Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is complex and difficult to treat. Whilst there is no research based evidence for the specific treatment of NPD, there is an evidence base for psychotherapeutic approaches to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) which includes Transference Focused Psychotherapy (TFP). TFP is a contemporary object relations approach which has been developed to treat patients with a Borderline Personality Organization, which includes narcissistic personality structures. TFP therefore stands to contribute to the treatment of NPD. We introduce main tenets of TFP, and how TFP views narcissism. We then present a case illustration to illustrate aspects of TFP which are key clinical contributions in treating NPD. These include assessment of personality organization, the treatment contract, transference, countertransference, use of clarification and interpretation, technical neutrality, therapist centered interpretations, the treatment frame and consideration of the stage of treatment


OBJECTIVE
Fiber intake influences disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract and is associated with systemic inflammation in the general population. Systemic and intraperitoneal inflammation play an important role in defining outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD), but the relationship between dietary fiber intake and inflammatory biomarkers has not yet been reported in the population on PD. The objective of the present study is to analyze whether or not fiber intake in patients on PD is associated with serum and intraperitoneal levels of inflammatory biomarkers.

DESIGN AND METHODS
Adult and clinically stable PD patients were included in this observational and cross-sectional study. Fiber intake was assessed by means of a dietary survey and calculated using the DietPro program 5.6i. The population was divided into two groups according to the median fiber intake. We investigated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), B-cell-activating factor, and plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 in both serum and peritoneal fluid. The latter was determined after a dwell time of 4 hours.

RESULTS
Fifty-two patients (42% men; aged 53 ± 14 years, 36% diabetics) were evaluated. Low intake of dietary fiber was found in 90% of patients, with a median of 12.2 g per day (3.4-33.3). The group with the highest fiber intake presented lower intraperitoneal levels of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1. In contrast, only MCP-1 was lower in the serum of those who consumed more fiber. All the associations remained significant after adjustment for confounders with plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 included.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients on PD frequently present inadequate dietary fiber intake, which appears to have an association with the inflammatory response, particularly in the intraperitoneal component. Further prospective studies, evaluating whether or not a dietetic intervention with a focus on fiber intake affects these biomarkers and clinical outcomes, are essential to determine causality and clinical relevance.


NASA's future space exploration systems will include a highly complex Integrated Systems Health Management (ISHM) capability, which can detect, predict, isolate and respond to system and component failures in order to improve safety and maintainability. An ISHM system, as a whole, consists of several subsystems that monitor different components of a space mission. Due to the complex and multidisciplinary nature of designing ISHM, there seems to be a lack of formal methodologies to design an optimal (or near-optimal) ISHM for a given system of systems. In this research, we propose a new methodology to design and optimize ISHM as a distributed system with multiple interacting disciplines as well as multiple conflicting design objectives (i.e. Figures Of Merit or FOMs). This specialized multidisciplinary design approach can be used to optimize the effectiveness of ISHM systems for future NASA missions. We assume a hierarchical design protocol, where each subsystem communicates with other subsystems only in a top-down tree structure. At the top level, the overall performance of the mission consists of system-level variables, parameters, objectives, and constraints that are shared throughout the system and by all subsystems. Each subsystem will then comprise of these shared values in addition to those values that are specific to subsystems. As a specific case study, we take the example of designing an ISHM capability for X-34 reusable launch vehicle in two levels. The proposed approach, referred to as ISHM Multidisciplinary and Multiobjective System Analysis & Optimization (or ISHM MMSA&O), has a hierarchical structure to pass up or down shared values between the two levels with system-level and subsystem-level optimization routines.Copyright © 2006 by ASME


As Globally Asynchronous Locally Synchronous (GALS) systems are becoming preponderant in complex SoC and NoC, we present the design and implementation of a new GALS adapter to be used in ANoC, an asynchronous NoC architecture. The proposed GALS adapter is a complete IP integration module, including a new FIFO based design using a Johnson-encoding principle for timing domains interfacing, and a local programmable clock generator for the IP unit. The GALS adapter has been implemented in a ST 65nm technology in standard-cell based design. It is provided as a hard-macro for easy IP integration, can generate 256 clock frequencies from 25 MHz to 1 GHz, and achieves 500 MHz nominal throughput from a clocked domain to a QDI asynchronous logic NoC.


Since January 2017, the US Government has taken some controversial positions in international trade. This includes, most notably, the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico, the implementation of higher tariffs on steel and aluminum, and the suspension of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The present contribution wishes to study whether the US trade positions have caused any effect in transatlantic trade relations, with a specific focus on the EU, Canada and Mexico. Formal trade talks between the EU and Canada and the EU and Mexico go back at least to the 1970s. Currently, EU–Canada and EU–Mexico trade relations revolve mainly around the EU–Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), provisionally entered into force in September 2017, and the modernization of the Global Agreement between the EU and Mexico, the trade part of which was concluded in principle in April 2018. This contribution argues that the US trade agenda has generated some effects in transatlantic trade relations, such as strengthening the economic and geopolitical alliance between the EU, Canada and Mexico and accelerating their agreements negotiation and/or approval. These effects, however, are not surprising. Indeed, they perfectly follow a historical pattern according to which the EU, Canada and Mexico have always tried to strengthen their economic and political ties as a reaction to US moves. That notwithstanding, it is argued that the CETA and the modernized Global Agreement are innovative in a number of areas and this is the result of a number of circumstances and US moves that predate President Trump administration.


Abstract: Landmark advances have been made in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. These include proof-of-concept and public health implementation of preexposure prophylaxis and "treatment as prevention" to reduce HIV transmission as well as definitive evidence of the clinical gain from early antiretroviral treatment initiation. Significant progress has been made in understanding and addressing the social contexts and behavioral factors that impact HIV prevention, care, and treatment interventions. These include facilitating uptake of testing and counseling, developing technology-based interventions that increase viral suppression, reducing HIV/AIDS-related stigma, and addressing other sociobehavioral and structural barriers to care and treatment. This evolving landscape provides an important juncture to assess current and future directions for HIV/AIDS behavioral and social science research (BSSR). We propose a functional framework for HIV/AIDS-related BSSR, highlighting 4 primary BSSR domains: (1) understanding vulnerable populations and contexts of risk ("Basic BSSR"); (2) improving behavioral and social factor approaches to risk reduction, prevention, and care ("Elemental BSSR"); (3) strengthening the design and outcomes of biomedically focused research in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention ("Supportive BSSR"); and (4) contributing building blocks to integrated HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment approaches ("Integrative BSSR"). These domains and their resulting confluence at the highest level underscore how fundamental and essential BSSR is to current and future efforts to prevent, treat, and cure HIV/AIDS.


A total of 730 children aged less than 7 years, attending 8 day-care centers (DCCs) in Belém, Brazil were followed-up from January to December 1997 to investigate the occurrence of human-herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) infection in these institutional settings. Between October and December 1997 there have been outbreaks of a febrile- and -exanthematous disease, affecting at least 15-20% of children in each of the DCCs. Both serum- and- plasma samples were obtained from 401 (55%) of the 730 participating children for the detection of HHV-6 antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and viral DNA amplification through the nested-PCR. Recent HHV-6 infection was diagnosed in 63.8% (256/401) of them, as defined by the presence of both IgM and IgG-specific antibodies (IgM+/IgG+); of these, 114 (44.5%) were symptomatic and 142 (55.5%) had no symptoms (p = 0.03). A subgroup of 123 (30.7%) children were found to be IgM-/IgG+, whereas the remaining 22 (5.5%) children had neither IgM nor IgG HHV-6- antibodies (IgM-/IgG-). Of the 118 children reacting strongly IgM-positive (> or = 30 PANBIO units), 26 (22.0%) were found to harbour the HHV-6 DNA, as demonstrated by nested-PCR. Taken the ELISA-IgM- and- nested PCR-positive results together, HHV-6 infection was shown to have occurred in 5 of the 8 DCCs under follow-up. Serological evidence of recent infections by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and parvovirus B19 were identified in 2.0% (8/401) and 1. 5% (6/401) of the children, respectively. Our data provide strong evidence that HHV-6 is a common cause of outbreaks of febrile/exanthematous diseases among children attending DCCs in the Belém area.


Since COVID-19 was recognized as a global pandemic, the incidence, prevalence and mortality resulting from the disease has been described by the media widely and often. In order to reduce the rapid transmission of the virus, social institutions such as health care and government have asked citizens to adhere to both avoidant and preventive behaviors. Risk of illness and death and avoidance behavior are common elements in media coverage. In this context we explore both Recreancy Theory and Media Agenda Setting Theory. Recreancy Theory states that citizens base their risk assessments upon their evaluation of the abilities of social institutions to adequately manage and regulate risk. Media Agenda setting Theory argues that the press and other media coverage of the news has an effect on which issues, institutions, or events people pay attention to think are important. The data we use are taken from a U.S. survey conducted in March 2020 (N=8685). We first investigate the role of recreancy theory on the public's perception that the COVID-19 is a risk for the U.S. population; and second, we investigate the extent to which that risk affects avoidant behavior change. Our findings provide partial support for Recreancy Theory that is, differences in citizen's evaluation of the performance of different levels of government (President, State and Local Government) affects their perception of the virus as a threat to the well-being of the population. It also affects their willingness to engage in avoidant behaviors. Consistent with the Media Agenda Setting Theory, we found that frequency of exposure to the news increased both the perception of risk and the adherence to avoidant behaviors. The theoretical implications are discussed.


We use a set of cosmological simulations combined with radiative transfer calculations to investigate the distribution of neutral hydrogen in the post-reionization Universe. We assess the contributions from the metagalactic ionizing background, collisional ionization and diffuse recombination radiation to the total ionization rate at redshifts z = 0 5. We find that the densities above which hydrogen self-shielding becomes important are consistent with analytic calculations and previous work. However, because of diffuse recombination radiation, whose intensity peaks at the same density, the transition between highly ionized and self-shielded regions is smoother than what is usually assumed. We provide fitting functions to the simulated photoionization rate as a function of density and show that post-processing simulations with the fitted rates yields results that are in excellent agreement with the original radiative transfer calculations. The predicted neutral hydrogen column density distributions agree very well with the observations. In particular, the simulations reproduce the remarkable lack of evolution in the column density distribution of Lyman limit and weak damped Lyα systems below z = 3. The evolution of the low column density end is affected by the increasing importance of collisional ionization with decreasing redshift. On the other hand, the simulations predict the abundance of strong damped Lyα systems to broadly track the cosmic star formation rate density.


Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an effective, non-invasive pre-screening tool for cancer diagnosis. However, acquiring and reading RCM images requires extensive training and experience, and novice clinicians exhibit high variance in diagnostic accuracy. Consequently, there is a compelling need for quantitative tools to standardize image acquisition and analysis. In this study, we use deep recurrent convolutional neural networks to delineate skin strata in stacks of RCM images collected at consecutive depths. To perform diagnostic analysis, clinicians collect RCM images at 4-5 specific layers in the tissue. Our model automates this process by discriminating between RCM images of different layers. Testing our model on an expert labeled dataset of 504 RCM stacks, we achieve 87.97% classification accuracy, and a 9-fold reduction in the number of anatomically impossible errors compared to the previous state-of-the-art.


Synaptic transmission in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body of rats was analyzed in postnatal days 4–13 (P4–P13) by applying the whole-cell patch-recording technique to brain slices. In P4–P6 animals, evoked EPSCs fluctuated extensively in amplitude and occurred in marked asynchrony, followed by spontaneous EPSCs. With development of animals, the evoked EPSCs increased in amplitude, and the rise time became faster. In addition, the synaptic transmission became phase-locked. The coefficient of variation (CV) of EPSC amplitude decreased with development (0.32 ± 0.03 for P4–P5 and 0.05 ± 0.01 for P9–P11). The amplitude of miniature EPSCs did not change throughout the postnatal days investigated (−30.2 ± 0.3 pA at −70 mV). The CV was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) and was reduced with the increase of [Ca2+]o, and this [Ca2+]o dependence was shifted toward lower [Ca2+]o with development. Direct patch recording of the presynaptic terminals demonstrated an increase in Ca2+ currents during these postnatal days. The phase-locked high-fidelity transmission in this synapse is achieved with development likely through the increase of Ca2+ currents and Ca2+sensitivity of transmitter release mechanisms in the presynaptic terminal.


The main goal of this paper is to present experimental results on comparison of lasing efficiency for Li III 13.5 nm (2-1 transition) line in LiF microcapillary plasmas using 0.25 and 1 /spl mu/m subpicosecond pumping lasers. A formula for soft X-ray laser efficiency calculation is presented and used for such comparisons. The results for discharge created preplasma in L=4 mm and L=14 mm microcapillaries are also presented and compared with the results for laser created preplasma.


Understanding fear of crime is the purpose of a significant body of research. Researchers studying the phenomenon span several disciplines including criminology, psychology, geography, architecture and sociology and with them they bring different theoretical perspectives. The goal of this dissertation is to join these perspectives into a composite meta-theoretical framework or theoretical matrix designed to enhance our understanding of research on fear of crime. The fear of crime matrix is tested through the analysis of a series of five community surveys in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Past research reveals a recurrent theme of disorder, both physical and social, in explanations of fear of crime and perceptions of crime. But the type of disorder is scalable, ranging from proximal cues associated with specific encounters between people or defined micro locations through to general feelings of fear about areas, activity nodes, or major pathways and routes to and from these nodes. This multi-layer scalable component of fear of crime is a core part of the theoretical matrix. The analysis of five community surveys, all built on similar action research community surveys, provide support for the theoretical fear matrix. Comments by persons interviewed and their cognitive maps identified where they felt afraid and why. The results from the analysis are also compared to police calls for services. This linking of surveys to police incidents is a step towards developing a methodology that would make it possible to forecast or identify where there might be hotspots of fear in communities and where detailed surveys could be of value.


In order to discuss RMS Phase Jitter, some basics phase noise theory must be understood. Phase noise is often considered an important measurement of spectral purity which is the inherent stability of a timing signal. Phase noise is the frequency domain representation of random fluctuations in the phase of a waveform caused by time domain instabilities called jitter. An ideal sinusoidal oscillator, with perfect spectral purity, has a single line in the frequency spectrum. Such perfect spectral purity is not achievable in a practical oscillator where there are phase and frequency fluctuations. Phase noise is a way of describing the phase and frequency fluctuation or jitter of a timing signal in the frequency domain as compared to a perfect reference signal.


RFID can be used for a variety of applications, e.g., to conveniently pay for public transportation. However, achieving security and privacy of payment is challenging due to the extreme resource restrictions of RFID tags. In this paper, we propose PSP -- a secure, RFID-based protocol for privacy-preserving payment. Similar to traditional electronic cash, the user of a tag can pay access to a metro using his tag and so called coins of a virtual currency. With PSP, tags do not need to store valid coins, but generate them on the fly. Using Bloom filters, readers can verify the validity of generated coins offline. PSP guarantees privacy such that neither the metro nor an adversary can reveal the identity of a user or link subsequent payments. PSP is secure against invention and overspending of coins, and can reveal the identity of users trying to doublespend coins. Still, PSP is lightweight: it requires only a hash function and few bytes of non-volatile memory the tag.


The Authors present two brothers suffering from proximal progressive muscular atrophy arising in adulthood and describe its clinical, bioptic and electromyographic characteristics. Electromyographic and bioptic examinations demonstrate the neurogenic nature of the amyotrophy and localize the causal lesion at the level of the anterior horns of the spinal medulla. With regard to the differential diagnosis, the nosographic position of the disorder in question is described, and the hypothesis advanced that it may represents the late onset variety of Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease.


The solder joint fatigue life of flip chips and ball grid array packages has been extensively studied and published. However, there are only a few published papers available on the solder joint reliability of a non-leaded, surface mounted package such as the MLPQ (Micro Leadframe Quad Package). In this paper, a non linear Darveaux's solder joint fatigue model has been used to predict the fatigue life of the MLPQ package under accelerated temperature cycling conditions. The primary concern is the modeling method that can closely approximate the real solder fatigue life. Since void formation in the solder joint is one of the many critical factors that can compromise reliability in the end system they inhabit and it has been an uncontrolled factor in the assembly process, void should be considered in the physical modeling of the solder joint. Another factor that well known to have great effect on the solder fatigue life is whether the exposed pad solder down to the PCB or not. Hence, both the effects of void in solder joint and exposed pad soldered down to PCB will be the main focus in the present study. The percentage deviation of the cycles to first failure and characteristic fatigue life obtained from FE models against the experimental data are computed. It was shown that all the predicted absolute values were too optimistic with over-estimated longer lives and the smallest divergence from the real solder joint fatigue life is within 50 to 100% that was achieved by modeling with void in the solder joint and without exposed pad soldered down to PCB. Both void in the solder joint and without exposed pad soldered down to PCB were proven to reduce the fatigue life. The findings also show that a big void laid at the crack propagation path of the solder joint has resulted in a larger drop of fatigue life than without exposed pad soldered down to PCB. From the identified model with solder joint fatigue life closest to the actual, further effort has been done by physically removing the solder joint fillet and the results of FE analyses were again compared with the experimental results. The predicted absolute values were conservative and the divergence were now successfully minimized to solely 20 to 60%. The results indicate that modeling of the solder joint without solder fillet has helped to save the computational time due to reduced number of non linear elements, facilitates the ease of model building besides produced a well accepted prediction that is conservative and closer to experimental data. In summary, the damage model without solder fillet that incorporated with two defective features of void in the solder joint and without exposed pad soldered down to PCB was a preferred choice in an anticipation of the closest approximation to the experimental tested solder joint fatigue life of MLPQs. After all, the modeling approach for the MLPQs is ultimately established that applicable for the solder joint life predictions.


Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine condition that impacts nutritional status, metabolic, and hormonal function in females of reproductive age. This condition is associated with increased androgen production (hyperandrogenism) and decreased insulin sensitivity, which often leads to insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. This increase in androgen production and insulin resistance is strongly associated with a high incidence of obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and certain types of gonad-related cancers among females who suffer from this condition. As research continues to grow, it has been demonstrated that PCOS is a complex condition, and some of its characteristics vary among the females that have this disorder. However, it has been suggested that oxidative stress and low-grade chronic inflammation could play an important role in the development of PCOS. Current evidence suggest that phytochemicals could potentially help with weight-loss by reducing oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation, as well as aid in metabolic and hormonal regulation due to their antioxidant properties. Some of the bioactive compounds found in plants that have shown positive effects in the attenuation of PCOS include flavonoids, polyphenols, phytoestrogen, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Thus, a review of the current literature published on PCOS and phytochemicals was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics databases for articles published between 2013 and 2023 with a study duration of 1 to 3 months and adequate sample sizes. The main purpose of this review of literature was to investigate the metabolic effects of phytochemical compounds and phytochemical-rich diets on females with PCOS by comparing the results of several randomized clinical trials.


With the development of applications involving high sensitivity ferromagnetic-ferroelectric laminates, a systematic analysis of the noise floor for magneto-electric (ME) laminated sensor has become crucial. We report and discuss the results of such an analysis on the noise floor of magnetostrictive-piezoelectric laminates in terms of the magnetic noise spectral density at room temperature. The noise floor of highly sensitive ME laminates with a JFET charge amplifier detection method has been studied. A good correlation was found between the theoretical and experimental noise curves within the measurement bandwidth. The dominating noise sources were found to include the dielectric loss noise, mechanical loss noise of the magneto-electric laminates and the noise sources of the charge amplifier. By using an appropriate low noise JFET charge amplifier, the noise contributions from the amplifier can be made negligible, enabling the measurement of the intrinsic noise of the ME laminates sensor. Thus, we have shown that at low frequencies, below the resonant frequency, the dielectric loss noise predominates with a one-per-root-frequency dependence whereas, around the resonance, the mechanical loss noise prevails over all other noise sources as expected from our theoretical analysis.


Owing to their unique physicochemical/biological properties and natural abundance, native yeast microbes were used to prepare a novel eco-friendly superabsorbent composite through thermo-chemical modification of yeast with citric acid in semi-dry conditions. The structure and morphology of the as-produced citric acid–yeast superabsorbent composites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The surface characteristics were studied systematically, including carboxyl content, degree of esterification, degree of substitution and zeta potential. The detailed formation mechanism was proposed. The evaluation of equilibrium welling showed that the species were able to absorb up to 38 times their weight in distilled water, and the water absorption capacity was affected by reaction temperature and external solution (the charge number, salt concentration and pH value). The results implied that citric acid–yeast superabsorbent composites exhibited enhanced water absorption, salt tolerance and pH sensitivity. The excellent swelling performance and special functional groups allowed the citric acid–yeast composites to target drug delivery. Ketoprofen, as a model drug, was utilized to monitor the loading and cumulative release efficiency to evaluate the suitability of citric acid–yeast composites as drug carriers. Its pH-sensitivity, biocompatibility and degradability make it a potential candidate for drug delivery.


In the reduced curves of electronic resistivity and thermomagnetic measurement of the amorphous alloys, (Fe1-xNix)84B16 with 0.02<x<0.08, preheated to a temperature higher than that of crystallization, an anomalous abruption at about 150°C was observed. The results of differential thermal analysis (DTA) and of x-ray diffraction show that after crystallization of the amorphous alloys (Fe1-xNix)84B16 the anomalous abruption can be attributed to the martensitic transformation of γFe(Ni) to αFe(Ni).


The purpose of this research: (1) Improving Students Cognitive Structures through the Advance Organizer Model Learning by giving Structured Worksheets based on APOS Theory, (2) Improving student activity through the Advance Organizer Model Learning by giving Structured Worksheets based on APOS Theory. This research was a Classroom Action Research (CAR) which was carried out at SMK Negeri 1 Arse South Tapanuli. The research subject was grade 12 students of academy year 2012/2013 consisting 31 students, namely 18 males and 13 females. Object on this research were the student activity and student learning outcomes through the Advance Organizer Model Learning by giving Structured Worksheets based on APOS Theory. The research consisted of two cycles, each cycle consisting of three meetings. Test of achievement conducted at the end of each cycle. Test of achievement consisting of 15 questions. The results of the research are: (1) There is an increased of student learning outcomes on class XII Agribusiness Crop / Horticulture SMK Negeri 1 Arse which showed an increase in cognitive structure indicated strengthening of: (a) Outcomes of achievement test in the first cycle, namely: the average = 63.66; percentage of completeness = 41.94%, (b) Outcomes of achievement test in the second cycle, namely: the average = 82.58; percentage of completeness 90.32%. The percentage of completeness 48.39% and the index gain 0.51 or moderate improvement criteria. (2) There is an increased of student activity on class XII Agribusiness Crop/Horticulture SMK Negeri 1 Arse shown from: first cycle is only the average of 59.72 up to 74.47 in the second cycle. The results of this research can be used as inputs for teachers in an effort to improve the activity and student learning outcomes by applying the Advance Organizer Model Learning by giving Structured Worksheets based on APOS Theory.


Because of past land use changes and changing climate, forests are moving outside of their historical range of variation. As fires become more severe, forest managers are searching for strategies that can restore forest health and reduce fire risk. However, management activities are only one part of a suite of disturbance vectors that shape forest conditions. To account for the range of disturbance intensities and disturbance types (wildfire, bark beetles, and management), we developed a disturbance return interval (DRI) that represents the average return period for any disturbance, human or natural. We applied the DRI to examine forest change in the Lake Tahoe Basin of California and Nevada. We specifically investigated the consequences of DRI on the proportion of highseverity fire and the net sequestration of carbon. In order to test the management component of the DRI, we developed management scenarios with forest managers and stakeholders in the region; these scenarios were integrated into a mechanistic forest landscape model that also accounted for climate change, as well as natural disturbances of wildfire and insect outbreaks. Our results suggest increasing the frequency of disturbances (a lower DRI) would reduce the percentage of high-severity fire on landscape but not the total amount of wildfire in general. However, a higher DRI reduced carbon storage and sequestration, particularly in management strategies that emphasized prescribed fire over hand or mechanical fuel treatments.


Eavesdropping on the alarm calls of other species can provide vertebrates with valuable information about danger, and often responses to heterospecific calls seem to be acquired through learning. However, animals might not require learning to respond to heterospecific alarm calls that are acoustically similar to conspecific calls. Although previous work suggests that learning is necessary for superb fairy-wrens to develop responses to heterospecific alarms, acoustic similarity might also be important. We tested whether fairy-wrens responded to playback of unfamiliar alarm calls and if the strength of responses was affected by acoustic similarity to conspecific calls. We then determined which acoustic properties were likely to be used in alarm call identification. Birds fled to cover after playback of calls that were acoustically similar to their own but did not usually respond to less similar calls. Fairy-wren aerial alarm calls are high-frequency and rapidly frequency modulated; their probability of fleeing to playback of unfamiliar calls increased in response to calls with increasing peak frequencies, and they spent more time in cover following calls with a number of frequency cycles similar to their own. Fairy-wrens also responded strongly to relatively dissimilar calls of 1 allopatric species, possibly because these unfamiliar calls resembled those of a sympatric species to which they had learnt to respond. Our study shows that acoustic similarity can prompt responses to heterospecific alarm calls regardless of experience and together with previous work suggests that both acoustic similarity and learning are important for interspecific responses to alarm calls. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.


This paper reports a case of loxoscelism associated with reversible right hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. The diagnosis of loxoscelism was based upon the description of the spider by the patient himself and by the typical clinical findings which included necrosis at the site of the bite with a scarlet fever-like skin rash, intravascular hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, coagulation disturbances and acute renal failure. The treatment was supportive with full recovery of these abnormalities. The diagnosis of diaphragmatic paralysis was based upon the elevation of the right hemidiaphragm in a full inspired film 5,8 cm above the left hemidiaphragm and in its imobility detected through a radioscopic examination. A chest x-ray film taken before the envenomation did not show any sign of diafragm paralysis as did another chest x-ray film taken one month after the spider bite. These findings lead to suspect the diaphragmatic paralysis to be related to the venom action or to another systemic complication of loxoscelism.


Frontline employees frequently act as a bridge between a firm and its customers. Therefore, customers often form their opinions on service quality of the firm based on how well the frontline employees perform. This conceptual paper intends to explore some potential antecedents that might have an impact with particular regard to frontline employees' service recovery performance. In addition, it also looks at its potential impact on selected outcomes. Using the existing literature, hypotheses are formulated to provide understanding of the relationships between service recovery performance antecedents and its associated outcomes. This would assist managers in identifying and managing the factors, and thus will contribute towards creating a loyal base of satisfied customers. Implications for managerial actions and future research avenues are discussed. Empirical support is obviously needed for the proposed conceptual framework and therefore it has been planned for it to be tested in a hotel environment. An important reason for the hotel industry to be chosen is because of the booming of the tourism industry where the hotel sector is seen as the biggest contributor.


Phytotelmata habitats have been the focus of much research and are utilized by a wide variety of taxa. In the past 15 years numerous studies in many geographic regions and covering various types of phytotelmata have greatly increased our understanding of these unique habitats. The most recent summary of phytotelmata inhabitants included over 20 families of insects. A review of the literature and extensive work in lowland Ecuador shows the family level diversity is in fact at least twice that reported earlier. A reassessment of previous phytotelmata classification schemes, as well as an extensive bibliography, is provided.


The intervention in gene regulatory networks has been modelled as the Markov decision process problem. However, this approach only allows one external control, which is inadequate in many situations such as drug and gene therapies. In this paper, we propose the non-cooperative stochastic game model for intervention in the genetic regulatory networks as the generalization of the Markov decision process approach and formulate the intervention problem into solving the Nash equilibrium. The definition of equilibrium has been proposed and the existences for both infinite and finite horizon cases have been proven. We provide the numerical example for using non-cooperative stochastic game model on the mammalian cell cycle network. We also compare the results under the Nash equilibrium and independent Markov decision process approach.


Fes (a.k.a. Fps) is a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase that is highly expressed in breast epithelial cells during lactation, as well as in vascular endothelial and myeloid cells. Retrovirally encoded oncogenic alleles of Fes are associated with tumors in chickens and cats and cause tumors in transgenic mice; however, a role for Fes in human cancer has not been established.

Using an orthotopic mouse mammary engraftment model, we previously found that Fes deficiency correlated with reduction in engrafted tumor growth rates, lung metastasis, and circulating tumor cells. Reduced vascularity and fewer infiltrating macrophages suggested the tumor microenvironment of Fes-deficient mice was less supportive of tumor growth and metastasis. In co-culture with tumor cells, Fes-deficiency in macrophages correlated with a reduced ability to promote tumor cell invasive behavior. These results suggested a tumor promoting role of Fes kinase in breast cancer through roles in cells of the tumor microenvironment.

In a transgenic mouse model of breast cancer driven by an activated HER2/Neu allele expressed in the mammary epithelium, we observed delayed tumor onset in Fes-deficient mice compared to wild-type mice. However, there was no difference in tumor growth rates.

Taken together, these observations argue that Fes inhibition might provide therapeutic benefits in breast cancer, by attenuating tumor-associated angiogenesis and the metastasis-promoting functions of tumor-associated macrophages, or by delaying breast tumor onset in women with HER2 overexpression.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Connie Shengnan Zhang, Peter A. Greer. Deficiency of Fes tyrosine kinase expression correlates with delayed mammary tumor onset in a HER2/Neu overexpressing transgenic mouse model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Breast Cancer Research: Genetics, Biology, and Clinical Applications; Oct 3-6, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2013;11(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A076.


This paper reports investigations on decay reactions of several SF, decomposition products on various technical surfaces at room temperature. These processes were measured, with and without addition of water, with SF, or argon as background gases. The surfaces were stainless steel, aluminium (GIs enclosure), and glass. The stainless steel surface was pretreated in different ways to investigate the role of the surface state. The SF, decomposition products studied were S2FI0, S2O2FI0, SOF,, SOF,, and SF, . Their decay was measured by detecting the temporal development of their gas phase concentrations and of the concentrations of some of their gaseous reaction products by means of a FT-IR spectrometer. From the data obtained it can be inferred that surface decay is dominant at room temperature. Simple stoichiometric and kinetic models for these processes are proposed which provide a basis for the quantification on the life times and decay rates of toxic and corrosive decomposition products in SF, insulated power equipment. They also provide some information on the limitations of gas sample storage.


Experimental measurements of the force and torque on freely settling fibres are compared with predictions of the slender-body theory of Khayat & Cox (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 209, 1989, pp. 435–462). Although the flow is viscous dominated at the scale of the fibre diameter, fluid inertia is important on the scale of the fibre length, leading to inertial torques which tend to rotate symmetric fibres toward horizontal orientations. Experimentally, the torque on symmetric fibres is inferred from the measured rate of rotation of the fibres using a quasi-steady torque balance. It is shown theoretically that fibres with an asymmetric radius or mass density distribution undergo a supercritical pitch-fork bifurcation from vertical to oblique settling with increasing Archimedes number, increasing Reynolds number or decreasing asymmetry. This transition is observed in experiments with asymmetric mass density and we find good agreement with the predicted symmetry breaking transition. In these experiments, the steady orientation of the oblique settling fibres provides a means to measure the inertial torque in the absence of transient effects since it is balanced by the known gravitational torque.


Pneumatic artificial muscles feature lightweight and compact construction, in combination with high obtainable forces and an intrinsic compliance. This makes them well suited for the actuation of kinematically redundant manipulators, but due to the limited deflection of the single muscles and the highly nonlinear static and dynamic characteristics, a whole new set of challenges arises. In this contribution, redundancy resolution and control strategies are presented, which take the main actuator non-linearities into account to make effective use of the advantages provided by the pneumatic muscle actuators. The presented approach is demonstrated on a manipulator consisting of modular segments each actuated by a pair of antagonistic pneumatic muscle actuators. The approach proves to allow the avoidance of the pressure- and deflection-dependent joint limits to ensure a maximum of controllability of the manipulator at each point in the workspace.


Motivated by recent finding of terahertz wave emission from intrinsic Josephson junctions without external fields, field dependence of this behavior is investigated numerically in the junction with the width of experimental scale, 86μm. Assuming the dynamical boundary condition, a McCumber-like state with small spatial dependence of the electric field is stabilized without fields. As the in-plane field gradually increases, the frequency of emitted wave and applied current at the emission peak increase in proportional to the field, while intensity at the emission peak is almost independent of the field. These results suggest that the McCumber-like state without external fields may naturally connect to the emission state in strong fields.


The room temperature spontaneous growth of low melting point metal whiskers, such as Sn, poses a serious reliability problem in the semiconducting industry; a problem that has become acute with the introduction of Pb-free technology. To date, this 50+ year old problem has resisted interpretation. Herein we show that the driving force is essentially a reaction between oxygen and the sprouting metal. The resulting volume expansion creates a compressive stress that pushes the whiskers up. The model proposed explains our observations on In and Sn whiskers and many past observations. The solution is in principle simple: diffusion of oxygen into the metal must be prevented or slowed down. This was demonstrated by coating the active surfaces with a polymer coating.


Guided by Leventhal's common sense model of illness representations, this study examined the relationship between hypertension beliefs and self-care behaviors necessary for blood pressure (BP) control in a sample of 111 community-dwelling African Americans with hypertension. Participants completed the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, BP Self-Care Scale, and a demographic data sheet, and had BP measured. Analyses revealed that beliefs about the causes of hypertension differed by gender and educational level. Stress-related causal attributions accounted for 34.7% of the variance in hypertension beliefs. Participants who believed stress or external factors caused hypertension were less likely to engage in healthy self-care behaviors (e.g., keeping doctor visits, eating low-salt, low-fat diets). Results suggest that patients who are nonadherent with hypertension self-care recommendations may hold hypertension beliefs that are not consistent with the medically endorsed views of this disease. To more effectively treat and control BP, providers should assess patients' hypertension beliefs.


This paper estimates and compares methods of constructing disaggregated house price indices from existing house price models using individual sales data for Sydney. Nine alternative house price models are selected to cover the most frequently used methods in the literature: the mean model, median models (standard and stratified), hedonic models (restricted and unrestricted hedonic), repeat-sales models (age-adjusted and Case-Shiller weighted), and a hybrid of the hedonic and repeat-sales model. The unrestricted hedonic model and the hybrid model have an advantage over the other seven models in that they do not require stratification of the data for estimating disaggregated indices. Both models employ the whole sample to estimate implicit prices of house characteristics that are used to construct disaggregated house price indices. These two models eliminate variability arising from small sample sizes and provide more efficient estimates of house price heterogeneity. In addition, house characteristics that are important drivers of the variability of individual house prices are identified in the two models. Disaggregated indices constructed from these two models provide more accurate comparisons with an aggregate house price index. We quantify the extent to which disaggregated house prices indices have significantly more variability than, and differing trends from, the aggregate index.


One-dimensional Fe2V4O13 nanoribbons 10–20 μm long and 20–30 nm thick growing directly on a stainless-steel mesh (SSM) have been successfully obtained by a simple and facile hydrothermal reaction without any templates or surfactants. The SSM served as not only the Fe source but also the substrate for the deposition of vanadium and oxide elements. The Fe2V4O13 nanoribbon as an easily reused photocatalyst shows great potential for the efficient photoreduction of CO2 into renewable hydrocarbon fuel (CH4) and for the removal of organics from air under visible-light illumination.


The effects of propofol and sufentanil on cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic balance were studied, in order to evaluate if sufentanil plays a role in this balance. The heart rate variability of 12 adult dogs was assessed, after premedication with acepromazine and anesthetized with propofol and three different doses of sufentanil, ranging from 0.025 to 0.1µg/kg/min. Electrocardiograms were recorded 15 minutes after premedication and 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after anesthetic induction. Heart rate variability was calculated in frequency domain through the analysis of 10 consecutive RR intervals. Results showed an absence of important changes in heart rate variability, although a significant decrease in heart rate was observed.


The inadequacies of English common and statutory law have left a noticeable gap in the UK's protection of physical privacy. Mann J's decision in Fearn v Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery helped fill this gap as it acknowledged that overlooking between neighbours could constitute an actionable nuisance. However, the Court of Appeal reversed this development, reaffirming that private nuisance cannot be used to combat breaches of privacy. This paper evaluates the extent to which the High Court decision in Fearn was a useful and desirable tool for defending physical privacy, so as to assess the correctness of the appellate decision. It contends that Mann J's extension was a justified development as it conformed with precedent, the scheme and principles of private nuisance, the text and horizontal effect of art 8 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, case law in the European Court of Human Rights and broader policy. However, the paper acknowledges that Fearn was also a problematic development with limited potential as a protection mechanism. This is due to the conflict between traditional understandings of the right to privacy and nuisance's association with property, the land-based rationale for compensation in nuisance, the standing restrictions retained from Hunter v Canary Wharf Ltd, irregularities with the common law's favourable attitude towards children's privacy, and Fearn's similarities to anti-harassment legislation. Overall, the paper concludes that although Fearn was not perfect in its treatment of physical privacy, it was a step in the right direction and contributed at least partially to filling the persistent lacuna in English privacy law.


Recent estimates suggest that the lower middle income countries in Asia carry the heaviest burden of cancer among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) (defined as age 15-39 years). A larger proportion of the population in Asia is aged 15-39 compared with the developed countries. This age group is different from the pediatric or the adult group in terms of physical, social, psychological, and financial needs. Cancer incidence, disability, survivorship needs, financial toxicity, psychosocial issues, and so on are underestimated in this group, and available literature is scarce. Global data show an increasing trend of adult-onset cancers such as colorectal, breast, pancreas, and lung in the AYA population. Data suggest that the disease biology and prognosis are different in this group; however, further research is needed. An ESMO/SIOPE/SIOP Asia survey on the care of AYA cancer patients in Asia found a suboptimal availability of AYA specialized centers in the region and identified several unmet needs including lack of training, clinical trials, and high rates of treatment abandonment. There is an urgent need for cancer care systems in Asia to develop specialized services to be able to cater to this growing burden. Training and research in this area also need to be upscaled with the goal of establishing a sustainable infrastructure and quality services to ensure that this vulnerable group receives appropriate care. Management guidelines and national health policies should consider giving special attention to this group as the World Health Assembly reinforces the inclusion of children and adolescents in cancer control programs.


Many physical and biological experiments involve the counting of particles which are randomly distributed in space or time. For convenience, the whole of the space or time is divided into a number of zones, and the number of particles in each zone is counted separately. Thus, when using the haemacytometer, the microscope field is divided into a number of squares, and when counting under the ultramicroscope "snap" readings are taken of a large number of small microscope fields. If a very large number of particles per zone is possible, but the average density is relatively low, the frequency distribution of zones with 0, 1, 2, etc., particles, as deduced from the laws of probabilities, is described by the Poisson series, and this fact is sometimes used as a test of randomness and as a check on experimental technique. Assuming the true mean number of particles per zone to be μ and the number of zones counted to be N, the N counts giving an observed mean of ḿ , the standard error of ḿ , expressed as a ratio of μ, is well known to be √1/μN. Thus, for a given number of zones, the greater the density of particles, the greater is the accuracy of the mean (so long as the Poisson distribution still holds). This is shown by the lowest curve of fig. 1 where the standard error of ḿ for a single count ( σḿ , divided by μ, is plotted against μ.


Objective: Survey the prevalence of arbovirus infections among pregnant women provided with care at a maternity hospital school in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective, and quantitative study, carried out with data collected from the notification forms filled in during obstetric screening between August 2015 and July 2016.
Results: Positive serology was found for arboviruses in 40.2% of the 103 suspected cases. Serology was not performed or it showed inconclusive results in 59.8% of the cases. Dengue fever occurred in 44% of the cases, chikungunya in 34%, and zika fever in 22%. Infections were more frequent among pregnant women over 20 years old, with low income and low schooling levels, living in Recife (48.5%) and Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil (24.3%). The most frequently mentioned symptoms were arthralgia (94%), exanthema (82%), and fever (78%). Infections occurred within the first trimester of pregnancy (54.5%), 63.3% of the pregnant women had to be hospitalized, and 45.4% of them did not undergo morphological ultrasonography. Most babies were born full-term and they had adequate weight. The prevalence of microcephaly was 9.7% when considering cases of arbovirose and 62.5% when considering specific cases of zika fever.
Conclusion: The prevalence and repercussions of arboviruses justify the consolidation of actions to fight Aedes aegypti, as well as the effective deployment of clinical protocols and recommendations aimed at the mother and child care.


BACKGROUND
Data and research increasingly point to multiple factors in the genesis of eating-behavior disorders, but the lack of a clear etiological definition prevents a unique therapeutic or prognostic approach from being defined. Therapeutic approaches, as well as scientific research, have separately analyzed the psychological aspects and the clinical-nutrition aspects without integrating the variables or correlating clinical and psychological data. This work has several goals because it aims at considering the problem from the 2 different perspectives. Psychological and clinical variables are analyzed both separately and together in order to assess (a) the minimal criteria to define a cure as "lifesaving" and submit a patient to artificial nutrition; (b) the kind of implementation artificial nutrition should follow; (c) which indicators of the efficacy of artificial nutrition must be taken into account; (d) the results in nutrition terms that may be obtained during the follow-up; (e) if artificial nutrition may be used as a therapeutic tool; (f) if there are any psychological effects after artificial nutrition; (g) if there are any effects due to the patients' age; and (h) the correlation between the psychological profile of a patient and the acceptance of the nutrition treatment.

METHODS
Several psychological and pharmacologic variables, together with clinical and anthropometric data and blood chemical values, were all considered.

CONCLUSIONS
Besides defining minimal criteria for a "lifesaving" cure and proposing 2 ad hoc scales for the assessment of patients' subjective willingness toward feeding and for the objective measurement of feeding itself, clinical data and correlations with psychological data evidenced the importance of artificial nutrition and specifically of enteral nutrition as a therapeutic tool, allowing us to define the modalities of implementation of enteral nutrition. Results show that, because enteral nutrition did not deteriorate the psychological state of the patients, and was found to be accepted more positively than feeding orally in the most critical initial phase, it should be included in the therapy.


In high school, world soil distribution can be learned in geography class. However, information is not updated by recent knowledge. I hope that education of soil in geography can be more interesting. For example, textbook describes that northern soils include podzol, permafrost soil, and peat soils. However, distribution of these soil types may not co-exist. Podzols typically develop in non-permafrost soils (e.g., Europe) under coniferous forests, permafrost soils are widespread in tundra and forests in the area where ice-sheet did not cover land surface in glacial period (e.g., Alaska, Siberia). We can know news of mammoth emerging from permafrost soil. Peat soils are widespread in flat landscape, irrespective of climate (e.g., Tropical peat). These knowledge need to be educated in systematic way, rather than remembering specific terms. We would also like to report the experience of class about soil in high school.


Multiuser spatial multiplexing uses precoding to support multiple users in multi-antenna wireless channels. In this paper, two transmit diversity techniques are proposed that use extra transmit antennas to obtain additional diversity. In one solution, an eigenmode selection technique is proposed to achieve higher diversity gain by optimally matching the data streams to eigenmodes with superior channel conditions. In the other solution, a multiuser antenna selection algorithm is proposed that achieves good performance with fewer RF chains and lower system cost. Selection criteria for single-user spatial multiplexing are extended to the multiuser scenario in the context of unitary downlink precoding, and a novel selection algorithm that is near optimal in terms of symbol error rate (SER) is proposed. Simulation results show dramatic SNR reductions of 6-10 dB at an uncoded SER of 10/sup -3/ with only one extra antenna.


We construct a generic, simple, and efficient scheduling policy for stochastic processing networks, and provide a general framework to establish its stability. Our policy is randomized and prioritized: with high probability it prioritizes jobs that have been least routed through the network. We show that the network is globally stable under this policy if there exists an appropriate quadratic local Lyapunov function that provides a negative drift with respect to nominal loads at servers. Applying this generic framework, we obtain stability results for our policy in many important examples of stochastic processing networks: open multiclass queueing networks, parallel server networks, networks of input-queued switches, and a variety of wireless network models with interference constraints. Our main novelty is the construction of an appropriate global Lyapunov function from quadratic local Lyapunov functions, which we believe to be of broader interest.


The bending of bilayer plates is a mechanism that allows for large deformations via small externally induced lattice mismatches of the underlying materials. Its mathematical modeling, discussed herein, consists of a nonlinear fourth‐order problem with a pointwise isometry constraint. A discretization based on Kirchhoff quadrilaterals is devised and its Γ‐convergence is proved. An iterative method that decreases the energy is proposed, and its convergence to stationary configurations is investigated. Its performance, as well as reduced model capabilities, are explored via several insightful numerical experiments involving large (geometrically nonlinear) deformations.© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL

During the course of experiments to determine the effects of elevated body temperature on anti-tumor immune responses, we unexpectedly observed that in control animals bearing tumors and maintained under standard room temperatures (IACUC-compliant, 21-23°C), the core temperature actually began to fall significantly as the tumors grew larger. Moreover, using thermal preference analyses, we found that animals bearing tumors exhibit considerable heat-seeking behavior. In an attempt to keep body temperature within the normal range (∼37°C), we began to house tumor bearing mice in a warmer environment (i.e., 28-30°C) considered to be the thermoneutral temperature for mice, as apposed to IACUC compliant temperatures which are considered mildly hypothermic for mice. Decisions that have resulted in the mildly cooler environmental temperature required in animal colonies have been generally based upon optimizing air-handling capacity of fumes and the thermal comfort of personnel rather than the optimal thermal comfort of animals (hence the requirements for multiple mice per cage to allow for huddling). When we analyzed tumor growth under thermoneutral conditions, syngeneic tumor growth was significantly delayed in animals maintained at 28-30°C compared to tumor growth in animals maintained at 21-23 oC. If the same comparison is made using SCID mice, no difference in tumor growth rate is observed. More specifically, BALB/c, C57BL/6 and SCID mice were housed in either standard room temperature (RT = 21-23°C) or in a warmer ambient temperature (WR = 28-30°C). Mice were then implanted with a syngeneic tumor (CT26 for BALB/c and SCID; B16.F10 for C57BL/6) subcutaneously and tumor growth was monitored. Tumor growth in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice was inhibited when mice were housed in the warmer ambient temperature compared to animals maintained in standard room temperature. There was no difference in CT26 tumor growth in SCID mice. This finding suggested that the T cell-dependent anti-tumor immune response may be at least partly responsible for enhanced tumor growth control under conditions of warmer ambient temperature. Results of depletion studies in C57BL/6 mice bearing B16.F10 tumors, showed that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were required for inhibition of tumor growth in the warmer ambient temperature. In BALB/c mice bearing CT26 tumors, only CD8+ T cells were required to inhibit tumor growth. These findings suggest that the natural anti-tumor immune response exhibited by mice housed in standard colony conditions is sub-optimal and can be improved simply by housing mice under thermoneutral conditions. T cell dependent anti-tumor immunity appears to be at least one immune mechanism which is improved when animals are not cold stressed. Supported by NIH R01 CA 135368.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 790. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-790


The purpose of this paper is to model analysts' forecasts. The paper differs from the previous research in that we do not focus on how accurate these predictions may be. Accuracy may indeed be an important quality but we argue instead that another equally important aspect of the analysts' job is to predict and describe the impact of jump events. In effect, the analysts' role is one of scenario prediction. Using a Bayesian-inspired generalised method of moments estimation procedure, we use this notion of scenario prediction combined with the structure of the Morgan Stanley analysts' forecasting database to model normal (base), optimistic (bull) and pessimistic (bear) forecast scenarios for a set of reports from Asia (excluding Japan) for 2007–2008. Since the estimation procedure is unique to this paper, a rigorous derivation of the asymptotic properties of the resulting estimator is also provided.


This article discusses a relatively simple behavioral model that can be used by hospital staff to understand the actions of potentially combative patients. The model can be used, the author says, as a common guideline for the actions of staff members responding to potentially assaultive behavior by patients.


An experimental apparatus has been developed to evaluate the drying process of green tea leaves. Tea drying is an energy‐intensive process which results in the removal of leaf moisture; it is essential to the quality of the final product. In order to more efficiently use process energy, a prototype drying system has been built and tested. The prototype incorporates a rotating perforated drum which helps speed the drying process. Experiments were carried out with multiple temperatures, airflow rates, and drum rotation rates; a subset of those results is shown here. In particular, the impact of airflow rate on the process was studied. It was found that as the airflow increased, the drying rate increased, as expected. However, the efficiency of energy use, which was quantified by the Specific Energy Consumption rate, varied considerably with flow. While higher flows led to faster drying, it resulted in a lower energy efficiency. Also, a two parameter predictive model was developed that was able to accurately match the moisture removal rates for a very wide range of flows. This predictive model, which is based on thermal‐fluid fundamentals, can be used to extrapolate the presented results to cases which were not considered.


A demethylative silyl radical cascade cyclization of 2-isocyanothioanisoles toward 2-silylated benzothiazole building blocks has been developed. The development of a "radical initiator-inhibitor symbiosis" system solves the challenge of otherwise dominant methyl radical-triggered side reactions brought about by kinetically unfavored generation of reactive silyl radical species. The products accessed in this protocol are amendable to various downstream functionalization reactions, including the quick construction of a topoisomerase II inhibitor via a Hiyama cross-coupling reaction and of an antiviral agent via a fluoride-/hydroxide-free nucleophilic substitution to acyl chloride.


The application of thermal coatings in cylinder bores is depending on above all functionality, process reliability and economy of pre treatment of the substrate surfaces. Different removing processes like water jetting or sand blasting are increasingly substituted by mechanical machining. Thereby great importance is attached to functionality and degree of automation. For an assured engine function, high bond strength is required. The roughening process as a modified cutting machining meets the requirements of modern production lines. Removing overspray after thermal coating by a water jetting process, is a further contribution for a higher automation degree. The final machining of sprayed surfaces is effected by a multi stage honing process. The composite structures of thermal coated layers call for high performance diamond abrasives. The finished functional cylinder surface comprehends cavities of thermal coated layer and smooth honing pattern. The technological description of roughening and honing, the process components as well as the machining results will be presented. Pre and post treatment are essential processes, which enable the application of high performance thermal coating materials in friction optimized combustion engines.


Talbot, when treating of interstitial gingivitis, says: "The exciting causes are either constitutional or local, but as a rule are local, or have local action." Regarding his experiments on dogs, he says: "While it is by no means improbable that constitutional factors assist in its early progress in man, still the exciting cause of this disease is tartar." Dr. G. P. Carpenter's experiments tend to establish the law that without a locally exciting cause the disease would not exist as such. The writer is in full accord with these opinions; consequently, from his standpoint, the natural and all-important treatment is to first remove the local cause, by cleansing away the deposits found about the teeth, either superficial or deep-seated. This being accomplished, local germicidal and palliative treatment should be adopted and continued until health is the result, or failure established. To accomplish these ends many methods are pursued, but all


Background: The concept of cancer immunosurveillance suggests that the immune system can recognize and destroy tumor cells. However, tumors can develop immunosuppressive mechanisms to escape the immune system. Among the immunosuppressive mechanisms, T lymphocytes can express inhibitory molecules such as Program Death-1 (PD-1) protein which impair their activation. PD-1 activation by its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 blocks T cell proliferation, cytolytic activity, cytokine production, and decreases survival. Multi-target anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) that are routinely used as first- or second-line treatment of cancer patients, have been shown to modulate immunosuppressive mechanisms especially regulatory T cells. However, the role of specific VEGF/VEGFR blockade on PD-1 expression by T lymphocytes has not been studied. Materiel and methods: PD-1 expression on T lymphocytes has been analyzed by flow cytometry in a mouse model of colorectal cancer (CT26) treated by anti-angiogenic molecules targeting the VEGF-A/VEGFR axis and in the peripheral blood of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Results: Tumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes express high levels of PD-1 in the CT26 tumor model. Sunitinib that directly targets VEGFR, PDGFR, c-kit, decreases PD-1 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes infiltrating the tumors. In the same manner, anti-VEGF-A antibody (the mouse orthologue of bevacizumab) restrains PD-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes. Interestingly, anti-angiogenic treatments decrease the percentage of lymphocytes expressing not only PD-1 but also Tim-3 suggesting that the most exhausted T cells are targeted by anti-angiogenic treatments. Administration of masitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor acting on KIT, PDGFR and FAK but not on the VEGF/VEGF-R pathway, was not able to modulate PD-1 expression on T cells. Finally, anti-VEGF-A treatment (bevacizumab) associated with chemotherapy decreases the proportion of PD-1+ CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Conclusions: These results show that anti-angiogenic treatments targeting VEGFA/VEGFR decrease PD-1-expressing T lymphocytes in colorectal cancer. These results suggest that VEGF-A could be involved in PD-1 expression and maybe in the induction of T lymphocyte exhaustion in colorectal cancer. This point is currently under investigation. We and others have shown that anti-angiogenic molecules could modulate other immunosuppressive populations such as regulatory T cells and myeloid suppressive cells, anti-angiogenic molecules might be efficiently associated with immunotherapeutic strategies in colorectal cancer. Citation Format: Magali Terme, Thibault Voron, Elie Marcheteau, Orianne Colussi, Simon Pernot, Eric Tartour, Julien Taieb. Impact of anti-angiogenic treatments on exhausted PD-1+ T lymphocytes in colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 373. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-373


The thermoelectric coefficient eta(T) in unconventional superconductors is enhanced below Tc by intermediate strength impurity scattering that is intrinsically particle-hole asymmetric. We compute eta(T) for a strong-coupling d-wave superconductor and investigate the effects of inelastic scattering originating from electron-boson interactions. We show that eta(T) is severely suppressed at temperatures just below Tc by a particle-hole symmetric inelastic scattering rate. At lower temperatures inelastic scattering is frozen out and eta(T) recovers and regains its large amplitude. In the limit T->0, we have eta(T) ~ eta_0 T + O[T^3] , where the slope eta_0 contains information about the Drude plasma frequency, the details of impurity scattering, and the change in effective mass by electron-boson interactions. In this limit eta(T) can be used as a probe, complementary to the universal heat and charge conductivities, in investigations of the nature of nodal quasiparticles.


Dipeptidyl peptidase IV was enriched about 2000-fold from lymphocytes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia of T-type. The purification procedure involved immunoaffinity chromatography using antibodies raised with highly purified dipeptidyl peptidase IV from human placenta. The lymphocytic peptidase had a subunit Mr of 110,000. Its kinetic properties were similar to those of the placenta enzyme: Two N-terminal dipeptides were cleaved from substance P and from casomorphin, and naphthylamine was released from X-prolynaphthylamides with Km-values of about 0.02 mM. The lymphocytic peptidase was 10-fold less sensitive to zinc inhibition as compared to the placenta enzyme. Isoelectric focussing patterns of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in leukemic lymphocytes and in normal T-lymphocytes were very similar.


An analytical theory is developed for acoustic streaming induced by an acoustic wave field inside and outside a spherical fluid particle, which can be a liquid droplet or a gas bubble. The particle is assumed to undergo the monopole (pulsation) and the dipole (translation) oscillation modes. The dispersed phase and the carrier medium are considered to be immiscible, compressible, and viscous. The developed theory allows one to calculate the acoustic streaming both outside and inside the fluid particle. In contrast to earlier works, no restrictions are imposed on the thickness of the outer and inner viscous boundary layers with respect to the particle radius. A numerical implementation of the obtained analytical results is used to evaluate the acoustic streaming for different experimentally relevant configurations, such as an air bubble in water, a water droplet in oil, and a water droplet in air, considering both traveling and standing acoustic waves. The results show the richness of streaming pattern variations that arise in bubbles and droplets.


The water potential (Ψ) at which stomata completed closure (Ψ8Lmin) was determined for pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum [L.] Leeke) at two growth stages by monitoring changes in leaf conductance (gL) and Ψ following shoot detachment. Leaf water status was evaluated concurrently using a pressure-volume (P-V) technique.

In a pot experiment with young vegetative plants, Ψ8Lmin closely approximated to the estimated Ψ at zero turgor (Ψu) both for control and for drought-conditioned plants which had osmotically adjusted. However, for penultimate leaves of field-grown flowering plants, Ψ8Lmin was found to be 0.61 (irrigated plants) and 0.87 (droughted plants) MPa below Ψu. In drought-stressed field-grown plants, osmotic adjustment (characterized by a decrease in solute (osmotic) potential (Ψs ) at both full hydration and zero turgor) was insufficient to maintain a positive bulk leaf turgor potential (Ψp) once Ψ had declined to below about -1.5 MPa. It is suggested that localized adjustment by the stomatal complex in response to environmental differences, leaf ageing and/or ontogenetic change, is responsible for the uncoupling of stomatal from bulk leaf water status.


This paper investigates co-production in a B2B Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) service contract where the firm is tasked to deliver outcomes of MRO service rather than activities directly related to maintenance and repair. Our qualitative findings show that the promise of outcomes has extended the boundary of the firm to include the customer system within its responsibility, resulting in the allowance of customer variety into the firm's system as the consumption of the service is contextual and varied. The ability to deliver the service in such an environment requires the firm's operations process design to be extended beyond supply chain management for material/equipment transformation, but to include information and people transformation as well. Through a quantitative study and Partial Least Squares analysis, the paper shows that outcome-based contract performance is dependent on the co-production alignments of behaviors and information but not material/equipment, with the alignments partially driven by the co-production inputs of complementary competencies and congruence of expectations.


A majority of network architectures aim at solving specific shortcomings of the original Internet architecture. While providing solutions for the particular problems, they often lack in flexibility and do not provide general concepts for future networking requirements. In contrast, we introduce a network architecture that aims to be versatile enough to serve as a foundation for the future Internet. The main pillars of our architecture are communication pivots called information dispatch points (IDPs) which embed the concept of modularity at all levels of the architecture. IDPs completely decouple functional entities by means of indirection thus enabling evolving protocol stacks. Our architecture also provides a consistent application programming interface (API) to access node-local or network-wide functionality. In addition to the description of this architecture, we report about a working prototype of the architecture and we give examples of its application.


Selected cultures of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can be added to raw milk with the aim of inhibiting growth of pyschrotrophic bacteria. We compared the standard pour plate method (7°C/10 d) and a rapid surface plate method (18°C/45 h) with the agar droplet method for enumeration of psychrotrophs in raw milks seeded with LAB. The LAB did not interfere with the standard method or the 7°C/5 d agar droplet method, but interfered with the surface plate method. High correlations were obtained between the standard method and the agar droplet method (7°C) in uninoculated raw milk. High correlations were also found when LAB were added, but only when agar droplet plates were read after 4 or 5 d of incubation (7°C); sharp decreases in correlations were observed upon further incubation. Correlations between standard method and agar droplet method (7°C) were influenced by the LAB culture added as well as their level of inoculation. Inoculation levels greater than 106 per mL produced a decrease in correlation.


A wideband Gilbert upconversion micromixer with a phase-inverter rat-race coupler is demonstrated in this paper using 0.35-μm SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology. By utilizing a crossover phase inverter with the coplanar stripline (CPS) realization, the size of a rat-race coupler is highly reduced. This rat-race coupler employed at the RF port combines differential mixer outputs to single-ended while the common-mode LO leakage is absorbed by the isolated port of the coupler. Consequently, the demonstrated upconverter has the conversion gain of -8 dB while the OP1dB and OIP3 are around -7 dBm and 5 dBm, respectively, within the RF 3-dB bandwidth from 11 to 19 GHz. Additionally, the LO-to-RF isolation is over 50 dB within the RF bandwidth.


The increase in unconventional, urban warfare situations in US military operations creates the need for reliable data networks allowing military commanders and their troop's maximum communication capability in urban environments. Currently, military commanders at the higher echelons are afforded decision support tools utilizing robust data and voice communication networks. Decision-making in smaller operational units, such as Platoons and Squads, could benefit from improved communication and situational awareness capabilities. The CS^2 team objective is to design and evaluate a mobile command support system to maximize communication between Platoon leaders and their Squads. The team's study uses simulation programming environments to model the capacity and connectivity of wireless network communication in urban operations. The design alternatives to be modeled consist of various network topologies with different bandwidth capacities. Human factors and physical system requirements are evaluated analytically. The results of this modeling and analysis will be used to identify the most effective and reliable design alternative.


Purpose Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common pathological type among non-small cell lung cancer. Although huge progress has been made in terms of early diagnosis and precision treatment in recent years, the overall 5-year survival rate of a patient remains low. In our study, we try to construct an autophagy-related lncRNA prognostic signature that may guide clinical practice. Methods The mRNA and lncRNA expression matrix of lung adenocarcinoma patients were retrieved from the TCGA database. Next, we constructed a co-expression network of lncRNAs and autophagy-related genes. Lasso regression and multivariate Cox regression were then applied to establish a prognostic risk model. Subsequently, a risk score was generated to differentiate the high and low risk groups and a ROC curve and nomogram to visualize the predictive ability of the current signature. Finally, gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were executed via GSEA. Results A total of 1,703 autophagy-related lncRNAs were screened and five autophagy-related lncRNAs (LINC01137, AL691432.2, LINC01116, AL606489.1, and HLA-DQB1-AS1) were finally included in our signature. Judging from univariate (HR=1.075, 95% CI=1.046–1.104) and multivariate (HR=1.088, 95% CI=1.057−1.120) Cox regression analysis, the risk score is an independent factor for LUAD patients. Further, the AUC value based on the risk score for 1-year, 3-years, and 5-years, was 0.735, 0.672, and 0.662, respectively, indicating a reliable model. Drug sensitivity analysis revealed low risk patients were more sensitive to Gemcitabine and Gefitinib, while high risk patients had a better response to Paclitaxel and Erlotinib. Moreover, the lncRNAs included in our signature were primarily enriched in the autophagy process, metabolism, p53 pathway, and JAK/STAT pathway. Finally, a multi-omics analysis of correlated genes showed CFLAR overexpressed in the tumor sample, while GAPDH and MLST8 had a slightly higher expression in the normal sample. Conclusion Overall, our study indicated that the prognostic model we generated had certain predictability for LUAD patients' prognosis and the related genes might be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.


Plain radiographs may on occasion be misleading in patients with intestinal obstruction, owing to the presence of fluid-filled loops of bowel. Ultrasound examination, by demonstrating fluid-filled loops, can provide a definitive diagnosis in such cases. A case report is presented.


Effective utilization of the wasted high‐ash coal liquefaction residue (CLR) becomes increasingly important with the fast development of the coal chemical industry. Herein, a self‐template porous carbon is prepared using CLR as the raw material. The ashes contained in the CLR reacted with potassium hydroxide (KOH), and soluble salts were formed during the heat treatment. After washing, micropores and mesoporous were obtained at the original positions of ashes, while micropores were etched out from the carbon material by KOH. As a result, the carbon substrate with hierarchically porous structure had a maximum surface area of 1787.2 m2 g−1, when used as a supercapacitor electrode material, reaching a strong electrical dual‐layer capacitance of 250 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and maintaining 57% capacitance at 100 A g−1. The optimized hierarchical porous carbons (HPCs) show small equivalent resistance, high capacitance, and strong period reliability at various charging and discharging rates. HPCs derived from CLR display great potential in supercapacitors, which benefit from plentiful cavity construction, large specific surface area, and high conductivity.


A 26-year-old woman with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) relapsed three times after HLA-matched related bone marrow transplantation. Initially, ALL relapsed in the central nervous system (CNS) 1 year after transplantation. Then, ALL relapsed as a single bone tumor involving the CNS and pelvis 4 years after transplantation. Finally, multiple bone tumors in the pelvis and lumbar bones were found as well as spread to the bone marrow 5 years after transplantation. Bone marrow aspiration also showed ALL relapse. Flow cytometry analyses detected CD20-positive cells in the bone tumor. Though the initial bone tumor was resistant to hyper CVAD, radiation was effective and this patient achieved complete remission. At that time, the total radiation dose had already reached the upper limit. After the third relapse, bone marrow achieved complete remission with the administration of pirarubicin, vincristine, prednisolone, and L-asparaginase (arranged DVP-L), though this combination chemotherapy itself was not effective in multiple bone tumors. Thereafter, arranged DVP-L plus rituximab was administered, which resulted in significant tumor reduction. Biweekly rituximab administration as maintenance therapy has completely prevented the regrowth of bone tumors. Rituximab for relapsed CD20-positive ALL patients after stem cell transplantation could be beneficial.


BACKGROUND
Common uterine anomalies are important owing to their impact on fertility, and complex mesonephric anomalies and certain Müllerian malformations are particularly important because they cause serious clinical symptoms and affect woman's quality of life, in addition to creating fertility problems. In these cases of complex female genital tract malformations, a correct diagnosis is essential to avoid inappropriate and/or unnecessary surgery. Therefore, acquiring and applying the appropriate embryological knowledge, management and therapy is a challenge for gynaecologists. Here, we considered complex malformations to be obstructive anomalies and/or those associated with cloacal and urogenital sinus anomalies, urinary and/or extragenital anomalies, or other clinical implications or symptoms creating a difficult differential diagnosis.

METHODS
A diligent and comprehensive search of PubMed and Scopus was performed for all studies published from 1 January 2011 to 15 April 2015 (then updated up to September 2015) using the following search terms: 'management' in combination with either 'female genital malformations' or 'female genital tract anomalies' or 'Müllerian anomalies'. The MeSH terms 'renal agenesis', 'hydrocolpos', 'obstructed hemivagina' 'cervicovaginal agenesis or atresia', 'vaginal agenesis or atresia', 'Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome', 'uterine duplication' and 'cloacal anomalies' were also used to compile a list of all publications containing these terms since 2011. The basic embryological considerations for understanding female genitourinary malformations were also revealed. Based on our experience and the updated literature review, we studied the definition and classification of the complex malformations, and we analysed the clinical presentation and different therapeutic strategies for each anomaly, including the embryological and clinical classification of female genitourinary malformations.

RESULTS
From 755 search retrieved references, 230 articles were analysed and 120 studied in detail. They were added to those included in a previous systematic review. Here, we report the clinical presentation and management of: agenesis or hypoplasia of one urogenital ridge; unilateral renal agenesis and ipsilateral blind or obstructed hemivagina or unilateral cervicovaginal agenesis; cavitated and non-communicating uterine horns and Müllerian atresias or agenesis, including Rokitansky syndrome; anomalies of the cloaca and urogenital sinus, including congenital vagino-vesical fistulas and cloacal anomalies; malformative combinations and other complex malformations. The clinical symptoms and therapeutic strategies for each complex genitourinary malformation are discussed. In general, surgical techniques to correct genital malformations depend on the type of anomaly, its complexity, the patient's symptoms and the correct embryological interpretation of the anomaly. Most anomalies can typically be resolved vaginally or by hysteroscopy, but laparoscopy or laparotomy is often required as well. We also include additional discussion of the catalogue and classification systems for female genital malformations, the systematic association between renal agenesis and ipsilateral genital malformation, and accessory and cavitated uterine masses.

CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of the correct genitourinary embryology is essential for the understanding, study, diagnosis and subsequent treatment of genital malformations, especially complex ones and those that lead to gynaecological and reproductive problems, particularly in young patients. Some anomalies may require complex surgery involving multiple specialties, and patients should therefore be referred to centres that have experience in treating complex genital malformations.


Single-year and decadal radiocarbon tree-ring ages are tabulated and discussed in terms of 14C age calibration. The single-year data form the basis of a detailed 14C age calibration curve for the cal ad 1510–1954 interval ("cal" denotes calibrated). The Seattle decadal data set (back to 11,617 cal BP, with 0 BP = ad 1950) is a component of the integrated decadal INTCAL98 14C age curve (Stuiver et al. 1998). Atmospheric 14C ages can be transformed into 14C ages of the global ocean using a carbon reservoir model. INTCAL98 14C ages, used for these calculations, yield global ocean 14C ages differing slightly from previously published ones (Stuiver and Braziunas 1993b). We include discussions of offsets, error multipliers, regional 14C age differences and marine 14C age response to oceanic and atmospheric forcing.


The chronic phase of schizophrenia is characterized by illness progression and patients encountering difficulties to return to premorbid level of functioning. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of a sample of patients with chronic schizophrenia, as well to assess differences between patients under and over 45 years of age. In a clinical sample of 77 chronic schizophrenia patients, we assessed basic symptoms, cognitive performance, social functioning and quality of life. All participants obtained very high scores in residual symptoms, and no differences in sociodemographic or clinical characteristics between the age groups were found. Younger patients had better cognitive performance and older patients obtained better scores for social functioning and quality of life. Number of psychotropic drugs, verbal learning delayed of SCIP, errors in WCST, Similarities and Digit Symbol Coding of WAIS were the most important variables to predict global functioning of patients over 45 years old. Increasing our understanding of differences in characteristics of the chronic phase of the illness and the profile of functioning at different ages, may help us design intervention strategies to improve adaptation in young and middle-aged patients with chronic schizophrenia.


The immune system of vertebrate living beings is a very complicated system that has evolved a set of mechanisms to get rid of potential pathogens he get in contact with. These mechanisms are so finely tuned that we don't even realize how much work our immune defenses are carrying out each moment to keep us disease free. Unfortunately, as one can figure, the whole system is not error free. For example, autoimmune diseases arise when at least one of the mechanisms meant to preserve tolerance of self breaks. The immune self tolerance is the process by which the immune system refrain from attaching the host own body. This is normally the norm but given the huge complexity of the interdependencies among immune components (cells, molecules, organs, signals, etc.), and also given that the immune defenses are not static but rather dynamic and ever changing during our lifetime, it should not be surprising to learn of the different autoimmune diseases known to date. Tolerance is the evolutionary result of a multi-layer system whose goal is to weed out self-reactive cells. Of these mechanisms, lymphocytes T education in the thymus organ represents the very first one. In this article we describe a Monte Carlo method to simulate the maturation of key immune cells. Before describing the algorithm we give a brief introduction of how the immune system works. The goal of the present work is purely methodological. In fact, while we focus on the specific aspect of the examination phase of the T lymphocytes maturation, we use immuno-informatics data and methods to perform computer simulation of the whole process without taking into account, for example, the anatomical structure of the thymus organ where the process of lymphocytes education takes place. Moreover, for reasons that will be mentioned later, we will specifically deal with CD8+ T-cells (i.e., CTLs) selection rather than on CD4+ T-cells (T helpers).


Background: Variation in referral rates for physical therapy exists at both the individual physician and practice levels. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of physician and practice characteristics on referral for physical therapy in patients with traumatic lower-extremity injury. Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Methods: In 2007, a Web-based survey questionnaire was distributed to 474 surgeon members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. The questionnaire measured physician and practice characteristics, outcome expectations, and attitude toward physical therapy. Referral for physical therapy was based on case vignettes. Results: The response rate was 58%. Surgeons reported that 57.6% of their patients would have a positive outcome from physical therapy and 24.2% would have a negative outcome. The highest physical therapy expectations were for the appropriate use of assistive devices (80.7%) and improved strength (force-generating capacity) (76.4%). The lowest outcome expectations were for improvements in pain (35.9%), coping with the emotional aspects of disability (44.1%), and improvements in workplace limitations (51.4%). Physicians reported that 32.6% of their patients referred for physical therapy would have no improvement beyond what would occur with a surgeon-directed home exercise program. Multivariate analyses showed positive physician outcome expectations to have the largest effect on referral for physical therapy (odds ratio=2.7, P<.001). Conclusions: The results suggest that orthopedic trauma surgeons refer patients for physical therapy based mostly on expectations for physical and motor outcomes, but may not be considering pain relief, return to work, and psychosocial aspects of recovery. Furthermore, low referral rates may be attributed to a preference for surgeon-directed home-based rehabilitation. Future research should consider the efficacy of physical therapy for pain, psychosocial and occupational outcomes, and exploring the differences between supervised physical therapy and physician-directed home exercise programs.


ABSTRACT In this study I examine the construct of aptitude in learning Chinese as a second language (L2) to an advanced level. I test 2 hypotheses: first, that L2 aptitude comprises 4 components-working memory, rote memory, grammatical sensitivity, and phonemic coding ability-and second, that L2 aptitude affects learning both directly and indirectly (mediated by strategy use and motivation). Native speakers of English ( n = 96) studying advanced Chinese took the Modern Language Aptitude Test and a phonological working memory test and responded to motivation and strategy use questionnaires. Using end-of-course listening, reading, and speaking proficiency test results as measures of Chinese learning, I constructed a structural equation model to test the hypotheses. The model fit the observed data. Of the 4 components foreseen to comprise L2 aptitude, rote memory contributed the most and working memory the least. Aptitude, strategy use, and motivation had about the same impact on learning but varied in how well they predicted the individual skills of listening, reading, and speaking. The results shed light on L2 aptitude in the particular context of an advanced L2 Chinese course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]


Previous experiments (Husband, 1982) indicated that IgA-specific antibody-containing cells (ACC), appearing among thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) following challenge of intestinal segments of i.p. primed rats, display antigen-dependent distribution in the small intestine by 12 hr after their i.v. injection into autologous recipients. Data are presented here which demonstrate that ACC among TDL collected from rats bearing double Thiry-Vella loops challenged with two different antigens still appear almost exclusively in loops immunized with the antigen corresponding to their antibody specificity, even when injected into recipients in which immunized loops were prepared from different levels of the small intestine to that of the donors. These experiments indicate that, in animals given whole gut priming (by i.p. immunization) and segmental challenge (by lumenal challenge of isolated loops), the site of origin of IgA-ACC precursors does not influence antigen-induced distribution patterns. To determine whether segmental priming followed by whole gut challenge results in site of origin effects, rats were primed by subserosal immunization of a single Peyer's patch, either in the proximal or distal intestine, and then challenged intraduodenally. The ultimate IgA-ACC distribution was similar, regardless of the site of priming. These results indicate that, in a model employing priming with antigen in Freund's complete adjuvant, there is no site of origin effect on ultimate IgA plasma cell location within the small intestine, whether whole gut priming and segmental challenge or segmental priming and whole gut challenge, are used.