The process of rapid development of the ethnological research, taking place currently, necessitated the search for new sources. Among them, of a great value are the records from expeditions of researchers of the past, which bear witness to the ethnographic realities of the respective time. From this point of view, the field notes (notebooks and journals) of Rail Gumerovich Kuzeev (1929–2005) — an outstanding Russian ethnologist, founder of the ethnographic sciences in Bashkortostan, who greatly contributed to the development of the problems of ethnogenesis and ethnic history of the Bashkirs and other Turkic peoples,— have priceless scientific value. The field records from the expeditions of the scientist in 1953–1982 to all major ethnographic and local groups of the Bashkirs are now reposited in the Scientific Archive of the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The notes are made in special notebooks issued by the Academy of Sciences of the USSR for documenting materials of expeditions. In addition to the text (narration of observations, description of ethnographic objects and phenomena, transcripts of conversations with informants, etc.), they also contain many graphic representations (drawings, plans, diagrams). The notes and drawings are made in ink and pencil; in the latest documents, with a ballpoint pen. The aim of the work is to identify their archaeographic features and source-study value (ethnographic and historical evidence, methodology of the scholar's fieldwork). The textual analysis of R.G. Kuzeyev's field notes showed that they captured unique information on the history and ethnography of the Bashkir people, concerning ethnogenesis, migration, tribal structure, ancestral symbols, genealogies, social organization, land ownership, arts and crafts, clothing and ornaments, dwelling, economic activities and trades, traditional festivals and ceremonies, and toponyms. From the source-study perspective, they are of obvious interest to the ethnologists, ethnographers, and socio-cultural anthropologists, as well as to the folklorists (they contain texts of many historical and toponymic legends and tales), archaeologists, especially those dealing with the 'archaeology of the modern period' (there is information about old Bashkir settlements, summer camps, abandoned cemeteries), local historians and genealogists (information about history of the settlements, generation lists), etc.


Information presented to a user via Twitter is variously called a 'stream', that is, a constant flow of data passing the viewer or reader. Where the totality of information passing through Twitter at any moment is considered, the flow is often referred to as a 'firehose', in other words, a gushing torrent of information. Blink and you've missed it. But does this information have only momentary value or relevance? Is there additional value in collecting, storing and preserving these data? This short report describes a small case study in archiving collected tweets by, and about, a research data project, DataPool at the University of Southampton. It explains the constraints imposed by Twitter on the use of such collections, describes how a service for collections evolved within these constraints, and illustrates the practical issues and choices that resulted in an archived collection. The second version of the report adds a short postscript on rights, ethics and privacy of archiving Twitter data, prompted by a Twitter dialogue on this report. Two additional references of related work at Southampton are provided towards the end of sections 1 and 2.


We have isolated 4 independent mutations affecting α-mannosidase-1, a a developmentally regulated activity in Dictyostelium discoideum. Three of these result in a thermolabile α-mannosidase-1 activity. One mutation also affects the substrate affinity (Km) of the activity. In diploids these mutations show a gene dosage effect and are all alleles. The structural gene for α-mannosidase-1, as defined by these mutations, defines a new linkage group, linkage group VI. α-Mannosidase-1 is probably a homopolymer with subunits of 54,000 daltons.

We have also mapped two temperature-sensitive-for-growth mutations onto two previously defined linkage groups.


Abstract. In the winter-rain southern Atacama Desert of the Coquimbo Region of Chile, El Nino - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events modulate primary productivity. In this region, there are important changes in water availability between La Nina (dry) and El Nino (rainy) years. Using inter-annual comparisons of LANDSAT images from 30° to 31° S latitude, we observed changes in primary productivity between dry and rainy years at the regional level. There were also significant, negative correlations between productivity and elevation, with changes occurring first at low elevation during rainy years. The limiting factors to dryland vegetation primary productivity is different in regard to elevation. Rain during an El Nino year is the main factor that explains the increase in primary productivity at low elevation, while lower temperatures reduce and delay the net primary productivity at mid elevation.


ABSTRACT Detecting low amounts of cyanobacterial toxins (cyanotoxins) in water and clinical materials is useful to protect human health and to understand cyanotoxin intoxication events. Commonly-occurring cyanobacterial compounds and extracts of cyanotoxin-producing cyanobacteria were tested by a cylindrospermopsin ELISA, in comparison with HPLC-PDA. Other than the cylindrospermopsin variants, none of the purified cyanobacterial peptides tested showed cross-reactivity in the cylindrospermopsin ELISA up to 100 µg/L, with the exception of nodularin-R. The cylindrospermopsin concentration in cylindrospermopsin-producing cyanobacteria showed good agreement between ELISA and HPLC-PDA. However, extracts of Microcystis, Planktothrix, Nodularia, and Chlorella showed ELISA positives with such non-cylindrospermopsin-producing organisms reporting concentrations greater than 1 µg/L. When cylindrospermopsins were present, the cylindrospermopsin ELISA yielded good quantification, but false positive results from non-cylindrospermopsin-containing cyanobacteria and microalgae could not be discounted.


The use of pump-probe experiments to study complex transient events has been an area of significant interest in materials science, biology, and chemistry. While the emphasis has been on laser pump with laser probe and laser pump with x-ray probe experiments, there is a significant and growing interest in using electrons as probes. Early experiments used electrons for gas-phase diffraction of photostimulated chemical reactions. More recently, scientists are beginning to explore phenomena in the solid state such as phase transformations, twinning, solid-state chemical reactions, radiation damage, and shock propagation. This review focuses on the emerging area of ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM), which comprises ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) and dynamic transmission electron microscopy (DTEM). The topics that are treated include the following: (1) The physics of electrons as an ultrafast probe. This encompasses the propagation dynamics of the electrons (space-charge effect, Child's law, Boersch effect) and extends to relativistic effects. (2) The anatomy of UED and DTEM instruments. This includes discussions of the photoactivated electron gun (also known as photogun or photoelectron gun) at conventional energies (60–200 keV) and extends to MeV beams generated by rf guns. Another critical aspect of the systems is the electron detector. Charge-coupled device cameras and microchannel-plate-based cameras are compared and contrasted. The effect of various physical phenomena on detective quantum efficiency is discussed. (3) Practical aspects of operation. This includes determination of time zero, measurement of pulse-length, and strategies for pulse compression. (4) Current and potential applications in materials science, biology, and chemistry. UEM has the potential to make a significant impact in future science and technology. Understanding of reaction pathways of complex transient phenomena in materials science, biology, and chemistry will provide fundamental knowledge for discovery-class science.


Storytellers have always known that there is more to a story than 'just a good yarn'. It is through stories that individuals construct and reconstruct their sense of self as they learn 'to be' in the world. Learning through stories is common across a number of professional contexts. However, storied approaches are under-utilised in supervisor professional development programs. This paper argues that telling, receiving, reading, writing and re-writing stories can open to doctoral supervisors a way to negotiate the chaotic pedagogy of becoming and being a doctoral supervisor. Two examples of storytelling – interactive telling and reading of stories of research student experience and supervisor autobiographical writing – illustrate how the art of storytelling can return personal narrative ways of knowing to professional development in today's performance-driven higher degree by research context.


Coaches Across Continents uses a three-year Hat-Trick Initiative to work alongside partners in developing communities globally. This paper examines their Chance to Choice curriculum, and shows how they use this to guide local community coaches, teachers, and leaders from learned helplessness towards self-directed learning. Program participants learn applicable life skills in parallel to football skills on the field. They become self-directed learners with growing ability to challenge the existing order and thus to change their lives, their communities, and their countries.


Alveolar hemorrhage is a severe complication of systemic lupus erithematosus (SLe) associated with high mortality. Treatment includes administration of steroids and cyclophosphamide. Additionally, some reports have recommended the use of plasmapheresis, azathioprine and methotrexate. There is a single case reported in the literature in which recombinant activatedfactor VII (rFVIIa) was used to control severe hemorrhage secondary to alveolitis unresponsive to standard treatment. We report the case of a patient with SLE who developed severe alveolar hemorrhage unresponsive to standard measures, but who was successfully treated with rFVIIa.


A foundational method of User Experience (UX) is usability. Practitioners assess the effectiveness and efficiency of their product: can users complete a given task, and can they do so with ease? However, usability is only one facet of a user's experience. This paper draws attention to the subjective, intangible aspects of user experience. It reviews current approaches to assess subjective experiences and provides guidelines on how one may tailor these approaches to needs at the levels of users, teams, and products. Additionally, using digital health apps as a case study, the paper introduces the concept of a shared user-app journey and reviews the main stages the two traverse together. It provides examples of approaches to evaluate subjective experience at various phases along the user-app journey.


Primary well-differentiated dimethylbenzene alpha-anthracene (DMBA)-or nitrosomethylurea (NMU)-induced rat mammary adenocarcinomas that are estrogen dependent possess biologically active and immunoreactive transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), which can be detected in a sort agar growth-promoting assay and by a specific liquid-phase competitive RIA, respectively. In contrast, tissue extracts prepared from transplantable undifferentiated DMBA-I and NMU-II rat mammary carcinomas that are estrogen independent and metastatic exhibit low or undetectable levels of TGF alpha. In addition, the primary DMBA- and NMU-induced rat mammary adenocarcinomas express a specific 4.8-kilobase TGF alpha mRNA species, whereas little or no TGF alpha mRNA can be detected in the transplantable DMBA-I and NMU-II tumors. Primary tumors synthesize type IV basement membrane collagen, whereas the transplantable tumors elaborate very little type IV collagen. Either TGF alpha or estrogens can differentially enhance the synthesis of type IV collagen by 0.5- to 4-fold over total protein synthesis in primary cultures of normal mouse mammary epithelial cells or in primary NMU-induced tumor cells, respectively. Therefore, TGF alpha could function as an estrogen-inducible autocrine growth factor for well differentiated rat mammary tumor cells by its ability to selectively regulate type IV collagen synthesis. Estrogens can modulate TGF alpha production in vivo in primary DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors, because ovariectomy results in a rapid decline (within 6 h) of TGF alpha mRNA levels. This response to estrogens can also be observed in vitro. Primary DMBA- or NMU-induced rat mammary tumor cells cultured in the presence of 17 beta-estradiol (10(-8) M) for 4 days show an increase in the level of TGF alpha mRNA over cells not treated with estrogen. This increase in TGF alpha mRNA is paralleled by a 2- to 3-fold increase in the levels of immunoreactive TGF alpha that can be detected and in the conditioned medium from estrogen-treated cells. These results suggest that TGF alpha may be an adjunct marker for those mammary tumors that are well differentiated adenocarcinomas and estrogen dependent and that estrogen-independent tumors do not constitutively produce TGF alpha or express TGF alpha mRNA.


Background: Exposure to aeroallergens is a critical factor for sensitization of allergens and provocation of respiratory allergic symptoms. Objective: We investigated the seasonal variation of the infestation of house dust mites in the domestic environment of Seoul and its vicinities and its influences on the health of inhabitants. Method: The study was performed from April 2000 through January 2001, comprised 63 houses. The dust samples were collected from bedclothes, bedroom, kitchen, and living room floors by vacuum cleaner in April, July, October, and January. Group 1 major allergen of D. farinae (Der f 1) was measured by two-site ELISA. Specific IgE of enrolled subjects was measured by ELISA. The status of health was evaluated by the questionnaire comprising 5 domains and 26 items. Result: House dust mite (HDM) was detected in 85% houses. Concentration of Der f 1 in the bedclothes dust was highest in October, followed by January, July, and April. The seasonal variation of Der f 1 was prominent in the floor dust. The prevalence of specific IgE to HDM is higher in subjects with high Der f 1 in bedclothes dust (>2μg/g dust). There was no difference in eye and nasal symptoms between inhabitants with low (Der f 1<2μg/g dust) and high Der f 1 (Der f 1≥2μg/g dust) group in bedclothes dust. However, in the high Der f 1 group, inhabitants more frequently had complained of the difficulty in breathing at day and night during recent 1 year. Conclusion: Marked seasonal variation of HDM infestation is found in domestic environments of Seoul citizens and exposure to HDM can affect the health of the inhabitants. (Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol 2006;26:27-34) ꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏ


This volume details the important items in the development of the concept of endangered species, from John Locke to the current problems of the twenty-first century. Excerpts from more than fifty different significant documents appear, in roughly chronological order. The scope covers more than just endangered animals and plants, with related discussions on such items as water rights, utilitarianism, outdoor recreation, and climate change. Each chapter consists of the relevant sections of an essential document in the development of endangered species policy. Quotations from essays, actual congressional bills, speeches to Congress, executive orders and Supreme Court cases are among the featured items. Not all are easy to understand, especially the court cases, with their many case references. Each quoted item is followed by a one-page analysis explaining why the selection is considered noteworthy, as well as a brief list of further reading. Occasional "Did You Know" sidebars, briefly summarizing a particular problem that pertains to the subject of the chapter, provide clarifying information and/or examples. A small number of unindexed black and white illustrations seem to have been added as an afterthought, almost at random.


BACKGROUND
With increasing sports medicine content on social media, we sought to identify the top sports medicine influencers on X (formerly Twitter) and analyse their common characteristics.

METHODS
X influence scores for "Sports Medicine" were collected in November 2021 from Right Relevance. Accounts were then screened in a blind, duplicate manner for personal and X profile characteristics.

RESULTS
Physical therapists/physiotherapists made up 48% of the top sports science and medicine influencers. Locations in the U.S. and U.K. were listed for half of the influencers. The mean h-index was 30.2 (95% CI = [24.8-35.6]) with a median of 22.0 (range = 1-101). Most individuals reported multiple practice settings (63%), with 60% associated with an academic setting. Professional (62%) and Olympic (49%) level athletics were most frequently mentioned, with soccer (48%) and rugby (30%) as the most common sports. Among 76 profiles with URLs, most were linked to personal websites (57.9%).

CONCLUSION
The top influencers on X consisted of accredited sports science and medicine professionals across various locations and occupations, providing ample networking and collaboration opportunities. The relatively high h-index in this study suggests sports science and medicine influencers on X are notable contributors to academic literature.


Ultrasonic motors (USMs) are driven by friction forces between a stator and rotor. So the output properties and life of USMs are strongly related to the properties, such as the mechanical and tribological properties, of the frictional materials. In this study, the effects of the content of potassium titanate whiskers (PTWs) on the mechanical and tribological properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based friction materials and the performances of the corresponding USMs were studied. The morphology of worn surfaces of PTFE composites were observed with a scanning electron microscope. The experimental results show that the PTWs not only increased the hardness and elastic modulus of the PTFE composites but also increased the friction coefficient and wear resistance of the PTFE composites. On the whole, the PTFE-based friction materials filled with 5 wt % PTWs were the preferable friction materials for USMs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012


Franchising is a business of cooperation among the parties. One party is called a franchisor and another party is called the franchisee to increase market penetration, growing new businesses and open working opportunity. Maslahah mursalah is used to address and answer new issues and developments that arise due to the progress of science and modern technology, both in setting the law against new problems, no provision of law and a new law to replace the old laws that do not conform any more with the circumstances, situations, conditions and welfare of the people of today. Maslahah mursalah is one method of laws istinbath that is made hujjah. For examples of problems set by maslahah mursalah ruling, it is shown that laws enacted by the method is more nurturing and more able to realize the sharia objectives, and it is the effectiveness of maslahah mursalah in setting the Islamic rules. Franchise system has a lot of benefit. Although not perfect, but overall it gives any favor by minimizing business risks, taking maslahah and keep madharat. The franchise system, of course, has been in accordance with the rules of maslahah mursalah. Keywords: Franchising, Business, Maslahah Mursalah


Objective To study the expressions and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinases-2(MMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods SP immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expressions of MMP-2 and VEGF-C in 78 cases of PTC and 18 cases of thyroid benign tumors.Results The positive expression rates of MMP-2 and VEGF-C in PTC(80.77%,75.64%) were significantly higher than those of the thyroid benign tumor(11.11%,22.22%),P0.05.The expressions of MMP-2 and VEGF-C were correlated to the degree of infiltration and lymph node metastasis in PTC:In those which infiltrated to or over the thyroid capsular,or had clinical neck lymph node metastasis,the positive expression rates were significantly higher than those in the other cases which had confined invasion of thyroid capsular or non-clinical metastasis of neck lymph node(P0.05).And during the follow-up of 41 patients who didn't have clinical neck lymph node metastasis before operation,the positive expression rates of those who had clinical neck lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than those in the other patients who didn't have neck lymph node metastasis(P0.05).There was significantly positive correlation between the expressions of MMP-2 and VEGF-C in PTC(Gamma=0.846,P0.05).Conclusions MMP-2 and VEGF-C may be used to distinguish malignant and benign thyroid tumor;The expressions of MMP-2 and VEGF-C are correlated with the degree of infiltration and neck lymph node metastasis in PTC;Combined detection of MMP-2 and VEGF-C will be more accurate to predict condition of lymph node metastasis.


The 2000 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) uses percent time-spent-following (PTSF) as the primary level-of-service (LOS) measure for two-lane highways. On Class I highways, average travel speed is used as an auxiliary measure. The new HCM provides methods for both twoway and directional estimation of PTSF, although the methods are not totally compatible. On Finnish two-lane highways, PTSF is lower than that estimated by the HCM 2000 methodology. Also, the impact of directional distribution is greater, whereas the impact of no-passing zones is less. From the beginning of the motorized transportation era, traffic engineers have searched for methods to define the traffic capacity of highways. Capacity estimation is not enough, however; traffic engineers and road users are both interested in the quality of traffic flow. After almost a century, this search is not yet over. In fact, transportation telematics has increased the need for reliable descriptions of quality traffic flow by using performance measures and concepts that are easily understood by road users. Several performance and service measures (to assign a LOS) suggested for two-lane highways are discussed. The properties of PTSF are discussed in more detail because PTSF has been the most important service measure for two-lane highways since HCM 1985. The estimation of PTSF and its adjustment for prevailing conditions in HCM 2000 are compared by the use of data from Finland. Finally, the applicability of PTSF as a service measure is evaluated against a set of qualifications.


This is a retrospective observational hospital-based study aimed to determine the prevalence and outcome of severe acute malnutrition in children less than five years admitted to Omdurman Paediatric Hospital during the period January 2014 to December 2014. Data was collected from patient's hospital records during the study period. Ethical approval and permission to access patients' record were obtained. A total of 593 children with severe malnutrition were identified; 305 of cases were male (51.4%) with a male: female ratio of 1:0.9. The mean age these children was 22.3 months. Children 36-59 months were least affected. 35.4% were classified as low socioeconomic class, 22.9% classified as an average class and there were no sufficient data to classify the remaining. The overall prevalence of severe malnutrition was 6.5%, and the general mortality rate was 2.4% while mortality rate among children with severe malnutrition was 9.3%. Among the 593 admitted children with malnutrition, 407 (68.6%) had marasmus, 141 (23.8%) had kwashiorkor and 45 (7.6%) had marasmic-kwashiorkor. The highest prevalence and mortality rate occurred in September. The most common clinical presentations were gastroenteritis, malaria, urinary tract infections, giardiasis, tuberculosis and AIDS. Only 10.8% of the admitted children were exclusively breast fed for the first three months. 33% were fully vaccinated. Overall 75.7% improved and discharged, 15% discharged against medical advice and 9.3% died. We concluded that prevalence and mortality among children with acute severe malnutrition at Omdurman paediatrics hospital were high, and the current management strategies require review to identify the causes. We recommended adopting policies to manage malnutrition in the community and hospitals.


Lytta nuttalli Say, a large purple and green blister beetle, readily attacks rapeseed in western Canada (Church 1975; Church and Gerber 1976, 1977). As L. nuttalli commonly feeds on caragana (Caragana arborescens Lam.) on the Canadian prairies, attacks on rapeseed crops often occur near caragana hedges. A typical attack was observed near Vanscoy, Saskatchewan in July 1981. A large number of L. nuttalli, from an adjacent caragana hedge where they were abundant, were feeding on experimental plots of a canola variety of Brassica napus L. rapeseed, and rapidly devouring leaves, stems, and flowering heads. Often they chewed off the stems and fed on the severed plant parts on the ground. There were such large clusters of the beetles on some plants that stems were bent to the ground. The gregarious behaviour of these beetles, and their habit of assembling in clusters on their food plants, are well known (Selander 1960; Church 1975; Church and Gerber 1976, 1977). In the experimental plots at Vanscoy, insecticide application was necessary for survival of the canola plants. Fortunately, attacks by L. nuttalli on commercial canola crops are not frequent enough to constitute a major problem. Increased canola production itself is not likely to cause major increases in L. nuttalli populations, as populations are probably limited by the availability of ground-nesting leafcutter bee cells, which are necessary for larval development (Church 1975; Church and Gerber 1976).


ZigBee network, based on PHY, MAC layer provides a specification for a suite of high level communication protocols using small, low-power digital radio based on an IEEE 802.15.4 standard. Meshing is a type of daisy chaining from one device to another. This technique allows the short range of an individual node to be expanded and multiplied, covering a much larger area. Each wireless technology that makes it to market serves a special purpose or function. Zigbee provides short-range connectivity in what is called a personal-area network (PAN). Within ZigBee PAN coordinator as manages an entire ZigBee network, the short range of frequency band was only selected because the technology allows typically less than 100 kbp or ZigBee troubles in retransmission processing and delaying data tranmission works to create unproductive condition of work. This research was proposed the method, based on short range frequency of zigBee nodes enable to long range of remote data transmission with specific algorithm tools.


ABSTRACT A nuclear mRNA degradation (DRN) system was identified from analysis of mRNA turnover rates in nup116-Δ strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking the ability to export all RNAs, including poly(A) mRNAs, at the restrictive temperature. Northern blotting, in situ hybridization, and blocking transcription with thiolutin in nup116-Δ strains revealed a rapid degradation of mRNAs in the nucleus that was suppressed by the rrp6-Δ, rai1-Δ, and cbc1-Δ deletions, but not by the upf1-Δ deletion, suggesting that DRN requires Rrp6p, a 3′-to-5′ nuclear exonuclease, the Rat1p, a 5′-to-3′ nuclear exonuclease, and Cbc1p, a component of CBC, the nuclear cap binding complex, which may direct the mRNAs to the site of degradation. We propose that certain normal mRNAs retained in the nucleus are degraded by the DRN system, similar to degradation of transcripts with 3′ end formation defects in certain mutants.


Background Patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) present with multisystem disease including renal impairment. The treatment for AAV involves a high burden of immunosuppression. Patients with renal involvement are treated especially intensively. As a result, we identified these patients as being potentially at high risk of failure to seroconvert to COVID-19 vaccination. Methods We collected data on seroconversion response rates to COVID-19 vaccination in a multi-ethnic cohort of patients with AAV and renal involvement treated at a busy tertiary nephrology centre as part of a retrospective review of patient notes. Blood samples were taken following vaccination with either Pfizer or Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccines and median fluorescence intensity was measured using the validated MULTICOV-Ab Magnetic LuminexⓇ Assay. We also evaluated whether seroconversion was affected by immunosuppression regimen. Results 81 patients were included. The mean age was 62, and there were 49 (60%) females. 55 patients had a blood test after the first dose; 46 after the second dose. Patients were in remission with a median BVAS of 0 (IQR 2). Seroconversion after the first dose with either vaccine was 35/55 (63.6%). After the second it was 38/46 (82.6%). Subgroup analyses revealed a trend to impaired seroconversion in non-white versus white patients (77.8 vs. 81.7% (p = 0.69) after the first dose of vaccine and in those treated with Rituximab in the last 12 months (73.3 vs. 87.1%, p = 0.41). Conclusions These data offer real-world evidence of lower seroconversion in response to vaccination with one dose in patients with AAV and renal involvement than the general UK population. After two doses, seroconversion is in line with national data. These data provide a rationale for hospital-led identification of patients most at risk of COVID-19 and underscore the importance of local connexions between hospitals and their communities. These data provide further support for targeting booster vaccination programmes to vulnerable patient cohorts. They add to the growing evidence of reduced seroconversion in response to vaccination in patients with renal disease of any cause.


Abstract Aims A reduction in the carbon monoxide content of domestic gas and car exhaust gas has been associated with a decrease in gassing suicides in many western countries. In Japan, a reduction in the carbon monoxide content of domestic gas supply began in the early 1970s, and carbon monoxide emissions standards of new passenger cars were significantly strengthened in 1978. However, little is known about the impact of detoxification of these gases on gassing-related suicides in Japan. Therefore, we examined the changing patterns of suicide due to domestic gas or car exhaust gas inhalation by gender and age in Japan between 1968 and 1994. Methods Suicide mortality data were obtained from the Vital Statistics of Japan. In this study, age was divided into four groups: 15–24, 25–44, 45–64 and 65+ years. Method of suicide was divided into three groups: domestic gas, car exhaust gas and non-gases. We calculated method-specific age-standardised suicide rates by gender within each of the four age groups. We applied joinpoint regression to the data and quantified the observed changes. Results Suicide rates by domestic gas, regardless of gender and age, increased from 1968 to the mid-1970s and then decreased sharply. The proportion of all suicides accounted for by domestic gas was comparatively high in the mid-1970s among females aged 15–24 and 25–44 years, while for other gender-age-groups the proportion of domestic gas suicides remained small, even at the peak. For females aged 15–44 years, the decrease in domestic gas suicides appeared to cause a substantial decrease in overall suicides in this gender/age group. Car exhaust gas was a more common method for males, particularly those aged 25–64 years. Car exhaust gas suicide rates for males aged 25–64 years peaked in the mid-1980s, followed by a sharp decrease. Conclusions A reduction in the carbon monoxide content of the domestic gas, which began in the early 1970s in Japan, was associated with a decrease in domestic gas suicides for both genders of all ages. Concerning females aged 15–44 years, a decrease in domestic gas suicides caused a substantial decrease in overall suicides in this gender/age group since the proportion of domestic gas suicides among all suicides combined was comparatively large. However, it remains uncertain whether the introduction of catalytic converters in the 1970s in Japan resulted in a reduction of suicides from car exhaust gas inhalation.


With the rapid development of science and technology of intelligent transportation, Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar sensor has been widely used in automotive auxiliary driving. This paper presents a method to obtain parameters of obstacles ahead a vehicle. Firstly, the signal processing is applied to detect and analyze the moving obstacle to get its range, speed and Doppler shift. Then, a spatial model is set up for the height detection of the obstacle. Finally the feasibility of the introduced method is demonstrated through simulation by using FMCW radar sensors which are mounted on a vehicle. This method of obstacle detection may be applied on safety driving assistant.


With the large use of Internet of Things (IoT) today, everything around us seems to generate data. The ever increasing number of connected things or objects (IoT) is coupled with a growing volume of data generated at a continually increasing rate. Especially where data is big or there is a need to process it, cloud infrastructures, with their scalability and easy access, are becoming the solution of choice for storage and processing. In the context of healthcare applications, where medical sensors collect health data from patients and send it to the cloud, two issues frequently appear in relation to "Big Data". The first issue is related to real-time analysis introduced by the increasing velocity at which data is generated especially from connected devices (IoT). This data should be analyzed continuously in real-time in order to take appropriate actions regarding the patient's care plan. Moreover, medical data accumulated from different patients over time constitutes an important training dataset that can be used to train machine learning models in order to perform smarter disease prediction and treatment. This gives rise to another issue regarding long-term batch processing of often huge volumes of stored data. To deal with these issues, we propose an IoT-Cloud based framework for real-time and batch processing of Big Data in the healthcare domain. We implement the proposed solution on Amazon Cloud operator known as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and use a Raspberry pi as an IoT device to generate data in real time. We test the solution with the specific application of ECG monitoring and abnormality reporting. We analyze the performance of the implemented system in terms of response time by varying the velocity and volume of the analyzed data. We also discuss how the cloud resources should be provisioned in order to guarantee processing performance for both long-term and real-time scenarios. To ensure a good tradeoff between cost and processing performance, resources provision should be adapted to the exact needs and characteristics of the considered application.


My Master's thesis focuses on documenting artistically gifted pupils. The goal is to find out how the documentation of artistically gifted pupils is carried out in primary schools and to lay down systematic guidelines for the identification of artistically gifted pupils which are based on artistic and theoretic framework. The theoretical basis of my master's thesis first focuses on gifted pupils and the process of the documentation of gifted pupils in primary schools. I have described the segments of artistic talent, signs and viewpoints which define artistic talent, the artistic development of a child, children's drawings and artistic language as a key factor, which can help us in documenting artistically gifted pupils. Furthermore, I have focused on problems which occur in documenting artistically gifted pupils and have posed myself this question – what is the role of art as a school subject in this process? The biggest challenge for me was how to include the professional judgment of teachers in the process of documentation, which is based on artistic language and expression. Because the problems relate to professionally lacking viewpoints, I have created artistic and theoretic criteria for the documentation of the complexity of artistic compositions in my master's thesis, on which the documentation and identification of artistically gifted pupils can be based. My research approach consisted of theoretical research with the study of professional literature. I was interested in the process of documentation in the empirical part – who it is carried out by, which problems occur, what are the standards which are currently valid and what is the role of an artistic pedagogue in this process. I have also tried to find out how teachers assess the complexity of pupils' artistic compositions and consequently the potential for artistic talent in reality and if their expertise is sufficient for the professional and founded judgment. I was interested in finding out if the pupils, which are documented as artistically gifted by teachers, are justifiably documented as gifted regarding systematic artistic and theoretic framework, which is presented in the theoretical basis. I have used nonexperimental causal method in the empirical part and have reached goals empirically. I have used qualitative analysis in my research approach. I have not noticed so far the systematic viewpoint and artistic language guidelines for the documentation and identification of pupils' artistic talent. I hope my master's thesis will help teachers with the assessment of the complexity of artistic compositions and with their work with artistically gifted pupils.


As critical dimensions continue to decrease with each technology node, the precise characterization of line width and profile becomes an increasingly challenging task. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) offers several advantages for the characterization of sub-100 nm structures, particularly as a calibrating measurement method. In this work, SANS is used to characterize three samples prepared with the same mask and focus conditions, but different photoresist formulations. The mask pattern consists of parallel lines with a nominal line width of 180 nm and a 1:2 line to space ratio. Scattering data are taken using both a focused neutron beam instrument (two-dimensional data) and a perfect crystal diffraction ultra-high resolution small angle neutron scattering (USANS) instrument. From the location and intensity of observed diffraction peaks, both the periodicity of each grating pattern and the average line widths are determined from simple analytic expressions with nanometer resolution.


Objectives To explore the reasons why general practitioners do not always implement best evidence. Design Qualitative study using Balint-style groups. Setting Primary care. Participants 19 general practitioners. Main outcome measures Identifiable themes that indicate barriers to implementation. Results Six main themes were identified that affected the implementation process: the personal and professional experiences of the general practitioners; the patient-doctor relationship; a perceived tension between primary and secondary care; general practitioners' feelings about their patients and the evidence; and logistical problems. Doctors are aware that their choice of words with patients can affect patients' decisions and whether evidence is implemented. Conclusions General practitioner participants seem to act as a conduit within the consultation and regard clinical evidence as a square peg to fit in the round hole of the patient's life. The process of implementation is complex, fluid, and adaptive.


Abstract : In this study the authors deal with the determination of optimal service rate in an M/M/1 queue. The arrival rate is unknown and assumed to be a random variable with a known distribution function. Holding and operating costs are considered and service rate is determined to minimize total expected discounted costs for infinite horizon. The effects of the arrival rate's distribution properties on the characteristics of the system are examined.


Endometriosis is a common gynecological pathology with the abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) being a rarer one but with increasing frequency probably to the increased rate of deliveries by cesarean sections. Endometrial tissue is hormone responsive and its course of pathology can be directly influenced by hormonal therapy. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of using adjuvant hormonal therapy post-surgical excision of AWE regarding patient's wellbeing and the recurrence rate. We reviewed the records of our twenty (20) cases operated in a six (6) years period whom were or weren't subjected to postoperative hormonal therapy, comparing their follow up courses and recurrence rates.20 women in whom 18 women were multiparous (90%), mean age was 30.6years.the previous surgery was cesarean section in 19 patients (95%) with the main complaint as a cyclic pain and swelling at the site of previous surgery scar. The patients were divided in two groups 10 patients in each, group A included the patients who had surgery alone and group B for the patients who had hormonal therapy for nine months postsurgical excision. No recurrence was reported in each group, 60% of group A patients had localized pain and discomfort at the scar site which started six months post-surgery while this complaint wasn't recorded in any of group B patients. No difference was found in the recurrence rate between the two groups, absence of localized wound symptoms may indicate a better course and less future recurrence rate in the second group in the future. Some prophylactic methods are better to be taken seriously to decrease the rate of this complication.


The rich and diverse architectural traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean and adjacent regions are the subject of this book. Representing the visual residues of a "forgotten" Middle Ages, the social and cultural developments of the Byzantine Empire, the Caucasus, the Balkans, Russia, and the Middle East parallel the more familiar architecture of Western Europe. The book offers an expansive overview of the architectural developments of the Byzantine Empire and areas under its cultural influence, as well as of the intellectual currents that lie behind their creation. The book alternates chapters that address chronological or regional developments with thematic studies that focus on the larger cultural concerns, as they are expressed in architectural form.


In this lecture the author reviews aspects of education in the care of traumatized patients, with particular attention to abdominal injuries. He notes the lack of education in this aspect of medical care during the medical school years and the variable quality of trauma care education during residency training. The author outlines an organized approach to the teaching of trauma care, focusing on cognitive, psychomotor and affective education and the establishment of a uniform core curriculum for residents with the ultimate goal of enhancing patient care.


Through traditional Snake model, contour points could not be converged accurately towards object boundary of deeply concave region and complex region. Aiming at this shortcoming, this paper improved internal energy from two aspects: convergent force from contour points to their center and area surrounded by contour points. And the paper used greedy algorithm of alternation of improved Snake model and traditional Snake model. Results show that initial contour points are converged object boundary accurately and quickly in segmentation of complex image, without disturbance of noise, and adjustment of parameters is easy.


In an attempt to compensate for a lack of a control group in R.M.L. Winstons paper concerning women who regret sterilization data are presented from the information gathered on a total of 1081 women sterilized consecutively at the Womens Hospital at Liverpool. 614 of the 1081 were traced 24-42 months later. 8.8% of the women indicated that they regretted having been sterilized. The most common reason for regretting the sterilization was a desire to bear children with a new partner. The age distribution at the time of the sterilization of patients who subsequently regretted the procedure suggests that sterilization performed at a young age is more likely to lead to regret. These "regrets" did not all result in requests for reversal of the procedure which is in accord with Winstons findings. The association between parity and subsequent regret of the procedure was not as clear. It would not be wise to refuse young women sterilization although patients sterilized at a young age appear to run an increased risk of regretting their sterilization. Instead there should be careful counseling of the very young prior to sterilization particularly with a view to predicting the likely divorce.


Currently, energy management has become one of the most controversial issues in the world due to limitations in natural resources, and the measurement of water consumption by means of water meter. Measuring water consumption has been considered a serious matter in order to control and manage the resources of water. Therefore, there are many approaches, which have been offered such as Ultrasonic, Electromagnetic, and Mechanical mechanism. However, there have been a lot of restrictions in them such as providing the power supply for the meter, the cost of implementation, accuracy of measurement etc. The circuit was designed based on the Hall-Effect sensor by applying a new technique to remove the effects of disturbing signals, which might be derived either of a strong electromagnetic field or temperature. Furthermore, this proposed technique will reduce the number of applied sensors. The CMOS technology was employed to reduce the power consumption, the effects of input resistance on sensor and, etc. The output of each sensor's signal is going to be shown as following, which illustrates the system performance. consequently, the electronic water meter has been designed to be not affected by electromagnetic field, temperature and so on, furthermore the reduction power consumption and the its cost was considered to be mass produced in the design.


Eleven strains of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)-degrading thermophilic bacteria were isolated from forest soils and selected based on clear zone formation on an emulsified PLLA agar plate at 50°C. Among the isolates, strain LP175 showed the highest PLLA-degrading ability. It was closely related to Laceyella sacchari, with 99.9% similarity based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence. The PLLA-degrading enzyme produced by the strain was purified to homogeneity by 48.1% yield and specific activity of 328 U·mg-protein-1 with a 15.3-fold purity increase. The purified enzyme was strongly active against specific substrates such as casein and gelatin and weakly active against Suc-(Ala)₃-pNA. Optimum enzyme activity was exhibited at a temperature of 60°C with thermal stability up to 50°C and a pH of 9.0 with pH stability in a range of 8.5-10.5. Molecular weight of the enzyme was approximately 28.0 kDa, as determined by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. The inhibitors phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), and ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) strongly inhibited enzyme activity, but the activity was not inhibited by 1 mM 1,10-phenanthroline (1,10-phen). The N-terminal amino acid sequences had 100% homology with thermostable serine protease (thermitase) from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris. The results obtained suggest that the PLLA-degrading enzyme produced by L. sacchari strain LP175 is serine protease.


Although bulk gold is known to present very low luminescence quantum yield, gold nanoparticles can present a huge nonlinear luminescence with an apparent high influence of the particle shape. The two-photon luminescence (TPL) of Au nanorods (NR) was investigated at the single-object level, combining polarization-resolved TPL and simultaneously acquired topography using atomic force microscopy (AFM). We evidence that the huge TPL observed in these rods is the result of an interplay between their two different localized surface plasmon resonances. Excitation of gold NR at its longitudinal plasmon frequency first lead to increased absorption and thus increased production of electron-hole pairs that happen to recombine radiatively through the transverse plasmon band i.e. with an enhanced emission at the NR transverse plasmon band. Above fundamental aspects, we show that these specific properties make TPL a highly sensitive technique for the characterization of nanoobjects from their topology to their organization.


The magnitude of international trade flows may be affected by social and cultural variables, such as population structure, common language and colonial links; economic and political variables, such as economic sizes or incomes, trade costs, trade agreements, exchange rate and relative prices; technical variables, such as technology advancement, infrastructure condition and geographical distance; and some more complex variables to be anticipated such as political conflicts, meteorological conditions and natural catastrophes. The main objective of this work is the empirical analysis of the determinants of bilateral trade between Western Balkan countries and the most important partners through the gravity theory. We propose a particular gravity equation for trade, including basic and experimental independent variables. We made use of R software for the econometric analysis, considering a panel data estimator for the dependent variable. The statistical effect of the considered explanators is generally confirmed and the resulting adjusted R-squared is relatively high.


Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 791 Objectives: Clusterin expression is highly up regulated in several chemoresistant malignancies. The functional role of clusterin in the acquisition of a therapy - resistant phenotype in bladder cancer cell remains unknown. We hypothesize that clusterin plays an important role in cancer progression and emergence of chemotherapy resistant phenotype. We investigated the baseline clusterin expression of a variety of bladder cancer cell lines and correlate this expression with the chemosensitivity to gemcitabine in vitro. Methods: A bladder cancer cell panel, consisting of 253J, 253J B-V, 253J B-VR(resistant to taxotere), KU-7, UC-3, UC-5, UC-6, UC-10, and UC-13 were assessed for baseline clusterin expression via Western blot analysis. Chemosensitivity of KU-7 and 253J B-V to gemcitabine (1nM, 10nM, 100nM, and 1000nM) is determined via apoptosis and cell cycle analysis after 48 and 72hrs of treatment using propidium iodide and flow cytometry. We assessed changes in clusterin expression in vitro in KU-7 and 253J B-V bladder cancer cell lines following treatment with the same concentrations of gemcitabine (1nM-1000nM) via Western blot. Results: By screening a variety of human bladder cancer cell lines we observed a wide spectrum of clusterin levels. The steady state levels were high for KU-7, UC-3, and 253J B-VR and low for the rest. Cells with low clusterin expression levels, such as 253J B-V, showed sensitivity to gemcitabine with dose dependent apoptosis, reaching 40% apoptosis at 100nM at 72hrs. In addition, gemcitabine induced a dose dependent G0/G1 arrest with decreased S-phase after 48hrs. In contrast, KU-7, cell line with high clusterin expression, showed resistance to gemcitabine at all concentrations and no quantitative change in cell cycle. The chemoresponsiveness of 253J BV and KU-7 cell lines to gemcitabine correlated with changes in clusterin expression during gemcitabine treatment over 48 and 72hrs. 253J BV cell line showed a decrease in clusterin expression at 100 and 1000nM of gemcitabine at 48 and 72hrs on western blot. KU-7 cells showed a dose-dependent increase in clusterin expression, most pronounced at 72 hrs. Conclusions: We observed a differential expression of clusterin among several bladder cancer cell lines. We also observed high baseline clusterin expression, such as in KU-7, appeared to be associated with resistance to gemcitabine and induction of clusterin expression appeared to confer a chemoresistant phenotype. This data provides a rationale to examine clusterin's role in modulating reponse to chemotherapy. Determine whether antisense (ASO) targeting the clusterin gene enhances apoptosis induced by gemcitabine and evaluate whether combined treatment with clusterin ASO plus gemcitabine enhances chemosensitivity in vitro and in orthotopic and subcutaneous bladder tumor models. This would enhance our understanding of clusterin's role as a surivival factor in bladder cancer.


Aims . In the present study, we aimed to examine the efficacy of oleuropein and vitamin C in reducing the metabolic abnormalities kidney function accompanied to streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male albino rats. The antioxidants, such as phenolic compound oleuropein and Vitamin C play important roles in improve cell function and protect the affected tissues. Methods . The present work was designed to study the effects of oleuropein and vitamin C of diabetic nephropathy in male rats. Diabetes was induced by a single i.p. dose of STZ (40 mg/kg b.w.). Pure oleuropein compound (5 mg/kg b.w.) and vit.C (150 mg/kg b.w.) was orally administered once per a day for 15 days after diabetes induction. Results . Oleuropein and Vitamin C have been observed to keep creatinine, urea, uric acid and kidney function near normal levels compared to very high levels in the diabetic group, and improvement total protein globulin and albumin. Conclusion . Oleuropein and vitamin C significantly attenuated the oxidative status of diabetic rats. In addition, improved the different changes kidney tissue in diabetic rats treated with oleuropein and vitamin C compared with diabetic rat.


We have demonstrated simultaneous measurement of the membrane potential and cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by utilizing a dual-laser flow cytometer in embryonic rat hippocampal cell suspensions. Veratrine, a Na+ channel activator, induced both membrane depolarization and elevation of [Ca2+]i. These actions of veratrine were all reversed by the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX). These findings suggest that Na+ channels are functionally expressed in the cells and the activation of Na+ channels increases [Ca2+]i. The usefulness of the flow cytometric analysis in elucidating the expression of membrane functions in the embryonic central nervous systems (CNS) is discussed.


The principle of an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch characterized by a high degree of flexibility is described. The flexibility is given with respect to cell length and traffic. In the case of a very long or an infinite length of cells, quasi-permanent connections with constant capacity can be switched. The principle is based on splitting of cells into a sequence of fractions of cells which are transferred and switched in a switching network (SN) composed of switch elements (SE) with 16 inputs and 16 outputs. In addition to the flexibility of the SEs and the SN, the SEs require a relatively low complexity compared with SEs based on switching of complete cells. The proposed switching concept fulfils the traffic performance requirements and offers low delay jitter. The monolithic integration of such an ATM switch is feasible with available advanced semiconductor technologies, e.g., a 1.0- mu m or 0.8- mu m CMOS technology. This switch principle has been considered in RACE project R1022. The switch architecture, its performance, and the technology aspects from the semiconductor and the equipment points of view are described.<<ETX>>


Common criteria (CC) provides only the standard for evaluating information security product or system, namely target of evaluation (TOE). On the other hand, SSE-CMM provides the standard for security engineering process evaluation. Based on the CC, TOE's security quality may be assured, but its advantage is that the development process is neglected. SSE-CMM seems to assure the quality of TOE developed in an organization equipped with security engineering process, but the TOE developed in such environment cannot avoid CC-based security assurance evaluation. We propose an effective method of integrating two evaluation methods, CC and SSE-CMM, and develop CC-based assurance evaluation model, CC/spl I.bar/SSE-CMM. CC/spl I.bar/SSE-CMM presents the specific and realistically operable organizational security process maturity assessment and CC evaluation model.


Prevention of premature death in patients with chronic epilepsy remains a major challenge. Multiple pathophysiologic factors have been implicated, with intense investigation of cardiorespiratory mechanisms. Up to four in five patients with chronic epilepsy exhibit cardiovascular comorbidities. These findings led us to propose the concept of an "epileptic heart," defined as "a heart and coronary vasculature damaged by chronic epilepsy as a result of repeated surges in catecholamines and hypoxemia leading to electrical and mechanical dysfunction." Among the most prominent changes documented in the literature are high incidence of myocardial infarction and arrhythmia, altered autonomic tone, diastolic dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, and accelerated atherosclerosis. This suite of pathologic changes prompted us to propose for the first time in this review a syndromic approach for improved clinical detection of the epileptic heart condition. In this review, we discuss the key pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the candidate criteria along with standard and novel techniques that permit evaluation of each of these factors. Specifically, we present evidence of the utility of standard 12‐lead, ambulatory, and multiday patch‐based electrocardiograms, along with measures of cardiac electrical instability, including T‐wave alternans, heart rate variability to detect altered autonomic tone, echocardiography to detect diastolic dysfunction, and plasma biomarkers for assessing hyperlipidemia and accelerated atherosclerosis. Ultimately, the proposed clinical syndromic approach is intended to improve monitoring and evaluation of cardiac risk in patients with chronic epilepsy to foster improved therapeutic strategies to reduce premature cardiac death.


Gamma oryzanol (γ-oryzanol) is an unsaponifiable component of rice oil, composed of several kinds of ferulic acids and has an effect similar to vitamin E. Previous researches on γoryzanol have been concentrated on the content in the rice bran, which is not useful in human diet. Therefore, our objective in this research was to determine the content of γ-oryzanol in the unpolished rice grain. Ten purple rice and three white rice genotypes were used in determination for crude oil, semi-gamma oryzanol and γ-oryzanol contents. Crude oil was extracted from the unpolished grains using n-hexane and ethyl acetate. A reverse-phase HPLC column of ODS C18 was applied in analyzing the contents. The results show that the contents of crude oil extracted from brown rice grains of the white rice genotypes were not differ significantly from the contents extracted from purple rice grain of the purple rice genotypes. The overall mean was 2.60 g/100g grain. This led to a non significant correlation coefficient of crude oil to semi purify γ-oryzanol and γ-oryzanol. The differences among the contents of semi purify γ-oryzanol were significant which also were the differs among the contents of γoryzanol. The higher content of γ-oryzanol was found in two purple rice genotypes (72.95 and 70.16 mg/100g grain). These two genotypes exhibited also a higher semi purify γ-oryzanol content (2.15 and 2.24 g/100g grain). While the purple rice genotypes with a lower γ-oryzanol content exhibited also a lower semi purify γ-oryzanol, one of the white rice genotype (KDML105) that showed a lower γ-oryzanol, exhibited semi purify γ-oryzanol among the higher group. However, the relation between this two characters was still significant. Comparison on the three characters between the two rice groups indicated, the purple rice group exhibited a higher mean of γ-oryzanol content (55.58 mg/100g grain) than the white rice group mean (30.67 mg/100g grain).


ABSTRACT Introduction: Phosphodiesterase 10 inhibitors (PDE10-I), are conceptually attractive drugs with a potential great therapeutic window as their enriched striatal localization may likely stimulate D1R and reduce D2R downstream effects. However, so far selective PDE10-I with efficacy in animal models have not shown benefit in clinical trials and unexpectedly revealed a substantial dyskinesia motor side-effect. Areas covered: This paper reviews the underlying biological rationale of PDE10 as a target in schizophrenia, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease based on peer-reviewed published articles, the status of the different PDE10–I in clinical development for various CNS indications and explores possible reasons for the clinical trial failures and translational disconnect. Expert commentary: Possible explanations include non-optimal dose and titration schedule, but more importantly the differential non-linear pharmacodynamic interactions with individual comedications, the species difference in underlying neurobiology and the differences with the rich pharmacology of successful antipsychotics. The authors also present optogenetics, DREADD (Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drug) technology, organoids based on iPSC (induced Pluripotent Stem Cells) and advanced computer modeling and simulation as possible new technologies to further elucidate the complex nature of the emergent properties of key neuronal circuits that drive human behavior.


The recently developed code for N-body/hydrodynamics simulations in Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), known as RAyMOND, is used to investigate the consequences of MOND on structure formation in a cosmological context, with a particular focus on the velocity field. This preliminary study investigates the results obtained with the two formulations of MOND implemented in RAyMOND, as well as considering the effects of changing the choice of MOND interpolation function, and the cosmological evolution of the MOND acceleration scale. The simulations are contrived such that structure forms in a background cosmology that is similar to $\Lambda$CDM, but with a significantly lower matter content. Given this, and the fact that a fully consistent MOND cosmology is still lacking, we compare our results with a standard $\Lambda$CDM simulation, rather than observations. As well as demonstrating the effectiveness of using RAyMOND for cosmological simulations, it is shown that a significant enhancement of the velocity field is likely an unavoidable consequence of the gravitational modification implemented in MOND, and may represent a clear observational signature of such a modification. It is further suggested that such a signal may be clearest in intermediate density regions such as cluster outskirts and filaments.


This study investigated the accuracy of daily patient positioning in an isocentric set-up for breast irradiation. This was achieved through the assessment of both systematic and random errors measured as discrepancies between reference simulation images and portal images obtained with an on-line electronic portal imaging device (EPID). To this end, 10 portal images for each of the tangential fields were obtained in 12 consecutive patients and the images were compared to reference simulation films with dedicated software tools provided with the EPID. The discrepancies measured for each set of images were analyzed statistically. Most variations in each series both in terms of cranio-caudal and of lateral displacement appeared to be random, with mean standard deviations of 2.3 and 2.8 mm, respectively. Such variations between reference fields and portal images tend to counteract one another and do not usually play a significant role in the overall accuracy of patient set-up. In some cases, however, the distribution of the variations occurred in a well-defined pattern indicating a systematic error in patient positioning. This study shows that our set-up technique for breast irradiation is relatively accurate and reproducible, and most of the observed errors were below the 5 mm cut-off level, but it stresses the need of accurate quality assurance programs in radiotherapy. Electronic portal imaging devices are excellent tools for fast portal image acquisition, and permit the accurate assessment of discrepancies with respect to reference images.


Recently there has been signi cant interest in supervised learning algorithms that combine labeled and unlabeled data for text learning tasks. The co-training setting (Blum & Mitchell, 1998) applies to datasets that have a natural separation of their features into two disjoint sets. We demonstrate that when learning from labeled and unlabeled data, algorithms explicitly leveraging a natural independent split of the features outperform algorithms that do not. When a natural split does not exist, co-training algorithms that manufacture a feature split may out-perform algorithms not using a split. These results help explain why co-training algorithms are both discriminative in nature and robust to the assumptions of their embedded classi ers.


The present study was conducted to quantify in vitro gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release parameters in the male marmoset. We established primary cultures of marmoset hypothalamic tissues for approximately 2 days (marmosets) to assess GnRH release profiles in vitro in hypothalamic explants from testis-intact and gonadectomized males. Pulsatile GnRH release profiles were readily demonstrated from in vitro hypothalamic explants isolated from adult male marmoset monkeys. Gonadectomy of male marmosets resulted in elevated mean GnRH and pulse amplitude from hypothalamic explants on the 1st day of culture (day 0). GnRH pulse amplitude increased by day 2 in approximately 67% of hypothalamic explants from testis-intact marmosets, suggesting release from an endogenous regulator of GnRH. We also measured GnRH release profiles in vitro in hypothalamic explants from testis-intact and gonadectomized rats. Male rats showed no changes in any concentration or frequency release parameters for GnRH following gonadectomy or during successive days in culture. The present study represents a unique examination of GnRH release from male marmoset monkey hypothalamic tissue and compares release dynamics directly with those obtained from male rat, suggesting a species difference in feedback regulation of GnRH release.


PURPOSE
Accurate data of linear accelerator radiation characteristics is important for treatment planning system commissioning as well as regular quality assurance of the machine. The RPC has performed site visits of numerous machines . Data gathered from Varian machines from the past 15 years are presented. The data collected can be used as a secondary check or when commissioning a new machine to verify that values are reasonable.

METHODS
Data from the past 15 years of RPC site visits was compiled and analyzed. Data was composed from measurements from approximately 400 Varian machines. Each dataset consists of several point measurements at various locations in a water phantom to measure percentage depth dose, output factors, including small MLC fields, off-axis factors, and wedge factors if applicable. Common statistical values are presented for each machine type. Where applicable, data was compared to other reference data given by the vendor or a select number of previous researchers.

RESULTS
Data is separated by energy and parameter and then analyzed by machine class. Data distributions of the parameter data were normal except occasionally at the tails. Distributions of the data for each class and parameter are tabulated to give not simply a singular reference value, but metrics about the distribution: 5th and 95th percentile values and the standard deviation as well as the median.

CONCLUSION
The RPC has collected numerous data on Varian linacs and presented the finding of the past 15 years. The data can be used as a reference data set for physicists to compare against. A linac that deviates from the values does not necessarily indicate there is a problem as long as the treatment planning system correlates to the machine. Comparison of linac and treatment planning system data to external reference data can prevent serious treatment errors.


Germany will soon begin per case payment by DRG, and preparations are in progress in most hospitals and insurance companies. The Academic Teaching Hospital Munich-Schwabing in Munich decided to explore coding strategies by considering the impact of diagnoses that could be detected by pathology tests. An Australian database was analysed. We detected "discriminating" diagnoses--that is, diagnoses that could be found in level A or B DRGs, and not in the respective lower severity DRG. After isolating 584 diagnoses, they were rated by a laboratory specialist, to determine whether they could be proved by pathology tests. 187 diagnoses were selected in this way. In the next step, theoretical cases were generated and grouped. 157 diagnoses were found to produce a switch to a higher DRG. The diagnoses, the DRGs and the respective laboratory tests were then arranged in a small MS-Excel program to allow comfortable browsing. The overall success rate of 84% shows that laboratory medicine can contribute to correct coding for DRGs.


OBJECTIVE
To study the clinicopathologic features and immunoprofile of angiomyofibroblastoma (AMF) with emphasis on differential diagnosis.

METHODS
Seven vulvar, two vaginal and one perineal angiomyofibroblastomas were evaluated by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The immunohistochemical studies were performed on paraffin-embedded sections using the standard ABC method with a panel of antibodies.

RESULTS
Angiomyofibroblastoma predominantly occurred in middle-aged women in the genital region, especially in the superficial area of the vulva. Clinically, most of the tumors presented as slowly growing painless masses and were often diagnosed as Bartholin's gland cysts. Histologically, the tumors were all well-circumscribed and characterized by alternating hypocellular and hypercellular areas with abundant thin-walled blood vessels. The tumor cells were bland and spindle-shaped or epithelioid and tended to concentrate around the vessels or cluster in small nests. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells expressed vimentin and estrogen receptor protein in all 10 cases and desmin in 9 cases. Three cases showed weak or focal immunoreactivity to alpha-smooth muscle actin and muscle specific actin. All ten patients were treated by local excision. Follow-up showed a benign course with no signs of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS
Angiomyofibroblastoma is a distinctive neoplasm that has a propensity to occur in the female genital tract. Recognition of this entity is important to avoid misdiagnosis with other vulvar angiomyxoid neoplasms.


Abstract For viewers of maps in medieval China, what systems of visual technologies and cultural logic invested these maps with their perceived power and efficacy, and what kinds of relationships did the map imply between its image and the mobility of its beholder? Despite the fact that map artifacts from this period no longer survive for scrutiny as visual images, this article explores the imaginative consequences and extensions of map use as preserved in written accounts from this period. It takes as its point of departure a narrative from the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) in which a beholder of a wall-bound map merges into its fold, and embarks on a cross-country journey, and it investigates the mechanisms through which such merging and travel were thought possible. When the account of this fictive map is contextualized in relation not only to cartography but also to the contiguous genres of painting, miniature sculpture, and travel poetry, it shows that the visual language of Chinese terrestrial maps drew from a broader pictorial culture shaped simultaneously by medieval Buddhist and Daoist beliefs in the instrumental use of efficacious images. The account of map travel thus provides both a panoramic perceptual experience of space and an itinerary-based conception that offers further occasions for narrative.


The rapid growth in urban population is seen to create a need for the development of more urban infrastructures. In order to meet this need, natural surfaces such as vegetation are been replaced with non-vegetated surfaces such as asphalt and bricks which has the ability to absorb heat and release it later. This change in land cover is seen to increase the land surface temperature.
Previous studies have tried to explain the impact of land cover changes on the land surface temperature. However, there is a growing need to spatially quantify the extent to which temperature has increased so as to identify areas where immediate mitigation measures can be applied. In view of this, this study has incorporated remotely sensed Landsat data with remote sensing techniques in order to effectively quantify the spatial extent of urban growth and its impact on the land surface temperature in Lagos, Nigeria.
The result shows that there have been changes in the land cover which has increased the land surface temperature between 2002 and 2013. Overall, there was an increase in the highly dense areas, moderately dense areas and less dense areas by 3.35% (2200.77 ha), 27.87% (13681.35 ha), 6.20% (3284.01 ha) and a corresponding increase in the mean land surface temperature of these urban areas by 3.8°C, 4.2°C and 2.2°C. Hence, it was recommended that in order to reduce the temperature of the urban areas, sustainable urban planning strategies that include increasing the vegetated areas and embracing other green initiatives such as urban forestry should be adopted.


The patulous eustachian tube is a benign, yet annoying condition that may be overlooked or misdiagnosed. It is frequently associated with peritubal atrophy, and usually responds to conservative measures such as weight gain or mucus-producing agents. In patients not responding to these measures, a variety of surgical options are available. We have been using a technique that avoids elevating a tympanomeatal flap, is reversible, and is effective. This technique, as well as other surgical options, are reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages inherent in them are discussed.


Experience of dietological help for population in Saint-Petersburg has shown in this article. Efficiency of dietological help in clinics and hospitals depends on completeness of investigation of fundamental bases of patient's nutrition.


Time-efficient control schemes for manipulating quantum systems are of great importance in quantum technologies, where environmental forces rapidly degrade the quality of pure states over time. In this Letter, we formulate an approach to time-optimal control that circumvents the boundary-value problem that plagues the quantum brachistochrone equation at the expense of relaxing the form of the control Hamiltonian. In this setting, a coupled system of equations, one for the control Hamiltonian and another one for the duration of the protocol, realizes an ansatz-free approach to quantum control theory. We show how driven systems, in the form of a Landau-Zener type Hamiltonian, can be efficiently maneuvered to speed up a given state transformation in a highly adiabatic manner and with a low energy cost.


This article discusses property relationships of raw materials used for manufacturing of alkyd resins and its coatings study with cyclohexanone formaldehyde (ketonic) resin blends. Properties such as drying time, hardness, adhesion, flexibility, gloss, skinning tendency, impact resistance and chemical resistance of the blends were studied. Ketonic resin was blended with alkyd resin, and a significant improvement in adhesion, hardness, gloss , storage stability, acid resistance and drying time was achieved over that of the alkyd resin .


Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA

Background: Detection of circulation tumor DNA (ctDNA) in plasma has become a viable option for non-invasive monitoring of patients. Also termed "liquid biopsy" the approach is applicable for pre-diction of response and prediction of resistance to biological therapy (1, 2). Various techniques have been used for ctDNA detection, frequently employing clonal amplification on a digital PCR format (3) with limits of detection (LOD) below 0.01% of mutant alleles. However, these techniques suffer from high complexity, expensive instrumentation, and a considerable cost per sample. We hereby present a simple low-cost alternative that is implementable to routine ctDNA testing.

Methods: A panel of PCR amplicons (106 - 174bp) was resolved by denaturing capillary electrophoresis (DCE) revealing minute presence of mutation specific hetero-duplexes. The final panel consisted of clinically relevant oncogenic mutations KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA and EGFR as well as cancer-related mutations in tumor suppressors TP53, APC and CTNNB1. A total of 299 patients was subsequently examined for presence of ctDNA in plasma including 194 with colorectal cancer (CRC), 26 with NSCLC and 79 with pancreatic cancer (PanC). CtDNA status was correlated to TNM stage and tumor markers (CEA and Ca19-9). In a subset of CRC patients (n = 20) the ctDNA was monitored in 2 - 6 month intervals and correlated to the therapy response.

Results: The experimental LOD value was in the range between 0.03 - 1% for all tested mutations within the panel. A minimum input amount of DNA was 5 pg (0,005 ng).. The overall rate of ctDNA detection was 32% for CRC (stages I - IV), 31% for NSCLC (stages III - IV) and 27% for PanC (stages II - IV). The highest detection rate, 69%, was observed in Stage IV CRC patients. Comparison with tumor markers (TM) revealed 62% of cases positive for both TM and ctDNA and 13% TM-negative cases with ctDNA positivity. Post-operative absence or persistence of ctDNA was related to the radicality of the surgical treatment and the ctDNA levels were concordant with the response to adjuvant chemotherapy. In several patients a disease progression was signalized based on ctDNA even prior to actual clinical detection by CT imaging.

Conclusion: DCE is a simple technique applicable for detection of ctDNA in cancer patients without a need for costly hardware/software equipment. The detection rates are 10 - 15% lower compared to the dedicated dPCR techniques, however, the method requires ca 100x less input DNA, the cost per patient is about 10-fold lower and the turnaround time per test is under 5 hours.

Supported by the Czech Ministry of Health Grant 14383.

Literature

1. Bettegowda C et al. Sci Transl Med. 2014,6(224):224ra24

2. Douillard JY et al. J Thorac Oncol. 2014, 9(9):1345-1353.

3. Benesova L et al. Anal Biochem 2013,433(2):227-234.

Citation Format: Lucie Benesova, Barbora Belsanova, Petra Minarikova, Tereza Halkova, Jiri Pudil, Filip Pazdirek, Milos Pesek, Ondrej Fiala, Jiri Hoch, Miroslav Zavoral, Bohus Bunganic, Miroslav Levy, Ludmila Lipska, Lubos Petruzelka, Miroslav Ryska, Marek Minarik. Validation of a simple low-cost method to monitor ctDNA in patients with solid cancers. [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 2406. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2406


Abstract: During the pyrolysis process for biochar production there is the stabilization of C in aromatic compounds, which accredits biochar to function as an input for C sequestration in the soil. The aim of this study was assessing of C sequestration potential through pyrolyzed biochar in low temperature (350-400oC), checking the possible deleterious effect in soil organic matter (SOM) and assessing the cation exchange capacity (CEC) alteration, as the biochar is aging.The research strategy involved, besides the materials characterization, the installation and conduction of two incubations under controlled laboratory conditions.The evaluation of the biochar stability of C carbon, the effects on SOM and, therefore, the potential for the use of biochar in soil C sequestration was carried out in a respirometric experiment, with four typical tropical soil samples mixed with eucalyptus biochar dose (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 g Ckg-1). After 120 days of incubation under non-limiting temperature and moisture conditions, the results showed C mineralization rates between 0,4 and 9,3%, which demonstrates the high carbon stability in the biochar. Through the 13C technique in soil analysis at the end of the incubation was observed small reductions of original C in SOM for two of the evaluated soils, although gains from biochar application represented more than double the original C content of soils.The 360-day incubation experiment to evaluate biochar aging, focusing on the generation of negative charges, considered the variation in the presence or absence of soil; moisture and temperature (25 or 32°C). Among the factors tested, there was only effect of time on CEC. The increase in CEC was practically 100 mmolc kg-1 in one year, which represented a 50% increase in surface charges due to the biochar aging process.The research led to the conclusion that biochar must be considered an input to soil C sequestration, in the reason of its high stability after application, recommending the use of the conservative value of 90% of the total C applied via biochar rate to environmental accounting related to C sequestration. In addition, increases in CEC in biochar treated soils are expected due to biochar surface charges as well as the aging process after application.


Unicompartmental polycentric knee arthoplasty is a procedure that we have performed in relatively few patients whose disease has not been suitable for conventional reconstruction or for total knee replacement. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations and operative technique differ little from that previously published for total knee arthroplasty. One-year follow-up of 14 knees (13 patients) reveals no major complications. These early results encourage further trial of the procedure in selected patients. Unicompartmental arthroplasty is reserved for conditions affecting predominantly one side of the joint. More specific indications are clearly defined and pertain to patients who have osteoarthritis unsuitable for valgus upper tibial osteotomy, condylar fracture and necrosis, and failure of osteotomy and tibial plateau prosthesis.


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Objective: The p53 gene has many polymorphic sites that result in an altered activity of the protein, which may be associated to cancer risk. The polymorphic site of p53 at exon 4 codon 72 is a base substitution that produces an Arginine or a Proline (Arg72Pro). Each amino acid gives a specific function to p53, which may be associated to cancer susceptibility. This polymorphism is differentially dispersed among different ethnic populations. It has been widely studied in cancer, but still, epidemiologic findings relating p53 polymorphism and cancer risk have been inconsistent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect(s) of p53 polymorphism at exon 4 codon 72 on the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the Puerto Rican population.

Methods: p53 polymorphism Arg72Pro, (rs1042522), was determined in a cohort of 131 HNSCC patients and 45 healthy controls. Genotyping of p53 polymorphism was accomplished using PCR-based restriction fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Associations between clinicopathological parameters and p53 polymorphism were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and chi-square when suitable. Survival analysis of HNSCC patients, with each type of p53 genotype, was performed using Kaplan-Meier test.

Results: The frequencies for homozygote Arg allele were 38.1% in HNSCC cases and 31.1% in healthy controls. The Pro allele carriers (Arg/Pro plus Pro/Pro) had a frequency of 61.9% in HNSCC cases and 68.9% in healthy controls. The OR of HNSCC cancer-associated with the Arg/Arg genotypes of codon 72 was 1.37 [95% CI: 0.63-2.82]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that HNSCC patients with the Arg/Arg allele had a poorer survival rate compared to patients with the Pro allele (Hazard Ratio = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.87-2.03, P=0.041). Additionally, p53 genotype and survival of HNSCC patients, classified by tumor site, was evaluated, and showed that Arg/Arg allele had a poorer survival rate, specifically for the larynx site (Hazard Ratio = 1.88, 95% CI: 0.98-3.60, P=0.035). In contrast, no statistically significant association was found between p53 polymorphic variants and gender, age, risk factors and staging.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that homozygosity for Arg of p53 Arg72Pro may have a role in the progression of HNSCC in the Puerto Rican population. Detection of the p53 polymorphic variants may be used as an indicator of prognosis in HNSCC patients. Accurate prognosis in HNSCC will help clinicians to establish proper treatment and increase the survival of HNSCC patients.

Citation Format: Bianca L. Rivera, Ricardo Lopez, Roger Vazquez, Yarilis Castro, Adriana Baez. TP53 codon 72 polymorphism association with prognosis in Puerto Rican head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1558. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1558


Objectives Increased ambient particulate matter (PM) levels are associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, as shown by numerous epidemiology studies. Few studies have investigated the role of copollutants, such as ozone, in this association. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which PM affects cardiac function remain uncertain. We hypothesized that PM and O3 induce adverse cardiovascular effects in mice and that these effects are strain dependent. Study design After implanting radiotelemeters to measure heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) parameters, we exposed C57Bl/6J (B6), C3H/HeJ (HeJ), and C3H/HeOuJ (OuJ) inbred mouse strains to three different daily exposures of filtered air (FA), carbon black particles (CB), or O3 and CB sequentially [O3CB; for CB, 536 ± 24 μg/m3; for O3, 584 ± 35 ppb (mean ± SE)]. Results We observed significant changes in HR and HRV in all strains due to O3CB exposure, but not due to sequential FA and CB exposure (FACB). The data suggest that primarily acute HR and HRV effects occur during O3CB exposure, especially in HeJ and OuJ mice. For example, HeJ and OuJ mice demonstrated dramatic increases in HRV parameters associated with marked brady-cardia during O3CB exposure. In contrast, depressed HR responses occurred in B6 mice without detectable changes in HRV parameters. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that important interstrain differences exist with respect to PM- and O3-induced cardiac effects. This interstrain variation suggests that genetic factors may modulate HR regulation in response to and recuperation from acute copollutant exposures.


The present study was to investigate seed-borne microbiota and seed metabolites in Achnatherum inebrians using high-throughput sequencing and LC-MS technology. Epichloë gansuensis decreased the richness of the seed-borne microbiota except for the epiphytic fungi of glumes and also decreased the diversity of seed-borne microbiota. Compared with endophyte-free plants, the content of 108 seed and 31 glume metabolites of endophyte-infected plants was significantly changed. ABSTRACT The seed-borne microbiota and seed metabolites of the grass Achnatherum inebrians, either host to Epichloë gansuensis (endophyte infected [EI]) or endophyte free (EF), were investigated. This study determined the microbial communities both within the seed (endophytic) and on the seed surface (epiphytic) and of the protective glumes by using Illumina sequencing technology. Epichloë gansuensis decreased the richness of the seed-borne microbiota except for the epiphytic fungi of glumes and also decreased the diversity of seed-borne microbiota. In addition, metabolites of seeds and glumes were detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Unlike with the seeds of EF plants, the presence of E. gansuensis resulted in significant changes in the content of 108 seed and 31 glume metabolites. A total of 319 significant correlations occurred between seed-borne microbiota and seed metabolites; these correlations comprised 163 (147 bacterial and 16 fungal) positive correlations and 156 (136 bacterial and 20 fungal) negative correlations. Meanwhile, there were 42 significant correlations between glume microbiota and metabolites; these correlations comprised 28 positive (10 bacterial and 18 fungal) and 14 negative (9 bacterial and 5 fungal) correlations. The presence of E. gansuensis endophyte altered the communities and diversities of seed-borne microbes and altered the composition and content of seed metabolites, and there were many close and complex relationships between microbes and metabolites. IMPORTANCE The present study was to investigate seed-borne microbiota and seed metabolites in Achnatherum inebrians using high-throughput sequencing and LC-MS technology. Epichloë gansuensis decreased the richness of the seed-borne microbiota except for the epiphytic fungi of glumes and also decreased the diversity of seed-borne microbiota. Compared with endophyte-free plants, the content of 108 seed and 31 glume metabolites of endophyte-infected plants was significantly changed. There were 319 significant correlations between seed-borne microbiota and seed metabolites and 42 significant correlations between glume microbiota and metabolites.


It is difficult to know what conclusions one can reach in a study of 103 women who asked for reversal of sterilization (Mr. R.M.L. Winston, July 30, p. 305) when there are no data about the numbers and characteristics of the women who were sterilized and have not asked for reversal. And Mr. Winston's conclusion that it "seems unwise to sterilise women under 30 particularly immediately after pregnancy or if their marriage is in jeopardy" is therefore difficult to justify and has a disconcertingly paternalistic ring. It also implies that the stability or otherwise of a marriage should be a prime concern of obstetricians when women request sterilization. But what distrubed me most about Mr. Winston's article was his statement that "most women in this survey had been told that termination would not be undertaken without sterilisation." I wonder if this form of ultimatum, which Mr. Winston condemns, is likely to increase now that this operation is performed under a fee-for-service system?


Nanocomposite Ni/Al_2O_3 films were electrodeposited from a suspension of Al_2O_3 nanoparticles in aqueous nickel sulfamate solution. The volume fraction of particles incorporated increased with electrode rotation rate and decreased with deposition current density. The composition, microstructure, hardness, and magnetic properties of these nanocomposite films were characterized. The mechanical strengthening due to particle dispersion in the films was interpreted by considering an Orowan dislocation bowing mechanism. The coercivity of the films increased with increasing particle concentration in the film. The saturation magnetization showed a weak dependence on particle concentration.


In order to reduce the need for repeated changes of socket due to postoperative atrophy and resorption of oedema simple temporary limbs are required to delay the casting of individual sockets until the stump is more mature. A randomized study of 95 below-knee amputees was performed with a re-usable temporary one-size prosthesis of endoskeletal type with adjustable tube length. Total contact was obtained by moulding a thin plastic pillow containing small plastic pellets around the stump in parallel connected sections. As air was evacuated the pillow became rigid. The pillow was kept in place about the stump by Velcro bands. Physiotherapists were able to make all adjustments and ambulate the patient 1–2 hours a day. The training started 2–4 weeks after amputation and lasted for 1–4 weeks. Healing problems due to training did not occur in well healed stumps where training started 3 weeks or more after amputation. No negative influence on maturing of stump, hospital stay and walking ability three months after amputation was found.


Although psychodynamic group psychotherapy (PGP) has been offered to patients with psychosis for over a century there is little empirical evidence of its effectiveness. In part this has to do with the lack of a consistent and adequately robust definition of this intervention. The aims of this study were to develop a set of the core components of PGP for psychosis and to gain a deeper insight into the current methods of its delivery. A research design using a mixed methodology combining the Delphi method and the thematic analysis has been employed. 37 experts around the world were recruited to participate in three rounds to produce and rate statements that aimed to address the following areas in order to consolidate consensus of opinion: indications for treatment, the aims of therapy, therapy frame, therapeutic factors, assessment and preparatory sessions, the formulation of hypotheses, a general therapeutic approach throughout assessment and therapy, phase specific interventions and attitudes and qualities necessary for therapists conducting PGP for psychosis. 145 components were endorsed as important or essential for PGP for psychosis by more than 80% of the experts. The participants' comments on their rating decisions were then subjected to thematic analysis which highlighted further adaptations of PGP which should be applied to patients with psychosis: more active leadership, and more considered interpretation of unconscious dynamics and transference. Participants argued for the flexible application of PGP principles and stressed the importance of understanding psychosis as a response to overwhelming emotional experiences. Importantly, none of the participants considered PGP to be harmful to patients with psychosis, which warrants a review of the existing warnings against psychodynamic therapies for psychosis. The outcomes of this study could be of value to clinical practice, the training and dissemination of PGP for psychosis, the development of a competency framework as well as for future research into its effectiveness.


Conducting atomic force microscopy has been performed for a fundamental understanding of the mechanism responsible for the lower power conversion efficiency (PCE) of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells than that of CuIn1-xGaxSe2 (CIGS) solar cells. The difference in efficiency is partly attributed to the distinctly different band alignment between the grain boundaries (GBs) and grain interior (GI) for the two materials. While CIGS shows type-II band alignment, CZTS was discovered to demonstrate type-I band alignment with the conduction band shifting downward while the valence band shifting upward at the GBs. The type-I band alignment in CZTS leads to both electron and hole trapping, enhancing their recombination, and lowers the PEC. Band engineering was realized by moderate oxidative annealing of CZTS. The preferential GB oxidation changes the band alignment into inverse type-I (i.e., the conduction band upward bending and valence band downward bending at GBs). The blocking of carrier recombination at GBs leads to 30% enhancement in PCE. Our work reveals the critical role that band alignment between the grain boundary and interior plays in polycrystalline thin film solar cells and suggests band alignment engineering as a practical approach to enhance PCE. Furthermore, conducting AFM has been shown to be a powerful tool for qualitative and semiquantitative characterization of band alignment in polycrystalline films.


Here, the first experimental evidence for a strong electromechanical coupling in the Mott insulator GaTa4Se8 that allows highly reproducible nanoscaled writing by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is reported. The local electric field across the STM junction is observed to have a threshold value above which the clean (100) surface of GaTa4Se8 becomes mechanically instable: at voltage biases >1.1 V, the surface suddenly inflates and comes in contact with the STM tip, resulting in nanometer‐sized craters. The formed pattern can be indestructibly "read" by STM at a lower voltage bias, thus allowing 5 Tdots inch−2 dense writing/reading at room temperature. The discovery of the electromechanical coupling in GaTa4Se8 might give new clues in the understanding of the electric pulse induced resistive switching recently observed in this stoichiometric Mott insulator.


This qualitative study aims to analyze the lived reality of women working in sports media today. Through systematic analysis of 12 in-depth interviews, the findings of this study suggest that the adoption of technological advancements in news media and all associated outlets have created a leveling effect for women due to the demand for highly skilled individuals who can handle the digital demand of modern news production. This study suggests that longtime gender disparities in sports media are experiencing a bit of a reprieve due to the massive digital audience and the need for professionals who can deliver information quickly and efficiently and with accuracy. However, the persistent symbolic annihilation of women as well as hegemonic hiring practices that emphasize aesthetic appeal have created a difficult path for women to move off the sidelines and into roles with more creative and analytical breadth, even with a rapidly increasing demand for jobs in the media industry.