The comparison of the characteristics of the useful financial information contained in the International Financial Reporting Standards with the qualitative characteristics of information, which is created using BigData technology has allowed to substantiate the necessity of expanding the list of qualitative characteristics of useful financial information by such characteristics as the limitation of the physical volume of accounting information and the variability of the credentials. An analysis of the specifics of the application of accounting principles in the business activities of e-business enterprises has confirmed the need to review their content. According to the results of the study it was established that the general information on the activities of business entities (electronic reporting, the register of tax invoices, public financial reporting, information on the debt situation to the budget of economic entities, the declaration of officials), including e-business enterprises is a part of a single information space.


Present water consumption in the UK is unsustainable, with increasing societal and environmental pressures driving water stress. Personal use of water is a significant contributor to water demand and considering the number of universities and students in the UK the water use practices therein cannot be ignored. Therefore, this paper aims to deepen the theme of water consumption in the United Kingdom from the point of view of use practices for students. The originality in this research lies in better understanding whether UK Masters level students have a basic awareness of personal water consumption and water pricing and whether they have a preferred approach to reducing their water consumption—through a behavioral change, or through adoption of technologies. Through use of a questionnaire approach applied to five cohorts (2017 to 2021) of Masters level students, the level of understanding and awareness towards their own domestic water use both now and in the future was demonstrated. Key findings suggest that Masters students underestimated their water use by 76% compared to the average UK national range and that there was an overall preference to adopt water saving technologies rather than changing user behavior (40% vs. 27%). The study concludes that it is important to approach water conservation from an SPT perspective in order to achieve meaningful change in water use practices. Qualitative and quantitative research is analyzed in light of theoretical models (i.e., Social Practice and Attitude Behavior Framework ABC) in order to make recommendations for greater societal prominence for this issue through media and education.


SeaShark is an operational software package for processing, archiving and cataloguing AVHRR and SeaWiFS data using an operator friendly GUI. Upon receipt of a customer order, it produces standard AVHRR data products, including Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and it has recently been modified to include SeaWiFS level 2 data processing. This uses an atmospheric correction scheme developed by the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, U.K. (PML) that builds upon the standard Gordon and Wang approach to be applicable over both case 1 and case 2 waters. Higher level products are then generated using PML algorithms, including chlorophyll a, CZCS-type pigment, K d , and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Outputs are in CEOS-compatible format. The software also produces Fast Delivery Products (FDPs) of chlorophyll a and SST. These FDPs are combined in the StarFish software package to provide maps indicating potential location of phytoplankton and the preferred thermal environment of certain pelagic fish species. Fishing vessels may obtain these maps over Inmarsat, allowing them to achieve a greater efficiency hence lower cost.


This article builds on Jones's previous work on masculinity in Scottish fiction, probing the ongoing process of moving beyond dominant paradigms of masculinity in Scottish writing. The analysis explores the haunting power of masculine spectres and their return to centrality in twenty-first century Scottish fiction. The article juxtaposes Emily Mackie's novels And This is True (2010) and In Search of Solace (2014), which both remain fixated upon masculinity with Ali Smith's There but for the (2011), which resists the urge to re-centre masculinity despite its central male character, and offers a contrasting alternative to dominant modes of male identity.


OBJECTIVES
We examined the extent to which optimism buffers the effects of physical limitations on depressive symptoms, across four mid- and later-life age groups (ages 40-49, 50-64, 65-74, 75+ at baseline). Analyses are motivated by stress theories, which hold that the protective effects of coping resources are evidenced only at high levels of stress. We further explore whether these purportedly protective effects diminish with age, as health-related stressor(s) intensify and become irreversible.

METHODS
We use data from two waves (2004-06 and 2013-14) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, n = 4,515) and Midlife in the United States (MIDUS, n = 2,138). We estimate OLS regression models with three-way interaction terms to examine prospectively the benefits of optimism as a coping resource for persons with physical limitations across four age groups. Physical limitations are assessed with a composite measure encompassing mobility and activity of daily living (ADL) limitations.

RESULTS
In HRS and MIDUS, persons with 3+ limitations reported significantly more depressive symptoms than persons with 0-2 limitations, yet these disparities diminished at higher levels of optimism. Buffering effects of optimism vary by age. For midlife and young-old persons with 3+ limitations, optimism is strongly and inversely related to depressive symptoms at follow-up. Comparable protective effects are not evident among oldest sample members.

DISCUSSION
Stress and coping models should consider more fully factors that limit older adults' capacity to deploy purportedly protective personal resources. Investments in structural or institutional supports may be more effective than interventions to enhance positive thinking.


Fairness is the basic requirement of E-Commerce protocols. RSA is one of the most widely used cryptosystems. A fair-exchange protocol allows two parties to exchange items in a fair way so that either each party gets the other's item, or neither party does. In this paper construction and architecture of the existing fair exchange protocols are analyzed. Both practicality and efficiency problems of these protocols are also presented. Based on this analysis, an optimistic fair exchange protocol totally based on RSA signature scheme is proposed. The novel scheme employs verifiably encrypted RSA signatures in the extended integer ring that is elaborately constructed. The security and efficiency of the newly devised scheme are also proved and examined. It is showed that the proposed scheme is secure and efficient.


The influence factors on the development of information technology(IT) infrastructure for knowledge management(KM) were not empirically investigated and identified. This study empirically examines the relationships among strategic performance measurement systems(SPMS), organizational learning, the strategic alignment of business strategy with information systems(IS) strategy, which is the necessary condition to provide the kinds of knowledge required for the successful realization of business strategy, and the active construction of IT infrastructure for KM. This study demonstrates that SPMS directly affects the organizational learning, with which the members of an organization acquire the types of knowledge about strategic goals or objectives and the ways attaining these goals, and indirectly influences the IS strategic alignment through organizational learning. Thus, the alignment between business strategy and IS strategy can be facilitated and activated by the adoption and implementation of SPMS. According to the results of this study, it is observed that the IS strategic alignment and organizational learning positively affect the activation of the development of KM IT infrastructure in a firm. The results of this study also shows that the construction of KM IT infrastructure, which supports the realization of KM activities, such as knowledge creation, transfer and sharing, can enhance the strategic position of a firm, and the intensified competitiveness of a firm can lead to the improvement of performance.


From the perspective of activity theory, it can be argued that the major challenge in relation to implementing interprofessional education (IPE) could be embraced as contradictions that may lead to change. Patients have complex health needs and typically require insight from more than one discipline to address issues regarding their health status (Lumague et al. 2006). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that institutions engaged in health professional education and training consider implementing IPE in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs (WHO, 2010). The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of IPECP for health care professionals, faculty members, and students. Methods: The survey instrument contained four scales to evaluate faculty attitudes toward IPE and teamwork, adapted from the methods of Curran et al. (2007). Each scale asked respondents to rate their attitudes toward statements on a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree; 2=disagree; 3=neutral; 4=agree; 5=strongly agree). The initial factor extractions were performed by means of principal components analysis. To define the model structure more clearly, an exploratory factor analysis using varimax rotation was conducted. The level of significance was p<.0001 for all tests. Results: As shown in Table 2, the Kaiser–Meyer-Olkin index was 0.902, indicating sampling adequacy, and the Bartlett Sphericity Chi-Square index was 2246.5 (p <0.0001). Cronbach's alpha for the 14 items was 0.731, revealing a high rate of internal consistency. The modified Attitude toward health care team scores (ATHCTS) questionnaire was categorized into four factors: "Quality of care," "Team efficiency," "Patient-centered care," and "Negative factors." Conclusion: Findings suggest that the positive attitude of health care professionals, faculty members and students towards IPE indicates the need for IPE training.


Salivary cortisol levels reflect the biologically active "free" fraction of blood cortisol. The authors describe the results obtained with the aim of a radio-immunoassay commercial serum cortisol kit, without prealable extraction in different physiological and pathological situations. Salivary cortisol determination appears performant both in nycthemeral studies and in stimulation or freination tests.


Background. HLAMatchmaker is a recently developed computer-based algorithm to determine donor-recipient HLA compatibility at the molecular level. Originally designed for highly alloimmunized patients, this algorithm is based on the concept that immunogenic epitopes are represented by amino acid triplets on exposed parts of protein sequences of HLA-A, -B, and -C chains accessible to alloantibodies. Donor HLA compatibility is determined by intralocus and interlocus comparisons of triplets in polymorphic sequence positions. For most patients, HLAMatchmaker can identify certain mismatched HLA antigens that are zero-triplet mismatches to the patient's HLA phenotype and should, therefore, be considered fully histocompatible. The present study was designed to determine how class I HLA matching at the triplet level affects kidney transplant outcome. Methods. We analyzed two multicenter databases of zero-HLA-DR–mismatched kidneys transplanted from 1987 to 1999. One database consisted of 31,879 primary allografts registered by U.S. transplant centers in the United Network for Organ Sharing database and the other consisted of 15,872 transplants in the Eurotransplant program. Results. HLA-A,B mismatched kidneys that were compatible at the triplet level exhibited almost identical graft survival rates as the zero-HLA-A,B antigen mismatches defined by conventional criteria. This beneficial effect of triplet matching was seen for both nonsensitized and sensitized patients and also for white and nonwhite patients. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the application of HLAMatchmaker will increase the number of successful transplants, at least in the HLA-DR match combinations.


Large scatter characterizes the collapse load of thin-walled structures due to their imperfection sensitivity. Random fields can be used to include imperfections in a finite element model, which can highly increase the credibility of the finite element (FE) model. Principal component analysis (PCA) and analytical covariance functions are matched to available correlation information of geometrical imperfection measurements. The random fields are realized by Karhunen-Lo`eve expansion combined with Monte Carlo methods. The results of the different covariance models are compared with the deterministic collapse loads of the measured imperfections in the FE-model. This approach isolates the effect of the different covariance models from other inaccuracies such as boundary conditions, loading imperfections, etc. The results show that random fields can be used to improve predictions and the understanding of the structural behavior of thin-walled structures, especially when these predictions are based on imperfection data, using PCA. Caution is recommended when using analytical covariance functions since they may fail to capture the complete behavior of the structure.


Recently, there are two independent approaches related to a class of nonlinear Lie algebras of three generators; and the realizations of these generators are achieved respectively in Schwinger-boson and position representation. However, by use of the representation transformation between these two representations, the equivalence of the two realizations is therefore proved.


A bioeconomic model is used to explore the potential impacts of price policies on land use under shifting cultivation. The model is calibrated with household level and agroecological data from Yucatan, Mexico. Besides the direct effect of the liberalization of maize prices, the results indicate that changes in real wages in post-NAFTA Mexico may have non-expected effects on the labor diversification and land-use decisions of households. Further, it is shown that income may well be inversely related to both the suboptimal level of forest clearing, and the state of soil fertility, albeit in a non-monotonic (U-shape) way. (JEL O13, Q24)


The development and application of quantitative systems pharmacology models in neuroscience have been modest relative to other fields, such as oncology and immunology, which may reflect the complexity of the brain. Technological and methodological advancements have enhanced the quantitative understanding of brain physiology and pathophysiology and the effects of pharmacological interventions. To maximize the knowledge gained from these novel data types, pharmacometrics modelers may need to expand their toolbox to include additional mathematical and statistical frameworks. A session was held at the 10th annual American Conference on Pharmacometrics (ACoP10) to highlight several recent advancements in quantitative and systems neuroscience. In this mini‐review, we provide a brief overview of technological and methodological advancements in the neuroscience therapeutic area that were discussed during the session and how these can be leveraged with quantitative systems pharmacology modeling to enhance our understanding of neurological diseases. Microphysiological systems using human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs), digital biomarkers, and large‐scale imaging offer more clinically relevant experimental datasets, enhanced granularity, and a plethora of data to potentially improve the preclinical‐to‐clinical translation of therapeutics. Network neuroscience methodologies combined with quantitative systems models of neurodegenerative disease could help bridge the gap between cellular and molecular alterations and clinical end points through the integration of information on neural connectomics. Additional topics, such as the neuroimmune system, microbiome, single‐cell transcriptomic technologies, and digital device biomarkers, are discussed in brief.


The nucleus 220Ra has been populated by the reaction 18O+208Pb at a beam energy of 83 MeV. The positive-parity members of the yrast band have been identified to Jpi =12+ and the negative-parity members from Jpi =5- to Jpi =11-. The alternating positive- and negative-parity levels are strongly coupled by E1 transitions. The sequence of levels observed and the large ratio B(E1)/B(E2) suggest that 220Ra has a stable octupole deformation.


The global outbreak of the Corona Virus disease in this 21st Century not only shocked the sensibilities of people but also introduced emerging patterns of behaviour and interactions that have become the new normal. One of such altered interactions is in the aspect of human-nature relations. Many scholars have churned out volumes on the scope and implications of human activities on the environment; others have linked human-induced environmental challenges to patriarchal social conditioning and proposed the dismantling of all forms of dualisms, especially the human-nature dualism. But not many have represented the disposition of humans to the natural environment in the new normal world. Hence, this paper examines the selected pandemic poems in the light of emerging patterns of interaction with the environment, using the eco-critical theory. The study concludes that the selected poets have presented the new normal as a panacea to the lingering environmental challenges which have defied many solutions in the past decades and recommends further foray into environmentally friendly adaptation discourse in the new normal world. It is important for promoting the study of content and style in eco-critical discourse and for raising consciousness towards environmental sustainability.


Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of plant response to ozone attack are reviewed. Plants grown in elevated atmospheric ozone are known to undergo several biochemical changes before any actual damage can be detected. These reactions include increases in the activities of enzymes associated with general plant defence mechanisms. Ozone exposure often causes a surge in the production of the plant hormone ethylene, as well as changes in polyamine metabolism and increases in the activities of several phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathway enzymes. The activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidases that protect cells from the oxidative damage caused by hydroxyl radicals, H2O2 and superoxides also increase. However, ozone-induced changes in plant cells at the gene level are almost unknown. The limited data available suggest close similarities between ozone-induced and pathogen-induced defence responses in plants. Several general defence genes that have been cloned in other studies will soon be applied to studies of gene expression in ozone-exposed plants. The use of molecular biological tools in ozone research should enable the development of highly specific and sensitive molecular markers for biomonitoring ozone-induced injuries in plants.


Transcranial Doppler is an ultrasonic technique, which demonstrates the blood flow velocity in the intracranial arteries. Functional Transcranial Doppler (fTCD) is a method of comparing the cerebral blood flow velocities of different arteries demonstrated simultaneously in both hemispheres. The examination is performed before and after fulfilling certain motor and sensory functions and execution of cognitive tasks. The rationale behind this method is discussed as it is applied in each of those functions. It must be stressed that there is a different role of the fTCD in the anterior vs the posterior circulation systems. Whereas many studies prove good efficacy with use of middle cerebral artery and anterior cerebral artery method, the role of the vertebrobasilar system method is unclear. In addition, although visual functions can be demonstrated well by examination of the posterior cerebral arteries, only few evidences of efficacy were published concerning vertebral and basilar artery functions. However, fTCD is useful, easy to perform and presents a very cost effective method for demonstration of cerebral blood flow changes during and after completing cognitive and motor tasks. The tests can be used in healthy persons, as well as in patients with neurological diseases and during rehabilitation period.


The goal of the propulsion community is to have the enabling propulsion technologies in place to permit a low risk decision regarding the initiation of a research STOVL supersonic attack fighter aircraft in the mid-1990's. This technology will effectively integrate, enhance, and extend the supersonic cruise, STOVL, and fighter/attack programs to enable U.S. industry to develop a revolutionary supersonic short takeoff vertical landing fighter/attack aircraft in the post-ATF period. The rationale, methods, and criteria used in developing a joint NASA Lewis and NASA Ames research program to develop the technology element for integrated flight propulsion control through integrated methodologies is presented. This program, the Supersonic STOVL integrated Flight Propulsion Controls Program, is part of the overall NASA Lewis Supersonic STOVL integrated approach to an integrated program to achieve integrated flight propulsion control technology.


In just eleven years, 1962-1973, adjustable-speed drives based on the SCR have progressed from zero to perhaps 80 percent of the market. Their real advantages are incontestable, high performance, efficiency, and reliability versus low cost, weight, size, and maintenance. But compatibility of the SCR drives with the ac line has become a live subject, to be covered in three parts in this paper. 1) AC line disturbance discusses the effects of the SCR drives on the ac line. 2) Short-circuit protection describes the adverse effects large power systems can have on SCR drives unless proper precautions are taken. 3) Isolation by means of a transformer is sometimes desirable to minimize these effects.


We are building a series of custom casual games to support teaching and learning of introductory programming (CS1/2) concepts with a focus on ease of adoption. Our games are innovative twists on popular casual genres, and each game is designed explicitly for teaching specific programming concepts (e.g., conditionals, arrays). Based on these games, faculty can explain and students can explore CS1/2 concepts through engaging gameplay mechanics by working with a simple Application Programming Interface (API) defined for each game. Faculty can construct small and fun games to demonstrate concepts while students can exercise their own understanding and creativity by customizing the game and making it their own. To verify the effectiveness and to ensure educational objectives can be accomplished, sample teaching materials have been developed using these APIs. To support selective adoption of the materials by faculty, the games are well-encapsulated and completely independent from one another. To ensure fun and engaging experiences for students, each game is designed, built, and play tested almost entirely by undergraduate students. Based on two completed games and the associated teaching materials, feedback from novice student programmers indicates that the games are engaging and the associated APIs are straightforward to use. This paper presents our motivation and process for building casual games, and discusses the API development and results.


CaLIPSO project is an innovative {\gamma} detector concept using trimethylbismuth as sensitive medium in a liquid ionization chamber. The detector, designed for high precision brain PET imaging, works as a time-projection chamber and detects both ionization and Cherenkov light signals. In order to characterize the detector, we measured the free ion yield of trimethylbismuth and tetramethylsilane, used as a reference liquid, by measuring the current induced by a $^{60}$Co source in an ionization chamber. We measured a zero-field free ion yield of $0.53 \pm 0.03$ for tetramethylsilane, in agreement with measurements in literature. For trimethylbismuth, the zero-field free ion yield is $0.083 \pm 0.003$, which is a factor 7 lower than the typical values for similar dielectric liquids. Quantum chemical computations on heavy atoms tend to demonstrate a high capacity of TMBi to capture electrons which could explain the discrepancy. The consequences of a low free ion yield in terms of {\gamma} detection and brain PET imaging are finally discussed.


Objectives: Delirium is a highly prevalent syndrome of acute brain dysfunction among critically ill patients that has been linked to multiple risk factors, such as age, preexisting cognitive impairment, and use of sedatives; but to date, the relationship between race and delirium is unclear. We conducted this study to identify whether African-American race is a risk factor for developing ICU delirium. Design: A prospective cohort study. Setting: Medical and surgical ICUs of a university-affiliated, safety net hospital in Indianapolis, IN. Patients: A total of 2,087 consecutive admissions with 1,008 African Americans admitted to the ICU services from May 2009 to August 2012. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Incident delirium was defined as first positive Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU result after an initial negative Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU; and prevalent delirium was defined as positive Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU on first Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU assessment. The overall incident delirium rate in African Americans was 8.7% compared with 10.4% in Caucasians (p = 0.26). The prevalent delirium rate was 14% in both African Americans and Caucasians (p = 0.95). Significant age and race interactions were detected for incident delirium (p = 0.02) but not for prevalent delirium (p = 0.3). The hazard ratio for incident delirium for African Americans in the 18–49 years age group compared with Caucasians of similar age was 0.4 (0.1–0.9). The hazard and odds ratios for incident and prevalent delirium in other groups were not different. Conclusions: African-American race does not confer any additional risk for developing incident or prevalent delirium in the ICU. Instead, younger African Americans tend to have lower rates of incident delirium compared with Caucasians of similar age.


The potential of wetland rice in Malinau District is important to manage so that the results are optimal. Increasing rice production and productivity in addition to extensification can also be done with intensification programs. The production of lowland rice is inseparable from various factors such as farming technology, the availability of superior seeds, the carrying capacity of irrigation facilities and what is equally important is the way to cultivate the community. A good combination between modern agricultural technology and the noble values of locality must be formulated appropriately so that agricultural progress and natural sustainability can be realized in a balanced and sustainable manner. This research was conducted with qualitative methods so that researchers were able to fully and comprehensively describe the phenomenon under study. So that in the end it can produce meaningful and useful findings for the development of rice paddy agriculture and food security in the Malinau District area. This research focused on the practice of local wisdom in cultivating lowland rice in Malinau District, the impact of the practice of local wisdom in cultivating wetland rice to increase rice production to support regional food security. The research has the following conclusions, namely: 1) Local wisdom practices in farming paddy fields in the village of SapiPulauMentarang Sub-district Malinau Regency is still preserved through the planting season and the use of infrastructure, starting from the process of land preparation, preparation and seed planting, to harvest. 2) The impact of the practice of local wisdom in cultivating wetland rice to increase the production and productivity of rice plants to support regional food security seen from the level of availability of rice grain, and farmers' perceptions of the level of agricultural production. If the potential of local wisdom to cultivate wetland rice can be developed well then it can be one way to sustain and increase rice production and productivity in Malinau on an ongoing basis.


A number of comments are included which will provide the reader with new insights about feeding antennas over soil and, generally, feeding antennas against limited ground planes. Trainotti (see ibid., vol.35, p.47-50, 1993, vol.38, p.75-82, 1996, and IEEE Trans. on Broadcasting, vol.37, no.3, p.106-14, 1991) has published a series of interesting papers that show by detailed numerical modeling and measurement) that an antenna system that employs a dipole-type vertical radiator can be used as a MF broadcast antenna, without the 120 buried-radial-wire ground system, which is traditionally used. Certainly this is true. The author's basic problem with the published work of Trainotti has to do with certain statements made that can be wrongly interpreted. The intention here is clarify his understanding of this antenna system. The comments from Trainotti are also included.


Non-mechanistic ecosystem models are employed in many ecological studies ranging from purely theoretical to data-driven ones. With such models in mind, we derive fundamental consistency criteria (axioms) from first principles. These particularly cover what we call clone consistency: The outcome does not change if a population is split into two with identical properties. We mathematically prove that, these axioms are fulfilled if and only if the model is based on linear combinations of powers of parameters and abundances. Using this insight, we formulate a framework that allows to quickly assess the consistency of existing models and to build new models. We demonstrate our approach by invalidating a data-based model proposed for polymicrobial urinary-tract infections and developing an alternative. We argue that our framework reveals implicit assumptions and informs the general modelling studies by narrowing the space of possible models or pointing to new forms of models.


OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of self-injury among adolescents aged 16-19 years and to indicate demographic variable, selected environmental variables and risky behaviours coexisting with performing self-injuries by the respondents.

METHODS
The research encompassed 5,685 individuals, aged 16-19 years. During the research the Questionnaire designed by the authors was used.

RESULTS
Significant statistical differences were found between the number of adolescents performing self-injury and those who do not perform it, who use psychoactive agents, make suicide attempts, get drunk, run away from home, report conflicts with their parents, experience parental violence and peer violence and report alcohol addictions by family members.

CONCLUSIONS
1. Self-injury is performed by 14% of adolescents aged 16-19 years, significantly more girls than boys. 2. Significantly more adolescents who perform self-injury, as compared to those who do not do it, use psychoactive substances, get drunk, report planning suicide, neglect school and more often consume alcohol. 3. Significantly more adolescents who perform self-injury, as compared to those who do not perform it, raised in a single parent family inform about alcohol addiction of a family member, conflicts with parents and the experienced psychological and physical violence experienced from their parents and peers. Significantly more girls who perform self-injury, as compared to those who do not perform it, experienced sexual abuse. 4. Performing self-injury by adolescents coexists with factors motivating to this type of behaviours: sense of helplessness, rejection, loneliness, sense of guilt, anger, impulsiveness, desire for revenge, school problems, conflicts with parents and peers.


The impact of water on food thermodynamics and physics, and therefore on its quality, is more important than any other food chemical component. When fundamentals of chemical kinetics apply, the rates of the reactions that are responsible of food quality decay can be described as a function of food composition and of other external elements interacting with foods. Among them, water activity and water content have been widely used to determine the role of water in the kinetic reactions of deterioration. Recently, researchers have found limitations in using the water activity parameter. According to them, the role of water in foods can be better described by evaluating the role in the stability of the quality attributes of the non-equilibrium states of amorphous food products. Following this approach, the dynamics of the changes are described in kinetics terms and can be efficiently better predicted by the glass transition temperature more than by the water activity. The glass transition, which is a second order transition in amorphous materials from the glassy to the rubbery state, is primarily dependent on water which is a plasticizer and is responsible for the physical state of multiphase systems (as foods are) together with the temperature. The subject of the role of water in the decay of food quality will be presented in this paper according to the principles of food material science.


The first case of juvenile idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis is reported. The disease is a well-recognized entity characterized by nonspecific retroperitoneal inflammation and fibrosis of unknown etiology. Fibrotic involvement of the ureters frequently leads to hydronephrosis.


This paper is a continuation of the author's previous work, where we studied the variation of the number of isomorphic classes of $G_{\mathbb{Q}}$-stable lattices in p-adic families of residually reducible ordinary Galois representations. In this paper, we study the number of isomorphic classes of $G_{\mathbb{Q}}$-stable free lattices in a residually reducible Hida deformation and the variation of their related two-variable algebraic $p$-adic $L$-functions. This result gives an answer of a question asked by Ochiai.


Tokamak stability to, potentially explosive, `ballooning' displacements of elliptical magnetic flux tubes is examined in large aspect ratio equilibrium. Above a critical pressure gradient the energy stored in the plasma may be lowered by finite (but not infinitesimal) displacements of such tubes (metastability). Above a higher pressure gradient, the linear stability boundary, such tubes are linearly and nonlinearly unstable. The flux tube displacement can be of the order of the pressure gradient scale length. Plasma transport from displaced flux tubes may result in rapid loss of confinement.


The main objectives of this study are: (1) to quantify the amounts of both trade creation and trade diversion in each of the countries involved, (2) to explain why the effects especially in Jordan have been much larger than one might have expected and seemingly larger than those in Egypt even though Egypt may have had a stronger comparative advantage in such exports than Jordan, and (3) to identify and explain those effects other than on trade, such as in attracting FDI, developing local entrepreneurship, encouraging female labor force participation, developing linkages to firms outside the QIZ and on broader trade and industrial policies. We shall also try to identify policy and other changes that might have allowed these effects to be more positive and stronger than they actually were. Because of the longer experience with the Jordanian QIZs, somewhat more emphasis is placed on the Jordanian data and more detailed statistical analysis were possible. But the Egyptian case is also illustrative, especially for looking at the differential benefits on firms of different size, diversity and sophistication of product lines and benefits accruing to Egypt from attracting Turkish investments.


In the past few years the introduction of the cancer stem cells (CSCs) notion opened new perspectives for the diagnosis and cure of solid tumors. According to this theory, CSCs originate from mutated stem cells, maintaining the self-renewal and differentiative abilities. Therefore, the development of specific therapies targeted at CSCs holds hope for improvement of survival and quality of life of cancer patients. Actually, no informations are available about stem cells and cancer stem cells on pituitary tumours. This work depicts some essential features of stem cells isolated from pituitary adenomas. Six tumour biopsies (3: GH-secreting; 3: non secreting) were collected and cultured with a specific culture medium. Cell growth and morphology were monitored and cells were subjected to analyses for stemness determination (immunophenotype, gene expression and differentiative potential) [1, 2] and GH secretion. Cells showed a stem-like immunophenotype, the expression of Oct-4, Sox-2, Nanog and Klf-4 and the ability to differentiate towards osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages. The hormone secretion ended after two weeks culturing. Even if further studies are needed for the fully comprehension of the specific nature of these cells and on their role on tumour onset and maintenance, this study opens to the possibility of isolation of stem cells from pituitary tumour, allowing a molecular targeting of it. This work was supported by grant FIRB-RBAP10MLK7_003 from Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Universita e della Ricerca, Rome, Italy


The present study addresses the question of what kind of ships existed that are mentioned in the Rigveda and for what purpose the (semi-) nomadic Ṛgvedic people used it. After all, the word nāu- f. "ship" is attested in the Rigveda with many of the passages, about a quarter of those found for ratha- m., "chariot". While Wilson, Lassen and Buhler still assumed oceangoing vessels, the prevailing opinion of Western Indology views the Rigvedic naus as small rowing boats or punts, used to cross the numerous Panjab rivers (Klaus, Wasserfahrzeuge, 1989, p. 26). The mention of the miraculous ship of the two Aśvin – flown by self-hitched birds or equipped with a hundred oars – by which they rescued Bhujyu from marine distress, is relegated to the realm of fable and myth (e.g. Luders p.110f, Zeller p. 67ff, Gotō p. 264ff). An examination of all relevant passages of Ṛgvedic nāu, however, shows that the Vedic people used the naus to cross rivers; and also that this involved, in part, larger vessels, by which one could transport collapsible chariots and dwellings as well as many people over the sometimes very wide Panjab rivers. (...)


The study examines private sector participation in secondary education in Nigeria and its implications for national development. The population consisted all the providers and recipients of private secondary education in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Simple random sampling was used to select 200 providers and recipients of private secondary education across the six Area Councils in the FCT. An instrument designated Private Sector Participation in Secondary Education (PSPSE) was used to collect data. The data were analysed using Chi-Square method to test for the acceptance or rejection of the study hypotheses. The findings revealed that the academic performance of students in private secondary schools is better than the academic performance of students in public secondary schools. The study further revealed that private secondary schools have better infrastructure than public secondary schools in Nigeria, but private secondary schools contribute less to the development of human resources than public schools in Nigeria. Recommendations are proffered to make private secondary education more viable and responsive to the needs of the society.


Graphs are ubiquitous in encoding relational information of real-world objects in many domains. Graph generation, whose purpose is to generate new graphs from a distribution similar to the observed graphs, has received increasing attention thanks to the recent advances of deep learning models. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive review on the existing literature of deep graph generation from a variety of emerging methods to its wide application areas. Specifically, we first formulate the problem of deep graph generation and discuss its difference with several related graph learning tasks. Secondly, we divide the state-of-the-art methods into three categories based on model architectures and summarize their generation strategies. Thirdly, we introduce three key application areas of deep graph generation. Lastly, we highlight challenges and opportunities in the future study of deep graph generation. We hope that our survey will be useful for researchers and practitioners who are interested in this exciting and rapidly-developing field.


The possible propagation of solitary waves in a one-dimensional array of inductively coupled Chua's circuits is considered. We show that in the long-wave limit, the problem can be reduced to the analysis of the homoclinic orbits of a dynamical system described by three coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations modeling the individual dynamics of a single Chua's circuit. Analytical, numerical, and experimental results concerning the bifurcations associated with the appearance of homoclinic orbits and thus with the propagation of solitary waves are provided. >


A physically based comparison between hot-carrier and ionizing radiation stress in BJTs is presented. Although both types of stress lead to qualitatively similar changes in the current gain of the device, the physical mechanisms responsible for the degradation are quite different. In the case of hot-carrier stress the damage is localized near the emitter-base junction, which causes the excess base current to have an ideality factor of two. For ionizing radiation stress, the damage occurs along all oxide-silicon interfaces, which causes the excess base current to have an ideality factor between one and two for low total doses of ionizing radiation, but an ideality factor of two for large total doses. The different physical mechanisms that apply for each type of stress imply that improvement in resistance to one type of stress does not necessarily imply improvement in resistance to the other type of stress. Based on the physical model, implications for correlating and comparing hot-carrier-induced and ionizing-radiation-induced damage are discussed. >


Two general strategies exist for the growth and survival of prokaryotes in environments of elevated osmolarity. The 'salt in cytoplasm' approach, which requires extensive structural modifications, is restricted mainly to members of the Halobacteriaceae. All other species have convergently evolved to cope with environments of elevated osmolarity by the accumulation of a restricted range of low molecular mass molecules, termed compatible solutes owing to their compatibility with cellular processes at high internal concentrations. Herein we review the molecular mechanisms governing the accumulation of these compounds, both in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, focusing specifically on the regulation of their transport/synthesis systems and the ability of these systems to sense and respond to changes in the osmolarity of the extracellular environment. Finally, we examine the current knowledge on the role of these osmostress responsive systems in contributing to the virulence potential of a number of pathogenic bacteria.


This paper presents the cost savings performance of two quality management (QM) organisation classified groups based on the intensity of QM being implemented, namely low intensive and high intensive. Data of this study were collected from 205 local authority managers in Malaysia. The issue of cost savings is topical to the current focus of many public organisations worldwide due to the scarcity of funds available and expectation of the general public nowadays being higher than before. Although, QM has been discussed for years as an effective cost savings strategy, this strategy is not free from critics, mostly from those who are sceptical toward the potential attached to QM. Among the criticism appearing in the literature is that the implementation of QM requires a huge fund and the cost benefit of its implementation is less visible. After years of QM being introduced into the Malaysian public service, issue of its implementation deserve attention from scholars. The reported findings indicated that QM organisations achieve different cost savings performance subject to the intensity of its implementation. Therefore, the outcome of this study suggested managers of QM organisations to intensify the practice of QM, so that the cost savings objective would be attainable.


BACKGROUND
We examined the associations of the frequency and the need for medical treatment caused by work-related violence with adverse mental health among Finnish police officers (n = 1,734).

METHODS
The data were collected via a questionnaire.

RESULTS
Employees who had suffered more than one injury were at a 4.86-fold risk (95% CI = 2.72-8.66) of increased alcohol consumption, a 4.40-fold risk (95% CI = 2.87-6.76) of psychological distress symptoms, and a 2.49-fold risk (95% CI = 1.73-3.59) of fear of future violence compared to those who had suffered no injuries. Among those who had suffered injuries (n = 843), the need for medical treatment when injured was associated with a 2.33-fold risk (95% CI = 1.19-4.57) of psychological distress symptoms and with a 2.09-fold risk (95% CI = 1.08-4.03) of fear of future violence when compared to those who did not need medical care for their injury.

CONCLUSIONS
Among police officers, high frequency and the need for medical treatment of injuries is associated with an increased risk of adverse mental health. High frequency of injuries may also increase alcohol consumption among police officers.


Abstract Purpose: To compare the macroscopic and microscopic distributions of the novel non-toxic lipophilic porphyrins copper (II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(3-[1,2 dicarba-closo-dodecaboranyl]methoxyphenyl)-porphyrin (CuTCPH), potentially useful for boron neutron-capture therapy (BNCT), with those of its zinc fluorescent congener zinc (II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(3-[1,2 dicarba-closo-dodecaboranyl]methoxyphenyl)-porphyrin (ZnTCPH) in tissues of tumor-bearing mice. Materials and methods: ZnTCPH and CuTCPH were synthesized, then injected intraperitoneally (ip) into tumor-bearing mice. Macroscopic biodistribution was assessed by determining average boron concentrations in tumor, blood, brain, skin, and liver using atomic-emission spectrometry. The euthanized mice and their vital organs were photographed first under an ultraviolet lamp and then under a bright fluorescent lamp. Thin sections of liver and tumor were analyzed by confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM). Results: ZnTCPH-injected, but not CuTCPH-injected mice bearing subcutaneous tumors showed fluorescence from liver, spleen and tumors. Macrodistributions of boron in various tissues were similar in mice whether injected with ZnTCPH or CuTCPH. CFM of unfixed liver sections showed cytoplasmic fluorescence from Kupffer cells in a periportal lobular distribution evenly throughout the liver. In the tumors studied, such fluorescence was also cytoplasmic but unlike liver fluorescence, was macroscopically heterogeneous. Conclusion: ZnTCPH serves as a useful fluorescent experimental surrogate for CuTCPH to delineate its macroscopic and microscopic distributions in organs and tumors.


OSGi provides interoperability between hardware and software, and security for safe access in local network environments. Due to the complexity of service development in a home network environment, the usage of newly emerging sensors which generate real-time sensor data stream is steadily growing in the network, and OSGi application services are also increasing using those sensors. The researches to effectively process real-time sensor data stream generated by those sensors are going on, nowadays. In this paper, we propose OSGi application framework to effectively provide home network services by using real-time data stream in OSGi applications. The method of interoperability with ALE-compliant middleware is also proposed to process sensor data stream in a standardized method.


Hypertension and cardiovascular disease remain the major causes of premature morbidity and mortality. Following a diagnosis of hypertension, treatment with antihypertensive medication will almost invariably be lifelong. Even when prescribed treatment, many patients remain above blood pressure goals, and this is particularly common in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events due to the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes mellitus. An important cause of this failure is medication nonadherence, which is particularly common with treatments that have side-effects. Antihypertensive drugs do not make the patient feel better in the short term, but side-effects often occur immediately. The ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial (ONTARGET) is highly relevant to clinical practice because it demonstrated that the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) telmisartan is as effective as the proven angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril in preventing cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, while being better tolerated. Evidence of the advantages of telmisartan in the management of cardiovascular morbidity suggest, therefore, that it might be a better treatment option for hypertensive patients and that switching to generic ARBs may not always be best.


Published reports of massive or emergency transfusion protocols (MTP/ETPs) focus primarily on large trauma centers. There is little guidance available in the literature to assist nontrauma, hospital-based blood banks in the development of an MTP/ETP for occasional bleeding emergencies. Here, we describe the design of an MTP/ETP at the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven. The MTP/ETP consists of a protocolized distribution of red blood cells (RBCs), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets (PLTs), with cryoprecipitate and recombinant factor VIIa also available. In the first year of operation, the MTP/ETP was activated five times on five separate patients. All of the MTP/ETP patients received RBCs, FFP, and PLTs. Two out of five patients received cryoprecipitate. None of the patients received recombinant factor VIIa. Four of the five patients who underwent MTP/ETP survived at least 21 days following the event. A total of 2 units of FFP and 4 units of RBCs issued as a part of the MTP/ETP were wasted. The development of an MTP/ETP at our Veterans Affairs hospital helped to ensure that patients requiring massive transfusion received RBCs, FFP, and PLTs in a protocolized fashion as part of their resuscitation with relatively little product wastage.


Smith and Wilson (2019) posit that we self-regulate our actions to conform with what we believe is socially appropriate. The mechanism is Adam Smith's "Impartial Spectator," a fictitious individual constructed in the mind who helps us predict whether our actions and motivations will earn others' approval or disapproval. We hypothesize that financial reporting activates this mechanism and leads managers to take actions that are better aligned with investor interests. We test this hypothesis with an experiment where we manipulate the availability of a financial report that reveals earnings and assets, and thus the actions of the manager. Our evidence shows that financial reporting better aligns a manager's reinvestment and resource sharing actions with investor interests even though the investor can impose no cost or confer no reward on the manager. This effect is robust to giving the investor a right to dissolve the firm at any point and take a sizable portion of the assets. Our evidence is important because it suggests that at least part of financial reporting's economic value derives from implicating human moral thinking and feelings in addition to its traditional contracting function.


Coinfections between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory pathogens such as Aspergillus have become challenging, as well as being associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Aspergillus niger is a common environmental mold. Before the emergence of COVID-19, it was considered a very rare cause of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), occurring mainly in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to describe a very rare case of IPA caused by A. niger found in the oral cavity of a mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patient. A. niger detected in the gingival pocket was diagnosed earlier than in the bronchial lavage, and without treatment, passed into the lungs of the patient, causing serious complications. The swab from the oral cavity of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients can be a predictor of the subsequent severity of inflammatory lesions and the development of suspected IPA.


Criminal courts fundamentally provide a forum for conducting prosecutions with a guilty plea or a trial. At present, there is no generally accepted  methodology for estimating the monetary value of those services. The  purpose of this paper is to attempt to fill this gap by proposing a  methodology predicated on the joint optimising decisions of society and the defendant, who are the two stakeholders in any criminal case. The technique can also be potentially used to evaluate both theoretically and empirically the impact of court delay reduction programs on social welfare, and the specification of socially optimal court waiting times.


CD8 + T cells are crucial for host defense against pathogens and tumors. Upon, antigen recognition, CD8 + T cells proliferate and acquire effector functions. Effector CD8 + T cells require distinct costimulatory receptors at different differentiation stages that are involved in cell expansion, cytokine secretion and cytolytic activity. NKG2D is an activating costimulatory receptor of CD8 + T cells important for promoting effector responses of these cells to autoimmunity, virus infection and tumor immunity. CD8 + T cell responses are also counterbalanced by various suppressive immune factors such as TGF-β1 or CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells which plays a central role in maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance. We investigated whether NKG2D stimulation leads to induction of additional costimulatory receptors such as CD137 and CD30, which are important for the fate of effector functions and whether these NKG2D-mediated effects are affected by TGF-β1, using exclusively naive CD8 + T cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood. Following stimulation of NKG2D on naive CD8 + T cells with anti-NKG2D or co-culture with C1R and K562 tumor cell lines expressing MHC class I-related chain (MIC), a ligand for NKG2D, in the presence of anti-CD3, we examined induction profiles of CD137 and CD30, levels of granzyme B production, and cytotoxic activities against the tumor cell lines. Even though naive CD8 + T cells from umbilical cord blood are hyporesponsive to anti-CD3, costimulation of NKG2D readily activated CD8 + T cells and induced CD137 expression on cell surface. As a result of the NKG2D receptor ligation, NKG2D rapidly disappeared from the cell surface but gradually reappeared upon continuous CD3 stimulation. Unexpectedly, costimulation of CD137 with CD3 inhibited restoration of NKG2D on the surface of CD8 + T cells while further increasing CD137 expression by a positive feedback response. These CD137 + CD8 + T cells generated by NKG2D stimulation were potent in cytotoxicity and produced high levels of granzyme B in response to CD137 costimulation. NKG2D-induced CD137 expression was greatly compromised by TGF-β1. Unlike CD137, CD30, similar in molecular structure and belonging to the same TNF receptor family, was not induced by NKG2D stimulation. However, TGF-β1, which suppressed CD137 expression, appeared to be essential for NKG2D to induce CD30. TGF-β1 alone did not induce CD30 expression, suggesting TGF-β1 has a regulatory role for NKG2D in CD30 induction. Moreover, both CD30 and CD137 stimulation lowered effector functions compared to CD137 alone, suggesting that CD30 plays a negative role in CD137 costimulation. Our results suggest that a dichotomy between differential CD137 and CD30 induction on CD8 + T cells after NKG2D stimulation may be important for the ultimate fate of the effector functions. TGF-β1 may be involved in regulating NKG2D-mediated effects on effector CD8 + T cell development by induction of CD30 and reciprocal suppression of CD137 expression.


In this paper, a comprehensive system model is built to evaluate system performance for data services in CDMA networks. Unlike traditional analyses, we model both system capacity and traffic demands using stochastic processes. Call-level simulation is conducted based on the proposed analytical model. The simulation results show that stochastic traffic characteristics can affect the system performance significantly. Traffic correlation is beneficial for the same system load level. Moreover, the simulation results illustrate that using a simple activity factor to model the traffic process can cause capacity over estimation


This thesis describes the investigated effects of the level of dietary protein intake and the physiological condition of the animal on the percental oxidation of leucine. This measure reflects which part of the free leucine pool was used for protein and energy metabolism. The employed technique consisted of a constant infusion of 14 C-leucine and simultaneous collection of expired     14 CO 2 . The aim of the study was to identify the causes and objectives of amino acid losses and therefore the metabolic basis for their requirements. The percental oxidation of leucine was decreased in the postabsorptive state by chronic protein restriction, growth and pregnancy, and was increased by a period of fasting, meal frequency and exercise. The transition from the postabsorptive to the postprandial state caused an increase in expired 14 CO 2 . The percental oxidation in the postprandial state increased with the protein content of the meal. During different phases after the meal the percental oxidation was decreased by growth and pregnancy (2-4 h), chronic protein restriction (4-6 h), and training (6 h) and increased by the period of fasting (6 h). Several other aspects, such as the level of leucine intake, the use of tracer isotopomers, duration of tracer infusion, and the route of tracer administration were investigated. From these studies it was concluded that there is a large diurnal variation in amino acid losses, which have to be accounted for in the estimation of nutritional requirements.


This paper presents new protection concepts in distribution networks with dispersed energy resources (DER), based on the new standard for a substation automation system (SAS) IEC 61850. The idea and realisation of the new protection concept is implemented in the electronic-learning system for digital protection in the frame of teaching network protection.


The Poisson's ratio is one of the fundamental properties of any engineering material and presents an essential mechanical aspect of them. The mechanical properties of fabrics as the most common type fibrous materials, especially the Poisson's ratio, needs to be thoroughly studied. Sometimes the value of Poisson's ratio obtained for fabrics differs significantly from the other engineering materials, which results in the unique performance of fabrics when subjected to the tensile deformations. Besides, due to the nature and exclusive structure of fabrics compared to the other sheet materials, the measurement methods of Poisson's ratio and accuracy of the results have been always a matter that required special consideration. A detailed review of different measurement methods of the Poisson's ratio of fabrics and also the relationship between this property and other physical and mechanical characteristics can be useful for the continuation of researches in this field.


Second harmonic generation (SHG) is forbidden from most bulk metals because metals are characterized by centrosymmetric symmetry. Adsorption or desorption of molecules at the metal interface can break the symmetry and lead to SHG responses. Yet, the response is relatively low, and minute changes occurring at the interface, especially at solid/liquid interfaces, like in battery electrodes are difficult to assess. Herein, we use a plasmonic structure milled in a gold electrode to increase the overall SHG signal from the interface and gain information about small changes occurring at the interface. Using a specific homebuilt cell, we monitor changes at the liquid/electrode interface. Specifically, traces of water in dimethoxyethane (DME) have been detected following changes in the SHG responses from the plasmonic structures. We propose that by plasmonic structures this technique can be used for assessing minute changes occurring at solid/liquid interfaces such as battery electrodes.


Abstract: Both carbachol and bradykinin increased diacylglycerol formation in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. The effect of carbachol was apparent only in cells that had been treated with nerve growth factor. Incubation of the cells in Ca2+‐free medium attenuated carbachol‐stimulated diacylglycerol formation but did not reduce the response to bradykinin. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin did not affect either carbachol‐ or bradykinin‐stimulated diacylglycerol formation; therefore, the inhibitory guanine nucleotide Gi probably does not mediate this response. The time course of carbachol‐stimulated diacylglycerol accumulation did not coincide with the time course of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) production. IP3 was elevated at the earliest time measured, 15 s, and then slowly declined so that by 5 min IP3 levels were only 50% of maximal. Diacylglycerol levels, in contrast, were not elevated for the first 2 min and then peaked at 5 min. These data indicate that hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate was not the major source of the diacylglycerol peak at 5 min. To investigate the source of diacylglycerol, I examined the fatty acid composition of the diacylglycerol by prelabeling the cells with [3H]palmitic acid and [14C]stearic acid. The 14C/3H ratio in diacylglycerol should reflect the phospholipid(s) from which it is derived. The 14C/3H ratio of the increment in diacylglycerol produced by carbachol and bradykinin was intermediate between the 14C/3H ratios of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. The 14C/3H ratio in triacylglycerol was similar to that of phosphatidylcholine. These data indicate that carbachol and bradykinin stimulate the formation of diacylglycerol from sources other than inositol‐containing phospholipids; phosphatidylcholine and triacylglycerol are two possible sources of this diacylglycerol.


Inter-platform streaming multimedia between embedded systems has encountered the problem of head-of-line blocking and non-real-time transmission/receiving. When a mobile device in an embedded system moves between subnets, the node will face the handover problem. In this paper, we utilize Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) features to develop the multimedia communications including streaming multimedia and video/voice over IP based on Linux built in an embedded platform. In SCTP, the multi-homing feature enables the mobile node to handover seamlessly between networks. Also the multi-streaming enables data to be sent in multiple, independent streams in parallel, so that data loss in one stream does not affect the delivery of data in other streams to eliminate head-of-line blocking. Another feature Partially Reliable SCTP (PR-SCTP) is used to achieve the realtime video/audio services.


The International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV) is a leading roadmap in the PV community. Ever since its first edition has been published in 2010, the ITRPV has succeeded to provide the technology projections in crystalline silicon PV technology covering a wide scope in the PV value chain. The projection data obtained from contributing experts and institutions are processed and published by the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA). In this paper, the projection accuracy of each of eight frequently reported projected topics is studied. The projected topics include: (a) multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) wafer thickness, (b) mc-Si ingot mass, (c) bulk recombination current density, (d) emitter sheet resistance, (e) finger width, (f) silver amount per cell, (g) screen printing throughput rate, in addition (h) the market share of half cells is studied. The method includes the calculation of the deviation of each year's projection from the reference value for each of the chosen topics. Projection absolute percentage deviations (PAPD) are calculated as the time-dependent projection accuracy measure. Based on this approach, finger width projections show the highest accuracy by having a PAPD as a function of time accuracy slope of (1.5 ± 0.1) %/year. Half cells' market share is the least accurately projected topic featuring a PAPD accuracy slope as a function of time to be (8.1 ± 0.2) %/year. Results of the accuracy study (results of the "past") provide insights for future expected values.


Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians is a Gram-negative plant-associated bacterium that acts as causative agent of bacterial leaf spot and headrot in lettuce. The lipopolysaccharide of this bacterium is suspected to be an important molecule for adhesion to and infection of the plants. The lipopolysaccharide has been isolated from the phenol phase and the O-specific chain characterized by compositional analysis, high field NMR and MALDI-TOF MS. It consists of a nonrepetitive branched polysaccharide with a rhamnan backbone to which Fuc3NAc is linked. The NMR and MS approach led to the characterization of the fine structure of the polymer, which is randomly assembled. The rhamnan backbone is built up of beta-Rhap and alpha-Rhap, this last is present in one, two or three adjacent units and branched by an alpha-Fucp3NAc unit. This is a real case of a random constituted O-specific chain, therefore biosynthetic studies towards the comprehension of this irregular biosynthesis are needed.


Tooth enamel is composed of nano-scale, needle-like biological apatite crystallites. These crystallites constitute the enamel prisms. The generally accepted Meckel's model of arrangement of crystallites in enamel prism might be slightly revised according to the variations in tooth enamel chemical composition and structures. An x-ray diffraction method was proposed to survey the three-dimensional crystallite orientation instead of electron microscopy. Preliminary results showed clear difference in the convergence and broadening of enamel crystallite orientations of human tooth enamel. This method has high potential in analyzing partial deviation in crystallite orientation as well as easy sample preparation and operation.


Researchers up to date have introduced several Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques with varying advantages and drawbacks for each. Satellite positioning systems (GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO) based techniques proved to be promising, especially for high natural period structures. Particularly, the GPS has proved sufficient performance and reasonable accuracy in tracking real time dynamic displacements of flexible structures independent of atmospheric conditions, temperature variations and visibility of the monitored object. Tall structures are particularly sensitive to oscillations produced by different sources of dynamic actions; such as typhoons. Wind forces induce in the structure both longitudinal and perpendicular displacements with respect to the wind direction, resulting in torsional effects, which are usually more complex to be detected. To efficiently track the horizontal rotations of the in-plane sections of such flexible structures, two main issues have to be considered: a suitable sensor topology (i.e., location, installation, and combination of sensors), and the methodology used to process the data recorded by sensors. This paper reports the contributions of the measurements recorded from dual frequency GPS receivers and uni-axial accelerometers in a full-scale experimental campaign. The Canton tower in Guangzhou-China is the case study of this research, which is instrumented with a long-term structural health monitoring system deploying both accelerometers and GPS receivers. The elaboration of combining the obtained rather long records provided by these two types of sensors in detecting the torsional behavior of the tower under ambient vibration condition and during strong wind events is discussed in this paper. Results confirmed the reliability of GPS receivers in obtaining the dynamic characteristics of the system, and its ability to capture the torsional response of the tower when used alone or when they are combined with accelerometers integrated data.


Diffuse astrocytic gliomas and their most common and aggressive representation, glioblastoma (GBM), which as per the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines is an isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wildtype without alteration in histone 3 and has glomeruloid vascular proliferation, tumor necrosis, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification, or +7/−10 chromosome copy-number changes, are fast-growing tumors with a dismal patient prognosis. Herein, we present cases of a 63-year-old male who, despite no evidence of tumor growth, developed a 6-cm tumor, histologically verified as GBM, WHO CNS grade 4, within eight months, and a 74-year-old female in whom a 1.5-cm tumor grew to 43 mm within 28 days, once again histologically confirmed as GBM, WHO CNS grade 4. Other studies using previous WHO guidelines and including up to 106 cases have shown that these tumors have a daily growth rate of 1.4% and can double their size in a period varying from two weeks to 49.6 days. These growth rates further underline the need for extensive surgical resection as disease progression is rapid, with studies reporting that resection of more than 85% of the tumor volume determined on neuroradiology improves survival compared to biopsy or limited resection and resection of more than 98% of the tumor volume statistically improves patient survival.


One of the most important physiological roles of brain astrocytes is the maintenance of extracellular K+ concentration by adjusting the K+ influx and K+ efflux. The inwardly rectifying K+ channel Kir4.1 has been identified as an important member of K+ channels and is highly concentrated in glial endfeet membranes. Aquaporin (AQP) 4 is another abundantly expressed molecule in astrocyte endfeet membranes. We examined the ultrastructural localization of Kir4.1, AQP4, α1-syntrophin, and β-spectrin molecules to understand the functional role(s) of Kir4.1 and AQP4. Immunogold electron microscopy of these molecules showed that the signals of these molecules were present along the plasma membranes of astrocyte endfeet. Double immunogold electron microscopy showed frequent co-localization in the combination of molecules of Kir4.1 and AQP4, Kir4.1 and α1-syntrophin, and AQP4 and α1-syntrophin, but not those of AQP4 and β-spectrin. Our results support biochemical evidence that both Kir4.1 and AQP4 are associated with α1-syntrophin by way of postsynaptic density-95, Drosophila disc large protein, and the Zona occludens protein I protein-interaction domain. Co-localization of AQP4 and Kir4.1 may indicate that water flux mediated by AQP4 is associated with K+ siphoning.


J.R. Morris Physics Department, Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway, Gary, Indiana 46408, USA Abstract The possibility that the apparent anomalous acceleration of the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft may be due, at least in part, to a chameleon field effect is examined. A small spacecraft, with no thin shell, can have a more pronounced anomalous acceleration than a large compact body, such as a planet, having a thin shell. The chameleon effect seems to present a natural way to explain the differences seen in deviations from pure Newtonian gravity for a spacecraft and for a planet, and appears to be compatible with the basic features of the Pioneer anomaly, including the appearance of a jerk term. However, estimates of the size of the chameleon effect indicate that its contribution to the anomalous acceleration is negligible. We conclude that any inverse-square component in the anomalous acceleration is more likely caused by an unmodelled reaction force from solar-radiation pressure, rather than a chameleon field effect.


block method based on Backward Differentiation Formulae (BDF) of variable step size for solving first order stiff initial value problems (IVPs) for Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs). In a 2-point Block Backward Differentiation Formula (BBDF), two solution values are produced simultaneously. Plots of their regions of absolute stability for the method are also presented. The efficiency of the 2-point BBDF is compared with variable step variable order non block BDF (NBDF) method. Numerical results indicate that the resulting 2-point BBDF method outperform the NBDF method in both execution time and accuracy.


The use of low frequency waves is the most practical means to investigate nonlinear elastic properties of hysteretic media, such as the strain dependence of wave velocity. Indeed, the rapid increase in damping as a function of frequency makes high frequency waves unable to provide sufficient strain energy to successfully excite nonlinearity. The drawback is that low frequency waves are not suitable for imaging, due to their long wavelength and resulting intrinsic averaging of nonlinear effects over large spatial scales. To address this, we propose here an amplitude modulation of swept sources that allows us to correlate the frequency at which harmonics are detected with the position of the source of nonlinearity, taking advantage of the different strain distributions in the sample at different frequencies.


Purpose
For many Indigenous nations globally, ethics is a conversation. The purpose of this paper is to share and mobilize knowledge to build relationships and capacities regarding the ethics review and approval of research with Indigenous peoples throughout Atlantic Canada. The authors share key principles that emerged for shifting practices that recognize Indigenous rights holders through ethical research review practice.

Design/methodology/approach
The NunatuKavut Inuit hosted and led a two-day gathering on March 2019 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, to promote a regional dialogue on Indigenous Research Governance. It brought together Indigenous Nations within the Atlantic Region and invited guests from institutional ethics review boards and researchers in the region to address the principles-to-policy-to-practice gap as it relates to the research ethics review process. Called "Naalak", an Inuktitut word that means "to listen and to pay close attention", the gathering created a dynamic moment of respect and understanding of how to work better together and support one another in research with Indigenous peoples on Indigenous lands.

Findings
Through this process of dialogue and reflection, emergent principles and practices for "good" research ethics were collectively identified. Open dialogue between institutional ethics boards and Indigenous research review committees acknowledged past and current research practices from Indigenous peoples' perspectives; supported and encouraged community-led research; articulated and exemplified Indigenous ownership and control of data; promoted and practiced ethical and responsible research with Indigenous peoples; and supported and emphasized rights based approaches within the current research regulatory system. Key principles emerged for shifting paradigms to honour Indigenous rights holders through ethical research practice, including: recognizing Indigenous peoples as rights holders with sovereignty over research; accepting collective responsibility for research in a "good" way; enlarging the sphere of ethical consideration to include the land; acknowledging that "The stories are ours" through Indigenous-led (or co-led) research; articulating relationships between Indigenous and Research Ethics Board (REB) approvals; addressing justice and proportionate review of Indigenous research; and, means of identifying the Indigenous governing authority for approving research.

Research limitations/implications
Future steps (including further research) include pursuing collective responsibilities towards empowering Indigenous communities to build their own consensus around research with/in their people and their lands. This entails pursuing further understanding of how to move forward in recognition and respect for Indigenous peoples as rights holders, and disrupting mainstream dialogue around Indigenous peoples as "stakeholders" in research.

Practical implications
The first step in moving forward in a way that embraces Indigenous principles is to deeply embed the respect of Indigenous peoples as rights holders across and within REBs. This shift in perspective changes our collective responsibilities in equitable ways, reflecting and respecting differing impetus and resources between the two parties: "equity" does imply "equality". Several examples of practical changes to REB procedures and considerations are detailed.

Social implications
What the authors have discovered is that it is not just about academic or institutional REB decolonization: there are broad systematic issues at play. However, pursuing the collective responsibilities outlined in our paper should work towards empowering communities to build their own consensus around research with/in their people and their lands. Indigenous peoples are rights holders, and have governance over research, including the autonomy to make decisions about themselves, their future, and their past.

Originality/value
The value is in its guidance around how authentic partnerships can develop that promote equity with regard to community and researcher and community/researcher voice and power throughout the research lifecycle, including through research ethics reviews that respect Indigenous rights, world views and ways of knowing. It helps to show how both Indigenous and non-Indigenous institutions can collectively honour Indigenous rights holders through ethical research practice.


ABSTRACT The purpose of Mindfulness is to arouse conscious attention in the present moment and so to achieve higher levels of physical and mental wellbeing. Its study and implementation has had therapeutic purposes in clinical settings, but it is something new in educational settings. In this paper the methodology of the ".b" is described, which used Mindfulness techniques with high school students. It consists of nine sessions where activities are performed to help keep the focus on body sensations in different situations –at breathe, eat, sit, and lie down or walk–. The material consists of sheets, who train a scattered mind, calm, recognition of negativity and concern and how to live with the difficulties without rejecting them. A review of studies about the implementation of Mindfulness programs obtains very positive results in personal and academic student development. Teachers have also shown decreased exhaustion, increase of compassion, improvements in the classroom organization, on team tasks and on interactions with students. Its implementation in schools is more effective among high-risk students, with a long-term practice, with the involvement and when teachers are trained and maintain continuity in their own practice. To ensure the success and quality of these programs, it is opts for a quality and applicable research –high number of participants, involving of the entire educational community, longitudinal results comparison in different countries and cultures, and the creation of specific instruments for each program–.


This brief explores variations in state Medicaid programs. It concludes that the federal matching formula, which provides more generous matching funds for poorer than for richer states, reduces
interstate disparities. The brief finds that long-term care expenditures vary to a greater degree than acute care spending; the greatest state-to-state variation in Medicaid spending is the use of the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program; and high-spending states tend to have higher per capita incomes and thus lower federal matching contributions.


Abstract : This report summarizes sources of geologic and hydrologic information useful to water managers and others involved in the investigation, appraisal, development, and protection of ground-water resources in Rhode Island. The geographic scope of the report includes Rhode Island and small adjoining areas of Massachusetts and Connecticut, where drainage basins are shared with these States. The information summarized is found in maps and reports prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey and published by either the U.S. Geological Survey or by the State of Rhode Island. Information sources are presented in maps and tables.


Abstract. The adults of the frog Atelognathus patagonicus display phenotypic plasticity and two morphotypes, namely, "aquatic" and "littoral", and the transition from one to the other is a reversible way of adapting to different environments. The aquatic form lives underwater associated with vegetation and rocks and has lateral skin folds and interdigital membranes. Otherwise, the littoral form lives up to a few kilometers away from the water and does not have bagginess and the interdigital membranes are reduced. Considering that morphology and function of the visual system and skin composition are characters highly associated with habitat conditions, we performed a histological comparison of the eye and skin of both aquatic and littoral morphotypes of A. patagonicus. The aquatic morphotype A. patagonicus does not have an evident character that improves vision underwater, suggesting that clues for subaquatic life could not be only visual. However, the eyelid of the littoral morph has more mucous glands than that of the aquatic morph, which is consistent with the mucus secretion of these glands and its association with terrestrial environments. Also, the skin littoral morph is more keratinized and thicker than the aquatic one, which helps to prevent desiccation. Finally, the lateral skin of the aquatic morph is highly vascularized, suggesting an increase in cutaneous respiration. This work is a starting point for understanding, in an integrative way, the different mechanisms and systems modifications in the water–land transition of A. patagonicus.


Background The importance of martial arts in physical development of children and youth is confirmed by extensive scientific research. The main advantages of martial arts are not however, limited only to the biological sphere. They are highly assessed primarily for mental values, the pedagogical ones as well as the utilitarian ones. Hence the main cognitive aspect of the study was to find out opinions of future physical education (PE) teachers on the issue of significance of martial arts in widely understood PE of children and youth. Material/Methods: 225 students of the first year at the PE Faculty at the Academy of Physical Education and Sport (AWFiS) in Gdańsk, Poland were involved in the study. Among the studied subjects 75% practise or have practised sport at the competitive level. The subjects realised a full-time programme of studies. A diagnostic survey with the application of the authors' own questionnaire was the basic study tool. The questionnaire was anonymous and consisted of the so-called certificate and two parts. The first part of the questionnaire regarded the significance of martial arts in PE of children and youth. The second part regarded the assessment of the organisation and conduct of classes. Results: Students at AWFiS highly assess educational values of martial arts. A vast majority of the respondents (95%) think that elements of martial arts should be applied in the process of PE of children and youth. Fun forms of fight and shaping exercises with a partner proved especially attractive in the respondents' opinions. The respondents also indicate the high meritorious level of the classes (98%). They regard particularly highly the punctuality or starting and ending the class, teachers' objectivity and the clarity of realised aims. Conclusions: Therefore, one may suppose that, knowing the usual values of martial arts, prospective, well-educated teachers will actively include them in the syllabus of a PE class. Yet, until these sports are in the basic curriculum at Academies of Physical Education, such a claim with only remain a hypothesis.


Researchers have recently shown that penalized models perform well when applied to high-throughput genomic data. Previous researchers introduced the generalized monotone incremental forward stagewise (GMIFS) method for fitting overparameterized logistic regression models. The GMIFS method was subsequently extended by others for fitting several different logit link ordinal response models to high-throughput genomic data. In this study, we further extended the GMIFS method for ordinal response modeling using a complementary log-log link, which allows one to model discrete survival data. We applied our extension to a publicly available microarray gene expression dataset (GSE53733) with a discrete survival outcome. The dataset included 70 primary glioblastoma samples from patients of the German Glioma Network with long-, intermediate-, and short-term overall survival. We tested the performance of our method by examining the prediction accuracy of the fitted model. The method has been implemented as an addition to the ordinalgmifs package in the R programming environment.


The indirect sinus lift is a procedure to lift the augment/regenerate alveolar bone in atrophied residual maxillary posterior alveolar crest . The posterior maxilla is always considered as difficult site for the placement of implant than the mandible due to the presence of various anatomical land mark such as maxillary sinus. The anatomical structure of maxillary sinus often makes every dental implant surgeons a challenge task in placement of endosteal implants in the chronic atrophic maxilla and difficulty in osseointegration and further functional and aesthetic implant supported prosthesis. Various techniques in sinus lifting procedure enables the additional anchorage and stability in implants placed support in maxillary segments in with atrophic ridges and pneumatic sinuses. Lack of sufficient bone height along maxillary sinus poses significant difficulty for placement of implants in edentulous maxillary jaw. Minimally invasive sinus augmentation is an effective solution for this problem. In 1960 Boyne introduced sinus lift through lateral access which was initially used as a pre-prosthetic procedure for removable complete dentures purpose. In 1980 Boyne and James used the bone created by sinus lift procedures to place implants. In pursuit of less invasive techniques , in 1994 Summer's explained a technique which offers access to sinus floor through residual alveolar crest. Using the elasticity of bone, floor dilatation of sinus was performed to increase the length of implants .


Results of detailed investigations of the performance and reliability of digital bipolar and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits over the 25-340°C range are reported. Included in these results are both parametric variation information and analysis of the functional failure mechanisms. Although most of the work was done using commercially available circuits (TTL and CMOS) and test chips from commercially compatible processes, some results from experimental simulations of dielectrically isolated CMOS are also discussed. In general, it was found that commercial Schottky-clamped transistor-transistor logic (TTL) and dielectrically isolated, low power Schottky-clamped TTL functioned to junction temperatures in excess of 325°C. Standard gold-doped TTL functioned only to 250°C, while commercial isolated integrated injection logic (l2L) functioned to the range of 250-275°C. Commercial junction-isolated CMOS, buffered and unbuffered, functioned to the range of 280-310+°C, depending on the manufacturer. Experimental simulations of simple dielectrically isolated CMOS integrated circuits, fabricated with heavier doping levels than normal, functioned to temperatures in excess of 340°C. High temperature life testing of experimental, silicone-encapsulated simple TTL and CMOS integrated circuits have shown no obvious lifelimiting problems to date. No barrier to reliable functionality of TTL bipolar or CMOS integrated circuits at temperatures in excess of 300°C has been found.


GAN tumors are rare and their diagnosis and distinction from other gastrointestinal stromal tumors is based on electron microscopy findings. Although no specific distinctive diagnostic imaging features are seen, this diagnosis should be considered when a large solid mass adjacent to a bowel loop shows the presence of air.


Every company wants a high profit. This will increase sales growth. However, growth is not always profitable. If too fast the growth can put enormous pressure on the resources of the company. Whereas if the growth is too slow, the company considered less take the financial potential of existing firms. Therefore, the concept of sustainable growth rate can be sized for a maximum level of sales could rise without the company running out of financial resources. This study aims to empirically examine the effect of performance (ROA and price-to-book ratio), liquidity (current ratio and acid ratio) and stock returns to the deviation of actual growth rate of sustainable growth rate. This study uses multiple regression analysis with a sample of 49 companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) of the years 2009-2011. The results indicate that some determinants such as ROA, current ratio and acid ratio affect of the deviation of actual growth rate of sustainable growth rate. However, other factors, such as price to book ratio and stock return do not explain market value influence to the deviation of actual growth rate of sustainable growth rate because it represents fluctuations in the demand-supply company's stock price rather than the performance.


Organizations involved in supply chain management face increasing pressures to reduce inventories and lead-times and to improve global efficiency. Cross-docking operations are being increasingly adopted as part of a strategy to concentrate inventories and to reduce the number of stock-keeping locations, a trend that requires flexible and well-coordinated flows of goods and information along the logistic chain. The present work is intended to improve the efficiency of processes associated with crossdocking operations in a logistics center of a major logistic operator in Portugal. And, for that end, a simulation model of the operations that take place at the facility was developed with the purpose of testing and evaluating alternatives in managing cross-docking operations. These include, dock-door assignment, truck scheduling and temporary storage space allocation. Results revealed that the best scenario consisted in the combination of a temporary storage policy which minimizes the distance travelled within the facility, an exclusive service mode with alternated doors for loading and unloading with a preferential dock door assignment policy and a first-come-first-served truck scheduling method.


Hamsters exposed to short-day photoperiods (6-h light, 18-h darkness) develop a reversible inhibition of the reproductive axis which includes decreased LH pulse frequency, decreased FSH and testosterone levels, testicular regression, and presumably, decreased luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release. The decrease in LHRH release could reflect a decrease in the ability of LHRH neurons to release the decapeptide in response to intermittent neuronal excitation. To analyze this possibility, the LHRH secretagogue, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMA) was used to estimate relative releasability of endogenous LHRH pulses in hamsters exposed to long- and short-day photoperiods. Long-day (LD) or short-day (SD) hamsters were fitted with indwelling atrial catheters 2 days before experimentation. During 5-h sampling sessions (1300-1800 h), blood was withdrawn at 10-min intervals. In initial experiments, a NMA dose-response analysis revealed that 10 and 20 mg/kg NMA but not 2.5 and 5 mg/kg NMA, produced significant, dose-related LH responses in LD hamsters. Treatments with LHRH antagonist 4 h prior to NMA treatment completely blocked LH responses. The 10 mg/kg NMA dose was then used to directly compare LHRH responsiveness in LD and SD hamsters. NMA injections were administered to groups of LD and SD hamsters after hours 1, 2, 3, and 4 of sampling. In LD hamsters, LH responses to the first NMA pulse (2.65 +/- 0.09) were followed by diminishing responses to the second, third, and fourth NMA pulses (1.22 +/- 0.50, 1.22 +/- 0.43, and 1.15 +/- 0.42). By contrast, initial LH responses in SD hamsters (1.61 +/- 0.31) were followed by even more robust LH responses to the second, third, and fourth NMA challenges (2.89 +/- 0.34, 3.08 +/- 0.59, 2.65 +/- 0.32). Although LH responses to the first NMA pulse were slightly less in SD vs. LD animals, responses to all subsequent injections were actually greater in SD hamsters vs. their LD counterparts. Injections of 20 ng/kg LHRH in SD hamsters produced LH responses similar to those evoked by NMA. The same LHRH dose also produced continued, robust LH responses in LD hamsters, indicating that decrements in response to NMA were not due to diminished pituitary responsiveness. These results suggest that 1) the stimulatory actions of NMA are mediated by LHRH, 2) exposure to short days does not decrease the responsiveness of LHRH neurons to NMA, and 3) successive NMA challenges produce diminishing LH responses in LD hamsters, but not in SD hamsters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


We are analyzing highly conserved heat shock genes of unknown or unclear function with the aim of determining their cellular role. Hsp15 has previously been shown to be an abundant nucleic acid‐binding protein whose synthesis is induced massively at the RNA level upon temperature upshift. We have now identified that the in vivo target of Hsp15 action is the free 50S ribosomal subunit. Hsp15 binds with very high affinity (KD <5 nM) to this subunit, but only when 50S is free, not when it is part of the 70S ribosome. In addition, the binding of Hsp15 appears to correlate with a specific state of the mature, free 50S subunit, which contains bound nascent chain. This provides the first evidence for a so far unrecognized abortive event in translation. Hsp15 is suggested to be involved in the recycling of free 50S subunits that still carry a nascent chain. This gives Hsp15 a very different functional role from all other heat shock proteins and points to a new aspect of translation.


Background The extent of adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) STD guidelines by clinicians practicing in managed care settings is unknown. Goal The goal was to assess adherence to the CDC guideline recommendations for the treatment of genital chlamydial infection, by clinicians at two group model managed care organizations. Design Retrospective cohort study of men and women with laboratory-confirmed chlamydial infection. Patients were members of either the Kaiser Permanente Foundation Health Plan of Colorado or HealthPartners of Minneapolis/St. Paul who had tested positive for cervical or urethral chlamydial infection during the period from January 1, 1998, through June 30, 1999. Results During the study period, 1078 patients with positive tests for genital Chlamydia trachomatis were identified. More than 97% of men and nonpregnant women and more than 98% of pregnant women were prescribed treatment, consistent with current CDC guidelines. Conclusion Adherence to CDC-recommended therapy was high for patients with genital chlamydial infections at these two managed care organizations.


This technical note is the fourth in a series about using native plant communities to achieve engineering and ecological purposes such as shoreline stabilization, structural enhancements, habitat creation, and ecosystem development. In this series, we demonstrate the utility of natural materials (specifically, native vegetation, oyster reefs, and coir logs) in living shoreline projects. Plant species and plant communities play critical roles in wave attenuation and sediment accretion in coastal areas. The application of vegetation in the coastal areas, especially on the East and Gulf Coasts, has focused heavily on the creation of living shorelines—serving both environmental and engineering purposes. This technical note documents the workshop conducted by the US Army Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) and hosted by the US Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) Philadelphia District (NAP) and Center for the Inland Bays. The goals of this technical note are (1) to demonstrate the application of native plant communities, oyster shells, and coir (coconut) materials and their installation techniques along shorelines to the engineering community; (2) to demonstrate how targeted vegetation establishment can facilitate ecosystem development along shorelines to improve engineering and environmental outcomes; and (3) to provide native vegetation installation techniques for living shorelines projects' purposes.