Surfaces patterned with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions provide robust and versatile means for investigating the wetting behaviors of liquids, surface properties analysis, and producing patterned arrays. However, the fabrication of integral and uniform arrays onto these open systems remains a challenge, thus restricting them from being used in practical applications. Here, we present a simple yet powerful approach for the fabrication of water droplet arrays and the assembly of photonic crystal bead arrays based on hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterned substrates. Various integral arrays are simply prepared in a high-quality output with a low cost, large scale, and uniform size control. By simply taking a breath, which brings moisture to the substrate surface, complex hydrophilic-hydrophobic outlined images can be revisualized in the discontinuous hydrophilic regions. Integration of hydrogel photonic crystal bead arrays into the "breath-taking" process results in breath-responsive photonic crystal beads, which can change their colors upon a mild exhalation. This state-of-the-art technology not only provides an effective methodology for the preparation of patterned arrays but also demonstrates intriguing applications in information storage and biochemical sensors.


We recently developed a long-length detector that combines three detectors and successfully acquires whole-body X-ray images. Although the developed detector system can efficiently acquire whole-body images in a short time, it may show problems with diagnostic performance in some areas owing to the use of high-energy X-rays during whole-spine and long-length examinations. In particular, during examinations of relatively thin bones, such as ankles, with a long-length detector, the image quality deteriorates because of an increase in X-ray transmission. An additional filter is primarily used to address this limitation, but this approach imposes a higher load on the X-ray tube to compensate for reductions in the radiation dose and the problem of high manufacturing costs. Thus, in this study, a newly designed additional filter was fabricated using 3D printing technology to improve the applicability of the long-length detector. Whole-spine anterior–posterior (AP), lateral, and long-leg AP X-ray examinations were performed using 3D-printed additional filters composed of 14 mm thick aluminum (Al) or 14 mm thick Al + 1 mm thick copper (Cu) composite material. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and radiation dose for the acquired X-ray images were evaluated to demonstrate the usefulness of the filters. Under all X-ray inspection conditions, the most effective data were obtained when the composite additional filter based on a 14 mm thick Al + 1 mm thick Cu material was used. We confirmed that an SNR improvement of up to 46%, CNR improvement of 37%, and radiation dose reduction of 90% could be achieved in the X-ray images obtained using the composite additional filter in comparison to the images obtained with no filter. The results proved that the additional filter made with a 3D printer was effective in improving image quality and reducing the radiation dose for X-ray images obtained using a long-length detector.


Many endocrine abnormalities were reported in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), including elevated ANP, but little is known on ANP vaso-regulatory effects during exercise. This study is aimed to find whether plasma ANP rises during exercise in patients with CRF, as it does in normal subjects, and whether there is a difference between this response in both those groups. 36 subjects were studied, divided into three groups: I--CRF patients treated conservatively (nondialyzed), II--CRF patients, dialyzed, III--healthy subjects. Plasma ANP was measured at rest and then immediately after submaximal treadmill work load according to modified Bruce protocol with continuous ecg and blood pressure monitoring. In the CRF nondialyzed patients the metabolic equivalent (MET) was significantly lower than in the other groups. The myocardial oxygen consumption, estimated as double product quotient, was the lowest in the nondialyzed CRF patients. A significant increase of the plasma ANP was seen in all subjects studied, significantly higher in the CRF patients than in the control healthy subjects. No correlations were found between the plasma ANP level and other measured parameters.


The combustion of biomass is one of the most important ways of harnessing renewable energies. However, the operational availability and efficiency of biomass and waste-fired facilities are relatively low due to problems such as high-temperature chlorine-induced corrosion and agglomeration on the fire-side. These issues have been investigated in laboratories, small-scale research facilities and power plants by methods that are generally expensive and time-consuming. This work aims to evaluate the feasibility of short-term tests (< 1 day) for quantifying corrosion and agglomeration. Short-term tests (8 to 30 h) were carried out in a small-scale facility and in a power plant using three different
corrosion monitoring techniques: two offline (metallography and iron loss measurement) and one online (linear polarisation resistance – LPR). The duration of the tests did not suffice to quantify corrosion by means of offline techniques. However, a significant correlation between fuel composition and corrosion signal could be established online by means of LPR measurements. The results of this research show that slightly longer tests (~ 50 h) and minor changes to the LPR sensor provide a promising basis for the short-term measurement of this kind of corrosion.


This analysis of the history of corporate recycling in the USA during World War II emphasises the extent to which business has historically led in efforts to recover and reuse waste materials. It begins by establishing that prior to World War II large corporations had developed considerable expertise in recycling. The paper then covers wartime business-led efforts. The first, efforts to reclaim consumer materials for the production process, were highly visible. The second, initiatives to recycle waste generated by industry, were less visible but even more significant. Within a cultural framework defined by patriotism and an economic framework defined by scarcity, this study finds, corporate recycling efforts succeeded to an extent not to be equalled until after the advent of the environmental movement. It concludes that business will have to take a leading role in future recycling efforts, whether in the name of efficiency or environmentalism.


In recent years, there has been a growing need for computer systems that are capable of handling unprecedented amounts of data. To this end, Hadoop HDFS and Hadoop YARN have become the de facto standard for meeting demanding storage requirements and for managing applications that can process this data. Although YARN is a major advancement from its predecessor MapReduce in terms of scalability and fault-tolerance, its Resource Manager component that performs resource allocation introduces a potential single point of failure and a performance bottleneck due to its centralized architecture. This thesis presents a novel architecture in which the Resource Manager runs on a distributed network of stateless commodity machines as its state is migrated to MySQL Cluster, a relational write-scalable and highly available in-memory database. By doing so, the Resource Manager becomes more scalable as it can now run on multiple nodes as well as more fault-tolerant as arbitrary node failures do not result in state loss. In this work we implemented the proposed architecture for the Resource Tracker service which performs cluster node management for the Resource Manager. Experimental results validate the correctness of our proposal, demonstrate how it scales well by utilizing stateless Resource Manager machines and evaluate its performance in terms of request throughput, system resource and database utilization.


Increased dietary fiber consumption has been associated with many beneficial effects, including amelioration of obesity and insulin resistance. These effects may be due to the increased production of short chain fatty acids, including propionate, acetate and butyrate, during fermentation of the dietary fiber in the colon. Indeed, oral and dietary supplementation of butyrate alone has been shown to prevent high fat-diet induced obesity and insulin resistance. This review focuses on sources of short chain fatty acids, with emphasis on sources of butyrate, mechanisms of fiber and butyrate metabolism in the gut and its protective effects on colon cancer and the peripheral effects of butyrate supplementation in peripheral tissues in the prevention and reversal of obesity and insulin resistance.


The purpose of this paper is to develop an algebraic frame of reference for testing under triaxial loading. In the case of moderate confining pressures, certain parameters may be assumed to remain constant, which makes it possible to describe the behavior of a test specimen in terms of relatively simple mathematical equations. In the case of higher confining pressures, the paper is limited to indicating general trends and observing that several parameters approach recognizable limiting values. In the light of these limits, it is possible to predict the behavior of materials under the combined effect of extremely high confining pressure and high temperature.


Experiments were conducted at the farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar in 2012 and 2013 to evaluate the effect of different weed control methods in bitter gourd. The treatments comprised of four mulches (Rumex crispus, Silybum marianum, news papers, and saw-dust), a herbicide i.e. Stomp 330 EC (pendimethalin) applied as pre-emergence, a hand weeding and a control treatment (weedy check). Data were collected on weed biomass, number of plants ha-1 and fruit weight. The parameters were significantly affected by the applied treatments during both the years. Weed biomass in 2012 and 2013 was the highest (2971 and 3595 kg ha-1, respectively in the weedy check treatments and lowest in hand weeded plots (68 and 83 kg ha-1) in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Moreover the effect of the mulching treatments and the herbicide treatment were statistically at par with each other and different from the weedy check. The highest number of plants ha-1 (9773 and 8077) and fruit weight plant-1 (756 and 657 g) were recorded in the hand weeded treatments in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Hand weeding was followed by the treatment of Stomp 330 EC with the respective values in the two years as 8834 and 7301 plants ha-1, and 667 and 580 g plant-1 in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Moreover, the performance of the mulching treatments was also significantly more effective than the weedy check plots. Mulches of S. marianum and R. crispus reduced the weed biomass to 1072 and 1615 kg in 2012 and 1297 and 1954 kg in 2013 as compared to the weedy control with weed biomass of 2971 and 3595 kg ha-1 in 2012 and 2013, respectively. The respective no. of plants ha-1 for the mulches of S. marianum and R. crispus were 8548 and 8489 in 2012 and 7065 and 7016 in 2013 whereas and the fruit weight plant-1 was 435 and 396 in 2012 and 378 and 344 g in 2013. Keeping in view the good performance of weed biomass as mulches, the cost of production and the environmental safety, the hand weeding and herbicide use cannot be preferred alone for use as weed management tools. Therefore, the herbicide use and hand weeding should be used only on casual basis or in emergency; and the mulching methods should be adopted in the long run as mulching method is not only good for weed control but also for maintaining the soil fertility, moisture conservation, and environmental safety.


Although several studies aimed at linking electrical and hydraulic transport properties in rocks, the existing models remain at most incomplete. Based on this observation, in addition to the transport properties, this contribution investigates the pressure dependence of P wave velocities and porosity for three porous rocks. Apart from hydraulic conductivity, all physical properties show an important dependence to the confining pressure. In particular, electrical resistivity reaches an asymptote at low confining pressures. Using the measured P wave velocities and effective medium theories, the microcrack density (ρ) and its evolution with confining pressure are estimated. For the three rocks, the microcrack density at which electrical resistivity reaches a plateau is of ρ ~0.13. This value corresponds to the threshold for crack percolation in media containing microcracks exclusively. This suggests that in porous and microcracked rocks, electrical resistivity is controlled by two independent hydraulic pathways of tubes and cracks acting in parallel. In contrast, this percolation threshold is not observed in the permeability data. A simple conceptual model is finally introduced that explains the fundamental differences between transport properties.


Background: Leptin is a 16-KDa non-glycosylated peptide hormone synthesized almost exclusively by adipocytes. The well-known function of leptin is regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Leptin also plays a regulatory role in immune and inflammatory process including cytokine production. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leptin on the expression of several chemokine genes(RANTES, IL-8, MCP-1, IP-10, Mig, MIP-, MIP-, and GRO-) in THP-1 cells. Materials and Methods: Total RNA of THP-1 cells were prepared by Trizol method, and then stimulated with the leptin(250 ng/) or LPS(100 ng/). We examined the expression patterns of various chemokine mRNAs in THP-1 cell lines by RT-PCR and Northern blot. Results: Leptin did not induce the expression of chemokine mRNAs in THP-1 cells. The expression patterns of RANTES, IL-8, MCP-1, IP-10, and Mig mRNAs in THP-1 cells stimulated with leptin and LPS simultaneously was almost same to the patterns of LPS alone-induced chemokine mRNAs. RANTES mRNA expression was independent on the concentrations of leptin. Although leptin did not have strong effect on the expression of RANTES, IL-8, MCP-1, IP-10, Mig, MIP-, MIP-, and GRO- mRNAs in THP-1 cells, leptin could induce the expression of long isoform of leptin receptor(OB-RL) mRNA, and its expression was elevated in simultaneous stimulation of leptin and LPS. Conclusion: These data suggest that leptin is able to induce OB-RL in THP-1 cells, however, leptin has little effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory chemokine genes.


We report an unusual family pedigree segregating the retinoblastoma predisposition gene. Expression of the phenotype in different individuals in this family ranges from asymptomatic gene carriers, regressed tumours, through unifocal to bilateral multifocal lesions. Because of the unusual pattern of inheritance in this family, initial genetic counselling at a local hospital did not take into account the possibility of incomplete penetrance of the gene, and complete ophthalmological examination of unaffected family members was not undertaken. We have used DNA probes from within the retinoblastoma predisposition gene for unequivocal identification of gene carriers. The subsequent demonstration of regressed tumours in founder members of the family confirmed the diagnosis of a dominantly inherited disease. The circumstances of the management of this family emphasises the need for specialist ophthalmic examination of first degree relatives and detailed genetic analysis of all such families with DNA probes.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether smoking and HLA-DR shared epitope (SE) genes may interact in triggering immune reactions to citrulline-modified proteins.

METHODS
In a case-control study involving patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we studied interactions between a major environmental risk factor (smoking), major susceptibility genes included in the SE of HLA-DR, and the presence of the most specific autoimmunity known for RA (i.e., antibodies to proteins modified by citrullination). Immunostaining for citrullinated proteins in cells from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was used to investigate whether smoking is associated with citrullination in the lungs.

RESULTS
Previous smoking was dose-dependently associated with occurrence of anticitrulline antibodies in RA patients. The presence of SE genes was a risk factor only for anticitrulline-positive RA, and not for anticitrulline-negative RA. A major gene-environment interaction between smoking and HLA-DR SE genes was evident for anticitrulline-positive RA, but not for anticitrulline-negative RA, and the combination of smoking history and the presence of double copies of HLA-DR SE genes increased the risk for RA 21-fold compared with the risk among nonsmokers carrying no SE genes. Positive immunostaining for citrullinated proteins was recorded in bronchoalveolar lavage cells from smokers but not in those from nonsmokers.

CONCLUSION
We identified an environmental factor, smoking, that in the context of HLA-DR SE genes may trigger RA-specific immune reactions to citrullinated proteins. These data thus suggest an etiology involving a specific genotype, an environmental provocation, and the induction of specific autoimmunity, all restricted to a distinct subset of RA.


The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the calcium and phosphorus concentrations in enamel surfaces before, during, and after treatment with in-office 35% hydrogen peroxide bleaching agents with 2% calcium gluconate (WCa) or without calcium gluconate (W). Twenty sound human third molars were divided into 2 groups of 10. The bleaching agents were applied to the tooth surfaces in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions: WCa, 40 minutes per day at 3 sessions with 7-day intervals; W, 3 × 15 minutes per day at 3 sessions with 7-day intervals. Enamel microbiopsies were performed prior to the bleaching treatment, immediately after each bleaching session (first, second, and third applications), and 7 and 14 days following the last bleaching treatment. The concentration levels of calcium and phosphorus in the microbiopsy specimens were recorded spectrophotometrically. There was a statistically significant decrease in the calcium concentration 7 days after the last bleaching treatment, but there was a recovery to baseline values at 14 days, regardless of the bleaching agent used (WCa and W). When W was used, there was no difference in the phosphorus concentration over time. The phosphorus concentration in the WCa group decreased after the third application, showing a significant difference from the W group at this time. However, an increase in the phosphorus concentration was observed in the posttreatment period, and no significant differences were observed between values at baseline and those at 14 days posttreatment. The in-office bleaching gel containing 2% calcium gluconate did not affect the calcium and phosphorus concentrations in enamel as compared to a calcium-free bleaching agent.


Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is employed as a tool to unravel the depositional history of the 17 m thick Nussloch P8 Weichselian loess sequence located 10 km south of Heidelberg, Germany. Through an AMS study, the primary aeolian depositional origin of the magnetic fabrics is evaluated, and overprinting due to postdepositional reworking and/or deformation is identified. Primary fabrics along the P8 sequence are defined by near‐vertical KMIN axes and horizontal foliations. Eight intervals display secondary fabrics, characterized by either prolate orientation distributions or oblate orientation distributions with dipping foliation planes. These postdepositional fabrics are associated with laminated loess and tundra gley horizons. It is proposed that increased moisture (due to higher precipitation or enhanced snowmelt) and repeated cryogenic processes were able to reorganize and rework the accumulated loess. Primary aeolian fabrics are archived within 6.45 m of cumulated depth or 38% of the profile and dominantly within the Upper Pleniglacial units. Even though maximum susceptibility axes of primary fabrics are statistically well resolved at the specimen (ε12 = 10.1° ± 8.6) and population (ε12 = 6°) level, any inferred paleowind directions from the magnetic lineation remains speculative given the low concentration of ferrimagnetic minerals (<0.03 wt %). Tundra gley horizons upprofile display primary magnetic fabrics and no major changes in the degree of anisotropy or AMS orientation distributions. This suggests a weakening in gley‐induced diagenesis and therefore favorable environmental conditions needed (moisture and presence of permafrost active layer) to initiate their formation in loess deposits. Finally, pedogenesis has not played an important role in modifying the magnetic fabric since paleosols display the same magnetic fabrics observed in primary loess.


ABSTRACT The present study examines cross-national variation in school-based bullying victimization. Specifically, we address whether decommodification, a concept implicated in Institutional Anomie Theory that measures the degree of a society's social welfare protection, is a protective factor against school-based bullying victimization. To test this theory, we retrieve data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) questionnaire and combine this data with other sources capturing cross-national factors hypothesized to impact bullying victimization. The sample consists of 286,871 adolescents (with an average age of 15 years) attending 14,192 schools nested within 55 high-and-middle-income countries. We estimate multilevel regression models with three levels of analysis (student, school, and country), finding that countries with a greater degree of decommodification have lower rates of school-based bullying. Overall, our findings illustrate that the national level of social welfare protection, which had been previously neglected in this research literature, is a robust predictor of bullying victimization.


Acute kidney injury is a common condition associated with longer hospital stay and increased mortality. Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is one of the early and sensitive biomarkers for acute kidney injury diagnosis. Therefore we examined the relationship between kidney injury molecule-1 gene polymorphism and acute kidney injury in Lebanese hospitalized patients. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples collected from 50 patients and 40 controls. Kidney injury molecule-1 exon 4 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and the amplified products were sequenced at Macrogen. Serum creatinine and urea levels were measured and compared between controls and patients. Three out of the five known single nucleotide polymorphisms showed significant association with susceptibility to the disease (P ≤ 0.05). Data analysis implied that carriers of the risk allele of these 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms were more predisposed to acute kidney injury. No association was found between the studied nucleotides variations and creatinine/urea levels. Haplotype analysis showed high association of the block CTA with acute kidney injury incidence and high creatinine and urea levels. Our results suggest that polymorphisms in exon 4 of kidney injury molecule-1 in the Lebanese population may be associated with acute kidney injury.


This paper examines strategies that can inform everyday teaching practices of adult educators as well as teacher educators in adult and higher education through a multiliteracies approach. Using original film footage of teaching and learning, interviews with educators and learners, and analysis of curricular planning materials created by the participants, this research attempts to identify and examine features of effective pedagogy and the philosophical decision-making behind its creation.


Patient male, victim of aggression, comatose, with a screwdriver in his ear canal (Figure 1). CT scan showed a route of the screwdriver through the temporal petrous portion, through the internal carotid artery (ICA) course and a subdural hematoma (Figure 2). We performed hematoma evacuation, with subsequently intracranial and cervical ICA temporary clipping. We removed the screwdriver without bleeding (Figure 3). A postoperative angiography showed no vascular lesions (Figure 4). In the patient discharge, he had severe disability (Glasgow outcome scale 3). In these cases there is high risk for bleeding. So, we believe that combined approach should be performed for safe removal of this penetrating body.


We demonstrate that tunable superoleophobic surfaces fabricated by a simple spin and spray coating methods of titania on silicon (Si) wafers and stainless steel (SS) mesh, which possess a hierarchical re-entrant structure consisting of nano meter sized particles on top of micron sized particle, are able to induce superoleophobicity on an oleophilic self assembled monolayer of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perflurodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS). Though comparison between different coating methods, we show that spray coating on Si substrate and SS mesh can repel lower surface tension liquids than spin coating on Si substrates due to formation of half spherical micro-particles on the spray coated substrates which is confirmed by FESEM images. Subsequently, superoleophobic surfaces changes its super repellent property to complete wetting of any liquids under UV illumination by decomposing the FDTS molecules via photo catalytic property of titania particles. The superoleophobic property was regained by annealing followed by grafting of FDTS on the UV treated surface and the total process is repeatable over number of cycles.


A survey of attitudes towards persons who attempt suicide is described. A considerable degree of non‐sympathy was reported, particularly by those hospital‐based staff members who have initial contact with these patients, not only for personal attitude, but also for professional attitude. Although behaviour in the clinical situation cannot necessarily be assumed on the basis of expressed attitudes, these results give grounds for concern, as there are suggestions in the literature that further suicidal behaviour may be precipitated in such patients if they perceive rejection by therapists.


Background: Singletons born following assisted reproductive technology (ART) have adverse neonatal outcome compared to singletons born following spontaneous conception (SC). Moreover, the women undergoing ART are at an increased risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and placental complications. Aim: To study the neonatal and maternal outcomes following the introduction of advanced techniques in ART. Material and methods: All papers were population-based register studies in Sweden with cross linkage of the national ART registers and national health data registers. In paper III also Danish register data were included. Paper I Singletons born after blastocyst transfer (n=4819), singletons born after cleavage stage transfer (n=25,747) and singletons born after SC (n=1,196,394) were included. The main outcome was birth defects. Moreover, other neonatal and maternal outcomes were assessed. Paper II Neonatal and maternal outcomes in different cycle regimens in frozen embryo transfer (FET) (n=6297 in natural cycles, n=1983 in stimulated cycles, n=1446 in programmed cycles) were studied. FET was also compared to fresh embryo transfer and to SC. The primary outcomes were preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks), low birth weight (LBW, <2500 grams), HDP and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH, >1000 mL). Paper III Singleton pregnancies following transfer of vitrified blastocysts (n=3650) were compared to singleton pregnancies following slow-frozen cleavage stage transfer (n=8123) and fresh blastocyst transfer (n=4469). Main outcomes were PTB, LBW, macrosomia, HDP and PPH. Paper IV Singletons born following preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) (n=267) were compared to singletons born following in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (n=55,355) and to SC (n=26,535). Main outcomes were PTB and LBW. Moreover, maternal outcomes and early childhood outcome were assessed. Results: Paper I No difference in the rate of birth defects were observed between the groups. However, there was an increased risk of placenta previa and placental abruption following blastocyst transfer compared to transfer of cleavage stage embryos and SC. Paper II Programmed cycles were associated with a higher risk of HDP (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.6-1.8), PPH (AOR 2.6-2.9), post term birth (AOR 1.6-2.0) and macrosomia (≥4500 grams) (AOR 1.4-1.6) compared to other cycle regimens. The rates of PTB and LBW were similar independently of cycle regimen. Paper III Transfer of vitrified blastocysts was associated with a higher risk of PTB (AOR 1.3). No other differences were found. Paper IV For PGT singletons no differences in PTB and LBW were observed in comparison to other IVF/ICSI singletons yet higher rates compared to SC. The early childhood outcomes were reassuring but should be interpreted cautiously due to few cases and short follow-up time. Conclusion: Blastocyst transfer is associated with a higher risk of placenta previa and placental abruption compared to cleavage stage transfer. Programmed cycles were associated with higher risks of HDP and PPH compared to other cycle regimens. The freezing technique or the embryo biopsy used for PGT do not seem to alter the neonatal and maternal outcomes.


The ability of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 Glasgow (strain 17), HSV-2 (strain HG52), temperature sensitive mutants and a thymidine kinase negative mutant of Glasgow strain 17 to produce a cytopathic effect and induce viral antigen expression in primary and passaged human fetal brain cells was studied. No difference was detected between the behaviour of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Cell-type-specific markers and indirect immunofluorescence were used to define unambiguously the type of individual cells in culture. Cells characterized as astrocytes were present in passaged cultures. Neurons were only seen in primary cultures and were markedly nonpermissive for herpes simplex virus as defined by both cytopathic effect and antigen expression when compared with the other cell types. These techniques and observations are seen to have potential significance for a variety of clinical neurological and neurobiological studies.


Carbon uptake by the terrestrial biosphere depends on supplies of new nitrogen (N) from symbiotic N fixation, but we lack a framework for scaling fixation accurately and for predicting its response to global change. We scaled symbiotic N fixation from individual N fixers (i.e. plants that host N‐fixing bacteria), by quantifying three key parameters—the abundance of N fixers, whether they are fixing N and their N fixation rates. We apply this framework to black locust, a widespread N‐fixing tree in temperate forests of the eastern United States, and harness long‐term data from southern Appalachian forests to scale fixation from trees to the landscape and over succession. Symbiotic N fixation at the landscape scale peaked in the first decade following forest disturbance, and then declined. This pattern was due to the declining density and declining fixation rates of individual black locust trees over succession. Independent of forest succession, and coincident with chronic atmospheric N deposition, we have evidence suggesting that nodule biomass produced by black locust trees has declined by 83% over the last three decades. This difference in nodule biomass translates to a maximum fixation rate of 11 kg N ha−1 year−1 and a landscape average of 1.5 kg N ha−1 year−1 in contemporary forests. Synthesis. We find key controls on symbiotic N fixation by black locust over space and time, suggesting lower fixation rates in eastern deciduous forests than previous estimates. Our scaling framework can be applied to other N fixers to aid predictions of symbiotic N fixation and ecosystem response to global change.


Productivity of gas condensate reservoirs reduces significantly due to the near wellbore condensate/water blockage phenomenon. A novel, permanent solution to alleviate this problem is near wellbore wettability alteration of reservoir rocks to preferentially gas wetting conditions; industrial chemical materials are good candidates for this purpose, because of their eco-friendly characteristic, economical price, and mass production. In this paper, a comparative study is conducted on two industrial fluorinated chemicals, MariSeal 800 and SurfaPore M. Static and dynamic contact angle measurements, spontaneous imbibition, and core flooding tests were conducted to investigate the effect of utilized chemical agents on surface wetting behaviour and fluid flow characteristics of rock samples. Contact angle measurements demonstrate that the liquid phase is changed to a non-wetting phase after chemical treatment and MariSeal 800 has a greater potential to decrease the surface free energy of the calcite surface. Although both chemicals reveal great potential in static contact angle measurements, further experiments were conducted to distinguish between their abilities. Spontaneous air liquid imbibition tests and endpoint relative permeability measurements approved the potential of utilized chemicals to improve liquid phase mobility and decrease critical condensate saturation, which improve production parameters and reservoir productivity. Liquid phase endpoint relative permeabilities of sandstone core samples were improved by factors of 1.74 and 2.62; furthermore, irreducible liquid phase saturations were decreased by factors of 0.68 and 0.5 using MariSeal 800 and SurfaPore M chemicals. The results of this research help efficient selection of chemical agents for further field applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved


Titanium‐containing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are known to perform light‐promoted chemical transformations. Formation of these frameworks, accessed either natively or via transmetallation, can instill beneficial photocatalytic properties in previously photo‐inert scaffolds. Band edge diagrams coupled with their density of states illustrate the persistent nature of the accessible titanium d‐states at the conduction band edge, independent of linker identity. In essentially all of these Ti‐containing frameworks, the valence band edge localizes on the organic component, permitting facile modulation of the band gap. In sum, the spatial separation of photogenerated excitons will be observed in both the native and titanium(IV)‐substituted MOFs, and this exciton pair is useful in photocatalysis.


In this paper, we describe how a research spoken dialog system was made available to the general public. The Let's Go Public spoken dialog system provides bus schedule information to the Pittsburgh population during off-peak times. This paper describes the changes necessary to make the system usable for the general public and presents analysis of the calls and strategies we have used to ensure high performance.


A distributed least-squares estimation strategy is developed by appealing to collaboration techniques that exploit the space-time structure of the data, achieving an exact recursive solution that is fully distributed. Each node is allowed to communicate with its immediate neighbor in order to exploit the spatial dimension, while it evolves locally to account for the time dimension as well. In applications where communication and energy resources are scarce, an approximate RLS scheme that is also fully distributed is proposed in order to decrease the communication burden necessary to implement distributed collaborative solution. The performance of the resulting algorithm tends to its exact counterpart in the mean-square sense as the forgetting factor lambda tends to unity. A spatial-temporal energy conservation argument is used to evaluate the steady-state performance of the individual nodes across the adaptive distributed network for the low communications RLS implementation. Computer simulations illustrate the results.


Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the modal shift of passengers by analyzing their preferences. If the preferences of passengers are known it is possible to build up mathematically their utility function. This is the statistically correct way to simulate the modal shift of the investigated area. To capture the preferences of passengers stated preference method was used in online questionnaire. Five key factors were identified (from the point of passengers): travel cost, travel time, comfort, safety and environmental efficiency. In order to decrease the number of questions three levels were predefined these three questions made the base of the choice model. Every replier got three alternatives and they were told to choose the best for themselves. From the results of the questionnaire the formulas and the parameters of the mode choice utility function was derived. With the help of statistical sample an exponential utility function showed the best matching. For the validation process a probability model was set up to be compared to the proportions of the utilities. With this utility function it is possible to handle the changes in possible future transport services. Based on the introduced statistical approach the described method can be used to identify the effect of transport modes on regional development and tourism. The revealed utility function can help to develop proper regional development plans.


Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive imaging modality to measure functional brain activities. Many researches have investigated diffuse optical tomography (DOT) to overcome the limitation of lack of depth information in fNIRS topographic approach. In this paper, we proposes a novel compressed sensing approach, especially using a 2-thresholding algorithm, that directly reconstructs statistical parameter maps by exploiting spatio-temporal sparsity of neural activation. The final reconstruction algorithm has very intuitive form which is similar to conventional fDOT with SPM analysis. However, the main advantage of the new algorithm is that the unknown weighting components in inversion kernel are iteratively updated for more accurate reconstruction which significantly improves the reconstruction performance. Experimental results demonstrated that the localization error using the proposed method is competitive with that of fMRI.


The time series of abundance indices for many groundfish
populations, as determined from trawl surveys, are often imprecise and short, causing stock assessment estimates
of abundance to be imprecise. To improve precision, prior probability distributions (priors) have been developed
for parameters in stock assessment models by using meta-analysis, expert judgment on catchability, and empirically based modeling. This article presents a synthetic approach for formulating priors for rockfish trawl survey catchability (qgross). A multivariate prior for qgross for different surveys is formulated by using 1) a correction factor for bias in estimating fish density between trawlable and untrawlable areas, 2) expert judgment on trawl net catchability, 3) observations from trawl survey experiments, and 4) data on the fraction of population
biomass in each of the areas surveyed. The method is illustrated by using bocaccio (Sebastes paucipinis) in British Columbia. Results indicate that expert judgment can be updated markedly by observing the catch-rate ratio from different trawl gears in the same areas. The marginal priors
for qgross are consistent with empirical estimates obtained by fitting a stock assessment model to the survey data under a noninformative prior for qgross. Despite high prior uncertainty (prior coefficients of variation ≥0.8) and high prior correlation between qgross, the prior for qgross still enhances the precision of key stock assessment
quantities.


We have observed stable avalanche gain in liquid argon when mixed with small amounts of xenon in the high electric field (>7 MV/cm) near the point of a chemically etched needle in a point-plane geometry. We identify two gain mechanisms, one pressure dependent, and the other independent of the applied pressure. We conclude that the pressure dependent signals are from avalanche gain in gas bubbles at the tip of the needle, while the pressure independent pulses are from avalanche gain in liquid. We measure the decay time spectra of photons from both types of avalanches. The decay times from the pressure dependent pulses decrease (increase) with the applied pressure (high voltage), while the decay times from the pressure independent pulses are approximately independent of pressure or high voltage. For our operating conditions, the collected charge distribution from avalanches is similar for 60 keV or 122 keV photon sources. With krypton additives, instead of Xe, we measure behavior consistent with only the pressure dependent pulses. Neon and TMS were also investigated as additives, and designs for practical detectors were tested.


In this work, a new approach is proposed for monitoring the irregularities of rail track and it necessary to increase the safety of transportation. Traditional Track Recording Vehicles (TRV) will inspect the track in the midnight when all the services are completed. Each track lines are inspected only once or less in a month so that any serious degradation in the track line is not detected on time which causes a serious threat to the safety of railway system. Therefore in recent years focus has been shifted to the in-service vehicle monitoring. In this paper bogie and car body acceleration measurements are used to detect track irregularities. Bogie and car body sensors give information about track alignment which is further investigated using the mathematical model and the frequency response analysis. Simulation and the field results show the effectiveness of the proposed system. The differential evolution (DE) algorithm is used to optimize the values of irregularities which is received from the accelerometers placed in the axle box and bogie. Simulation is carried out for two different speeds of the train and the comparison is made between the track geometry measurement and the proposed DE method and the results indicate that the effectiveness of the proposed technique.


Respiratory disorders in the upper respiratory tract during sleep are most often part of a continuous pathological process of long standing. Schematically, three clinical syndromes with increasing severity are described: breathing with the mouth open, snoring and sleep apneal hypopnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a subtle, but severe sleep disorder of early childhood. It is often difficult to detect and may have long-term consequences, including failure to thrive, behavioral disturbances, developmental delay, and cor pulmonale. These conditions always include a functional maxillofacial perturbation, which may be associated with a constitutional or acquired morphological disorder. Pediatric dentists must be aware of the problems connected with mouth breathing and OSAS (obstructive sleep apnea syndrome) in children as any delay in diagnosis and treatment may cause prolonged morbidity. They also have a role in the diagnosis and co-management of these patients because the signs and symptoms may be recognizable in the dental practice. Besides the medical approach itself, the treatment sometimes is surgical, always orthopedic: the earlier it is initiated, the more effective, simple and unrestraining it is. The aim of this work is to focus attention on the early diagnosis and prevention of these pathologies. Diagnostic guidelines will be illustrated.


Abstract This paper presents a numerical investigation of hydraulic fracturing in oil sands during cold water injection by considering the aspects of both geomechanics and reservoir fluid flow. According to previous studies, the low shear strengths of unconsolidated or weakly consolidated sandstone reservoirs significantly influence the hydraulic fracturing process. Therefore, classical hydraulic fracture models cannot simulate the fracturing process in weak sandstone reservoirs. In the current numerical models, the direction of a tensile fracture is predetermined based on in situ stress conditions. Additionally, the potential transformation of a shear fracture into a tensile fracture and the potential reorientation of a tensile fracture owing to shear banding at the fracture tip have not yet been addressed in the literature. In this study, a smeared fracture technique is employed to simulate tensile and shear fractures in oil sands. The model used combines many important fracture features, which include the matrix flow, poroelasticity and plasticity modeling, saturation-dependent permeability, gradual degradation of the oil sands as a result of dilative shear deformation, and the tensile fracturing and shear failure that occur with the simultaneous enhancement of permeability. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses are also performed with respect to the reservoir and geomechanical parameters, including the apparent tensile strength and cohesion of the oil sands, magnitude of the minimum and maximum principal stress, absolute permeability and elastic modulus of the oil sands and ramp-up time. All these analyses are performed to clarify the influences of these parameters on the fracturing response of the oil sands.


Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide and its survival rate depends on the stage in which it is detected on hence the necessity for an early colon screening. There are several screening techniques but colonoscopy is still nowadays the gold standard, although it has some drawbacks such as the miss rate. Our contribution, in the field of intelligent systems for colonoscopy, aims at providing a polyp localization and a polyp segmentation system based on a model of appearance for polyps. To develop both methods we define a model of appearance for polyps, which describes a polyp as enclosed by intensity valleys. The novelty of our contribution resides on the fact that we include in our model aspects of the image formation and we also consider the presence of other elements from the endoluminal scene such as specular highlights and blood vessels, which have an impact on the performance of our methods. In order to develop our polyp localization method we accumulate valley information in order to generate energy maps, which are also used to guide the polyp segmentation. Our methods achieve promising results in polyp localization and segmentation. As we want to explore the usability of our methods we present a comparative analysis between physicians fixations obtained via an eye tracking device and our polyp localization method. The results show that our method is indistinguishable to novice physicians although it is far from expert physicians.


A high positive charge is the common characteristic shared by the beta-sheet region of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and CXCR4 antagonists such as ALX40-4C consisting of nine D-arginines. This raises the question that the positively charged residues may play a role in recognition of CXCR4. To test this hypothesis, two studies were carried out using synthetic peptides. In the first study, peptide analogs possessing amino acid sequences from both the N-terminus and the beta-sheet region of SDF-1 were used as models to study the functional role of the beta-sheet region of SDF-1. The attachment of positively charged residues to the N-terminal peptide sequence of SDF-1 was found to enhance the ability of the peptides in CXCR4 binding and inhibiting CXCR4-mediated T-tropic HIV-1 entry. In the second study, two peptides containing nine arginines and the N-terminal signal sequence of SDF-1 were used as models to study the receptor binding mechanism of CXCR4 antagonists of high positive charges such as ALX40-4C. One peptide did not show signaling activity as indicated by the lack of calcium influx while another peptide induced unusual calcium influx distinct from that induced by the SDF-1 N-terminal peptide. In addition, the signal induced by the SDF-1 N-terminal peptide was inhibited by ALX40-4C. Therefore, the first study provides experimental support for the role of the highly positive beta-sheet region of SDF-1 in CXCR4 binding. The second study suggests that the binding site of ALX40-4C in CXCR4 may partially overlap with that of the SDF-1 N-terminal peptide. Both findings should be valuable for the design of SDF-1 agonists and antagonists.


AIM
To investigate the relationship between Apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) (-455T>C) polymorphism and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the Southern Chinese Han population.

METHODS
In this prospective case-control study, we recruited 300 NAFLD patients and 300 healthy controls to a cohort representing Southern Chinese Han population at The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, from January to December 2012. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing were used to genotype the APOC3 (-455T>C) variants.

RESULTS
After adjusting for age, gender, and body-mass index, TC and CC genotypes were found to increase the susceptibility to NAFLD compared to the TT genotype, with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.77 (95%CI: 1.16-2.72) and 2.80 (95%CI: 1.64-4.79), respectively. Further stratification analysis indicated that carriers of the CC genotype was more susceptible to insulin resistance (IR) than those of the TT genotype, with an OR of 3.24 (95%CI: 1.52-6.92). The CC genotype also was associated with a significantly higher risk of hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (P < 0.05). No association was found between the APOC3 (-455T>C) polymorphism and obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia, or high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION
APOC3 (-455T>C) genetic variation is involved in the susceptibility to developing NAFLD, IR, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL in the Southern Chinese Han population.


OBJECTIVE
To explore that Invigorating Spleen and Detoxification Decoction (ISD) enhanced the survival of spleen-deficiency liver cancer rats and the effect on major histocompatibility complex I (MHC I) and major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II).

METHODS
105 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, liver cancer model group, spleen-deficiency model group, spleen-deficiency liver cancer model group, Thymopentin group and spleen-deficiency liver cancer model groups treated by low and high-concentration ISD for modeling and intervention. Recorded the animals' weight, survival time, moribund state and cachexia score of liver cancer rats, and collected specimens in the experiment. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect MHC I/MHC II expression in liver tissue and liver cancer tissue.

RESULTS
The cumulative survival of high concentration ISD group and Thymopentin group were higher than that of the other groups (P < 0.05), and whose cachexia score were lower than the rest (P < 0.05). In the spleen-deficiency liver cancer model groups, MHC I expression in liver tissue was higher than that in liver cancer tissue, both in these two tissues, expression of high-concentration ISD group was the strongest (P < 0.01). MHC II expression in liver cancer tissue was stronger than that in liver tissue, expression of high-concentration ISD group was the strongest in liver tissue, but in liver cancer tissue, the spleen-deficiency liver cancer model group was the strongest (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION
ISD can significantly decrease the progression of cachexia caused by transplantable tumor and prolong the survival time, the effect may be related to increasing MHC I/MHC II expression.


Abstract : An investigation was conducted aimed at developing dielectric spectroscopy as a non-destructive inspection tool to assess aging of adhesive bonded structures. Dielectric spectroscopy was found to be a sensitive tool capable of detecting defects and absorbed moisture in adhesive bonded structures. The highlights of the research performed are: l) The defects in adhesive joints decrease the real and imaginary dielectric permittivity in the frequency domain and induce additional peaks in the time domain spectra; 2) The dielectric spectra of dry epoxy-amine networks are characterized by two Arrhenius-like local relaxations: the beta process, associated with hydroxyl groups and the gamma process, associated with primary and secondary amine, and glycidyl ether groups; 3) Dynamics of beta and gamma processes are affected by short time aging. New relaxation processes appear in both model and commercial epoxy-amine adhesives after long term exposure to moisture. 4) Time domain reflectometry (TDR) traces shift to longer time with water ingress in the early stages of aging, but this trend is reversed at some critical time, which is possibly a signature of disbonding.


This study was done to find out the correlation between various grades of Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) and stages of HIE in perinatal asphyxia and to determine the short-term outcome of the affected baby. This observational study was conducted in Neonatal ward of Dhaka Shishu Hospital (DHS) and Dhaka Medical College Hospital for period of 37 months from January 2004 to January 2007. Total 189 perinatally asphyxiated babies were enrolled for HIE staging and cranial Ultrasonogram (USG) to find out grades of IVH. Finally 178 newborns were fulfilling all the necessary criteria for statistical analysis of the collected data on prescribed questionnaire. Among 178 perinatally asphyxiated newborns HIE stages - I, II, III were 50(28%), 10(56%) and 28(16%) respectively. Out of this 178 neonates total 50(28%) developed various grades IVH. Grades of IVH, I, II, III, IV were 15(30%), 18(36%), 10(20%) and 7(14%) respectively. There was significant correlation between the severity of HIE staging and grades of IVH. Short term outcome was poor in HIE-III, IVH grade III and IV. There is a direct relationship between different grades of IVH and stages of HIE. That is more the severe stages of HIE there is more chances to develop severe grades of IVH, Immediate morbidity and mortality is dependent on the grades of IVH and severity of stages of HIE.


The first and committed step in de novo sphingolipid synthesis is catalysed by serine palmitoyltransferase (EC 184.108.40.206), which condenses serine and palmitoyl-CoA to form 3-ketosphinganine in a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent reaction. We have isolated and characterized a cDNA clone from Arabidopsis thaliana that is homologous to yeast and mammalian LCB2. For a functional identification, the A. thaliana homologous cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli, which resulted in significant production of new sphinganine in E. coli cells.


This paper discusses the causes and the consequences of the financial crisis 2007-2008 with a focus on systemic risk management and the reform of the global financial architecture.


Existing distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) solutions cannot handle highly aggregated data rates; thus, they are unsuitable for Internet service provider (ISP) core networks. This article proposes a digital twin-enabled intelligent DDoS detection mechanism using an online learning method for autonomous systems. Our contributions are three-fold: we first design a DDoS detection architecture based on the digital twin for ISP core networks. We implemented a Yet Another Next Generation (YANG) model and an automated feature selection (AutoFS) module to handle core network data. We used an online learning approach to update the model instantly and efficiently, improve the learning model quickly, and ensure accurate predictions. Finally, we reveal that our proposed solution successfully detects DDoS attacks and updates the feature selection method and learning model with a true classification rate of ninety-seven percent. Our proposed solution can estimate the attack within approximately fifteen minutes after the DDoS attack starts.


A series of wind tunnel tests were conducted to investigate the effects of parapets of different configurations and various heights on the wind loading of a flat-roofed low-rise building. Local wind pressures, area-averaged peak pressures, and overall roof uplift force on the roof were determined. Spectral analysis was also performed to better understand the mechanism of how the presence of parapets affects the wind effects on the building. Additional attention was given to the power spectral density and non-Gaussian features of the area-averaged wind pressures. The results show that low parapets (h/H no more than 0.1) often increase suctions in the roof corner region. The presence of high parapets results in a decrease in the wind effects over the roof corners; however, it also leads to a growth of the uplift force over the entire roof. Comparisons among many different parapet configurations show that the ones with the raised and bottom-slotted corners help to efficiently alleviate the worst suction on flat roofs. In addition, the high parapet acts as a low-pass filter, filters out parts of the high-frequency energy in the approach flow, and stabilizes the wind pressure distribution on roof.


With modern microtechnology, there is an aggressive miniaturization of smart devices, despite an increasing level of integration and overall complexity. It is therefore becoming increasingly important to be achieve reliable, compact packaging. For implantable medical devices (IMDs), the package must additionally provide a high quality hermetic environment to protect the device from the human body. For chip-scale devices, AuSn eutectic bonding offers the possibility of forming compact seals that achieve ultra-low permeability. A key feature is this can be achieved at process temperatures of below 350315°C, therefore allowing for the integration of sensors and microsystems with CMOS electronics within a single package. Issues however such as solder wetting, void formation and controlling composition make formation of high-quality repeatable seals highly challenging. Towards this aim, this paper presents our experimental work characterizing the eutectic stack deposition. We detail our designmethods and process flow, share our experiences in controlling electrochemical deposition of AuSn alloy and finally discuss usability of sequential electroplating process for the formation of hermetic eutectic bonds.


Previous studies have focused on news usage among inter ethnic groups with limited attention on intra ethnic groups. Furthermore, these previous studies have not attempted to correlate the news gratifications sought with the news gratifications
obtained. These studies have not also attempted to examine a possible moderating role of ethnic migration on the news usage of ethnic groups. The study aims at exploring the relationship between news and ethnicity as important social phenomena. This is against the backdrop of the strong influence that ethnicity has on the personality of Nigerians. Mixed method approach was used. Survey
questionnaires were administered on sampled undergraduates in Nigeria. In-depth interviews were also conducted among members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigeria. Partial Least Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed on NVivo software. Findings show a significant difference among the ethnic groups in their news gratifications. Ethnic migration significantly moderates the relationship between news gratifications sought and news gratifications obtained. Our qualitative data show that the ethnic groups differ in several ways on how they use media for news gratifications. Through this study, ethnicity as a predictor of news usage has been further explored from a peculiar context of intra ethnic diversity. Coupled with the novel exploration of ethnic migration as a moderator in the news usage process, this study has expanded the horizon of Uses and Gratifications Theory. Practically, the Federal Government of Nigeria can use the findings of this study to evolve more
realistic strategies for effective mobilization of Nigerian youth.


The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Joint Program Office (JPO) work collaboratively with private industry to identify technologies that improve efficiency and productivity, increase global connectivity, and enhance freight system performance. FHWA and JPO also support their testing and evaluation in the field. Independent evaluation of technology performance, costs, and benefits is a key part of DOT's efforts. This report shares information about the state of the art and the adoption of intelligent freight technologies by industries and their customers. Specifically, the report discusses the innovation and implementation processes for intelligent freight technologies, triggers for and barriers to deployment, the types of intelligent freight technologies and their benefits, and field operational test results. Today, intelligent freight technologies are used to improve freight system efficiency and productivity, increase global connectivity, and enhance freight system security against common threats and terrorism. These technologies are currently deployed in several areas: 1) asset tracking, 2) on-board status monitoring, 3) gateway facilitation, 4) freight status information, and 5) network status information.


Abstract Over the last two decades, undergraduate university education in England moved from being state-funded and free for students, to costing all students substantial amounts in tuition fees. In this paper, using detailed administrative longitudinal microdata that follow all students attending state schools in England (approximately 95% of student population), we causally show that, despite the substantial reforms, enrollment fell only by 0.5 percentage points, where the effect is largely borne by those in wealthier groups, reducing the enrolment gap across socio-economic groups. Since tuition fees were introduced in conjunction with the government offering generous means-tested maintenance (cash) grants, as well as loans, our results highlight the importance of reducing financing constraints. Beyond enrollment, we find that the reforms have limited impact on students' higher education choices, such as relocation decisions, university choice, and field of study. Finally, by tracking the students after graduation, we show similarly small effects on labor market outcomes.


Abstract. It is well known that an excess of glucocorticoids affects thyroid tests. The effect of adrenal deficiency on thyroid hormones is less well defined. We here describe the case of a 33‐year‐old woman with Cushing's disease who was cured by trans‐sphenoidal surgery. During the postoperative period, a secondary adrenal insufficiency developed. The thyroid blood tests then revealed elevated L‐triiodothyronine (T3) levels and a decrease in reverse T3. These findings suggest that secondary adrenal deficiency may be associated with high T3 levels, which may be due to an increase in the peripheral conversion of thyroxine (T4) to T3.


Obesity during childhood is a serious and growing chronic disease with consequences for lifelong health. In an effort to advance research into the preclinical indicators of pediatric obesity, we examined longitudinal assessments of uric acid concentrations in saliva among a cohort of healthy children from age 6-months to 12-years (n's per assessment range from 294 to 727).Using data from a subsample of participants from the Family Life Project (an Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program cohort), we: (1) characterized salivary uric acid (sUA) concentrations from infancy to early adolescence by sex and race; (2) assessed changes in sUA levels across development; and (3) evaluated associations between sUA concentrations and measures of child weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). Across four assessments conducted at 6-, 24-, 90-, and 154-months of age, 2,000 saliva samples were assayed for UA from 781 participants (217 participants had sUA data at all assessments).There were no significant differences in sUA concentrations by sex at any assessment, and differences in sUA concentrations between White and non-White children varied by age. At the 90- and 154-month assessments, sUA concentrations were positively correlated with measures of child weight, height, and BMI (90-month: weight- ρ(610) = 0.13, p < 0.01; height- ρ(607) = 0.10, p < 0.05; BMI- ρ(604) = 0.13, p < 0.01; 154-month: weight- ρ(723) = 0.18, p < 0.0001; height- ρ(721) = 0.10, p < 0.01; BMI- ρ(721) = 0.17, p < 0.0001). Group based trajectory modeling identified two groups of children in our sample with distinct patterns of sUA developmental change. The majority (72%) of participants showed no significant changes in sUA across time ("Stable" group), while 28% showed increases in sUA across childhood with steep increases from the 90- to 154-month assessments ("Increasing" group). Children in the Increasing group exhibited higher sUA concentrations at all assessments (6-month: t(215) = −5.71, p < 0.001; 24-month: t(215) = −2.89, p < 0.01; 90-month: t(215) = −3.89, p < 0.001; 154-month: t(215) = −19.28, p < 0.001) and higher weight at the 24- and 90-month assessments (24-month: t(214) = −2.37, p < 0.05; 90-month: t(214) = −2.73, p < 0.01).Our findings support the potential utility of sUA as a novel, minimally-invasive biomarker that may help advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying obesity as well as further surveillance and monitoring efforts for pediatric obesity on a large-scale.


Develop data fusion method for atmospheric refractivity scheme based on objective analysis. Develop means to map observations of refractivity based on radio frequency (RF) propagation measurements into the space utilized for the analysis. Incorporate refractivity from clutter (RFC) algorithms to provide observational input to Refractivity Data Fusion (RDF) algorithm. Exercise the data fusion scheme on a combination of synthetic and real data to assess performance. Achieve reasonable processing time (on the order of 1-minute) with a representative domain size using a high-end laptop computer.


Abstract : The scalable emergency system is intended to cover the full scale of possible at-sea incidents from the routine to the rare; from the detection and decontamination of a single piece of equipment before it is loaded on a vessel, to the response, rescue, containment and rehabilitation of a vessel in open waters. The system will be able to safely and quickly decontaminate cargo and personnel, as well as entire vessels at sea and in port. This report finalizes the top level design of the four (4) primary concepts selected for the program.


Crime is ordinarily proscribed, tried and punished according to the laws on the place where it occurs. American criminal law applies beyond the geographical confines of the United States, however, under some limited circumstances. The federal exceptions to the general rule usually involve crimes like drug trafficking, terrorism, or crimes committed aboard a ship or airplane. State prosecution for overseas misconduct is limited almost exclusively to multijurisdictional crimes, i.e., crimes where some elements of the offense are committed within the state and others are committed abroad. The Constitution, Congress, and state law define the circumstances under which American criminal law may be used against crimes occurring, in whole or in part, outside the United States


Introduction: The pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia (HF) is characterized by hemolytic and intermittent vasoconstrictive events with increased redox status in the vascular microenvironment that favors the chronic inflammation. Objectives: To investigate whether hydroxyurea (HU) acts in the inhibition/minimization of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and in the modulation of in vitro the antioxidant genes expression.
 Methods: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay was performed to determine the antioxidant activity of HU using L-ascorbate (L-Asc) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as antioxidant controls. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were challenged with HU in the presence or absence of hemin for evaluation the cytotoxicity, inhibition of superoxide anions, nitrate/nitrite production and expression of antioxidant enzymes SOD1 (superoxide dismutase-1); GPx (glutathione peroxidase); GSR (glutathione-disulfide reductase); and HMOX1 (heme oxygenase-1 by RT-qPCR. Microarray analyses were performed on HUVEC stimulated with HU.
 Results: HU showed scavenging activity (similar to BHT) at concentrations equivalent to that found in the plasma of patients taking the drug (~200 μM). Treatments with HU alone or in combination with hemin did not induce toxicity in PBMC and HUVEC. HU decreases the accumulation of superoxide anions in PBMC in the presence or absence of hemin and the combined treatment of HU with hemin stimulated nitrate/nitrite production in PBMC. HU increases expression of SOD1 and GPx in PBMC and HUVEC. The increase in GSR expression was observed in PBMC and HUVEC submitted to the combined treatment of HU with hemin. HU did not induce HMOX1 expression and did not decrease its expression in combination with hemin in both, PBMC and HUVEC (Figure 1). The microarray assay showed that HU induces the expression of cellular antioxidant components, such as SOD2, GSR, GST1 (glutathione S-transferase-1, GSTM2 (glutathione S-transferase mu 2), MGST1 (microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1), CBR1 (carbonyl reductase 1), protein kinases phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate C (PRKCB, PRKCZ, PIK3C2B) and p62/SQSTM1 (sequestosome 1) (Table 1). In contrast, a decrease in BACH1 (BTB domain and CNC homolog 1) transcriptional factor expression was observed. Upstream analysis demonstrated prediction of activation for the transcriptional factor JUN and miR-155-5p.
 Conclusion: The findings indicate that HU can act (i) directly inhibiting on the direct inhibition of ROS/RNS; (ii) inducing nitrite/nitrate production in the presence of hemin; (iii) besides stimulating the antioxidant cellular response by inducing the antioxidant/electrophile response element (ARE/EpRE) mediated by Nrf2 under p62/SQSTM1 regulation.

 No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Based on data from a cross-section of urban households in Southwestern Ethiopia, in this paper, we examine some endogenous household characteristics that could be targeted through market-based policy measure(s). We use a count data model and the theory of consumer behavior to first identify some important socio-economic determinants of the demand for children. Then, we simulate the average number of children desired by a woman of median household characteristics and the extent to which an exogenously set population policy goal of lower fertility can be achieved. Finally, we present the extent by which market based policy measures could help reduce the desired number of children. The results of the study show that measures such as formal expansion of paternal and maternal education, altering the economic value of children, increasing household income, and delaying the marriage age are important. We also find institutional approaches that require "faithbased initiatives" relevant. An important policy implication that can be drawn from this result is the need to target such socio-economic variables in designing and implementing population policy measures in Ethiopia and other African nations with similar demographic features.


Natural gas is considered a helpful transition fuel in order to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of other conventional power plants burning coal or liquid fossil fuels. Natural Gas Hydrates (NGHs) constitute the largest reservoir of natural gas in the world. Methane contained within the crystalline structure can be replaced by carbon dioxide to enhance gas recovery from hydrates. This technical review presents a techno-economic analysis of the full pathway, which begins with the capture of CO2 from power and process industries and ends with its transportation to a geological sequestration site consisting of clathrate hydrates. Since extracted methane is still rich in CO2, on-site separation is required. Focus is thus placed on membrane-based gas separation technologies widely used for gas purification and CO2 removal from raw natural gas and exhaust gas. Nevertheless, the other carbon capture processes (i.e., oxy-fuel combustion, pre-combustion and post-combustion) are briefly discussed and their carbon capture costs are compared with membrane separation technology. Since a large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facility requires CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure, a technical, cost and safety assessment of CO2 transportation over long distances is carried out. Finally, this paper provides an overview of the storage solutions developed around the world, principally studying the geological NGH formation for CO2 sinks.


The limits in resolution enhancement, obtained by deconvoluting experimental spectra with the zero gradient line in the frame of electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI), are discussed. The enhancement is evaluated for different values of the signal-to-noise ratio and different line widths of the spectra. Deconvolution requires the use of a low-pass filter in the Fourier domain. The cut-off frequency of this filter can be taken at the intersection between the signal and noise power spectra. This choice gives an automatic criterion to select the filter bandwidth if deconvolution is performed on a large data sequence. The effect of deconvolution is described by a parameter r that gives an indication of the gain achieved in performing deconvolution. It is defined as the ratio between the widths of the natural line shape and the filter response. Its value depends on the signal-to-noise ratio and on the line width of the original spectrum.


Cosmetically unappealing lax, wrinkled eyelid skin may result from various processes including connective tissue diseases, natural aging, and blepharochalasis. Since the end-stage eyelid changes due to several different processes are similar, the presence or absence of prior chronic or recurrent eyelid edema is an important differentiating point. We review blepharochalasis and provide a logical approach to its differential diagnosis.


Time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is used to obtain the time-of-flight (TOF) information generated by single-photon avalanche diodes. With restricted measurements per histogram and the presence of high background light, it is challenging to obtain the TOF information in the statistical histogram. In order to improve the robustness under these conditions, the concept of machine learning is applied to the statistical histogram. Using the multi-peak extraction method, introduced by us, followed by the neural-network-based multi-peak analysis, the analysis and resources can be focused on a small amount of critical information in the histogram. Multiple possible TOF positions are evaluated and the correlated soft-decisions are assigned. The proposed method has higher robustness in allocating the coarse position (± 5 %) of TOF in harsh conditions than the case using classical digital processing. Thus, it can be applied to improve the system robustness, especially in the case of high background light.


A 34-year-old man with Marfan syndrome finished to replace the total aorta in consecutive 4 operations for 7 years. Two years later, he was diagnosed as bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms and performed a reconstruction of both arteries in September 7, 1998. Then 2 years later, innominate artery was dilated and Y-type grafting was performed in March 14, 2001. Now we have a scheduled operation for celiac artery aneurysm. In patients with Marfan syndrome, aortic dissection and aneurysms are common complications, but progressive dilatations of aortic branches are rear. Regular follow-up is important even though total aortic replacement was completed.


Sounding resistance, such as CPTU cone tip resistance, is often used to estimate the settlement of the subsoil when designing ground-supported structures. This paper utilizes CPTU-based probabilistic modelling to estimate the settlement of two test embankments located in Finland. The model is based on an empirical correlation between CPTU net cone resistance and constrained modulus (M0 ), described by factor α. Besides the existing correlation (prior distribution of α), this paper also considers the site-specific observations via Bayes' theorem. By means of Monte Carlo simulation, the settlement histograms were produced and the results compared to the observed settlements. Lastly, the effect of dry crust on the embankment load transmission was considered in order to decrease the model bias. The results indicate that for the other embankment the effect of dry crust has to be considered in order to acquire satisfactory results. It is concluded that this CPTU-based settlement model might be suitable for stiff, overconsolidated silty clay soils in Finland. However, model calibration using site-specific oedometer test data is recommended. On the other hand, such simplified model with a singular modulus should not be used for normally consolidated clay subsoils.


Background: Identifying underlying commonalities amongst all cause encephalitis cases can be extraordinarily useful in predicting meaningful risk factors associated with inpatient mortality amongst a disease where the exact etiology is unknown more often than not.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients with encephalitis was derived from clinical chart review of adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) across 16 different hospitals in Houston, Texas, between January 2005 and July 2015. Clinical features at admission were assessed for their correlation with inpatient mortality and used to derive a final risk score prediction tool.

Results: A total of 273 adult patients with all cause encephalitis, 27 (9.9%) died during hospitalization. A limited number of clinical features were substantially different between patients that survived and those that died (Charlson score, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), immunosuppression, fever on admission, multiple serologic studies, and abnormal imaging). A final multivariable logistic model was derived with the following risk factors that were transformed into a scoring system: 1 point was assigned to the presence of a Charlson score > 2, thrombocytopenia, or cerebral edema, and 2 points for a GCS value < 8. Patients were then classified into different risk groups for inpatient mortality:  0 points (0%), 1 points (7%), 2 points (10.9%), 3 points (36.8%), and ≥ 4 points (81.8%).

Conclusion: The risk score developed from this study shows a high predictive value. This can be highly beneficial in alerting care providers to key clinical risk factors associated with in hospital mortality in adults with encephalitis.

Funding Statement: Grant A Starr Foundation.

Declaration of Interests: RH has received research support and fees from Biofire®. All other authors have no conflicts of interest.

Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the University of Texas Health Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects, the Harris Health System Research and Sponsor Programs, and the Memorial Hermann Research Review Committee.


Based on phenomena At present, children experience an exemplary crisis. This happened because, at least the mass media raised the theme of exemplary figures for children. Television shows, for example, are dominated by entertainment programs in various variations, soap operas, or celebrity gossip shows that cannot be expected to provide examples of Islamic life as a whole. In this exemplary crisis, educators are an important base. Therefore, educators must have high awareness, to be role models in the process of forming Islamic moral character of children. The results of this study prove that: exemplary in education is an effective method / way of preparing children in terms of morals, mental and social. Psychologically exemplary as a method of Islamic education because it sees basically human beings from a young age already have a sense of wanting to imitate the movements or behavior of parents, teachers, and the environment. In this regard parents are required, the teacher has qualities that are exemplary as practiced by the Prophet. like the nature of patience, affection, morality, tawadhu ', zuhud and just.


Exotic plant invasions are especially problematic because reestablishment of native perennial vegetation is rarely successful. It may be more appropriate to treat exotic plant infestations that still have some remaining native vegetation. We evaluated this restoration strategy by measuring the effects of spring burning, fall burning, fall applied imazapic, spring burning with fall applied imazapic, and fall burning with fall applied imazapic on the exotic annual grass, medusahead (Taeniatherum caput‐medusae (L.) Nevski), and native vegetation at six sites in Oregon for 2 years post‐treatment. Medusahead infestations included in this study had some residual native perennial bunchgrasses and forbs. Burning followed by imazapic application provided the best control of medusahead and resulted in the greatest increases in native perennial vegetation. However, imazapic application decreased native annual forb cover the first year post‐treatment and density the first and second year post‐treatment. The spring burn followed by imazapic application produced an almost 2‐fold increase in plant species diversity compared to the control. The fall burn followed by imazapic application also increased diversity compared to the control. Results of this study indicate that native plants can be promoted in medusahead invasions; however, responses vary by plant functional group and treatment. Our results compared to previous research suggest that restoration of plant communities invaded by exotic annual grass may be more successful if efforts focus on areas with some residual native perennial vegetation. Thus, invasive plant infestations with some native vegetation remaining should receive priority for restoration efforts over near monocultures of invasive plant species.


The benefits that a software organization obtains from estimates of product quality are dependent upon how early in the product cycle that these estimates are available. Early estimation of software quality can help organizations make informed decisions about corrective actions. To provide such early estimates we present an empirical case study of two large scale commercial operating systems, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. In particular, we leverage various historical in-process and product metrics from Windows XP binaries to create statistical predictors to estimate the post-release failures/failure-proneness of Windows Server 2003 binaries. These models estimate the failures and failure-proneness of Windows Server 2003 binaries at statistically significant levels. Our study is unique in showing that historical predictors for a software product line can be useful, even at the very large scale of the Windows operating system


The NCHRP Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) is a powerful tool for the design and analysis of highway pavements. Currently, the designer uses an iterative process to select design parameters and predict performance. If performance is unacceptable, the designer must change the design parameters until acceptable performance is achieved. A procedure outlined here used multiple adaptive regression splines (MARS) to develop predictive models obtained from a series of actual pavement design solutions from MEPDG software. Two model structures were developed: a series of models to predict individual pavement distress (rutting, fatigue cracking, and roughness) and a forward solution to predict pavement thickness from a desired level of distress. This model can be used to determine a starting thickness, which then can be used with the MEPDG software to obtain a refined design, potentially with fewer iterations to define an acceptable design thickness. These thickness prediction models can be developed for any subset of desired MEPDG solutions, such as typical designs within a state. The new DARWin-ME software can facilitate the development of these subsets through its sensitivity analysis procedure, which would allow the designer to develop a subset of solutions across a typical range of input values. Results could then be modeled with the MARS process to produce an efficient design solution for pavement thickness along with a quick performance prediction for specific pavement thickness. This procedure can significantly reduce the MEPDG iterations necessary to develop a viable design, to as few as two to three on either side of the predicted MARS model thickness. These results could be merged with a smart decision tree structure to execute the MEPDG procedure efficiently.


A mid-infrared light-emitting diode (LED) operating at 3.6 µm with a pulsed output power as high as 2 mW at room temperature is reported. The device is based on a double heterostructure of InAs0.42Sb0.18P0.40/ GaxIn1-xAs1-ySby/InAs0.42Sb0.18P0.40 grown by liquid phase epitaxy. The active region composition was adjusted using different Ga content (x = 0.05-0.17) over which range the band gap is approximately constant. The electrical and optical operating characteristics are reported. The emission spectra measured with and without 100% formaldehyde have also been measured using a short-path optical cell to demonstrate the potential of these LEDs for use in solid state formaldehyde gas sensors.


This article seeks to redress certain historiographical oversights in the study of Father Divine's Peace Mission movement by turning away from exclusive consideration of Divine's own theological agenda and toward the very tactile devotional culture of his diverse followers. Recent scholarship has rightly pointed out the influences of New Thought on Divine's theologies of materialization and on his reconceptualization of cosmic dramas of personal and corporate salvation, developments that can be seen in the theological sensibilities of his followers as well. Yet, the Peace Mission's "living epistles" also had deep histories, whether personal or familial, in Protestant and Catholic traditions that were not simply discarded when they turned to Father Divine. Lastly, much of the current scholarship on Father Divine and the Peace Mission has been limited to the highly charged Harlem decade of the 1930s. Drawing on the rich material archive of subsequent decades, this article looks primarily at the Peace Mission's activities of the 1940s and 1950s, thus yielding insight into the changing racial dynamics of the movement as well as its ongoing relationship with postwar American cultures.


This study assesses the response of phytoplankton assemblages to recent climate change, especially with regard to the shrinking of sea ice in the northern Chukchi Sea of the western Arctic Ocean. Distribution patterns of phytoplank- ton groups in the late summers of 2008-2010 were analysed based on HPLC pigment signatures and, the following four major algal groups were inferred via multiple regression and cluster analyses: prasinophytes, diatoms, haptophytes and di- noflagellates. A remarkable interannual difference in the dis- tribution pattern of the groups was found in the northern basin area. Haptophytes dominated and dispersed widely in warm surface waters in 2008, whereas prasinophytes dom- inated in cold water in 2009 and 2010. A difference in the onset date of sea ice retreat was evident among years-the sea ice retreat in 2008 was 1-2 months earlier than in 2009 and 2010. The spatial distribution of early sea ice retreat matched the areas in which a shift in algal community composition was observed. Steel-Dwass's multiple comparison tests were used to assess the physical, chemical and biological param- eters of the four clusters. We found a statistically significant difference in temperature between the haptophyte-dominated cluster and the other clusters, suggesting that the change in the phytoplankton communities was related to the earlier sea ice retreat in 2008 and the corollary increase in sea surface temperatures. Longer periods of open water during the sum- mer, which are expected in the future, may affect food webs and biogeochemical cycles in the western Arctic due to shifts in phytoplankton community structure.


A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS), which employs inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and electrospray ionization (ESI) sources simultaneously, has been designed, constructed, and evaluated for comprehensive elemental speciation analysis. The simultaneous operation of both sources with a single mass spectrometer is an improvement over existing techniques. The mass analyzer shares a third-stage vacuum system, extraction region, acceleration region, field-free region, and two-stage reflectron between both sources. Most of the other components, such as first and second-stage vacuum systems, pre-extraction ion optics, microchannel plate detectors, and data acquisition are independent, to provide the greatest degree of flexibility in source operation and signal optimization. A detailed description is given of the design and optimization of the orthogonal acceleration and spontaneous drift geometry, energy discrimination, and the reflectron and preliminary performance data are presented.


The glycoprotein erythropoietin was originally discovered as a principal regulator that promotes the survival, proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells. Despite potentially detrimental effects, such as increased blood pressure and hyperviscosity, recombinant human erythropoietin has been demonstrated to be a safe drug, as millions of anemia sufferers have received it over the last decade as a form of treatment. Recently, erythropoietin receptors have been discovered in a variety of tissues, including the cardiovascular system, and erythropoietin has been demonstrated to have a beneficial effect in congestive heart failure patients with anemia. The purpose of this review is to summarize the pleiotropic cardioprotective effects of erythropoietin in the cardiovascular system and to evaluate its potential role as a biomarker in these disorders.


The specificity of antibodies reactive with cytoplasmic ribosomes detected in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera was studied by a radioimmunoassay procedure with 3H labeled HeLa cell polysomes. The antibodies were directed primarily against RNA or a ribosomal RNA-protein complex (rRNP). Anti-RNA antibodies exhibited comparable reactivity with ribosomal RNA, nuclear RNA, structural RNA, and a slightly lower degree of reactivity with low molecular weight RNA. Anti-rRNP antibodies may be detected by precipitation in agar gel and appear to require both the RNA and protein moieties of ribosomes for reactivity. SLE sera containing only anti-rRNP antibodies are limited to patients with active disease. Sera from patients with both active and inactive SLE contain either anti-RNA or a mixture of anti-RNA and anti-rRNP antibodies. The possible participation of anti-ribosomal antibodies in immune complex formation is discussed.


The performances of supervised learning techniques on image classification problems heavily rely on the quality of their training images. But the acquisition of high quality training images requires significant efforts from human annotators. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-label batch model active learning (MLBAL) approach that allows the learning algorithm to actively select a batch of informative example-label pairs from which it learns at each learning iteration, so as to learn accurate classifiers with less annotation efforts. Unlike existing methods, the proposed approach fines the active selection granularity from example to example-label pair, and takes into account the informative label correlations for active learning. And the empirical studies demonstrate its effectiveness.


The focus of this article is on studying the descriptive proximity of manifolds in images useful in digital image pattern recognition. Extraction of lowdimensional manifolds underlying high-dimensional image data spaces leads to efficient digital image analysis controlled by fewer parameters. The end result of this approach is dimensionality reduction, important for automatic learning


OBJECTIVES
Opioid-exposed neonates (OENs) are a population at risk for postdischarge complications. Our objective was to improve completion of a discharge bundle to connect patients with outpatient resources to mitigate postdischarge risks.

METHODS
Team Hope, a hospital-wide initiative to improve the care of OENs, examined the completion of a discharge bundle from September 2017 through February 2019. A complete discharge bundle was defined as referral to a primary care physician, referral to early intervention services, referral to in-home nursing assessment and educational services, referral to the development clinic if diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome, and referral to the gastroenterology or infectious disease clinic if exposed to hepatitis C virus. After obtaining baseline data, simple interventions were employed as education of providers, social workers, and case management; reminder notes in the electronic health record; and biweekly reminders to resident physicians. A statistical process control chart was used to analyze our primary measure, with special cause variation resulting in a shift indicated by 8 consecutive points above or below the mean line.

RESULTS
One hundred nineteen OENs were examined with an initial discharge bundle completion of 2.6% preimplementation. Referral to early intervention services and the development clinic were the least successfully completed elements before intervention implementation. After the development of the discharge bundle in July 2018, special cause variation was achieved, resulting in a mean-line shift with 60.3% now having a complete bundle for 83 OENs.

CONCLUSIONS
We implemented a standardized discharge bundle that improved our discharge processes for OENs.


An analysis of luminescence polarisation measurements has been performed to study the aggregation processes of Pb2+ impurities in ionic crystals. The experimental approach was carried out by means of optical measurements (degree of luminescence polarisation, absorption, and excitation and emission spectra) on samples with different impurity concentrations. The analysis of the experimental results was performed following the theoretical calculations performed by Corish et al. (1981), and Bannon et al. (1985). The theoretical and experimental picture obtained for these crystals explains the first aggregation steps of the ion-vacancy dipoles (in particular, the Suzuki phase formation) and allows us to assign absorption bands to some types of aggregate.


Background: In patients with spondyloarthritis, the presence of intestinal inflammation and an increase in digestive permeability responsible for bacterial translocation has been described. No data are available on the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on this bacterial translocation in patients with spondyloarthritis. Zonulin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) have been described as good biomarkers of intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation


The present report is Werner's-syndrome associated with a neurogenic bladder. The patient visited our clinic with the chief complaint of retention of urine and urinary tract infections. The diagnosis of Werner's syndrome was made because the patient had such clinical features as bird-like or "masked" face, short stature, graying of the hair in youth, cataracts in youth, skin changes like scleroderma principally on limbs, early menopause. After trans-urethral-resection of bladder neck and administration of distigmine bromide, her bladder function was improved, she could urinate by herself and she was free from urinary tract infections.


Generalization of the cross ratio to polarizations of linear finite and infinite-dimensional spaces (in particular to Sato Grassmannian) is given and explored. This cross ratio appears to be a cocycle of the canonical (tautalogical) bundle over the Grassmannian with coefficients in the sheaf of its endomorphisms. Operator analog of the Schwarz differential is defined. Its connections to linear Hamiltonian systems and Riccati equations are established. These constructions aim to obtain applications to KP-hierarchy.


Quickness, simplicity, and effectiveness are the three major criteria for establishing a good molecular diagnosis method in many fields. Herein we report a novel detection system for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which can be utilized to perform both on-field quick screening and routine laboratory diagnosis. In this system, a newly designed inexpensive DNA extraction device was used in combination with a modified visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (vLAMP) assay. The main parts of the DNA extraction device included a silica gel membrane filtration column and a modified syringe. The DNA extraction device could be easily operated without using other laboratory instruments, making it applicable to an on-field GMO test. High-quality genomic DNA (gDNA) suitable for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isothermal amplification could be quickly isolated from plant tissues using this device within 15 min. In the modified vLAMP assay, a microcrystalline wax encapsulated detection bead containing SYBR green fluorescent dye was introduced to avoid dye inhibition and cross-contaminations from post-LAMP operation. The system was successfully applied and validated in screening and identification of GM rice, soybean, and maize samples collected from both field testing and the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) proficiency test program, which demonstrated that it was well-adapted to both on-field testing and/or routine laboratory analysis of GMOs.