Samples of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBMC) were serially obtained from 30 patients with herpes zoster (HZ) and 10 patients with chickenpox (CP). Cells were assayed for NK-cell function and for the expression of surface membrane antigens which identify T-cell and NK-cell subsets. During the acute phase of disease (less than 7 days from onset), PBMC from patients with HZ had low proportions of T-helper (CD 4+) cells and a large number of T-suppressor (CD 8+) cells, resulting in a low T-helper/T-suppressor ratio. There was an increased percentage of nonspecific suppressor cells (GD 8+-CD 11+ cells) and increased expression of HLA-DR determinants on both CD 8+ and CD 4+ cells. The NK activity was depressed with no concomitant decrease in NK cells (CD 16+ or Leu 7+ cells). In the early convalescing phase of disease (8-14 days), there was a significant increase in CD 16+ cells and increased expression of HLA-DR on these cells, correlating with increased NK activity. In the late recovery phase (greater than 14 days), NK activity and levels of T-cell subpopulations were normal with the exception of increased CD 4+ cells and, consequently, of the helper/suppressor ratios. In the acute phase of CP (less than 7 days), the T-cell imbalances were similar to those encountered with HZ patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Digital libraries (DLs) are adapting to accommodate research data and related services. The complexities of this new content spans the elements of DL development, and there are questions concerning data selection, service development, and how best to align these with local, institutional initiatives for cyberinfrastructure, data-intensive research, and data stewardship. Small science disciplines are of particular relevance due to the prevalence of this mode of research in the academy, and the anticipated magnitude of data production. To support data acquisition into DLs - and subsequent data reuse - there is a need for new knowledge on the range and complexities inherent in practice-data-curation arrangements for small science research. We present a flexible methodological approach crafted to generate data units to analyze these relationships and facilitate cross-disciplinary comparisons.


High connectivity of billions of IoT devices lead to many security issues. Trivium is designed for IoT to overcome the security challenges of IoT. The objective of this study is to implement a security service to provide confidentiality for the communication of IoT devices. Furthermore, this study aims to analyze Trivium performance in terms of keystream generation time and memory utilization on Raspberry Pi Zero, Raspberry Pi 2B, and Raspberry Pi 3B. The result showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the keystream generation time and memory utilization on Raspberry Pi Zero, Raspberry Pi 2B, and Raspberry Pi 3B based on Kruskal-Wallis H test. Further test of Jonckheere-Terpstra indicates that the fastest keystream generation time was on Raspberry Pi 3B, and the smallest memory utilization was on Raspberry Pi 2B. The implemantation of Trivium on three versions of Raspberry Pi shows promising results with less than 27 MB of memory utilization for cryptography leaves more resources available to applications.


This article focuses on the use of a participatory social network mapping method with family carers. This is one of a suite of methods developed in a 5-year qualitative multi-centre project exploring how neighbourhoods support, enable or disable people with dementia and their families to live well in their communities. The article considers how mapping provides insights into family support networks, revealing the fluidity of support and care within relationships as well as providing opportunity for individuals to represent the complexities of their relationships with more and less significant others. However, the potential offered by the approach goes beyond those of visual representations of networks and contacts. Paying attention to the co-production process, as well as the reflexive dialogue that emerges in the exchange between researcher, participants, and the maps themselves, we consider how the maps emerge as affective artifacts, weighted with emotion.


The construction of virtual 3D scene is mostly based on VRML/X3D methods, which lacks the ability to dynamically modified, to customize, to reuse and to extend. In accordance with the features of digital science museum, the paper discusses the database- driven descriptive model of scene based on X-VRML. The model adopts the principle of dividing scene, and it is supported by the structure of scene and the storage of attribute information. According to the level, the model is constructed. Primary elements of scene are customized in structure, semantics and style by X-VRML schema. In consequence, model-description documents of X-VRML are formed. Mixed architecture both server side and client side is used to eventually generate instances of 3D scenes.


Lymph node metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a challenging clinical scenario with a poor prognosis, especially in the setting of prior liver transplant. Long-term survival is achievable in select patients with isolated lymph node metastases who undergo surgical resection, but little data exist regarding non-surgical options. For intrahepatic HCC, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as a standard and effective nonsurgical treatment option. Here, we present three patients (two with prior liver transplant) with isolated lymph node metastases treated with curative intent using SBRT to doses of 30-45 Gy in three to five fractions. Two patients (with follow-up of 27 and 31 months) had a complete or near-complete response and remain cancer-free. One patient had intrahepatic HCC recurrence shortly after SBRT but stable disease in the treated lymph node metastasis at 20 months. Liver function remained excellent after radiation in all three patients, but one patient developed a grade 3 duodenal ulcer at 20 months that resolved with medical management. These cases illustrate the potential utility of SBRT as a non-invasive, definitive treatment option for patients with isolated lymph node metastases from HCC.


The unprecedented financial crisis of 2008-2009 has called attention to limitations of existing methods for estimating the default risk of financial intuitions. To address this need, I built and tested a time-adaptive statistical model that predicts the default probabilities of banks. The model inputs are a set of financial ratios suggested in the literature, and subsequently verified, to be effective in forecasting future bank failures. The model provides estimates of banks' cumulative default probability profiles from one to thirty years out, albeit with decreasing accuracy. The model was validated through out-of-sample testing regarding its ability to accurately predict the defaults of U.S. depository institutions between 1992 and 2012. This method provides out-of-sample testing as well as best mimics how the model will be used in practice. The model performed well at separating potential defaulting banks from nondefaults over one-year horizons. Although performance drops monotonically when predicting defaults over longer horizons, the model performs significantly above chance for time periods as long as five years from the scoring date.


The author discusses the importance of investigating the biological factors that influence mortality with a focus on the positive impact such investigations have on research concerning population reproduction. (ANNOTATION)


Formative assessments help students identify their strengths and weaknesses as well as the target areas that need work. Meanwhile, the success of gamification implementation in mobile learning (m-learning) applications has been proven by many research associated with technology acceptance. However, studies on the technology post-acceptance phase are scarce. Deploying gamification concepts in competency-based education and assessment method, aim to diversify the game dynamics usage in new and practical areas such as technical and vocational education. Therefore, this study focused on the development of a predictive model for a gamified m-learning application that extends the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) with perceived enjoyment. This study applied a correlational research design on the students of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) based diploma programmes in one of Malaysian public university. An online survey was conducted, and garnered 269 responses, which were used in the final analysis based on the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings showed that all the factors in the model, which are the confirmation of expectation, satisfaction, perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment, appeared to be significantly influencing the students' continuance usage intention towards the gamified m-learning application as well as jointly explained 64.6% (R2) of the changes. The addition of variable perceived enjoyment provided an increment of 2.7% compared to the R2 value of the original ECM model. Most importantly, the proposed extended ECM proved to be a reliable prediction model when the Q2 values for continuance use intention and perceived usefulness displayed strong predictive accuracy, having 0.368 (Q2) for both variables, while satisfaction showed moderate strength with the value of 0.305 (Q2). Therefore, the predictive model is reliable to be used to investigate future usage and effective designs of gamified m-learning products among the technical and vocational education students in other Higher Education Institution (HEI).


Perylene diimide with ammonium oxide as a terminal group (named PDIN-O) is a well-known cathode interlayer in conventional-type organic solar cells (OSCs). Since naphthalene diimide exhibits a lower LUMO level than perylene diimide, we chose it as a core to further control the LUMO level of the materials. Small molecules (SMs) produce a beneficial interfacial dipole by the end of ionic functionality at the side chain of naphthalene diimide. With the active layer based on a nonfullerene acceptor (PM6:Y6BO), the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is enhanced by utilizing SMs as cathode interlayers. We discovered that the inverted-type OSC with naphthalene diimide with oxide as a counteranion (NDIN-O) shows poor thermal stability, which can cause irreversible damage to the interlayer-cathode contact, leading to poor PCE (11.1%). To overcome the disadvantage, we introduce NDIN-Br and NDIN-I with a higher decomposition temperature. An excellent PCE of 14.6% was achieved with the device based on NDIN-Br as an interlayer, which is almost the same as the PCE of the ZnO-based device (15.0%). The device based on NDIN-I without the ZnO layer exhibits an improved PCE of 15.4%, which is slightly higher than the ZnO-based device. The result offers a replacement of the ZnO interlayer, which is necessary to carefully manage the sol-gel transition by annealing temperatures as high as 200 °C and leading to low-cost manufacture of OSCs.


The urbanisation is connected with the higher costs of cities for the management, because they are responsible for local infrastructure and services. The legal regulation of local taxes and especially the infrastructure charge in the Czech Republic is not sufficient. The sources for local budgets might be found in the recurrent property tax. There are already instruments connected with the urbanisation. The location rent reflects the fact that the more inhabitants are living in the municipality, the higher are the costs for local transportation systems, education, communal services incl. the infrastructure, public security, healthcare, culture, etc. The local coefficient can be applied for all types of immovable property in the municipality's territory, except for agricultural land, and it might multiply the final immovable property tax by 2, 3, 4, or 5. With regard to the urbanisation and related infrastructure investments, it would be useful if municipalities get the right to apply the local coefficient only at specific parts of the municipality or for specific types of property. Such a recurrent property tax regulation connected with the planning contracts between municipalities and private developers might be an ideal approach in the area of local taxes, infrastructure financing, and urbanisation.


Novantrone (mitoxantrone) is a novel anticancer drug, having an anthraquinone structure. This compound was selected from many candidate compounds for purpose to find out a drug having lesser cardiac toxicity than doxorubicin and excellent antitumor activities. In the Japanese clinical trials, Novantrone was proved to be active against breast cancer, malignant lymphoma and acute leukemia. Major side effects observed in the clinical trials were: GI-tract toxicities, and mild alopecia, mild disturbance in the circulatory organs, fever and dermatological toxicities.


The immunoreactivity of the mucous membranes is important pathogenetic factor in determining the nature of the manifestations of herpes infection. The purpose of research is investigation of the relationship indicators secretory immunity and dental status of patients with herpetic lesions of the oral cavity. Results of a clinical dental examination of patients showed higher values of the index of the intensity of dental caries in the study group. We found a tendency to reduce hygiene index in patients with manifestations of herpes infection in the mouth. The secretory immunity differences correlated with dental indices.


The generalized command response (GCR) model represents intonation as a superposition of muscle responses to spike command signals. We have previously shown that the spikes can be predicted by a two-stage system, consisting of a recurrent neural network and a post-processing procedure, but the responses themselves were fixed dictionary atoms. We propose an end-to-end neural architecture that replaces the dictionary atoms with trainable second-order recurrent elements analogous to recursive filters. We demonstrate gradient stability under modest conditions, and show that the system can be trained by imposing temporal sparsity constraints. Subjective listening tests demonstrate that the system can synthesize intonation with high naturalness, comparable to state-of-the-art acoustic models, and retains the physiological plausibility of the GCR model.


The authors argue that professional psycho-physical training of MGSU students is to be based on a personality oriented approach due to varied levels of health, physical fitness and medical groups of students. A personality centered approach in physical training contemplates individual health improvement programmes, innovative technologies, consideration of comprehensive health monitoring data and implementation of individual training sessions developed for MGSU students with a view to their higher motivation in terms of their motion activity. Each MGSU student is to take physical training tests. They serve as the basis for individualized recommendations that encompass individual health improvement programmes and physical condition improvement plans. Coaches are to provide their advice at each stage of the process of testing and improvement of the physical health of students. The authors argue that the personality oriented approach generates a double benefit: besides its health-related bonuses, students get more involved in practicing physical training exercises and sports.


Abstract After the Civil War, northern Methodists undertook a successful mission to recruit a biracial membership in the South. Their Freedmen's Aid Society played a key role in outreach to African Americans, but when the denomination decided to use Society funds in aid of schools for Southern whites, a national controversy erupted over the refusal of Chattanooga University to admit African Americans. Caught between a principled commitment to racial brotherhood and the pressures of expediency to accommodate a growing white supremacist commitment to segregation, Methodists engaged in an agonized and heated debate over whether schools intended for whites should be allowed to exclude blacks. Divisions within the leadership of the Methodist Episcopal Church caught the attention of the national press and revealed the limits of even the most well-intentioned efforts to advance racial equality in the years after Reconstruction.


In this thesis four new algorithms are presented for automatic segmentation in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR); automatic segmentation of the left ventricle, myocardial infarction, and myocardium at risk in two different image types. All four algorithms were implemented in freely available software for image analysis and were validated against reference delineations with a low bias and high regional agreement.
CMR is the most accurate and reproducible method for assessment of left ventricular mass and volumes and reference standard for assessment of myocardial infarction. CMR is also validated against single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for assessment of myocardium at risk up to one week after acute myocardial infarction. However, the clinical standard for quantification of left ventricular mass and volumes is manual delineation which has been shown to have a large bias between observers from different sites and for myocardium at risk and myocardial infarction there is no clinical standard due to varying results shown for the previously suggested threshold methods.
The new automatic algorithms were all based on intensity classification by Expectation Maximization (EM) and incorporation of a priori information specific for each application. Validation was performed in large cohorts of patients with regards to bias in clinical parameters and regional agreement as Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC). Further, images with reference delineation of the left ventricle were made available for future benchmarking of left ventricular segmentation, and the new automatic algorithms for segmentation of myocardium at risk and myocardial infarction were directly compared to the previously suggested intensity threshold methods.
Combining intensity classification by EM with a priori information as in the new automatic algorithms was shown superior to previous methods and specifically to the previously suggested threshold methods for myocardium at risk and myocardial infarction. Added value of using a priori information and intensity correction was shown significant measured by DSC even though not significant for bias. For the previously suggested methods of infarct quantification a poorer result was found in the new multi-center, multi-vendor patient data than in the original validation in animal studies or single center patient studies. Thus, the results in this thesis also show the importance ofusing both bias and DSC for validation and performing validation in images of representative quality as in multi-center, multi-vendor patient studies.


Red orange extract is an important component of what is called the Mediterranean diet and they have been used by traditional medicine for their protective health properties, especially to cure sore throats and coughs, showing interesting anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immuno modulation activity of red orange extract (Citrus sinensis variety: Moro, Tarocco, Sanguinello), which contained anthocyanins, flavanones, hydroxycinnamic acid and ascorbic acid, in mice with hyperglycemia. The results of this study indicated that the administration of red orange extract increased the expression of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in hyperglycemic white rats. IFN-γ had an important role in enhancing the phagocytic function of macrophages.


Point counts are a standard sampling procedure for many bird species, but lingering concerns still exist about the quality of information produced from the method. It is well known that variation in observer ability and environmental conditions can influence the detection probability of birds in point counts, but many biologists have been reluctant to abandon point counts in favor of more intensive approaches to counting. However, over the past few years a variety of statistical and methodological developments have begun to provide practical ways of overcoming some of the problems with point counts. We describe some of these approaches, and show how they can be integrated into standard point count protocols to greatly enhance the quality of the information. Several tools now exist for estimation of detection probability of birds during counts, including distance sampling, double observer methods, time-depletion (removal) methods, and hybrid methods that combine these approaches. Many counts are conducted in habitats that make auditory detection of birds much more likely than visual detection. As a framework for understanding detection probability during such counts, we propose separating two components of the probability a bird is detected during a count into (1) the probability a bird vocalizes during the count and (2) the probability this vocalization is detected by an observer. In addition, we propose that some measure of the area sampled during a count is necessary for valid inferences about bird populations. This can be done by employing fixed-radius counts or more sophisticated distance-sampling models. We recommend any studies employing point counts be designed to estimate detection probability and to include a measure of the area sampled.


American Heart Association, 105 million Americans have total blood cholesterol of ≥ 200 mg/dL. Over the past 15 years, guidelines for what constitutes healthy cholesterol levels have continued to trend downward. The third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), recommended that LDL-reduction should be a target of lipid lowering therapy and classified total cholesterol of < 200 mg/dL as desirable. The ATP III also classified an LDL-cholesterol of < 100 mg/dL and an HDL-cholesterol of < 40 as low. As recently as July 2004 additional recommendations for intensive lipid modifying treatment for high risk patients was endorsed by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association. These recommendations update the 2001 ATP III report and set lower treatment goals for LDL-cholesterol as well as support the use of lipid-lowering treatment beginning at lower thresholds. While this report continues to stress the importance of lifestyle modifications including nutrition, physical activity and weight control, it set new cholesterol goals for those at increased risk. Although an LDL-cholesterol of < 100 mg/dL is still considered an optimal goal, these updated recommendations advocate treating to < 70 mg/dL for individuals considered to be at very high risk. Since dietary modification and an increase in exercise are often unable to achieve these recommended reductions, many patients are increasingly forced to turn to drug therapy. In fact the use of statins (a class of lipid-lowering drugs that inhibit HMG-CoA, a key enzyme in the pathway of cholesterol synthesis) has risen dramatically. In 1998, annual statin drugs sales totaled just over $4 billion. In 2003, statin drug sales topped $13 billion. While these drugs can be effective at achieving significant reductions in cholesterol, concern over potential side effects including exercise intolerance, muscle weakness, and muscle pain has been growing. As a result, finding natural, scientifically supported products that are effective at modulating lipid levels and are without significant side effects is always welcome. A number of natural products that effectively target heart health have recently begun to receive increased attention in the dietary supplement marketplace. Products such as plant sterols, polymethoxylated flavones, tocotrienols, and pomegranate have been the focus of clinical studies investigating their potential cardioprotective properties.


ABSTRACT High data rates, extremely low power consumption, and minimal end-to-end latency are considered to be mandatory requirements for 5G wireless networks. Rapid improvements in design and performance of 5G physical layer waveforms have become necessary. The drawback of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is high PAPR, that causes signal distortion, which reduces system efficiency. Generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) is a promising non-orthogonal multicarrier transmission scheme, which has recently received a great deal of attention towards future fifth generation (5G) wireless networks. It overcomes the limitations of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), while preserving most of the advantages of it. Selective Level mapping (SLM) is one of the PAPR reduction techniques, that uses the phase shift technology. In this paper, SLM based on Chaotic Biogeography Based Optimization (CBBO) algorithm is proposed to offer an efficient solution to the problem of high PAPR, existing in the GFDM waveforms. Experimental results prove that, the proposed CBBO–SLM technique provides significant improvement in terms of PAPR reduction, as compared to the conventional SLM methods, such as conventional GFDM and OFDM-SLM. The proposed novel scheme is most suitable for QAM and QPSK applications, as it provides good PAPR reduction performance, at lower computational complexity.


In this paper, we obtain an improved lower bound on the error exponent of the memoryless multiple-access channel via the use of linear codes, thus demonstrating that structure can be beneficial even when capacity may be achieved via random codes. We show that if the multiple-access channel is additive over a finite field, then any error probability, and hence any error exponent, achievable by a linear code for the associated single-user channel, is also achievable for the multiple-access channel. In particular, linear codes allow to attain joint expurgation, and hence, attain the single-user expurgated exponent of the single-user channel, whenever the latter is achieved by a uniform distribution. Thus, for additive channels, at low rates, where expurgation is needed, our approach strictly improves performance over previous results, where expurgation was used for at most one of the users. Even when the multiple-access channel is not additive, it may be transformed into such a channel. While the transformation is information-lossy, we show that the distributed structure gain in some "nearly additive" cases outweighs the loss. Finally, we apply a similar approach to the Gaussian multiple-access channel. While we believe that due to the power constraints, it is impossible to attain the single-user error exponent, we do obtain an improvement over the best known achievable error exponent, given by Gallager, for certain parameters. This is accomplished using a nested lattice triplet with judiciously chosen parameters.


In the mathematical epidemiology community, there is an increasing interest in shaping the complex interplay between human behaviour and disease spreading. We give a contribution in this direction by illustrating a method to derive behavioural change epidemic models from a stochastic particle description by the means of kinetic equations. We consider an Susceptible-Infected-Removed-like model where contact rates depend on the behavioural patterns adopted across the population. The selection of the social behaviour happens during the interactions between individuals adopting alternative strategies and it is driven by an imitation game dynamics. Agents have a double microscopic state: a discrete label, that denotes the epidemiological compartment to which they belong, and the degree of flexibility of opinion, that is a measure of the personal attitude to change opinion and, hence, to switch between the alternative social contact patterns. We derive kinetic evolution equations for the distribution functions of the degree of flexibility of opinion of the individuals for each compartment, whence we obtain macroscopic equations for the densities and average flexibilities of opinion. After providing the basic properties of the macroscopic model, we numerically investigate it by focusing on the impact of the flexibility of opinion on the epidemic course and on the consequent behavioural responses.


With the development of information technology, network technology and communication technology, mankind has entered the information society. Information society of enterprise management concepts, methods brought revolutionary changes in enterprise information management is a big trend in today's world of business development, is one of the effective means of enterprises in the unbeaten status in the competition. Enterprise timely access to information, the information can be fully utilized has increasingly become an important factor to measure a company's competitiveness in the market. This paper introduces the B / s structure information management system applications related technologies, and discusses the enterprise design Resource information management System. This paper studies the use of structural models of corporate information resources management system, it is reasonable to configure enterprise information resources to effectively tap and play information resources, and through the model to help companies improve their decision-making more scientific and efficient, which gives full swing business information and provide a reference.


Technology scaling has led to a tremendous increase in the packing density of transistors. However, these small transistors are susceptible to certain impediments that were not present earlier. Manufacturability suffers due to trailing lithography technology which does not scale well with transistor technology. Increased leakage current has reduced effectiveness of burn-in tests. Infant mortality cannot therefore, be completely kept under check. Even during operation, reliability is affected due to CMOS wear-out mechanisms such as time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB), hot carrier injection (HCI), negative bias temperature instability (NBTI), electro migration (EM), and stress induced voiding (SIV).


Optimization algorithms in the compressor detailed design stage generate big data of geometries and corresponding performances, but these data are often not exploited efficiently to unveil hidden compressor design guidance. In this work, the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) method from game theory is proposed as an efficient methodology to extract design guidelines from databases. A database was generated when optimizing the blade features (sweep, lean, end-bend) of Rotor 37. Based on this, a neural network is trained to predict compressor efficiency. The SHAP method is then applied to explain the neural network behavior, which provides information on the sensitivity of single geometrical variables and the coupling effect between multiple geometrical variables. Results show that the near-tip sweep and mid-span lean angles are most influential on efficiency. Within the same group of variables, the adjacent variables tend to present strong positive coupling effects on efficiency. Among different groups, evident coupling effects are observed between sweep and lean and between lean and end-bend, but the coupling effect between sweep and end-bend is negligible. Flow mechanisms behind the coupling effects are discussed. For near-tip lean angles L3 and L4, the positive coupling effect is due to the change of the passage shock. For near-tip lean angle L4 and sweep angle S4, the change of detached shock leads to a negative coupling effect. The proposed data mining method based on the neural network and SHAP is promising and transferable to other turbomachinery optimization databases in the future.


Constraint Programming (CP) is a powerful declarative programming paradigm where inference and search are interleaved to find feasible and optimal solutions to various type of constraint systems. However, handling logical connectors with constructive information in CP is notoriously difficult. This paper presents If Then Else (ITE), a lightweight implementation of stratified constructive reasoning for logical connectives. Stratification is introduced to cope with the risk of combinatorial explosion of constructing information from nested and combined logical operators. ITE is an open-source library built on top of SICStus Prolog clp(fd), which proposes various operators, including constructive disjunction and negation, constructive implication and conditional. These operators can be used to express global constraints and to benefit from constructive reasoning for more domain pruning during constraint filtering. Even though ITE is not competitive with specialized filtering algorithms available in some global constraints implementations, its expressiveness allows users to easily define well-tuned constraints with powerful deduction capabilities. Our extended experimental results show that ITE is more efficient than available generic approaches that handle logical constraint systems over finite domains.


Two mentally retarded adults with nonketotic hyperglycinemia had biochemical findings similar to those of the infantile form of the disease. Our patients differ from other adult patients and may represent the survival to adulthood of individuals with a mild form of infantile nonketotic hyperglycinemia.


This paper presents the first generalized reputation system that can be applied to multiple networks that is based on the blockchain. We first discuss current reputation systems, conducting a critical analysis of their current security vulnerabilities, before looking at how new blockchain based technologies are used. We propose an innovative new reputation system that is based on blockchain technologies which aims to solve many unanswered questions in today's current generation reputation systems. We then consider the limitations of such a system, before using simulations and analyses to demonstrate methods of overcoming these limitations. We conclude by suggesting areas for future studies, and summarizing our findings.


Aims Different aspects of soaring-bird migration are influenced by weather. However, the relationship between weather and the onset of soaring-bird migration, particularly in autumn, is not clear. Although long-term migration counts are often unavailable near the breeding areas of many soaring birds in the western Palaearctic, soaring-bird migration has been systematically monitored in Israel, a region where populations from large geographical areas converge. This study tests several fundamental hypotheses regarding the onset of migration and explores the connection between weather, migration onset and arrival at a distant site. Location Globally gridded meteorological data from the breeding areas in north-eastern Europe were used as predictive variables in relation to the arrival of soaring migrants in Israel. Methods Inverse modelling was used to study the temporal and spatial influence of weather on initiation of migration based on autumn soaring-bird migration counts in Israel. Numerous combinations of migration duration and temporal influence of meteorological variables (temperature, sea-level pressure and precipitable water) were tested with different models for meteorological sensitivity. Results The day of arrival in Israel of white storks, honey buzzards, Levant sparrowhawks and lesser spotted eagles was significantly and strongly related to meteorological conditions in the breeding area days or even weeks before arrival in Israel. The cumulative number of days or cumulative value above or below a meteorological threshold performed significantly better than other models tested. Models provided reliable estimates of migration duration for each species. Main conclusions The meteorological triggers of migration at the breeding grounds differed between species and were related to deteriorating living conditions and deteriorating migratory flight conditions. Soaring birds are sensitive to meteorological triggers at the same period every year and their temporal response to weather appears to be constrained by their annual routine.


The article presents the results of qualitative research carried out in Lithuania. The research focused on the development of mutual attachment between social work students and clients during the professional practice by revealing subjective student experiences. Study participants comprised 53 final-year social work students from one university of Applied Sciences. The use of unstructured reflection as a data collection method enabled students to remember, think over and put their professional practice experiences in writing. Based on the grounded theory data analysis method (Strauss & Corbin, 1990), open, axial and selective coding was applied. Data analysis revealed the conditions necessary for successful mutual relationships between students and clients to emerge, the context of formation of their mutual attachment, the interactions affecting this phenomenon, the conditions preventing its formation as well as the likely consequences of attachment-based relationships between students and clients. The research results revealed that once students successfully adapt to the organization and establish close confidence-based relations with their clients during the social work practice, the mutual attachment between the student and the client is being formed. The attachment is influenced not only by relations between the student and client, but also between the student and the organization's staff as well as organizational culture. The research results are useful for social work practice. They provide an opportunity to understand the new students' experiences of relationships formed with different social actors in the practice and their impact on students' professional and personal change


YouTube Kids (YTK) is one of the most popular kids' applications used by millions of kids daily. However, various studies have highlighted concerns about the videos on the platform, like the over-presence of entertaining and commercial content. YouTube recently proposed high-quality guidelines that include `promoting learning' and proposed to use it in ranking channels. However, the concept of learning is multi-faceted, and it can be difficult to define and measure in the context of online videos. This research focuses on learning in terms of what's taught in schools and proposes a way to measure the academic quality of children's videos. Using a new dataset of questions and answers from children's videos, we first show that a Reading Comprehension (RC) model can estimate academic learning. Then, using a large dataset of middle school textbook questions on diverse topics, we quantify the academic quality of top channels as the number of children's textbook questions that an RC model can correctly answer. By analyzing over 80,000 videos posted on the top 100 channels, we present the first thorough analysis of the academic quality of channels on YTK.


Dr Zhu Wang and coauthors write a critical note regarding the important issue of Helicobacter pylori eradication aiming at the prevention of gastric cancer and challenge the statement made in the Maastricht IV–Florence Consensus Report.

The statement in the Maastricht IV–Florence Consensus Report intends to drive actions against gastric cancer by using H. pylori eradication as there are few beneficial alternative strategies.

Gastric cancer is detected in most cases in advanced and non-curable stages. Screening strategies based on radiography, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and serum pepsinogens for detection of early gastric cancer with the chance for cure have successfully been adopted so far only in Japan and Korea.2–4

There are several arguments for adopting a screen-and-treat strategy with its potential to prevent gastric cancer.

H. pylori is the key trigger in the multifactorial complexity of gastric cancer based on direct and indirect evidences that include results from epidemiological and basic research studies as well as from clinical observations and …


Virialized Ultra-Light Fields (VULFs) are viable cold dark matter candidates and include scalar and pseudo-scalar bosonic fields, such as axions and dilatons. Direct searches for VULFs rely on low-energy precision measurement tools. While the previous proposals have focused on detecting coherent oscillations of the VULF signals at the VULF Compton frequencies at individual devices, here I consider a network of such devices. VULFs are essentially dark matter {\em waves} and as such they carry both temporal and spatial phase information. Thereby, the discovery reach can be improved by using networks of precision measurement tools. To formalize this idea, I derive a spatio-temporal two-point correlation function for the ultralight dark matter fields in the framework of the standard halo model. Due to VULFs being Gaussian random fields, the derived two-point correlation function fully determines $N$-point correlation functions. For a network of $N_{d}$ devices within the coherence length of the field, the sensitivity compared to a single device can be improved by a factor of $\sqrt{N_{d}}$. Further, I derive a VULF dark matter signal profile for an individual device. The resulting line shape is strongly asymmetric due to the parabolic dispersion relation for massive non-relativistic bosons. I discuss the aliasing effect that extends the discovery reach to VULF frequencies higher than the experimental sampling rate. I present sensitivity estimates and develop a stochastic field SNR statistic. Finally, I consider an application of the developed formalism to atomic clocks and their networks.


Objective Hypoxaemia is a strong predictor of mortality in children. Early detection of deteriorating condition is vital to timely intervention. We hypothesise that measures of pulse oximetry dynamics may identify children requiring hospitalisation. Our aim was to develop a predictive tool using only objective data derived from pulse oximetry and observed respiratory rate to identify children at increased risk of hospital admission. Setting Tertiary-level hospital emergency department in Bangladesh. Participants Children under 5 years (n=3374) presenting at the facility (October 2012–April 2013) without documented chronic diseases were recruited. 1-minute segments of pulse oximetry (photoplethysmogram (PPG), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR)) and respiratory rate were collected with a mobile app. Primary outcome The need for hospitalisation based on expert physician review and follow-up. Methods Pulse rate variability (PRV) using pulse peak intervals of the PPG signal and features extracted from the SpO2 signal, all derived from pulse oximetry recordings, were studied. A univariate age-adjusted logistic regression was applied to evaluate differences between admitted and non-admitted children. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed using a stepwise selection of predictors and was internally validated using bootstrapping. Results Children admitted to hospital showed significantly (p<0.01) decreased PRV and higher SpO2 variability compared to non-admitted children. The strongest predictors of hospitalisation were reduced PRV-power in the low frequency band (OR associated with a 0.01 unit increase, 0.93; 95% CI 0.89 to 0.98), greater time spent below an SpO2 of 98% and 94% (OR associated with 10 s increase, 1.4; 95% CI 1.3 to 1.4 and 1.5; 95% CI 1.4 to 1.6, respectively), high respiratory rate, high HR, low SpO2, young age and male sex. These variables provided a bootstrap-corrected AUC of the receiver operating characteristic of 0.76. Conclusions Objective measurements, easily obtained using a mobile device in low-resource settings, can predict the need for hospitalisation. External validation will be required before clinical adoption.


Selection of effective corrosion for use in high wall shear conditions is of increasing importance in oilfield production. Development of new oil and gas fields often requires the use of more sophisticated downhole equipment. As a result these production conditions can result in exceptionally high wall shear stress, for example in-flow control devices (ICDs) can reach shear stresses up to 10,000 Pa. To accommodate this, there is need for more representative high shear tests for material and production chemical selection. A jet impingement test procedure is shown that allows for the evaluation of products under such environments. Further to this the shear stresses generated in standard laboratory tests have been compared with a high flow pilot rig and comparative Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling.
 A test system has been developed that allows routine laboratory evaluation of corrosion processes at moderate to high shear stresses using jet impingement methodology. A series of tests have been conducted to determine the extent of corrosion under moderate to high shear conditions. Static tests and low shear rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) tests have been carried out using the same brine system to allow comparison of results from the different methods. Ultimately, high flow (moderate to high shear) pilot rig tests have also been used to verify the results.
 The results show that the jet impingement approach is effective in generating field representative conditions, which in turn can support material or chemical selection. The work presented is supported by case studies which will be illustrated.
 In order to test effectively, the flow regimes experienced in the field must be replicated. Using CFD models we demonstrate that the observed field conditions can be reproduced using these laboratory flow regimes and produce results that correlate well.


Balloon, control and communication technologies are under development in our laboratory for testing multi-junction solar cells in the stratosphere to achieve near AM0 conditions. One flight, Suntracker I, has been carried out reported earlier. We report on our efforts in preparation for a second flight, Suntracker II, that was aborted due to hardware problems. The package for Suntracker I system has been modified to include separate electronics and battery packs for the 70 centimeter and 2 meter systems. The collimator control system and motor gearboxes have been redesigned to address problems with the virtual stops and backlash. Surface mount technology on a printed circuit board was used in place of the through-hole prototype circuit in efforts to reduce weight and size, and improve reliability. A mobile base station has been constructed that includes a 35' tower with a two axis rotator and multi-element yagi antennas. Modifications in Suntracker I and the factors that lead to aborting Suntracker II are discussed.


Wheat straw pulp can be considered to be one of most important raw materials for specialty and functional paper products. Bleaching sequences involving laccase and xylanase were applied to bleach wheat straw pulp. The bleached pulp properties after a sequence of xylanase (X), laccase (L), and extraction (E), i.e. XLE, were compared with those of LE and LEX sequences. It was found that the XLE bleaching sequence was the most suitable sequence for laccase and xylanase synergetic biobleaching. The bleaching results of OXLEQP and OQP beaching sequences (where O stands of an oxygen stage, Q indicates a chelation stage, and P means peroxide) were compared. For a specific target brightness level of over 80% ISO, XL pretreatment was found to save 28.6% of the H2O2 requirement and increase the viscosity by 6.7% compared with the OQP bleaching sequence. It was also found that synergetic biobleaching could decrease the consumption of refining energy. There were no detectable adsorbable organic halides found in the biobleaching effluents.


Varicella pneumonia (VP) is a critical complication of varicella infection and still carries significant morbidity and mortality, often requiring intensive care unit admission. Current accepted treatment is with intravenous aciclovir and organ support, if required. We report two cases of VP with acute respiratory failure, successfully treated with intravenous steroids in addition to aciclovir. Further research into the benefits of steroid therapy in VP is warranted.


Isotopic ages from high-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Variscan belt (Massif central and Armorican Massif) indicate an Early - to Middle Devonian age for the early stages of the plate convergence. However, the sedimentary record of this event is poorly known, because Devonian sediments from the internal zones were largely deformed and metamorphosed during the Variscan orogeny. The Ligerian Domain, located along the suture zone between Armorica and Gondwana, preserves uncleaved and unmetamorphosed sedimentary sequences covering the Ordovician to Carboniferous period. It thus offers us a unique opportunity for correlating the nature and timing of deformation recorded in the sedimentary sequences with the metamorphic record of the internal zones. Ordovician to Devonian sediments outcrop along the boundary of the Ancenis Carboniferous basin. Several models for their structure have been proposed, the prevailing interpretation being one of huge olistoliths at the bottom of the Carboniferous basin (Dubreuil, 1980). The main results of our combined stratigraphical and structural study of the pre-Carboniferous sediments drastically challenge this view. 1. The pre-Carboniferous sediments are not olistoliths at the base of the Carboniferous basin, but define coherent sequences that can be followed for several kilometres along strike and constitute the basement of the Carboniferous of the Ancenis basin. 2. Two units are identified. The southern unit consists of Ordovician marine sediments unconformably overlained by Devonian reefal carbonates (Emsian) followed by arkosic sandstones (Emsian to Eifelian). The northern unit consists of an Upper Ordovician (Ashgill) to Early Devonian (Emsian) condensed sequence. 3. The southern unit represents the Palaeozoic cover of the Proterozoic basement of the Mauges Unit. The northern unit, in reverse position, has been thrust over the southern unit. 4. The angular unconformity identified between the Ordovician (Caradoc-Ashgill) siltstones and the Devonian reefal limestones is interpreted here as evidence for an Early Devonian rifting, possibly related to the opening of a back-arc basin (Saint-Georges-sur-Loire) associated to a north-dipping subduction zone. 5. Petrographical (coarse- to fine-grained, immature, feldspar-rich sandstones), sedimentological (flood deposits in the front of a submarine delta) and palaeontological (abundant debris of early tracheophytes) data on the Early to Middle Devonian sandstones imply the proximity of an emerged land, thus recording the earliest evidence for mountain erosion in the Variscan belt. This is consistent with the isotopic ages of the oldest eclogites from the Variscan belt (e.g. la Bessenoits: 408 ± 7 Ma according to Paquette et al., 1995).


Introduction Surplus use of chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizers to increase agricultural Q9 production causes severe problems to the agricultural ecosystem and environment. This is contrary to N use efficiency and sustainable agricultural production. Methods Hence, this study was designed to investigate the effect of maizesoybean intercropping on N uptake, N yield, N utilization use efficiency, and the associated nitrogen assimilatory enzymes of maize crops under different N fertilization for two consecutive years 2021-2022. Results The findings of the study showed that intercropping at the optimal N rate (N1) (250 kg N ha-1) increased significantly maize grain yield by 30 and 34%, residue yield by 30 and 37%, and 100-grain weight by 33 and 39% in the year 2021 and 2022, respectively. As compared with mono-cropping, at this optimal N rate, the respective increase (of maize's crop N yield indices) for 2021 and 2022 were 53 and 64% for grain N yield, and 53 and 68% for residue N yield. Moreover, intercropping at N1 resulted in higher grain N content by 28 and 31%, residue N content by 18 and 22%, and total N uptake by 65 and 75% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The values for the land equivalent ratio for nitrogen yield (LERN) were greater than 1 in intercropping, indicating better utilization of N under the intercropping over mono-cropping. Similarly, intercropping increased the N assimilatory enzymes of maize crops such as nitrate reductase (NR) activity by 19 and 25%, nitrite reductase (NiR) activity by 20 and 23%, and glutamate synthase activity (GOGAT) by 23 and 27% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Consequently, such increases resulted in improved nitrogen use efficiency indices such as N use efficiency (NUE), partial factor nitrogen use efficiency (PFNUE), nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE), and nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) under intercropping than mono-cropping. Conclusion Thus, this suggests that maize-soybean intercropping under optimal N fertilization can improve the nitrogen status and nitrogen use efficiency of maize crops by regulating the nitrogen assimilatory enzymes, thereby enhancing its growth and yield. Therefore, prioritizing intercropping over an intensive mono-cropping system could be a better option for sustainable agricultural production.


The purpose of this test is to evaluate the experimental food-type soybean lines adapted to southern Iowa. The 2000 Specialty Test included commodity yellow hilum, large-seeded high protein, small-seeded, and lipoxygenase free experimental lines, and for comparison of agronomic traits, commercially grown varieties released by Iowa State University. Largeseeded, large-seeded high protein, small-seeded, and lipoxygenase free soybean varieties grown in Iowa are used to fill a niche in the food-bean market. These soybeans are mainly exported to Japan. Large-seeded soybeans are used in the production of miso and are consumed as a vegetable. Large-seeded high protein soybeans are used for tofu production. Small-seeded soybeans are used to create natto. Lipoxygenase free soybeans have less of the "beany" flavor associated with conventional varieties. This flavor trait is desirable in producing soy-based foods like soy milk.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects on blood gases by two methods of ventilation (with transport ventilation or self-inflating manual resuscitator) during intra-hospital transport of patients after cardiac surgery.

METHODS
Observational, longitudinal, prospective, randomized study. Two samples of arterial blood were collected at the end of the surgery and another at the end of patient transport.

RESULTS
We included 23 patients: 13 in the Group with transport ventilation and 10 in the Group with self-inflating manual resuscitator. Baseline characteristics were similar between both groups, except for higher acute severity of illness in the Group with transport ventilation. We observed significant differences in comparisons of percentage variations of gasometric data: pH (transport ventilation + 4% x MR -5%, p=0.007), PaCO2 (-8% x +13%, p=0.006), PaO2 (+47% x -34%, p=0.01) and SatO2 (+0.6% x -1.7%, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION
The use of mechanical ventilation results in fewer repercussions for blood gas analysis in the intra-hospital transport of cardiac surgery patients.


Immunostimulants offered to fish in feed are considered to confer protection against various bacterial diseases but the effects on the antiparasitic response are largely unknown. Therefore effects of dietary β-1,3-glucan on innate immune parameters of juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and on susceptibility to the skin-parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) have been investigated. A basal diet (dry pelleted feed) was supplemented with 0% (control), 0.2% (low), 2.0% (medium), and 5.0% (high) of the β-1,3-glucan particulate insoluble algae glucan, paramylon, from Euglena gracilis. Fish (total 440) were divided into four groups each with 110 fish (kept in duplicate tanks of 55) and each diet was fed to two replicate groups at a daily feeding rate of 1.5% of fish biomass for 56 consecutive days. Liver and plasma sampling was performed at day 0 and after feeding with β-1,3-glucans for 14, 28, 42, and 56 days and subsamples of fish were exposed to Ich at day 14 and 45. Gene expression in trout liver was investigated by real-time qPCR and genes encoding immune molecules including acute phase proteins (SAA, hepcidin, and precerebellin), immunoglobulins (IgM and IgT), cytokine (IL-1β), and lysozyme were investigated. In addition plasma lysozyme activity was recorded. At the start of the experiment the 5.0% glucan supplemented fish became more infected by parasites compared to control fish (0.0%) but after 45 days feeding they obtained signifi - cantly fewer trophonts. Plasma lysozyme activity of fish fed low (0.2%) and medium (2.0%) glucan supplementation fluctuated, while high (5.0%) glucan was associated with an elevation of lysozyme activity. Plasma lysozyme activity was positively correlated to expression of the lysozyme gene and to body mass of fish. Groups fed low (0.2%) and medium (2%) glucan diets showed a trend for down-regulation of immune relevant genes whereas the group fed with high (5%) glucan showed a trend for up-regulation of genes especially the acute phase reactant SAA.


Purpose: Massage is performed in order to adjust the vital signs of patients in the ICU that needs long-term hospitalization. The aim of the study was to determine the short-term impact of foot massage on patients' arterial blood oxygen saturation values that hospitalized at Hospital of Imam Reza (AS) in Kermanshah. Methods: The present study is a quasi-experimental study to investigate the short time effect of massage on the feet on arterial oxygen saturation in patients admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit. After the pilot study subjects, 78 patients were selected by simple sampling. 39 patients were allocated in the intervention group and 39 patients in the control group. Forms and questionnaires and checklists were used for data collection and methods of data collection were interviews and physiological measurements. The patient's blood oxygen saturation in the first and fifth minutes before the massage was measured in both groups (from the monitor to the patient's bedside). Then, researcher gave 5 min foot massage and blood oxygen saturation values were recorded. Immediately after the massage, arterial oxygen saturation values in the first and fifth minutes in both groups were recorded respectively and the results evaluated. Results: Results showed that the Spo2 in the intervention group was increased after the first and fifth minutes of foot massage (p = 0.023 and p = 0.019). It should be noted that the Spo2 levels in the control group were not significant when compared before and after the massage. Conclusion: Results showed that a significant increase in Spo2 level is a result of foot massage. It may be concluded that changes in metabolism occurred after foot massage is followed by decreased oxygen consumption and thus the value of massage increases.


3,800 skulls of inhibitants of the Baltic Sea coast of previous centuries have been investigated beginning with the neolithic period up to the 18th century. 10 cases of skull trepanation were found, 8 of which were performed in Latvia, 6 were successfull. One of them is of large size (120 x 60 mm) and shows traces of healing. It is dated back to the neolithic period. Five were performed before the 18th century. The favourable results testity the skill and considerable medical knowledge of folk physicians. Furthermore, it also witnesses the great resistance of the organism of ancient people in Latvia in cases of surgical intervention.


We have studied reactions between linear Cn(+) (n = 4-9) and D2, using ion mobility mass spectrometry techniques and quantum chemical calculations in order to understand the complex reactivity of the linear cluster cations. Only linear CnD(+) products were observed for the odd (n = 5, 7, 9) linear clusters, while CnD2(+) was the main product for the even clusters. For the reaction rate constants determined for these two channels, we obtained the following two features: (1) the rate constant decreases with the size n, and (2) even-sized clusters have lower rate constants than neighboring odd-sized clusters. In the theoretical calculations using the CCSD(T) and B3LYP methods with the cc-pVTZ basis, we found that a low lying (2)Σ state in odd clusters may play an important role in these reactions. This opposes the previous interpretation that the (2)Πg/u state is the dominant electronic state for linear Cn(+) (n = 4-9) clusters. We showed that a barrierless radical abstraction forming CnD(+) occurs through a direct head on approach for the (2)Σ state Cn(+). In contrast, a carbene-like insertion forming CnD2(+) occurs through a sideways approach for the (2)Πg/u state Cn(+). We have concluded that the higher rate constants for the odd clusters come from the existence of symmetry broken (2)Σ states which are absent in even linear clusters.


A fit-parameter-free model is used to calculate optical and electronic material properties of GaInNAs semiconductor lasers. Incoherent processes which lead to dephasing of optical polarisations and carrier thermalisation are calculated microscopically by solving generalised quantum-Boltzmann equations for electron-electron and electron-phonon scattering. The theory is shown to give excellent quantitative agreement with experimental results. Shortcomings of simpler approaches are demonstrated. Carrier capture times in GaInNAs systems of varying well depth and width are calculated and the results are compared to those in InGaPAs- and AlInGaAs-based structures.


In 1942, the Committee on Standards of the New York Society of Security Analysts proposed establishing a rating or professional title for security analysts. This article presents the arguments for such a rating—the reassurance of investors that they are dealing with professionals, the prestige and promotion potential of those receiving the designation, and the encouragement of a group attitude of professionalism. The article also provides preemptive responses to possible objections. (See "Should Security Analysts Have a Professional Rating? The Negative Case" for the arguments against a rating.)


A novel type of spark transmitter using a circular arrangement of capacitors alternating with spark gaps was described previously. (K. Landecker and K. S. Imrie, "A novel type of high power pulse transmitter," Aust. J. Phys., vol. 13, 1960, pp. 638-654.) The circular array was arranged such that it formed an oscillating magnetic dipole radiating RF power directly without the use of additional radiating elements. It has now become possible to achieve the same result with the aid of a single-spark gap either by incorporating distributed circuit elements, essentially half-wave transmission lines acting as 1 to -1 transformers, into the arrangement, or by assembling the array of tightly coupled individual tuned circuits having a common single-spark gap. It is shown that the latter arrangement is superior to the use of distributed circuit elements. This results in a very great simplification of the design because the question of synchronization of a multiplicity of spark gaps does not arise. It is finally shown that the capacitors distributed equidistantly around the circumference of the transmitter may advantageously be replaced by one single ring-shaped capacitor.


ABSTRACT A self-cloning system for Actinomadura verrucosospora, a producer of the angucyclic antibiotic pradimicin A (PRM A), has been developed. The system is based on reproducible and reliable protoplasting and regeneration conditions for A. verrucosospora and a novel plasmid vector that consists of a replicon from a newly found Actinomadura plasmid and a selectable marker cloned from the Actinomadurastrain. The system has an efficiency of more than 105CFU/microgram of DNA. Using this system, we have cloned and identified the polyketide synthase (PKS) genes essential for PRM A biosynthesis from A. verrucosospora. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 3.5-kb SalI-SphI fragment showed that ketosynthase subunits (open reading frame 1 [ORF1] and ORF2) of the essential PKS genes have strong similarities (59 to 89%) to those for angucyclic antibiotic biosynthesis.


The method of maximum likelihood and Bayesian method are widely used in data processing, not only in economics but also in other fields of research. In order to identify which approach has better performances, these methods are analyzed on the selected economic data. By comparing the estimated values obtained by applying the maximum likelihood method and Bayesian method on the data that was taken from the company CaliVita Int., it was concluded that the Bayesian inference with informative priors gives more accurate estimates.


We study the effect of large swelling in irradiated zircon. We perform molecular dynamics simulation of the overlap of two radiation events and find that the damage produced in the second event scatters away from the densified boundary of the damaged region implanted previously. This serves as the microscopic mechanism of the increase of volume occupied by the damage. The additive nature of this effect results in large swelling observed experimentally. We translate the damage accumulation into the percolation problem, and show that volume swelling is a percolation phenomenon, with the swelling curve increasing rapidly at the percolation threshold.


We distill evidence about the effects of COVID-19 on companies. Stock price reactions to the shock differed greatly across firms, depending on their resilience to social distancing, financial flexibility, and corporate culture. The same characteristics affected the response of firms' sales, employment, and asset growth. Despite the shock, firms expanded their balance sheets and liquidity by raising funds from banks, bonds, and equity markets. While listed firms reduced their leverage, unlisted ones, especially small and medium enterprises, increased it. Government support programs helped firms access external funding. We conclude by identifying unexplored research issues regarding the long-run effects of COVID-19 on companies. (JEL: G11, G12, G13, G21, G24, G28, G32, G33, G35, G38, H81, H84)


In this work, we propose two new iterative schemes by modifying the shrinking projection method with Noor and SP iterations. The strong convergence theorems are given for obtaining a common fixed point of three $G$-nonexpansive mappings in a Hilbert space with a directed graph under some suitable conditions. Finally, we give some numerical examples for supporting our main theorems and compare the rate of convergence of some examples under the same conditions.


Measuring the connection strength between a pair of vertices in a graph is one of the most important concerns in many graph applications. Simple measures such as edge weights may not be sufficient for capturing the effects associated with short paths of lengths greater than one. In this paper, we consider an iterative process that smooths an associated value for nearby vertices, and we present a measure of the local connection strength (called the algebraic distance; see [D. Ron, I. Safro, and A. Brandt, Multiscale Model. Simul., 9 (2011), pp. 407-423]) based on this process. The proposed measure is attractive in that the process is simple, linear, and easily parallelized. An analysis of the convergence property of the process reveals that the local neighborhoods play an important role in determining the connectivity between vertices. We demonstrate the practical effectiveness of the proposed measure through several combinatorial optimization problems on graphs and hypergraphs.


In a letter to Paul Freart de Chantelou dated 24 November 1647 Poussin outlined several aesthetic notions with musical significance, notably his adoption of the theory of musical modes and their application to painting. The significance of Poussin's statements lies not only in the use of modes in visual terms that are directly parallel to their use in music, but also in the wider implications regarding the dissemination of musical theory outside specifically musical circles. Poussin's references to concepts of affect and meaning, and his allusions to classical sources concerning the relationship of modal and poetic affects and textual rhythms to subject matter are of particular importance. Analyses of Poussin's A Dance to the Music of Time (c.1638-40) and other paintings, statements made by the artist, and evidence drawn from texts on music theory, are used as evidence to support a new view of Poussin's concept of mode that is viable in both musical and visual terms, and supported by contemporary theory.


Background : The aim of this open-label, active-controlled, parallel group, phase 2 follow-up study was to assess the long-term immunogenicity of Epaxal Junior, the pediatric dose of an aluminum-free virosomal inactivated hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine, in children receiving routine childhood vaccines (RCV). Methods: Healthy children (12–15 months old, ≥8 kg weight) were randomized (1:1:1) to group A: Epaxal Junior + RCV (day 1); group B: Epaxal Junior (day 1) + RCV (day 29) and group C: Havrix 720 + RCV (day 1). All 3 groups received 2 doses of HAV vaccines 6 months apart. Children who completed the primary study were followed up from 18 months to 7.5 years post booster. Results: Of 291/327 randomized children who had completed the primary study, 157 were followed for the 7.5-year analysis (group A: 50; group B: 54; and group C: 53). Of these, 152 children had protective levels of anti-HAV antibodies [≥10 mIU/mL; 98% (group A); 96.3% (group B); 96.2% (group C)]. Anti-HAV geometric mean concentrations were similar in groups A and B at all the time points (1.5-, 2.5-, 3.5-, 5.25- and 7.5-year time point) but slightly lower in group C. Predictions of the median duration of persistence of seroprotective antibody levels, using the linear mixed model were similar in all groups: (group A: 19.1 years, group B: 18.7 years, group C: 17.3 years). Conclusions: Immunization with Epaxal Junior administered with RCVs at 12 months elicited protective response beyond 7.5 years in almost all children. Assessing the kinetic of anti-HAV antibody titers decline over time, the moment to reach antibody concentrations below the accepted protective level may occur earlier than previously estimated.


Pedestrians are a part of vulnerable road users which safety requires a special attention. Official statistics in Estonia from the last decade returns the following numbers: around 30 % of all road traffic accidents in the country were accidents with pedestrians, 32 % of all traffic fatalities were finished with pedestrian death. Pedestrian crossing has the biggest risk level between all kinds of pedestrian facilities, because it includes a direct conflict point between vehicle and pedestrian traffics. The article presents a method to assess risk of pedestrian crossing users and to determine safety level of this road infrastructure element. This approach is based on observation and collection of infrastructural as well as traffic data, which includes: (1) information about each pedestrian crossing facility, its location and state, (2) data about accidents with pedestrians and their features, (3) data from road traffic measurements. The main advantages of the described method are universality and comprehensiveness. The case study was done in Kristiine district of the city Tallinn, which was chosen as the most typical average district of Estonian capital. Results of this study are also presented in the article. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/CIT2016.2016.4124


Purpose: We have investigated the dosimetric errors caused by the interplay between the motions of the LINAC and the tumor.Materials and Methods: RapidArc plans were created to treat a 5cm diameter target in a lung phantom (200cGy fractions). The complexity of each field was controlled by adjusting the MU (300–950MU, ∼50MU steps, giving 13 RapidArc plans). This covers the range of MUs found clinically (Mean: 540±220, range: 249–999MU). Each plan was delivered to a phantom, and a movie of the delivered dose (0.2sec frames) taken using a 2D ion chamber array. Patient motion was modeled by shifting each dose frame according to a respiratory trace, starting the motion at different phases. The expected dose distribution was calculated by blurring the static dose distribution with the target motion. The dose error due to the interplay effect was calculated by comparing the delivered dose with the expected dose distribution. Peak‐to‐peak motion of 0.5cm, 1.0cm, and 2.0cm were evaluated. Supporting data was taken using RapidArc plans for lung patients (348–966MU). Results: The daily dose error due to the interplay effect was less than 10% for 99% of all pixels in the target for all plans investigated. The percentage of pixels for which the daily dose error could be larger than 5% increased with increasing plan complexity (field MU), but was less than 15% for all plans if the motion was 1cm or less. For 2cm motion the dose error could be larger than 5% for 40% of pixels, but was less than 5% for more than 80% of pixels for MU<550, and was less than 10% for 99% of all pixels. In all cases (phantom and patient plans), the dose error after many fractions was less than 1%. Conclusions: RapidArc can be used to treat moving targets without large dose errors.


Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) has been discussed as a potential anticancer agent for many years, however initial enthusiasm about its clinical use as a systemic agent was curbed due to significant toxicities and lack of efficacy. Combination of TNF-α with chemotherapy in the setting of hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (ILP), has provided new insights into a potential therapeutic role of this agent. The therapeutic benefit from TNF-α in ILP is thought to be not only due to its direct anti-proliferative effect, but also due to its ability to increase penetration of the chemotherapeutic agents into the tumor tissue. New concepts for the use of TNF-α as a facilitator rather than as a direct actor are currently being explored with the goal to exploit the ability of this agent to increase drug delivery and to simultaneously reduce systemic toxicity. This review article provides a comprehensive overview on the published previous experience with systemic TNF-α. Data from 18 phase I and 10 phase II single agent as well as 18 combination therapy studies illustrate previously used treatment and dose schedules, response data as well as the most prominently observed adverse effects. Also discussed, based on recent preclinical data, is a potential future role of systemic TNF-α in combination with liposomal chemotherapy to facilitate increased drug uptake into tumors.


The early introduction of solid foods to the diet of bottle-fed infants living in a college town causes some significant changes in the nutritive content of the diet but does not increase the adequacy of the diet before 3 months as evaluated by allowances recommended for infants by the National Research Council. Diets containing solid foods provide significantly more iron and thiamine, two of the nutrients used to enrich infant cereal products. Most of the infants were receiving nutritional supplements of vitamin A and D in spite of the fact that their diets were adequate in these nutrients. The need for a supplement of ascorbic acid was evident for some infants.
 The feeding of solid foods apparently had no effect on the sleeping pattern of the infants as evidenced by the number of feedings, nor did it increase the cost of the food itself. It did, however, increase the time and effort involved for the mother. Since there was no increase in the caloric content of the diet, the solid foods must have replaced milk rather then to have supplemented it, a fact confirmed by the observations of many mothers. At least 10% of the infants experienced some form of allergic reaction to solid foods.
 All of the infants in the study had been introduced to solid foods by 9 weeks, 2 to 4 weeks prior to the age at which the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that there is a rational basis from a nutritional and developmental point of view to begin supplementing the diet. Although there was no evidence of adverse reactions other then allergies to the pattern of early feeding observed in this group, there was no evidence to indicate that the infant benefitted from a nutritional standpoint.
 Lack of evidence of benefits and an accumulating body of information on hazards from the early introduction of solid foods suggest a re-examination of current emphasis on the early supplementation of the milk diet in infants.


Open economy macroeconomics typically abstracts from portfolio structure. But the recent experience of financial globalization makes it important to understand the determinants and composition of gross country portfolios. This paper presents a simple approximation method for computing equilibrium financial portfolios in stochastic open economy macro models. The method is widely applicable, easy to implement, and delivers analytical solutions for optimal gross portfolio positions in any combination of types of assets. It can be used in models with any number of assets, whether markets are complete or incomplete, and can be applied to stochastic dynamic general equilibrium models of any dimension, so long as the model is amenable to a solution using standard approximation methods.


Background and objectives. AD/HD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood, with an estimated prevalence 8-11%. Comorbidity is characteristic of this disorder. The authors of this paper are trying to compare manifestation of health and psycho-social problems of the children with AD/HD in groups (with and without bronchial asthma) with the general population. Material and methods. Health and psycho-social problems were evaluated in three groups of I-IV grade school-children: 1) Primary school children representing general population (N=178). 2) Primary school children with AD/HD, but not suffering from bronchial asthma (N=36). 3) Primary school children with AD/HD and suffering from bronchial asthma (N=36). Results. In the group of children with AD/HD and bronchial asthma headaches, stomachaches, allergy, sleep problems, inclination to depression were more frequent in comparison with the group of children with only AD/HD (p≤0,05). In the group of children with only AD/HD, unwilled urination problems, disorders and habits of psychological- neurological nature (such as tics, speech impediment, nail biting) are more frequent. Problems of social behavior are also more frequent within the group of children with AD/HD (p≤0,05). Conclusions. Primary school pupils representing general population face least health and psychosocial problems if compared with the children with AD/HD. Children suffering from AD/HD and bronchial asthma more often complain of somatic symptoms (headaches, stomachaches), allergy, sleep problems, inclination to depression, if compared with the children with only AD/HD. Nevertheless, in the group of children with AD/HD (without bronchial asthma) problems of enuresis, speech impediment and social behavior are more evident. doi:10.5200/sm-hs.2012.062


This study investigated factors that cause low enrolment of students in Folk Development Colleges in Tanzania. The colleges involved in the study were Bariadi, Sikonge and Nzovwe Folk Development colleges. Seventy five (75) respondents were selected through random and purposive sampling. The respondents were students, who had already graduated, ongoing students, Principals, Tutors, District Community Development Officers and parents/guardians. The data was collected through interviews, questionnaire, focus group discussions, observations and documentary review.

The findings have revealed that lack of teaching and learning facilities, qualified tutors for respective courses were the major causes of low enrolment of students in FDCs. It was found that the colleges are not effectively used by the communities since the courses offered were not relevant to the needs of the community. Also expectations of students after completing their courses have revealed that they both need to get self employment and higher vocational education and training. It was further revealed that the present teaching methodology was more theoretical rather than practical.

Based on the findings, the study recommends that in order to increase student enrollment impart skillful knowledge to students, tutors should upgrade their knowledge through short courses. The government through the Ministry of Community Development Gender and Children should provide tutors, allocate more funds for FDCs in order to improve teaching and learning facilities such as workshops and working tools.


Hierarchical porous ZnMn2O4 has been prepared by an initial cotton template and subsequent calcination route. The as-prepared hierarchical porous ZnMn2O4 composed of numerous nanoparticles well inherit the fibre-like structure of cotton, and these nanoparticles have a size of ∼20–50 nm. The N2 adsorption–desorption test indicates this ZnMn2O4 has a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of ∼16.7084 m2 g−1 and average pore size of ∼27.0 nm. As lithium ion battery anodes, the ZnMn2O4 can deliver a discharge capacity of 674.9 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at current density of 200 mA g−1. Even at 1000 mA g−1, this ZnMn2O4 still shows a stable discharge capacity of 541.5 mAh g−1. These promising electrochemical performances may be attributed to its unique hierarchical porous structure which helps to accelerate the ions transportation and elevate the structure stability.


Abstract.  In this article, we define a spatio‐temporal model with location‐dependent parameters to describe temporal variation and spatial nonstationarity. We consider the prediction of observations at unknown locations using known neighbouring observations. Further, we propose a local least squares‐based method to estimate the parameters at unobserved locations. The sampling properties of these estimators are investigated. We also develop a statistical test for spatial stationarity. To derive the asymptotic results, we show that the spatially nonstationary process can be locally approximated by a spatially stationary process. We illustrate the methods of estimation with some simulations.


BACKGROUND : Leukotrienes B4 (LTB4) and eotaxin-1 are thought to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. This study investigates the plasma levels of LTB4 and eotaxin-1 in symptom-free asthmatics on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting β2 (LABA) . MATERIALS AND METHODS : Twenty asthmatic patients treated with ICS and LABA for 3 months and 17 matched healthy subjects were recruited. LTB4 and eotaxin-1 were measured in the serum by a specific enzyme immunoassay kit. RESULTS : Treatment resulted in significant improvement in FEV1 and disappearance of symptoms. LTB4 levels were significantly lower in the treated asthmatics compared to the healthy subjects (19.17 ± 0.8 pg/ml versus 23.34 ± 0.82 pg/ml respectively, P CONCLUSION : Asthmatics treated with ICS and LABA showed significantly lower levels of LTB4 compared to healthy subjects. Regular use of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2 may help in controlling the inflammatory process in asthma. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess the association between clinical and physiological parameters and circulating chemokines and cytokines.


In rats, forelimb movements can be evoked from two distinct cortical regions, the rostral (RFA) and the caudal (CFA) forelimb areas. RFA and CFA have numerous reciprocal connections, and their projections reach several common targets, which allows them to interact at multiple levels of the motor axis. Lesions affecting these areas result in profound and persistent deficits, supporting their essential role for the production of arm and hand movements. Whereas rats are widely used to study motor control and recovery following lesions, little is known as to how cortical motor areas in this model interact to generate movements. To study interactions between RFA and CFA, we used paired-pulse protocols with intracortical microstimulation techniques (ICMS). A conditioning stimulus (C) in RFA was applied simultaneously, or before a test stimulus (T) in CFA. The impact of RFA conditioning on CFA outputs was quantified by recording electromyographic signals (EMG) signals from the contralateral arm muscles. We found that stimulation of RFA substantially modulates the intensity of CFA outputs while only mildly affecting the latency. In general, the effect of RFA conditioning changed from predominantly facilitatory to inhibitory with increasing delays between the C and the T stimulus. However, inspection of individual cortical sites revealed that RFA has a wide range of influence on CFA outputs with each interstimulation delay we used. Our results show that RFA has powerful and complex modulatory effects on CFA outputs that can allow it to play a major role in the cortical control of forelimb movements.


In a female patient with increasing redness of the hands and face, proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi were detected in a biopsy of the ear by DNA amplification. Although acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans has been documented to be caused by B. burgdorferi, this is the first case with proven spirochetal presence in the skin of the head. After 2 weeks of intravenous therapy with ceftriaxone marked improvement of discoloration of the skin was noted.


Purpose
This study aimed to examine the effect of an intensive vocabulary intervention embedded in e-books on the vocabulary skills of young Spanish-English speaking English learners (ELs) from low-socioeconomic status backgrounds.

Method
Children (N = 288) in kindergarten and 1st grade were randomly assigned to treatment and read-only conditions. All children received e-book readings approximately 3 times a week for 10-20 weeks using the same books. Children in the treatment condition received e-books supplemented with vocabulary instruction that included scaffolding through explanations in Spanish, repetition in English, checks for understanding, and highlighted morphology.

Results
There was a main effect of the intervention on expressive labeling (g = 0.38) and vocabulary on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Fourth Edition (g = 0.14; Dunn & Dunn, 2007), with no significant moderation effect of initial Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test score. There was no significant difference between conditions on children's expressive definitions.

Conclusion
Findings substantiate the effectiveness of computer-implemented embedded vocabulary intervention for increasing ELs' vocabulary knowledge.

Implications
Computer-assisted vocabulary instruction with scaffolding through Spanish explanations, repetitions, and highlighted morphology is a promising approach to facilitate word learning for ELs in kindergarten and 1st grade.


In this study we aim to identify what is the behavior of brazilian
 companies regarding the investment of their internal resources (cash flows)
 in the short and in the long run and verify if there is differences between
 the behavior of constrained and unconstrained firms. For this, we estimate a
 system of equations in which the dependent variables are the main uses of
 cash and among the explanatory variables are the current and previous ($ t-1
 $ and $ t-2 $) cash flows. The results suggest that, in response to a
 positive shock on their cash flows, unconstrained firms channel most of this
 resources (over three years) to new investments and to profit distribution,
 while constrained firms to cut external finance and to cash retention. In
 summary, unconstrained firms seem to prioritize the new investments and
 constrained ones the strengthening of financial situation.


Traditional Dayak houses in Kalimantan have several types of buildings that were built based on vernacular architectural traditions. The traditional house represents past ways of living and building which are full of cultural wisdom and values. The houses themselves and the cultural values they represent have been inherited, rebuilt, reshaped, and redefined in accordance with cultural and changing architectural traditions. This study aims to discover the characteristics of the cultural wisdom in the Betang Dayak Ngaju house in Central Kalimantan, along its influence on modern construction practises. Descriptive analysis was conducted to discover the wisdom of symbolic meanings and the various forms of sustainability in the present. The results showed that the Betang house displays a combination of ancient vernacular traditions and foreign architectural traditions that apply the typical Batang Garing metaphor as a core concept that illustrates the structural unity between the house and its environment.
Keywords: Vernacular Architecture, Sustainability, Traditional House's, Dayak Tribe


This paper considers the experimental analysis of the policy evaluation analysis in agricultural and environmental studies. First, the role of experimental analysis in the policy analysis is discussed. Experimental analysis requires randomization. However, for the agricultural policy analysis, it might be difficult to achieve assignment to treatment group randomly due to unfairness. Alternatively, hypothetical policy analysis using the stated choice and laboratory experiments are proposed. Second, the choice experiment study is considered to analyze the avoidance behavior of food risk after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Experimental result shows that the radiation exposure via food consumption does not have an effect on the consumers' choice behavior. It suggests that an appealing to the food safety aspect has less of an effect on the consumers' choice behavior. Third, the effect of environmental policy in agriculture on farmers' conservation behavior is analyzed using a laboratory experiment. Experimental result shows that the nonmonetary support system has significant effect on conservation behavior in the early periods of the experiment. However, without compensation, most farmers stop the conservation activities in later periods. Finally, future research topics of the experimental studies for the agricultural and environmental policy analysis are proposed.


In different cancer types, classical chemotherapy has several side effects due to the cytotoxic properties of the compounds and non-selective targeting of normal tissue. The aims of this study were to determine bioactive molecules and to investigate the genetic mechanisms of the anticancer properties of walnut special mixture, walnut milk (WM), as a potential anticancer treatment in Du145, MCF7 and TG/HAVSMC cells. The bioactive molecules of WM were determined by LC-Q-TOF analysis. After treatment with the WM, cell viability was determined using the MTT assay and apoptosis induction was observed following cell membrane staining by annexin-V/propidium-iodide using a Tali-cytometer. The gene expression studies were carried out using a qRT-PCR assay. In the WM, we quantified five hormones, eight polyphenols, quercetin and juglone. Abscisic acid (63.07 ± 18.70 μg/L), gallic acid (3887.08 ± 155.06 μg/L), quercetin (245.26 ± 34.12 μg/L) and juglone (401.52 ± 16.60 μg/L) were major components of the quantified compounds. Our results indicated that WM dramatically reduces cell viability and selectively induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in Du145 and MCF7 cells without affecting TG/HA-VSMC noncancerous cells by triggering intrinsic apoptotic signalling and increases in ROS production. Our results suggest that WM is a potential anticancer agent with selective apoptotic potential and special bioactive chemical constituents.


Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of socioeconomic status on patient expectation from the treatment through a questionnaire based survey. Material and Method: The Present study was conducted in region of Delhi. 1500 completely edentulous patients with age group of 63-74 yrs who report to Dental OPD first time are taken for the study from the period of January 2015 to January 2016. The sample questionnaire was designed to test the hypothesis. Results were statistically evaluated. Results: Out of 1500 patients, percentage of upper, upper middle, lower middle and upper lower and lower class who had higher expectations from treatment were greatest. Percentage of patients with no expectation from treatment was highest in upper lower and lower classes. Conclusion: Socioeconomic status of the patients had definite influence on expectation. Communication and patient education is essential for all socio-economic classes of patients and it becomes even more important for lower middle and lower classes of patients


Fluorescent cofactors like flavins can be exploited to probe their local environment with spatial and temporal resolution. Although the fluorescence properties of the oxidized and two‐electron‐reduced states of flavins have been studied extensively, this is not the case for the one‐electron‐reduced state. Both the neutral and anionic semiquinones have proven particularly challenging to examine, as they are unstable in solution and are transient, short‐lived species in many catalytic cycles. Here, we report that the nitronate monooxygenase (NMO) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 is capable of stabilizing both semiquinone forms anaerobically for hours, thus enabling us to study their spectroscopy in a constant protein environment. We found that in the active site of NMO, the anionic semiquinone exhibits no fluorescence, whereas the neutral semiquinone radical shows a relatively strong fluorescence, with a behavior that violates the Kasha–Vavilov rule. These fluorescence properties are discussed in the context of time‐dependent density functional theory calculations, which reveal low‐lying dark states in both systems.


BACKGROUND: In-hospital physical therapists work on the effects of hypoactivity or inactivity of bedridden patients. In daily practice, contraction of the calf muscle is commonly performed by health professionals in hospitals, especially in pre- and post-operative periods as a form of reducing venous stasis and risk of deep venous thrombosis in the lower limbs. OBJECTIVE: To assess venous flow volume at the calf muscle pump using color Doppler ultrasound during active and passive kinesiotherapy (ankle plantar flexion). METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 individuals randomly selected and submitted to color Doppler ultrasound of the right popliteal vein, aiming to measure blood flow volume in four periods: rest, manual calf compression, active and passive ankle movement in plantar flexion. The t test was used for statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 was used as an index of statistical significance. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 16 females and 14 males. Means were as follows: age (31.57 years), height (1.68 m), weight (68.25 kg), and body mass index (24.16). Statistical analysis showed that passive ankle plantar flexion was significant when compared to baseline (p < 0.000056) as to calf pump muscle activation, although not as much as active exercise (p < 0.0000016). Manual compression of the triceps surae muscle in relation to passive exercise was also significant (p < 0.000000081). CONCLUSION: In this study, active ankle plantar flexion proved statistically more effective than passive exercise in calf muscle pump activation, increasing blood flow volume in the popliteal vein and minimizing venous stasis in the lower limbs.


The number of affordable consumer unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) available on the market has been growing quickly in recent years. Uncontrolled use of such UAVs in the context of public events like sports events or demonstrations, as well as their use near sensitive areas, such as airports or correctional facilities pose a potential security threat. Automatic early detection of UAVs is thus an important task which can be addressed through multiple modalities, such as visual imagery, radar, audio signals, or UAV control signals. In this work we present an image processing pipeline which is capable of tracking very small point targets in an overview camera, adjusting a tilting unit with a mounted zoom camera (PTZ system) to locations of interest and classifying the spotted object in this more detailed camera view. The overview camera is a high-resolution camera with a wide field of view. Its main purpose is to monitor a wide area and to allow an early detection of candidates, whose motion or appearance warrant a closer investigation. In a subsequent process these candidates are prioritized and successively examined by adapting the orientation of the tilting unit and the zoom level of the attached camera lens, to be able to observe the target in detail and provide appropriate data for the classification stage. The image of the PTZ camera is then used to classify the object into either UAV class or distractor class. For this task we apply the popular SSD detector. Several parameters of the detector have been adapted for the task of UAV detection and classification. We demonstrate the performance of the full pipeline on imagery collected by the system. The data contains actual UAVs as well as distractors, such as birds.