This chapter summarizes the recent work of the authors on the game-theoretic models of the grid users behavior in security aware scheduling. The scheduling process may be realized in two alternate scenarios, namely risky and secure modes. The chapter focuses on the fundamental type of the scheduling problem in computational grids, namely independent batch scheduling, where it is assumed that tasks are clustered and grouped into batches and there is no inter-relation among them. It considers Makespan and Flowtime as the main scheduling criteria expressed in terms of the completion times of the machines by using the ETC matrix model. The chapter focuses on the non-zero sum games, where the strategies of the players are not opposite, that is, the sum or the values of all players cost functions is not zero. Player's Genetic Algorithm (PGA) and Player's Minimum Completion Time (PMCT) are presented as case studies.


Through the asymmetric distribution of mRNAs cells spatially regulate gene expression to create cyto-plasmic domains with specialized functions. In mammalian neurons, mRNA localization is required for essential processes as cell polarization, migration and synaptic plasticity underlying long-term memory formation. The essential components driving cytoplasmic mRNA transport in neurons and mammalian cells are not known. Here, we report the first reconstitution of a mammalian mRNA transport system revealing that the tumour suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) forms stable complexes with the axonally localised β-actin and β2B-tubulin mRNAs which are linked to a heterotrimeric kinesin-2 via the cargo adaptor KAP3. APC activates kinesin-2 and both proteins are sufficient to drive specific transport of defined mRNA packages. Guanine-rich sequences located in 3'UTRs of axonal mRNAs increase transport efficiency and balance the access of different mRNAs to the transport system. Our findings reveal for the first time a minimal set of proteins capable of driving kinesin-based, mammalian mRNA transport.


This library research explores the content of the Quran Surah Al An'am verses 74-79 and Surah Al Baqarah verse 131 about the monotheistic faith of the prophet Ibrahim. Based on the data of historical information and interpretation of Quran from the literature sources that collected through documentation, this study used historical, hermeneutics, and synthetic analysis approaches to uncover the model of personal epistemology from that monotheistic faith. Through descriptive-analytic, descriptive-comparative analyses and interpretation with the pattern of reflective thinking, the result indicates that the psycho-social and spiritual or religiosity conditions created an epistemic climate and encouraged epistemic changes on the prophet Ibrahim. The model of personal epistemology of the prophet Ibrahim accommodate existing models and different from the other models, especially with regard to the involvement of revelation and transcendental awareness factors and psychological qualities such as sincerity, love of truth, courage, and commitment to fight for conviction.


PURPOSE
NutriSTEP(®) screens for nutritional risk in preschoolers (3-5 years of age). Availability has been limited to paper versions. The objective is to test reliability for Internet and Onscreen use.

METHODS
Two studies were conducted with parents in several Ontario Early Years Centres (Internet (n = 63)) and in the community and schools in Timmons, Guelph, and Ottawa, Ontario (Onscreen (n = 64)). Parents completed NutriSTEP(®) either on paper or using Internet or Onscreen versions. Two weeks later, the alternate mode was completed. Reliability was assessed using Intraclass Correlations (ICC) and Pearson Correlations (PC) on total and attribute scores, Kappa coefficients (κ) for risk, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test for responses on individual questions.

RESULTS
For total scores, Internet and Onscreen ICCs were 0.94 and 0.91, respectively, with PCs of 0.89 and 0.84, respectively. Attribute scores were 0.69-0.91 (ICC) and 0.70-0.84 (PC) for Internet, and 0.81-0.92 (ICC) and 0.68-0.85 (PC) for Onscreen. κ amongst risk categories was 0.58 (P = 0.000) for Internet and 0.50 (P = 0.000) for Onscreen. For individual dichotomized questions, 5 of 17 (Onscreen and Internet) were excellent (κ > 0.75); 11 of 17 (Internet) and 9 of 17 (Onscreen) were adequate (0.40 < κ > 0.75); 0 of 17 (Internet) and 2 of 17 (Onscreen) questions were poor (κ < 0.4) in agreement between modes.

CONCLUSIONS
Internet and Onscreen versions of NutriSTEP(®) are reliable.


BACKGROUND
Previous studies have shown the efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of chronic depression. We report the results of a long-term study comparing desipramine hydrochloride and placebo for maintenance therapy of remitted patients with chronic depression.

METHODS
Outpatients who met DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for "pure" dysthymia (n = 51), dysthymia with current major depression ("double depression") (n = 64), or chronic major depression (n = 14) were treated on an open basis with desipramine. Full and partial remitters after 10 weeks entered a continuation phase of open treatment with desipramine for 16 weeks. Remitted patients then were randomized to continue desipramine treatment or tapered to placebo treatment for a maintenance phase of up to 2 years. Relapse rates and time to relapse during maintenance therapy were compared between the two treatment groups.

RESULTS
Acute-phase treatment results did not differ significantly according to chronic depression subtype. Remission persisted with a high degree of stability during the continuation phase. Relapse rates during the maintenance phase were 52% for the placebo group and 11% for the active desipramine group (chi 2 = 8.1, P = .004). Most placebo relapses occurred during the first 6 months of maintenance therapy. Active medication was significantly more effective than placebo in that subgroup entering the maintenance phase in full remission and in those patients who fulfilled criteria for a diagnosis of pure dysthymia or double depression on entry to the study.

CONCLUSION
Long-term maintenance treatment with desipramine appeared to be effective in the prevention or postponement of relapse of depression in patients who responded to desipramine during the acute and continuation phases.


In the present investigation, the powder of mosambi fruit peelings (PMFP) was used as an inexpensive and efficient adsorbent for Ni (II) removal from aqueous solutions. The influence of physico-chemical key parameters such as the initial metal ion concentration, pH, agitation time, particle size and adsorbent dosage has been considered in batch tests. Sorbent ability to adsorb Ni (II) ions was examined and the mechanism involved in the process investigated. The optimum results were determined at an initial metal ion concentration of 50 (mg L-1), pH=4, agitation time – 90 min, an adsorbent dose (125 mg/50 ml) and the particle size (0.6 mm). The % adsorption, Langmuir constants [Q0=29.41(mg/g) and b=0.4789(L/mg)], Freundlich constant Kf= 23.92(mg/g) and n=2.24(L/mg), Lagergren rate constants [Kad (min-1) = 4.37 x 10-2] for [Ni (II)] 50 (mg L-1), were determined for the adsorption system as a function of sorbate concentration. The equilibrium data obtained were tested using Langmuir, Freundlich adsorption isotherm models, and the kinetic data obtained were fitted to pseudo first order model.


Dubois, Rucker, and Galinsky (2012, Experiment 1) found that consumers view larger-size options as a signal of higher status. We conducted a close replication of this finding (N = 415), and observed a nonsignificant effect in the opposite direction (small vs. large product size: doriginal = 1.49, 95%CI [1.09, 1.89], dreplication = 0.09 95%CI [-0.15, 0.33]; medium vs. large: doriginal = 0.89 95%CI [0.52, 1.26], dreplication = 0.11 95%CI [-0.13, 0.34]; small vs. medium: doriginal = 0.62 95%CI [0.26, 0.98], dreplication = -0.01 95%CI [-0.25, 0.23]). We discuss potential reasons for this unsuccessful replication as well as implications for the status-signaling literature in consumer psychology


This paper investigates how early termination of venture capital (VC) investment in entrepreneurial ventures affect the ability of these young ventures into acquiring further resources necessary for survival and growth. We propose that young entrepreneurial ventures face a higher cost of external financing if existing investors stop investing in the next rounds of financing. Future investors, faced with great unobservable qualities of young companies and the uncertainty surrounding their financial prospect, rely on observable characteristics to appraise a company; The continuation of investment by existing investors confers a positive signal about the quality of young ventures and that young ventures, as endorsed by further commitment of capital, are more likely to perform better than otherwise comparable ventures that lack such escalated commitment.


The legislation associated with how to deal with property involved in criminal cases has a variety of defects—the legal sources are numerous,dispersed and with low authority; definitions of some concepts are both vague and confusing,and the logical confusion can't be avoided due to the incorrect usage of the terminology; with many omissions,the contents of the relevant legislation are extensive and contradictory as well; taking crime-fighting as legislative values,legislation overlooks the protection of property rights but gives too much emphases to departmental administration as a result of being oriented by departmental benefits. The lack of legislation has caused the judicial confusion in practice,which has a negative effect on the protection of legitimate property rights of the accused,the injured party and other individuals involved. Therefore,the legislative values should take both crime- fighting and rights- protecting into account,and in order to enhance the integrity,coordination and feasibility of relevant legislation,our attention should also be drawn to the adjustment of legislative modes,the improvement of legislative level,and the amendment and supplement of the contents.


A mixture of grassland species Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinaceea, Medicago sativa and Ttrifolium pratense were used in situ phytoremediation of oil polluted soil, with 70.45-120.52 g/kg d.m. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH). They were studied variants of phytoremediation of oil polluted soils and fertilized with 50 t/ha stabilized sewage sludge in absence / presence of 50 t/ha fly ash, waste from coal burning power plants. Lolium sperenne herbs formed on the surfaces sown exclusive bouquets, in first weeks. After six weeks of vegetation appear and develop leguminous species Medicago sativa and Trifolium pratense. After five months, was a balanced distribution of species of legumes and grasses species on the surfaces sown. The efficiency reducing the TPH from oil polluted soil was 48.7% in variant fertilized with stabilized sewage sludge and fly ash. Efficiency was with 15.3% higher than the reduction efficiency of petroleum products in fertilized variants in fly ash absence. The process efficiency of oil polluted soil treated with stabilized sewage sludge and fly ash was similarly with phytoremediation variant with fertilizer and indigenous volcanic tuff realized.


Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (PLS) is an extremely rare inherited disease as an autosomal recessive trait. The disorder is characterized by diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma and premature loss of both deciduous and permanent teeth. This paper described a case of PLS with classic clinical features and briefly reviewed the relevant literature.


Greenhouse production in North-West Europe consumes a lot of energy. The energy is needed for heating the greenhouse and controlling air humidity. Transpiration of a crop increases the energy use. The aim of this study was to explore the possibilities for the application of anti-transpirants to save energy by reducing crop transpiration without reducing crop yield. Literature and model calculations were used to explore the effects of increased leaf resistances on transpiration, energy use and production in tomato, cucumber and sweet pepper. In literature a large number of compounds are described that act as anti-transpirant. A two to five fold increase in stomatal resistance can be expected from treatment with anti-transpirants. Model calculations for tomato showed that increasing the stomatal resistance (from 2 to 5 times) throughout the whole year leads to substantial yield reduction: crop growth was reduced by 6-19%, while transpiration by 15-42% and consequently energy use by 9-16%. However, in the winter period (beginning of October/end of March) the growth reduction was only 0.3-1.3%, as in this period light levels are low and CO2 concentrations in the greenhouse are relatively high. Raising the (maximum) set-point for CO2 concentration from 1000 ppm to 3000 ppm, increased the actual concentration during day-time from 892 to 1567 ppm (flue gases were the only source of CO2). When the application of anti-transpirants was combined with raising the set-point for CO2 concentration, the model showed no growth reduction due to the application of anti-transpirants, while the annual energy use was reduced by 5.5-10.4% in tomato. Similar results were obtained for sweet pepper (5-9% energy saving) and cucumber (2-5% energy saving). These model calculations show that increasing stomatal resistance by anti-transpirants during the winter period may potentially save a substantial amount of energy (2-10%), without affecting yield of vegetables such as tomato, cucumber and sweet pepper. It is concluded that increasing the stomatal resistance by anti-transpirants in wintertime may lead to substantial energy saving due to the reduced transpiration and need for humidity management, without yield reduction. Such model calculations are useful to analyse beforehand the chances of a good combination of energy saving and yield loss of a possible application. Experiments will be needed to verify the results


Enlargement of the heart in infancy and in childhood, without any anatomic basis, has been described under the terms of idiopathic cardiac hypertrophy, dilatation or enlargement. A close review of some of the cases reported under these various headings reveals the fact that not all of the cases can be called idiopathic, because of the presence of renal lesions in some and of coarctation of the aorta in others. More careful microscopic examination of the heart also revealed the presence of lymphocytic infiltrations in the myocardium itself. Cases have also been reported with myocardial round cell infiltration in association with status thymicolymphaticus (Ceelen, 1 Bluhdorn 2 ), while other cases have been reported in which status thymicolymphaticus or thymic enlargement was present in addition to the cardiac enlargement without myocardial round cell infiltration (Oberndorffer, 3 Howland 4 ). There remains, however, a group of cases in which the only pathologic change is


In this paper, an improved class of pulsed latches is introduced and experimentally assessed in 45-nm CMOS. Its topology is based on a push-pull final stage driven by two split paths with a conditional pulse generator, which differentiates two circuit implementations which can be either shared (CSP3L) or not (CP3L). Highest performance is achieved with this proposed topology as it outperforms the well-known transmission gate pulsed latch (TGPL) by 1.7×-2× along with that improved the energy efficiency is obtained. Improvement in designs targeting minimum ED3 product (energy × delay3) over leading TGPL was found 2.4× for ED3, for minimum ED is about 1.5×. But this comes to existence with a slight circuit complexity which in turn increases cell area of a 1.15×−1.35× in typical systems. Using methods likes dual stack and clock gating flexibility can be increased to greater extent that confirm that the above benefits are kept in the presence of variations. Area penalty can be overcome with the 45-nm CMOS technology which may increase area below 1% compared to existing systems. Hence high performance and energy efficiency requirements are achieved using proposed latches for VLSI systems.


This work addresses the issues related to network steganography in IEEE 802.15.4 Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN). The proposed communication scheme employs illicit Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum code sequences for the transmission of steganographic data. The presented approach is a compromise between minimising the probability of covert channel disclosure and providing robustness against random errors and a high steganographic data rate. The conducted analyses show that it is possible to create a covert channel with a data rate comparable to the raw data rate of IEEE 802.15.4 without much impact on the perceived receiver sensitivity, the Chip Error Rate and the Bit Error Rate.


In recent years a new emergent form of collective action – the social strike – has been discussed in social movement networks. So far, the concept of social strike has only surfaced briefly in previous research and this article aims to deepen the understanding of the concept and why it is emerging in our historical moment. In order to do this the article looks at a social movement network called Transnational Social Strike Platform (TSS). In the analysis both movement texts produced by TSS was used as well as ethnographic material collected at an assembly meeting in London. According to my analysis it is hard to define the social strike as a distinct form of collective action. Instead, the emergence of the concept of social strike should be located at the historical impasse of late capitalism. I suggest that the concept of social strike offers an imaginary solution to the disappearance of the working class as a political subject and reflects the eclipse of organised labour. The social strike uses the symbolic dimensions of the strike as a symbol of resistance but detaches the strike from its material base in waged labour. In this process, the strike becomes a multivocal symbol that can be invoked by actors in order to give symbolic support and discursive legitimisation to their struggles. As the symbolic dimensions of the strike gets increasingly detached from its material anchor in waged labour the value of using the strike as a symbol of resistance may erode as it no longer can deliver the concrete material effects of collective work stoppage that historically has given the strike its pivotal role in labour struggles.


Einstein's accurate predictions created a faith that makes a critical analysis of general relativity over due. Since his field equation has no dynamic solutions, the observational confirmations have been exaggerated. Einstein's covariance principle has been proven to be invalid. This error comes from Einstein's theory of measurement that adapts the mathematical notion of distance in Riemannian geometry as if valid in physics, and his supporting arguments are actually based on invalid applications of special relativity. However, such a theory of measurement was not used in Einstein's predictions. Nevertheless, Einstein's equivalence principle plays a crucial role in rectifying the shortcomings of his theory, and the Maxwell-Newton Approximation is proven as independently valid for massive sources. Then, general relativity leads to the discovery of the charge-mass interaction that would explain the space-probe pioneer anomaly discovered by NASA. Thus, unification of gravitation and electromagnetism is proven necessary. Moreover, since the photons must include gravitational energy, particle physics would not be clearly understood without gravity. 04.20.-q, 04.20.Cv


We report a numerical implementation of the Landau-Lifshitz-Baryakhtar theory that dictates that the micromagnetic relaxation term obeys the symmetry of the magnetic crystal, i.e., replacing the single intrinsic damping constant with a tensor of corresponding symmetry. The effect of anisotropic relaxation is studied in a thin saturated ferromagnetic disk and an ellipse with and without uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy. We investigate the angular dependence of the linewidth of magnonic resonances with respect to the given structure of the relaxation tensor. The simulations suggest that the anisotropy of the magnonic linewidth is determined by two factors: the projection of the relaxation tensor onto the plane of precession and the ellipticity of the latter.


The spin glass behavior of Y2Mo2O7 has puzzled physicists for nearly three decades. Free of bulk disorder within the resolution of powder diffraction methods, it is thought that this material is a rare realization of a spin glass resulting from weak disorder such as bond disorder or local lattice distortions. Here, we report on the single crystal growth of Y2Mo2O7. Using neutron scattering, we present unique isotropic magnetic diffuse scattering arising beneath the spin glass transition despite having a well-ordered structure at the bulk level. Despite our attempts to model the diffuse scattering using a computationally exhaustive search of a class of simple spin Hamiltonians, we were unable to replicate the experimentally observed energy-integrated (diffuse) neutron scattering. A T^2-temperature dependence in the heat capacity and density functional theory calculations hint at significant frozen degeneracy in both the spin and orbital degrees of freedom resulting from spin-orbital coupling (Kugel-Khomskii type) and random fluctuations in the Mo environment at the local level.


Occasionally, situations arise where mixtures of two binomials with one known success parameter are met. An example in educational testing is the mastery or random guessing model in which an examinee is supposed either to master the items or not to master them and to guess blindly. This paper gives moment estimators for such mixtures and presents results from a Monte Carlo investigation into their statistical properties. The results suggest excellent estimators that can safely be used in most instances. It also indicates how the properties of these estimators relate to those of moment estimators for the case in which both success parameters are unknown. Finally, it is pointed out that in situations in which errors in specifying the true value of the known parameter may occur, it might be prudent to consider this parameter as unknown and to estimate accordingly.


Background: Chemoprevention (including tamoxifen, raloxifene, and exemestane) is a strategy to reduce breast cancer incidence in high risk women. Studies have shown at least a 50% decrease in the incidence of breast cancer in users of these drugs. Despite this benefit, the majority of high risk, unaffected women who are offered chemoprevention decline the therapy. However, there is a growing population of women who have used these agents for primary prevention, and a larger population of survivors who have used these drugs as part of their systemic treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify a cohort of women with newly diagnosed breast cancers who had utilized chemoprevention and describe their patterns of disease. Methods: The Breast Cancer Database of NYU Langone Medical Center was queried for patients who used chemopreventive drugs and developed breast cancer between 1/2010-1/2012. Patients were divided into primary and secondary chemoprevention groups (no previous history of breast cancer and previous history of breast cancer, respectively). Descriptive statistics were utilized. Results: In the study period, 24 (2%) of 996 patients had used a chemopreventive agent. For 16 of the 24 (67%), the drug was part of systemic therapy for prior breast cancer, with a median of 12 years from the initial diagnosis to the diagnosis of a second breast cancer. The primary chemoprevention group included women with risk based on family history and atypical hyperplasias. The majority of patients were diagnosed with early stage disease (88% DCIS and stage I). This likely reflects their screening behaviors. In both groups, the majority of cancers were ductal in origin. Five of the 8 patients in the primary chemoprevention group were on treatment at the time of their cancer diagnosis, while 63% of patients in the secondary group were prior users. In the secondary group, the majority of cases were contralateral second primary breast cancers, with 31% ipsilateral recurrences. Interestingly, the majority of cancers in both groups were ER/PR positive. Conclusions: Our cohort of women who used chemoprevention drugs were overwhelmingly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, likely reflecting their commitment to screening. The majority of cancers were ER/PR positive. In this group, the choice of cancer treatment will need to be modified in light of prior hormonal treatment. Many of the patients in the secondary group were past users of prevention agents and further work is needed to clarify the duration of benefit of these drugs. In a similar vein, we look forward to research efforts to define the optimal age to initiate primary chemoprevention in high risk women. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-03.


Analysis of T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire usage made by peripheral T lymphocytes during the chronic phase of HIV-1 infection has revealed the presence of clonal expansions of CD8 T cells that are also shown to be largely HIV-specific. Yet, it remains unclear whether the global repertoire perturbation observed during the chronic phase of the infection is also HIV-related and reversible in the long term with the application of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, the diversity and the stability of repertoire usage after a relapse of viral replication were never examined. Eight patients were observed longitudinally up to 31 months under triple-association therapy. When viral replication was steadily suppressed, CD8 repertoires were significantly stabilized. Conversely, in situations of incomplete or only transient viral suppression, persistence or rebound in repertoire perturbation was observed. Finally, a T-cell response remarkably different from baseline, as reflected by a repertoire switch, was generated after the discontinuation of highly active therapy. In conclusion, a sustained control of HIV replication correlated with profound modifications of the CD8 repertoire usage. These data also suggested that autovaccination by the withdrawal of antiviral drugs would result in the selection and expansion of T-cell clones that were not necessarily dominant before the onset of treatment.


The objective of this study was to determine the correlation of stent strut angle to blood flow and also to determine the flow behavior in stented aneurysm. The computational fluid dynamics was applied to access the changes of velocity and pressure in aneurysms. For this study, there are five stent with the same design but different in strut angle of the stent. The strut angle used in this study was 30°, 35°, 35°, 40°, 45° and 50°. By using 30° of strut angle as the control model and the other angle as the experimental model, there are referred to as type I, type II, type III and type IV. The simulation of the model was studied under incompressible, Newtonian, viscous and non-pulsatile condition. The results for all stents analyzed in the current study showed that the stent with higher angle are more efficient than stent with lower angle. The minimum velocity increased with the implacement of stent type IV which is the higher strut angle. Meanwhile, for the pressure distribution of all type of stents indicate that lowest peak pressure obtained by stent type III. Therefore, strut angle used should be suitable to satisfy the requirement of lowest peak pressure and highest minimum velocity. So, the strut angle has to be maintained within a certain range, which varies from 40° to 45°. Finally, the correlation obtained from this numerical result could be used to investigate the pressure distribution around the aneurysms.


Abstract This comment addresses two issues that arise in Sacconi/Faillo/Ottone's essay. The first is the problem of compliance as it arises in social contract theory. The second is the problem of avoiding an incoherence that arises in the formulation of welfarist principles of distributive justice if these principles are taken to be concerned with the distribution of welfare without restriction. Sacconi, Faillo, and Ottone define an interesting class of principles that govern only the distribution of 'material utility', which they distinguish from 'conformist utility'. Sacconi, Faillo, and Ottone are primarily concerned, however, to argue that there is a need to revise 'the utility maximization model of a rational economic man'. I discuss this claim briefly, in concluding the paper.


The systemic problems that have plagued the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including the use of bogus waiting lists for Veterans seeking care at VA healthcare facilities and other lapses in organizational ethics and personal integrity, have prompted an audit by the VA, an investigation by the VA Office of Inspector General, and efforts by the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to assist Veterans by reforming the Department. However, the information released by the VA and recent Congressional testimony neglects an important facet of this situation. VA healthcare facilities located in cities with sizeable Hispanic populations are less likely to have scheduled patient visits within 30 days.

I examined results from VA's access audit conducted May 12, 2014 through June 3, 2014 (http://www.va.gov/health/docs/VAMCPatientAccessData06092014.pdf ties located in cities with a Hispanic population of > 25% according to US Census data include Providence, RI; Bronx, NY; Wilmington, DE; Durham, NC; Miami, FL; San Juan, PR; Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; San Antonio, TX; Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (HCS) (Harlington, TX); New Mexico HCS (Albuquerque, NM); Amarillo, TX; Big Spring, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Southern Arizona HCS (Tucson, AZ); El Paso, TX; Denver, CO; Fresno, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Long Beach, CA; San Diego, CA; and Greater Los Angeles HCS (Los Angeles, CA). I excluded the VA healthcare facility in Manila, the Philippines, and the Hines, IL VAMC because it is located in an unincorporated area of Cook County, IL. I found a strong positive association between a VA healthcare facility having scheduled > 5% of patient appointments over 30 days and the healthcare facility being located in a city where > 25% of residents are Hispanic (unadjusted odds ratio = 2.27, P 25%.

Additional research is warranted to examine patient waiting times by race (white, African American or black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) and Hispanic ethnicity while also taking into account such factors as education, household income, transportation, and geographic differences in availability of primary care providers. In the post 9/11 era, a higher percentage of Hispanics, African Americans, and American Indians have served in the U.S. military as compared to their percentages in the general population. Minorities are more likely to enlist. The Honolulu VAMC, which serves many Asian and Native Hawaiian Veterans, has among the highest patient waiting times in the VA national healthcare system. American Indians have the highest per capita enlistment rate of any racial subgroup but their experience in accessing VA healthcare services is understudied. Phoenix (which is 40.8% Hispanic according to the 2010 US Census) was ground zero in the scandal involving bogus patient waiting lists and deaths among Veterans seeking care who were placed on those waiting lists.

The apparent association with Hispanic ethnicity, if confirmed by future studies, may compound the injustice of what is clearly already an unjust situation, i.e., Veterans experiencing lengthy delays in receiving VA healthcare services, or being placed on secret patient waiting lists. Hispanic patients may be less likely to receive timely referral for healthcare services because of a lack of culturally competent healthcare or because of institutional barriers to their receiving timely, quality healthcare services.


In this chapter, we introduce the Theory of Collaborative Advantage - a practice based theory about the management of collaborations which focuses on the potential for collaborative advantage arising out of inter-organizational partnerships. We start with a brief introduction on how the theory is built, how it is structured and what its purpose is. We then provide some conceptual examples which aim to illustrate the theory's contribution to knowledge, both theoretical and practical, about the management of collaboration in practice.


BACKGROUND
Asthma and gastro-oesophageal reflux are both common medical conditions and often co-exist. Studies have shown conflicting results concerning the effects of lower oesophageal acidification as a trigger of asthma. Furthermore, asthma might precipitate gastro-oesophageal reflux. Thus a temporal association between the two does not establish that gastro-oesophageal reflux triggers asthma. Randomised trials of a number of treatments for gastro-oesophageal reflux in asthma have been conducted to determine whether treatment of reflux improves asthma.

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for gastro-oesophageal reflux in terms of their benefit on asthma.

SEARCH STRATEGY
The Cochrane Airways Group trials register, review articles and reference lists of articles were searched.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials of treatment for oesophageal reflux in adults and children with a diagnosis of both asthma and gastro-oesophageal reflux.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Trial quality and data extraction were carried out by two independent reviewers. Authors were contacted for confirmation or more data.

MAIN RESULTS
Twelve trials met the inclusion criteria. Interventions included proton pump inhibitors (n=6), histamine antagonists (n=5), surgery (n=1) and conservative management (n=1). Treatment duration ranged from 1 week to 6 months. A temporal association between asthma and gastro-oesophageal reflux was investigated in 4 trials and found to be present in a proportion of participants in these trials. Anti-reflux treatment did not consistently improve lung function, asthma symptoms, nocturnal asthma or the use of asthma medications.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
In asthmatic subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux, (but who were not recruited specifically on the basis of reflux-associated respiratory symptoms), there was no overall improvement in asthma following treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux. Subgroups of patients may gain benefit, but it appears difficult to predict responders.


The gastrointestinal immune system plays an important role in immune homeostasis regulation. It regulates the symbiotic host-microbiome interactions by training and developing the host's innate and adaptive immunity. This interaction plays a vital role in host defence mechanisms and at the same time, balancing the endogenous perturbations of the host immune homeostasis. The fish gastrointestinal immune system is armed with intricate diffused gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs) that establish tolerance toward the enormous commensal gut microbiome while preserving immune responses against the intrusion of enteric pathogens. A comprehensive understanding of the intestinal immune system is a prerequisite for developing an oral vaccine and immunostimulants in aquaculture, particularly in cultured fish species. In this review, we outline the remarkable features of gut immunity and the essential components of gut-associated lymphoid tissue. The mechanistic principles underlying the antigen absorption and uptake through the intestinal epithelial, and the subsequent immune activation through a series of molecular events are reviewed. The emphasis is on the significance of gut immunity in oral administration of immunoprophylactics, and the different potential adjuvants that circumvent intestinal immune tolerance. Comprehension of the intestinal immune system is pivotal for developing effective fish vaccines that can be delivered orally, which is less labour-intensive and could improve fish health and facilitate disease management in the aquaculture industry.


During his short life, Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur wrote many works. Among them, though not all of them have survived, Boburnoma is a unique work. "Boburnoma" is the most important and great legacy of our great ancestor. " Boburnoma" is a rich historical source of toponymic and ethnographic information about the events that took place in historical areas such as Movarounnahr, Khorasan, India in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. This article discusses the process of the struggle for the throne of Timur's successors in "Boburnoma".


Calretinin is a calcium‐binding protein found widely distributed in the central nervous system and chemosensory cells of the teleosts, but its presence in the peripheral nervous system of fishes is unknown. In this study we used Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry to investigate the occurrence and distribution of calretinin in the cranial nerve ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, sympathetic ganglia, and enteric nervous system of the adult zebrafish. By Western blotting a unique and specific protein band with an estimated molecular weight of around 30 kDa was detected, and it was identified as calretinin. Immunohistochemistry revealed that calretinin is selectively present in the cytoplasm of the neurons and never in the satellite glial cells. In both sensory and sympathetic ganglia the density of neurons that were immunolabelled, their size and morphology, as well as the intensity of immunostaining developed within the cytoplasm, were heterogeneous. In the enteric nervous system calretinin immunoreactivity was detected in a subset of enteric neurons as well as in a nerve fibre plexus localized inside the muscular layers. The present results demonstrate that in addition to the central nervous system, calretinin is also present in the peripheral nervous system of zebrafish, and contribute to completing the map of the distribution of this protein in the nervous system of teleosts.


Our work is aimed at modeling the American option price by combining the dynamic programming and the optimal stopping time under two asset price models. In doing so, we attempt to control the theoretical error and illustrate the asymptotic characteristics of each model; thus, using a numerical illustration of the convergence of the option price to an equilibrium price, we can notice its behavior when the number of paths tends to be a large number; therefore, we construct a simple estimator on each slice of the number of paths according to an upper and lower bound to control our error. Finally, to highlight our approach, we test it on different asset pricing models, in particular, the exponential Lévy model compared to the simple Black and Scholes model, and we will show how the latter outperforms the former in the real market (Microsoft "MSFT" put option as an example).


Alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) has been used in relapsed CML post-BMT, cytogenetic responses being attained in a number of cases (33 to 42%). In first chronic phase-CML patients such cytogenetic response has been correlated with the disappearance of the bcr region rearrangement, as seen with Southern-blot, but when RT-PCR is used only a small number of patients maintain undetectable traces of the Ph1 clone. A case of CML in haematological and cytogenetic relapse after BMT is reported who showed criteria of "accelerated" phase and, after treatment with alpha-IFN achieved haematologic, cytogenetic and molecular remission (Southern-blot and PCR negative) and disappearance of the abnormal clone with recovery of the donor haemopoiesis. The duration of the alpha-IFN cytogenetic response is longer than that of BMT (5 vs 3.5 yr), which is noteworthy. Taking the low toxicity of alpha-IFN into account, as compared with that of the other choices (a second BMT, IL2), this treatment should be offered to all patients with cytogenetic relapse after BMT.


The ability of Clostridium perfringens type A to produce an enterotoxin active in human food poisoning has been shown to be directly related to the ability of the organism to sporulate. Enterotoxin was produced only in a sporulation medium and not in a growth medium in which sporulation was repressed. Mutants with an altered ability to sporulate were isolated from an sp+ ent+ strain either as spontaneous mutants or after mutagenesis with acridine orange or nitrosoguanidine. All sp0− mutants were ent−. Except for one isolate, these mutants were not disturbed in other toxic functions characteristic of the wild type and unrelated to sporulation. A total of four of seven osp0 mutants retained the ability to produce detectable levels of enterotoxin. None of the ent− mutants produced gene products serologically homologous to enterotoxin. A total of three sp− mutants, blocked at intermediate stages of sporulation, produced enterotoxin. Of these mutants, one was blocked at stage III, one probably at late stage IV, and one probably at stage V. A total of three sp+ revertants isolated from an sp− ent− mutant regained not only the ability to sporulate but also the ability to produce enterotoxin. The enterotoxin appears to be a sporulation-specific gene product; however, the function of the enterotoxin in sporulation is unknown.


ous GAs and discussed some of the fine points of their implementation, it will be fun to look at what can be accomplished with a GA and a bit of imagination. The examples in this chapter make use of some of the advanced topics discussed in Chapter 5 and add variety to the examples presented in Chapter 4. They cover a wide range of areas and include technical as well as nontechnical examples. The first example is the infamous traveling salesperson problem where the GA must order the cities visited by the salesperson.The second example revisits the locating-an-emergency-response unit from Chapter 4 but this time uses a Gray code. Next comes a search for an alphabet that decodes a secret message. The next examples come from engineering design and include robot trajectory planning and introductory stealth design.We end with several examples from science and mathematics that demonstrate some of the ways in which GAs are being used in research: two use data to build inverse models, one couples a simulation with a GA to identify allocations of sources to an air pollution monitor, one combines the GA with another artificial intelligence technique—the neural network—and the final one finds solutions to a nonlinear fifth-order differential equation.


The Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) is on the way. The key application areas of IoUT include ocean engineering, maritime security and environmental monitoring. To achieve interoperability between different under-water communicating systems and/or to ensure connectivity from the air to underwater (and reversely), an Internet Protocol (IP) adaptation layer is necessary. In this paper, we propose Underwater-SCHC (U-SCHC) based on the Static Context Header Compression protocol (SCHC), a standard at the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for terrestrial Internet of Things. The purpose of the paper is to describe the protocol encapsulation in the context of very low bit rates and small payloads as are usually observed in underwater acoustic systems. As a result, we reach the header compression ratio of 99 . 74% with just a single bit allocated to the UDP/IPv6 stack.


Comet Estates has submitted a planning application (082225/FO/2007/N1) to Manchester City Council for the redevelopment of a plot of land situated at the eastern end of George Leigh Street, within the Ancoats area of Manchester (centred on NGR SJ 8509 9888). The land was used most recently as a car park, although an archaeological desk-based assessment carried out in 2007 traced its development from the late eighteenth century to the present day, and concluded that the site was likely to contain buried remains of local significance. In particular, it was considered likely that the remains of nineteenth-century workers' dwellings would survive beneath the
modern ground surface.
Following on from the desk-based assessment, and in accordance with Conditions 5b and 5c attached to the planning consent, the County Archaeologist for Greater
Manchester, who provides planning advice to Manchester City Council, recommended that a programme of intrusive investigation was undertaken in advance of the development of the site. In the first instance, an archaeological evaluation was carried out, which was intended to establish the presence or absence of buried remains, assess their significance, and the potential impact of the proposed
development on the archaeological resource. The evaluation was carried out by OA North in February 2008, and comprised the removal of the modern surfacing over the maximum feasible area of the proposed development site. This confirmed that well preserved buried remains of archaeological interest survived in-situ, namely the
remains of early nineteenth-century workers' dwellings. Following consultation with the County Archaeologist for Greater Manchester, it was recommended that a programme of further targeted investigation was carried out to compile a detailed archaeological record of the buried remains to mitigate their ultimate destruction as part of the development.


Clean, alternative renewable sources of energy like solar and wind energy will grow at an unprecedented rate. Challenges faced in integrating them into existing power grids have also been increasing, mainly due to their unpredictable and intermittent nature. It has been observed that various power system problems such as voltage sag/swell, harmonic distortions, power factor deterioration etc. are worsened as a result of the large scale integration of renewable sources into existing power systems. Their intermittent and unpredictable nature poses the serious threat of power and voltage instability in the grid. Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) like capacitors and inductors to complex, expensive computer controlled power electronic devices like SVCs, STATCOMs, DVRs, Unified Power Quality Conditioners (UPFCs) etc. offer compensation for power systems. Since most of these are implemented at transmission voltage levels with large capacity and complex compensators in transmission networks, new approaches on the distribution level for Demand Side Management (DSM) and stabilizing grids are required to deal with the uncertainty posed by increased use of distributed renewable energy sources. A modified control scheme for the Electric Spring (ES) based on synchronously rotating frame control is proposed which provides voltage regulation, real and reactive grid power compensation, power factor correction and reduced distortion. MATLAB simulation model and hardware results are given to validate the novelty of the circuit.


Together with nematodes and rotifers, tardigrade belong to micrometazoans that can cope with environmental extremes such as UV and solar radiations, dehydration, supercooling or overheating. Tardigrade can resist the harshest conditions by turning to cryptobiosis, an anhydrobiotic state that results from almost complete dehydration and is characterized by an ametabolic status. Although reports have challenged the molecular basis of the mechanisms underlying genomic injury resistance, little is yet known regarding the possible involvement of other tardigrade macromolecules in injury during a stress experience. In this report, we show that the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris can accumulate molecular damages by means of in situ detection of carbonyls. Furthermore, we demonstrate that living tardigrade can accumulate carbonylation. Finally, we reveal that anhydrobiotic tardigrade can be constitutively affected by carbonylation that marks aging in other metazoans.


This chapter will cover the search for dark matter axions based on microwave cavity experiments proposed by Pierre Sikivie. The topic begins with a brief overview of halo dark matter and the axion as a candidate. The principle of resonant conversion of axions in an external magnetic field will be described as well as practical considerations in optimizing the experiment as a signal-to-noise problem. A major focus of the lecture will be the two complementary strategies for ultra-low noise detection of the microwave photons - the ``photon-as-wave'' approach (i.e. conventional heterojunction amplifiers and soon to be quantum-limited SQUID devices), and ``photon-as-particle'' (i.e. Rydberg-atom single-quantum detection). Experimental results will be presented; these experiments have already reached well into the range of sensitivity to exclude plausible axion models, for limited ranges of mass. The section will conclude with a discussion of future plans and challenges for the microwave cavity experiment.


Memory Management Units (MMUs) for on-device address translation are widely used in modern devices. However, conventional solutions for on-device MMU virtualization, such as shadow page table implemented in mediated pass-through, still suffer from high complexity and low performance.
 We present Demon, an efficient solution for on-DEvice MMU virtualizatiON in mediated pass-through. The key insight is that Demon takes advantage of IOMMU to construct a two-dimensional address translation and dynamically switches the 2nd-dimensional page table to a proper candidate when the device owner switches. In order to support fine-grained parallelism for the device with multiple engines, we put forward a hardware proposal that separates the address space of each engine and enables simultaneous device address remapping for multiple virtual machines (VMs). We implement Demon with a prototype named gDemon which virtualizes Intel GPU MMU. Nonetheless, Demon is not limited to this particular case. Evaluations show that gDemon provides up to 19.73x better performance in the media transcoding workloads and achieves performance improvement of up to 17.09% and 13.73% in the 2D benchmarks and 3D benchmarks, respectively, compared with gVirt. The current release of gDemon scales up to 6 VMs with moderate performance in our experiments. In addition, gDemon simplifies the implementation of GPU MMU virtualization with 37% code reduction.


The human foot is studied for various reasons in forensic departments, by anthropologists, anatomists etc. Footprints are of immense value in a crime scene in establishing the personal identity and in a potential link between the perpetrator and the scene of crime. Identification of a person is of prime and foremost importance in both civil and criminal cases. Time is a critical factor in crime scene investigation, so rapid identification of suspect is very important. Here, in our study, the aim is to estimate the stature of individuals based on their footprint lengths among the students (Both male and female students between the age group 18 to 22 years) 50 male and 50 female students, studying in Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru.that the footprint length help us in estimating the stature of an unknown individual which will be helpful in investigation of various crimes. Also not much difference is statistically noted in the stature estimated by right and left footprint length in both the sexes.Stature; Foot print length; Identification


A variety of definitions have been suggested for the concept of marketing in education.Marketing education, like marketing practice, is dynamic. It must continually involve in such manner as to accommodate and satisfy a variety of interests including government, business and industry as well as student. At the same times, there is a growing recognition of the need to move towards lifelong learning, specifically that which focuses on informal and non-formal learning by adult. The purpose of this article is to provide point of view for discussion of an understanding of lifelong learning as part of everyday life, and in the
perspective of strategic marketing education.


The papers in the journal of Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs in Vol. 40, 2009 are briefly reviewed in the categories of chemical constituents, preparations and technologies, analysis and quality control, pharmacological and clinical studies, reviews, and finally healthy principles. Some comments, especially for hot topics have been personally provided.


Only occasional reports of congenital ciliated columnar epithelial cysts of the mediastinum are found in the literature of the past fifty years. A fairly extensive review reveals that less than twenty proved cases are reported in the English and the German literature, most of these in the latter. Undoubtedly there have been many unreported cases. These cysts are benign, and since the mediastinum is becoming more accessible, owing to rapid advances in surgery of the chest, the future should offer more hope for patients with this condition. The following case presents a typical example of this kind of cyst. REPORT OF A CASE History .—A 7 month old girl was admitted to the pediatric service of the Vanderbilt Hospital on Oct. 8, 1936, and died eight hours later. She was the second child, the result of a normal pregnancy. At delivery the cord was twisted about the neck three times;


Background: Loss of peripheral skeletal muscle mass and excessive fat accumulation have been associated with cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality in COPD. We aimed at identifying the role of skeletal muscle fat infiltration on cardiometabolic surrogate risk factors in COPD. Methods: 78 COPD (64 ± 9 years) were prospectively included and assessed using metabolic and inflammatory biological parameters as well as subclinical markers of cardiovascular risk (arterial stiffness and endothelial function). Tertiles of body mass index (BMI) (Low [15lBMI≤23], middle [23lBMI≤28] and high [28lBMI≤36] kg/m2) were used for comparison in mid-thigh quadriceps muscle volume and percent of muscle fat infiltration (MFI=intramuscular fat volume/[intramuscular fat volume+ muscle volume]) measured by CT scan (automatic segmentation :-190 to -30; -30 to +30 and +30 to +70 Hounsfield Units for fat, intramuscular fat and muscle, respectively, in a 4-cm height). Results: The highest BMI COPD tertile showed higher intramuscular fat volume that corresponded to 52 [43; 60]% of total muscle volume vs. 47 [38; 55]% and 34 [29; 38]% in middle and low BMI groups, respectively, p l0.0001. A high muscle volume was associated with lower NT-pro BNP and fibrinogen and with higher thiols in the whole group of patients reflecting less inflammation and oxidative stress. On the contrary, MFI was negatively associated with antioxidant capacity (thiols/proteins ratio: r = -0.50, p = 0.009) and SaO2 (r = -0.45, p = 0.01) in the high BMI group but also with endothelial function (r = -0.40, p = 0.04) in low BMI COPD. Conclusion: Not only in obese patients but also in lean COPD patients skeletal muscle fat infiltration may contribute to increase cardiometabolic risk factors.


Background: The most significant occupational injuries among nurses are associated with biological agents which include multiple underlying cases. Therefore, the design and implementation of educational programs with operational objectives and based on needs assessment on prevention of occupational risks can be increasingly effective on maintain and improvement of nursing staff health. Methods: Statistical population of this cross-sectional study includes Kermanshah Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital nurses and a sample of 70 nurses participated in study. Data collection tools included demographic information questionnaires and 10 items related to prevent nursing occupational hazards biological agents. When responses were evaluated, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS18 software, independent t, Spearman and Pearson tests and results were presented in terms of statistical indicators. Results: 30% of participants in study were nurse's aide and 70% were nurses. Two items are introduced as the first priority of educational needs including familiarity with transmissible diseases in wards or hospital and care oneself during disease, injury or skin lesions of hands until complete recovery. In most cases, there was statistically significant relationship between variables and items. Conclusion: Nurses' knowledge on safety rules is more important in prevention of occupational hazards and as a result, application of these principles. In this regard, considering biological agents has been focused and needs assessment of educational planning will be effective on increased participation of nurses in teaching and learning process and will promote their knowledge and skills. Keywords : Nurses, Nurse's aide, Occupational hazards, Biological agents.


Concentric-tube robots can offer a suitable compromise between force and curvature control. In a previous study by the authors, a real-time trajectory tracking scheme for an unloaded concentric-tube robot was developed. One of the practical barriers to the use of a concentric-tube robot in medical applications is compensation for the impact of environmental forces which can cause drastic deterioration in tracking performance. In this paper, by modifying the robot's forward kinematics and Jacobian, a new method is developed to facilitate tip tracking in real-time while accounting for an external load at the robot's tip. By considering the tip deflection resulting from the external load, a novel dual-layer control architecture is proposed to compensate for this deflection during trajectory tracking. In order to measure the force exerted on the tip position of the robot, a new technique is proposed that can move the sensing system from the distal tip to the proximal base. Experimental results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.


BACKGROUND
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a common disease of the urinary system, can be induced by high doses of gentamicin (GM). The Renin-Angiotensin System exerts a key role in the progression of the AKI since elevated intrarenal levels of Ang II, and ACE activity is found in this condition. However, it is unknown whether oral administration of Ang-(1-7), a heptapeptide that evokes opposite effects of Ang II, may attenuate the renal injuries induced by gentamicin.

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effects of Ang (1-7) on GM-induced renal dysfunction in rats.

METHODS
AKI was induced by subcutaneous administration of GM (80 mg/Kg) for 5 days. Simultaneously, Ang-(1-7) included in hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) was administered by gavage [46 μg/kg HPβCD + 30 μg/kg Ang- (1-7)]. At the end of the treatment period (sixth day), the rats were housed in metabolic cages for renal function evaluation. Thereafter, blood and kidney samples were collected.

RESULTS
The Ang-(1-7) attenuated the increase of the plasmatic creatinine and proteinuria caused by GM but did not change the glomerular filtration rate nor tubular necrosis. Ang-(1-7) attenuated the increased urinary flow and the fractional excretion of H2O and potassium observed in GM rats but intensified the elevated excretion of sodium in these animals. Morphological analysis showed that Ang-(1-7) also reduced the tubular vacuolization in kidneys from GM rats.

CONCLUSION
Ang-(1-7) promotes selective beneficial effects in renal injuries induced by GM.


Every great empire came to an end. Every media industry saw its "golden age" – some experienced more than one. So was the case with the film industry in Hollywood which has become a state of mind rather than a tangible entity. The American film industry remains the biggest in the world in terms of its box-office revenue, but not so in output or the number of movie admissions. India and China beat the U.S. The former in the number of productions and the later in the audience size. In some ways, Hollywood still dominates the world market, but there was a time (1930 1950) when American films, their stars dominated the screens the world over. This paper looks at the socio-economic factors that brought the dominance of Hollywood to its end.


Objective: To identify risk factors for falls in ambulatory health care.
 Methodology: We carried out the research in a general practitioner's clinic in the
 period from January 2021 to June 2021. The file consisted of 937 respondents who
 completed a preventive examination. We used the fall risk screening test and the Morse
 Fall Scale. Data were processed using multiple regression analysis (p < 0.05).
 Results: The average increasing age of patients is the most significant fall risk
 factor. We found a statistical dependence between age (≥ 75 years) and the risk of
 falling. Gender is not statistically significant. We identified an average risk of
 falling in the our sample. Comorbidity and medication were the most frequently occurring
 risk factors for falls in the research sample. Conclusion: Fall risk assessment in
 ambulatory care will become an essential part of comprehensive care. We consider the
 implementation of this nurse competence to be an activity of a preventive nature with a
 focus on the creation of programs for the prevention of falls in all forms of health
 care, including patient education.


Purpose: Internal tandem duplication (ITD) in the juxtamembrane domain of the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) receptor is present in leukemia cells of approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. These patients have a high remission rate, but short relapse-free and overall survival. Pim-1 kinase, a pro-survival oncogene, is transcriptionally upregulated downstream of FLT3-ITD and promotes FLT3-ITD signaling via a positive feedback loop. We proposed that Pim kinase inhibitors would enhance the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs in AML cell lines and patient samples with FLT3-ITD. Methods: AZD1208, a pan-Pim (Pim-1, Pim-2 and Pim-3) kinase inhibitor, was kindly provided by AstraZeneca. FLT3-ITD cell lines included MV4-11, MOLM-14 and Ba/F3-ITD. The topoisomerase 1 and 2 inhibitors daunorubicin, mitoxantrone, etoposide and topotecan and the nucleoside analog cytarabine were studied at their IC50 concentrations for each cell line. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometric analysis of Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining, percent cells in sub-G1 cell cycle phase using PI staining and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) using JC-1 dye, as well as flow cytometric and western blot measurements of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3. Results: Co-treatment with 1μM AZD1208 and daunorubicin induced significantly more apoptosis than daunorubicin or AZD1208 alone (e.g., 65% vs. 25% and 7% in Ba/F3-ITD) in FLT3-ITD cell lines. At least two-fold increase in apoptosis was also seen when AZD1208 was combined with mitoxantrone, etoposide or topotecan, compared with each drug alone, but AZD1208 did not increase apoptosis induced by cytarabine. Chemosensitization of FLT3-ITD cells with the combination treatment was confirmed by a higher percentage of sub-G1 cells (e.g., 33% for AZD1208 and daunorubicin combination vs. 17% for daunorubicin alone in Ba/F3-ITD), more rapid loss of MMP and increased time-dependent cleavage of PARP and caspase-3. Apoptosis was significantly (P Conclusion: Our work supports clinical applicability of combining a Pim kinase inhibitor with chemotherapy to treat AML with FLT3-ITD. Ongoing work is directed toward determining the molecular mechanisms of sensitization of FLT3-ITD cells to chemotherapy by Pim kinase inhibition. Citation Format: Kshama A. Doshi, Karthika Natarajan, Benjamin Wolfson, Dennis Huszar, Maria R. Baer. The Pim kinase inhibitor AZD1208 sensitizes acute myeloid leukemia cells with fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) to cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5332. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5332


A theoretical analysis is presented of the fundamentals involved in the calculation of the linear bone mass from the observed transmitted photon intensities. Intermittent scanning and continuouscanning methods are considered. The absolute errors caused by finite beam diameters and velocity of scan are calculated. It is demonstrated that only partial correction is possible for errors associated with the beam diameter, whereas those associated with scan velocity can be fully compensated. Although most systems applied to routine measurements of linear bone mass are independently calibrated and are claimed to have correlation coefficients of around 0.96 it is found that conditions exist where the error between two individual measurements, despite calibration, may be greater than 20%.


Urban environments pose a significant challenge for autonomous vehicles (AVs) as they must safely navigate while in close proximity to many pedestrians. It is crucial for the AV to correctly understand and predict the future trajectories of pedestrians to avoid collision and plan a safe path. Deep neural networks (DNNs) have shown promising results in accurately predicting pedestrian trajectories, relying on large amounts of annotated real-world data to learn pedestrian behavior. However, collecting and annotating these large real-world pedestrian datasets is costly in both time and labor. This paper describes a novel method using a stochastic sampling-based simulation to train DNNs for pedestrian trajectory prediction with social interaction. Our novel simulation method can generate vast amounts of automatically-annotated, realistic, and naturalistic synthetic pedestrian trajectories based on small amounts of real annotation. We then use such synthetic trajectories to train an off-the-shelf state-of-the-art deep learning approach Social GAN (Generative Adversarial Network) to perform pedestrian trajectory prediction. Our proposed architecture, trained only using synthetic trajectories, achieves better prediction results compared to those trained on human-annotated real-world data using the same network. Our work demonstrates the effectiveness and potential of using simulation as a substitution for human annotation efforts to train high-performing prediction algorithms such as the DNNs.


Patients with Gaucher disease (GD), a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease, commonly present to paediatricians with massive splenomegaly. While the diagnosis and management of patients with this chronic multisystem disorder has evolved significantly in recent years, the initial diagnosis represents a challenge. We describe the case of a 15-year-old black African male who presented with abdominal distension, delayed growth and fatigue. Initial laboratory studies revealed severe anaemia (haemoglobin concentration 8 g/dL) and moderate thrombocytopenia (platelet count 80 × 109/L). A computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed an enlarged liver of 173 mm and massive splenomegaly of 27 mm. The diagnosis of GD was confirmed by reduced beta-glucocerebrosidase activity and heterozygous mutations in the GBA1 gene. The patient was managed at a dedicated paediatric haematology unit with enzyme replacement therapy and regular clinical, biochemical and radiological monitoring.


Globally, drought stress causes the negative impact on agriculture production. However, microbial inoculation is the suitable cost-effective technology to attenuate the drought stress. The aim of this experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of microbial inoculation on morpho-physiological characters of sorghum under moisture stress condition. A pot experiment with sorghum was conducted to access the role of previously identified bacterial endophyte strains. For comparison, two non-inoculated control treatments (T1: absolute control and T2: drought control) were maintained to compare the drought and inoculation effect. Drought was imposed at flowering stage and soil moisture was measure at frequent days. When the soil moisture attains close to zero, plants were rehydrated. During drought and rehydration period, plant morphological and physiological characters were evaluated. Drought stress drastically reduces the plant characters in control (T2-uninoculated) plant. Whereas, in the presence of bacterial inoculation considerably reduces the drought effect also Bacillus sp. inoculation treatment promoted better recovery during their rehydration process than absolute control. Overall, Bacillus sp. inoculation was the most promising bacterium for possible field trials.


Spectrum sensing is a fundamental requirement in cognitive radio (CR) networks. When the constraint on detection performance is satisfied, the achievable throughput of the CR networks is expected to be maximized. Considering from a basic frame structure of CR networks, both the sensing time and the number of CRs have effect on the throughput. Current research on maximizing the throughput focuses on assuming that one parameter is fixed and coping with another one. As a result, the throughput is maximized in terms of only one factor. To overcome this drawback, a joint optimization scheme to maximize the throughput is proposed in this paper which chooses both the sensing time and the number of CRs as the optimization parameters. The optimization problem is formulated based on a throughput model with constraint on giving adequate protection to the primary user and it can be solved by an iterative algorithm. Simulation results are provided to show that significant improvement in the throughput of the CR networks has been achieved by using the proposed scheme.


During the last decade geophysical exploration in the foothills area of Alberta has aided considerably in arriving at rough approximations, and in some cases fairly reliable data, with respect to the nature of the structural conditions above and beneath major sole faults. The compilation of structural cross sections on the basis of such surveys, plus knowledge derived from previous subsurface drilling and surface geology, are the main theme of this contribution. Several examples of structures mapped and drilled are given, together with a hypothetical case wherein the difficulties of interpretations are discussed. The structures described are Turner Valley, Highwood uplift, Jumping Pound, Brazeau uplift, Stolberg, Coalspur, Savannah Creek, and the hypothetical "Alpha" structure.


New aeromagnetic survey data collected over north central Oklahoma image possible seismogenic faults in the crystalline basement. Linear earthquake sequences associated with induced seismicity suggest the reactivation of ancient basement faults, but few of these sequences are aligned with mapped faults. The new data show many earthquake sequences aligned with linear magnetic gradients or offsets between anomalies, while mapped faults, which mainly describe sedimentary cover, show limited correspondence with either. This strongly suggests significant structural differences between the crystalline basement and sedimentary cover. Furthermore, while the earthquakes are occurring on reactivated ancient faults, most of these faults have likely been inactive for millions of years. The magnetic data exhibit many gradient lineaments that are optimally oriented for fault slip, and the earthquake data suggest additional optimally oriented faults. Together these data suggest the presence of potentially numerous seismogenic faults throughout the region, which may contribute to high levels of induced seismicity.


Introduction. Complication of delayed union and nonunion is the most common problems found in the Tibia fracture, especially tibia fracture with intact fibula who risk for delayed union and nonunion. Previous studies have been conducted primarily for the augmentation of fracture healing by enhancing callus formation, among others, with internal and external stimulation. Whereas with external stimulation such as pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) which the inductive coupling of a non invasive technology. Materials and methods. This experimental studies with a simple random design .sample of adult male rats of Wistar strain. The tibia was osteotomy transversely carried at all animals. The treatment group preformed the provision of PEMF stimulation and compare with the control group. Radiographic examination has done in week first, second and fifth. Then, the analysis using a Tiedemann score was performed. Results. The result showed that effect of the PEMF stimulation on callus formation demonstrated were significantly different (P<0.05) on both groups. At the Treatment groups were callus formation in the second week increased two folds, while at the end fifth weeks increased 3 folds compared the control group. Conclusions. We conclude that PEMF stimulation can be enhancement callus formation. Keywords: fracture, PEMF, callus formation Corresponding


Applying a one-way hash function is a useful preliminary to digitally signing a message, both for security and efficiency. Several proposals for building such a function out of DES have been shown to be insecure. This talk studies a proposal due to Davies, and provides some evidence for its security. We prove security under a black box model. That is, we consider algorithms which call the encryption function via an oracle, and calculate the expected running time for a randomly chosen block cipher. This mirrors attacks on the system which do not rely on special properties of the encryption function. Under this model, we show that, given Y, finding a message hashing to y requires 0(264) encryptions. However, if the opponent is also given some legitimately signed messages, a speedup is possible, proportional to the total length of such material. This can be foiled by adding a running count to each block. The resulting system provably requires O(264) steps to break, even given large amounts of signed material. By modifying the model, these results can be strengthened to show that tbe existence of weak keys and the complementation property of DES do not help the forger. Any successful attack would have to use more subtle properties of DES.


Background: Acute macular neuroretinopathy is a rare disease that with the help of multimodal imaging is being diagnosed more frequently. Methods: An atypical case is presented and followed by multimodal imaging. Results: A typical acute macular neuroretinopathy lesion was seen on biomicroscopic examination and spectral domain optical coherence tomography examination. However, near-infrared imaging revealed a lack of the characteristic finding along with a relative afferent pupillary defect and a widespread depressed multifocal electroretinogram which has not been reported previously. Conclusion: This patient exhibits photoreceptor and outer retinal findings commonly described in acute macular neuroretinopathy lesion without classic near-infrared findings. This case may represent a severe form of acute macular neuroretinopathy.


As an open-source distributed programming framework, Hadoop has gradually become popular in industry recently. Its distributed file system (HDFS) enables storing large data with advantages of high fault tolerance and throughput. However, the fact that the current HDFS does not support intra-cloud data encryption yet makes data privacy becomes a key security issue. This paper presents ahybrid encryption method based on HDFS. We adopt symmetric encryption to encrypt and decrypt file blocks at datanodes and use asymmetric encryption scheme to protect the symmetric keys. By this method, we can prevent datanode intruders from stealing user data, while ensuring that clients are lightweight. The experiments show that with and without block encryption algorithm, our solution brings43% and 2% performance degradation compared to the generic HDFS. Keywords-Hadoop; Distributed File System; Data Encryption;


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

Raf kinases (A-Raf, B-Raf, C-Raf) link Ras activation to MEK/ERK pathway activation, and are part of the key MAPK signaling pathway that controls cellular functions such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival. Activating mutations in B-Raf occurs in a variety of cancers and inhibition of these signaling proteins in the pathway, therefore, represents a therapeutic targeting strategy for diverse cancers.

We developed PF-04880594, an ATP-competitive and reversible inhibitor of B-Raf. To assess safety prior to initiation of clinical trials, repeat dose toxicity studies were performed in the rat and dog. Animals were treated orally at 0, 25, 75, 300→150 mg/kg/day in the rat or 0, 0.5, 6, 15→12 mg/kg/day in the dog for 30 days followed by a 30-day treatment-free period to assess recovery or delayed toxicity. Plasma concentrations of the B-Raf inhibitor were measured on Day 1 and at the end of the dosing phase of the study. Body weight and food consumption were measured at regular intervals and clinical signs were recorded daily. In the rat, dose-related clinical signs, occurring in the skin at ≥ 25 mg/kg included dry skin and/or edema in the paws, erythema and desquamation of tail skin > 75 mg/kg, and erythema of the ear at 300→150 mg/kg. In the dog, clinical signs observed at ≥ 6 mg/kg included desquamation and alopecia of the skin involving the ear, head, eyebrow, muzzle, thorax, lips, nose, scrotum or forepaw; and edema of the ear, muzzle, head, forepaw, hindpaw or scrotum. Erythema was observed at all dose levels on the muzzle, ear or head during life. In both species, these clinical signs correlated microscopically with epithelial hyperplasia in these affected tissues. Hyperplasia of the stratified epithelium of the tongue and esophagus occurred in both species, In the rat, epithelial hyperplasia was additionally observed in the urinary bladder and nonglandular stomach and dose-related proliferation of woven bone was observed primarily on endocortical surfaces in the proximal tibia and /or distal femur. Clinical pathology revealed an inflammatory response indicated by increased fibrinogen and neutrophil counts in dogs at ≥ 6 mg/kg (males > females) and in rats at ≥ 75 mg/kg. At the end of the recovery period, the inflammatory response and the woven bone changes were not evident, but epithelial hyperplasia was only partly resolved. A no-observed-effect-level was not identified in either study due to the epithelial hyperplasia. At low doses, margins of exposure were over 10-fold in the rat and 0.03-fold in the dog of projected clinically efficacious plasma concentration in humans.

These studies indicate epithelial hyperplasia is paradoxically induced by this selective B-Raf inhibitor. The occurrence of this change in the rodent and canine suggests that this effect could develop in other mammalian species. Combination studies to test the effects of Raf and MEK inhibition on hyperplasia are currently being investigated.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1681.


The purpose of this study was to examine the effect comparison of weight Training at morning and evening shifts on Testosterone and cortisol in bodybuilders. 30 male students from Shahrood, Branch, Islamic Azad University were voluntary selected and randomly divided into the two groups; morning-time training group (N=15, weight = 74±2.69 kg, age = 22±2.18 years, length =172±3.37 training time = 10 am.) and evening-time training group (N=15, weight =77±4.15 kg, age = 21 ± 3.97 years, height =174±4.75 training time = 4 pm.). Both groups (Morning and afternoon) were performed resistance training program 3 days in week (12 weeks/36 sessions) with 50 to 80 % maximum power. Data was tested using dependent t test for comparison of data between pre- and posttest in per groups. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Also from the One Way ANOVA used for mean different comparing between post test in groups, and Tokay test for comparing between pre and post test mean different in per groups. The results showed there were significant differences between the amounts of testosterone (0.04) and cortisol (0.01) hormones secreted of both groups in pre-test and post-test. The findings of this research indicate that testosterone and cortisol hormones are influenced by the time of training which is due to circadian rhythm.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is on developing and implementing a model which provides a fuller and more comprehensive reflection of the interaction of house prices at the suburb level.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors examine how changes in housing prices evolve across space within the suburban context. In doing so, the authors developed a model which allows for suburbs to be connected both because of their geographic proximity but also by non-spatial factors, such as similarities in socioeconomic or demographic characteristics. This approach is applied to modelling home price dynamics in Melbourne, Australia, from 2007 to 2018.

Findings
The authors found that including both spatial and non-spatial linkages between suburbs provides a better representation of the data. It also provides new insights into the way spatial shocks are transmitted around the city and how suburban housing markets are clustered.

Originality/value
The authors have generalized the widely used SAR model and advocated building a spatial weights matrix that allows for both geographic and socioeconomic linkages between suburbs within the HOSAR framework. As the authors outlined, such a model can be easily estimated using maximum likelihood. The benefits of such a model are that it yields an improved fit to the data and more accurate spatial spill-over estimates.


We investigate the discretization of Darcy flow through fractured porous media on general meshes. We consider a hybrid dimensional model, invoking a complex network of planar fractures. The model accounts for matrix-fracture interactions and fractures acting either as drains or as barriers, i.e. we have to deal with pressure discontinuities at matrix-fracture interfaces. The numerical analysis is performed in the general framework of gradient discretizations which is extended to the model under consideration. Two families of schemes namely the Vertex Approximate Gradient scheme (VAG) and the Hybrid Finite Volume scheme (HFV) are detailed and shown to satisfy the gradient scheme framework, which yields, in particular, convergence. Numerical tests confirm the theoretical results. Gradient Discretization; Darcy Flow, Discrete Fracture Networks, Finite Volume


It is now recognized worldwide that all television services, including HDTV, will eventually become digital, but there is wide disagreement about the optimum timing for transforming existing analog systems. A major driving force is the ongoing partial merging of television and digital computers in interactive multimedia services involving digital television and applications in areas like information (news), education, medical, entertainment, etc. A major target is to maximize interoperability of video services at all levels, including various resolutions, different transmission and storage mechanisms, as well as bit rates. This paper provides an overview of the current status in digital television, techniques used, future prospects, and research areas that need to be investigated. The maturity of compression techniques needed for digital video storage and transmission, and the establishment of international standards for digital television representation, like MPEG-2, have greatly contributed in this transformation. Recent developments are mentioned, including the American "Grand Alliance" FCC effort for digital terrestrial HDTV broadcasting, and also other efforts for digital television by cable and DBS. The concept of hierarchical multiresolution coding is also explained, and some of its techniques are briefly described. >


Background: Despite a high incidence of oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) HER2-negative (HER2−) breast carcinoma (BC) in elderly women, rationale and modalities of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) vary greatly and remain heterogeneous after 70 years, precluding evaluation of its benefit and impact on functional status and outcome. As for trials investigating innovative treatments, elderly patients are often excluded from programs evaluating new modern prognosis classifiers. Trial design: ASTER 70s is a prospective multicentre trial that investigates the impact on overall survival (OS) of adjuvant CT in elderly ER+ HER2− BC patients selected with a modern prognosis classifier while taking into account competing risks for mortality (EudraCT 2011–004744-22). After surgery, 2,000 patients over 70 years will have genomic grade (GG) assessed centrally by qRT-PCR on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples (Ipsogen). Only those with a high GG or Equivocal (estimation∼700, group I) will be randomized between endocrine treatment alone and CT followed by endocrine treatment. CT regimen is left to the choice of investigators amongst 3 regimen of same duration [4 q3w cycles, docetaxel+cyclophosphamide (TC), doxorubicin or non pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Myocet®)+cyclophosphamide (AC or MC), all with G-CSF], as well as endocrine treatment (aromatase inhibitor±tamoxifen). Radiotherapy will follow standard guidelines. Patients with low GG or not randomized for any reason (estimation∼1,300, group II) will be followed up as an observational cohort, with endocrine treatment only. Eligibility criteria: Any ER+ HER2− BC after complete surgery, M0, any pT or pN. Normal organ functions. No specific BC treatment before surgery. No exclusion for underlying medical condition unless potential contra-indication to study drugs. Specific aims: OS is the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints address competing risks for mortality, include cost-effectiveness and QTWiST analysis, geriatric questions, acceptability and quality of life (QLQ C30 and specific elderly scale ELD15). The Lee9s 4-year mortality score is calculated. The G8 screening tool is also assessed and used for stratification. Translational research will focus on ageing and prognostic biomarkers, and pharmacogenetic. Statistical methods: Sample size based on 4-year OS (87.5 vs 80%), bilateral test, α=0.05, β=0.20 and HR= 0.60. Present accrual and target accrual: The trial has been opened to inclusion in April 2012. 14 centres have been activated with 14 patients included: 7 randomized in group I, 2 included in the cohort (group II) and 4 with GG determination ongoing. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT3-3-10.


PT. XYZ is one of some cigarette companies in Indonesia. In producing cigarette, the firm requires
a material named "etiket" which is produced by printing division for internal consumers of PT. XYZ.
merupakan salah satu dari beberapa produsen rokok di Indonesia yang telah dikenal masyarakat. In
order to produce "etiket", there are some wastes occurred. One of wastes occurred in printing division is
product defects. This paper attempts to identify wastes in the division of printing using Lean
Manufacturing approach by applying Value Stream Mapping (VSM) method.
The results from Cause Root analysis found that the problems caused the defects in production
process. It shows that the most wastes occurs in the printing division are product defect and waiting time.
The product defects are caused because there is no standard applied in processing the product and poor
inspections by management, while the causes of waiting time wastes is because of lack of carrier and no
standard in each process. The recommendation can be suggested to the company are adding some carrier
(product's transporter), creating process standard in each process.
Keywords : Lean Manufacturing, Value Stream Mapping, Value Stream Analysis.


Manufacturing industries in Malaysia play a fundamental role in economic growth and enhancing the population's standard of living. However, a huge quantity of industrial wastes is generated daily, exacerbating landfill disposal issues. Waste minimization as the most sustainable approach of waste handling contributes to a significant reduction of waste. In Malaysia, practicing waste minimization by manufacturing firms is not very common. Thus, this study attempted to determine the most commonly practiced methods of minimization by manufacturing firms in Malaysia. Also, the effectiveness of each method in waste reduction was explored. Data were collected through survey and analyzed through the quantitative and qualitative approaches from 214 manufacturing firms that cover small, medium, and large sizes with a 67.5% response rate. The questionnaire was developed based on the review of literature and is validated by a panel of experts. Paired sample T-test was used to compare the solid waste generation one year before and one year after practicing methods. Spearman Rho Correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used to explore the relationships of methods and their significant contribution in waste reduction. Findings revealed that waste generation was significantly different after practicing waste minimization methods (p<0.05). With respect to the methods correlation and effectiveness in waste reduction, all waste minimization methods have a significant and positive correlation with waste reduction (p<0.05). Methods include segregation of wastes, on-site reuse and recycle, improved housekeeping, and equipment modification – all of which were found to be effective in waste reduction for Malaysian manufacturing firms (p<0.05).


Background The availability of central nervous system stimulants has risen in recent years, along with increased dispensing of stimulants for treatment of, for example, parent-reported attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and new diagnoses during adulthood. Typologies of drug use, as has been done with opioids, fail to include a sufficient range of behavioral factors to contextualize person-centric circumstances surrounding drug use. Understanding these patterns across drug classes would bring public health and regulatory practices toward precision public health. Objective The objective of this study was to quantitatively delineate the unique behavioral profiles of adults who currently nonmedically use stimulants and opioids using a latent class analysis and to contrast the differences in findings by class. We further evaluated whether the subgroups identified were associated with an increased Drug Abuse Screening Test-10 (DAST-10) score, which is an indicator of average problematic drug use. Methods This study used a national cross-sectional web-based survey, using 3 survey launches from 2019 to 2020 (before the COVID-19 pandemic). Data from adults who reported nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (n=2083) or prescription opioids (n=6127) in the last 12 months were analyzed. A weighted latent class analysis was used to identify the patterns of use. Drug types, motivations, and behaviors were factors in the model, which characterized unique classes of behavior. Results Five stimulant nonmedical use classes were identified: amphetamine self-medication, network-sourced stimulant for alertness, nonamphetamine performance use, recreational use, and nondiscriminatory behaviors. The drug used nonmedically, acquisition through a friend or family member, and use to get high were strong differentiators among the stimulant classes. The latter 4 classes had significantly higher DAST-10 scores than amphetamine self-medication (P<.001). In addition, 4 opioid nonmedical use classes were identified: moderate pain with low mental health burden, high pain with higher mental health burden, risky behaviors with diverse motivations, and nondiscriminatory behaviors. There was a progressive and significant increase in DAST-10 scores across classes (P<.001). The potency of the opioid, pain history, the routes of administration, and psychoactive effect behaviors were strong differentiators among the opioid classes. Conclusions A more precise understanding of how behaviors tend to co-occur would improve efficacy and efficiency in developing interventions and supporting the overall health of those who use drugs, and it would improve communication with, and connection to, those at risk for severe drug outcomes.


Solutions based on "equivalence interference" are proposed for various problems involving OE verbs. WG verbs with 1SG /-ͻͻmi/ were modeled on Celtic verbs with /-aami/. Pre-OE eode is from /eiͻͻde/, analogical to 1SG /eiͻͻmi/ from /eimi/. OE dyd- is from reinterpretation of peasant /dïd-/, from low-stressed /ded-/ used as a non-emphatic periphrastic, as noble /düd-/. WG /bii-/ 'be' was modeled on Celtic /bii-/ '(habitual-future) be'. Habitual-future /bi-/ (lost on the continent) re-developed in OE on the model of habitual-future /bi-/ in Brittonic. The English rule that non-indicative forms of BE are /b/-forms is from Brittonic. 3PL bi(o)đon was modeled on Brittonic /biđont/. Pre-OE /ist/ and /im/ were influenced by Brittonic /is/ and /æm/. Loss of distinct endings before 1PL and 2PL subject pronouns and loss of distinct preterit subjunctive endings were both modeled on their analogues in Brittonic.


Bee phonoreceptors are revealed by electrophysiological method. These are hair sensillae located between facet eyes and occipital commissure. The region of the highest sensitivity of receptors in within the range of the maximum energy of various sound signals used in the communication of bees. The receptors exactly distinguish the signals according to their duration and intensity.


Paracrine factors of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have the potential of preventing adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). S100A8 and S100A9 are calcium-binding proteins playing essential roles in the regulation of inflammation and fibrous tissue formation, and they might modulate the paracrine effect of hMSCs. We isolated human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and examined the changes in the expression level of regulatory genes of inflammation and fibrosis after hAMSCs were treated with S100A8/A9. The anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of hAMSCs pretreated with S100A8/A9 were shown to be superior to those of hAMSCs without S100A8/A9 pretreatment in the cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation experiment. We established a murine myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model to compare the therapeutic effects of the conditioned medium of hAMSCs with or without S100A8/A9 pretreatment. We found the hearts administered with a conditioned medium of hAMSCs with S100A8/A9 pretreatment had better left ventricular systolic function on day 7, 14, and 28 after MI. These results suggest S100A8/A9 enhances the paracrine therapeutic effects of hAMSCs in aspects of anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and cardiac function preservation after MI.


The relationship between clinical symptoms and neurocognitive impairment has been a growing interest in the field of schizophrenia research. We review the empirical evidence for whether some schizophrenia symptoms can be viewed as expressions of disordered executive functioning. A specific focus of our review is Frith's (1992) neurocognitive theory of negative symptoms, and whether this theory is supported by studies of executive functioning in schizophrenia. The current trend towards viewing executive functioning in terms of fractionable cognitive processes is discussed. Difficulties with traditional clinical measures (e.g. the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test; WCST) in separating these processes are highlighted. Neurocognitive studies of schizophrenia are then reviewed in terms of this fractionated view of executive processes. We conclude that a more specific approach to executive functioning deficits in schizophrenia using more selective measures is needed before stronger conclusions can be drawn about their relationship to clinical symptoms.


The main subject of this master's thesis is ground resistance measurements on interconnected transmission towers. Statnett, which is the Norwegian transmission system operator, initiated the assignment as a result of experienced problems with the currently used method. The purpose of the master's thesis is to select an adequate method for measurement of ground resistance at interconnected transmission towers, by evaluation of different methods. In this thesis six methods are explained, and their qualities are investigated by simulations in CDEGS as well as practical research measurements. Based on this investigation it was possible to identify a method that met the complex requirements for ground resistance measurements on interconnected transmission towers, as well as Statnett's preferences regarding time-consumption. The most adequate method for Statnett to use is one particular variation of the Fall of Potential method. This method involves a correction factor to find the real resistance of the ground electrode. When performing measurements on counterpoise electrodes, the current electrode is located perpendicular to the transmission line, at a distance equal to the ground electrode's extension in the measuring direction. Similarly, for ring electrodes it is located at a distance of four times the ground electrode's extension. The potential electrode is located in the middle of the ground electrode and the current electrode for both counterpoise and ring electrodes. Simulations performed using this measuring method, with soil conditions representative for Norwegian tower sites, show that it has an accuracy of ± 22%, which is acceptable. The method requires short test electrode distances. As a result of this it is less time-consuming and less sensitive to local variations in soil resistivity nearby the ground electrode, compared to the other methods. Other investigated methods also resulted in good accuracy when simulating the measurement methods. However, these methods are more time-consuming and more sensitive to soil conditions or the potential electrode's location. Some of the methods resulted in resistances that were substantially lower than the actual resistance of the ground electrode under test. An instruction for ground resistance measurements on interconnected transmission towers has been made. With the help of this, a work instruction will be written and the method will be implemented at Statnett during summer 2007.