antiestrogenic effects of TCDD and demonstrate the presence of a two-way cross-talk between the intracellular signaling pathways involving estrogens and aryl hydrocarbons.


This paper arises from research undertaken as part of the AHRC-funded project, 'Communication, Language and Power in the Achaemenid empire: the correspondence of the satrap Arshama'. The project enabled a reengagement with the letters, sealings, and bag purchased in the 1940s by the Bodleian Library from the estate of the archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt. The discussion explores two parallel approaches to reconstructing the three-dimensional function of Achaemenid letters. First, technical variations in letter format and state of preservation reveal a range of physical interactions with letters, both open and closed. Second, Greek prose representations of Persian history imagine letters as objects working with their messengers within Achaemenid (usually royal) communications. This focus on the letter as object prompts us to hypothesize social, performative, and oral elements within the epistolary system.


A review is presented of pressure studies based on measurements of magnetoresistivity and Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations as well as quantum and classical Hall effects, performed on various types of 2D semiconductor systems and demonstrating a variety of effects induced by pressure.


Direct numerical simulations are performed to investigate the mixing and dispersion of passive plumes emitted from two parallel line sources into a homogeneous isotropic turbulent flow. The focus of this study is on the turbulent convective regime of plume mixing, where the bulk meandering of the instantaneous plumes makes the primary contribution to the plume dispersion and concentration fluctuations. The quality of mixing and the interference between the two plumes have been studied in both physical and spectral spaces. It is found that the exceedance probability of high concentrations for the total plume released from dual sources is much smaller than that released from a single line source. The reduction in the exceedance probability across high concentration levels for the total plume is quantified using a reduction factor, whose value approaches unity as the cross correlation coefficient between the two concentration fields becomes increasingly positive. It is observed that the scatterplots of the normalized third- and fourth-order concentration moments against the normalized second-order concentration moment collapse onto a single curve, indicating that higher order concentration moments of the total plume can be determined effectively from the information on lower order concentration moments. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the concentration probability density function for the total plume can be properly evaluated using a clipped-gamma model. In the spectral analysis, the results of the pre-multiplied co-spectra and coherency spectra reveal that the mixing process is the strongest and fastest at large scales for the turbulent convective regime of plume mixing.Direct numerical simulations are performed to investigate the mixing and dispersion of passive plumes emitted from two parallel line sources into a homogeneous isotropic turbulent flow. The focus of this study is on the turbulent convective regime of plume mixing, where the bulk meandering of the instantaneous plumes makes the primary contribution to the plume dispersion and concentration fluctuations. The quality of mixing and the interference between the two plumes have been studied in both physical and spectral spaces. It is found that the exceedance probability of high concentrations for the total plume released from dual sources is much smaller than that released from a single line source. The reduction in the exceedance probability across high concentration levels for the total plume is quantified using a reduction factor, whose value approaches unity as the cross correlation coefficient between the two concentration fields becomes increasingly positive. It is observed that the scatterplots of the n...


The widespread use of precise automated cell counters such as the Coulter Model S which directly measures red cell volume has provided a valuable tool for detecting patients with Haemoglobin E (HbE). HbE is one of the most prevalent haemoglobinopathies occurring in South East Asia. A study of fifty six Malays with HbE trait shows that detection of this condition is suggested by mild microcytosis and erythrocytosis made possible by the use of automated cell counters.


This paper deals with a specific emergency longitudinal ventilation strategy dedicated to wide cut and cover road tunnels where jet fans can only be installed along the side walls due to the limited height of the tunnel. This strategy has been developed to cope with the phenomena of low velocity that may appear in the middle of the tunnel cross-section for this typical tunnel configuration and jet fan installation. This could lead to significant back layering when this occurs in the region of fire. The solution is to inhibit the nearest bank of fans upstream of the fire. This ventilation strategy has been proposed and successfully installed in the A1 (M) Hatfield Tunnel in the UK. The design and the on site acceptance tests results are presented in this paper.


The use of surgical fistulation after endodontic therapy caused clinical problems for two patients. Only one patient was treated successfully for restoration of a molar; for the second, surgery was not advised. Analgesics and antibiotics may be better initial therapy than use of fistulation.


The search tactics that females might employ to find a suitable mate impose different cognitive demands on searchers and some theoretical models of search behaviour presuppose that females are able to recall encountered males and return to mate with a previously sampled individual. In this study, I exposed female field crickets, Gryllus integer, to male calls either sequentially or simultaneously from two speakers in a three-arm radial maze. Subjects that were exposed to the two calls in sequence and allowed to move to the location of each call returned, in the absence of any audible signal, to the location of the call initially encountered. Subjects allowed to walk to the location of only one of two simultaneously active speakers before playback of both calls was terminated were as likely to move, in the absence of any audible signal, to the never-active speaker as to the location of the other male call. These subjects were also more likely to search all three arms of the maze and searched for a longer time than females exposed to calls sequentially. Thus, female G. integer probably do not construct a spatial representation of the locations of potential mates from the calls of males that advertise concurrently. The results of this study suggest, however, that female G. integer are able to recall previously encountered males under some conditions and may potentially employ a search tactic that is more complicated than a simple instantaneous comparison of the qualities of males that are actively calling. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.


The formation mechanism for the body-centred regular octahedral structure of Li7 cluster is proposed. The curve of the total energy versus the separation R between the nucleus at the centre and nuclei at the apexes for this structure of Li7 has been calculated by using the method of Gou's modified arrangement channel quantum mechanics (MACQM). The result shows that the curve has a minimal energy of −52.169 73 a.u. at R = 5.06a0. When R approaches infinity, the total energy of seven lithium atoms has the value of −51.996 21 a.u. So the binding energy of Li7 with respect to seven lithium atoms is 0.173 52 a.u. Therefore the binding energy per atom for Li7 is 0.024 79 a.u. or 0.674 eV, which is greater than the binding energy per atom of 0.453 eV for Li2, the binding energy per atom of 0.494 eV for Li3 and the binding energy per atom of 0.632 eV for Li5 calculated previously by us. This means that the Li7 cluster may be formed stably in a body-centred regular octahedral structure with a greater binding energy.


The investment treaty network and the tax treaty network comprise more than 3,000
treaties each. The provisions of these treaties generally are highly customized on the
basis of the investment flows and economic interests of the contracting States. The
number of treaties in force and their customization potentially turn the amendment
of these treaty networks in their entirety into a cumbersome and long process. To
modify the treaty networks in a swift and coordinated manner, the investment treaty
makers and the tax treaty makers almost contemporaneously developed the idea
of implementing treaty changes through a single multilateral convention. On 10
December 2014, the United Nations adopted the Convention on Transparency in
Treaty-based Investor' State Arbitration, also known as the Mauritius Convention.
In addition, on 24 November 2016, the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax
Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS),
commonly referred to as the Multilateral Tax Instrument, was concluded under the
aegis of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The Mauritius Convention and the Multilateral Tax Instrument share the object
and purpose of modifying an extensive number of treaties. However, due to their
novelty, little research has been done until now on their common characteristics
and differences. The article aims at filling this gap by comparing both multilateral
conventions. It also aims at drawing lessons from the analysis of both multilateral
conventions that might be of benefit for future modifications of an extensive number
of treaties through a single instrument.


In this paper, we have developed a self-organized approach to cooperation policy setting in a system of rational peers that have only partial views of the whole system in order to improve the overall welfare as a system-wide performance metric. The proposed approach is based on distributed reinforcement learning and sets cooperation policies of the peers through their self-organized interactions. We have analyzed this approach to demonstrate that it results in Pareto optimality in the system by disseminating the local value functions of the peers among the neighbors. We have also experimentally verified that this approach outperforms the other commonly used approaches in the literature, in terms of the performance of the system.


This study was designed to better define the nature of the relationship among vegetation, groundwater level and microtopography in an arid area where depth to groundwater (DTW) was 0–4 m. Plant cover, DTW and relative elevations were jointly measured along 67 vegetation transects throughout the Owens Valley, CA, USA. These transects were dominated by major species of the area: Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex torreyi, Ericameria nauseosa, Distichlis spicata, Juncus arcticus, Leymus triticoides, Sarcobatus vermiculatus and Sporobolus airoides. Plant species occurrence was associated with different DTW. J. arcticus and D. spicata occurred more frequently in areas with the shallowest groundwater (<1·5 m). A. torreyi, L. triticoides and E. nauseosa dominated areas with intermediate DTW (1·5–2·0 m); whereas S. airoides, S. vermiculatus and A. tridentata dominated areas with deeper water tables (>2·0 m). Species were also linked to different microtopographic positions: L. triticoides and J. arcticus were mainly restricted to depressions whereas A. torreyi and A. tridentata were widely distributed in higher positions on the microtopographical gradient. Only 6% of the variation in vegetation cover was accounted for by DTW throughout the study area (N = 820). Cover of individual species was usually unaffected by DTW variation. Results suggest that species distribution is linked to groundwater conditions, but cover of vegetation is only partially affected by DTW variation. This is possible because water tables in our study area are within the rooting depth of most species and plants appear to be well adapted to shallow DTW variations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


To assess the quality of the 2200 ms-1 (η,γ) cross section data relevant to neutron activation analysis (NAA), values selected from general and k0-NAA data libraries, over the past 20 years, are compared. For 24 interesting reactions, a remarkable convergence or divergence of the data was spotted. A main conclusion is that there is a need for traceability of σ0-data in compilations, which should include links to γ-ray intensity and isotopic abundance data.


Abstract. We apply a coupled modelling system composed of a
state-of-the-art hydrodynamical model and a low-complexity biogeochemical
model to an idealized Iberian Peninsula upwelling system to identify the
main drivers of dissolved-oxygen variability and to study its response to
changes in the duration of the upwelling season and in the phytoplankton growth
regime. We find that the export of oxygenated waters by upwelling front
turbulence is a major sink for nearshore dissolved oxygen. In our
simulations of summer upwelling, when the phytoplankton population is generally
dominated by diatoms whose growth is boosted by nutrient input, net
primary production and air–sea exchange compensate dissolved-oxygen
depletion by offshore export over the shelf. A shorter upwelling duration
causes a relaxation of upwelling winds and a decrease in offshore export,
resulting in a slight increase of net dissolved-oxygen enrichment in the
coastal region as compared to longer upwelling durations. When phytoplankton
is dominated by groups less sensitive to nutrient inputs, growth rates
decrease, and the coastal region becomes net heterotrophic. Together with the
physical sink, this lowers the net oxygenation rate of coastal waters, which
remains positive only because of air–sea exchange. These findings help in
disentangling the physical and biogeochemical controls of dissolved oxygen
in upwelling systems and, together with projections of increased duration of
upwelling seasons and phytoplankton community changes, suggest that the
Iberian coastal upwelling region may become more vulnerable to hypoxia and
deoxygenation.


Background: Nephronophthisis (NPH) is the leading genetic cause of end-stage renal disease in children, with patients requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation by an average age of 13. Major hallmarks of this disease include interstitial fibrosis, tubular basement membrane disruption, and cyst progression along the cortico-medullary boundary of the kidney. Currently it is not possible to slow or reverse disease progression, and together with other inherited cystic kidney diseases the lack of therapeutic options represents a significant burden for patients and on health care systems. The last decade of research has highlighted the importance of an antenna-like organelle called the primary cilium which is present on virtually all mammalian cells. In the kidney, primary cilia project from the apical surface of kidney epithelial cells into the tubule lumen and are thought to be important for inter-cellular communication required for tissue maintenance. Specifically, primary cilia are involved in the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, which is activated during normal injury repair. This work explores the relationship between the gene products mutated in NPH, which localize to the primary cilium, and the regulation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway by Jade-1, a recently identified ubiquitin ligase for the main effector of canonical Wnt signaling, β-catenin.

Main Findings and Conclusions: This work demonstrates that Jade-1 localizes to the ciliary transition zone and interacts with members of the NPH protein complex. Nephrocystin-4 (NPHP4) specifically stabilizes protein levels of Jade-1 in a phosphatase-dependent manner, which increases Jade-1 nuclear translocation and enhances the ability of Jade-1 to negatively regulate canonical Wnt signaling. Jade-1 is phosphorylated by casien kinase-1 α (CK1α), a member of the β-catenin destruction complex, and this abrogates the ability of Jade-1 to negatively regulate Wnt signaling. Exogenous β-catenin decreases protein levels of CK1α and Jade-1 but not NPHP4, which highlights a complex relationship between these proteins. The non-linear nature of Wnt signaling regulation underlines the importance of studying functional protein-protein relationships in context dependent manner. Within the context of published literature, the current data suggests that the cooperative action of NPHP4 and Jade-1 might be most crucial to re-establish noncanonical Wnt signaling immediately following injury repair. Failure of this pathway could contribute to cyst formation in NPH.


BackgroundNitric oxide (NO) causes vasodilation by stimulation of guanylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle to produce cGMP. The resultant vasodilator effect is regulated by a family of cGMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Sildenafil, a selective inhibitor of PDE5 used for treatment of erectile dysfunction, has been found to cause relaxation of isolated epicardial coronary artery segments. The present study examined the effects of sildenafil on coronary blood flow and hemodynamics during exercise in normal and ischemic heart. Methods and ResultsIn chronically instrumented normal dogs, sildenafil 2 mg/kg PO caused a slight but significant increase in left anterior descending (LAD) coronary blood flow during resting conditions, with a nonsignificant trend toward increased coronary flow during treadmill exercise. Exercise in the presence of LAD stenosis that decreased distal coronary pressure to 57±2 mm Hg reduced LAD flow during exercise from 69±8 to 41±7 mL/min (P <0.05), with hypoperfusion most severe in the subendocardium. At the same distal coronary pressure, sildenafil increased LAD flow in the ischemic region to 50±11 mL/min (P <0.05). Increase in ischemic region blood flow produced by sildenafil was uniform across the LV wall, given that no change occurred in the transmural distribution of perfusion. ConclusionsInhibition of PDE5 with sildenafil caused vasodilation of coronary resistance vessels with an increase of blood flow into an ischemic myocardial region during exercise in the presence of coronary artery stenosis.


Cloacal and oral papillomas from 27 psittacine birds of various species were examined for the presence of parrot papillomavirus by DNA in situ hybridization, DNA in situ polymerase chain reaction, and nested polymerase chain reaction. Parrot papillomavirus was detected in one oral papilloma from an African grey parrot by all three techniques. In addition, rare basophilic intranuclear inclusions were observed by light microscopy in tissue sections of the oral papilloma from this parrot. The remaining lesions were negative for parrot papillomavirus DNA. This study suggests that parrot papillomavirus may be involved in the development of papillomas in African grey parrots, but apparently is not responsible for development of similar lesions in unrelated species of psittacine birds.


We develop the qualitative theory of the solutions of the McKendrick partial differential equation of population dynamics. We calculate explicitly the weak solutions of the McKendrick equation and of the Lotka renewal integral equation with time and age dependent birth rate. Mor- tality modulus is considered age dependent. We show the existence of demography cycles. For a population with only one reproductive age class, independently of the stability of the weak solu- tions and after a transient time, the temporal evolution of the number of individuals of a population is always modulated by a time periodic function. The periodicity of the cycles is equal to the age of the reproductive age class, and a population retains the memory from the initial data through the amplitude of oscillations. For a population with a continuous distribution of reproductive age classes, the amplitude of oscillation is damped. The periodicity of the damped cycles is associ- ated with the age of the first reproductive age class. Damping increases as the dispersion of the fertility function around the age class with maximal fertility increases. In general, the period of the demography cycles is associated with the time that a species takes to reach the reproductive maturity.


A class of methods is presented for wholly estimating direction of arrival (DOA) of convolutively mixed sources in the frequency domain, which is based on independent component analysis (ICA). Convolutive mixtures of multiple sources in the spatio-temporal domain are firstly reduced to instantaneous mixtures by using the well-known short-time Fourier transformation (STFT) technique. From the time-frequency mixture in each frequency bin, one frequency respond matrix of the mixing system from sources to sensors is identified by some instantaneous ICA algorithms. Furthermore, DOAs of the multiple sources is estimated by using a whole estimating strategy. Consequently, all mixtures in total frequency bins contribute to a final estimation set, in which the source directions are shown as several direction clusters and/or local maxima. Experimental results indicate that the ICA based methods have some advantages over the well-known MUSIC (MUltiple SIgnal Classification) method not only on estimation precision of multiple source directions, but also on potential applicability under some especial conditions.


Background: Vasectomy has been implicated as a risk factor for prostate cancer in multiple epidemiologic studies over the past 25 years. Whether this relationship is causal remains unclear. This study examines the association between vasectomy and prostate cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, which randomized men to usual care or annual prostate cancer screening. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 13-year screening and outcomes data from the PLCO trial. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression stratified by study arm and age at vasectomy was performed. Results: There was an increased risk of prostate cancer in men who had undergone a vasectomy and were randomized to the usual care arm of the study (adjusted HR, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.20; P = 0.008). There was no association between vasectomy and diagnosis of prostate cancer in men randomized to the prostate cancer screening arm. Only men undergoing vasectomy at an older age in the usual care arm of the study, but not the prostate cancer screening arm, were at increased risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Conclusions: Vasectomy was not associated with prostate cancer risk among men who were screened for prostate cancer as part of a clinical trial, but was associated with prostate cancer detection in men receiving usual care. Impact: The positive association between vasectomy and prostate cancer is likely related to increased detection of prostate cancer based on patterns of care rather than a biological effect of vasectomy on prostate cancer development. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(11); 1653–9. ©2017 AACR.


Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in childhood. In the carcinogenic process of neoplasms such as RB, the role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has been widely demonstrated recently. In this review, we aim to provide a clinical overview of the current knowledge regarding ncRNAs in relation to RB. Although ncRNAs are now considered as potential diagnostic biomarkers, prognostic factors, and therapeutic targets, further studies will facilitate enhanced understanding of ncRNAs in RB physiopathology and define the roles ncRNAs can play in clinical practice.


View-Oriented Parallel Programming is based on Distributed Shared Memory which is friendly and easy for programmers to use. It requires the programmer to divide shared data into views according to the memory access pattern of the parallel algorithm. One of the advantages of this programming style is that it offers the performance potential for the underlying Distributed Shared Memory system to optimize consistency maintenance. Also it allows the programmer to participate in performance optimization of a program through wise partitioning of the shared data into views. In this paper, we compare the performance of View- Oriented Parallel Programming against Message Passing Interface. Our experimental results demonstrate a performance gap between View-Oriented Parallel Programming and Message Passing Interface. The contributing overheads behind the performance gap are discussed and analyzed, which sheds much light on further performance improvement of View-Oriented Parallel Programming. Key Words: Distributed Shared Memory, View-based Consistency, View-Oriented Parallel Programming, Cluster Computing, Message Passing Interface


This paper argues there is value in considering participatory design as a form of anthropology at a time when we recognise that we need not only to understand cultures but to change them towards sustainable living. Holding up the democratically-oriented practices of some participatory design research to definitions of anthropology allows the essay to explore the role of intervention in social process. And, challenging definitional boundaries, it examines design as a participatory tool for cultural change, creating and interrogating futures (and the idea of futures). In analysing how designing moves towards change in the world, the paper brings together design research and anthropological concepts to help us better understand and operationalise our interventions and pursue them in a fair and sustainable manner.


Site-specific configurations of Fe 3d electrons in a spinel ferrite were investigated by electron energy loss spectroscopy under electron channeling conditions. Site-specific spectra were extracted by applying a multivariate curve resolution (MCR) technique to the data set. An electronic difference in the Fe sites caused by ligand field splitting of trivalent Fe was probed. This demonstrated the promise of site-specific valence and spin state analysis in spintronics applications of spinel ferrites.


Ordered two-dimensional (2D) arrays of β-HgS nanocrystal aggregates were prepared successfully at the air/water interface through the interfacial reaction between Hg(2+) ions in the subphase and H(2)S in the gaseous phase under the direction of liquid-expanded monolayers of arachidic acid (AA). These 2D arrays are composed of hexagonal or quasi-hexagonal aggregates with the size of several hundreds of nanometers that consist of several tens of HgS nanocrystals with the size of several nanometers. The formed HgS nanocrystals together with AA molecules self-assembled into round aggregates due to the interactions between the species, and the aggregates self-assembled into 2D arrays further due to the attractions between them. During the self-assembly process, the soft round aggregates transformed into hexagonal or quasi-hexagonal ones. The experimental conditions, especially the phase states of the AA monolayers and temperature, have great influences on the formation of the 2D arrays. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to get 2D ordered arrays at the air/water interface through a one-step synthesis and assembly process.


Cells respond to changing nutrient availability and external stresses by altering the expression of individual genes. Condition-specific gene expression patterns may provide a promising and low-cost route to quantifying the presence of various small molecules, toxins, or species-interactions in natural environments. However, whether gene expression signatures alone can predict individual environmental growth conditions remains an open question. Here, we used machine learning to predict 16 closely-related growth conditions using 155 datasets of E. coli transcript and protein abundances. We show that models are able to discriminate between different environmental features with a relatively high degree of accuracy. We observed a small but significant increase in model accuracy by combining transcriptome and proteome-level data, and we show that stationary phase conditions are typically more difficult to distinguish from one another than conditions under exponential growth. Nevertheless, with sufficient training data, gene expression measurements from a single species are capable of distinguishing between environmental conditions that are separated by a single environmental variable.


Single-image super-resolution (SISR) has achieved significant breakthroughs with the development of deep learning. However, these methods are difficult to be applied in real-world scenarios since they are inevitably accompanied by the problems of computational and memory costs caused by the complex operations. To solve this issue, we propose a Lightweight Bimodal Network (LBNet) for SISR. Specifically, an effective Symmetric CNN is designed for local feature extraction and coarse image reconstruction. Meanwhile, we propose a Recursive Transformer to fully learn the long-term dependence of images thus the global information can be fully used to further refine texture details. Studies show that the hybrid of CNN and Transformer can build a more efficient model. Extensive experiments have proved that our LBNet achieves more prominent performance than other state-of-the-art methods with a relatively low computational cost and memory consumption. The code is available at https://github.com/IVIPLab/LBNet.


Abstract We explain why Eric McGhee's criticisms of our effort to establish a standard for detecting packing gerrymanders sometimes misapprehends and other times misunderstands the proper evaluation criteria.


We report a case of spontaneous fungal peritonitis in a patient with cirrhosis. A 70-year-old woman with cirrhosis secondary to autoimmune hepatitis was admitted with fever and abdominal distention. Paracentesis revealed neutrocytosis, and despite appropriate antibacterial coverage, no clinical improvement was noted and the ascitic fluid white cell count increased on repeat paracentesis. Two consecutive ascitic fluid cultures grew Candida glabrata, and antifungal therapy with amphotericin was initiated, pending sensitivity of the isolate. Because of worsening renal function, amphotericin was discontinued and itraconazole was started, as sensitivity of the isolate was then available. Antifungal therapy resulted in resolution of ascitic fluid neutrocytosis and culture negativity. However, the patient's renal function continued to deteriorate, necessitating hemodialysis. Despite multiple courses of antibiotics, she died of fulminant sepsis and multiorgan failure.


Background

Exposure to oxidative stress (OS) incurs various consequences in animals' life from molecular to organismic level. Survival and social affinity are the two representative fitness components of animals that can be impacted by early exposure to OS during the developmental process. However, the effect of early OS exposure on survival and social affinity has not been well addressed.
Results

In this study, we treated 0, 1, and 5 mM of hydrogen peroxide solution to four-days post fertilization (dpf) larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) for 30 mins, and examined their survival until 19 dpf and social affinity at 28 dpf. There were no significant differences in survival among the treatment groups. On the other hand, social affinity was reduced in the individuals exposed to 5 mM hydrogen peroxide solution. All the groups demonstrated a similar level of locomotion.
Conclusions

These findings indicate that mild neonatal OS exposure did not affect the survival but partially hampered social affinity. Whether and how partially hampered social affinity in larval zebrafish persists to adulthood need to be investigated.


Three dedicated space missions proposed for the 1990s promise to provide data for recovering the Earth's gravity anomaly with unprecedented accuracy and resolution: the Geopotential Research Mission (GRM), the Aristoteles Mission, and the Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer Mission (SGGM). SGGM, the most ambitious of the three, aims at recovering the global gravity field to a precision of 2–3 mGal with a resolution of 50 km. Such accuracy and resolution are required to answer many key questions in geophysics. The SGGM instrument package is a three-axis superconducting gravity gradiometer which is integrated with a six-axis superconducting accelerometer and a six-axis shaker for active platform control. The intrinsic sensitivity of the gradiometer is 10−4 E Hz−½ (where E represents the unit of gravity gradient (1 E = 1 Eotvos = 10−9 s−2)) and that of the accelerometer is 10−13 gE Hz −½ in linear acceleration and 10−11 rad s−2 Hz−½ in angular acceleration. While precise attitude control of the Experiment Module is essential to mission success and is also technically the most challenging, pointing accuracy and disturbance isolation requirements of SGGM are less stringent compared to that of other missions such as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Gravity Probe-B (GP-B). Thus they are within the reach of technologies of the 1990s. In the recently completed Phase A study, the SGGM Study Team addressed the problem of scientific requirements and mission feasibility. Marshall Space Flight Center is continuing with mission and spacecraft design, while mission simulation is being done at Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. At the University of Maryland, prototypes of the three-axis gradiometer and the six-axis accelerometer are being fabricated, improved, and tested. A Shuttle flight test of the Experiment Module with the actual instrument package is suggested for 1994–1995. The full science mission hopefully will take place before the year 2000.


The results of 6 months' experience in routine screening for deep-vein thrombosis in all postoperative patients in a district general hospital are presented. Clinical methods and ultrasound diagnosis are compared. Ultrasound was found to be easy and safe to use and to be more accurate than clinical methods. A case is made for the use of ultrasound as a routine method of screening postoperative patients for deep-vein thrombosis.


Limited studies in East Africa and particularly in Uganda have been carried out to determine and map water use and demands. This study aimed at assessing the impact of management options on sustainable water allocation in environmentally sensitive catchments of Mubuku and Sebwe of Lake Edward-George basin in Western Uganda. We used hydro-meteorological data analysis techniques to quantify the available water. We applied Mike Hydro model to allocate water to the different ongoing developments in the catchment based on 2015 and 2040 water demand management scenarios. We used the Nile Basin Decision Support System to assess the sustainability of the different water management scenarios for sustainable water resources use. Reliability computation did not consider hydropower in this study. Results show that water available in 2015 was 60 MCM/YR and 365 MCM/YR for Sebwe and Mubuku, respectively and is projected to decrease by 15% and 11% by the year 2040 under climate scenario RCP8.5. We project water demand to rise by 64% for domestic, 44% for livestock, 400% for industry, 45% for hydro power and 66% for irrigation by 2040. Mubuku water demand is projected to increase from 5.2 MCM in 2015 to 10.7 MCM in 2040. Mubuku available water is projected to fall from 364.8 to 329.8 MCM per annum. Sebwe water demand is projected to increase from 9.7 MCM in 2015 to 22.2 MCM in 2040 and its available water is projected to fall from 60 to 52 MCM per annum by the year 2040 from 2015. Water managers ought to allocate water based on the reliable water allocation which prioritizes domestic and environmental water demands, allocates 90% of industrial demand, 70% of irrigation and 60% of livestock demand. We recommend institutionalizing this model to guide water allocation in the Mubuku-Sebwe sub catchments. Water users should employ more efficient water use techniques to achieve high reliability and sustainable water resources management.


Int J Tourism Res. 2019;21:1–10. Abstract Scenarios were designed to investigate the influence of price–quality heuristics among participants from the United States, Korea, and China for different tourism and hospitality services, in different consuming situations and in different social group contexts. The results revealed that as the scenarios moved from consuming alone and with an acquaintance to with a close family member, participants in each culture had a greater propensity to select the higher price option. These tendencies were the most evident among the Korean sample, whereas the Chinese sample did not differentiate between an acquaintance and a family member, and the U.S. sample indicated mixed results.


This paper describes a capacity of distributed generation which will be interconnected at low voltage distribution systems. In order to set the capacity of distributed generation, a voltage variation of distribution system is considered. Besides, the capacity of distributed generation is classified according to a capacity of pole transformer and loads. The system constructions in this paper are analyzed by using PSCAD/EMTDC. In the immediate future, it is expected to increase the installation of New and renewable energy systems which are generally interconnected to distribution power systems in the form of distributed generations like photovoltaic system, wind power and fuel cell. So the study of this kind would be needed to limit the capacity of distributed generation.


Abstract Studies by several workers show that major extinctions of trilobites, echinoderms, brachiopods and gastropods (but not conodonts) occurred at the horizon of a middle Ordovician K-bentonite (Deicke metabentonite) in the north central United States. Extinctions of Ostracoda are also represented at the Deicke horizon. The metabentonite, a Rocklandian stage ash fall the age of which is approximately 454 Ma, middle Caradocian, originated in the eastern United States. About 160 species of Ostracoda have been recorded in the middle and upper Ordovician of the north central USA. Ostracode speciation was low prior to the Deicke extinction event, consisting of a few eoleperditiids, leperditellids, drepanellids, aparchitids and bairdiids of the Glenwood and Platteville formations (Blackriveran-early Rocklandian). Following the extinction event, during the next approximately 1.5 Ma, 85 ostracode species appeared in the uppermost Platteville Limestone and in the overlying Decorah Shale (late Rocklandian-early Shermanian). The known Ostracoda species durations averaged about 2 Ma, although some are only half that length of time. Additional episodes of ash falls, following the Deicke and associated episodes, occurred in the next approximately 7.5 Ma in the region. The preceding Decorah ostracode fauna disappeared from the area and about 50 recorded new or immigrant taxa appeared following the last volcanic event in the late Edenian and Maysvillian stages (Dubuque and Maquoketa formations). Species duration during this time interval apparently averaged less than in the Decorah, about 1 Ma. The volcanic episodes appear to have provided nutrient-rich habitats that resulted in evolutionary spurts in the Ostracoda, following at least two of the episodes. Duration of the species was perhaps related to the total nutrient budget provided by the ash falls as well as to salinity regimes, palaeoclimates and other factors.


Objective:To analyze the relationship between brain functional connection using resting state fMRI and memory function in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy; To explore the characteristics of connectivity of rest-fM-RI in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and its value in evaluating the memory impairment. Methods: Rest-fMRI scanning and neuropsychological-scale memory function test were performed in 16 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and 16 gender, age and educational levels matched normal controls. The difference of brain connectivity was compared between the two groups and the areas related with memory were to explored. Results: Compared with normal control group, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy showed higher connectivity in regions of bilateral hippocampus and whole brain including left paracentral lobule, left precentral gyrus, left postcentral gyrus, left pre-motor cortex and supplementary motor area, left medial frontal brain regions. The following areas in patients pre-sented lower connectivity than the normal controls including right cerebellum, left superior temporal gyrus The pos-itive correlation between the brain connection and memory funciton was found in bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus, bilateral precuneus / posterior cingulate; The negative correlation between brain connection and memory function existed in left inferior frontal gyrus, left postcentral gyrus. Conclusion: The left paracentral lobule, left precentral gyrus, left postcentral gyrus, left premotor cortex and supplementary motor area, left medial frontal brain areas may constitute epilepsy network in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, which may play an important role in the patho-logical process of epilepsy. The function abnormalities of right cerebellum, left superior temporal gyrus may be re-lated to cognitive impairment in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. The connectivity in Bilateral anterior cingu-late gyrus, bilateral precuneus / posterior cingulate, left inferior frontal gyrus, left postcentral gyrus is relevant to memory function.


OBJECTIVE
To identify novel polymorphisms in the solute carrier SLC22A16 gene and determine their influence on the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin and doxorubicinol in Asian breast cancer patients.

METHODS
SLC22A16 coding regions were screened in a total of 400 healthy subjects belonging to three distinct Asian ethnic groups (Chinese [n = 100], Malays [n = 100] and Indians [n = 100]) and in the Caucasian population (n = 100). Pharmacokinetic parameters of doxorubicin and doxorubicinol were estimated in Asian breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy to investigate genotype-phenotype correlations.

RESULTS
Four novel polymorphisms (c.146A>G [exon 2], c.312T>C, c.755T>C [exon 4] and c.1226T>C [exon 5]) were identified. The genotypic frequency of the homozygous c.146GG polymorphism was approximately twofold higher in the healthy Chinese (13%) & Malay (18%) populations compared with the Indian (7%) and Caucasian (9%) populations. The genotypic frequency of the c.1226T>C polymorphism was observed to be significantly higher among the Caucasian (11%) and Indian (8%) study subjects compared with the Chinese (1%) and Malay (1%) ethnic groups (p < 0.005 in each case). Breast cancer patients harboring the 146GG genotype showed a trend towards higher exposure levels to doxorubicin (AUC(0 negative infinity)/dose/body surface area [BSA] [hm(-5)]: 21.6; range: 18.8-27.7) compared with patients with either the reference genotype (AUC(0 negative infinity)/dose/BSA[hm(-5)]: 17.4; range: 8.2-26.3, p = 0.066) or heterozygotes (AUC(0 negative infinity)/dose/BSA[hm(-5)]: 15.4; range: 6.2-38.0, p = 0.055). The exposure levels of doxorubicinol were also higher in patients harboring the variant 146GG genotype (AUC(0 negative infinity)/dose/BSA[hm(-5)]: 13.3; range: 8.8-21.7) when compared with patients harboring the reference genotype (AUC(0 negative infinity)/dose/BSA[hm(-5)]): 9.8; range: 6.1-24.3, p = 0.137) or heterozygotes (AUC(0 negative infinity)/dose/BSA[hm(-5)]: 8.98; range: 3.7-20.6, p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION
Among the four novel SLC22A16 polymorphisms identified, the c.146A>G and c.1226T>C polymorphisms exhibited interethnic variations in allele and genotype frequencies. This exploratory study suggests that the c.146A>G variation could contribute to the variations in the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin and doxorubicinol in Asian cancer patients. Further in vitro studies are required to determine the functional impact of these novel polymorphisms on doxorubicin pharmacokinetics in cancer patients.


Are you tired of hearing about the avian influenza A virus (H5N1) and its potential threat to humankind? Are you wondering what is happening with the H5N1 virus threat? These seemingly contradictory questions are being asked frequently as time passes between the first reports of H5N1 infection of humans and its predicted emergence as a pandemic influenza virus. As the H5N1 influenza virus threat continues to simmer but not boil over, it is becoming difficult to keep interest in and focus on the issue of public health preparedness for a global infectious disease outbreak. At this critical time in the development of pandemic influenza preparedness, Michael Greger's book Bird flu: a virus of our own hatching presents not only a comprehensive and thorough summary of the continuing threat of H5N1 influenza but a critical examination of the initial political and public health efforts that have been developed in response to the spread of human cases of H5N1 infection across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The real strength of Bird flu lies in its comprehensive summary of the H5N1 outbreak. The book is divided into five sections: an introduction to the biology and history of influenza; a discussion of the social and economic factors that are responsible for the increased threat of animal viruses to the human population; a summary of the pandemic preparedness measures that are being put into place in response to the emergence of H5N1; a section on measures the individual can take to prepare for an influenza pandemic; and finally, comments on the prevention of future pandemics. It is the breadth of topics covered that makes this book interesting to a broad range of readers. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the book is its myriad of carefully documented references and quotes from key scientific, public health, and government officials, which indicates that Greger has gone to the primary sources to gain his information.

While these topics are covered in great depth, Greger does have a penchant for turning to the colloquial when describing some of the scientific and public health principles important to understanding the evolving threat of pandemic influenza. Perhaps it is this particular style that will make the book very readable and attractive to nonscientists, but statements such as "some like it hot but not influenza" when referring to the effects of elevated temperature on influenza virus replication or how the body's cells sometimes "take one for the team and jump on a grenade" when describing the effects of innate immune factors such as interferon on the body's own cells began to grate a bit on this particular reader.

The largest amount of text is dedicated to a discussion of the environmental, economic, and social factors that contributed to the emergence of H5N1 as a threat to humans. Greger gives us a comprehensive overview of influenza virus ecology and the factors that led to increased contact of humans with birds and the viruses that they harbor. While maintaining focus on H5N1 virus, Greger comments extensively on other examples of animal pathogens that became significant human pathogens. This is a key point in the book, as the environment that led to the emergence of the H5N1 virus can also foster the development of other animal pathogens into human pathogens.

Greger is not afraid to discuss controversial topics such as the personal stockpiling of influenza antivirals and the role of socioeconomic class in gaining access to the antivirals that are and will be in critical supply when an influenza pandemic occurs. He even includes recipes for homemade hand sanitizer and an interesting strategy for "readministering" Tamiflu, which may be a bit hard for some to swallow (pun intended!) but may be one way to stretch our effective supply of this key antiviral. However, he also includes in-depth discussions on roles for hygiene, quarantine, isolation, and the economic effects of disrupting just-in-time inventory practices and how they may impact our ability to deal with an influenza pandemic. It is the careful, balanced, and comprehensive discussion of these topics that provides the reader with all the relevant facts and makes the book informative but not alarmist in tone.

Will avian H5N1 be the cause of the next influenza pandemic or will some other influenza virus strain catch us unawares? Will the next influenza pandemic resemble the 1918, 1957, or 1968 pandemics? Will the next global pandemic result from a new virus unrelated to influenza? Will there even be another pandemic? There are many strong feelings and opinions with respect to these questions, but the reality is, of course, that none of us can predict the future. This should not, however, prevent us from preparing for a global infectious disease outbreak, and Greger's book certainly provides a comprehensive summary of the many factors that are critical for tackling this kind of a global public health problem and presents them in a way that will be interesting and informative to both scientists and lay persons, irrespective of their familiarity with H5N1.


The composition of dominant species in syntaxa with S. carniolica is generalized. The phytocoenotic range of the species in Ukraine is defined, which allows to predict its presence in other syntaxa. The analysis shows that among the co-edificators, most of the subdominants of the stands are in the formations Fageta sylvaticae, Fraxineta excelsioris, Querceta roboris, and Q. petraeae. It has been found that the formation Carpineta betuli contains the largest number of semi-edificators that usually do not act as edificators. Thus, S. carniolica occurs in a variety of deciduous forests in the country. The species is rarely observed in Ukraine in the forests of the formation Alneta glutinosae. A syntaxonomic inventory of the localities of S. carniolica will contribute to composition of syntaxa in the next edition of the Green Data Book of Ukraine as well as improve the protection of the species.


The aim of this research was to evaluate the spatial variability of soil properties of a haplic cambisol under cassava cultivation in Humaita County, AM - Brazil. The mapping of a cassava growing area was made and a 70 × 70 m square mesh designed. In the mesh, soil samples were performed in a regular spacing of 10 m at a 0.0 to 0.2 m depth, being a total of 64 sample points. Physical analyses were made (texture, soil bulk and particles density, macro and microporosity, total porosity and aggregates stability in water). Descriptive statistics and geostatistical analyses were performed. Except for the clay fraction, all remaining physical attributes presented strong and moderate spatial dependence. The searched variables showed a higher "reach" range than those established in the area, which indicates that larger spacing between points can be applied for future studies. Geostatistical techniques have presented as an efficient tool for soil attribute studies under cassava cultivation in Humaita-AM, Brazil.

 Key words: Kriging, geostatistics, spatial dependence.


Present work is dedicated to the development of lithium-nickel oxide film positive electrode for solid-state lithium-ion batteries. The formation of electrochemical phase was performed by а two-step process. At first lithium-nickel oxide film was deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition on stainless steel 316SS and silicon wafer at 300 °C. One "supercycle" of lithium-nickel oxide film consisted of n (5 or 10) cycles of nickel oxide structures (NiOx) deposition, followed by one cycle of lithium oxide (LiOx) structures deposition. Bis(cyclopentadienyl)nickel(II) (NiCp2) and Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (LiHMDS) were used as metal precursors. Oxygen remote plasma was applied as a counter-reagent (oxidizer). The thickness of deposited films was 58.2 nm (n=10, 250 supercycles) and 74.3 nm (n=5, 500 supercycles). At the second step, the obtained films were annealed in an air atmosphere at different temperatures 400-800 °C for 10-15 minutes. Spectral ellipsometry, small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray diffraction were used to characterize obtained films. The electrochemical performance was studied with the use of Cyclic Voltammetry and Galvanostatic cycling. The discharge capacity augmented with an increase of a fraction of NiOx structures and annealing temperature. The highest capacity (23 μAh·μm-1·cm-2, at 7.4C rate) was observed for sample calcined at 800 °C (n=10, 250 supercycles).


The paper focuses on one of the most debated events in Cold War Europe, the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, and how its memory has influenced Hungarian political thought. We follow the discussion until mid-1990s and study memory and analogy in politics. We examine analogy on the basis of the theory of new rhetoric and with the help of Reinhart Koselleck's writings. In new rhetoric, analogy is not an equality of two relations but belongs to associative strategies of argumentation. These strategies add together separate elements and construct arguments, which either increase of decrease the possibility of accepting the argument. For my approach I have separated two kinds of analogies: those, which contemporary political actors have made during the great moments of history, and those analogies found afterwards by different political actors. Finally, we discuss the temporal nature of the analogy itself. Although analogies depend on audiences, weak analogies also reveal a lack of political skills. The analogy of 1848 has been the most common in Hungary, but also other years, like 1919 and 1945, have been used in political argumentation. There is evidence, for example, of how Communists compared 1956 to 1919 to legitimize their political actions.


We give some representation about recent achievements in analysis of the M/G/1 queue with egalitarian processor sharing discipline (EPS). The new formmulas are derived for the j-th moments (j=1,2,...) of the (conditional) stationary sojourn time in the M/G/1--EPS queue with K (K=0,1,2,...) permanent jobs of infinite size. We discuss also how to simplify the computations of the moments.


The effects of barium ions (Ba2+) on the release of growth hormone (GH), and prolactin (PRL) and ultrastructural changes accompanying altered hormone secretion in primary cultures of the rat anterior pituitary gland were studied in the presence or absence of calcium ions (Ca2+) in the medium. In four days old cultures previously labelled with 14C-L-leucine radiolabelled PRL release was stimulated in the presence of both Ba2+ and Ca2+, while GH release remained unchanged. In the absence of Ca2+, Ba2+ caused a more marked PRL and a significant GH release. In seven days old cultures, Ba2+ stimulated immunoreactive GH release in the presence of Ca2+ three-fold and a dramatic GH release occurred when Ca2+ was omitted from the incubation medium. Many parenchymal cells contracted profoundly in the presence of Ba2+ without Ca2+ in the incubation medium and the discharge of secretory material was frequent in a number of granular cells that did not contract. The observation on contraction suggests that Ba2+ may activate the microtubular-microfilamentous system in pituitary parenchymal cells.


BACKGROUND: Maize constitutes the main staple food and most important crop grown in Zambia. However, maize incurs considerable losses both in field and storage due to pathogens and insects. Some of the pathogens and resultant mycotoxins reduce the nutritional quality of the product. Mycotoxins are toxigenic fungal compounds that can cause cancer and suppress growth. In spite of this health hazard, there has been very little research to document their occurrence. Maize grains stored for human consumption were sampled from different agro-ecosystems (forest, valley and plateau areas) of three agroecological zones (high, mid and low altitude).

RESULTS: Several fungal genera were recovered among which Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium verticillioides, F. solani, Rhizopus stolonifer and Penicillium spp. were prevalent. The weevil Sitophilus zeamais and the larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus were the most damaging. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests yielded fumonisins and aflatoxins ranging between 0.02 and 21.44 ppm, and 0.7 and 108.39 ppb in 96.4% and 21.4% of samples, respectively. Fumonisin was more pronounced in villages in forest areas whereas aflatoxin was highest in valley and forest areas in Zone II.

CONCLUSION: Strategic interventions to curtail fungal, mycotoxin and insect contamination should be directed towards improved agronomic and post-harvest practices of maize from fields to consumers. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry


This paper describes conditions that led to the use of a smartphone to collect qualitative data instead of using a digital voice recorder as the standard device for recording of interviews. Through reviewing technical documents, the paper defines a smartphone and describes its applications that are useful in the research process. It further points out possible uses of other applications of a smartphone in the research process. The paper concludes that a smartphone is a valuable device to researchers.


The supernatural occurrence of "Stress " has been field of concentrate from the skyline of center as a 'cause' as an 'outcome' and as an 'ordeal.' Irrespective of the skim incline received, the way that some estimation of strain resultant part in expanded efficiency, yet unnecessary strained quality troika to implosion (transformed 'U' idea of pressure ) compensation increment numerous exit plan well-near overseeing pressure adequately. This paper tries to recognize the John R. Significant reasons for worry at the working environment today. It harps on the need to comprehend the grandness of perceiving worry as a central point blocking the proficiency and mental harmony of a man in the present boisterous aliveness style. This is accomplished by drilling down the contrary belongings of intemperate worry amid work. At long last, it remunerate s out the reasonable article to utilize system to refute pressure capably in one's aliveness in unstipulated and at the working environment specifically. The paper in addition worry to compensate a knowledge to the fixing causing worry among the worker in different businesses and the level and sort of worry among the representative of variegated age gatherings. It besides causes us to see well-near the impacts of weight on individuals in their own and in addition master life. The examination besides centers around feasible outcome , which could help representatives and additionally businesses to make a solid and determined workplace.


Efficient broadcasting is very important for currently poorly scaling mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs). Cooperative transmission protocols can significantly improve the scaling behaviour. This paper focuses on the implementation of a scalable MANET demonstration system with multiple software-defined radios (SDRs) which allows to thoroughly investigate different cooperative transmission and broadcast techniques and the improvements which can be achieved in practical systems. Measurement results show the advantages of cooperative broadcasting, distributed transmit diversity, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) aggregation.


The Capibaribe River provides water to a population of 1.7 million people in the Brazilian northeast, while receiving agricultural runoff and industrial and domestic effluents along its 280 km. The present study evaluated the ecotoxicity of surface waters along ten sites in rural and urban areas using zebrafish (Danio rerio) early‐life stages and related it to water quality indices and chemical abiotic variables. Lethality rates, delays in embryo‐larval development quantified by the general morphology score (GMS), and frequencies of developmental abnormalities were analyzed. A correlation was detected between zebrafish GMS and water quality index (WQI), sensitivity to domestic sewage contamination, and trophic state index, focused on eutrophication. These indices agreed in identifying a spatial pattern of smaller impact in terms of ecotoxicity, domestic sewage contamination, and eutrophication risk at three sites in rural areas (mean GMS 16.9), an intermediate impact at four sites with urban and agricultural influence (mean GMS 16.4), and greatest impacts at three more urbanized sites (mean GMS 14.9). Most frequent developmental abnormalities included noninflation of the swim bladder, delayed hatching, nonprotrusion of the mouth, blood stasis, and nondevelopment of pectoral fins. Toxic NH3 concentrations varied spatially, with higher concentrations in urban sites; and blood stasis correlated positively with NH3, suggesting a causal relationship. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in both rural and urbanized sites, contributing to detected toxicity. The present study demonstrates the potential of zebrafish early‐life stages as an ecotoxicological model that may contribute to a better understanding of surface water quality and ecotoxicity in tropical river systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3063–3077. © 2021 SETAC


Collagenolytic cathepsin, presumed to play an important role in bone destruction of cholesteatoma, was investigated in cholesteatoma epithelium, subepithelial granulation tissue, skin from the bony external auditory meatus and, temporal bone. The enzyme extracted from tissues was proven to be lysosomal cathepsin B by SDS gel electrophoresis in the use of human type I and type III collagen. α-N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-naphthylamide HC1 (BANA) was supposed to be specific for cathepsin B, and so BANA-hydrolase activity was measured as collagen-degrading cathepsin. The results showed that tissues had cathepsin B with its optimal pH 6.0, and that cathepsin B activity revealed a significant increase in the subepithelial granulation tissue. A strong activity of acid phosphatase found in the subepithelial granulation tissue seems to reflect the existence of an active metabolism of substances in the granulation tissue. These findings suggest that collagen is resorbed in the subepithelial granulation tissue in the presence of cholesteatoma.


The effects of various interventions on the frequency-dependent increases in the contractility of the papillary muscles of monkeys were investigated. Ouabain (10(-6)M) and KCl-free Krebs-Ringer solution, which are known to inhibit membrane Na+,K+-ATPase (EC 188.8.131.52), abolished the frequency-dependent increases in the contractility of the papillary muscles. Epinephrine (4.5 X 10(8)M) or quinidine (1.3 X 10(-5)M), which are known not to inhibit the membrane Na+,K-ATPase at these concentrations, did not alter the frequency-dependent increases in the contractility. These results indicate that the frequency-dependent increases in the contractility might be mediated through an inhibition of the sarcolemmal Na+,K+-ATPase.


Abstract. The study aimed to recognize whether the activity of a semi-aquatic invasive carnivore – the American mink Neovison vison – is related to the distribution of waterbird colonies. For this reason, we monitored mink occurrence in lake reedbeds and the fate of artificial nests imitating those of the great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus. The location of artificial nests in the grebe colony increased the probability of their survival compared to those placed outside the grebe colony. During the study, mink activity increased over time. In general, it was lower in colonies than outside of them, suggesting that the presence of natural nests does not increase the probability of mink occurrence in lake reedbeds. However, mink activity was negatively correlated with the distance from the lake shoreline and differed spatially according to the presence or absence of natural grebe nests. In grebe colonies, the probability of mink occurrence at greater distances from the lake shoreline was higher than outside, which can be explained by optimizing swimming effort while searching for prey. In conclusion, mink activity in colonies was lower than in areas with no waterbird nests, and nest location in a colony decreased predation risk by mink.


Cadmium (Cd) contamination in food is a problem endangering human health. Cd detoxication is an interesting topic particularly using food which provides no side effects. Ricegrass juice is a squeezed juice from young rice leaves which is introduced as a functional drink rich in polyphenol components. Se-enrichment into ricegrass is initiated to provide extra advantages of their functional properties. The protective role of ricegrass juice (RG) and Se-enriched ricegrass juice (Se-RG) against Cd toxicity during pre-, co- and post-treatment on HEK293 kidney cells were investigated. Results confirmed that RG and Se-RG had very low toxicity for kidney cells. Both extracts showed a protective role during pre-treatment and co-treatment against Cd toxicity by exerting a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the percentage of DNA damage in tail and tail length of the comets over the Cd-treated cells. However, the Se-RG indicated additional benefits in all properties over RG. High Se content in Se-RG resulted in more protective effects of the regular ricegrass juice. In summary, this study provides clear evidence that Se-enriched ricegrass juice has potential to be developed as a functional food to protect the human body from Cd contamination via the reduction of oxidative stress and DNA damage.


This article reviews treatments and targets of interest in endometrial cancer by molecular subtype. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) classifies four molecular subtypes—mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H); copy number high (CNH)/p53abn; copy number low (CNL)/no specific molecular profile (NSMP); and POLEmut—which are validated and highly prognostic. Treatment consideration by subtype is now recommended. In March and April 2022, respectively, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approved and the European Medicines Agency adopted a positive opinion recommending the anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) antibody pembrolizumab for advanced/recurrent dMMR/MSI-H endometrial cancer which has progressed on or following a platinum-containing therapy. A second anti-PD-1, dostarlimab, received accelerated approval by the FDA and conditional marketing authorization by the European Medicines Agency in this group. The combination of pembrolizumab/lenvatinib for mismatch repair proficient/microsatellite stable endometrial cancer, including p53abn/CNH and NSMP/CNL, received accelerated FDA approval in conjunction with Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration and Health Canada in September 2019. The FDA and European Medicines Agency made full recommendations in July 2021 and October 2021. Trastuzumab is National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) compendium listed for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive serous endometrial cancer, which is primarily within the p53abn/CNH subtype. In addition to hormonal therapy, maintenance therapy with selinexor (exportin-1 inhibitor) showed potential benefit in p53-wildtype cases in a subset analysis and is being investigated prospectively. Other treatment regimens being evaluated in NSMP/CNL are hormonal combinations with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors and letrozole. Ongoing trials are evaluating immunotherapy in combination with frontline chemotherapy and other targeted agents. Treatment de-escalation is being evaluated in POLEmut cases given its favorable prognosis with or without adjuvant therapy. Molecular subtyping has important prognostic and therapeutic implications, and should guide patient management and clinical trial design in endometrial cancer, which is a molecularly driven disease.


One research focus of human-centered teamwork is on advanced decision architectures that can help people make effective and timely decisions. This requires distributed team members to effectively establish shared situation awareness and to collaboratively develop explanations on how an unfamiliar situation might have been emerging. One key to achieve this goal is the ability to anticipate others' future information needs and to offer help proactively. In this paper we investigate a novel approach to anticipating teammates' information needs based on step-wise conversation pattern recognition, leveraging the idea of multi-party communication. This approach can be further extended to build a computational model for collaborative story building as needed in recognition-primed, naturalistic decision architectures.


The effects of In2O3 on the properties of (Co, Nb)-doped SnO2 varistors were investigated. It was found by characterizing the samples sintered at 1350°C that the nonlinear coefficient presents a peak of α = 20.4 for the concentration of 0.05 mol% In2O3, the average grain size decreases from 8.4 to 3.9 μm, the breakdown electrical field increases from 206 to 821 V mm−1 and relative electrical permittivity decreases from 2.3 to 0.16 k with increasing In2O3 from 0.00 to 0.10 mol%. The increase of the breakdown electrical field with increasing In2O3 concentration is mainly attributed to the decrease of the grain size. The reason why the permittivity decreases with increasing In2O3 concentration was originated from the ratio of the grain size to the barrier width. To illustrate the grain-boundary barrier formation of (In, Co, Nb) doped SnO2 varistors, a modified defect barrier model was introduced, in which the negatively charged acceptors substituting for Sn ions should not be located at the grain interfaces instead at SnO2 lattice sites of depletion layers.


Objective: To assess the hearing results of transcanal endoscopic stapedotomy
Study Design: Descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: Pakistan Naval Ship Hafeez Islamabad Pakistan, from Jun 2016 to Jun 2020.
Methodology: All patients with surgically confirmed otosclerosis were included in the study. All patients were operated with 0-degree 3mm, 14cm rigid endoscope under general anesthesia. Preoperative and post operative air bone gap was noted along with demographic data, middle ear anomalies (persistent stapedial artery, dehiscent facial nerve, anteriorly placed facial nerve, floating foot plate) and injury to chorda tympani. Postoperative air bone gap (A-B Gap) was documented 12 weeks after surgery. All patients were followed up for 6-12 months
Results: Mean age of patients was, 37 years and standard deviation was 12.34 (range 27-52 years). Out of total 45 cases 13 were males (29%) and 32 females (71.%). Four (8.8%) patients had dehiscent facial canal and 1 (2.2%) patient had persistent stapedial artery. Average preoperative A-B gap was 35 db and Average Postoperative A-B Gap was 7 db. Chorda tympani was preserved in all cases. One patient (2.2%) complained of altered taste which resolved after 3 months. Four patients had Postoperative vertigo that lasted 2 days on average.
Conclusion: Endoscopic trans canal Stapes surgery is scarless safe effective procedure demonstrable hearing benefits in all patients with minimum complications. The Technique is single handed and has steep learning curve.


This article shows how, after a series of frustrated attempts, the union between the minority Liberal Party and a fraction of the Conservative Party led to the approval by the Colombian Congress in 1929 of a law that created the certificate of citizenship as a public document required for the act of voting. Fiscal difficulties prevented carring effect of the law, which could only be done contemporaneously in the beginning of the so-called Second Liberal Republic (1934-1946), in which the party of that name, at that time in power, mled without having its traditional adversary, which allowed the Conservative spokesmen promoted the idea that the identification processes undertaken by the Govemment excluded liberal supporters. The truth is that the identification processes advanced with multiple disabilities, who could not be corrected before. Only the issuance in 1948 of a new law, after the farnous "Bogotazo", created the modern Electoral Organization that, with taking elements of Chilean law, purged the Electoral Organization as a whole, putting it beyond the control of the parties and assigning the function of issuing the certificate of citizenship, which has done so today.


Edge codes such as SOLPS coupled to neutral codes such as EIRENE have become so comprehensive and sophisticated that they now constitute, in effect, 'code-experiments' that, as for actual experiments, can benefit from interpretation using simple models and conceptual frameworks, i.e. reduced models. The first task is the identification of options for the reduced model control parameters that are best suited for control of the action of the divertor, i.e. for control of target power loading and sputter-erosion, primarily. A strong correlation between the electron temperature at the divertor target, T e,t, and the neutral deuterium D2 density at the target, n D2,t, flux-tube resolved, has recently been reported for a number of code studies including SOLPS-4.3 modeling of a set of ∼50 ITER baseline cases: Q DT = 10, q 95 = 3, P SOL = 100 MW, metallic walls, and Ne seeding (Pitts et al 2019 Nucl. Mater. Energy 20 100696). This part A of the present study reports new results for largely the same ITER cases, confirming the strong correlations reported earlier between local values of T e,t, and (i) n D2,t, and (ii) normalized volumetric losses of power and pressure in the divertor. Strong correlations have now also been found, and are reported here for the first time, between T e,t and all of the divertor target quantities of practical interest. A physical explanation for this surprising result has not been fully identified; nevertheless it has encouraging implications for reduced modeling of the ITER divertor. For such ITER conditions, (i) the global Ne injection rate, InjNe (Ne s−1), and (ii) the electron temperature at the location on the target where the peak power deposition occurs, T e,t @q ⊥,pk (eV), are found to be promising reduced model control parameters. In the companion report, part B, a reduced model for the ITER divertor is developed and described in detail, based on reversed-direction 2 point modelling, Rev2PM. The input to the reduced model is a value of the variable pair Te,t@q⊥,pk,InjNe and the output are values of the various target as well as divertor-entrance quantities of practical interest, e.g. q ⊥,pk, n e,Xpt (the electron density at the poloidal location of the X-point), etc. In part B the reduced model is quantitatively characterized using one half of the code cases; it is then used to successfully predict (replicate) the code values of e.g. n e,Xpt for the other half of the cases.


Introductory economics tells us there are three factors of production: land, labour and capital. Unless a student of agricultural economics, land as a factor of production will never be mentioned again. Yet space for some industries is a significant input and that would seem to be true of retailing. This is a sizable sector of the economy n on a reasonable measure of employment the second largest industry in the UK. Land use policies in the UK have the effect of restricting the availability of land for retail; in addition etown-centre-firsti policy concentrates retail development on expensive central land and so increases the cost of retail space. In British cities in the mid 1980s the most expensive land for retail was 250 times as expensive as the most expensive retail land in comparable US cities. This paper uses a unique micro data set of store specific information to estimate the impact on productivity of space and the specific effects of planning restrictiveness on the productivity of retailing. It is the first paper to analyse the contribution of space to productivity and to relate that firmly to land use regulation policies. Our results suggest that TFP rises with store size and that planning restrictiveness directly reduces productivity in retailing thereby increasing retail prices.


Background: Phyllodes tumors are fibroepithelial neoplasm previous known as cystosarcoma phyllodes. These tumor are rare comprising <1% of all breast neoplasms. Phyllodes are classified into three categories into benign, borderline and malignant. Objective: · To evaluate Benign, borderline and malignant phyllodes tumors frequency in different age groups. · To correlate tumor size across all three categories of phyllodes tumor. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out at Liaquat National hospital, between 2008 to 2016.The age was divided into three categories, =25 years, 25 to 45 years and = 45 years. The benign, borderline and malignant phyllodes tumor categories were analyzed using SPSS version 21 for tumor size and frequency across age groups .The data was archived from patient's medical records available at department of histopathology. Results: Our finding show significant correlation of tumor size within each category of PT and similarly across age groups. The benign tumors are common in younger age and malignant tumors in older age. The average size of benign phyllodes tumor is smaller than borderline and malignant phyllodes tumor. Conclusion: Rising trend of malignancy is noted with increase in tumor size and older age.


A 53-year-old man was hospitalized for the development of watery diarrhea associated with decreased appetite and progressive weight loss and was found to have leukocytosis. The white blood cell count was 14,600/microliters with 66 percent abnormal lymphocytes. Serum anti-HTLV-I was positive and monoclonal insertion of HTLV-I provirus into the atypical cell genome was confirmed with the southern blotting hybridization technique. A diagnosis of ATL was made. Examination of fresh stool specimens revealed Isospora belli (I. belli) oocysts. Initial treatment for I. belli consisted of oral trimethoprim 160mg and sulfamethoxazole 400mg given twice daily for nine days. Diarrhea ceased within 2 days of the start of treatment, but I. belli oocysts were again detected after 20 days. Trimethoprim 160mg and sulfamethoxazole 400mg were reinstituted four times daily for 10 days, and then twice daily for 21 days. The clinical response was again dramatic, with rapid clearance of oocysts from the stool. There has been no recurrence of diarrhea. The patient's leukemia was refractory to chemotherapy; the white blood cell count continued to rise, pneumonia developed, and the patient died. I. belli is a previously unrecognized opportunistic pathogen that must be considered in the clinical setting of chronic diarrhea in patients with ATL.


Policy changes in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) can be explained in terms of the exhaustion and long-term contradictions of policy instruments. Changes in policy instruments have reoriented the policy without any change in formal Treaty goals. The social and economic efficacy of instruments in terms of evidence-based policy analysis was a key factor in whether they were delegitimised. The original policy instruments were generally dysfunctional, but reframing the policy in terms of a multifunctionality paradigm permitted the development of more efficacious instruments. A dynamic interaction takes place between the instruments and policy informed by the predominant discourses.


AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To describe the ethnic and demographic composition of staff and patients on acute psychiatric wards in England.

BACKGROUND
A significant proportion of the UK population (7.6%) belong to an ethnic minority and there are concerns that ethnic minority patients are not well served by psychiatry, in particular that they are subject to excessive force and coercion.

DESIGN
Survey of a random sample of psychiatric wards in three regions.

METHODS
A survey was conducted of staff (n = 1536) and patients (n = 11,128) on 136 acute admission psychiatric wards.

RESULTS
Ethnic minority patients were more likely to be admitted with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, younger, more likely to be admitted for a risk of harm to others and more likely to be legally detained. The association between ethnic minority status and detention remains, even when risk, age, gender and diagnosis are taken into account. Ethnic minority patients come from areas of greater social deprivation and fragmentation. Ethnic concordance between staff and patients varies, but the greatest difference is found in London where the proportion of minority staff is greater than the proportion of minority patients.

CONCLUSIONS
There continues to be evidence that ethnic minority patients are subject to an excessive amount of legal coercion in English mental health services. However, the proportion of staff belonging to an ethnic minority is greater than the proportion of patients.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
Solutions to the problem of excessive use of legal coercion with ethnic minority patients need to be found. Changes of recruitment strategies are required if concordance is to be achieved.


This paper proposes a workflow ontology-based methodological approach to build a tutorial function groupware and a directed acyclic graph to generate a student' critical route. Accordingly, the development of a groupware to manage and control the monitoring of an educational path by a tutor, is necessary. This is possible as, on the one hand, the workflow ontology allows specifying and modelling this development in a natural, formal manner, which allows the tutor to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate with their students in order to guide and orient the latter, throughout their formation, while, on the other hand, a directed acyclic graph algorithm determines the critical route, a student must follow in the course of their academic formation. A case study to show the feasibility of both proposals is presented.


In this paper, we propose a new design criterion and a new class of unitary signal constellations for differential space-time modulation for multiple-antenna systems over Rayleigh flat-fading channels with unknown fading coefficients. Extensive simulations show that the new codes have significantly better performance than existing codes. We have compared the performance of our codes with differential detection schemes using orthogonal design, Cayley differential codes, fixed-point-free group codes, and product of groups and for the same bit-error rate, our codes allow smaller signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by as much as 10 dB. The design of the new codes is accomplished in a systematic way through the optimization of a performance index that closely describes the bit-error rate as a function of the SNR. The new performance index is computationally simple and we have derived analytical expressions for its gradient with respect to constellation parameters. Decoding of the proposed constellations is reduced to a set of one-dimensional closest point problems that we solve using parallel sphere decoder algorithms. This decoding strategy can also improve efficiency of existing codes.


Poorly grown plants that result from differences in individuals lead to large profit losses for plant factories that use large electric power sources for cultivation. Thus, identifying and culling the low-grade plants at an early stage, using so-called seedlings diagnosis technology, plays an important role in avoiding large losses in plant factories. In this study, we developed a high-throughput diagnosis system using the measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) in a commercial large-scale plant factory, which produces about 5000 lettuce plants every day. At an early stage (6 days after sowing), a CF image of 7200 seedlings was captured every 4 h on the final greening day by a high-sensitivity CCD camera and an automatic transferring machine, and biological indices were extracted. Using machine learning, plant growth can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy based on biological indices including leaf size, amount of CF, and circadian rhythms in CF. Growth prediction was improved by addition of temporal information on CF. The present data also provide new insights into the relationships between growth and temporal information regulated by the inherent biological clock.