Sperm competition is widespread and influences both male investment in spermatogenic tissue and ejaculate characteristics. Sperm competition models assume trade–offs between sperm size and number, although such trade–offs may be difficult to detect. This study examines the effects of sperm competition risk on the sperm production characteristics of the freshwater snail Viviparus ater. In this prosobranch, females mate frequently and store sperm, generating sperm competition. Males produce two sperm morphs, fertile eupyrene sperm and non–fertilizing oligopyrene sperm. Non–fertilizing sperm may play a role in sperm competition and therefore, like fertilizing sperm, the number produced could vary relative to sperm competition risk. In addition, trade–offs between sperm number and sperm size may be expected. We manipulated the sex ratio of sexually mature snails and found the presence of rivals affected the ratio of oligopyrene/eupyrene sperm males produced. In experimental and natural populations, the number of oligopyrene sperm produced, but not the number of eupyrene sperm, was significantly higher when the sex ratio was male biased. Testis mass did not vary between experimental treatments. We also found a negative relationship between the number and size of oligopyrene sperm produced, which is consistent with evolutionary models of sperm competition, and is, to our knowledge, the first intraspecific demonstration of a trade–off between these traits.


Nama, a Papuan language spoken in southern New Guinea, indexes the person and number of the A argument of a transitive verb with a suffix, and the P argument with a prefix. For a large subset of transitive verbs, valency can be reduced to one argument by one of two strategies. In the first, an intransitive form of the verb stem is used and the remaining S argument is indexed like an A argument of a transitive verb. In the second strategy, the transitive verb stem is used and the S argument is indexed like a P argument. Thus, Nama appears to be a language with split intransitivity. After presenting some background information on Nama, this article describes these two strategies and their functions in detail. In comparison with other languages, the first strategy itself is not uncommon in detransitivizing languages, but the scope of its grammatical functions appears to be typologically unusual. The second strategy, however, is more unusual, but also more restrictive in function. The article concludes by discussing whether the use of a derived verb stem with an intransitive marker can, in fact, be considered as a valency reduction strategy.


A guide for current and historic US government resources on how to prepare for a nuclear attack or environmental emergency from West Chester University Libraries


BACKGROUND: A devastating drought is ravaging Africa, with Ethiopia being the worst-hit country. Ethiopia's economy is predominantly reliant on rain-fed farming and livestock. The agriculture sector contributes up to 85% of the country's livelihoods. The drought has threatened agro-economy and health of over 15 million agro-pastoralist population who herd the largest livestock in Africa. Some governments announced its commitment in the UN to extend support for the drought-affected people. The Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction prioritizes proactive rather than reactive relief response that can promote health resilience. Applying population health matrices can serve the purpose by exploring the determinants of health, their impacts on the differential health outcomes for population sub-groups and to improve the overall health of the population by addressing the health inequity.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the critical population health outcomes, underlying determinants, and the leverage points for actions that can guide effective policies and interventions for building health resilience for the vulnerable agro-pastoralist population in Ethiopia.

METHODS: Two researchers searched nine academic and grey literature bibliographic databases for drought literature and related health interventions. We used the PRISMA checklist to synthesize data and Hamilton tools to evaluate individual study quality. We analyzed data employing disaster vulnerability and WHO's social determinants of health and health equity frameworks. Socioeconomic, political and cultural backgrounds are examined to identify policy and leverage points for effective population health interventions.

RESULTS: Health issues are diverse that revolve around the major determinants of health such as food security, infrastructure, health systems, disaster preparedness, household productivity-income, livestock dependence and access to the market economy. These determinants are further affected by socioeconomic, political and cultural contexts. Despite dire vulnerability and health inequity, some potentials evolved from recent public health field practices as the leverage points for policy actions and interventions.

CONCLUSION: The recommended interventions can be implemented through an interdisciplinary population health approach to get the maximum impacts on health resilience. Evidence gathered from the worst drought niche in Africa can be useful to tackle similar droughts induced health issues in other parts of the continent. Future intervention research on the ground can generate robust evidence for action to build health resilience.


BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are strongly associated with cancer progession. Broad-spectrum MMP inhibition is rarely beneficial clinically due to adverse effects. Of all MMPs, the gelatinases are associated with the spread of several types of cancer, including oral carcinoma. We have developed gelatinase-specific peptides, as well as their fusion with green fluorescent protein (GFP), capable of effectively targeting carcinomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Effects on tumor growth and lymphatic micrometastatic spread in vivo was studied by use of HSC-3-cell xenografted athymic nude mice. Antigelatinolytic mono- vs. polytherapies, as well as biological activity of peptide-GFP fusion, were also analyzed in vivo.

RESULTS
Antigelatinolytic therapy effectively inhibited growth of xenografted tumors in mice but the proportion of enlarged lymph nodes remained the same; antigelatinolytic polytherapy seemed not to potentiate the antitumor effects. The peptide-GFP chimera sustained its activity in vivo and effectively homed to the primary tumors.

CONCLUSION
Peptide gelatinase inhibitors are effective in inhibiting primary tumor growth but alone do not prevent the spread of carcinoma cells; however, their bioactive GFP fusion is a candidate for tumor characterization and imaging.


Abstract The melt rheology of a low Tg tin phosphate glass [Pglass] has been studied with oscillatory shear flow experiments to accelerate efforts to melt process the glass with different organic polymers. The w dependence of the complex viscosity η* of the Pglass is easily predicted by a modified Rouse model with two relaxation times. The complex viscosity of the glass at different temperatures and frequencies can be superposed and described by the Arrhenius equation. At higher temperatures, the melt viscosity of the Pglass increased monotonically with time. This viscosity rise is thought to be due to sample crystallization. The Pglass was melt-mixed with two different thermoplastic polymers (low-density polyethylene and polystyrene) to produce unique hybrid materials with interesting microstructures.


Introduction . Global climate changes affect the habitats of insects, including mosquitoes, which are carriers of dangerous natural focal infections. When mosquitos develop new territories, they create a potential threat to people who find themselves in these areas. In the Krasnodar Region, a stable population of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes was formed in the 21st century. These mosquitoes are carriers of many viral pyrrhoid-focal infections, such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika fever and Yellow fever. Estimations of biological, epidemiological and cultural data can help to answer the question of the probability of occurrence of autochthonous cases of infection. Aim . To estimate the probability of occurrence of autochthonous cases of viral infections carried by Ae. albopictus mosquitoes on the territory of the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar territory. For the review, we used scientific publications describing the occurrence of autochthonous diseases in similar climate zones inhabited by Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, the biology of these mosquitoes, as well as official reports of the sanitary services of Europe and the Russian Federation. A stable population of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes has formed on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory. The local climate, including the temperature range is favourable for active reproduction of vectors and autochthonous transmission of viral infection. Conclusion . Despite the favourable conditions for the release of mosquitoes and the formation of a stable population, autochthonous transmission requires the introduction of the source of infection during the viremia period to infect the mosquito population. In recent years, isolated cases of such drifts have been reported in the Krasnodar Territory, which indicates a low probability of local cases of transmission. However, with the development of the tourism sector, the flow of tourists from endemic areas will inevitably increase. In addition, the increase in the well-being of the population, trips to these countries will become more frequent this may well increase the risk of transmission of viral infections by local mosquitoes. In any case, the weakening of epidemic control of mosquitoes and medical surveillance of imported cases of tropical fevers will have serious consequences.


The use of scaled Radon-Wigner transform (RWT) imaging and simultaneous cross-range scaling is proposed for a maneuvering target using a signal model of a rotating target with uniform acceleration. Three steps are needed to realize such a process. First, the rotational parameters are calculated via the weighted linear least squares method after obtaining frequency modulation parameters of signals in multirange cells. Second, rotational parameters are used to compensate for the slow-time signals. Third, inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging of scaled RWT is implemented with cross-range scaling. Parameter substitution changes every component signal from a slanting line to a horizontal line in the time-frequency plane, and the horizontal line integral can be expressed as a cross-range profile. Compared with conventional RWT imaging methods, this algorithm improves calculation speed greatly and provides more stable imaging performance. This method was tested successfully with simulated and experimental radar data.


We report the observation of negative nonlocal resistances in multiterminal mesoscopic gold Hall bar structures whose characteristic dimensions are larger than the electron mean-free path. Our results can only be partially explained by a classical diffusive model of the nonlocal transport, and are not consistent with a recently proposed model based on spin Hall effects. Instead, our analysis suggests that a quasiballistic transport mechanism is responsible for the observed negative nonlocal resistance. Based on the sensitivity of our measurements and the spin Hall effect model, we find an upper limit for the spin Hall angle in gold of 0.023 at 4.5 K.


This paper discusses the numerical simulation of the thermal behavior of steady-state water flows within parallel tubes in a plane solar collector. The CFD modeling technique, which is based on the finite volume method, has been implemented with the SIMPLE algorithm. The governing equations of the flow are those of Navier-Stokes, coupled with the energy conservation equation, and solved by using the computer software FLUENT. The profiles of water temperature are analyzed for different mass flow rates. A considerable increase in the heat transfer between the absorber wall and the tubes was observed at the low velocity of water flows. The lower mass flow rate allowed a longer residence time of fluid, and the slower mass flow yielded an increased outlet temperature.


In I&L Securities Pty Limited v HTW Valuers (Brisbane) Pty Limited, the High Court confirmed the decision of Henville v Walker when it revisited issues of causation and contributory negligence in the context of awarding damages under sections 82 and 87 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (the TPA). The issues before the High Court were whether section 87 of the TPA conferred a discretionary power to reduce the damages that the appellant would otherwise be entitled to recover under section 82 of the TPA, and whether damages under section 82 of the TPA should be reduced for the appellant's failure to take reasonable care to protect its interests.


We develop the Dynamic Chinese Restaurant Process (DCRP) which incorporates time-evolutionary feature in dependent Dirichlet Process mixture models. This model can capture the dynamic change of mixture components, allowing clusters to emerge, vanish and vary over time. All these macroscopic changes are controlled by tracing the birth and death of every single element. We investigate the  properties of dependent Dirichlet Process mixture model based on DCRP and develop corresponding Gibbs Sampler for posterior inference. We also conduct simulation and empirical studies to compare this model with traditional CRP and related models. The results show that this model can provide better results for sequential data, especially for data with heterogeneous lifetime distribution.


Fas ligand (FasL) is a membrane protein that is expressed in activated T cells and natural killer cells. FasL binds to Fas on target cells and induces apoptosis. There exists a soluble form of FasL (sFasL), and sFasL also induces apoptosis of Fas-bearing cells. The serum sFasL concentrations were reported to be elevated in patients with large granular lymphocytic leukemia and natural killer cell lymphoma. In this study, we have measured serum sFasL concentrations in other hematological disorders, including severe aplastic anemia (SAA), hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA). The serum sFasL concentration of age-matched healthy controls was 0.16 +/- 0.11 ng/mL (mean +/- SD, n = 22). The serum sFasL levels in the patients with HLH and DBA were 3.75 +/- 3.82 (n = 19; P < .0001, HLH v control) and 2.76 +/- 2.43 ng/mL (n = 6; P = .012, DBA v control), respectively. Serum interferon-gamma concentration was elevated in the patients with HLH (1.61 +/- 2.62 ng/mL) but not in those with DBA (below the detectable level). These results suggest that the Fas-FasL system plays a role, at least in part, in the pathophysiology of HLH and DBA.


The amounts of calcium present in the skeleton were accurately measured and monitored in 1280 women and 418 men, using Cameron's photon absorption method of bone mineral content measurement. Used as a screening test on the first visit, this method becomes an excellent means of longitudinal surveillance after assessment of the calcium/phosphorus balance.


Abstract This paper gives a partial answer to the Cherlin–Zil'ber Conjecture, which states that every infinite simple group of finite Morley rank is isomorphic to an algebraic group over an algebraically closed field. The classification of the generic case of tame groups of odd type follows from the main result of this work, which is an analogue of Aschbacher's Classical Involution Theorem for finite simple groups.


In health insurance, a reimbursement mechanism refers to a method of third-party repayment to offset the use of medical services and equipment. This systematic review aimed to identify challenges and adverse outcomes generated by the implementation of reimbursement mechanisms based on the diagnosis-related group (DRG) classification system. All articles published between 1983 and 2017 and indexed in various databases were reviewed. Of the 1,475 articles identified, 36 were relevant and were included in the analysis. Overall, the most frequent challenges were increased costs (especially for severe diseases and specialised services), a lack of adequate supervision and technical infrastructure and the complexity of the method. Adverse outcomes included reduced length of patient stay, early patient discharge, decreased admissions, increased re-admissions and reduced services. Moreover, DRG-based reimbursement mechanisms often resulted in the referral of patients to other institutions, thus transferring costs to other sectors.


Nowadays, there are two complementary approaches to treatment of patients with ischemic stroke: reperfusion and neuroprotection. The main purpose of neuroprotection is to intervene ischemic cascade at every stage of the pathological process and thus avoid the death of nerve cells and expand the therapeutic window for reperfusion therapy. The use of drugs with neurotrophic, antioxidant and neuroregenerative effects is pathogenically explained at all stages of post stroke rehabilitation. Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (mexidol) is a derivative of succinic acid with antihypoxic, membrane protective, nootropic, anticonvulsant and sedative action. The majority of researchers confirmed the positive effect of mexidol expressed as the marked regression of neurological deficit and wider opportunities for further early rehabilitation. The results of the randomized double blind multicenter placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial of the efficacy and safety of prolonged sequential therapy with mexidol in the acute and early recovery stages of hemispheric ischemic stroke (EPICA) were published in 2017. The results of the study showed the best positive dynamics of neurological function recovery in case of timely treatment with mexidol with the following two month therapy. The safety of the long-term use of mexidol was confirmed.


LP(low pressure)-EGR system was investigated to evaluate its potential on fuel economy improvement and NOx emission reduction in a diesel engine. A diesel engine was tested for the evaluation of LP-EGR system at both of steady-state and transient test. For a transient test, control logic for LP-EGR valve operation was developed and a NEDC mode test was conducted by using a vehicle status simulation test. The steady-state results showed that LP-EGR system can reduce more NOx emission or fuel consumption comparing to the conventional HP(high pressure)-EGR. From the NEDC mode test, this LP-EGR system showed a possibility to improve fuel economy without a penalty of emissions.


We propose a parsimonious framework to understand how the issuance of central bank digital currency (CBDC) might affect the financial system, the Federal Reserve's balance sheet, and the implementation of monetary policy. We show that there is a wide range of outcomes on the financial system and the Federal Reserve's balance sheet that could reasonably occur following CBDC issuance. Our analysis highlights that the potential effects on the financial sector depend critically on how the Fed manages its balance sheet. In particular, CBDC could in principle put substantial upward pressure on the spread of the federal funds rate and other wholesale funding rates over the interest rate on reserves unless the Fed expanded its balance sheet to accommodate CBDC issuance.


Background Despite evidence of gender differences in bipolar disorder characteristics and comorbidity, there is little research on the differences in treatment and service use between men and women with bipolar disorder. Aims To use routine data to describe specialist mental health service contact for bipolar disorder, including in-patient, community and support service contacts; to compare clinical characteristics and mental health service use between men and women in contact with secondary services for bipolar disorder. Method Cross-sectional analysis of mental health patients with bipolar disorder in New Zealand, based on complete national routine health data. Results A total of 3639 individuals were in contact with specialist mental health services with a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2015. Of these 58% were women and 46% were aged 45 and over. The 1-year prevalence rate of bipolar disorder leading to contact with specialist mental health services was 1.56 (95% CI 1.50–1.63) per 100 000 women and 1.20 (95% CI 1.14–1.26) per 100 000 men. Rates of bipolar disorder leading to service contact were 30% higher in women than men (rate ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.22–1.39). The majority (68%) had a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder. Women were more likely to receive only out-patient treatment and have comorbid anxiety whereas more men had substance use disorder, were convicted for crimes when unwell, received compulsory treatment orders and received in-patient treatment. Conclusions Although the prevalence of bipolar disorder is equal between men and women in the population, women were more likely to have contact with specialist services for bipolar disorder but had a lower intensity of service interaction.


In this paper we show a result of existence and uniqueness of solution for the Forced Pendulum Equation using the Banach?s Fixed Point Theorem


Compared to whites, blacks experience significant health disparities for sexually transmitted diseases, particularly in the rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. To develop more effective interventions to control and prevent STDs, public health practitioners should better understand and respond to factors that facilitate sexual risk-taking behaviors and impede access to STD health care and make use of factors that promote sexual health. Legacies of slavery, racism, and economic or class discrimination leave many blacks suspicious of interventions aimed at improving the welfare of their communities. Sexual behavior, in particular, has been used to justify social oppression of blacks in the United States. Although efforts to engage affected black communities in improving STD health care delivery have been undertaken, bias, prejudice, and stereotyping continue to contribute to negative experiences for many blacks across health care settings, including those involving STD care. Implementing more effective interventions to reduce the disparate burden of bacterial STDs in black communities requires accessible and acceptable STD health care. Understanding and addressing the potential impact of both provider and patient attitudes can improve these service delivery outcomes.


Dimethyl-sulfoxide reductase (DmsABC) is a complex [Fe-S] molybdoenzyme that contains four [4Fe-4S] clusters visible by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The enzyme contains four ferredoxin-like Cys groups in the electron transfer subunit, DmsB, and an additional group of Cys residues in the catalytic subunit, DmsA. Mutagenesis of the second Cys, Cys-38, in the DmsA group to either Ser or Ala promotes assembly of a fifth [Fe-S] cluster into the mutant enzyme. The EPR spectra, the temperature dependences, and the microwave power dependences demonstrate that the new clusters are [3Fe-4S] clusters. The [3Fe-4S] clusters in both of the C38S and C38A mutant enzymes are relatively unstable in redox titrations and have midpoint potentials of approximately 178 and 140 mV. Mutagenesis of the DmsA Cys group to resemble a sequence capable of binding an [4Fe-4S] cluster did not change the cluster type but reduced the amount of the cluster present in this mutant enzyme. This report demonstrates that all four EPR detectable [Fe-S] clusters in the wild-type enzyme are ligated by DmsB. Wild-type DmsA does not ligate an [Fe-S] cluster that is visible by EPR spectroscopy.


In this work, were synthesized for the first time a series of new lipophilic β-alkyl substituted GABA derivatives from fatty alkyl chains. The synthesis of these GABA analogues was investigated by two different bicomponent approaches as a key step. The results showed low yields in the path from aliphatic nitroolefins and Meldrum's acid, whereas the Knoevenagel condensation between aliphatic aldehydes and Meldrum's acid afforded fatty alkylidenes in good yields (75–97%). These compounds were subsequently subjected to a conjugate addition reaction with nitromethane, resulting in the fatty Michael adducts (in 87–97% yields) which were in turn submitted to a one pot domino hydrolysis-decarboxylation, leading to the isolation of β-alkyl-substituted γ-nitro acids in good yields (78–92%). Finally, the reduction of the fatty γ-nitro acids allowed for the access to new lipophilic β-alkyl substituted GABA analogues, which were isolated in high yields (90–98%). The new methodology was also applied to the synthesis of antiepileptic drug (+/−)-Pregabalin, which was obtained after four steps in high overall yield.


The complete set of the 4'-aza analogues of 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides was synthesized by cycloaddition of N-tetrahydropiranyl or N-trityl methylene nitrones on suitably protected vinyl nucleobases. The convertible nucleoside approach was used in the preparation of cytosine and 5-methyl cytosine analogues.


Quadratic surfaces are frequently used primitives in geometric modeling and scientific visualization, such as rendering of tensor fields, particles, and molecular structures. While high visual quality can be achieved using sophisticated ray tracing techniques, interactive applications typically use either coarsely tessellated polygonal approximations or pre-rendered depth sprites, thereby trading off visual quality and perspective correctness for higher rendering performance. In contrast, we propose an efficient rendering technique for quadric primitives based on GPU-accelerated splatting. While providing similar performance as point-sprites, our methods provides perspective correctness and superior visual quality using per-pixel ray-casting.


This study brought together the issues of institutions, social capital, and productivity in Philippine agriculture. A framework was developed to help understand how institutions and social capital are formed, and how their impact transmits to agricultural productivity. A typology of property rights and a measure of social capital were introduced. Empirical results showed that radical changes in formal institutions cause uncertainty, and subsequently affect real decisions concerning production and technology choice. Social capital encourages individuals to shift to the new technology. However, this choice is informed by the relative profitability of the new technology. In designing programs to improve agricultural productivity, policy makers should examine the institutions affecting property rights, labor arrangements, and other constraints faced by the farmer; and the extent to which other policies affect the perceived risks and social capital.


This exhibit demonstrates the bony changes resulting from acute leukemia, with direct correlation between roentgen findings and histological abnormalities. In adults the primary lesions are those of osteoporosis and lytic destruction of the cortices and medullary cavities. In children the most conspicuous changes occur in the metaphyses of the long bones and consist of radiolucent bands of decreased density associated, at times, with areas of bony destruction. Cortical thinning, periosteal new bone formation, infiltration, and hemorrhage, as well as lytic lesions of the medullary cavities and cortices, are observed. Growth lines are often demonstrated in those patients experiencing periods of remission following antileukemic therapy. The radiolucent bands at the metaphyses and along the borders of vertebral bodies have been attributed to leukemic infiltration. The exact explanation for these zones of decreased density was not apparent from this study. Histologically, the trabeculae in these radiolucent areas were decreased in size and


This research explores an old, yet relevant and debated research question concerning the use of patent citations as indicators of knowledge flows. We compare patent citations with primary data reported by the inventors of such patents about the sources of knowledge employed to develop the inventions. We contribute to the few existing studies with an extremely fine-grained level of analysis that allow us to observe knowledge flows at the level of the individual inventors and their inventive projects, and thus to control for diverse sources of heterogeneity. In addition, we distinguish between public and private sources of knowledge flows, and compare the potentially different sources of measurement errors in the use of patent citations. Our results reveal that systematic measurement errors exist in the use of patent citations, and that these errors differ in some key dimensions between private and public sources of knowledge, which therefore biases empirical research differently.


Background: Titanium dense and porous structures are widely used as maxillofacial and orthopaedics implants due to its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Additive manufacturing allows the fabrication of implants with improved mechanical properties and modulus of elasticity close to that of bone.
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional and anatomical aspects of the mandibular bone response on implantation of electron beam melted titanium dense and porous plates.
Methods: A total of 10 mandibular reconstruction plates are custom designed and fabricated using Electron Beam Melting (EBM) technology and are implanted into the mandibular region of goats. The EBM plates are then assessed clinically using radio graphical analysis to study the functional and anatomical aspects.
Results: The EBM fabricated plates remained stable throughout the study of 12 weeks indicating anatomic and functional stability. At post-operative, there was good wound healing at the surgical site without any dehiscence of body reaction.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the EBM fabricated mandibular reconstruction plate's exhibits good biocompatibility in addition to anatomical and functional stability. Additionally, histopathological study is necessary to further evaluate the tissue reaction around the EBM reconstruction plates.


ABSTRACT African walnut (P. conophora Mull. Arg.) root is used traditionally as antitussive and expectorant. The decoction and infusion of the root is often taking without any standard measurement, hence the need to investigate the proximate, sugar compositions and fatty acids content of its root bark with a view to establish its industrial and pharmacological importance. Proximate, sugar, and fatty acids were determined using standard methods as described by Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The proximate analysis showed that the root bark contained high amount of moisture (71.70 ± 0.01)%, followed by crude fiber (18.80 ± 0.01)% while protein and ash contents were (3.42 ± 0.01)%, and (2.84 ± 0.02)%, respectively, and crude fat was (1.34 ± 0.01)%. Sugar analysis revealed that the root contained sucrose (4.37 ± 0.02) %, glucose (3.28 ± 0.02) % and maltose (0.86 ± 0.02)%. The fatty acids analysis showed that the root bark contained saturated, mono unsaturated and poly unsaturated fatty acids. The prominent saturated fatty acid was stearic acid with the value of 4.10% while oleic acid (33.88%) was the highest for mono unsaturated fatty acid. Linolenic acid with the values of 35.57% was the prominent among the polyunsaturated fatty acids. The study has revealed the presence of some essential nutrients in the root bark of African walnut in moderate proportion which suggest the potential utilization of this plant part as nutrient, addictive, or supplement in drug and cosmetics formulation.


Objective: The purpose of the study was to quantitatively measure the amount of physical activity during standardized activities using accelerometers in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) in order to compare different physical activities based on objective measurements.
Methods: Thirteen hospitalized TIA patients performed 11 different standardized activities with 5 Actical accelerometers attached to both wrists and ankles and the hip. The output was registered as activity counts (AC). Total AC were the sum of AC from all five accelerometers.
Results: Higher total AC/minute were found in more intensive activities, e.g. the median total AC/minute were 11216 (IQR 8447-14153) during climbing stairs and 22 (IQR 12-42) during sleep.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that it is possible to compare different physical activities based on amounts of AC/minute obtained during standardized activities in TIA patients. Accelerometer outputs recorded during standardized physical activities enable future tailoring of specific rehabilitation programs for individual stroke patients aiming at a certain amount of AC by combining different specific physical activities.


Heart diseases rank among the most fatal health concerns globally, with the majority being preventable through early diagnosis and effective treatment. Electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis is critical in detecting heart diseases, as it captures the heart's electrical activities. For continuous monitoring, wearable electrocardiographic devices must ensure user comfort over extended periods, typically 24 to 48 h. These devices demand specialized algorithms with low computational complexity to accommodate memory and power consumption constraints. One of the most crucial aspects of ECG signals is accurately detecting heartbeat intervals, specifically the R peaks. In this study, we introduce a novel algorithm designed for wearable devices, offering two primary attributes: robustness against noise and low computational complexity. Our algorithm entails fitting a least-squares parabola to the ECG signal and adaptively shaping it as it sweeps through the signal. Notably, our proposed algorithm eliminates the need for band-pass filters, which can inadvertently smooth the R peaks, making them more challenging to identify. We compared the algorithm's performance using two extensive databases: the meta-database QT database and the BIH-MIT database. Importantly, our method does not necessitate the precise localization of the ECG signal's isoelectric line, contributing to its low computational complexity. In the analysis of the QT database, our algorithm demonstrated a substantial advantage over the classical Pan-Tompkins algorithm and maintained competitiveness with state-of-the-art approaches. In the case of the BIH-MIT database, the performance results were more conservative; they continued to underscore the real-world utility of our algorithm in clinical contexts.


AIM
To investigate the effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on glycemic control (HbA1c) in type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS
A cross-sectional study of consecutive in-patients admitted to hospital in any department during the first semester of the year 2010 who had a recent HbA1c measurement. The study excluded those with a diagnosis of hyperglycemic decompensation, diabetic onset or pregnancy. It compared HbA1c levels of those taking PPIs and those not.

RESULTS
A total of 97 patients were recruited. The average HbA1C level was 7.0% ± 1.2%. Overall PPI consumption was 55.7%. HbA1c was significantly lower in individuals who took PPIs: -0.6%, 95% CI: -0.12 to -0.83. People who used PPIs with some type of insulin therapy had a HbA1c reduction by -0.8%, 95% CI: -0.12 to -1.48. For the rest of subgroup analysis based on the antidiabetic drug used, PPI consumption always exhibited lower HbA1c levels.

CONCLUSION
PPIs seems to be consistently associated with better glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. HbA1c reduction observed is similar to incretin-based therapies.


Aquaculture is considered as a promising alternative to support the food demands of the everincreasing population. Currently, this sector faces several challenges such as using fishmeal, which is unsustainable and expensive. Therefore, it is necessary to identify an alternative feed component that is sustainable, cost-effective and can provide the essential nutrients required by the fish. In this context, microalgae are considered as a viable source of proteins, lipids, polysaccharides and highvalue products (HVPs) such as essential fatty acids, amino acids and vitamins. They play a vital role in the marine food chain and hence can be easily assimilated by the fish. The current research targeted the isolation, identification and characterization of novel marine microalgae from Qatar coastline to produce aquaculture feed supplement. As the climate poses a number of stress factors, such as high light intensities, temperatures and varying salinities, it is expected that novel microalgae with interesting metabolite profiles can be isolated from the environment for developing aquaculture sector in Qatar. Standard plating methods were used to isolate halophilic strains from field waters. PCR-sequencing was used to identify the novel microalgae, cyanobacteria and diatom isolates. Then a comparative analysis of the growth performance and metabolite content was performed to characterize these strains. Results evidenced that the cyanobacteria strain exhibited the highest biomass productivity of 51.4 mg L-1day-1 whereas the highest lipid content was observed in the novel diatom isolate ranging up to 28.62% and the highest amount of carotenoids was detected in the case of the microalgae. As in conclusion, a rich feed supplement blending the three isolates can be considered as an alternative to fishmeal. As a continuation of this research, the potential strains will be cultivated under various stress to increase their nutritional value.


The aim of the study was to assess whether there is a difference in outcome after sequential or simultaneous revascularization during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in terms of patient and graft survival, mortality, morbidity, and liver function. The study population consisted of 102 adult patients with primary full‐size piggyback OLT transplanted between January 1998 and December 2001. In 71 patients (70%) the grafts were sequentially reperfused after completion of the portal vein anastomosis and subsequent arterial reconstruction was performed (sequential reperfusion [SeqR] group). In 31 patients (30%) the graft was reperfused simultaneously via the portal vein and hepatic artery (simultaneous reperfusion [SimR] group). Patient and graft survival at 1, 3, and 6 months and at 1 year did not differ between the SeqR group and the SimR group. The red blood cell (RBC) requirements were significantly higher in the SimR group (5.5 units; range 0‐20) in comparison to the SeqR group (2 units; range 0‐19) (P = 0.02). Apart from a higher number of biliary anastomotic complications and abdominal bleeding complications in the SimR group in comparison to the SeqR group (13% vs. 2% and 19% vs. 6%, respectively; P = 0.06), morbidity was not different between the groups. No differences between the groups were observed regarding the incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF), intensive care unit stay, and acute rejection. This was also true for the severity of rejections. Postoperative recuperation of liver function was not different between the groups. In conclusion, no advantage of either of the 2 reperfusion protocols could be observed in this analysis, especially with respect to the incidence of ischemic type biliary lesions (ITBL). (Liver Transpl 2005;11:934–940.)


This essay stages a critical engagement with the late works of James Lovelock, the famous Gaia scientist hagiographized by Science Studies scholar Bruno Latour. I argue that Latour's celebration of Lovelock's Gaia dangerously obscures a more compelling version of Earth systems' theory, belonging to Lovelock's collaborator and co-founder of the theory, Lynn Margulis. Lovelock's version of Gaia is embedded in a masculinist, bellicose and imperialist discourse reliant upon an emergency rhetoric and justifying geoengineering and A.I. control fantasies. Meanwhile, over the last decade Bruno Latour positioned himself as a thinker of ecology, partly by casting himself as a supporter of Gaia theory. Yet he made no mention of the problematic politics with which Lovelock's work was entangled. Turning both to Lynn Margulis' and to feminist philosopher of science Isabelle Stengers' understanding of Gaia, the article resists anthropocentric visions to articulate less hubristic and potentially more democratic responses to our current ecological catastrophes.


This study evaluates, 1) the pain induced by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal stones using a piezo-electric shock wave lithotriptor (EDAP LT 01) and 2) the predictive factors for severe pain leading to an indication for analgesia. The relationship between extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy intensity and pain intensity is evaluated by a numerical scale at the beginning of the session (T0), after 15 min (T15) and after 30 min (T30). At the end of the session, patients are categorized by one of us using a three-point scale which integrates the pain and the maximum tolerable intensity. These two types of evaluation are well correlated. Successive levels of stimulation are well discriminated by patients. Habituation is observed during the session for patients with low-level pain. In 28% of the patients, the intensity of pain required analgesia. Pain cannot be predicted by age, anxiety state, side of the stones and size, diameter of the contact between patient and convergence dome. In contrast, three parameters are correlated with the pain level: The L1 distance of renal parenchyma and the L2 distance skin-stone crossed by the piezoelectric waves, the size of the stone. The superior caliceal, middle caliceal and pelvic stones are significantly the most painful. These predictive variables can be easily measured before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.


When electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is used on-line with capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF), the presence of the carrier ampholytes creating the IEF pH gradient is not desirable. With the purpose of removing these ampholytes, we have developed a free-flow electrophoresis (FFE) device and coupled it to CIEF. The different parameters inherent to the resulting CIEF/FFE system were optimised using ultraviolet absorbance (UV) detection. The on-line coupling of this system with ESI-MS was successfully realised for three model proteins (myoglobin, carbonic anhydrase I and beta-lactoglobulin B).


This paper describes a laser gain model for the direct, Γ-point transition in bulk Ge. The model allows calculation of gain and spontaneous-emission spectra for arbitrary strain, as well as doping and injected carrier densities. Many-body effects are included at the level of the screened Hartree-Fock approximation to account for energy renormalization modifications, especially to the impact of n-doping on magnitude and spectral extension of laser gain. Application of the model is illustrated by predicting the net material peak gain versus injected current density under different combinations of tensile strain and n-doping density.


ABSTRACT This study explores the spontaneous acquisition of Italian inflectional morphology by three children (age range 1;4–3;0). Longitudinal, free speech samples are examined, focusing on the development of the morphological paradigms of Italian verbs, pronouns and articles. Data analysis is conducted using criteria appropriate to allow reliable cross-linguistic comparisons with data from English. By this means we evaluate the plausibility of a nativist, parameter-setting account of language development in Italian and English, as recently proposed for these two languages. Results show that the general developmental patterns observed in Italian are not significantly different from those found in English. These findings are not consistent with current interpretations of parameter-setting accounts of language development. Alternative explanatory models are discussed.


The adhesability and behaviour of ceramic facings of telescoping adhesive elements from baked alloys were tested in prolonged experiments. It was shown that these materials stand up to all requirements if their preparation was properly carried out.


Evidence of massive manganese was found in the northwest of the State of Mato Grosso, in the municipality of Comodoro. The area is located in the southwest portion of the Amazonian Craton, in the Calimian Jauru Tectonic Domain, which comprises metasedimentary rocks of the Rio Galera Complex and calc-alkaline granites of the Pindaituba Intrusive Suite (Praia Alta and Rio Piolho granites). Chemical analysis of the manganese-bearing sample yielded the following oxide and element concentrations: MnO = 61.4%, BaO = 13.2%, Cu = 751 ppm, Mo = 417 ppm, Pb = 4642 ppm, U = 107.8 ppm and Ce = 1608 ppm. Petrographic analysis allowed the identification of pyrolusite as the manganese mineral totaling 95% of the analyzed sample and 5% of gangue minerals.


ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 10 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Febrile illnesses in children are a common cause of admission to hospital globally, with significant associated morbidity and mortality. The present study was mainly focussed to determine the bacterial agents causing febrile illnesses in children between 1 month to 12 years of age, and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and also to find out the distribution of different bacterial isolates among the study population. It is a hospital based descriptive study conducted on a sample size of total of 526 paediatric patients having febrile illnesses were taken as a study population. Different clinical samples blood, pus, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, stool, gastric aspirate, sputum, throat swab, ear swab and pleural fluid were collected constituted the material for this study and by using standard microbiological procedures to study morphological characteristics, cultural and biochemical characteristics the pathogens were identified in the samples. BacT/ALERT system was checked for any blood culture bottles. VITEK 2 system was used to identify the gram-negative bacilli using ID-GNB card. Majority of the samples from Gramnegative belonged to the age group of 1-3 years. In case of Grampositive, more samples belonged to the age group 7-9 years (33%). Most of the isolates belonged to the age groups of 1year-3years and 4-6 years and 7-9 years. E. coli (56.3%) followed by S. aureus (21.9%) and Salmonella typhi (9.4%) were the most common isolates in the younger age group (1year-3 years) whereas S. aureus (53.8%) followed by E. coli (30.8%) predominated the older age group (7-9 years). Staphylococcus aureus showed high level resistance to Penicillin (63.6%) whereas they were sensitive to Vancomycin (45.45%) which are in accordance to the study of Rahbar et al., (15) found that S. aureus were resistant to penicillins (82.6%) but sensitive to Cotrimoxazole and Vancomycin. In this study, E.coli showed high resistance to Cotrimoxazole (46.4%), Ceftriaxone (39.3%) and showed sensitivity to Amikacin (78.57) whereas Klebsiella pneumoniae showed similar trends except that it was also resistant to Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid (60%). Salmonella typhi showed high resistance to Amikacin (21.4%), while it showed sensitivity to Imipenem (78.57%). A regular epidemiological study of pathogenic culture isolates and determination of susceptibility to antibiotics is necessary in order to guide the clinicians to and choose the appropriate empirical therapy and switch over to the best regime based on the antibiotic susceptibility pattern to improve the overall outcome of the patient's health. K e y w o r d s Febrile illness, Children, Pathogenic microorganisms, Antibiotics, Resistance, Sensitivity Accepted: 12 September 2020 Available Online: 10 October 2020 Article Info Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(10): 1310-1323


In this paper, we focus on the problem of incorporating user input into an automated document clustering process to improve clustering performance. Before the start of the clustering process, the user can provide a small set of labeled documents that form the initial descriptions of the clusters. If the user provides no initial information, the clustering process has to form the initial descriptions of the clusters by itself. At the end of the clustering process, the user can navigate the clusters, assess the clustering quality and if necessary, provide feedback to the clustering process. With this user feedback, the clustering process will retrain itself to obtain new clusters that best describe the nature of the data and the desire of user. The results show that our methods for initializing the clustering process are valuable and that user feedback improves the quality of the clusters.


Decision-making in the context of sustainable mobility and the transport sector requires addressing complex problems featuring multiple interests and perspectives, confl icting objectives and diff erent types of data and information. Typically, several levels of public policy are involved (local, province, regional, state and European levels) and several stakeholders (such as freight forwarders, investors, citizens, industry and so on) which have a vested interest in the ultimate decision, whether they encompass environmental, social, economic, technical or legal issues. If the decisionmaking process fails to take these interests into account, projects may fail the implementation step, lead to unacceptable delays, be ignored by policymakers, or may be attacked by the stakeholders (Macharis et al., 2012). The question is, however, how to organize and structure the decisionmaking process to enable the social actors to participate? The Multi Actor Multi Criteria Analysis (MAMCA) has been developed to address such issues. It explicitly considers and involves the stakeholders from the very beginning to the very end of the decision-making process. The following section positions the MAMCA methodology within the multicriteria group decision-making literature. In Section 1.3 we present some MAMCA application cases in the fi eld of sustainable mobility, transport and logistics. In Section 1.4 we present the methodology step by step through an educative case study. In Section 1.5 examples of MAMCA applications in the fi eld of sustainable mobility, transport and logistics are provided. Section 1.6 concludes.


We experimentally demonstrate Fresnel holograms able to produce multifocal irradiance patterns with micrometric spatial resolution. These holograms are assessed from the coherent sum of multiple Fresnel lenses. The utilized encoded technique guarantees full control over the reconstructed irradiance patterns due to an optimal codification of the amplitude and phase information of the resulting complex field. From a practical point of view, a phase-only spatial light modulator is used in a couple of experiments addressed to obtain two- and three-dimensional distributions of focal points to excite both linear and non-linear optical phenomena.


Fusing several differently exposed images is particular useful for taking pictures in high dynamic range scenes. However, the scene changes resulted from moving objects and vibrations caused by photographers must be compensated adaptively in practical camera applications. In this paper, we propose a complete image fusion system aiming at extending the dynamic range of a picture by fusing two or more differently exposed images. The proposed global and local stabilization algorithms efficiently remedy the vibration problems and get a quite stable image fusion result


An experiment was carried out to determine the performance of young growing pigs fed maize-free diets based on combinations of fermented cassava tuber meal (FCTM), palm kernel cake (PKC) and dried brewers' grains (DBG) as source of energy. Diet I (control) contained maize as the main source of energy while diets 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 contained FCTM, PKC and DBG at percentages of 30, 20, 20; 30, 25, 15; 30, 15, 25; 25, 25, 20 and 25, 20, 25, respectively, completely eliminating maize. Each diet was fed to a group of 6 young grower pigs for 12 weeks, using completely randomized design (CRD). The group on diet 6 (25% FCTM, 20% PKC and 25% DBG) consumed significantly (P 0.05). Internal organ weights were not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). Feed cost of production (feed cost/kg x feed conversion ratio) was least for the pigs on diet 5, ₦187.17/kg gain as against N247.14/kg gain for the pigs on the control diet.


Objectives We aimed to develop a digital intervention to support antidepressant discontinuation in UK primary care that is scalable, accessible, safe and feasible. In this paper, we describe the development using a theory, evidence and person-based approach. Design Intervention development using a theory, evidence and person-based approach. Setting Primary Care in the South of England. Participants Fifteen participants with a range of antidepressant experience took part in 'think aloud' interviews for intervention optimisation. Intervention Our digital intervention prototype (called 'ADvisor') was developed on the basis of a planning phase consisting of qualitative and quantitative reviews, an in-depth qualitative study, the development of guiding principles and a theory-based behavioural analysis. Our optimisation phase consisted of 'think aloud' interviews where the intervention was iteratively refined. Results The qualitative systematic review and in-depth qualitative study highlighted the centrality of fear of depression relapse as a key barrier to discontinuation. The quantitative systematic review showed that psychologically informed approaches such as cognitive–behavioural therapy were associated with greater rates of discontinuation than simple advice to reduce. Following a behavioural diagnosis based on the behaviour change wheel, social cognitive theory provided a theoretical basis for the intervention. The intervention was optimised on the basis of think aloud interviews, where participants suggested they like the flexibility of the system and found it reassuring. Changes were made to the tone of the material and the structure was adjusted based on this qualitative feedback. Conclusions 'ADvisor' is a theory, evidence and person-based digital intervention designed to support antidepressant discontinuation. The intervention was perceived as helpful and reassuring in optimisation interviews. Trials are now needed to determine the feasibility, clinical and cost-effectiveness of this approach.


In a recent article (Dormann et al., 2012, Journal of Biogeography, 39, 2119–2131), we compared different approaches to species distribution modelling and depicted modelling approaches along an axis from purely 'correlative' to 'forward process‐based' models. In their correspondence, Kriticos et al. (2013, Journal of Biogeography, doi:10.1111/j.1365‐2699.2012.02791.x) challenge this view, claiming that our continuum representation neglects differences among models and does not consider the ability of fitted process‐based models to combine the advantages of both process‐based and correlative modelling approaches. Here we clarify that the continuum view resulted from recognition of the manifold differences between models. We also reinforce the point that the current trend towards combining different modelling approaches may lead not only to the desired combination of the advantages but also to the accumulation of the disadvantages of those approaches. This point has not been made sufficiently clear previously.


The object of this research was improvement of prenyl alcohol production with squalene synthase-deficient mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 64031. On screening of many kinds of additives, we found that oils and detergents significantly enhanced the extracellular production of prenyl alcohols. Soybean oil showed the most prominent effect among the additives tested. Its effect was accelerated by a high concentration of glucose in the medium. The combination of these cultivation conditions led to the production of more than 28 mg/l of farnesol in the soluble fraction of the broth. The addition of these compounds to the medium was an effective method for large-scale production of prenyl alcohols with microorganisms.


In East India and other oriental countries, ipecac has been regarded for a century or more as the great remedy for dysentery. In Europe and America, treatment by ipecac had fallen into disuse until quite recent times, on account, first, of its emetic action, second, of the deterioration and adulteration of the drug, and third, of improper methods of administration. The revival within the past decade of the use of this drug as a remedy for dysentery was largely due to Patrick Manson, whose extensive experience in the tropics thoroughly convinced him that it was an efficient remedy. Besides Manson, a number of other authorities attest the value of ipecac. Notably among these are Woodhull, Major Rhoades, Simon, Dock, Freund, Barker and others. Woodhull 1 refers to it as the one remedy which, if properly used, is as conspicuous in dysentery as quinin is in the malarial fevers, and urges


Anthropogenic activities are increasing habitat fragmentation, as well as the number of threatened and endangered species. Thus, isolated fragments with natural remnant stands, or in situ or ex situ endangered species rescue populations, are on the rise. The most common method for assessing the "conservation health" of such populations is to determine or estimate the census size. However, while it is known that the census size of a population does not always correlate with its genetic diversity, methods for modeling how different factors can drive variation in the relationship of census size to genetic diversity in plant populations are needed. Here we use the computer program NEWGARDEN to investigate how the relationship of stand size versus genetic diversity (measured as both the percent of the founding alleles retained and FIT) can be extremely variable depending on founder number, founder density, and gene dispersal distances. Populations of endangered species that appear to have the same conservation health in terms of similar population numbers may differ greatly in their conservation health as indicated by the genetic diversity they retain. NEWGARDEN can be used to explore how different founding and intra- or interspecific life history characteristics can affect genetic diversity relative to census size. If proper historical data exist, NEWGARDEN can also be used to estimate the percent of founding genetic diversity remaining in a given stand.


Abstract : This research effort focused on the use of Advanced Warfighting Experiments (AWEs) to support acquisition decisions. Specifically, the thesis evaluated the effectiveness of the Army Task Force XXI AWE in providing information to support investment decisions and refinement of requirements for information age technologies. A detailed analysis of the 1997 Operational Test and Evaluation Command (OFTEC) Live Experiment Assessment Report identified program developmental recommendations. Data were collected from appropriate program offices and user representatives to determine the perceived utility of the recommendations and level of implementation. Qualitative data detailing why specific recommendations were or were not implemented were used to determine the contributing factors to a program's ability to benefit from participation in the experiment. Overall, fifty-two percent of the OPTEC recommendations were reported as either fully or mostly implemented. Other potential benefits of AWE participation were identified to include (1) marketing and exposure of program, (2) refinement of user requirements, and (3) information on integration, interfaces, and interoperabilty. Risks from participation in the 4WE included (1) a poor return on investment, (2) potential negative exposure, and (3) extensive changes in requirements.


Abstract As walkable neighborhoods are rapidly gaining popularity, these location-efficient areas are becoming less affordable to low-income tenants. We ask to what extent project- and tenant-based federal housing assistance is keeping these areas affordable and whether tradeoffs exist. Using descriptive statistical and logistic regression analysis for a data set of 3.8 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) tenants and a variety of neighborhood-level indicators, we find that HUD assistance provides tenants with differential access to walkable neighborhoods. Tenants who are senior, Asian, White, or have disabilities have higher chances of living in higher opportunity walkable areas. However, for those tenants with the greatest disadvantages (African American and Hispanic tenants), neighborhood quality remains compromised by higher poverty, segregation, and worse school quality, even in walkable neighborhoods. We identify the type of assistance (public housing, project-based rental assistance, and Housing Choice Vouchers) that is associated with compromised or higher opportunity access for these groups. This information can help prioritize assisted housing counseling, preservation, and siting to reduce existing spatial inequalities related to walkable amenity access, especially for African American and Hispanic tenants. This research also helps advance emerging research on the conceptualization and measurement of neighborhoods that integrates urban form and socioeconomic indicators.


with the widespread use of mobile smart device, and its ubiquitous network access capability, microblog have important influence. It is known to all that words less then 140 characters in the microblog community may trigger the huge ripples in the society. And the words in microblog have disruptive influence, even beyond imagination. In this work we present an analytic model for predicting the trend in the microblog community. The method we proposed has the ability of predicting the trend in microblog on a special event. The most pivotal point in trend prediction is accuracy. So we also consider the event similarity computing methods in the microblog. We demonstrate the proposed methods with Sina weibo tweets under enough Sina weibo data. Keywords—Trend Prediction; Popularity Trend; Prediction


The nature and range of threats to security have extremely changed that caused a following reaction which is the transition in the nature of the war as well. Under the changing circumstances of operational environment and in the face of new security environment which is more complex and ambiguous than before, modern armies have started to look for alternatives or for better options to surpass the challenge of transition in the new era. In order to comprehend the security environment better and find out new or alternative ways for solutions, International Conference on Military and Security Studies (ICMSS-2015) launched in Turkish War Colleges Command, Istanbul on March 10 th and 11 th . This report is prepared to mention the importance of the military decision making and present the summary of one of the workshops which is "Decision Making and Artificial Intelligence" for the purpose of helping the research in the field of the study.


Segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia (SOD) is a rare developmental disorder of the maxilla, primarily involving the posterior part of the maxilla. Clinically, the disorder is often diagnosed in early childhood due to a unilateral buccolingual expansion of the posterior alveolar process, gingival enlargement, absence of one or both premolars in the affected region, delayed eruption of the adjacent teeth and malformations of the primary molars. In this report, four patients with SOD are described. The findings were similar to earlier reports, but for the first time an ipsilateral rough erythema on the skin in two of the subjects is reported.


Despite surgical resection and adjuvant therapies, stage III melanomas still have a substantial risk of relapse. Neoadjuvant therapy is an emerging strategy that might offer superior efficacy compared to adjuvant therapy. Moreover, neoadjuvant therapy has some virtual advantages: it might allow for less demolitive surgery, permit the in vivo evaluation of drug efficacy, help tailor adjuvant treatments, and play a crucial role in innovative translational research. Herein, we review the available literature to explore the scientific background behind the neoadjuvant approach. We also discuss published clinical trials with a focus on predictive biomarkers and ongoing studies. Finally, we outline a possible framework for future neoadjuvant clinical trial development based on the International Neoadjuvant Melanoma Consortium guidelines.


A coastal dune, Dongshan(DS) dune in Changle of China's Fujian Province is selected as a research object based on the systematic field investigation. Combined with the environmental index analysis and geological radar images, the dune development history and paleoenvironment significance in the study area since the late Holocene are explored through optically stimulated luminescence(OSL) chronology. Results are shown as follows.(1) Five sedimentary periods and three sedimentary discontinuity in the DS dune can be defined, which reflects that the change of the East Asian monsoon, and the developmental process of DS dune are the result of regional response to the East Asian winter monsoon, and they are well correlated with volcanic activity, winter temperatures of East China and precipitation of summer monsoon at the same time.(2) Meanwhile, DS profile has preserved the sea- level change information of the Fuzhou Basin since nearly 6 ka BP. The widespread thalassocratic periods were recorded clearly in South China at 5.6-2.8 ka BP, 2.8-1.7 ka BP and 1.7-0.8 ka BP,respectively.(3) Artificiality and the mark of human activity are observed in the DS dune, and porcelain shards and conchs have been found in the cultural layer. The development processes of the DS dune accord well with the records of human activities and neolithic cultural sequences in northeast Fujian. The human activities are mainly affected by the natural environment at 5.6- 2.8 ka BP and 2.8- 1.7 ka BP, respectively. Tang and the Five Dynasties were the recovery stages of social economy in Fujian after 1.7 ka BP.


AIMS
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of introducing a European Society of Cardiology guideline-based Integrated Care Plan (ICP) for Syncope on hospital admissions and referral patterns to an outpatient Syncope Management Unit, of patients presenting to an Emergency Department (ED) with a syncopal episode and to determine the underlying causes of syncope.

METHODS AND RESULTS
This study is a single-centre observational case series of consecutive adult patients presenting to the ED over a 5-month period. Two hundred and fourteen of 18 898 patients (1.1%) had a syncopal episode, 110 (51.4%) of whom were admitted. Forty-six (41.8%) admissions were indicated by the ICP. All potential cardiac syncope cases were admitted. There was a 500% increase in the overall number of referrals to the Syncope Management Unit with a small increase in the number of unnecessary referrals.

CONCLUSION
The introduction of an ICP for syncope was not associated with any cases with potential adverse outcomes being lost to follow-up and resulted in increased referral rates to the syncope unit. However, hospitalization rates for syncope remain high, and a large number of patients requiring early outpatient assessment were not referred. There remains a need to develop further interventions to guide appropriate and safe syncope management in the ED.


This work evaluated effects of tourism activities to the local community living adjacent to the Arusha National Park. The growth and development of tourism in Tanzania bring both negative and positive effects to the local people. The specific objectives of the study were to: identify the tourism activities in the study area; to evaluate the positive and negative effects of tourism activities to the local community living Adjacent to ANAPA and to examine the opinions of the local community towards tourism activities conducted adjacent to ANAPA.Both primary and secondary data were used to collect data in this study from a sample of selected respondents. SPSS, Excel and content analysis were applied to analyze data generated from the field. The effects of tourism activities basically are the consequences of either the development of the tourism industry or the presence of tourism activities in the area. It has been found that the main tourism activities undertaken adjacent to ANAPA are walking, cycling, bird watching, photography tourism and mountain climbing. The findings revealed that tourism activities adjacent to ANAPA had significant effects on the sustainability of the host communities environmentally, socially and economically. It is recommended that community involvement and participation must be encouraged by tourism planners and developers to ensure the sustainability of tourism activities and development to the local people. Lastly, it is very important to promote tourism in a sustainable way in order to increase positive effects and minimize negative effects to the local people.


Renal transplantation (RTx) is the treatment-of-choice for a significant number of patients with end-stage renal disease. Despite recent accomplishments, both surgical and medical complications still exist. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infectious complication after RTx, while asymptomatic bacteriuria is the most common manifestation of bacteriuria. UTI can impair graft function, potentially reducing graft and patient survival. The aetiology changes with time after RTx. The epidemiology of most of these infections is also changing with resistant organisms being isolated more often than in the past. Several factors increase the risk of infection in RTx patients, and the presence of multiple risk factors in the same patient is not uncommon. These include immunosuppression, urinary flow impairment (most often caused by stenosis or strictures at the vesicoureteral junction, benign prostate hypertrophy or vesicoureteral reflux), and treatment-related factors such as the use of catheters and double-J stents. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are key elements in salvaging both the allograft and the patient. This chapter reviews the definitions, epidemiology, microbiology, screening, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, impact on renal allograft function, evaluation after diagnosis, treatment, prevention including long-term prophylaxis, and the unique challenges of diagnosing and managing recurrent bacterial UTIs in a RTx care setting.


The goal of the present study was to examine the interrelations between the sensitivity of the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and attentional network functioning (i.e., the orienting, alerting, and executive attentional networks), with the aim of identifying a potentially relevant mechanism for understanding the relation between BIS sensitivity and the pathogenesis of anxiety and its disorders. To this end, 99 participants were recruited from the community and administered a questionnaire assessing BIS sensitivity, as well as the Attentional Network Test. Results demonstrated a significant association between BIS sensitivity and enhanced orienting attention. Further, BIS sensitivity predicted orienting attention above and beyond relevant covariates, including state negative affect. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for understanding the role of BIS sensitivity in the pathogenesis of pathological anxiety.


RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES
Intravenous injection of liposomes is able to trigger allergy-like reactions that affect the cardiopulmonary system. The mechanism of these effects is still not totally clear. Because prediction of adverse reactions and the consequent exclusion of reactive patients do not seem feasible, prevention might have a considerable impact.

METHODS
Two small, multilamellar liposome batches with the encapsulated contrast agent iopromide, which differed by size and buffer composition, were injected into anesthetized rats (n = 5 per group) and pigs (n = 6 per group). Blood pressure (BP), cardiac output (CO), contractility (dP/dt; in rats), total peripheral resistance (TPR; in rats), pulmonary vascular resistance (in pigs), and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP; in pigs) were monitored. Saline, mannitol solution, the two buffers, and the contrast medium were used as controls.

RESULTS
Significant changes in hemodynamic parameters were observed not only between liposomes and controls but also between the two liposome preparations. In rats, a significant decrease in BP followed by its normalization and subsequent increase, a decrease in CO followed by an increase, a decrease in TPR, and a decrease in dP/dt followed by an increase were observed. In pigs, the effects were different both in quality and in quantity (more intense) compared with those in rats. In this species, an increase in BP, a decrease in CO, an increase in TPR, and an increase in PAP were found. Pretreatment with acetylsalicylic acid was able to prevent the hemodynamic changes induced by the liposomes.

CONCLUSIONS
Allergy-like side effects induced by liposome injection strongly depend on the size, electric charge, and composition of the particles. The mechanism triggered by liposome injection probably is complex and can be effectively blocked by pretreatment with acetylsalicylic acid.


Background Telephone-delivered intervention can provide many supports in diabetes self-management to improve glycemic control. Several trials showed that telephone intervention was positively associated with glycemic outcomes in diabetes. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the impact of telephone contact intervention (intervention group) on glycemic control compared with standard clinical care (control group). Methods Randomized control studies of telephone intervention in diabetes were searched on Medline (Pubmed), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science (ISI), and Scopus. Electronic search was done from inception to April 2013. The following MeSH terms were used: diabetes mellitus, randomized control trials and telemedicine, together with keywords including phone intervention, diabetes, and glycemic control. Historical search was also conducted on the references of relevant articles. The quality of the trials was assessed using Maastricht-Amsterdam scale. Treatment effect was estimated with mean difference in the change of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from baseline between the intervention and control groups. Results A total of 203 articles were examined. Five trials involving 953 patients met the inclusion criteria and contributed to the meta-analysis. Telephone contact intervention was no more effective than standard clinical care in improving glycemic control (pooled mean difference in HbA1c −0.38%, 95%CI −0.91 to 0.16%). Conclusions This meta-analysis showed that the phone contact intervention was no more effective than standard clinical care in improving glycemic control in diabetes. However, telephone intervention may still have potential benefits especially for low-and middle-income countries; thus further large sample size and well-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the intervention.


The article* presents a study of the use of family humour in public comedy and the mutual influence of family humour and public humour on comedians' performances and everyday life. The interrelations between these domains lie at the level of the content of humour, its format, its performance and the interaction between humour producers and their audience. Family and public humour often overlap and interweave in various ways, especially in the experience of those who engage in humour production both in public and in private spheres.
 The study is informed by interviews with UK-based comedians on their family humorous folklore and its interrelation with their public humour performances. The interconnection between public and family humour was identified on several levels: textual, communicative, personal and conceptual.
 This multidimensional interplay indicates that family humour is contingent on the context, but at the same time is often conditioned by comedians' public personae and cannot be fully separated from the humour they perform publicly. The study illustrates the vagueness of the dichotomy between public comic performances and family humour and points to multiple ways in which the boundaries between these domains can become blurry.


: The family of phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins (PITPs) is able to bind specific lipids to carry out various biological functions throughout different stages of plant life. But the function of PITPs in rice plant is unclear. In this study, 30 PITPs were identified from rice genome, which showed differences in physicochemical properties, gene structure, conservation domains, and subcellular localization. The promoter region of the OsPITPs genes included at least one type of hormone response element, such as methyl jasmonate (Me JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Furthermore, the expression level of OsML-1 , OsSEC14-3 , OsSEC14-4 , OsSEC14-15 , and OsSEC14-19 genes were significantly affected by infection of rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae . Based on these findings, it is possible that OsPITPs may be involved in rice innate immunity in response to M. oryzae infection through the Me JA and SA pathway.


Its quite inclusive title notwithstanding, this is not a study of the Oriental question and the military campaigns and diplomatic negotiations which resulted in Russia's annexation of the eastern half of the Principality of Moldavia. Rather, the book deals with Russian administrative policies within the new oblast of Bessarabia and the successively attempted solutions to the problem of integrating the province into the structure of the empire upon its annexation in 1812 (seven out of the nine chapters treat the 1812-28 period). A beneficiary of Tsar Alexander I's federalist experiments, the oblast enjoyed a substantial degree of political and governmental autonomy after 1812. The tsar's government, overruling the advice of its local representatives, particularly the military ones, decided to retain the local institutions, legislation, and privileges, and to carry out the administration through the local boyar class under the supervision of imperial officials. This system of decentralized imperial rule was codified in the 1818 Statute of the province, which incorporated the basic Moldavian administrative, social, tax, and judicial structures, along with the power and privileges of the local boyars, and recognized Rumanian as the primary official language. Despite the introduction of the Statute, Bessarabian autonomy rapidly became "a dead letter," as the author rightly points out (pp. 119-20). Imbued with attitudes of cultural superiority, and seeing themselves as representing a westernizing influence in a backward province, the Russian officials in Kishinev found the Moldavian boyars utterly unprepared to run the administrative and judiciary system. The officials worked zealously to curtail the boyars' attributions and power, as well as to reduce their numbers by invalidating many nobiliary titles. At the same time, a number of ambitious and opportunistic parvenus replaced old boyars in most positions of influence, beginning with the Oblast Council. Moreover, the Statute failed to preserve the province's politico-territorial integrity and population structure, which were seriously affected by Russian colonization and land grant policies in this period. The official demise of the concept of imperial rule in Bessarabia embodied in the 1818 Statute began with the appointment of M. S. Vorontsov, as governor of New Russia and Bessarabia in 1823. Vorontsov proceeded to systematically substitute Russian institutions, laws, and personnel for Moldavian ones; his measures were continued by his successor in 1826, Count F. P. Pahlen. Bessarabian autonomy was formally ended in 1828 by an ukaz of Nicholas I, which revoked the 1818 Statute and extended to Bessarabia most rules and regulations in force in the Russian internal guberniias. The author concludes by assessing this resort to a centralist solution as indicative of the failure to successfully integrate the province into the empire. Although based on published source material, the book represents a welcome contribution to the extremely scarce English-language literature on the subject.


Successful speech communication often requires selective attention to a target stream amidst competing sounds, as well as the ability to switch attention among multiple interlocutors. However, auditory attention switching negatively affects both target detection accuracy and reaction time, suggesting that attention switches carry a cognitive cost. Pupillometry is one method of assessing mental effort or cognitive load. Two experiments were conducted to determine whether the effort associated with attention switches is detectable in the pupillary response. In both experiments, pupil dilation, target detection sensitivity, and reaction time were measured; the task required listeners to either maintain or switch attention between two concurrent speech streams. Secondary manipulations explored whether switch-related effort would increase when auditory streaming was harder. In experiment 1, spatially distinct stimuli were degraded by simulating reverberation (compromising across-time streaming cues), and target-masker talker gender match was also varied. In experiment 2, diotic streams separable by talker voice quality and pitch were degraded by noise vocoding, and the time alloted for mid-trial attention switching was varied. All trial manipulations had some effect on target detection sensitivity and/or reaction time; however, only the attention-switching manipulation affected the pupillary response: greater dilation was observed in trials requiring switching attention between talkers.


On 8 August 2007 the German federal government has approved a draft legislative package introducing changes to the biotechnology laws and regulations. This is already the second time the current government has amended the rules and procedures regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The new draft is aimed at fulfilling the government coalition agreement to advance research and application of biotechnology in Germany. This article will provide an overview of the proposed amendments and briefly analyse to what extend the aim of advancing biotechnology has been achieved. The author argues that the draft introduces a number of amendments with the potential of advancing biotechnology research and of appeasing the farming community on the issue of cultivation of GMOs. However, a number of fundamental policy choices regarding biotechnology have been left unaltered. The author therefore concludes that this draft does not lead to a paradigmatic change regarding biotechnology policy in Germany.


Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis (RND) is a rare cutaneous finding in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis or with high-titer rheumatoid factors. Most commonly, these lesions are erythematous papules or plaques distributed symmetrically on extensor surfaces. On histologic examination a dense dermal neutrophilic infiltrate without vasculitis is apparent. The pathogenesis of RND is unclear, and few treatments are known. With careful clinical and histologic examination, RND may be differentiated from the wide array of other cutaneous findings in rheumatoid arthritis.


Abstract The identification of antitumoral substances is the focus of intense biomedical research. Two structural analogues of thalidomide, LNO3 and L3, are two synthetic compounds that might possess such antitumor properties. We evaluated the toxicological effects of these substances, including cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and induction of apoptosis in HTC cells. Additionally, the production of free radicals (nitric oxide and superoxide) was investigated, and the expression of caspases genes 3, 8, and 9 were determined by RT-qPCR. The compounds exhibited cytotoxic effects that resulted in inhibited cell proliferation. LNO3 showed to be more effective and toxic than L3 in all assays. LNO3 stimulated the release of NO and superoxide, which was accompanied by the formation of peroxynitrite. Apoptosis was induced in a dose-dependent manner by both compounds; however, the expression of caspases 3, 8 and 9 was unchanged. These results suggested that L3 and LNO3 possess antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in HTC cells. Additionally, although they exhibited cytotoxicity, L3 and LNO3 might be useful coadjuvants in tumor treatment studies.


OBJECTIVES
To investigate the relationship between Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) antibody titres and age, breed, gender and health status of Australian cats

DESIGN
Retrospective study

PROCEDURE
Results from two serological tests that measure FCoV antibody levels, the Coronase test and the 7B Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) test, were recorded over a 2-year period, with patient signalment, history, presenting complaint and the reason for ordering the test (as available). Results from each antibody test were related to four explanatory variables (breed, age, gender and health status at the time of blood collection) using univariate ordinal logistic regression analyses, Mann Whitney U tests, one-sample sign tests or Kruskal-Wallis analyses, as appropriate.

RESULTS
Results from 637 Coronase and 191 7B FIP antibody tests were recorded. There were significant differences in median Coronase antibody titres between breeds of cats (P < 0.0005). Specifically, the median Coronase antibody titres of Siamese, Persians, Domestic Shorthairs and Bengal cats (100) were significantly lower than that of British Shorthairs, Cornish Rex and Burmese cats (400, P < 0.0005). There was no statistical relationship between the Coronase or 7B FIP antibody titres and age, gender or overall health status, even when considering only those cats in which clinical signs suggestive of FIP were present.

CONCLUSION
This study reinforces the complexity of interpreting serological tests for FCoV in both healthy cats and patients with signs compatible with FIR Unique to this study is the detection of a significant relationship between breed and median FCoV antibody titre. This supports the theory that breed related differences exist in response to FCoV infection. The distribution of median Coronase antibody titres by breed was very similar to the pattern of breed predisposition to FIP recently reported in Sydney.


Purpose
Sickness absence is a major concern for healthcare services and their employees with healthcare workers having higher sickness absence rates compared to the general population. The purpose of this paper is to systematically review randomised control trials (RCTs) that aimed to reduce sickness absence among healthcare workers.

Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review was conducted that aimed to include RCTs with study participants who were employed in any part of the healthcare sector. This review included any type of intervention with the primary outcome measure being sickness absence.

Findings
Seven studies were included in the review and consisted of one exercise-only intervention, three multicomponent intervention programmes, two influenza vaccination interventions and one process consultation. Three studies (exercise-only, one multicomponent intervention programme and one influenza vaccination intervention) were able to demonstrate a reduction in sickness absence compared to control.

Research limitations/implications
Due to the lack of high-quality evidence, this review identified that there are currently no interventions that healthcare organisations are able to use to effectively reduce sickness absence among their employees. This review also highlights the importance of a standardised measure of sickness absence for healthcare staff, such as shifts.

Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first systematic review to synthesise such evidence among healthcare workers.


The Extended RItz Method (ERIM) can be used to face optimal decision and control problems when finding the global solution is hard, because the problem is ill-conditioned or we can only compute the solution via numerical approximations. It consists in constraining the control functions to take on a fixed structure with a certain number of free parameters to be optimized. We will show the use of such method for the solution of a communication problem in a mixed (analog/digital) transmission environment. A noisy channel is used to convey information from a limited-energy analog device to a sink; in the presence of a binary link, how can we reduce the energy spent for transmission without renouncing reconstruction capability and real-time encoding?


The theory for multiple seismometers or shotholes has been dealt with extensively in the literature (see, for instance, Parr and Mayne, 1955; Savit et al, 1958; White, 1958). In deciding upon a particular pattern, a seismic crew, after having determined the relevant noise characteristics of the area, may follow one of the two paths: (1) the crew may decide on a particular response and may then seek analytically, in a rather involved manner, an optimum geophone group whose response satisfactorily approximates the desired response or (2) the crew may compute the responses of a variety of geophone groups to the predominant noise pulse and accept the one that gives the best overall attenuation. Most seismic crews would choose the second alternative as being simpler and more practical, if less elegant than the first one. Besides, a calculated optimum group almost invariably would require fractional weights for the individual elements that are not practically realizable. Our note describes a very simple graphical procedure for fast computation of array responses that is applicable to a standing sine wave or a pulse and to linear, tapered, equally-spaced, or unequally-spaced arrays. The method is so obvious that it is probably in use already in some organizations; although no published evidence to that effect seems to be available.


Linkages between agricultural commodity and energy prices have become more complex with increased ethanol production. The concern is whether the new corn–ethanol links lead to volatilityspillover transmission between food and energy prices. We investigate asymmetric volatility spillovers between oil, corn, and ethanol prices using a BEKK-multivariate-GARCH approach. Additionally, we use daily, weekly, and monthly futures prices to examine whether the use of different-frequency data leads to inconsistent results. The results support the existence of asymmetric volatility transmission between corn and ethanol prices. Furthermore, the volatilityspillover effects are different for the different-frequency prices, and positive and negative price changes generate inconsistent results.


Malware detection and analysis can be a burdensome task for incident responders. As such, research has turned to machine learning to automate malware detection and malware family classification. Existing work extracts and engineers static and dynamic features from the malware sample to train classifiers. Despite promising results, such techniques assume that the analyst has access to the malware executable file. Self-deleting malware invalidates this assumption and requires analysts to find forensic evidence of malware execution for further analysis. In this paper, we present and evaluate an approach to detecting malware that executed on a Windows target and further classify the malware into its associated family to provide semantic insight. Specifically, we engineer features from the Windows prefetch file, a file system forensic artifact that archives process information. Results show that it is possible to detect the malicious artifact with 99% accuracy; furthermore, classifying the malware into a fine-grained family has comparable performance to techniques that require access to the original executable. We also provide a thorough security discussion of the proposed approach against adversarial diversity.


The gastric acid response to i.v. injection of 0.15 U of soluble insulin/kg b.w. was determined in healthy subjects and duodenal ulcer patients during intragastric perfusion with water, 0.1 M HC1, and alkaline buffer (pH 8.3). Perfusion with hydrochloric acid significantly reduced the peak gastric acid output following insulin in 6 healthy subjects (reduction 45%, p less than 0.05) but had no significant effect on the peak gastric acid response to insulin in 7 DU patients (reduction 16%, p greater than 0.05). The 2.5-hour gastric acid response to insulin was, however, significantly reduced in both groups (56% and 35%, respectively) by exogenous acidification of the stomach. The gastric acid response to insulin hypoglycaemia in 3 DU patients was the same with intragastric water and alkaline buffer perfusion. The reduction of the gastric acid response to insulin hypoglycaemia by intragastric acidification corresponded to a reduced volume secretion and could not be ascribed to increased back diffusion of hydrogen ions or duodenal inhibition. These findings suggest that the gastric acid response to insulin hypoglycaemia is inhibited by a low intragastric pH in man, and that DU patients are less sensitive to the inhibitory mechanism than healthy subjects.


This paper provides further examination of a promising plant water extraction method for isotopic analyses, Scholander-type pressure chamber water extraction (SPC), and compares results of that method to the conventional plant water extraction method of cryogenic vacuum distillation (CVD). This comparison is necessary to determine possible advantages, disadvantages, and implicit assumptions related to method choice for many ecohydrologic studies. However, I have what I think are valid concerns about the current version.


Limit theorems are obtained for branching processes depending on the size of the population. These results contain the case of convergence of such processes to the deterministic limit. Functional central limit theorems for fluctuations are proved. Let {ξk,j(l), k, j, l ∈ N} be a family of nonnegative integer-valued independent random variables. Assume that the random variables ξk,j(l), k, j ∈ N, are identically distributed. We define the stochastic process Xk, k ≥ 0, by the following recurrence relation: (1) X0 = 1, Xk = Xk−1 ∑ j=1 ξk,j (Xk−1) , k ≥ 1. This process is called a branching process dependent on the size of the population or a controlled branching process. The branching processes dependent on the population size are studied, for example, in the papers [1, 2], [5]–[10], [14]–[16], [18]–[21]. Conditions for the extinction of processes (1) as well as those for the convergence of normalized random variables Xn to a finite random variable are studied in [2]–[5] and [6, 7, 18]. The central limit theorem for controlled branching processes (1) is proved in [8]. Sufficient conditions for the weak convergence as n → ∞ of the distribution of Xn/n to the gamma distribution are found in [16, 21]. In [19] the authors consider a model for a population of cells in which every cell lives for a unit of time and then divides into two or dies, with probability of division depending on the size of the population. Also the asymptotic distribution function for the time when the size of the population exceeds given limits is found there. The results of [19] are extended in [20] to a more general class of stochastic processes. Some statistical problems for the processes of type (1) are studied in [9, 10]. The so-called φ-controlled branching processes are studied in [14]–[15]. In the current paper, we obtain some sufficient conditions for the convergence as n → ∞ of the processes {X[nt], t ≥ 0}, n ≥ 1, to a deterministic process (the symbol [a] stands for the integer part of a number a), as well as functional central limit theorems for the deviation of X[nt], t ≥ 0, from the limit process. In what follows, we always assume that E ξ 1,1(x) < ∞ for all x ∈ N. We introduce the notation m(x) = E ξ1,1(x), σ (x) = Var ξ1,1(x). 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 60J80; Secondary 60F17, 60J65.


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: NICE guidelines 2018, currently out to consultation, suggest that urodynamic assessment is NOT required in women with stress predominant mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) prior to surgical intervention. Data on the topic is sparse and this is based predominantly on expert opinion. We have assessed the predictive power of the predominant symptom of MUI to determine the underlying urodynamic abnormalities to further clarify this issue. METHODS: Over a 4-month period from June to September 2018, 35 women with a mean age of 55years (range 26-86) with MUI attended for video-urodynamic studies (VUDS). They were asked a predefined set of questions aimed at assessing the predominant symptomatic component of their incontinence. Immediately following the questionnaire, VUDS were performed in accordance with ICS guidance. Statistical analysis was by Chi Squared analysis and analysis of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: 22(63%) women described the urge component as most bothersome, 10(28%) the stress component and 3(9%) felt both components were equally bothersome. Outcomes of their video-urodynamics are detailed in Table 1.Combined stress and overactivity leakage was demonstrated in only 10 (28%). The sensitivity and specificity of symptomatic stress urinary incontinence (SUI) for urodynamic finding of stress urinary incontinence (USUI) were 43% and 91% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of symptomatic urge urinary incontinence (UUI) for the finding of detrusor overactivity (DO) incontinence were 77% and 43%. The positive predictive value of SUI for USUI was 90% whilst the negative predictive value was only 45%. The positive predictive value for UUI for DO was 64% and the negative predictive value was 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic SUI is predictive of USUI in women with MUI in 90% however concurrent DO is missed in 40%. Symptomatic UUI is predictive of DO in 64% and USUI is missed in 55%. These preliminary results indicate that patient perception of symptoms is insufficient to guide invasive treatments and urodynamics are required to delineate the physio-pathological mechanisms of incontinence and accurately guide treatment. Table. No title available. Source of Funding: none