Aim: Sampsonet al. proposed a method to calculate small dense low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (sdLDL-C) concentrations using common lipid measurements, but its accuracy remains unresolved. We examined the difference between Sampson's equation and direct measurement in patients with diabetes. Methods: sdLDL-C was measured directly by our established homogeneous assay and estimated by Sampson's equation in patients with diabetes (n=1542) and healthy control subjects (n=673). Large-buoyant (lb)LDL-C was estimated using triglycerides and LDL-C, and sdLDL-C was obtained by subtracting lbLDL-C from LDL-C. The effect of fasting/nonfasting state or lipid-lowering drug therapy on sdLDL-C values was also examined in 30 and 43 patients with diabetes, respectively. Results: The coefficient of determination (R2) between calculated sdLDL-C and direct measurement was 0.73 and 0.61 for healthy controls and patients with diabetes, respectively. The R2 between calculated sdLDL-C and nonHDL-C or apolipoprotein B was 0.64 and 0.65, respectively. Calculated sdLDL-C was 4–5 mg/dl or 17%–18% higher than the direct measurement. The lower the plasma lipids, especially sdLDL-C, the greater the dissociation between the two methods. Sampson sdLDL-C was also found to give a positive bias when calculated for the nonfasting samples. Statins and pemafibrate significantly reduced sdLDL-C, but their therapeutic effect was underestimated by 5 mg/dl (24%) via Sampson's equation. Conclusions: The correlation between Sampson's equation and direct measurements of sdLDL-C was reduced in patients with diabetes. Furthermore, the correlations with nonHDL-C and apolipoprotein B were even higher than those with direct sdLDL-C. The accuracy of Sampson's equation decreased with lower sdLDL-C concentrations and was also influenced by diet.


B93 Insulin, which is chronically elevated in the pre-diabetic condition and in diabetes before pancreatic exhaustion, stimulates growth of both normal colonic and carcinoma cells, and perhaps more importantly, modulates IGF-I and its binding proteins to create a pro-mitotic environment for colonic epithelial cells. We analyzed data from a prospective cohort of women selected from participants in a breast cancer screening program conducted between 1973-81 at 29 centers throughout the United States to determine if diabetes was a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Since hyper-insulinemia might be misclassified if we only considered subjects with diagnosed diabetes at baseline as exposed, we did additional analyses in which we analyzed risk of colorectal cancer among those who were either diabetics at baseline or likely pre-diabetic at baseline (identified based on subsequent self-report of diabetes at the 1993-1995 follow-up). Between 1987 and 1989, 45,519 women without a history of colorectal cancer or suspected Type I diabetes (onset before age 25) successfully completed a series of baseline questionnaires assessing dietary and other health and lifestyle risk factors for colorectal cancer. Mean age at time of interview was 61.9 years. Women were followed for an average of 8.5 years between 1987-89 and 1995-98, and during this time 489 women developed colorectal cancer. We used Cox proportional hazards models, with age as the underlying time metric, to estimate risk of colorectal cancer. Models of diabetes diagnosed at or before baseline controlled for age, physical activity, energy intake, alcohol, menopausal hormone therapy, smoking, multivitamin use, education, ethnicity, NSAID use, calcium from supplements, and intake of calcium from diet. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio (and 95% confidence interval) for prevalent diabetes at baseline was 1.50 (1.09-2.07). After reclassifying the exposed category to include those who were likely pre-diabetic at baseline, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio remained statistically significant, but was of lesser magnitude: 1.36 (1.01-1.83) for self-report of diabetes at baseline or at 1993-1995 follow-up. These results suggest that prior diagnosis of diabetes increased risk of colorectal cancer, and therefore support the hyper-insulinemia hypothesis. However, our observation that the risk estimate was attenuated if we included in the exposed category subjects who were likely pre-diabetic (and therefore hyper-insulinemic) at baseline suggests that either the degree of hyper-insulinemia in such subjects was not of sufficient magnitude or of sufficient duration to increase risk or that some factor related to diabetes but independent of hyper-insulinemia was responsible for the increased risk we observed for diabetic subjects.


Main theoretical formulae and some computational results of evolutionary segregation of Hg isotopes due to light-induced drift in the atmospheres of chemically peculiar stars have been represented.


The 4th industrial revolution is often characterized by the embracement of digitalization, automation, and artificial intelligence that are cheaper, faster, and more reliable than cognitive human functions. Therefore, the new era of industrial revolution sparked much interests for productivity particularly the increase in output as a result of improved efficiency and the improvement in product quality prioritizing customization. However, the integration of technology at the workplace also introduces changes to the landscape of work involving disappearance of work and a shift in job structures. Such implications on work design, interpersonal relationships, and ethics are pillars to meaningful work. As meaningful work is essential for coveted work outcomes on a personal and organizational level, there is a pivotal need to look into the possible reconstruction of meaningful work following the changes in work orientation brought by the wave of the fourth industrial revolution. This paper conceptually discusses three imprints of the fourth industrial revolution namely continuous learning, changes in work design, and work-life permeability, and their possible roles in redefining meaningful work.


A family of maximum mean discrepancy (MMD) kernel two-sample tests is introduced. Members of the test family are called Block-tests or B-tests, since the test statistic is an average over MMDs computed on subsets of the samples. The choice of block size allows control over the tradeoff between test power and computation time. In this respect, the $B$-test family combines favorable properties of previously proposed MMD two-sample tests: B-tests are more powerful than a linear time test where blocks are just pairs of samples, yet they are more computationally efficient than a quadratic time test where a single large block incorporating all the samples is used to compute a U-statistic. A further important advantage of the B-tests is their asymptotically Normal null distribution: this is by contrast with the U-statistic, which is degenerate under the null hypothesis, and for which estimates of the null distribution are computationally demanding. Recent results on kernel selection for hypothesis testing transfer seamlessly to the B-tests, yielding a means to optimize test power via kernel choice.


Aim: The present study attempted to identify the factors influencing the effect of humorous advertisements in the minds of the viewer. The study also identified the association between the demographic profiles of viewers on the perception of humorous advertisement. Background: So many works have been done in humorous advertisements whereas humorous advertisements with respect to viewer's opinion is very few especially in the Indian context. Material & Methods: For this study, a self-administered questionnaire was drafted and statements were coined in discussion with the subject experts and on line with the references from literature survey. The data was collected by convenience sampling method and viewers across various demographic profiles were covered for the study. The framework of analysis used in the study included factor analysis, one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis and Garret Ranking method. Results: The study deduced four factors to measure the effectiveness of the humorous advertisements. The study also found age and gender as the associating profiles in perceiving the effect of humorous advertisements. All the identified factors were found to be significantly correlated to each other and the same was dealt analytically through correlation analysis. Addition to this, garret ranking method was adopted to find the most preferred type of humorous advertisements and the customer preference on the outcome of advertisements and marketing processes. It was found that, viewers ranked 'pun' advertisements on the top compared to the other categories. Conclusion: What so ever be the outcome of the advertisement, viewers stay with quality of the product to decide their buying behavior and to be brand loyal. The study would enable the advertising agencies to understand and make creative advertisements with the blend of all the factors that would be highly received by the viewers. And the product owners to understand the need of the viewers on the basis of personal profile of the end customers which may throw light on the customer preference in deciding the buying decision of any product or service. It will also be helpful for other related bodies to know about the viewer's preferences and customer psychology in terms of receiving the message from the advertisements effectively.


Renal replacement therapy (RRT) has evolved from the concept that we need to treat the dysfunction of a single organ (the kidney). As intensive care units have become more and more complex, it has become clear that the majority of patients with acute renal failure often have dysfunction of several other organs. In order to facilitate single organ support in this setting, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) techniques have been developed. However, CRRT has opened the door to the concept that targeting renal support as the only goal of extracorporeal blood purification may be a simplistic view of our therapeutic aims. In this article we argue that it is now time to move from the simple goal of achieving adequate renal support. The proper goal of extracorporeal blood purification in ICU should be multi-organ support therapy (MOST). We explain why MOST represents the most logical future conceptual and practical evolution of CRRT and illustrates the biological rationale, supplying animal and clinical evidence that confirms the need to move rapidly in this direction theoretically, practically and technologically.


Typical unsupervised classification of hyperspectral imagery (HSI) uses a Gaussian mixture model to determine intensity similarity of pixels. However, the existence of mixed pixels in HSI tends to reduce the effectiveness of the similarity measure and leads to large classification errors. Since a semantic class is always dominated by a particular endmember, a mixed pixel can be better classified by identifying the dominant endmember. By exploiting the spectral mixture model (SMM) that describes the endmember-abundance pattern of mixed pixels, the discriminative ability of HSI can be enhanced. A Bayesian classification approach is presented for spatial–spectral HSI classification, where the data likelihood is built upon the SMM, and the label prior is based on a Markov random field (MRF). The new approach has three key characteristics. First, instead of using intensity similarity, the new approach uses the abundance-endmember pattern of each pixel and classifies a pixel by its dominant endmember. Second, to integrate the SMM into a Bayesian framework, a data likelihood is designed based on the SMM to reflect the influence of the dominant endmember on the conditional distribution of the mixed pixel given the class label. Third, the resulting maximum a posteriori problem is solved by the expectation–maximization (EM) algorithm, in which the E-step adopts a graph-cut approach to estimate the class labels, and the M-step adopts a purified-means approach to estimate the endmembers. Experiments on both simulated and real HSIs demonstrate that the proposed method can exploit the spatial–spectral information of HSI to achieve high accuracy in unsupervised classification of HSI.


Mexican judges are increasingly acting as international law judges. Their international judicial function includes a basic understanding of a judicial function per se: dispute resolution through the application and interpretation of legal rules by an independent and impartial judicial body. The international character of this work depends on the recourse to international law as a legal basis for the dispute settlement of the particular cases brought to their jurisdiction. Mexican judges are performing an international judicial function when they interpret international law norms and principles, when they guarantee private persons' rights and duties under international law, and when they assess the conformity of domestic legislation with the international law commitments of the Mexican state. However, at present, Mexican judges are not behaving as ordinary judges of all international law. The place of international law in the Mexican Constitution, the slow democratization of the Mexican presidential regime and the deference of Mexican judges to the executive in foreign affairs help explain the constraints upon the international judicial function as experienced by Mexican judges. The general context of the Mexican political regime impacts the role of the federal judiciary with regards to the promotion of respect for the rule of law, domestically and internationally.


Background: Comorbidities are very common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), contributing to the overall severity of the disease. The relative prevalence of comorbidities in COPD caused by biomass smoke (B-COPD), compared with COPD related to tobacco (T-COPD), is not well known. Objectives: To establish if both types of COPD are associated with a different risk for several major comorbidities. Method: The prevalence of comorbidities was compared in 863 subjects with B-COPD (n = 179, 20.7%) or T-COPD (n = 684, 79.2%). Multivariate analysis was carried out to explore the independent relationship between comorbidities and type of exposure. Results: Three comorbidities were more frequent in T-COPD than in B-COPD: ischemic heart disease (11.5 vs. 5.0%, respectively, p = 0.01), peripheral vascular disease (9.2 vs. 2.7%, p = 0.006), and peptic ulcer disease (4.8% vs. 0, p = 0.005). After correcting for potential confounding variables, the risk of ischemic heart disease was lower in B-COPD than in T-COPD (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.16-0.69, p = 0.003). Conclusions: The prevalence of ischemic heart disease is significantly lower in B-COPD than in T-COPD, suggesting a different systemic effect of both types of smoke in COPD patients.


This paper is a short review of serotonergic (5-HT) fibers in the striatum. Data concerning biochemical demonstrations of striatal 5-HT and tryptophan hydroxylase and of ascending serotonergic pathways are quickly reviewed. This study deals particularly with the morphology of striatal 5-HT fibers. Little information concerning these fibers is available in the literature. Fluorescence histochemistry of 5-HT in the striatum is difficulty used, and ultrastructural studies are rare. In our work (ARLUISON and DE LA MANCHE, 1980), using cerebro-ventricular injections of tritiated serotonin in the rat and autoradiography three types of nerve terminals are labelled along the ventricle. The first has spherical and clear synaptic vesicles and is characterized by rather numerous asymmetrical synaptic contacts. The second has particularly small, often granular, synaptic vesicles of ovoid or tubular shape and shows rare synaptic contacts. The third category of labelled nerve terminals is provides with both of the previously described types of synaptic vesicles and shows few synaptic contacts. The heterogeneity of serotonergic nerve terminals in the striatum is compared to that observed in other regions of the brain, and the possibility of their origin in different midbrain raphe nuclei is discussed.


This paper presents a combined DWT and LSB based biometric watermarking algorithm that securely embeds a face template in a fingerprint image. The proposed algorithm is robust to geometric and frequency attacks and protects the integrity of both the face template and the fingerprint image. Experimental results performed on a database of 750 face and 750 fingerprint images show that the algorithm has the advantages of both the existing DWT and LSB based algorithms. A multimodal biometric algorithm is used as a metric to evaluate the combined performance of both face and fingerprint recognition.


The Castaic Junction oil field, discovered in 1950, is one of the four or five major producing structures in the easternmost Ventura basin. Development has been continuous since discovery, and at present there are 58 wells in the field which have been drilled to an average depth of 11,000 feet. At the surface, the Castaic Junction structure appears as a southeast-plunging nose but the deeper beds are folded into an east-trending closed anticline. The three producing zones in the field, all in the Mohnian stage of the upper Miocene, are designated Zones 10, 15, and 21. Closure in Zone 10 is afforded by a pinch-out across the crest of the structure, but accumulation in the two lower zones is controlled primarily by the closed structure. Subsurface work in the field has resu ted in a better understanding of the abrupt stratigraphic variations common in this part of the Ventura basin. End_of_Article - Last_Page 218------------


Probability distributions were to predict rainfall status of various return period estimating one day and two to seven consecutive days annual maximum rainfall of Boalia, Rajshahi, Bangladesh). Three commonly used probability distributions (viz: Normal, Log Normal and Gamma distribution) were tested to determine the best fit probability distribution using the comparison of chi-square values. Results showed that the log-normal distribution was the best fit probability distribution for one day and two to seven consecutive days annual maximum rainfall for the region. Based on the best fit probability distribution the maximum rainfall of 116.15, 161.09, 190.14, 205.96, 220.37, 234.66 and 245.21 mm was expected to occur 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days respectively at Boalia (Rajshahi City Corporation and surrounding areas) every two years. For a recurrence interval of 100 years, the maximum rainfall expected in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days were 290.24, 406.49, 544.08, 558.56, 600.33, 631.28 and 633.89 mm respectively. The results of this study would be useful for agricultural scientists, decision makers, policy planners and researchers in order to identify the areas where agricultural development and construction of drainage systems in Boalia as one of the major factors causing flooding should be focused as a long-term environmental strategy for Bangladesh.

 Key words: Return period, frequency, probability distribution, consecutive days maximum rainfall.


Spatiotemporal peculiarities of terrigenous sedimentation in the second part of the XX century are analyzed on the basis of balance calculations with the application of a spatially detailed mathematical model of transport and sedimentation of suspended matter adjusted for the Sea of Azov. The setup and calibration of this model are described and an interpretation of the results is carried out. According to climatic fluctuation and anthropogenous activity, four periods of terrigenous sedimentation in the second part of the XX century are determined. The schemes of deposition and erosion sediment matter are made. The general tendency of a decrease in terrigenous matter accumulation and an increase in the squares of negative balance of terrigenous matter is caused by a 2.5-fold reduction of volume in the transported land matter. In the study period, the intensity of sedimentation decreased from 1000 to 400 g/m per year.


Use of asbestos is now banned in many industrialized countries, but health consequences are still expected for at least two decades. Moreover, exposure to asbestos currently continues in several emerging countries. Asbestos-related diseases are usually the consequence of occupational exposures, but cases occurring from para-occupational, bystander or intra-mural exposures were also reported. In rural areas of several countries, fibres naturally occurring in local soils are responsible for a high incidence of asbestos diseases. Health effects of asbestos include malignant and non-malignant lesions of the lung and pleura, and more rarely peritoneum. It is often necessary to assess past exposures to asbestos for clinical, epidemiological, occupational health or even legal purposes. The difficulties and uncertainties associated with the use of occupational histories, job exposure matrixes or calculations from specific exposure databases have led to investigate the capabilities of fiber analysis in lung samples. Key points related to this topic will be reviewed here. Guidelines about technical aspects of fiber analysis and rules to interpret results were published by a workgroup of the European Respiratory Society (1). Evidence of exposure can be obtained by demonstrating elevated levels of asbestos bodies or fibres by light or electron microscopy in samples of lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or sputum. Relevant data are sought about the fiber types present, their amounts, their sizes, composition and crystalline structure and about their importance as aetiological agent. The measured fiber burdens integrate both phenomena of lung deposition and clearance. Compared to amphibole asbestos, chrysotile has a much lower biopersistance and evaluation of past exposures to this variety of asbestos by analysing lung samples is difficult. Interestingly, chrysotile elementary fibrils are morphologically similar to sepiolite and attapulgite fibrils. There are different dose-response relationships between lung parenchyma and pleura in response to asbestos exposure. The highest cumulative exposures and hence pulmonary asbestos bodies and fibres levels are found in asbestosis. Lower levels, corresponding sometimes to very low cumulated exposure, are usually expected in mesothelioma and in pleural plaques. However, it must be stressed that bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue analyses are markers of alveolar and parenchymal retention of fibres, but do not reflect directly the accumulation of fibres in the parietal pleura which is very heterogeneous. (1) De Vuyst P, Karjalainen A, Dumortier P, Pairon JC, Monso E, Brochard P, Teschler H, Tossavainen A, Gibbs A (1998). Guidelines for mineral fibre analyses in biological samples: report of the ERS Working Group. European Respiratory Society. Eur Respir J;11:1416-1126.


Sabia parviflora (SP, "xiao hua qing feng teng" in Chinese) was recorded as an important ethnic medicine to be used for treating viral hepatitis. The antiviral activity of four SP extracts and potent antiviral compounds evaluated with cathepsin L protease (Cat L PR) and HIV-1 protease (HIV-1 PR). UPLC-HRMS was used for identifying the bioactive components. In addition, the possible inhibitory mechanism of the identified compounds on viral protease was further discussed by molecular docking. As a result, four extracts of SP exhibited inhibitory activity of HIV-1 PR and Cat L PR with IC50 range from 0.015 to 0.80 mg/mL. Meanwhile, six compounds inhibited HIV-1 PR with IC50 range from 0.032 to 0.80 mg/mL. Moreover, procyanidin B2 had good affinity for HIV-1 PR and CatL PR protein, respectively. These findings suggest S. parviflora leaves can be used for treating HIV and procyanidin B2 may play a role in antiviral protease.


Study Design. The mechanical stability of cross-linked and control spinal motion segments was evaluated using neutral zone, range of motion (ROM), and instability score metrics. Objective. To determine if exogenous cross-linking could increase the stability of spinal motion segments. Summary of Background Data. The microstructure of the anulus fibrosus extracellular matrix can affect the stability of the intervertebral joint. Parallel testing in our laboratory has shown that exogenous cross-linking can improve the fatigue resistance of anulus fibrosus. Methods. There were 3 separate experimental protocols conducted. The first study used calf lumbar intervertebral joints randomly divided into a genipin cross-linked group and phosphate buffered saline-soaked controls. After 2 days of soaking, flexion-extension ramp cycles were applied to the specimens. The second study repeated the test protocol using 22 moderately and severely degenerated human lumbar intervertebral joints. The third experiment compared the effect of cross-linking treatment on human discs with known degrees of preexisting mechanical instability. Each data set was used to assess joint instability by 3 calculations: ROM, neutral zone, and an instability score. Joint instability for each data set was evaluated using 3 calculations: ROM, neutral zone, and a novel instability score. Results. These results show that cross-link augmentation can effectively reduce instability of intervertebral discs. The stabilizing effect was observed to be higher in the more mechanically unstable discs. However, cross-linking did not appear to affect the total range of sagittal motion. Conclusions. By reducing the neutral zone, exogenous cross-linking may help combat the progression of instability in degenerative disc disease.


Numerical printouts of 23 visual field examinations performed with glaucoma program G1 were analyzed by 3 perimetrists. The task consisted of defining the existence of clusters or scotomas. Considerable discrepancy with regard to the existence or the size of clusters and/or scotomas was found among the three perimetrists. The median difference in number of clusters as compared for each pair of interpreters was found to differ from zero at a significance level of 5% (Wilcoxon's signed-rank nonparametric test). These findings suggest that the interpretation of a visual field status by human observers will always remain subjective and to a large extent contradictory. This situation calls for the implementation of interpretative computer software to supplement the currently available algorithms.


We present the total cross sections at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in the strong coupling for single and double charged Higgs production via weak boson fusion. Results are obtained via the structure function approach, which builds upon the approximate, though very accurate, factorization of the QCD corrections between the two quark lines. The theoretical uncertainty on the total cross sections at the LHC from higher order corrections and the parton distribution uncertainties are estimated at the 2% level each for a wide range of Higgs boson masses.


The purpose of this paper is to present the importance to predict possible ion collection under plasma parameters. In this particular case, the computational object is a cube $10\mathrm{cmx}10\mathrm{cmx}10\mathrm{cm}$, similar in shape and size of a nanosatellite, surrounding by a simulating particles which in this case we set them as the same mass as atomic oxygen ions and a constant flux of ions hitting one side of the simulated object surface. Particle-in-Cell (PIC) and Particle Tracking simulation code were performed to quantify the expected the ion current and potential. Additionally, the bias negative surface is also simulated to verified the ion flux deflection into the bias surface. A comparison between a bias surface and non-bias surface is performed to verify that ion collection is enhanced. Results demonstrates that ion flux is focusing through the bias surface since there are more ions collect by the bias surface.


We have used mixed- and co-cultures of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells to investigate the role of phospholipase activation and arachidonic acid metabolites in the production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). Inhibition of phospholipase A2 with para-bromophenacyl bromide, dexamethasone or quinacrine, alone or in combination, blocked arachidonate release by 50%-60% but had no effect on EDRF production as assessed by cyclic GMP accumulation in mixed- or co-cultures of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Inhibition of the phospholipase C-diacylglycerol (DAG) lipase pathway of arachidonate release by the DAG lipase inhibitor RHC-80267 also caused partial inhibition of arachidonate release and had no effect on EDRF. When both phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C pathways for arachidonate mobilization were inhibited (dexamethasone + RHC 80267), arachidonate release was totally inhibited while EDRF release remained intact. We conclude that neither phospholipase activation nor arachidonate mobilization is required for EDRF release from cultured bovine endothelial cells.


A master-slave manipulation system with a force-feedback function was developed for endoscopic surgery. The slave manipulation system, which is located at the head of a robot arm system, uses a forceps system which is capable of being opened and closed by a DC motor-driven arrangement. The master manipulator involves a mechanical link system which has the same structure and scale as the slave robot-arm system. The value of this system was verified experimentally using a bench-test system with one degree of freedom which has the same force-feedback mechanism as the master-slave manipulation system. Although the system became oscillatory and unstable when the master manipulator was operated using a force feedback system (simple force reflection servo controller), it was possible to make the system stable improving the force feedback system by adding impedance term (improved force reflection servo controller).


Interactions between theories and social phenomena are gaining increased attention. Some contend that theories, if accepted, become self-fulfilling prophecies. In contrast, this paper proposes that a tendency of agents to reflectively exploit how current theory describes their behavior could lead to changes in their dispositions and reduced exchange, and might require modification of the theoretical descriptions. The Uncertainty Principle applies to agents' dispositions. Their current structure and the potential for this structure to change might not both be determinable with precision simultaneously.


In order to investigate neurotoxic potential of spinally injected morphine solution, somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) was utilized to detect the change of electrophysiologic activity of spinal neurons after long term application of intrathecal morphine. Eight patients received intrathecal morphine injection regularly after CHEMO-PORT implantation were studied with posterior tibial nerve SSEP. Patients received SSEP examination just before and right after first episode of morphine injection and were followed up at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 2 hours, 8 hours, and the 7th day and the third month of regularly injection. The results showed that there were no definite change of latencies and amplitudes of impulses generated by lumbar spinal cord (N22) and cortex (P40). We therefore suggest that electrophysiologic activities of spinal cord and cortex are not affected by chronic intrathecal morphine injection. Possible mechanism and proposed pathway of morphine's action were also discussed.


Wiwi Safitri. 2021. Management Analysis of Outbound Activity in Matahari Tourism Park Cisarua Bogor 2020. Skripsi, Department of Health and Recreation Physical Education / S1 Faculty of Sport Science, State University of Semarang. Advisor Aris Mulyono, S, Pd., M, Pd.Keywords: Management, Outbound,Taman Wisata Matahari Recently, the enthusiasm of the community, organizations and companies has been busy organizing recreational activities together as an effort to improve the performance and performance of their members or employees. One of them is an activity in the form of Outbound training. The development of the sports industry is currently very much in demand by private entrepreneurs, especially outbound. This Matahari Tourism Park is one of the tours with a concept of carrying outbound activities as a concept of recreation and education for the community. The problem of this research is how to implement the management function in the management of Taman Wisata Matahari in the presence of the same business competition in other places. Manager's leadership, outbound trainers and visitors. Data analysis uses focus data selection to answer the problem formulation (data reduction), which is arranged briefly (display data), and develops after being in the field (verification). The results showed that the planning function of the solar tourism park has its own vision and mission of the company which plans are long-term and short-term. Taman Wisata Matahari has an organizing line (leadership, staff, functional). The process of recruiting employees is always prioritized to support good and efficient organizational activities. The existence of good promotions, welfare, warning letters (SP) to dismissal if they do not comply with all existing regulations and retired employees who are always carried out by the Taman Wisata Matahari. Motivation for employees is carried out by HRD leaders to improve employee performance. Evaluating activities and employees is always the main thing to assess the performance of the system. Based on the above results it can be concluded that the management (planning, organizing, employees, motivation and supervision) at Taman Wisata Matahari has good and neat management. Management needs to carry out intensive supervision both in the office and in the field, this is to reduce the occurrence of errors in management implementation


The synthesis of a group of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, 1,2,4-triazoles, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles and 1,2,4-triazine derived from 2-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl) propionic acid is described. The structures of new compounds are supported by IR, 1H NMR and MS data. These compounds were tested in vivo for their anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds which showed activity comparable to the standard drug flurbiprofen, were screened for their analgesic, ulcerogenic and lipid peroxidation activities. Five out of seventeen new compounds, showed very good anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan induced rat paw edema test with negligible ulcerogenic action. The compounds, which showed less ulcerogenic action, also showed reduced malondialdehyde production (MDA), which is one of the byproducts of lipid peroxidation. The study showed that the compounds inhibit the induction of gastric mucosal lesions and it can be suggested from our results that their protective effects may be related to an inhibition of lipid peroxidation in the gastric mucosa.


Infrared (IR) imaging has a wide variety of applications such as night vision detection and tracking, meteorology radiometers and spectroscopy techniques. An infrared image is a monochrome image, usually presented in grayscale. It has been proved that colorization of IR images can reduce human error and speed up reaction time. Most previously suggested coloring methods use a reference color image, whose characteristic features differ drastically from IR ones. These differences make those features less pertinent to the coloring process. In this paper, we present a novel texture-based method for automatically coloring IR images. The method uses a reference (source) color image, which is selected from a database, built in advance containing various natural scenes. The source image is selected using a texture-matching algorithm that searches for a resemblance to the IR (target) image. The source and target images are divided into texture-based segments and a color segment best match is found for every IR segment. The coloring process is performed for each pair of IR-color segments, and exploits global as well as local features. Results show that our method produces more natural-looking images than achieved heretofore.


Infection of shrimp cells with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) results in an increase in ribonucleotide reductase (RR) expression at the RNA level. In this article we further express and characterize the induction of a novel ribonucleotide reductase after WSSV infection of shrimp cells. A baculovirus/insect system was used to express the two recombinant protein subunits RR1 and RR2, and a DNA polymerase coupled RR activity assay showed a marked increase in ribonucleotide reductase activity when cell extracts containing recombinant RR1 and RR2 were combined. The same assay revealed that RR activity increased as infection advanced in the gills of experimentally infected shrimp. An increase in RR expression was also detected at the protein level in WSSV-infected shrimp cells. An immunocytochemistry assay by confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that in hemocytes collected from WSSV-infected shrimp, both of the subunit proteins (RR1 and RR2) were concentrated mainly around the nucleus, but only RR1 was detected inside it. All of these results suggest that WSSV RR is functionally involved during WSSV infection.


Responding to the severe threat to the space activities from increasing low earth orbit (LEO) space debris, orbital object surveillance and cataloguing based on ground-based radar has arouse much attention from the world. However, the success of the space debris surveillance system strongly depends on the performance of parameter estimation of the radar system. This paper presents a novel method for space debris' motion parameter estimation based on the famous fence-type space surveillance radar system. Based on the observation that orbital debris are sparsely distributed in the observed fence, we formulate this problem as a sparse signal reconstruction problem with respect to an overcomplete dictionary, defined using three motion parameters. Simulation results show that the proposed method provides high estimation performance, which is robust to low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and exhibits super-resolution properties.


Objectives To determine the frequency of sustained remission (R) or low diseas activity (LDA) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) undergoing long-term biological therapy and to analyse predictive factors for achieving these outcomes. Design Prospective, observational cohort study. Setting Spanish hospital. Participants Patients with axSpA who initiated biological treatment between 2003 and 2017. Intervention Assessment of demographic and clinical characteristics at the beginning of treatment and disease activity every 6 months up to a maximum of 2 years. Main outcome measures Disease activity was measured by Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and C reactive protein (BASDAI&CRP). Sustained R was defined as ASDAS<1.3 and/or BASDAI <2 and normal CRP while sustained LDA was defined as ASDAS <2.1 and/or BASDAI <4 and normal CRP on at least three consecutive visits. Results In total 186 patients (66.1% men and 75.3% with radiographic sacroiliitis) were included. Overall, 76.8% of patients achieved ASDAS R/LDA (R53.2%/LDA23.6%) in at least one visit. Forty per cent (R17.6%/LDA22.4%) of the patients fulfilled the sustained ASDAS R/LDA state, whereas only 30.8% maintained this status (R14.8%/LDA15.9%) according to BASDAI&CRP. In the multivariate analysis, male sex (OR=4.01), younger age at the beginning of biological therapy (OR=0.96) and an HLA*B27 positive status (OR=4.30) were associated with achieving sustained ASDAS R/LDA. Conclusions In clinical practice, around one-third of patients on biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs achieve a sustained R/LDA status, but these rates drop to less than one in five when targeting remission, preventing the use of the latter as a feasible target. Male sex, HLA*B27 positivity and younger age at the beginning of biological therapy are the main predictors for achieving sustained R/LDA.


The way we perceive a sound depends on many aspects– its ecological frequency, acoustic features, typicality, and most notably, its identified source. In this paper, we present the HCU400: a dataset of 402 sounds ranging from easily identifiable everyday sounds to intentionally obscured artificial ones. It aims to lower the barrier for the study of aural phenomenology as the largest available audio dataset to include an analysis of causal attribution. Each sample has been annotated with crowd-sourced descriptions, as well as familiarity, imageability, arousal, and valence ratings. We extend existing calculations of causal uncertainty, automating and generalizing them with word embeddings. Upon analysis we find that individuals will provide less polarized emotion ratings as a sound's source becomes increasingly ambiguous; individual ratings of familiarity and imageability, on the other hand, diverge as uncertainty increases despite a clear negative trend on average.


Abstract The influence of homeotropic boundary conditions on the cholesteric-nematic transition is discussed, starting from the assumption that the director field consists of only components perpendicular to the helix axis, which is directed parallel to the boundary planes. Attention is paid to the solution of Cladis and Kléman for the simpler case without magnetic field. Their solution, consisting of regularly spaced line signularities, is derived in another more transparent way. Besides it is shown that even director fields without singularities are possible. The presence of a magnetic field complicates the solution considerably. Now the relevant Euler-Lagrange equation is solved in an approximate way by partly resorting to the difference method. The usefulness of the method is demonstrated by applying this technique to the nematic-cholesteric transition and the Fréedericksz transition in nematics.


Experimental Methods includes a chapter on the statistical analysis of experimental data, which is unusual in books on instrumentation, but vital to the correct interpretation of the data. There is also sound advice on report writing and oral presentations. Most of the book describes transducers for the common measurands. Each chapter is followed by references and numerical questions. Answers are really necessary for problems of this type, but are not included. In spite of their common ground, these two books are quite different. Doebelin writes for the instrument specialist and Holman writes for the engineer who needs measurement as a means to an end. Both books include a limited amount of electrical engineering. H. ROSEMARY TAYLOR Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, UMIST


In response to Scottish Government assertions that an ageing cohort explained increases in drug-related death (DRD), the previous research by the authors established that socio-economic inequalities were additional risk factors explaining the significant increases in DRD in Scotland. This paper aims to subject the drug policy narratives provided by Scottish Government in relation to the governance of drug and alcohol services to critical scrutiny and reveal the social consequences of the funding formula used to direct funding to services via NHS Scotland Boards, and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADP).,The paper provides a narrative review in the context of the AUDIT Scotland reports "Drug and Alcohol Services in Scotland" from 2009 and follow-up report published in 2019. The authors refer to the recommendations made in the 2009 report on effectiveness of drug and alcohol services and subject Scottish Government funding processes, and governance of drug and alcohol services to critical scrutiny.,This analysis provides robust evidence that Scottish Government funding processes and governance of drug and alcohol services increased risk to vulnerable drug users and document evidence that link these risk factors to increased DRD.,The authors have focused on Scottish drug policy and drug services funding. Alcohol services funding is not subject to critical analysis due to limitations of time and resources.,This case study investigates AUDIT Scotland's recommendations in 2009 to Scottish Government to provide researchers, government policy advisors and media with robust critical analysis that links drug policy decisions to increased DRD.,Drug policy governance by the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland since 2009 have disproportionately affected communities of interest and communities of place already experiencing stark inequalities. These budget decisions have resulted in widening inequalities, and increased DRD within communities in Scotland. The authors conclude that in diverging politically and ideologically from Public Health England, and the Westminster Parliament, Scottish Government drug policy and financial governance of drugs services contributes to increased risk factors explaining DRD within deprived communities.,The 2009 AUDIT Scotland recommendations to Scottish Government subject their governance of drug services to critical scrutiny. This analysis provides a counterpoint to the explanations that rising DRD are unconnected to drug policy and drug services governance.


Diagnosis by histopathology remams as one of the most important investigative methods used to establish a definitive diagnosis of a lesion or disease state. The provision of oral tissue diagnostic services is therefore an essential function of an Oral Pathology unit. A review of the English language literature disclosed that much of the documented information on the patterns of oral diagnostic services were from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. This paper provides an overview of such surveys carried out in these countries.


Two cases of late sequelae of accidental perivascular injection of Thorotrast (thorium dioxide) during carotid arteriography are presented. The complaints of the patients and the clinical findings are due to topical granulomatous and fibrous reactions with compression of the carotid artery and cranial nerves, and influence upon larynx and trachea. For future decades it will still be necessary to be aware of this possible cause of neck tumours with oto-laryngeal and neurological symptoms.


If there is one revolution that claims to have happened in the name of the people, that is surely the Cuban Revolution. This thesis examines the discursive construction of 'the Cuban people' during the periods of national debate. More specifically, this thesis analyses 'the people' through the lens of national newspaper Granma during the Party-led calls for debate that preceded the IV (1991), and the VI (2011) Congresses of the Communist Party of Cuba (Partido Comunista de Cuba, PCC). I then go on to discuss the hegemonic construction of 'the people' with contemporary Cuban journalists, who offer competing articulations of national belonging.
This thesis draws on Laclau and Mouffe's (1985) Discourse Theory, which is systematised through a combination of qualitative methods of analysis. In this work, I have analysed over 500 newspaper articles, paying special attention to historical interdiscursivity, that is, to the historical origins in which media discourses are embedded. Then, contextual factors are further examined through in-depth interviews with Cuban journalists.
The data indicates that Granma has constructed a populist discourse by which 'the Cuban people' are united against a common, hubristic enemy. On the one hand, the revolutionary leadership has externalised problems through the mediated construction of an external enemy, the United States, which is held responsible for the failures of the revolutionary project. On the other hand, the leadership has simultaneously managed to channel a great deal of social discontent through hegemonic interventions aimed at renewing consensus from within.
While the leadership has historically maintained a communicational and informational hegemony, which ensured the dissemination of the official discourse in the media, recent changes in the media and technological landscape have enabled the appearance of new spaces online, ending the PCC's hegemonic control of the media system. In this new communicational setting, people's demands are not just seen as the systematic result of a Revolution led astray from its democratic principles by an external enemy. Instead, the data indicates a discursive move from the externalisation to the internalisation of 'the enemy', presented as bureaucratic resistance to a people-led change.


Background:  To begin research with cross-thematic topics, an analysis is necessary that collects data and historical accounts about these topics. In the field of health and technology, this principle is not unknown. In this case, it is the interest of this investigation to inquire about the topics "wearable" and "health" in order to gather enough information to establish how it has been developed, what the current topics are and what areas it is planned to study in a near future. The purpose of this study is to analyse the growth of the wearable technology and health subject matter. This will create an account of the most relevant themes over time in this subject and their evolution. This study will have an emphasis on recent years, in order to see which themes may be important for future research and publications. Methods: This paper aims at making a bibliometric exploration using information from the Scopus database using the search chain "weareable AND health" within the years of 2000 to 2017. The bibliometric software SciMAT was used for data visualization and analysis. Results: The results obtained are an analysis of the growth rate that is presented in Scopus publications between 2000 and 2017. In addition, a bibliometric analysis is obtained through the SciMat software, which shows the relevant issues that arise through time and that may be relevant for future research. Conclusions: Publications associated with the search chain "Wearable AND Health" from 2000 to 2017 were generally in constant growth over the years. With the SciMAT software, the main theme that was found was that of monitoring systems. In addition, it shows how new themes that are highly relevant emerge, such as mobile technologies and the study of algorithms, which emerge as an evolution from signal processing.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the decline of vestibulocochlear function in a man with vestibulocochlear dysfunction caused by a Pro51Ser mutation within the COCH gene on chromosome 14q12-13 (DFNA9).

METHODS
A follow-up of more than 15 years was performed in a single case. Clinical investigations were supplemented by oculomotor, vestibular, and auditory tests.

RESULTS
A 50-year-old man had had progressive sensorineural hearing loss and dysequilibrium for 15 years; he had been asymptomatic at the age of 35 years. He suffered from instability in the dark, head movement-dependent oscillopsia, paroxysmal positional vertigo, and vertigo with and without nausea. Hearing impairment started unilaterally, predominantly in the high frequencies. He also reported tinnitus. Disease progressed to severe bilateral high-frequency hearing impairment and vestibular areflexia. Fluctuation of vestibulocochlear function was documented and mentioned by the patient.

CONCLUSIONS
Our patient proved to suffer from an autosomal dominant vestibulocochlear disorder caused by a COCH gene mutation. The remarkable medical history has some features in common with Meniere disease; however, there are also different clinical and neurophysiological features. In the family, phenotypic variability is present.


A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2005-06 and 2006-07 to study the effect of micronutrients and FYM on growth, yield and nutrient uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Gangetic alluvial soil of Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Wheat crop recorded significantly higher value of growth, yield attributes (effective tillers/m2, spike length, grains/spike and 1 000 grain weight), yields, benefit: cost ratio and nutrient accumulation under integrated source of nutrients than inorganic fertilizer alone. Maximum grain yield (4.45 tonnes/ha) was recorded with Zn @ 5 kg/ha + FYM @ 10 tonnes/ha + RFD, which was about 36.01% more than the grain yield obtained from application of 2.5 kg Zn /ha + recommended fertilizer dose. There was significant improvement in yield attributes, yields and nutrient uptake due to foliar treatment of micronutrients (Fe and Mn).


Objective:The present study determines the acoustical and perceptual differences between alaryngeal and laryngeal speakers of Cantonese in the production of Cantonese vowels. Subjects and Methods:Formant frequencies (F1 and F2) associated with eight Cantonese vowels (/i, y, 3, a, q, $, œ, u/) produced by 40 alaryngeal (10 esophageal, 10 tracheoesophageal, 10 with pneumatic artificial larynx, 10 electrolaryngeal) and 10 laryngeal speakers were obtained. To assess how formants affect vowel perception, the vowels were identified by 20 naïve listeners, based on which confusion matrices were established. Results: Spectral analysis revealed that F1 and F2 values of Cantonese vowels produced by the alaryngeal speakers were significantly higher than those produced by laryngeal speakers, with the exception of F2 of /3/, /i/ and /y/ produced by alaryngeal speakers using pneumatic artificial larynx, and /3/ produced by electrolaryngeal speakers. Conclusion: The acoustic findings suggest a general shortening of the effective vocal tract length for resonance in alaryngeal speakers after laryngectomy. Percent correct identification of vowels from the perceptual experiment indicated similar error patterns in vowel identification between alaryngeal and laryngeal speaker groups. Among the different alaryngeal speaker groups, naïve listeners tended to perceive the vowels produced by electrolaryngeal speakers more accurately.


Whole-cell matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (whole-cell MALDI-TOF MS) has been widely adopted as a useful technology in the identification and typing of microorganisms. This study employed the whole-cell MALDI-TOF MS to identify and differentiate wild-type and mutants containing constructed single gene mutations of Burkholderia pseudomallei, a pathogenic bacterium causing melioidosis disease in both humans and animals. Candidate biomarkers for the B. pseudomallei mutants, including rpoS, ppk, and bpsI isolates, were determined. Taxon-specific and clinical isolate-specific biomarkers of B. pseudomallei were consistently found and conserved across all average mass spectra. Cluster analysis of MALDI spectra of all isolates exhibited separate distribution. A total of twelve potential mass peaks discriminating between wild-type and mutant isolates were identified using ClinProTools analysis. Two peaks (m/z 2721 and 2748 Da) were specific for the rpoS isolate, three (m/z 3150, 3378, and 7994 Da) for ppk, and seven (m/z 3420, 3520, 3587, 3688, 4623, 4708, and 5450 Da) for bpsI. Our findings demonstrated that the rapid, accurate, and reproducible mass profiling technology could have new implications in laboratory-based rapid differentiation of extensive libraries of genetically altered bacteria.


Tourism is an important economic factor for countries, cities and individual beings. However, tourism also has an impact on the environment, e.g. in terms of noise. This does not only constitute a burden for locals but also effects tourists whose goal, among others, commonly is to rest
 during their holidays. A literature review was conducted covering the last ten years (2011-2021) and will be updated until the conference. The terms or and noise as well as synonyms and related terms were used in the search string. The search results in over 400 documents which were reduced
 based on their fit to the area of research interest and a practical screening. The overview gained by reviewing the literature indicates the most common noise sources with relation to tourism. Furthermore, several studies were found which analyse the consequences for locals and how they react
 to and deal with the noise. Some of the studies focused on measures taken on noise reduction like reducing the noise source itself, developing new methods to measure or visualize noise as well as structural measures. Based on this review, future research areas were identified.


Diversity and attitudes, skills and knowledge are the issues that need to be addressed regarding the professional development of science teachers in order to achieve scientific literacy for all in science education. Unfortunately, there is a gap between knowledge and practice in professional development initiatives. This paper describes practices and issues in the professional development of science teachers from a global perspective. (YDS) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY A COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS OF SCIENCE TEACHER EDUCATION p IN GLOBAL COMMUNITIES Pamela Fraser-Abder, New York University TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 1 As we enter the 21st century, several issues needto be addressed if we are to provide professional development for science teachers that is successful, appropriate, effective and have cs\ a long term effect. The first issue is diversity the need to educate an increasingly diverse 4.1 student population with different cultural perspectives, experiences and expectations of education, different styles of learning and behavior, and parents who bring differing views of teaching and learning to our schools. Another major issue is enhanced goals as proposed by national standards and the global move supported by the UN at the Beijing conference towards scientific literacy for all. Achievements of these goals require that teachers know their subjects in-depth and know how to teach them to diverse learners. The attitudes skills and knowledge required by teachers to achieve this new vision for science education is both broad and deep requiring science teacher educators to re-evaluate their models for professional development, since clearly the traditional models for professional development are inadequate for helping teachers to achieve the goals of scientific literacy for all. As noted by Loucks-Horsley et al. The current state of professional development


This paper describes a prototype software defined radio (SDR) transceiver on a distributed and heterogeneous hybrid programmable architecture; it consists of a central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processors (DSPs), and pre/postprocessors (PPPs), and supports both Personal Handy Phone System (PHS), and IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN). It also supports system switching between PHS and WLAN and over-the-air (OTA) software downloading. In this paper, we design an IEEE 802.11 WLAN around the SDR; we show the software architecture of the SDR prototype and describe how it handles the IEEE 802.11 WLAN protocol. The medium access control (MAC) sublayer functions are executed on the CPU, while the physical layer (PHY) functions such as modulation/demodulation are processed by the DSPs; higher speed digital signal processes are run on the PPP implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The most difficult problem in implementing the WLAN in this way is meeting the short interframe space (SIFS) requirement of the IEEE 802.11 standard; we elucidate the potential weakness of the current configuration and specify a way of implementing the IEEE 802.11 protocol that avoids this problem. This paper also describes an experimental evaluation of the prototype for WLAN use, the results of which agree well with computer-simulation results.


Many imaging algorithms for different modes, such as, stripmap synthetic aperture radar (SAR), spotlight SAR, sliding spotlight SAR, and terrain observation by progressive scans (TOPS) SAR, of SAR have been studied. This paper is to obtain a unified focusing algorithm (UFA) for these SAR modes based on fractional Fourier transform. By defining the rotation-center range, the stripmap SAR and spotlight SAR can be treated as special cases of sliding spotlight SAR or TOPS SAR. Then, a parameterized focusing algorithm determined by the rotation-center range is presented. Data of each mode can be focused by utilizing UFA and selecting parameters or rotation angles. Some application aspects of UFA are also analyzed. Simulation and real data results are presented to validate the analysis and the proposed method.


Abstract Background: Slide tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) has been shown to improve post-operative outcomes, but the incidence and risk factors of vocal cord paralysis (VCP) following slide tracheoplasty remain unclear. This study aimed to review our experience of slide tracheoplasty for CTS with a focus on post-operative VCP. Methods: Twenty-eight patients, who underwent tracheal reconstruction with or without cardiovascular repair at Kobe Children's Hospital between June, 2016 and March, 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. They were divided into two groups based on the presence of a pulmonary artery sling (PA sling). Perioperative variables were compared between the two groups. Results: Twenty-one of the 28 patients underwent concomitant repair for associated cardiovascular anomalies, including 15 patients with PA sling. The overall incidence of VCP following slide tracheoplasty was 28.6%. The incidences of VCP were 46.7% in patients with CTS and PA sling, which were 14.3% in CTS patients without cardiovascular anomalies. The only risk factor associated with VCP following slide tracheoplasty was a concomitant repair for PA sling. Post-operatively, the duration of nasogastric tube feeding in patients with VCP was significantly longer than that in patients without VCP. Conclusions: The incidence of VCP following slide tracheoplasty for CTS was high, especially in concomitant repair cases for PA sling. Routine screening and evaluation of VCP soon after post-operative extubation is required for its appropriate management.


The synthesis of 2,4,6-triphenylphosphinine has been revisited and a general protocol for the preparation of such low-coordinate phosphorus compounds in good to excellent yields could be established. This allows to investigate several aspects of the chemistry of 2,4,6-triarylphosphinine, such as the reaction with in situ generated benzyne to give 2,4,6-triphenylphosphabarrelene. The corresponding 2,4,6-triphenylphosphabarrelene-selenide could be characterized crystallographically for the first time and the structural and electronic properties of this cage-compound in comparison to classical triarylphosphines could be evaluated. Moreover, [(L)W(CO)5)] complexes of both 2,4,6-triphenylphosphinine and 2,4,6-triphenylphosphabarrelene were prepared and characterized by means of X-ray crystallography. This allowed for the first time a direct structural comparison of these related phosphorus compounds, coordinated to the same metal fragment.


The ages of terrains on other planetary bodies are chiefly determined using crater size–frequency distributions. However, primary impacts can generate numerous secondary craters that can affect the crater population. Classifying impact craters as primary or secondary is commonly done via time-consuming manual inspection, which limits the areas that can be analyzed at high resolution. We present a parametric model for characterizing small (100–600 m diameter) impact craters, where the model parameters have implications for describing the physical processes involved in their formation and modification. We infer these parameters from craters in images captured by the high-resolution imaging science experiment (HiRISE) camera onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. For each crater within the appropriate size range, our algorithm creates a 3-D surface for a parametrically modeled crater and a 2-D rendering using illumination metadata, including emission, phase, and solar incidence angles at the time when the image was captured. A function describes the likelihood of each set of model parameters in terms of the geometry of craters in a given HiRISE image. These values are then optimized using a Metropolis–Hasting Markov chain Monte Carlo sampler. We evaluated three different prior probability distributions over the parameter space and two different likelihoods: one for digital terrain models and the other for images. We show that after applying t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) over the inferred crater parameters, t-SNE is able to project the multidimensional crater parameters into a 2-D space where secondary craters cluster together and are separable from primary craters.


The focus of this paper is on using computational fluid dynamics to investigate the drag and convection heat transfer of high-speed flows over a microsphere. The flow under investigation is steady-state, subsonic, transonic or supersonic laminar flow over a sphere. Due to the small size of the particle (< 80 microns), the flow is in the slip and early transition regimes. Typical Reynolds number based on sphere's diameter is between 10 and 6000, and the Knudsen number is between 0.001 and 0.75.For the slip flow as well as the early transition regimes, instead of using the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo methods (DSMC) or lattice Boltzmann methods, we use ANSYS FLUENT, a Navier-Stokes-Fourier solver with the first-order velocity-slip and temperature-jump boundary conditions. In order to capture the non-equilibrium effects in the Knudsen layer, a constitutive scaling model for gas viscosity and conductivity is also implemented in the CFD model.CFD simulations were performed at the free-stream Mach number from 0.6 to 3.0, with particle diameter from 1 to 80 microns and the Knudsen number from 1.4 × 10−3 to 0.14. The CFD results are in good agreement with experimental data. The deviations from the data are within 10%.The numerical model also provides additional insight to the concept of the thermal recovery temperature in high-speed convection. Due to the nature of the temperature-jump boundary condition, the thermal recovery temperature in the slip flow regime can be obtained numerically only by solving the conjugate heat transfer problem. A "thin-wall" model is introduced in this paper in order to determine the thermal recovery temperature (or recovery factor) for the given Mach and Reynolds numbers.Although a number of publications have been devoted to particle drag correlations as functions of particle Reynolds and Mach numbers, the dependence of drag on particle temperature has not been investigated. By using the rarefied gas flow model in this study, we have not only confirmed that the drag increases as particle temperature goes higher, but also found that rate of drag increase is higher for the transonic than for the supersonic flows.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


We present in this paper a new method of analysis and decomposition of handwritten documents into glyphs (graphemes) and their associated code book. The different techniques that are involved in this paper are inspired by image processing methods in a large sense and mathematical models implying graph coloring. Our approaches provide firstly a rapid and detailed characterization of handwritten shapes based on dynamic tracking of the handwriting (curvature, thickness, direction, etc.) and also a very efficient analysis method for the categorization of basic shapes (graphemes). The tools that we have produced enable paleographers to study quickly and more accurately a large volume of manuscripts and to extract a large number of characteristics that are specific to an individual or an era.


AIM
To determine the anticholinesterase properties of huperzine B (Hup B) and compare with tacrine in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS
Spectrophotometry was used to determine ChE activity.

RESULTS
Hup B showed much more selective inhibition to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) than tacrine. The IC50 ratios of Hup B and tacrine for butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE): AChE were 65.8 and 0.54, respectively. Hup B ig exhibited higher efficacy on the inhibition of brain AChE than that of tacrine. Tacrine was more effective in the inhibition of serum BuChE in mice with severe concomitant peripheral adverse effects than Hup B. A single ig dose of Hup B produced steady state of AChE inhibition in 4 h.

CONCLUSION
Hup B exhibits higher selectivity and efficacy in the inhibition of AChE, and lower toxicity in mice than tacrine.


–In real time remote sensing it is necessary to know the quality of images obtained from the different satellite sensors. Pan-sharpening enhances the spatial information of input raw multispectral images. This paper focuses on the evaluation and analysis of eight frequently used image quality assessment methods to determine the preservation of spectral and spatial integrity in the pan-sharpened images. The eight indexes are entropy, correlation coefficient, mean gradient, standard deviation mean, normalized root mean square error, peak signal to noise ratio, relative average spectral error. Experimental results show that the gamma corrected IHSNSCT pan-sharpening scheme can effectively preserve spectral information while improving the spatial quality, and outperforms the general IHS based pan-


Most superpixel algorithms compute a trade-off between spatial and color features at the pixel level. Hence, they may need fine parameter tuning to balance the two measures, and highly fail to group pixels with similar local texture properties. In this paper, we address these issues with a new Texture-Aware SuperPixel (TASP) method. To accurately segment textured and smooth areas, TASP automatically adjusts its spatial constraint according to the local feature variance. Then, to ensure texture homogeneity within superpixels, a new pixel to super-pixel patch-based distance is proposed. TASP outperforms the segmentation accuracy of the state-of-the-art methods on texture and also natural color image datasets.


BACKGROUND
Intra-operative adverse events (iAEs) recently were shown to correlate independently with an increased risk of post-operative death, morbidity, re-admissions, and length of hospital stay. We sought to understand further the impact of iAEs on surgical site infections (SSIs) in abdominal surgical procedures and delineate which patient populations are most affected. We hypothesized that all patients with iAEs have an increased risk for SSI, especially those with pre-existing risk factors for SSI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
To identify iAEs, a well-described three-step methodology was used: (1) the 2007-2012 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was merged with the administrative database of our tertiary academic center, (2) the merged database was screened for iAEs in abdominal surgical procedures using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification-based Patient Safety Indicator "Accidental Puncture/Laceration," and (3) each flagged record was systematically reviewed to confirm iAE occurrence. Uni-variable and backward stepwise multi-variable analyses (adjusting for demographics, co-morbidities, type and complexity of operation) were performed to study the independent correlation between iAEs and SSIs (superficial, deep incisional, and organ-space). The correlation between iAEs and SSIs was investigated especially in patients deemed a priori at high risk for SSIs, specifically those older than age 60 and those with diabetes mellitus, obesity, cigarette smoking, steroid use, or American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥III.

RESULTS
A total of 9,288 operations were included, and iAEs were detected in 183 (2.0%). Most iAEs consisted of bowel (44%) or vessel (29%) injuries and were addressed intra-operatively (92%). SSI occurred in 686 (7.4%) cases and included 331 (3.5%) superficial, 32 (0.34%) deep incisional, and 333 (3.6%) organ/space infections. iAEs were correlated independently with SSI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-2.52, p = 0.013), and more severe iAEs were associated with a higher risk of infection. Analysis by SSI type revealed a significant association with organ/space SSI (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.07-3.05; p = 0.027), but not incisional infections. Most interestingly, the occurrence of an iAE was correlated with increased SSI rate in the low-risk but not the high-risk patient populations. Specifically, iAEs increased SSI in patients younger than 60 (OR = 2.69, 95% CI 1.55-4.67, p < 0.001), non-diabetic patients (OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.04-2.58, p = 0.034), non-obese patients (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.81-4.66, p < 0.001), non-smokers (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.08-2.6, p = 0.022), with no steroid use (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.15-2.6, p < 0.008), and with ASA class


As part of the Early Science Large Millimeter Telescope projects, we report the detection of nine double-peaked molecular lines, produced by a rotating molecular torus, in the ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRG) – Compton-thick active galactic nuclei (AGN) galaxy UGC 5101. The double-peaked lines we report correspond to molecular transitions of HCN, HCO+, HNC, N2H+, CS, C18O, 13CO, and two CN lines; plus the detection of C2H that is a blend of six lines. The redshift search receiver spectra covers the 73–113 GHz frequency window. Low- and high-density gas tracers of the torus have different implied rotational velocities, with a rotational velocity of 149 ± 3  km s−1 for the low-density ones (C18O, 13CO) and 174 ± 3  km s−1 for high-density tracers (HCN, HCO+, HNC, N2H+, CS, and CN). In UGC 5101, we find that the ratio of integrated intensities of HCN to 13CO to be unusually large, probably indicating that the gas in the torus is very dense. Both the column densities and abundances are consistent with values found in AGN, starburst, and ULIRG galaxies. The observed abundance ratios cannot discriminate between X-ray and UV-field-dominated regions.


Bovine corneas were incubated in vitro with various lathyrogens in a medium containing radioactive sulphate. The effect of lathyrogens resulted in the decrease of the content of ester sulphate radioactivity in the corneal matter proportional to the concentration of lathyrogens in the incubation medium. Isolated glycosaminoglycans showed lower specific radioactivity after the action of lathyrogens on the cornea. By means of cetylpyridinium chloride-cellulose fractionation technique, it was found that preferential sulphation of galactosaminoglycans was inhibited whereas sulphation of glucosaminoglycans did not reveal any change. Tensile strength of corneal strips incubated in vitro in the presence of lathyrogens as well as the total collagen content in the corneal dry weight were not influenced by the action of lathyrogens.


To investigate the existence of any association between new putative periodontal pathogens and periodontitis. Two independent reviewers conducted electronic literature searches in the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, DOSS and Google Scholar databases as well as a manual search to identify eligible clinical studies prior to November 2022. Studies comparing the prevalence of microorganisms other than the already-known periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque and/or saliva samples between subjects with periodontitis and subject with periodontal health were included. Meta-analyses were performed on data provided by the included studies. Fifty studies including a total of 2739 periodontitis subjects and 1747 subjects with periodontal health were included. The Archaea domain and 25 bacterial species (Anaeroglobus geminatus, Bacteroidales [G-2] bacterium HMT 274, Desulfobulbus sp. HMT 041, Dialister invisus, Dialister pneumosintes, Eubacterium brachy, Enterococcus faecalis, Eubacterium nodatum, Eubacterium saphenum, Filifactor alocis, Fretibacterium sp. HMT 360, Fretibacterium sp. HMT 362, Mogibacterium timidum, Peptoniphilaceae sp. HMT 113, Peptostreptococcus stomatis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Slackia exigua, Streptococcus gordonii, Selenomonas sputigena, Treponema amylovorum, Treponema lecithinolyticum, Treponema maltophilum, Treponema medium, Treponema parvum and Treponema socranskii) were found to be statistically significantly associated with periodontitis. Network studies should be conducted to investigate the role of these newly identified periodontitis-associated microorganisms through interspecies interaction and host-microbe crosstalk analyses.


Transcription factors (TFs) activate enhancers to drive cell-specific gene programs in response to signals, but our understanding of enhancer assembly during signaling events is incomplete. Here, we show that Androgen Receptor (AR), a steroid hormone-regulated transcription factor, forms condensates through multivalent interactions in response to androgen signaling to orchestrate enhancer assembly. We demonstrate that the intrinsically disordered N-terminal domain (NTD) of AR drives 1,6-Hexanediol-sensitive condensate formation and that NTD deletion or aromatic residue mutation reduces AR self-association and abolishes AR transcriptional activity. AR NTD can be substituted by intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) from selective proteins for AR condensation capacity and transactivation function. Surprisingly, strengthened AR condensation capacity caused by extending the polyQ tract within AR NTD also leads to impaired transcriptional activity without affecting AR binding on enhancers. Furthermore, either NTD deletion or polyQ extension reduces heterotypic multivalent interactions between AR and other enhancer components. These results suggest the importance of an optimal level of AR condensation in mediating AR-AR homotypic and AR-cofactor heterotypic interactions to regulate enhancer assembly in response to signals. Our study supports the notion that alteration of the fine-tuned multivalent IDR-IDR interactions might underlie AR-related human pathologies, thereby providing novel molecular insights for potential therapeutic strategies to treat prostate cancer and other AR-involved diseases by targeting AR multivalent interactions.


Selected racemic trans-2-alkoxycarbonyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-thiopyran S-oxides 2a–h have been subjected to enzyme-assisted hydrolysis under conditions of kinetic resolution to give the corresponding acids and recovered esters with moderate to high enantiomeric purities (up to 95%). The enantioselectivity of the reaction was found to be strongly dependent on the structures of the substrates used.


BACKGROUND
To explore the effect of the in situ simulation teaching method in the emergency training of trainee nurses.

METHODS
A total of 108 trainee nurses from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College were selected, and in situ simulation teaching was employed in emergency training. Following the in situ simulation teaching training, a questionnaire was issued to evaluate CIPP (context evaluation, input evaluation, process evaluation, product evaluation) simulation teaching, clinical thinking ability, nursing team cooperation, and student satisfaction. These data were then collected and statistical analysis was conducted.

RESULTS
The response rate of this teaching questionnaire was 100%. After using in situ simulation teaching to instruct trainee nurses in emergencies, the satisfaction rate of the trainee nurses was 94.9%, and the satisfaction rate of the instructor with the trainee nurses was 92.2%. After in-situ simulation teaching, the clinical thinking ability (critical thinking ability, systematic thinking ability, evidence-based thinking ability), teamwork ability (trust, team orientation, support, shared mental model and team leadership), the theoretical and clinical practice ability had been improved.

CONCLUSIONS
Most nurses agreed that the in situ simulation teaching method can cultivate clinical thinking and teamwork ability for common emergencies, thereby improving their comprehensive quality and job competence, which is invaluable when responding to emergencies.


Introduction: Cervical cancer is the most common cause of mortality and morbidity among women of reproductive age group in the world and is one of the few cancers amenable for prevention. Healthcare providers in hospitals (medical and nursing staff) constitute the most visible, front-line personnel play an integral role in educating women in the prevention of diseases, they can influence regarding cervical cancer screening adherence and health promotion among women. Aim and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude, and level of awareness regarding cervical cancer among female health care providers with respect to risk factors, screening methods, vaccination, and the barriers in the acceptance of cervical cancer vaccine. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with self-administered, predesigned, questionnaire for knowledge of symptoms, screening, risk factors for cervical cancer and HPV vaccine in health care providers (n = 100) comprising doctors, nurses over duration of 2 months from May to June 2018 in teaching hospital setting on women aged between 21 and 65 years. Data was analyzed with SPSS17. Chi-square test used for statistical significance. Results: Mean age of respondents was 32.9 years (range 21–54 years). Most participants were aware that cervical cancer is the most common female genital cancer (94%), majority were able to identify the HPV as most important etiological factor (88%) and believed that screening may prevent cervical cancer (92%), awareness about HPV vaccine and screening was known fully in doctors but only 72% of nurses. Knowledge about cancer etiology and screening was low among nurses than doctors. Self-practice and vaccination was low in total study population. Conclusions: Knowledge and awareness on risk factors, cervical cancer screening, and HPV vaccination is more among doctors than on nursing staff, but self-practice and vaccination was low in total study subjects. Knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer among health care providers can help in promoting screening and early diagnosis, reducing cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.


Objectives
Nutritional status during intrauterine and/or early postnatal life has substantial influences on adult offspring health. However, evidence on the impact of high fat diet (HFD)-induced maternal obesity on regulation of fetal bone development is sparse. Thus, we investigated the effects of maternal obesity in rodent and human cells on epigenetic regulation of osteoblast differentiation.

Methods
First, female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a low-fat AIN-93G control diet or a high fat diet (HFD) (45% fat calories) for 10 wk starting at 6 wk of age. Lean (from control diet) and obese (from HFD) female rats were then time-impregnated (n = 6 per group) by control diet fed male rats. At gestational day 18.5 (E18.5), all fetuses were taken and embryonic osteogenic calvarial cells (EOCCs) were isolated. Second, human osteo-progenitors of mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from umbilical cord following delivery from pregnant mothers.

Results
We found epigenetic regulation of polycomb-regulated gene Ezh2 (Enhancer of zeste homolog 2) in embryonic rats from HFD obese rat dams. Increased enrichment of repressive histone mark H3K27me3 on the gene body of SATB2 (ChIP Seq analysis) was associated with aberrant differentiation of EOCCs to mature osteoblasts. Knocking down Ezh2 in EOCCs and ST2 cells increased SATB2 expression; on the other hand, Ezh2 overexpression in EOCCs and ST2 cells decreased SATB2 expression. These data were consistent with ChIP experimental results showing strong association between H3K27me3, Ezh2 and SATB2. Second, human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord (UC) were isolated following delivery from obese/overweight (pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and control (pre-pregnancy BMI between 19-25 kg/m2) pregnant mothers. We found: 1) UC-MSCs from pregnant obese/overweight mothers showed increased Ezh2 expression and decreased SATB2 mRNA expression, which was concurrent lower osteoblastogenesis potential in EOCCs; 2) ChIP experiments using H3K27me3 IP (immune-precipitation) showed significant association between H3K27me3, Ezh2 and SATB2.

Conclusions
These findings indicate maternal HFD-induced obesity-associated decrease of fetal pre-osteoblastic cell differentiation is under epigenetic control through SATB2 expression.

Funding Sources
Supported by USDA-ARS Project.


Transcription factors (TFs) are essential for the expression of all proteins, including those involved in human health and disease. However, TFs are resistant to proteomic characterization because they are frequently masked by more abundant proteins due to the limited dynamic range of capillary liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and protein database searching. Purification methods, particularly strategies that exploit the high affinity of TFs for DNA response elements (REs) on gene promoters, can enrich TFs prior to proteomic analysis to improve dynamic range and penetrance of the TF proteome. For example, trapping of TF complexes specific for particular REs has been achieved by recovering the element DNA-protein complex on solid supports. Additional methods for improving dynamic range include two- and three-dimensional gel electrophoresis incorporating electrophoretic mobility shift assays and Southwestern blotting for detection. Here we review methods for TF purification and characterization. We fully expect that future investigations will apply these and other methods to illuminate this important but challenging proteome.


The quality of the performance of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) is a very important resource to be able to determine the capacity of the Regional Apparatus Organization (OPD). One of the efforts to improve the quality of OPD performance is the promotion of positions. Promotion of an award given for work performance and dedication of a civil servant, as well as being excited to improve work performance and loyalty. Therefore, it is necessary to determine a promotion. The weighting method in this study uses the Analytical Hirarchy Process. This study also compares this method with the Technique for Ordering Preference based on Similarities with Ideal Solutions. The resulting criteria are formal and informal. Consists of formal sub-criteria consisting of formal education, position experience, class rank, technical competence, managerial competence and socio-cultural competence. Then for the informal sub-criteria consisting of discipline, innovation, creativity, ideas for institutional functions, the ability to collaborate and work in teams, loyalty, responsibility, leadership, ability to communicate well and recommendations at the provincial and / or ministerial level. Furthermore, calculations are carried out using the AHP and TOPSIS methods for data for 2018 which means 1 position, in 2019 means 2 positions, and in 2020 means 4 positions. In one position consists of 3 ASN alternatives. After comparing the accuracy level of the AHP and TOPSIS methods with experts, the results of the AHP method are better in making recommendations for structural promotion of echelon IV ASN by producing a perfect score of 100% and a TOPSIS value of 71.4%.


Caregivers often face critical decisions, burdens, and perceived benefits related to a loved one participating in cancer clinical trial (CCTs). The purpose of this analysis was to better understand caregivers' perceptions on the benefits and burdens of participation in cancer clinical trials. Using a qualitative descriptive design, interviews with 20 caregivers of patient-participants from a larger parent study were conducted. Three major themes emerged. The benefits of research participation focused on enhancing the potential for saving a loved one's life, improving quality of life, and holding altruistic intentions. The burden of research participation emphasized a loved one's suffering as well as physical, emotional, logistical, and financial burden to caregivers. Caregiver moral distress highlighted distressing ethical encounters, such as making decisions on research participation and navigating suboptimal care. Understanding caregiver perceptions is an important step in designing future CCTs that minimize burdens and maximize patient and caregiver health and family-centered care.


Tunable diode laser spectroscopy (TDLS) is proposed for content measurements of trace gases like CO, CO2, NH3, CH4, NO, NO2 in human and animal exhalation. High sensitivity and wide dynamic range of the method ensure fast detection of these gases at ppb level and within the accuracy better than 10%. One-expiration sample is enough to reach these parameters. There is no need for any preliminary preparations of tested samples. Some pairs of the gases, for instance, CO and CO2, NH3 and CO2 and CO and N2O, can be measured simultaneously by one laser providing complex studies. The high sensitive gas analysis could provide necessary background to the noninvasive diagnostics in a wide variety of medical problems. Perspectives of the TDLS methods in application to medicine diagnostics are demonstrated by the first results of exhalation tests.


The study describes the relationship between subjective well-being and self-esteem levels of candidate nurses studying at the University of Balikesir and University of Bozok Colleges of Nursing. A total of 338 students enrolled at University of Balikesir, Bandirma College of Nursing and University of Bozok, College of Nursing formed the research sample tested under this study. Data were obtained by employing the "Personal Data Inquiry Form", "Coopersmith Self- Esteem Inventory" and "Subjective Well-being Scale". For the statistical evaluation of data, frequency distribution, t test, one-way analysis of variance and correlation coefficient were used. Of the participants 76.9% female and 23.1% male and the average age was 20.45 years. Most described their levels of income as average (80.2%) and family household relations as being at good levels (78.1%). The study revealed the presence of a positive significant relationship between subjective well-being and self-esteem levels of students. Furthermore, a significant relation was observed also between the subjective well-being and selfesteem levels of students by their perceived income levels and family relations. While a significant difference was observed between the subjective well-being and self-esteem scores by gender, no difference was found to exist between subjective well-being scores. At the end of the study, a significant relationship was found to exist between subjective well-being and self-esteem levels of nursing students. Keywords - Subjective well-being, self-esteem, nursing, university student


The β-scission rate coefficient of tert-butyl radicals fragmenting off the intermediate resulting from their addition to tert-butyl dithiobenzoate-a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent-is estimated via the recently introduced electron spin resonance (ESR)-trapping methodology as a function of temperature. The newly introduced ESR-trapping methodology is critically evaluated and found to be reliable. At 20 °C, a fragmentation rate coefficient of close to 0.042 s(-1) is observed, whereas the activation parameters for the fragmentation reaction-determined for the first time-read EA = 82 ± 13.3 kJ mol(-1) and A = (1.4 ± 0.25) × 10(13) s(-1) . The ESR spin-trapping methodology thus efficiently probes the stability of the RAFT adduct radical under conditions relevant for the pre-equilibrium of the RAFT process. It particularly indicates that stable RAFT adduct radicals are indeed formed in early stages of the RAFT poly-merization, at least when dithiobenzoates are employed as controlling agents as stipulated by the so-called slow fragmentation theory. By design of the methodology, the obtained fragmentation rate coefficients represent an upper limit. The ESR spin-trapping methodology is thus seen as a suitable tool for evaluating the fragmentation rate coefficients of a wide range of RAFT adduct radicals.


It is not sufficiently appreciated that methly alcohol is very toxic. For economic reasons, methyl (wood) alcohol is employed as a substitute for ethyl (grain) alcohol, in what may be termed comparatively innocent products, such as perfumes, hair tonics, skin lotions, polishes, varnishes, etc. Government analysts, not infrequently, find it employed in the manufacture of various extracts for the flavoring of food products. Since prohibition has come into force, pure methyl alcohol, being somewhat similar in odor and taste to ethyl alcohol, has been employed in the preparation of various alcoholic beverages. This in great part is due to ignorance and has resulted in many deaths. The literature, both experimental and clinical, on this subject shows a preponderance of papers relative to the effects of this drug on the central nervous system, especially the brain and optic nerves, and little reference has been made to lesions elsewhere in the body.


The article examines how genre is emulated in the first edition of Call of Cthulhu (1981 ), analyzing the game's potential to answer social needs during the Reagan era. Genre is understood in the response aesthetic sense, as collections of traits sedimented from authors' and designers' attempts to meet their audiences. Similar to how software can be engineered to replace older hardware, Call of Cthulhu replaces the genre functions underpinning Lovecraftian stories. Previous research discusses Call of Cthulhu as a horror RPG, mostly referencing later editions. This article's analysis, based on systems theory, deals with the first edition and a more complex genre composition. Emulation is described as autopoiesis-a generative mechanism of simultaneous autonomy and dependency vis-a-vis an environment. The role-playing system selects genre elements through structural couplings to its surroundings, and then recombines them in a new way, giving them new affordances.
The result shows the ways in which the first edition of Call of Cthulhu fuses elements from the fantasy role-playing genre with elements from literary horror, detective story, pulp fiction and colonial mystery. The three most prominent characteristics of the game-the characters' mental health, the manner in which they confront Mythos representatives, and their expeditions to remote locations-are solutions to genre tensions, rather than properties of horror. Following the sociohistorical framing of the elements involved, the composite emulation allowed for the processing of perceived threats to the American way oflife during the early Reagan Era. The game offered a colonial fantasy, where real but more diffuse menaces, such as the nuclear arms race of the Cold War or the Iranian Revolution and ensuing energy crisis, could be fictionalized and reconsidered from the perspective of a predominantly white Christian struggle against evil in a 1920s world.


OBJECTIVE
Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement occurs in approximately 90% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and has a major impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We developed an HRQOL instrument for persons with SSc.

METHODS
The Scleroderma Gastrointestinal Tract 1.0 (SSC-GIT 1.0) survey was developed after an extensive literature search, solicitation and consideration of experts' opinions, and 2 focus groups of 16 subjects with SSc and GIT involvement. A 75-item, self-reported measure assessing bowel involvement, emotional well-being, and social functioning was administered to subjects with SSc and GIT involvement. Also, subjects completed the Short Form 36 and rated the severity of their GIT symptoms (very mild to very severe), and items were transformed linearly to a scale with a possible range of 0 (worse health) to 100 (better health). Evaluation of psychometric properties included internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability (1.3-week median time interval), multitrait scaling analysis, and exploratory factor analysis.

RESULTS
Study participants (n = 88) were primarily female (95.5%), white (79.3%), and had a mean age of 52.4 years. Self-rated severity of GIT involvement ranged from very mild or mild (36.0%) to moderate (44.0%) to severe or very severe (20.0%). Of 75 items, 23 had low item-total correlations (</=0.39) and were excluded, leaving a 52-item instrument. Analyses supported 6 multi-item HRQOL scales: reflux/indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, pain, emotional well-being, and social functioning. Test-retest reliability estimates ranged 0.69-0.90 and Cronbach's alpha ranged 0.69-0.93. Participants who rated their GIT disease as mild had the highest scores (better health) on all 6 scales; participants who rated their GIT as severe had the lowest scores (poor health).

CONCLUSION
The results support the reliability and validity of the SSC-GIT 1.0 as a measure of SSc GIT involvement. Further research is needed to examine the ability to detect change over time and define minimally important differences.


The case of a teenage girl with mental health problems who was kept in a police cell for almost two days has again highlighted the strain on mental health services in England.

The 16 year old girl was found a hospital bed only after a policeman spoke out on Twitter, saying it was "unacceptable" that she was being held in police custody because apparently no beds were available.

Paul Netherton, assistant chief constable at Devon and Cornwall Police, tweeted about the case, saying, "Custody on a Fri & Sat night is no place for a child suffering mental health issues," and, "This can't be right!"

The girl had been arrested at Torbay Hospital after a breach of the peace on the night of Thursday 27 November, and on Friday lunchtime she was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. NHS England said it had …