Aim: Recent studies have suggested that non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) may be a good marker of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and non-HDL-C. Methods: We evaluated CRF and the incidence of high level of non-HDL-C in 4,067 Japanese men without dyslipidemia. The participants were given a submaximal exercise test, a medical examination, and questionnaires on their health habits in 1986. A cycle ergometer was used to measure the CRF and maximal oxygen uptake was estimated. The incidence of a high level of non-HDL -C (≥ 170 mg/dL) from 1986 to 2006 was ascertained based on the fasting blood levels. A high level of non-HDL-C was found in 1,482 participants during the follow-up. Cox proportional hazard models were used to obtain the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the incidence of a high level of non-HDL-C. Results: Following age adjustment, and using the lowest CRF group (quartile I) as reference, the HRs and 95% CIs for quartiles II through IV were: 1.00 (95% CI: 0.87–1.15), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.76–1.00), and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.60–0.81), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). After additional adjustment for body mass index, systolic blood pressure, smoking, alcohol intake, and family history of dyslipidemia, the HRs and 95% CIs were: 1.05 (95% CI: 0.92–1.21), 0.94 (95% CI: 0.81–1.08), and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.67–0.92), respectively (P for trend = 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that there is an inverse relationship between CRF levels and the incidence of a high level of non-HDL-C in Japanese men.


To characterize the particle radiation environment at the Lagrangian point L1 and in the near-Earth space we performed a systematic analysis of the particle flux data recorded by different instruments on board different spacecraft (ACE EPAM/LEMS120, IMP-8 CPME, and Geotail EPIC-ICS). We focused on protons in the poorly explored energy range ∼0.05–5 MeV, including energies of the so-called soft protons, which are critical for the Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (ATHENA) mission, as well as the 145–440 MeV one, because high-energy particles affect all interplanetary missions. We estimated the energetic proton environment by computing the cumulative distribution functions for the different energy channels of each instrument and studied its variations with respect to solar activity. We obtained energetic proton spectra at cumulative probabilities (CPs) of 50% and 90% and worst-case scenarios, which can be used by the ATHENA mission for operational purposes and more generally for space weather hazards. We found an increase in the ∼0.05–5 MeV proton spectrum at 90% CP during the maximum phase of solar cycle (SC) No. 23 of about a factor from 3 to 5, depending on the energy, with respect to the overall period (1997–2014). Moreover, the 300–500 keV proton flux at 90% CP is higher during SC No. 21 by about a factor 1.5 and 3 compared to SC No. 22 and SC No. 23, respectively. Finally, variations with solar activity of the 145–440 MeV proton flux are within a factor of 2 at both 90% and 50% CPs, thus representing the low-energy galactic cosmic rays.


The article, "Religious factors and hippocampal atrophy in late life," by Amy Owen and colleagues at Duke University represents an important advance in our growing understanding of the relationship between the brain and religion. The study showed greater atrophy in the hippocampus in individuals who identify with specific religious groups as well as those with no religious affiliation. It is a surprising result, given that many prior studies have shown religion to have potentially beneficial effects on brain function, anxiety, and depression.


Owing to the economic importance of seasonal fluctuations in beach width and the frequent implementation of local beach and shoreface nourishments, coastal managers and scientists increasingly demand coastal state information at smaller spatiotemporal scales. Advanced, automated video techniques provide the means to collect such high-resolution monitoring data. Successful use of video imagery for coastal monitoring requires the quantification of relevant morphological parameters from remotely sensed information. This thesis presents two complementary methods to quantify intertidal and subtidal beach bathymetry from time-averaged video observations. Application of the new methods to a nourished beach at Egmond (The Netherlands) has confirmed their utility in support of coastal management, revealing unexpected morphodynamic behaviour that would have been hard to measure with traditional survey techniques. Stefan Aarninkhof conducted his PhD. research at the Department of Civil Engineering and Geosciences of Delft University of Technology, in close collaboration with Delft Hydraulics.


Abstract
Seasonal changes in water quality and phytoplankton composition in Bung Binh Thien Lake, An Giang province were investigated in this study. Nine samples were collected in the dry and rainy season in 2019 for analyzing the composition of phytoplankton and identifying the principal water quality factors influencing the phytoplankton. Temperature, turbidity, pH, total suspended solid (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium (N-NH4+), orthophosphate (P-PO43-) and coliforms were analyzed for water quality index (WQI) determination. The results indicated that five phyla of phytoplankton including Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglenophyta and Dianophyta were identified at the lake. Species compositions of chlorophyta was the most abundant while Dinophyta were found in limited numbers in the two seasons. However, Bacillariophyta was the highest density thus dominating in the water through seasons. Season resulted in strong influence on the phytoplankton, for example, density and Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') in the dry season were higher than those in the wet season. Both H' and WQI indexes revealed that water quality in the dry season was less polluted than that in the rainy season. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed that DO, turbidity, TSS and nutrients (P-PO43- and N-NO3-) were the main factors affecting phytoplankton composition in the lake. This study provided important information on interrelation of phytoplankton composition and water quality parameters supporting water monitoring.


The type, frequency and duration of use of temporary pacemaker wires were recorded in 100 patients who underwent in 100 patients who underwent open-heart surgery. Sixty-five patients had wires implanted: 29 were atrioventricular 35 ventricular and 1 atrial. Pacing was required in 24 instances for nodal rhythm, sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest, atrioventricular block or ventricular tachycardia. Patients who required a pacemaker temporarily had a significantly (P less than 0.001) longer cross-clamping time and required a significantly (P less than 0.025) larger volume of cardioplegic agent during the operation. Two patients who did not have wires placed could have benefited from pacing. Temporary pacemaker wires should always be implanted in patients after they have undergone open-heart surgery, especially when abnormal rhythms are present, or the cross-clamping time is prolonged and when larger volumes of cardioplegic agent have been used.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TAAC) inhibits experimental choroidal neovascular membranes induced by laser trauma in a rat model.

METHODS
Nineteen anesthetized male Brown Norway rats received a series of 8 krypton red laser lesions per eye (647 nm, 0.05 seconds, 50 microm, and 150 mW in 17 rats, and 200 mW in 2 rats). One eye received an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (20 microL, 0.8 mg) and the other eye received an injection of isotonic sodium chloride solution. Fundus and fluorescein angiography examinations occurred just before euthanasia and tissue processing for histopathology on day(s) 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35.

RESULTS
From the control eyes that underwent photocoagulation at 150 mW, 57 discrete lesions with definitive fibrovascular proliferations were observed at 21, 28, and 35 days, arising from a total of 72 spots placed (79% yield). From the control eyes that underwent photocoagulation at 200 mW, 11 discrete lesions with definitive fibrovascular proliferations were observed at 28 days, arising from a total of 16 spots placed (69% yield). In the TAAC-treated group, no fibrovascular proliferations were observed in the 72 lesions and in the 16 lesions created with 150 mW and 200 mW, respectively.

CONCLUSION
Intravitreal TAAC is a potent inhibitor of fibrovascular proliferations in a rat model of choroidal neovascular membranes induced by laser trauma.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
This study corroborates previous investigations that propose TAAC as a potential treatment for choroidal neovascular membranes in humans.


We presented a method for calculating the chemisorption energy of simple gases on transition metals series. The simplified d-band model of Allan has been applied to describe the electronic structure of transition metal surface, and the chemisorption energy is calculated by making use of the generalized phase shifts. The method is employed to study the adsorption of hydrogen and oxygen on 3d and 4d transition metals. The calculated results of the chemisorption energies show remarkable systematic trends, in good agreement with experiment. The calculated adsorbate induced electronic energy level [also being referred to as the split-off energy] is at approximately 6 eV below Fermi energy, that is comparable to UPS experiments. The conclusion deduced from the calculation is as follows: the difference between the Fermi level and effective adsorbed energy level (EF-ea.) plays the crucial role in determining the trends in the chemisorption energy, the variation in the bandwidth across the series and the adatom-metal atom transfer matrix element v are of secondary importance.


Abstract Two previously unreported monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, 19(20)E-5-carboxymethylvallesiachotamine (1) and 19(20)Z-5-carboxymethylvallesiachotamine (2), along with five known indole alkaloids (3–7) were isolated from Mappianthus iodoides stems. Their structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic data. Among these isolates, compounds 1 and 2 were the two new Δ19(20) geometric isomers. The anti-inflammatory activities in vitro of all isolated compounds were evaluated using NO assay.


We specify a model for the conceptual interpretation of positive gradable adjectives. Building on a classification-based terminological reasoning approach we define comparison classes and class norms and specify how a degree is related to its corresponding class norm.


Ghana has abundant salt deposits but is unable to satisfy West African demand let alone successfully compete with global producers. Known as 'white gold', salt is one of the most common minerals on the planet and throughout history has served as an important foundation of civilisation. Its importance cannot be over stated as there are about 14,000 documented benefits of salt, both medicinal and industrial. Salt deposits are inexhaustible but the demand is enormous and currently outstrips supply.
About 100 countries in the world produce and refine salt. From Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, the Americas produce almost as much salt as the rest of the world combined. The US is the leading global producer thanks to the Great Salt Lakes. It is responsible for 22 per cent of the total world production capacity.
Salt production in Ghana started in the 19th century and, aside from fishing, it is the major economic activity of people along its 500km coastline. The salt producing areas in Ghana include the Keta lagoon, the Songhor lagoon, the Densu Delta area, Nyanya lagoon, Oyibi lagoon, Amisa lagoon, Benyah lagoon.


The purposes of this study were to examine the determination of crude protein (CP), Crude Fibre (Cfi) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) on the productivity and potential methane emission of fat-tailed sheep (FTS) fed Odot grass ( Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) as a source of crude fibre. The materials used were 15 male FTS with an initial body weight (BW) 19.5 kg  0.61 (CV = 0.59). The feed consisted of 28.57% Odot grass, 14.29% coffee peel, 4.28% rice bran, 7.86% pollard, 21.43% cassava, 21.43% corn cobs and 2% molasses. Sheep were reared intensively in pens for 30 days. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The parameters in this study were dry matter intake (DMI), CP intake, Cfi intake, TDN, FTS productivity, and the determination of nutrient intake on FTS productivity and methane output. The data were analysed using correlation regression analysis. The results showed that the DMI was 956.67 g/day, CP intake was 119.31 g/day, Cfi intake was 256,22 g/day, TDN intake was 634.54 g/day, ADG 102,03 g/day and FCR of 10.1 g feed/g ADG. Potential methane emission of FTS-fed Odot grass as a source of fibre was 59.49 litres/day. DMI, CP and TDN have a positive correlation with methane emission (r=0.77). Cfi intake consumption is very closely related to methane output (r=1). Based on the results of the study, to increase FTS ADGs of 100 g required DM 4.76% BW, CP requirement was 120.8 g/100 gADG and TDN requirement was 642.4 g/100gADG, Cfi requirement was 259.40g/100gADG with methane emission of 60.26 litres.


The 1R (1B) chromosome substitution has been identified at two introgression bread wheat stocks derived from the cross between an octoploid triticale and durum wheat. The substitution is marked by original alleles of the secaline coding loci Sec1 and Sec2. At rather low level of chromosome pairing, high winter-hardiness and frost resistance, and yield productivity both in favorable and in unfavorable years the stocks are differentiated for these traits.


BACKGROUND
Insertion of long-term central venous catheters (CVC) plays a vital role in providing continuous venous access for therapy in children. CVC line fractures are most commonly seen after long-term periods of therapy during removal. Usual place of rupture is proximal, at the point of entrance of the catheter into the vein, when the subclavian approach is utilized. We discuss a case that shows that CVC can also fracture in places different than the most common location and is possible not to detect that a fracture has occurred if a substantial portion of catheter is removed.

METHOD
We report a two-year-old child that was incidentally found to have a distal fragmented piece of CVC left after previous "successful" removal on simple chest films. At time of removal the catheter length was deemed properly. A CT Scan confirmed the suspected diagnosis. Fragment of catheter was successfully removed via femoral percutaneous endovascular technique.

RESULTS
CVC fractures can be suspected when there is resistance during removal or the length retrieved is too short. In this case the ease of retrieval and unusual site of rupture was the cause of not noticing that a part of catheter remained fixed to the vessel wall. Different potential mechanisms of CVC rupture include mechanical trauma, manufacturing defect or material degradation. Ruptures should be detected early to prevent complications such as sepsis, endocarditis, thrombosis, embolization, vessel stenosis and dysrhythmia. Best method to remove the fragmented catheter is via percutaneous endovascular retrieval method. After catheter removal a hyperdensity silhouette on a CXR can mimic the fragmented portion of a catheter known as a calcified cast or "ghost". To differentiate a "ghost" from an actual fragmented portion of catheter a CT Scan or echocardiogram is needed.

CONCLUSION
Most important single step in preventing such complication is to keep record of the patient length of catheter that was inserted to be able to measure it after removal confirming it still has the same length. Fragmented CVC should be removed using percutaneous endovascular techniques.


The recovery of microorganisms to different fabrics was evaluated after a washing process combined with a food-grade non-oxidizing acidic formulation and low washing water temperature. Cotton, polyester and a polyester/cotton blend fabric samples were inoculated with Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, then dried for 1 day. They were separately placed in a simulated fabric washer and decontaminated for 1 and 10 min with the acidic formulation at 23 °C water washing temperature. The combination of direct detecting and dilution methods was used to detect survivors on fabrics. The use of ≥ 0.1% acidic formulation in the washing process significantly increased the efficacy of the washing for all fabric samples. Microorganisms on the cotton and mixed fabric appeared to bind more strongly and were more resistant to the washing process. No viability was observed on the fabric swatches at 1 cfu/sample detection limit when the washing process was combined with 0.5% acidic formulation in the 10 min washing cycle. These findings can be used to increase the efficiency of sanitizing fabrics in an environmentally friendly way, for remove harmful microorganisms from them and reduce cross-contamination.


Motivated by the readout scheme in interferometric gravitational-wave detectors, we consider the device which measures the expectation value of the photon annihilation and creation operators for output optical field from the main interferometer. As the result, the eight-port homodyne detection is rediscovered as such a device. We evaluate the noise spectral density in this measurement. We also briefly discuss on the application of our results to the readout scheme of gravitational-wave detectors. We call this measurement scheme to measure these expectation values as "double balanced homodyne detection."


Learning methods have an important position in achieving the set learning goals. Experts have found various methods that can be applied in language learning, one of which is thariqah al-qiro'ah, this paper will reveal how thariqah al-qiro'ah in theoretical reviews as well as practical reviews. Research is carried out in the form of library research, which is looking for various information related to thariqah al-qiro'ah in various sources then analyzing it to be interpreted as research findings, analysis is carried out by comparing the opinions and results of existing research. The research findings are that thariqah al-qiro'ah is an Arabic learning method used to realize learners who have the ability to read. In its application, thariqah al-qiro'ah begins with the provision of new mufradat to students, discusses together the content of the reading text, asks questions to students related to the text and ends with the provision of exercises related to reading. But this method only focuses on reading skills and does not train students' ability to listen, speak and write.


Increases in atmospheric CO2 and CH4 result from a combination of forcing from anthropogenic emissions and Earth System feedbacks that reduce or amplify the effects of those emissions on atmospheric concentrations. Despite decades of research carbon-climate feedbacks remain poorly quantified. The impact of these uncertainties on future climate are of increasing concern, especially in the wake of recent climate negotiations. Emissions, long concentrated in the developed world, are now shifting to developing countries, where the emissions inventories have larger uncertainties. The fraction of anthropogenic CO2 remaining in the atmosphere has remained remarkably constant over the last 50 years. Will this change in the future as the climate evolves? Concentrations of CH4, the 2nd most important greenhouse gas, which had apparently stabilized, have recently resumed their increase, but the exact cause for this is unknown. While greenhouse gases affect the global atmosphere, their sources and sinks are remarkably heterogeneous in time and space, and traditional in situ observing systems do not provide the coverage and resolution to attribute the changes to these greenhouse gases to specific sources or sinks. In the past few years, space-based technologies have shown promise for monitoring carbon stocks and fluxes. Advanced versions of these capabilities could transform our understanding and provide the data needed to quantify carbon-climate feedbacks. A new observing system that allows resolving global high resolution fluxes will capture variations on time and space scales that allow the attribution of these fluxes to underlying mechanisms.


Kadous and Zhou (2018) investigate experimentally how intrinsic motivation improves auditor judgment in complex audit tasks. In my discussion, I elaborate on my comments from the 2016 CAR Conference. Specifically, I comment in the first part of my discussion on the motivation and contribution of the paper, the underlying theory, the experiment and the results. The second part of my discussion is focused on the broader picture of the paper for which I offer some thoughts based on cross-fertilization of insights from the archival auditing research and I conclude with providing some suggestions for further research.


: I propose the hypothesis that, just as Hume woke him from his dogmatic slumber, and Rousseau revealed the universe of morality to him, Diderot left his mark on the political philosophy of Kant (as George Cavallar and Sankar Muthu note) upon detecting the coincidences between the two authors regarding their cosmopolitanism and anti-i.mperialism. Here, I begin with the distinction between a radical Enlightenment and a moderate Enlightenment, in order to show that in Kant both tendencies could have coexisted; which would explain the different readings of his thought, as is borne witness to by Heine ' s famous parable or Kant ' s continual dialogue with Spinoza. Despite having very different styles, the Kant of the 1790s could have been strongly influenced by the anonymous Diderot of the Encyclopédie or the History of the Two Indies. It seems quite clear that the critique of colonialism of Diderot-Raynal could have had a notable influence on the Kant of that decade — he of Theory and Praxis , Perpetual Peace , The Conflict of the Faculties and the Doctrine of Right (that is, the second part of the Metaphysics of Morals ). Die


Agarose based immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) columns loaded with copper (II) were evaluated for the selection of histidine-containing peptides in comparative proteomics. Recovery, binding specificity, and reproducibility were investigated with model proteins. Cu(II)-IMAC was found to be highly selective for histidine containing peptides; moreover, a low degree of nonspecific selection was observed. Acylation of the amino-terminus of peptides with either succinic anhydride, N-acetoxysuccinamide, or [3-(2,5)-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yloxycarbonyl)-propyl]-trimethylammonium (quaternary amine) reduced the number of histidine-containing peptides bound by the Cu(II)-IMAC columns. This provides an additional possibility for sample simplification in proteomic applications. The number of acylated peptides selected decreased in the order of quaternary amine > N-acetoxysuccinamide > succinic anhydride derivatization. Although the selection of N-terminally derivatized peptides is biased toward peptides that contain more than one histidine, it is not yet possible to predict selectivity.


Eight cultivation programs with several equipment combinations were compared with each other and with an atrazine plus pendimethalin herbicide program with and without supplemental cultivation from 1992 to 1994. In two of the three years, cultivation with a rotary hoe or tine weeder reduced weed seedling density by 39 to 74%. Tine weeding was more effective than rotary hoeing in 1992. Rotary hoeing or tine weeding reduced corn populations by an average of 6%. Weed control by different types of inter-row cultivators varied little, except that an in-row cultivator provided better control than a rolling cultivator in two years and better control than a shovel cultivator in one year. Weeds establishing from seeds were better controlled by herbicides in all three years, but weeds establishing from roots, rhizomes, and tubers were controlled as well or better by cultivation. Weed control was sometimes better using herbicides plus cultivation than with herbicides alone, but the combination damaged the crop in two of the three years. Cost of mechanical treatments which combined inter-row cultivation with rotary hoeing or tine weeding differed from that for the herbicide treatment by less than 2%. Yields of the best mechanical treatment and the herbicide treatment were nearly equal in all years, but the best mechanical regime varied between years. Consequently, mean net return was moderately higher for the herbicide treatment. Nomenclature: Atrazine, 6-chloro-N-ethyl-N'-(l-methylethyl)1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine; p ndimethalin, N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine; corn, Zea mays L. Additional index words: Cultivation, in-row weeder, rolling cultivator, rotary hoe, tine weeder.


Prostacyclin is a powerful vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation that has been implicated to play a role in cerebrovascular disease. Prostacyclin is unstable in aqueous solution and stabilized in serum by binding to an unidentified serum protein as measured by gel filtration. In 15 patients with ischemic stroke we measured the serum prostacyclin binding capacity and the rate of degradation of exogenously added prostacyclin. There was a significant reduction in serum prostacyclin binding capacity and a significant increase in rate of degradation in the patients with ischemic stroke as a whole compared to controls, and in patients with persistent deficits. Decreased serum prostacyclin binding capacity and accelerated rate of prostacyclin degradation in vitro, may reflect an accelerated rate in vivo of prostacyclin degradation, thereby increasing susceptibility to stroke. Since only a small number of patients were investigated, the findings are of a preliminary nature and must be confirmed by further studies with large numbers of patients and appropriate patient controls.


In the absence of an adequate visual stimulus, the eyes are typically converged by approximately 0.25 to 0.75 meter angles (MA). This vergence response (VR) was believed to reflect the level of tonic innervation to the extraocular muscles, and accordingly has been termed tonic vergence (TV). However, this estimation fails to consider the magnitude of the anatomical position of rest. The true typical value of TV is approximately 23 degrees. This paper will consider various aspects of this parameter, including both clinical and laboratory methods of measurement, and the relationship between TV and the distance heterophoria. In addition, the role of vergence (or prism) adaptation, i.e., the apparent change in TV after periods of sustained fixation, is discussed. This shift appears to result from the relatively prolonged decay of the slow fusional vergence response (VR), with no evidence for a change in the level of tonic innervation. On occasion, the decay of slow fusional vergence may take hours or even days to reach completion. This extended rate of decay will have a significant impact upon the clinical measurement of a number of binocular parameters, most notably the assessment of heterophoria under truly dissociated conditions (i.e., in the absence of any fusional VR). Furthermore, both the magnitude and rate of decay of vergence adaptation appear to vary with age, as well as the presence of oculomotor imbalance. It is concluded that the output of the slow fusional vergence mechanism, as reflected by the degree of vergence adaptation, makes a major contribution to the aggregate, sustained VR in most visually normal patients.


In Korean culture, the names of family members are recorded in special family books. This makes it possible to follow the distribution of Korean family names far back in history. It is shown here that these name distributions are well described by a simple null model, the random group formation (RGF) model. This model makes it possible to predict how the name distributions change and these predictions are shown to be borne out. In particular, the RGF model predicts that for married women entering a collection of family books in a certain year, the occurrence of the most common family name 'Kim' should be directly proportional to the total number of married women with the same proportionality constant for all the years. This prediction is also borne out to a high degree. We speculate that it reflects some inherent social stability in the Korean culture. In addition, we obtain an estimate of the total population of the Korean culture down to the year 500 AD, based on the RGF model, and find about ten thousand Kims. 4 Author to whom any correspondence should be addressed. New Journal of Physics 13 (2011) 073036 1367-2630/11/073036+12$33.00 © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft


Parametric term structure models have been successfully applied to numerous problems in fixed income markets, including pricing, hedging, managing risk, as well as to the study of monetary policy implications. In turn, dynamic term structure models, equipped with stronger economic structure, have been mainly adopted to price derivatives and explain empirical stylized facts. In this paper, we combine flavors of those two classes of models to test whether no-arbitrage affects forecasting. We construct cross-sectional (allowing arbitrages) and arbitrage-free versions of a parametric polynomial model to analyze how well they predict out-of-sample interest rates. Based on US Treasury yield data, we find that no-arbitrage restrictions significantly improve forecasts. Arbitrage-free versions achieve overall smaller biases and root mean square errors for most maturities and forecasting horizons. Furthermore, a decomposition of forecasts into forward-rates and holding return premia indicates that the superior performance of no-arbitrage versions is due to a better identification of bond risk premium.


In the present paper, the local characteristics of pressure drop and heat transfer are investigated experimentally for the condensation of pure refrigerant R134a in four kinds of multi-port extruded aluminum tubes of about 1 mm in hydraulic diameter. Two tubes are composed of plane rectangular channels, while remaining two tubes are composed of rectangular channels with straight micro-fins. The experimental data of frictional pressure drop (FPD) and heat transfer coefficient (HTC) in plane tubes are compared with previous correlations, most of which are proposed for the condensation of pure refrigerant in a relatively large diameter tube. It is confirmed that parameters such as tube diameter, surface tension, free convection in FPD and HTC correlations should be taken into account more precisely. Considering the effects of surface tension and kinematic viscosity, new correlation of FPD is developed based on the Mishima-Hibiki correlation. New correlation of HTC is also developed modifying the effect of diameter in the correlation of Haraguchi et al. Both new correlations are compared with experimental data for tubes with micro-fins. Satisfactory agreement between experimental and predicted results is obtained. This means that the micro-fin effect is taken into account by using hydraulic diameter and the heat transfer enhancement effect of micro-fins is mainly due to the enlargement of heat transfer area.Copyright © 2003 by ASME


Introduction Addressing communication skills in pharmacy curricula is one of the effective tactics to equip future pharmacists with better skillsets for medication counselling. To achieve this, blended teaching of PowerPoint slides and videos holds great potential for undergraduate pharmacy education majors by integrating multimedia and performance feedback into instruction. This study will develop a blended teaching programme featuring didactic lectures with video-based materials to improve students' self-efficacy and skills in medication counselling. Methods and analysis This study applies critical principles and effects outlined in multimedia learning by Richard Mayer et al to develop teaching materials and perform skill evaluation for two undergraduate cohorts (class of 2025 and 2026) enrolled in Introduction to Community Pharmacy separately in 2022 and 2023. Students will receive different teaching approaches to medication counselling. In the control cohort (ie, class of 2025), students will receive a 4-week PowerPoint slides-based instruction in communication skills. We will develop six videos illustrating common scenarios of over-the-counter (OTC) medication counselling in community pharmacies. In the intervention cohort (ie, class of 2026), students will receive a 3-week PowerPoint slides-based instruction and a week-long video-based instruction in communication skills. A pre-and-post survey will be administered to evaluate students' self-efficacy in OTC counselling. In addition, each student will be evaluated through one-on-one role-playing with standardised patients in the final to demonstrate their skills in OTC counselling. A structured checklist will be used to assess students' counselling skills. T-tests will be applied to examine differences in self-efficacy of OTC counselling. Multivariate regression analyses will determine which teaching approach better facilitates the development of self-efficacy and performance in OTC counselling. Ethics and dissemination The Research Ethics Committee of the National Taiwan University Hospital approved this study. The findings will be shared with pharmacy educators and contribute to existing instructional methods to facilitate the competence of pharmacy students in OTC counselling.


The ribosome CAR interaction surface behaves like an extension of the decoding center A site and has H-bond interactions with the +1 codon that is next in line to enter the A site. Through molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated the codon sequence specificity of this CAR-mRNA interaction and discovered a strong preference for GCN codons, suggesting that there may be a sequence-dependent layer of translational regulation dependent on the CAR interaction surface. Dissection of the CAR-mRNA interaction through nucleotide substitution experiments showed that the first nucleotide of the +1 codon dominates over the second nucleotide position, consistent with an energetically favorable zipper-like activity that emanates from the A site through the CAR-mRNA interface. The +1 codon/CAR interaction is also affected by the identity of nucleotide 3 of +1 GCN codons which influences the stacking of G and C. Clustering analysis suggests that the A site decoding center adopts different neighborhood substates that depend on the identity of the +1 codon.


Plagiarism is considered as a major problem these days especially in case of academic institutions. Very often students present someone else's work as their own and they are given credit for it. Therefore, we have to integrate plagiarism checking into the submission process which includes usage of plagiarism detection software. In this paper we focus on vulnerabilities of this software from the view of different obfuscations. We briefly introduce our statistical approach that should quite well detect obfuscated documents in case larger portion of the document is obfuscated. We show limits of this method and test effectiveness of n-gram technique used for detecting obfuscated documents. By playing with various parameters when dividing text into n-grams, we test success of n-gram method on similarity detection. We try to find the best parameters for the n-gram technique in order to achieve best detection results. We present the carried experiments and derive the conclusions.


Deoxyuridine suppression tests have been performed by two different methods of six normoblastic and eight megaloblastic marrows. A good correlation was obtained between the results by the modified and the original methods. The simplified method was found to be applicable for a clinical purpose to diagnose megaloblastosis in the marrow. Uptake of 3H-deoxyuridine into DNA and effect of various concentrations of thymidine was studied on five normoblastic and six megaloblastic marrows. In megaloblastic marrows, a greater amount of thymidine was required to obtain the same rate of suppression of 3H-deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA than in normoblastic marrows. Impairment of thymidine incorporation into DNA in megaloblastic marrows was not revealed. Therefore, lower rate of suppression of 3H-deoxyuridine by thymidine in megaloblastic marrows may be due to impairment of the incorporation of deoxyuridine before the addition of thymidine.


A 1-bit signal processing based on delta-sigma modulation is described. Additionally a 1-bit IIR filter based on delta-sigma modulation is proposed and described how to realize and design. The input and output of 1-bit IIR filter is a delta-sigma modulated 1-bit signal. Proposed filter treats an output signal of delta-sigma modulator directly, therefore, compact signal processing system can be realized. As examples of 1-bit signal processing, this paper presents about two filters: Butterworth filter and graphic equalizer (GEQ). The desired frequency response can be obtained by using proposed method.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate prognostic factors predicting postoperative period for patients with primary retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma.

METHODS
The clinical data and prognosis of 35 patients with primary retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma between August 2002 and June 2011 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS
The resectability rate of primary tumors was 91.4% (32/35) , and 71.4% (25/35) of the patients underwent complete resection. The 21 patients (84.0%) who got a complete resection of the primary tumor got tumor recurrence and died of tumor recurrence eventually. The overall 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate were 82.9%, 54.3% and 31.4% and the median survival was 36 months. In the analysis of factors influencing postoperative survival, factors associated with postoperative survive were modus operandi of the tumor resection (χ(2) = 16.871, P = 0.000), tumor size (χ(2) = 5.548, P = 0.019) and tumor grade (χ(2) = 8.080, P = 0.014); the difference between age (χ(2) = 0.073, P = 0.787), gender (χ(2) = 2.181, P = 0.140) and adjuvant therapy (χ(2) = 1.344, P = 0.511) got no statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS
The efficiency of adjuvant therapy for primary retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma is not clear, complete resection remains the mainstream for primary leiomyosarcoma. Incomplete resection, large tumor (tumor diameter ≥ 10 cm) and high grade tumor predict shorter postoperative survival period.


Recently, two of us have found numerically rotating Ellis wormholes as solutions of four-dimensional Einstein gravity coupled to a phantom field. In this paper, we investigate possible observational signatures to identify similar objects in the Universe. These symmetric wormholes have a mass and are compact, so they may look like black holes. We study the iron line profile in the x-ray reflection spectrum of a thin accretion disk around rotating Ellis wormholes and we find some specific observational signatures that can be used to distinguish these objects from Kerr black holes. We simulate some observations with XIS/Suzaku assuming typical parameters for a bright active galactic nucleus and we conclude that current x-ray missions cannot apply strong constraints.


Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroarylation of diphenylphosphinylallenes with arylboronic acids proceeded in high yields with high regio- and enantioselectivity to give chiral allylphosphine oxides of up to 98% ee. The structural determination of the key intermediate, a pi-allylrhodium complex, was successful to establish the catalytic cycle of the reaction.


Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been shown in cell culture to kill Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) at lower half maximal inhibitory concentration values than metronidazole (Flagyl), the most common medication used to treat the infection. However, there have been no previous clinical investigations to determine if PPIs are associated with reduced risk for TV. Materials and Methods: We examined the records of female patients who received testing in the emergency department for TV, Neisseria gonorrhoea (GC), and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) between 2010 and 2014 at two academic medical centers to determine if PPI and histamine type 2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) drugs were associated with TV and GC/CT infections. Results: We found that H2RAs were associated with an increased likelihood for TV (odds ratio [OR]: 2.0, P< 0.0001) and GC and/or CT infections (OR: 1.49, P< 0.0001). PPIs were associated with a reduced likelihood for TV (OR: 0.75, P< 0.0001) and GC and/or CT infections (OR: 0.57, P< 0.0001). In patients infected with GC and/or CT, the likelihood of coinfection with TV was reduced in those taking a PPI (OR: 0.64, P = 0.054) and increased in those taking an H2RA (OR: 1.62, P = 0.003). Conclusions: PPIs are associated with a reduced risk for TV and GC/CT infection.


Abstract Didelphostrongylus hayesi is an important and prevalent pulmonary nematode in the opossum (Didelphis virginiana). An in-depth description of the pulmonary lesions caused by this nematode is lacking. The objective of this investigation was to make a detailed account of the gross, subgross, and microscopic changes that occur in the lungs of opossums naturally infected with D. hayesi. Forty-four opossums trapped in the state of Colima, Mexico, were euthanized by an overdose of barbiturates. Following a postmortem examination, the right lung was cut from the main bronchi and placed in a Petri dish containing a saline solution for the detection and identification of live parasites. The left lung was fixed and cut serially for subgross microscopic examination and sections of lung were cut and stained for histopathologic examination. The most remarkable gross change in parasitized lungs was a poorly collapsible pulmonary parenchyma and mild emphysema. The right lung tested positive for lungworms on gross examination in 20/44, and 11/44 (25%) of the left lungs showed tan nodules on the pleural surface. Microscopically, the bronchi of 20/44 animals harbored adult and larval stages of D. hayesi (left lung), the same 20 opossums from which nematodes were grossly evident at necropsy (right lung). Adults and larvae were present in bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli mixed with desquamated cells and many eosinophils, and to a lesser extent neutrophils, alveolar macrophages, and giant cells. Bronchi and bronchioles exhibited goblet cell hyperplasia and metaplasia respectively, and infiltration of lymphoplasmacytic cells in the interstitium and lamina propria. The tan nodules consisted of focal alveolar endogenous lipidosis, which likely resulted from parasitic airway obstruction. The lungs of 3/20 parasitized opossums also showed alveolar bronchiolization (Lambertosis). The absence of Eucoleus aerophilus or bacterial pneumonia incriminates D. hayesi as the putative cause of pulmonary lesions in these opossums.


Purpose:- The aim of the study was to predict corporate bankruptcy in an emerging market like Pakistan by employing two statistical methods which are Discriminant Analysis (MDA) and Logistic Regression (Logit). It was also aimed at identifying the predicting accuracies of these statistical methods. Methodology:- This study had examined 35 bankrupt and 35 non-bankrupt companies which belongs to sector (non-financial) of Pakistan listed at KSE (Karachi Stock Exchange) over the period of seventeen years i.e. 1996 to 2012. Here, we had compared the accuracy and predictive ability of two statistical methods which are Discriminant Analysis (MDA) and Logistic Regression (Logit) and was expecting that Logistic Regression (Logit) accuracy and predictive ability will supercede Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA) accuracy and predictive ability. Findings:- The results have proved that Logistic Regression accuracy and predictive ability (80%) is better than the accuracy and predictive ability (78.6%) of Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA). It is proved that both the models identified the same amount of predictors for bankruptcy prediction. The variables identified by Logistic Regression are Shareholder's Equity / Debt (Book Value), EBIT / Current Liabilities, Retained Earnings / Total Assets and variables identified by Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA) are EBIT / Current Liabilities, Sales / Total Assets and Sales / Quick Assets which have shown significant contribution towards bankruptcy prediction. Originality/Value:- This paper had revealed the accuracy and predictive ability of two statistical methods which are Discriminant Analysis (MDA) and Logistic Regression (Logit) employed in this study and has shown us the better model i.e. Logistic Regression which needs to be used in future for prediction of corporate bankruptcy in Pakistan. Limitations:- This study had used the small sample size and the focus was at Non-Financial Sector only. So it may be extended to other sectors and to other developing countries of the world. Practical Implications:- This study will be beneficial for managers and investors.


Abstract This paper presents a general technique for the treatment of samples drawn without replacement from finite universes when unequal selection probabilities are used. Two sampling schemes are discussed in connection with the problem of determining optimum selection probabilities according to the information available in a supplementary variable. Admittedly, these two schemes have limited application. They should prove useful, however, for the first stage of sampling with multi-stage designs, since both permit unbiased estimation of the sampling variance without resorting to additional assumptions. * Journal Paper No. J2139 of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa, Project 1005. Presented to the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, March 17, 1951.


Recently, graph convolutional networks (GCNs) have shown great potential for the task of graph matching. It can integrate graph node feature embedding, node-wise affinity learning and matching optimization together in a unified end-to-end model. One important aspect of graph matching is the construction of two matching graphs. However, the matching graphs we feed to existing graph convolutional matching networks are generally fixed and independent of graph matching, which thus are not guaranteed to be optimal for the graph matching task. Also, existing GCN matching method employs several general smoothing-based graph convolutional layers to generate graph node embeddings, in which extensive smoothing convolution operation may dilute the desired discriminatory information of graph nodes. To overcome these issues, we propose a novel Graph Learning-Matching Network (GLMNet) for graph matching problem. GLMNet has three main aspects. (1) It integrates graph learning into graph matching which thus adaptively learn a pair of optimal graphs that best serve graph matching task. (2) It further employs a Laplacian sharpening convolutional module to generate more discriminative node embeddings for graph matching. (3) A new constraint regularized loss is designed for GLMNet training which can encode the desired one-to-one matching constraints in matching optimization. Experiments on two benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness of GLMNet and advantages of its main modules.


Background & Aims The presence of resistance-associated variants (RAVs) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) attenuates the efficacy of direct acting antivirals (DAAs). The objective of this study was to characterize the susceptibility of RAVs to interferon-based therapy. Methods Direct and deep sequencing were performed to detect Y93H RAV in the NS5A region. Twenty nine genotype 1b patients with detectable RAV at baseline were treated by a combination of simeprevir, pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The longitudinal changes in the proportion of Y93H RAV during therapy and at breakthrough or relapse were determined. Results By direct sequencing, Y93H RAV became undetectable or decreased in proportion at an early time point during therapy (within 7 days) in 57% of patients with both the Y93H variant and wild type virus at baseline when HCV RNA was still detectable. By deep sequencing, the proportion of Y93H RAV against Y93 wild type was 52.7% (5.8%– 97.4%) at baseline which significantly decreased to 29.7% (0.16%- 98.3%) within 7 days of initiation of treatment (p = 0.023). The proportion of Y93H RAV was reduced in 21 of 29 cases (72.4%) and a marked reduction of more than 10% was observed in 14 cases (48.7%). HCV RNA reduction was significantly greater for Y93H RAV (-3.65±1.3 logIU/mL/day) than the Y93 wild type (-3.35±1.0 logIU/mL/day) (p<0.001). Conclusion Y93H RAV is more susceptible to interferon-based therapy than the Y93 wild type.


Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is a fascinating research field because of its multidisciplinary nature, combining such diverse research domains as design, human factors and computer science as well as a variety of methods including empirical and theoretical research. HCI is also fascinating because it is still young and so much is left to discover, invent and understand. The evolution of computers, and more generally of interactive systems, is not frozen, and so are the ways in which we interact with them. From desktop computers, to mobile devices, to large displays or multi-surface environments, technology extends the possibles, needs initiate technologies, and HCI is thus a constantly moving field. The variety of challenges to address, as well as their underlying combinations of sub-domains (design, computer science, experimental psychology, sociology, etc.), imply that we should also adapt, question and sometimes reinvent our research methods and processes, pushing the limits of HCI research further. Since I entered the field 12 years ago, my research activities have essentially revolved around two main themes: the design, implementation and evaluation of novel interaction techniques (on desktop computers, mobile devices and multi- surface environments) and the engineering of interactive systems (models and toolkits for advanced input and interaction). Over time, I realized that I had entered a loop between these two concerns, going back and forth between design- ing and evaluating new interaction techniques, and defining and implementing new software architectures or toolkits. I observed that they strongly influence each other: The design of interaction techniques informs on the capabilities and limitations of the platform and the software being used, and new architectures and software tools open the way to new designs and possibilities. Through the discussion of several of my research contributions in these fields, this document investigates how interaction design challenges technology, and how technology - or engineering of interactive systems - could support and unleash interaction design. These observations will lead to a first definition of the "Designeering Interaction" conceptual framework that encompasses the specificities of these two fields and builds a bridge between them, paving the way to new research perspectives. In particular, I will discuss which types of tools, from the system level to the end user, should be designed, implemented and studied in order to better support interaction design along the evolution of interactive systems. At a more general level, Designeering Interaction is also a contribution that, I hope, will help better "understand how HCI works with technology".


Innovation in creating consumer values as an important factor in socio-economic selection making  Consumption concerns many aspects of human life in both material and non-material dimensions. It shapes the attitude towards the family, spare time management, religion or culture. It sets the shape of our dreams, desires and life aspirations. On the one hand, it affects the system of our values, on the other hand, it is inspired by this system. Opponents of consumption, treating it as a secondary value and value in itself, accuse it of leading to the development of such phenomena as: mass entertainment, commercialization of culture or development of quite unnecessary, apparent needs. Instead, it removes the values generally respected in society, such as: interest in the fate of others, solidarity, care for the environment or the future of next generations. Today's consumer is not a mindless human being subject to the rules of the market, they are increasingly educated, aware and responsible. They make choices based not only on their own needs but based on values existing in a given society. They purchase wisely and respectfully, remembering that today's choices will be the legacy for future generations, thus the consumer's interest must be synchronized with these generations. Nowadays, it is the consumer who creates the image of the company, forcing it to take ethical and moral actions, and also heading for conscious consumption. Such an attitude creates the opportunity to include the consumer in the processes of companies' activities and their innovations, as well as treating them personally and more like a partner. In the realities of the new economic, political, and social system, new values of individuals, as well as of entire social groups associated with the behaviour of consumers of the modern world are developing. Consumption, on the one hand, determines the shape of dreams, desires and the way of life. On the other hand, based on an innovative approach to it, it performs a symbolic function that gives a deeper and wider perspective to existing products, emphasizing them as exceeding their useful functions. Consumers becoming more aware of their choices take into account not only the system of their own values but also the values existing in a given society. This innovative approach to consumption creates new quality, a new lifestyle, it shapes new roles, it draws attention to the environment around us, and it cares about the sensible use of its resources and its means. Following values in the selection of products reveals responsibility connected to decision making, its impact on the environment and on entire social groups. They allow the individual to realize themselves in the group and the human community, they enable human development, achieving customer satisfaction, and avoiding the plundering economy.


The binding energy of a shallow acceptor in an isolated quantum well of the CdTe/Cd1-xMnxTe system has been investigated in an external magnetic field, assuming an empirical relationship between the barrier height and the magnetic field. Photoionization cross-sections for different magnetic fields have been estimated. Taking into account the confined phonons in the electron-phonon interaction, carrier capture times for various magnetic fields and different hydrostatic pressures have been computed. The results obtained are discussed in the light of the existing literature.


Sulfathiazole is a short-acting drug used as oral and topical antimicrobial. The main physical-chemical characteristics of sulfathiazole were calculated by using the molecular modelling software. The biological activity was estimated from the difference between HOMO and LUMO levels. Thin foils from pure poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gel and for PVA gel containing Sulfathiazole were obtained. They were studied from the birefringence and from the surface properties points of view. The birefringence induced by stretching was measured using a Babinet Compensator both for pure and for PVA with Sulfathiazole. The birefringence of the pure and containing Sulfathiazole PVA foils increases by increasing the degree of stretching. The higher birefringence of the Sulfathiazole PVA foils demonstrates that the sulfathiazole increases the alignment availability of the polymer chains. The morphology of PVA foils was studied by AFM methodology which relieved the surface quality of the pure and containing sulfathiazole PVA foils.


Despite the recent growth in university courses on European Studies and Cultural Studies, and notwithstanding increasing public concern about questions of national identity within Europe, there is currently little material available which explores the diversity of European identities specifically within the context of European literary and filmic culture. In tackling ten novels, six plays, four films, three short stories, three books of travel writing and one diary, covering fifteen nationalities in all, the authors of this volume are seeking to fill this gap. The twelve essays contain detailed textual analysis embedded within a framework of cultural theory whose most celebrated reference points include Freud, Edward Said, Benedict Anderson and Homi Bhabha. This volume is aimed not only at specialists in identity studies and those concerned with the artistic landscape of a wider Europe - including Russia, the Balkans, Finland and Turkey. It will also interest those preoccupied with building an imaginative and imagined identity for Europe, an identity which might help to sustain it as a political entity and lend it greater popular legitimacy than it enjoys at present.


Background:Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia(PSVT is frequently associated with ST segment depression or T-wave inversion. However, the mechanism of ST-T changes in the context of various mechanisms of PSVT is not clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ST depression or T-wave inversion during PSVT and determine whether these changes are related to the mechanism of PSVT or the rate of the tachycardia. Method:Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were recorded during sinus rhythm and during PSVT in 163 patients who underwent an electrophysiologic study for ablation. Tachycardia cycle length, presence of ST depression or T-wave inversion during PSVT and the mechanism of tachycardia were evaluated. Significant ST depression was defined as at least 1mm horizontal or downsloping depression, measured 80ms after the J point and T-wave inversion as inversion of T-wave which was positive in the same lead during sinus rhythm. Results:1 The mechanism of PSVT analysed for ST segment depression was atrioven-tricular nodal reentry tachycardia in 60 cases and atrioventricular reentry tachycardia in 111 cases. The mean tachycardia cycle length was 373.8±68.0 msec. 2 ST depression and T-wave inversion was observed during PSVT in 56%(96/171 and 45%(77/171 of cases, respectively. 3 Tachycardia cycle length, degree of ST depression and number of leads with ST depressison are not different according to the mechanism of PSVT. 4 ST depression and tachycardia cycle length had significant correlation, especially in atrioventricular reentry tachycardia. 5 Leads with T-wave inversion during tachycardia was observed more frequently in atrioventricular reentry tachycardia than atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia(p<0.05, but no difference between manifest and concealed bypass tract. Conclusion:ST segment depression is rate-related phenomenon and not different according to


The number of nearest neighbours of like atoms in an alloyed surface layer is derived from correlation functions of higher order for a square lattice gas with nearest-neighbour attraction and next-nearest-neighbour repulsion. The correlation functions and the position of the phase transition are determined by an extension of the Bethe-Peierls cluster approximation and by Monte Carlo simulation. Qualitative agreement with existing experimental data on the number of nearest neighbours indicates that both interactions are important.


ABSTRACT This paper examines the California Coastal Commission's permitting process. Using several text mining techniques, including web scraping, information extraction, and supervised classification, I demonstrate how to retrieve empirical data from unstructured texts, namely public meeting agendas and staff reports. Contrary to the concern that the Commission routinely delays or rejects permitting requests, the data reveal that outright rejection of permit applications is rare. On average, eight of ten applications were approved. Single-family homes and commercial development projects were approved about 80% of the time; the rates were about 70% for seawalls and retaining walls, and 60% for land-use changes. Most applications were processed swiftly, with a median application length of 3 months. The agency's influence comes primarily from negotiating each application. Qualitative study of 50 cases pertaining to single-family home construction reveals that the agency adopts a "managed development" approach, that is, allowing development but scrupulously managing various aspects of development. These case studies illustrate how the agency interprets the broad, abstract state laws and translates the mandates into enforceable actions as permitting conditions. In areas where the state mandates conflict, particularly over development in receding shorelines, the agency has the largest leverage in creating and implementing its preferred policies. The text mining techniques demonstrated in this paper can be applied to study any governmental agency. These techniques help to extract information from a massive volume of papers and organize them into a database for analyses. The empirical data extracted from texts can significantly increase bureaucratic transparency.


Samples prepared from steels F82H and EUROFER97 were irradiated with 20 MeV W ions at 300 K to 0.75 displacements per atom. Damaged and undamaged samples were exposed at elevated temperatures to deuterium plasma at ion energies of 60 and 200 eV to a fluence of ≈10 D/m and to D2 gas at a pressure of 100 kPa. The surface modification after plasma exposure was examined by scanning electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Deuterium depth profiles were determined by the D(He, p)He nuclear reaction. In damaged steels loaded with deuterium, deuterium decorates the damage profile, and the D concentrations decreasing with increasing temperature. After exposure of the F82H steel to the D plasma, W-enriched near-surface layers are formed. The effective concentration of W in the near-surface steel layer depends on plasma exposure conditions. PACS numbers: 52.40.Hf, 61.80.Jh


In this paper we describe our efforts and experience in constructing GoTag, a distributed system for automatically annotating Medline documents with relevant GO (Gene Ontology) terms. The system is built on top of a service-based text mining infrastructure that integrates tools developed within the Discovery Net and myGrid projects. Two baseline approaches to assigning GO terms have been developed. One assigns GO terms based on directly matching GO term names and synonyms in documents; the other uses a trainable document classifier trained over feature vector representations of documents with which GO terms can be associated using the manually curated yeast genome database. We present preliminary results of evaluating these two approaches and discuss proposals for enhancing both baselines, as well as for constructing a hybrid approach.


PURPOSE
As Australia struggles to meet increased demand for healthcare and contain expenditure there has been a focus on primary care and its role in demand management and keeping people out of expensive secondary care. However, with domestic policy struggling to find a suitable approach consideration of English policy could well be fruitful in the quest to strengthen and develop primary care in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to consider policy developments in England and explores these in relation to the Australian healthcare system.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
The authors highlight the key changes to policy that have occurred in the English healthcare system in recent years, and discuss whether they have proven successful. The authors discuss the barriers to implementing similar approaches in Australia, particularly the difference in system structure that would necessitate policy adaptation.

FINDINGS
Whilst there are differences in the structure and organisation of funding and service provision between countries, there are developments in England that are worthy of consideration from an Australian perspective. These include a focus on funding and commissioning that rewards quality not just activity and volume. As Australia sees the development of new primary care organisations that are tasked with commissioning then developments and lessons around the technical and relational aspects will be important to consider.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE
The work highlights that Australia might consider learning from the English experience in this area and the types of incentives that may increase efficiency and quality of health service provision. This is important as it potentially gives greater certainty about those approaches most likely to yield beneficial outcomes for patients and the broader system.


Religious specificities in the island of Tanna (Republic of Vanuatu) have been historically shaped by the long reign of a "Christian theocracy" and, later on, by a millenarian movement called "John Frum". Islam was unknown in Vanuatu before independence (1980) and in Tanna before the end of the 1990s. I will examine, since then, how people of Tanna has been particularly receptive to their discovery of the "Man Muslam" (Muslims). Today, Tanna host the largest Islamic community in Vanuatu and has become a coveted destination for Muslim missionaries. I will focus my presentation on the main religious, political and economical aspects of that phenomenon, on the way Islam has been largely converted to local cultural realities and adapted to the island political game.


Long-lived, zonally propagating diurnal rainfall disturbances are a highly pronounced and common feature in the Maritime Continent (MC). A recent study argues that these disturbances can be explained as diurnally phase-locked gravity waves. Here we explore the origins of these waves through regional cloud-permitting numerical model experiments. The gravity waves are reproduced and isolated in the model framework through the combined use of realistic geography and diurnally cyclic lateral boundary conditions representative of both characteristic easterly and westerly background zonal flow regimes. These flow regimes are characteristic of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) suppressed and active phase in the MC, respectively. Tests are conducted wherein Borneo, Sumatra, or both islands and/or their orography are removed. These tests imply that the diurnal gravity waves are excited and maintained directly by latent heating from the vigorous mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) that form nocturnally in both Borneo and Sumatra. Removing orography has only a secondary impact on both the MCSs and the gravity waves, implying that it is not critical to these waves. We therefore hypothesize that diurnal gravity waves are fundamentally driven by mesoscale organized deep convection, and are only sensitive to orography to the measure that the convection is affected by the orography and its mesoscale flows. Factor separation further reveals that the nonlinear interaction of synchronized diurnal cycles in Sumatra and Borneo slightly amplifies this gravity wave mode compared to if either island existed in isolation. This nonlinear feedback appears most prominently at longitudes directly between the two islands.


What are the basic contours of a political sociology of violence at the urban margins? Drawing on past and current ethnographic research in a poor area of Buenos Aires, this article calls for systematic research of the points of contact (overt and covert) between agents of the state and the poor. We argue that as part and parcel of the illicit drug trade, clandestine interventions of the state intensify interpersonal violence.


FDA approved ingenol mebutate (Picato, LEO Pharma) gel (0.015%, 0.05%) for the topical treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). It is the first topical AK therapy that can be used for as few as 2 or 3 consecutive days.


Over the past two decades, the incidence of endometrial cancer (EC) is increasing, and there is a need for molecular biomarkers to predict prognosis and guide treatment. A recent study from The Cancer Genome Atlas suggested to implement the EC analysis by molecular profile for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic treatment. In this study, next-generation sequencing was performed on 70 cases of G3 endometrioid ECs (EECs) using an 11-gene panel (TP53, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, KRAS, PTEN, and POL) for molecular classification. The molecular classification based on the 11-gene NGS panel identified four molecular subgroups: POLE-ultramutated (n = 20, 28.6%), MSI-H (n = 27, 38.6%), NSMP (n = 13, 18.6%) and TP53mut (n = 10, 14.3%). The NGS method showed 98.6% (69 of 70 cases, kappa value 98%) in concordance with the cases assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Among the seven dead cases, four were MSI-H tumors, two were TP53mut/p53abn tumors, and one was NSMP tumors with an average overall survival (OS) of 14.7 months. TP53mut subgroup showed that poor OS rates and POLE group have favorable prognosis. Our work suggested that the 11-gene panel is suitable for molecular classification in G3 EECs and for guiding prognosis and treatment decisions.


Aim: To investigate the effect and mechanism of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) on the function of islet β cells.
 Methods: Type 2 diabetes C57BL/6J mice were successfully induced by high fat diet (HFD) feeding for 12 weeks then were randomly divided into HFD+NaCl group (n=5) , HFD+Exenatide group (n=5, 24 nmol•kg-1•d‑1) and NC group (n=5) . Tolerance tests and insulin measurement were performed after 8 weeks of drug therapy. Weight was measured weekly and fasting blood glucose was measured every 4 weeks. The pancreas were stained with LC3B Immunofluorescence at the end of the experiment. The PA induced primary islet β cells were treated with exendin-4 and PA induced Min6 cells were treated with exendin-4, GW501516 for 24h, which BSA as the control group, then detected the protein levels of PPARδ, LC3B-II and P62. At the same time, PA induced MIN6 cells were treated with GSIS. What's more, we silenced PPARδ transfected with siRNA to verify the role of PPARδ in GLP-1 receptor agonist activation of β-cell autophagy.
 Results: Compared with the normal control group, the body weight and fasting blood glucose increase and significant peripheral insulin resistance in the high fat group, while the above indexes are significantly improved in the high-fat fed mice after GLP-1 RA treatment. Immunofluorescence biopsies of pancreatic tissue show that LC3B expression decrease after high fat diet, while GLP-1 RA intervention significantly increase. In addition, GLP-1 RA not only can promote the expression of PPARδ and LC3B-II protein and inhibit the expression of P62 protein in primary islet β cells and MIN6 cells, but also significantly increase glucose stimulation insulin secretion in MIN6 cells. More importantly, GW501516 is found to be consistent with GLP-1 RA in MIN6 cells, while GLP-1 RA promote autophagy disappeare after PPARδ expression is silenced.
 Conclusion: GLP-1 RA can improve the function of islet β cells by activating the autophagy pathway through PPARδ.

 Y.Su: None. B.Lin: None. Y.Chen: None. Z.Liu: None. L.Gan: None. W.Xu: None.

 Science & Technology Project of Guangzhou(202102010175)


Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by abnormal alveolar septation and microvascular development. Certain types of monocytes and macrophages have been implicated in epithelial growth and angiogenesis, while others play a role in immune defense and inflammation. Aims: To investigate whether monocyte/macrophage profiles and their products correlate with BPD development. Methods: We investigated lungs of neonatal mice and tracheal aspirates (TAs) from preterm born infants. Results: We found that M2-MDSC like monocytes are abundantly present in the lungs of neonatal mice. These monocytes also showed high expression of proangiogenic genes (a.o. EMMPRIN, ENA78, GDF15, VEGFR2 and IGF-1) and strong immune suppressive capacity i n vitro , supporting a role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and lung growth. Upon repetitive exposure to LPS the monocytes lost their M2-profile and suppressive capacity and upregulated inflammatory markers (IL-8, IL-1b and IL-6 but not TNFa). We also found monocytes/macrophages in TAs from preterm born infants. Proteome profiling these TAs revealed high concentrations of both M2 and inflammatory monocyte/macrophage derived factors and angiogenic mediators. Addition of TAs to pericyte-endothelial cell co-cultures either enhanced or inhibited angiogenesis. Luminex analysis of TAs of preterm infants with (n=22) and without (n=23) BPD showed significant lower concentrations of the angiogenic factors EMMPRIN, ENA78, MCP1, GDF15, TNF-α, Angiopoietin-1, -2 and HGF in those infants who developed BPD. Conclusion: Our data indicate that monocyte/macrophage profiles in TAs of premature children correlate with BPD development and may be used to identify new preventive or therapeutic targets.


In Clark v Macourt the High Court was required to determine the correct basis for quantifying the sum to which the innocent buyer of a fertility clinic sold by deed was entitled after the seller provided defective donor sperm as part of the assets of that business. In the unusual factual circumstances that arose, the Court's majority awarded the buyer the full cost of replacing the defective sperm at the date of breach even though this award left her in a significantly better financial position than she would have been in had the breach not occurred. This case note provides a qualified defence of this decision. A distinction between substitutionary and compensatory contractual money awards is proposed and certain implications of recognising this distinction, particularly in regard to the so-called 'avoided loss rule of mitigation', are outlined.


Phytic acid, the heat stable antinutritional factor forms 75% of the total Phosphorous (P) in soybean seeds. It acts as strong chelating agent binding to metal ions reducing the bioavailability of Fe, Zn, Mg and Ca in human and nonruminant livestock. In the present study, 106 soybean germplasm lines were screened to estimate the seed phytate. It ranged from 0.16 to 4.741mg per g soy flour. High yielding, low phytate cultivar were selected and subjected to 250 Gy gamma ray irradiation. In M3 generation, mutants having phytic acid content ranged from 0.075 to 2.58 mg/g of soy flour were identified. These mutants have shown as much as 50% or more reduction in seed phytate compared to control. Although low phytic acid line had much higher inorganic 'P' concentrations than seed of the normal lines, the balance between protein and oil content was not altered. Since, cornsoy and soymeal are commonly fed to livestock; reducing phytate content would contribute to increased bioavailability of 'P' in these livestock feeds.


We find that the model of a black hole plus an exterior halo of quadrupoles and octopoles recently proposed by us is more chaotic than previously detected. In fact, the quadrupolar component gives rise also to a chaotic behav-ior, found after further numerical search. This fact reinforces even more the role of chaos in relativistic core–halo models.


The role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the regulations of TSH secretion was studied in male rats using both peripheral and central administration of the drugs. Basal TSH levels were not modified by moderate doses of 5-HT (subcutaneously) or its precursors or antagonists (intraperitoneally) given 1 h before decapitation. The cold-stimulated TSH secretion was decreased by L-tryptophan (L-TRP, 400 mg/kg i.p.), quipazine (10 mg/kg i.p.) and 5-HT (1 or 5 mg/kg s.c. or i.v.) as well as by p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA, 20 or more mg/kg i.p.) when the drugs were given 1 h before sampling. pCPA (100-400 mg/kg i.p.) was active 24-48 h after the injection but repetitive administration did not affect TSH levels. 5-HT (5 mg/kg s.c.) was effective also in pinealectomized animals. L-TRP and 5-hydroxytryptophan potentiated the TRH-stimulated TSH secretion when given 1 h before killing. 5-HT (10 microgram/rat) infused into the third ventricle enhanced the cold-stimulated TSH secretion when given 30-45 min before sampling. When injected into the medial basal hypothalamus, 50-HT (1-10 microgram/rat) had no effect on basal or stimulated TSH levels. The results suggest: (1) 5-HT does not play any role in the regulation of basal TSH secretion; (2) in the cold-stimulated TSH secretion 5-HT has a stimulatory action evidently inside the blood-brain barrier and also an inhibitory effect obviously outside this barrier.


The study examined gender roles in climate change adaptation strategies used by cassavabased farmers in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. It specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers across all gender levels, identified adaptation strategies practiced by these farmers across gender levels and the problems encountered by cassava farmers in the use of adaptation strategies in the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 60 respondents in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of socio-economic characteristics of the farmers showed that 56.6% of the male farmers were married which is greater than 46.60% of the married females. The males had more average income of ₦ 1,620,000.13 compared to  ₦ 133,000.66 for the females. The females had more farm experience than the males, while the male cultivated larger farms. The main adaptation strategies used by cassava farmers in the study area were change of planting date, moving to a different site, mixed cropping and changing the timing of land preparation. Irregular extension services were the major constraint faced by the cassava farmers with a mean value of 3.722 for male farmers and mean of 4.411 for female farmers. It is concluded that gender plays several roles in climate change adaptation strategies in cassava-based farming in the study area. Based on the findings, efforts should be made by government and relevant stakeholders to educate cassava farmers on climate change adaptation strategies along gender lines. Keywords: Gender, adaptation strategies, roles, climate change, cassava-based farmers


Barium metaborate (β-BaB 2 O 4 or β-BBO) is known to be an excellent nonlinear optical material with a wide transmission range 190–3500 nm and a high damage threshold (10 GW.cm −2). BaB 2 O 4 has two modifications : the low temperature b phase and the high temperature a phase with a centrosymmetric crystal structure which has no utility in second order harmonic generation. In early works, the β-BaB 2 O 4 crystals were grown below the a-b transition temperature (T~920°C) by using flux methods leading to crystals exhibiting more or less inclusions detrimental to their properties. More recently, the successful growth of high quality β-BaB2O4 without any flux from a supercooled BaB 2 O 4 composition melt was reported [1-3]. The aim of this talk is to present the results presently obtained on the growth of β-BBO crystal fibers directly from the melt without any flux. To investigate their behaviour during pulling, the crystals obtained were thoroughly characterized by Raman micro-spectroscopy.


An E-bus, originally designed in 1967 for crosstown operation on 42nd Street, New York City, has its design brought up-to-date. Nickel-cadmium batteries were to be used with INCH* (INterim CHarging) at both ends of the route. The technologies available at that time made a demonstration project prohibitively expensive. Many aspects of the design have been used in successful E-bus demonstrations since 1971 in Europe. One of these projects is the basis of much of the updated design. Many of the technical aspects of the 1967 design which were then experimental, are now proven. Some of these are: over-excited shunt instead of series motors; a transistorized field chopper plus a thyristor armature chopper; regenerative braking; automatic and shock-proof connection to the battery-charging terminals; single point watering, and INCH. Calculations indicate that with Na/S batteries, E-buses can be used on north-south routes, with 2 interim charges of five minutes each.


By investigating the conditions required for successive interference cancellation multiuser detectors (SIC-MUD) to achieve near-optimum BER performance, we propose and investigate a so-called receiver multiuser diversity aided multi-stage minimum mean-square error MUD (RMD/MS-MMSE MUD), which is operated in the SIC principles. The BER performance of the RMD/MS-MMSE MUD is investigated in association with both the direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) over either Gaussian or Rayleigh fading channels, and the space-division multiple-access (SDMA) over Rayleigh fading channels. Furthermore, we consider both full-load and overload scenarios in comparison with the spreading factor N of DS-CDMA and the number of receive antennas N in SDMA. Our studies show that the RMD/MS-MMSE MUD is highly efficient for both full-load and overload systems. Specifically, the RMD/MS-MMSE MUD for the full-load systems of moderate size is capable of attaining the BER performance similar to that of the optimum maximum likelihood MUD (ML-MUD). For the overload systems, it can allow a DS-CDMA or SDMA system to support K=2N users and still achieve much better BER performance than a corresponding DS-CDMA or SDMA system using conventional MMSE-MUD to support K=N users.


We investigate anomalous localization phenomena in non-Hermitian systems by solving a class of generalized Su-Schrieffer-Heeger/Rice-Mele models and by relating their provenance to fundamental notions of topology, symmetry-breaking and biorthogonality. We find two flavours of bound states in the continuum, both stable even in the absence of chiral symmetry. The first being skin bulk states which are protected by the spectral winding number. The second flavour is constituted by boundary modes associated with a quantized biorthogonal polarization. Furthermore, we find the extended state stemming from the boundary state that delocalizes while remaining in the gap at bulk critical points. This state may also delocalize within a continuum of localized (skin) states. These results clarify fundamental aspects of topology, and symmetry in the light of different approaches to the anomalous non-Hermitan bulk-boundary correspondence -- and are of direct experimental relevance for mechanical, electrical and photonic systems.


The concept of nuclear fuel waste disposal underground is drawing increasing attention due to its many advantages against the current storage methods at surface. In this paper, we employ the Galerkin finite-element technique to solve the coupled time-dependent heat transfer and fluid flow differential equations and to predict the evolving behaviour of groundwater flow and subsurface temperature distribution associated with a proposed disposal system at the Whiteshell Research Area in southeastern Manitoba. A two-dimensional (2-D) numerical model is conceptualized from geological constraints in this particular area. To investigate the free convection of groundwater flow driven by nuclear fuel waste heat generation, we assume the 2-D model has a flat upper boundary so as to eliminate the effect of topography head. Buoyancy force due to fluid density variations is, therefore, the sole driving mechanism for fluid migration. Case studies for both unfractured and fractured porous media confirm that thermal decay of the buried fuel waste can initiate fluid circulation. In the presence of discrete fractures, the deep and hot fluid nearby the disposed contaminant can discharge to the biosphere, thus potentially threatening human health and the natural environment.


School health services (SHS) have widespread impact on the health of a large number of children with implications on access to primary health care especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to assess health services in primary schools in Enugu East Nigeria. Thirty-three head teachers of primary schools in Enugu east Nigeria and officials of Ministry of Education were interviewed using a questionnaire adapted from school health evaluation scale. Four private schools had health personnel. Only six private schools had a health room. Two public schools had a functional first aid box. There were no health records available in any of the schools. School lunch was given by only one private school. Of a maximum of 45, public and private schools had a mean score of 10.3 and 12.7 respectively on the school health evaluation scale (P=0.01). Three schools only attained the minimum acceptable score of 19. Health services are at a minimal level in primary schools in Enugu East Nigeria. A state school health policy should be developed through inter-sectoral collaboration of the relevant stakeholders to use the platform provided by schools to ensure access to primary health care and also act as bridge for more formal medical care for school children.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the variables associated with incomplete and unscheduled cardiology clinic visits among referred pediatric patients with a focus on equity gaps.

STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a retrospective chart review for patients less than 18 years of age who were referred to cardiology clinics at a single quaternary referral center from 2017 to 2019. We collected patient demographic data including race, an index of neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation linked to a patient's geocoded address, referral information, and cardiology clinic information. The primary outcome was an incomplete clinic visit. The secondary outcome was an unscheduled appointment. Independent associations were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS
There were 10,610 new referrals; 6,954 (66%) completed new cardiology clinic visits. Black race (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.22-1.63), public insurance (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.14-1.46), and a higher deprivation index (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.08-1.61) were associated with higher odds of incomplete visit compared to the respective reference groups of White race, private insurance, and a lower deprivation index. The findings for unscheduled visit were similar. A shorter time elapsed from the initial referral to when the appointment was made was associated with lower odds of incomplete visit (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.52-0.74).

CONCLUSION
Race, insurance type, neighborhood deprivation, and time from referral date to appointment made were each associated with incomplete referrals to pediatric cardiology. Interventions directed to understand such associations and respond accordingly could help to equitably improve referral completion.


The present study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of turmeric with fresh oil or oxidized oil on the growth performance, blood biochemical, intestinal and liver histopathology in Japanese Quail. Birds were divided into 8 groups; G1- G4 which were fed on diets containing 2 % fresh vegetable oil supplemented with turmeric 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 % respectively. While groups G5- G8 had the same previously mentioned design but with replacing the fresh oil with oxidized oil. Substitution of the fresh oil with oxidized oil showed non-significant difference in quail body weight and feed conversion ratio, increased feed intake (FI), non-significantly affected serum lipid profile parameters (P˃ 0.05). Turmeric supplementation at 0.75 % to the fresh or oxidized oil containing diets improved feed efficiency utilization, while reduced the FI compared to control (P< 0.05). Feeding quail on oxidized oil containing diet showed no changes in serum MDA concentration, however reduced serum GPx enzyme (P˃ 0.05) compared to birds fed on fresh oil. Turmeric addition reduced serum concentration of MDA, while increased GPx activity (P˃ 0.05). Increasing turmeric level supplemented to the fresh or oxidized oil was associated with reduced serum lipid profile parameters. Addition of turmeric to the oxidized oil-based diets ameliorated the negative effects on the immune related parameters (phagocytic activity and index, lysosomal activity and WBCs count) especially with 0.5% level. Increasing the turmeric supplementation to the oxidized oil containing diet improved the intestinal morphology and hepatic parenchyma. In conclusion, oxidized oil inclusion in Japanese quail diet (2 %) showed no adverse effects on their performance or intestinal morphology however, negatively affected some immune related parameters which could be ameliorated by turmeric supplementation especially at 0.5% of diet.


Aim: Psoriasis is one of the diseases caused by chronic inflammation. It is associated with a number of comorbidities (metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, obesity, non-alcholic fatty liver...). Recently, mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were found to be related to systemic inflammation. At the end of this study, the risk of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis will be evaluated and the effect of MPV, NLR, PLR levels will be determined on predicting metabolic comorbidities in psoriasis patients. Material and Methods: This research was planned prospectively. The study consisted of 40 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 40 healty control group which was similar in age and gender . Patients' informations were recorded and blood pressure, height, weight values were measured. Hemogram parameters, biochemistry values were determined. Results: The count of neutrophiles was higher in the psoriasis; but disease severity and neutrophil count were not related each other. According to our study, MPV values, high density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting blood glucose and body mass index (BMI) were meaningful findings in estimating the development of metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: The use of neutrophil activation markers in addition to neutrophil count in patients with psoriasis may be useful in determining disease severity and activation. In the follow-up of patients with psoriasis, fasting glucose, HDL, BMI value and MPV can help predicting possibility of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases that may develop in these patients.


The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of anthropometric variables and motor abilities in change of direction speed and reactive agility performance in young tennis players. 50 tennis players (age 12.3 ± 1.2 years, height 156.7 ± 12.8 cm, body mass 45.9 ± 8.9 kg), who were ranked within the top 50 ranking places of the National Tennis Association, as well as within the top 300 on the international "Tennis Europe" rankings, participated in the study. The sample of anthropometric variables in this study comprised the measurement of participant height, body mass, body mass index and percentage of body fat. Also, participants performed tests assessing speed (5, 10, and 20 m sprints), agility (20 yards, 4x10 yards, T–test, TENCODS, and TENRAG), and explosive power (countermovement jump, single-leg countermovement jump, squat jump, standing long jump and single-leg triple jump). The results showed that there is a statistically significant correlation of agility with anthropometric characteristics, running speed tests and horizontal explosive power variables, whereas there was no significant correlation with vertical explosive power variables. In conclusion, the results of this research confirmed the hypothesis that there is a significant correlation in almost all anthropometric variables and motor abilities in change of direction speed and reactive agility performance in young tennis players. Thus, our findings provide useful information for coaches to create a wide range of tennis-specific exercises to develop performance, especially in a players neuromuscular fitness.


Oxygen intercalation has been proven to be an efficient experimental approach to decouple chemical vapor deposition grown graphene from metal substrate with mild damage, thereby enabling graphene transfer. However, the mechanism of oxygen intercalation and associated rate-limiting step are still unclear on the molecular level. Here, by using density functional theory, we evaluate the thermodynamics stability of graphene edge on transition metal surface in the context of oxygen and explore various reaction pathways and energy barriers, from which we can identify the key steps as well as the roles of metal passivated graphene edges during the oxygen intercalation. Our calculations suggest that in well-controlled experimental conditions, oxygen atoms can be easily intercalated through either zigzag or armchair graphene edges on metal surface, whereas the unwanted graphene oxidation etching can be suppressed. Oxygen intercalation is, thus, an efficient and low-damage way to decouple graphene from a metal substrate while it allows reusing metal substrate for graphene growth.


Objective To analyze the clinical features, efficacy of antibiotic treatment, and outcome of neonatal listeriosis. Methods This was a retrospective study that included all neonates diagnosed with listeriosis between January 2010 and December 2021. Results Nine male patients and five female patients were analyzed, including 11 preterm and 3 term infants. The mean gestational age was 34 ± 2.6 weeks (29 + 2–40 + 2 weeks), and the mean birth weight was 2392 ± 603 g (1370–3580 g). The maternal clinical manifestations included fever (13/14 [92.9%]), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (12/14 [85.7%]), and intrauterine fetal distress (11/14 [78.6%]). The neonates presented with fever (14/14 [100%]), generalized maculopapular rash (7/14 [50%]), and convulsions (8/14 [57.1%]). Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis (11/14 [78.6%]), monocytosis (9/14 [64.3%]), elevated C-reactive protein levels (13/14 [92.9%]), and thrombocytopenia (6/14 [42.9%]). Eight patients had central nervous system involvement, and Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from the blood in all cases. Empiric antibiotic therapy consisted of a combination of third-generation cephalosporins and penicillin or vancomycin. Four patients died, and 10 patients were cured. Conclusions Preterm infants were more susceptible to listeria infection than term infants, with most having multiple organ injuries. Combined antibiotic application improved the effectiveness of treatment.


Research letter

Dear Editor, Rarely, melanoma is dominantly inherited, with CDKN2A mutations accounting for > 85% of mutation‐positive families.1 CDKN2A encodes two, nonhomologous proteins, p16 and p14ARF, with individually unique first exons (1α and 1β, respectively) and alternative reading frames. Over 95% of the CDKN2A mutations in familial melanoma occur in the p16 transcript...


Experiments about engine performance using alcohol-gasoline blend as a fuel are studied. A conventional 4cycle 4cylinder gasoline engine is used. Measurements on torque, output, specific fuel consumption, and emissions are made over ignition tim-ing and mixing ratio. Up to vol. 15% of alcohol, torque and output using alcohol-gasoline blend are al-
most same with using only gasoline, and specific fuel consumption is improved about 7 %. In emissions alcohol-gasoline blend is more effective than gasoline.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent and significance of involvement of craft brewery operators in their community through the lens of the stakeholder theory (ST). In addition, differences between forms of involvement and demographic characteristics of operators and breweries are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

As many as 218 operators of predominantly micro-craft breweries across the USA participated in an online questionnaire designed to gather their perceptions.

Findings

While paying taxes was participants' main perceived form of contribution, providing an artisan-made product, the significance of the craft brewery as a community "hub", and that of increasing the number of leisure alternatives also emerged. A further 52.8 per cent of participants indicated contributing US$100,000 or more to the community annually. Statistically significant differences were revealed, for instance, based on craft breweries' production volume, and the level of financial contribution. Various associations between operators' perceived contributions and the ST theses were established in regard to cooperative interests (descriptive), stakeholder management (instrumental), and moral principles (normative).

Originality/value

First, by examining corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the craft brewing industry and among predominantly smaller firms, the study addresses two under-researched areas. Second, a refinement of the ST in the context of the craft brewing industry is proposed, highlighting the links between ST-based theses and the findings. Third, the study contributes to three different types of literature: micro and small business, craft brewing entrepreneurship, and CSR.


The kinetics of the polymerization of styrene initiated by n-butyl lithium in hydrocarbon media has been studied under conditions where both initiation and propagation of growing chains takes place simultaneously and in the absence of a termination reaction. Under the conditions employed, the initiator is incompletely consumed at complete conversion of monomer to polymer and consequently the degree of polymerization of the polystyrene is greater than the ratio of monomer to initiator concentration. The quantitative results support the mechanism previously proposed by Worsfold & By water for this polymerization.