Laminar flame speeds at elevated pressure for methane-based fuel blends are important for refining the chemical kinetics that are relevant at engine conditions. The present paper builds on earlier measurements and modeling by the authors by extending the validity of a chemical kinetics mechanism to laminar flame speed measurements obtained in mixtures containing significant levels of helium. Such mixtures increase the stability of the experimental flames at elevated pressures and extend the range of laminar flame speeds. Two experimental techniques were utilized, namely a Bunsen burner method and an expanding spherical flame method. Pressures up to 10 atm were studied, and the mixtures ranged from pure methane to binary blends of CH4 /C2 H6 and CH4 /C3 H8 . In the Bunsen flames, the data include elevated initial temperatures up to 650 K. There is generally good agreement between model and experiment, although some discrepancies still exist with respect to equivalence ratio for certain cases. A significant result of the present study is that the effect of mixture composition on flame speed is well captured by the mechanism over the extreme ranges of initial pressure and temperature covered herein. Similarly, the mechanism does an excellent job at modeling the effect of initial temperature for methane-based mixtures up to at least 650 K.Copyright © 2011 by ASME and Rolls-Royce Canada Limited


Abstract Using a new measure of immigration policy and examining thirty-six advanced industrial countries between 1996 and 2012, we seek to explain systematically the variation in external labor openness among the more advanced democracies as primary destination countries, using a model where the government feels political pressure through both a voter/electoral channel and a special-interests channel. With voters primarily pressing for immigration restrictions and special interest pressure aimed at immigration openness, democratic political institutions—like a parliamentary system and proportional representation voting with greater district magnitude that make governments more responsive to voters and less responsive to special interests—should be associated with less change toward a more open official immigration policy. Our statistical evidence accords with this expectation.


Intravenous Ig therapy (IVIg) is reported to be a useful regimen in treating autoimmune diseases. In this study, we asked whether IVIg (in vitro) could increase the expression of TGF-β, IL-10, and the transcription factor FoxP3 in T regulatory (Treg) cells, and the idea that IVIg could enhance suppressive properties of these cells. CD4+ T cells from 12 healthy individuals were cultured in the presence or absence of IVIg vs human control IgG during 16, 24, and 36 h. Using FACS analysis and gating on CD4+CD25high Treg cells, we assessed the expression of intracellular TGF-β, IL-10, and FoxP3. In addition, the production of TNF-α by stimulated CD4+ T cells alone or in culture with CD25+ by itself or together with IVIg was also assessed. The presence of IVIg with Treg cells in culture significantly increased the intracellular expression of TGF-β (17.7 ± 8.5% vs 29.8 ± 13%; p = 0.02), IL-10 (20.7 ± 4.7% vs 34.2 ± 5.2%; p = 0.008) and FoxP3 (20.8 ± 5.2% vs 33.7 ± 5.9%; p = 0.0006) when compared with cells cultured alone or with control human IgG. The suppressive effect of CD4+CD25+ T cells presented as the decrease of TNF-α production by stimulated CD4+CD25− (effector T cells) was further increased by adding IVIg to cell culture. We hereby demonstrate an additional mechanism by which IVIg could maintain self-tolerance and decrease immune-mediated inflammation.


New environmental conditions may impact on behaviour and morphology, and consequently affect population dynamics. Rapid response to new conditions is likely to be a key factor in species introduction success. The Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus is an Asian species which, following accidental introduction only 30 years ago, has colonized the two climatically and ecologically contrasting sides of the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. We assessed the degree of morphological divergence of mature birds in 11 nonseasonal and three seasonal characters, in windward and leeward sites. Our study showed (1) that sexual dimorphism existed, (2) that when sexual dimorphism is controlled, nine non-seasonal characters differed significantly between windward and leeward sites, (3) that these non-seasonal characters define groups of geographically proximal sites, especially in males, and (4) that classification according to the most indicative character, the bill, also clearly separated birds from windward and leeward sites. These results indicate very rapid morphological divergence, particularly in bill size, in an introduced bird species in fewer than ten generations. We suggest that differences in diet could partly explain this variability.


OBJECTIVE
Emerging evidence suggest that the acquisition of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induction of cancer stem cell (CSC) or cancer stem-like cell phenotype are interrelated and contribute to tumor recurrence and drug resistance. The aim of this study is to shed light on the relationship between EMT and CSCs by using renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell line, ACHN and 786-0.

METHODS
RCC cells were treated with 50 ng/ml of TNF-α for 14 days. To evaluate EMT, morphological changes were assessed by light microscopy. RT-PCR and Western blot for EMT-related markers. On TNF-α treated and untreated RCC cells, we performed stemness tests and stemness markers expression.

RESULTS
TNF-α treated ACHN cell lost its epithelial morphology assuming a fibroblast-like appearance. The same results were obtained for the 786-0 cells. RT-PCR and Western blot showed up-regulation of Vimentin and down-regulation of E-cadherin in TNF-α treated ACHN and 786-0 cells. Slug and ZEB1 mRNA transcripts were up-regulated in TNF-α treated RCC cells confirming EMT. This two cell line also showed overexpression of Oct4, Nanog, and Bmi-1, all genes of stemness. In addition, in TNF-α treated RCC cell, an increased tumorsphere-forming capacity was detectable.

CONCLUSIONS
The induction of EMT by TNF-α exposure, in RCC cell results in the acquisition of mesenchymal profile and in the expression of stemness markers.


Background: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the world is quite high, especially in developing countries.  Usually the patient shows no specific symptoms and chronic gastritis therefore becomes chronically infected. The complication of the infection is the development of peptic ulcer, which is a predisposing factor for gastric carcinoma. Early diagnosis is an important step to avoid these complications by providing immediate accurate therapy. Methods: In this study, the CLO, MIU (Motility Indole Urease) tests and culture were conducted on 131 biopsy samples of the stomach antrum mucous tissue taken from chronic dyspepsia patients from several hospitals in Jakarta. In the CLO test, biopsy tissue was put in a small well agar to be incubated at room temperature. In the MIU test the biopsy tissue sample was submerged in the small MIU tube agar with a depth of approximately 2/3 rds from the surface, and then incubated at room temperature. Another piece of biopsy tissue was cultured micro-aerophylically.  The CLO and MIU tests are considered positive if the color changes from yellow to red, and are considered negative if there is no color change within 24 hours. Results: Compared to culture, the CLO test demonstrated 38% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 94% positive predictive value and 52% negative predictive value, whereas the Results of the MIU test aga inst culture method showed 76% sensitivity,   89% specificity, 88% positive predictive value, and   78% negative predictive value. Conclusion: The MIU test that showed high sensitivity and specificity, and thus could be further developed as an alternative diagnostic method for H. pylori infection.  Keywords: MIU,CLO, H. pylori infection


Artesunate is an anti-malarial drug that belonged to
Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II which has low
bioavailability. Nanoparticle system is an effective system to improve
drugs bioavailability because the particle size and surface characteristics
can be easily manipulated to achieve drug target. In this study,
nanoparcticle system was made by ionic gelation-spray drying method
using CaCl2 as crosslinker with ratio of artesunate-carboxymethyl
chitosan 2:5. Characterization of the nanoparticle system was done using
SEM, DTA, FTIR, X-Ray Diffraction, drug recovery, and in vitro release
was also evaluated. The result shows that nanoparticle system with
polymer carboxymethyl chitosan has a rough surface and not spherical
shape. However, non-crosslinked nanoparticle system has smaller particle
size and more spherical shape. Based on the result of FTIR, crosslinked
nanoparticle system shows sharper peaks of –OH/-NH at wavenumber
3432,11-3434,41 cm-1 that indicate the interaction between
carboxymethyl chitosan and CaCl2. The result of DTA, crosslinked and
non-crosslinked nanoparticle system shows sharp and different
endothermic peak compared with endothermic peak of artesunate. X-Ray
diffractogram of crosslinked and non-crosslinked nanoparticle system
shows crystalline peak of artesunate disappear that means there is a
change of crystallinity artesunate. The drug recovery of non-crosslinked
nanoparticle system higher than crosslinked particulate system and
significantly difference statistically. In vitro release showed that
nanoparticle system have higher kinetic release than artesunate. Kinetic
release of crosslinked particulate significantly difference statistically with
artesunate.
Keywords: artesunate, carboxymethyl chitosan, crosslinking, ionic
gelation, spray drying, in vitro release


Disorders of neuronal migration can lead to malformations of the cerebral neocortex and presentation and clinical
course of patients these patients are variable. In this paper, we report a patient with episodic attacks initially
thought to be panic attacks which on further investigation were identified to be seizure episodes to be associated
with cerebral cortical migration abnormalities.


The ability of global models in simulating the seasonality of biogeochemical cycles constrains their reliability for projections of primary production and ocean carbon uptake. In particular, the phasing and amplitude of the seasonal cycle of primary production affect the net flux of carbon between the ocean and the atmosphere. Models' characterization of the seasonal cycle of primary production in high latitudes generally shows an amplitude and/or phasing bias of the spring-summer bloom. The question that we tackle in this study is to which extent model simulations of the seasonal cycle of primary production would benefit from a more mechanistic description of the links between phytoplankton physiology and environmental drivers.

To explore that question we worked with the Regulated Ecosystem model version 2 (REcoM2) integrated within the Finite-Element Sea-Ice Ocean Model (FESOM). We included in the phytoplankton growth model a photodamage term that decreases the amount of active photosynthetic pigments when light becomes supersaturating. Eventually, the interplay between light-dependent photodamage and nutrient-dependent new synthesis of pigments determines the photosynthetic capacity of the cells. The immediate effect is that the model is able to simulate variations in the stoichiometry of phytoplankton with light, nutrients and temperature in better agreement with observations.

Regarding the seasonal variations of primary production in polar regions, model simulations show a less steep increase of biomass and net primary production during the growing season and lower biomass concentrations at the peak of the bloom. However, the start of the bloom happens relatively early when compared to satellite observations. We suggest to further evaluate the role of other environmental factors interacting with the physiology of primary producers and driving both bottom-up (e.g. vertical mixing) and top-down (e.g. grazing) control of the spring bloom in polar regions.


This research was carried out to estimate the proportional mixtures of diesel and kerosene that easily shows the incidence of fuel adulteration. Two samples (kerosene and diesel) were obtained from a base stock at Tema Oil Refinery and the purity for both the kerosene and diesel were ensured by testing their density, kinematic viscosity, distillation and flash point. The values obtained for these parameters after the analyses carried out are density at 15°C falls within 816-850 kgm 3 ; the flashpoint was found to be within 48-73°C; distillation at 360 °C were in the range of 96-98°C and kinematic viscosity at 37.8 °C were also in the range 1.5-3.5 mm 2 /s. The parameters analysed are good indicators in the assessment of the extent to which diesel fuel can be adulterated by kerosene. The above parameters were analysed using both standard American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 statistical tools. The values obtained from the experiments conform to respective standards of United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations at 40CFR 79, 2017 and other literature values. The correlation coefficient (R 2 ) obtained after statistical analyses are 0.9984 for flash point, 0.9985 for density, 0.9405 for distillation and 0.9962 for kinematic viscosity. Also, analyses of variance (ANOVA) was Pr > F <0.0001 for all the parameters. However, the F calculated for various parameters are 669.3500 for flash point, 693.7294 for density, 16.6000 for distillation and 272.3459 for kinematic viscosity. This shows that the various parameters play a significant role in the adulteration of diesel fuel. Keywords : Diesel, kerosene, adulteration, density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, distillation


THE actin cytoskeleton is an important contributor to the integrity of cellular shape and responses in neurons. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with functional interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and neuronal ion channels are largely unknown. Wholecell and single channel recording techniques were thus applied to identified retinal bipolar neurons of the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinu)mto assess the role of acute changes in actin-based cytoskeleton dynamics in the regulation of voltage-gated ion channels. Disruption of endogenous actin filaments after brief treatment (20–30 min) with cytochalasin D (CD) activated voltagegated K+ currents in bipolar cells, which were largely prevented by intracellular perfusion with the actin filament-stabilizer agent, phalloidin. Either CD treatment under cell-attached conditions or direct addition of actin to excised, inside-out patches of bipolar cells activated and/or increased single K+ channels. Thus, acute changes in actin-based cytoskeleton dynamics regulate voltagegated ion channel activity in bipolar cells.


Since the concept of "evidence-based medicine" was first launched 20 years ago as a new method of teaching the practice of medicine, it has had an enormous impact on practice in many fields of health care. From the very start, professionals in pregnancy and perinatal care were at the forefront of attempts to collect good evidence systematically on the benefits and harms of health care interventions during pregnancy and in and around childbirth. Perinatal practice has largely benefitted from that endeavor. However, it has also suffered from the ill-effects of the narrow view that evidence, to be good evidence, needs to be randomized evidence. Twenty years on, it may be time to reflect on what is meant by evidence and how to use it, not as a doctrine or dogma, but as a valuable tool and a tremendous asset to improve outcomes for mothers and babies.


Business process re-engineering is crucial for manufacturing companies to improve their productivity and efficiency. The identification of the main criticalities affecting the production processes and the implementation of effective re-engineering solutions can significantly reduce the company losses. However, such actions can be unsuccessful if suitable preliminary investigations on the effectiveness of the solutions are not performed. This paper proposes an integrated process re-engineering technique that allows to: identify workflows via the Unified Modeling Language; model and simulate the business process via Colored Petri Nets (CPNs); detect bottlenecks and waste sources through the Value Stream Mapping tool; rank the impact of the detected criticalities via a mathematical formulation of the Genba-Shikumi lean philosophy; simulate the re-engineering actions and evaluate their effectiveness using the CPN model. The aim is to offer an intuitive tool for strategic decision making, deployable at a managerial level in a digital twin approach. The proposed technique is tested on a textile company located in Southern Italy, showing its effectiveness in removing inefficiencies and ensuring the continuous improvement of the production process.


In-flight shape oscillations for 111 to 383- µm diameter spray droplets were observed under moderate dynamic
conditions using high-speed videography. Fourier analysis of oscillations determined droplet natural frequencies of 1.5 to
9 kHz, results which agreed with a capillary-oscillation model. In addition, an ellipsoid model was employed to estimate
accompanying changes in droplet surface areas during flight. Results suggest droplet oscillations can limit surfactant
adsorption at liquid-air and liquid solid interfaces such that droplets will arrive at a plant surface without the desired
lowering of surface tension being achieved. Consequently, full benefits of a surfactant in reducing droplet reflection and
promoting retention will not be realized. However, droplet shape oscillations can strengthen fluid motions within droplets,
with some increase in rates of surfactant transfer to the interface. Results also showed the high natural frequencies
characteristic of droplet sizes below 200 µm will impose limits on cinematography or videography when attempting to
observe droplet distortions or identify energy dissipation pathways at droplet impact.


The main premise of the presented study is to show the impact of World War Two events on the creative achievements of selected artists who treated these dramatic events as the direct source of inspiration. The primary object of interest are selected musical pieces composed in the twentieth and twenty-fi rst centuries, analyzed at the same time from the perspective of their correspondence with other domains of art: painting, sculpture, poetry, and partly with fi lm. The article discussed Arthur Honegger's Second and Third Symphony, compositions: Diffrent Trains by Steve Reich, and Diaries of Hope by Zbigniew Preisner, and in the fi eld of fi ne art: inter alia the painting works by Izaak Celnikier, Xawery Dunikowski, Bronislaw Wojciech Linke, and Andrzej Wroblewski, selected monument sculptures (e.g. in the Majdanek Concentration Camp in Lublin), and with special emphasis on works devoted to the tragedy of the Holocaust. An important aim of the paper is to show the possibility of utilizing the presented content in interdisciplinary teaching provided for in the Ministry of National Education's core curriculum for general education in art subjects and the subject Knowledge of Culture.


With the developing technology, cyber threats are developing rapidly, and the motivations and targets of cyber attackers are changing. In order to combat these threats, cyber threat information that provides information about the threats and the characteristics of the attackers is needed. In addition, it is of great importance to cooperate with other stakeholders and share experiences so that more information about threat information can be obtained and necessary measures can be taken quickly. In this context, in this study, it is stated that the establishment of a cooperation mechanism in which cyber threat information is shared will contribute to the cyber security capacity of organizations. And using the Zack Information Gap analysis, the deficiency of organizations in sharing threat information were determined and suggestions were presented. In addition, there are cooperation mechanisms in the USA and the EU where cyber threat information is shared, and it has been evaluated that it would be beneficial to establish a similar mechanism in our country. Thus, it is evaluated that advanced or unpredictable cyber threats can be detected, the cyber security capacities of all stakeholders will increase and a safer cyber ecosystem will be created. In addition, it is possible to collect, store, distribute and share information about the analysis of cyber incidents and malware analysis, to improve existing cyber security products or to encourage new product development, by carrying out joint R&D studies among the stakeholders to ensure that domestic and national cyber security products can be developed. It is predicted that new analysis methods can be developed by using technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.


The perturbation method for calculating atomic energies by power series in 1/Z and αZ has been extended to include parameters for screening and for expansion in the principal quantum number n. Numerical results are given and compared with observations for 1s nl and 1s2 nl of the helium and lithium isoelectronic sequences.


Class V cavities were prepared in 20 vital teeth and 10 extracted teeth. For all the restorations, glass-ionomer cement was used as a liner at the base of the cavity. The cavity was then restored with a microfilled composite resin. After the extraction of the vital teeth, all specimens were sectioned and tested for marginal microinfiltration of 2% methylene blue dye. The teeth restored in vivo showed no signs of infiltration between the dentin and the glass-ionomer liner. The dye penetrated between the liner and the composite resin in five in vivo restorations. The in vitro restorations dye was present between the dentin and the liner. Examination of replicas under the scanning electron microscope revealed no gaps between the glass-ionomer cement and the dentin in the in vivo specimens, while gaps of various sizes were present in the in vitro replicas. Glass-ionomer cement was able to bond to dentin when used as a liner in vital teeth but not when used in extracted teeth. This can be attributed to the presence of a partially humid environment in vivo that favors the application process. In vitro, specimens are to a large extent dehydrated.


OBJECTIVE
Virtually no research has tested alternatives to the diagnostic method used since DSM-III, which requires decisions about the presence/absence of individual diagnostic criteria, followed by counting symptoms and applying cutoffs (the count/cutoff method). This study tested an alternative, prototype matching procedure designed to simplify diagnosis. The procedure was applied to personality disorders.

METHOD
A random national sample of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists (N=291) described a randomly selected patient in their care. Clinician-provided diagnostic data were used to generate categorical and dimensional DSM-IV diagnoses (number of symptoms present per disorder). Clinicians also used one of two prototype matching systems to provide a diagnosis for the selected patient.

RESULTS
Prototype diagnosis led to reduced comorbidity relative to DSM-IV diagnosis, yielded similar estimates of validity in predicting criterion variables (adaptive functioning, treatment response, and etiology), and outperformed DSM-IV diagnosis in ratings of clinical utility and ease of use. Adding a personality health prototype further increased prediction.

CONCLUSIONS
A simple prototype matching procedure provides a viable alternative for improving diagnosis of personality disorders in clinical practice. Prototype diagnosis has multiple advantages, including ease of use, minimization of artifactual comorbidity, compatibility with naturally occurring cognitive processes, and ready translation into both categorical and dimensional diagnosis.


This paper outlines how a program evaluation of a U.S. higher education coaching minor program was executed to clarify program needs and identify areas of improvement. Data were gathered from university students (n = 113), current minors (n = 13), program graduates (n = 26), coach education experts (n = 4), and community administrators/coaches (n = 13) using multiple methods including archival data collection, online surveys, and individual/group interviews. Descriptive statistics, curriculum mapping, and qualitative thematic analysis were used to document findings aligned with the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) evaluation model. The context evaluation identified the target population, program goals, opportunities, barriers, and the highest priority programmatic needs. The input evaluation outlined themes highlighting the importance of understanding one's context, incorporating evidence-based practices and teaching principles, aligning assessments with learning outcomes, establishing faculty buy-in, and advocating for the program. The process evaluation revealed programmatic alignment with national coaching standards with inconsistencies and the need to expand current content to achieve learning outcomes. The product evaluation showed that students acknowledged learning outcomes, were satisfied with the program, and felt ready to engage in coaching. Program graduates indicated preparedness to coach with some exceptions. The findings provided insight into how a multifaceted and targeted program evaluation can inform program improvements and next steps in the evaluation process.


This paper presents several methods which allow characterisation of the order, the rank and the magnitude of three-phase harmonic systems generated by PWM inverter switching. In a second part, the authors describe an active magnetic noise reduction which controls the harmonic currents due to the switching in order to generate forces. These last are controlled to act in opposition with the forces due to the slots.


Melanosis coli is a well-known occurrence in colonic biopsies. The condition is, however, reportedly absent in both neoplastic and hyperplastic colonic polyps. Herein, we describe its occurrence in 10 hyperplastic coloniuc polyps, some of which showed melanosis in adjacent biopsied mucosa, and 2 colonic adenomata.


The immune response to hepatitis B vaccine was studied in 14 individuals with isolated, high-titer antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and examined as an indicator of this serologic pattern's significance. Four subjects demonstrated a low-titer antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) on repeated testing, and three in this subgroup had anamnestic responses (anti-HBs, 82 to 140 ratio units) after vaccination. Compared with 22 seronegative controls, the remaining ten had significantly higher anti-HBs response rates (78% vs 22%, P = .003) and median anti-HBs titers (4 vs 0 ratio units, P = .008) two weeks after vaccination. One of ten subjects had an anamnestic response, while another exhibited no response. The general pattern of anti-HBs responsiveness observed in those subjects with isolated, high-titer anti-HBc was intermediate between seronegative and anti-HBs-positive groups and may indicate a state of waning immunity after natural infection. Hepatitis B vaccination with follow-up anti-HBs testing should be done for those patients with isolated, high-titer anti-HBc to help exclude chronic infection and boost protective immunity.


Normocalcemic patients with recurring kidney stones were HLA typed. 54 patients with an idiopathic high urinary excretion of calcium but without signs of renal tubular defect showed a B27 phenotype frequency which was more than twice that of the controls and a CW1 frequency that was doubled. After correction for the number of tested HLA specificities the increase was not significant. 35 patients with renal tubular acidosis and 16 patients with no metabolic diagnosis had no deviant HLA antigen distribution.


This study examines Linguistic Competence in English Language (LCE) as a general indicator of Communicative Competence. A test and a questionnaire were administered to 1838 undergraduate freshmen from five major institutes of higher education in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The results of the test are analysed in their association with main features of previous educational studies, as well as with students' exposure to language in and outside formal education. This research replies the one carried out by Gonzalez, Vivaldo y Castillo (2004). The results obtained for the case of Aguascalientes are higher than those reported by these authors in relation to Mexico City. Although, both cases point out an unacceptable situation: majority of freshmen do not satisfy a basic level of LCE. The type of previous institutions was identified as the main factor associated with LCE: Students who attended public schools observe disadvantages in comparison to students who accomplished previous levels at private schools. As there is a pattern of continuity in the type of schools, the students who enrolled in a private higher education institute got significant CLE scores than those who attended a public one. The results show that English language teaching and learning—not only in public schools but also in private ones—requires urgently dealing with aspects of quality, more than those related to quantity.


This report summarizes the measures of contingent protection regulated by the WTO and their purposes. They can be divided into two categories. The first one regards temporary provisions that can be used when a predefined set of circumstances legitimize temporary increases in import barriers. The second one includes permanent exceptions to the general obligations. Temporary restrictions allowed by the WTO are anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures, (tariffs to assist with balance of payments problems, tariffs to protect infant industries, or tariffs for emergency protection). Permanent exceptions are general waivers from binding obligations, which, in contrast with the other mechanisms, must be formally approved by the WTO Council.


Complaints from patient groups and drug companies have forced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to drop its intention to change some Medicare Part D drug plan policies. A March P&T article by Stephen Barlas detailed how the CMS wanted to drop antidepressants and immunosuppressants from the list of Part D "protected" drug classes, for which prescription drug plans must provide "all or substantially all" drugs in the class. In a March 10 letter to U.S. Representative Henry Waxman (D-California), Marilyn Tavenner, the CMS administrator, referred to a number of changes the CMS had proposed and said, "Given the complexities of these issues and stakeholder input, we do not plan to finalize these proposals at this time."


Zahoor et al. argue that in children, the size of the little finger is used to estimate the size of the orotracheal tube but that no analogous method has been described for choosing the appropriate size of the laryngeal mask airway. However, we have previously described a method to estimate the correct laryngeal mask airway number according to the size of the fingers. This method consists of extending the hand with the palm up and applying the ventral surface of the laryngeal mask airway against the palmar side of the second, third and fourth finger kept together. The laryngeal mask airway that best fits with the width of these three fingers would then be chosen.


Background: We hypothesize that a smaller posterior fossa (PF) CSF space may be a risk factor for hemifacial spasm (HFS). Objective: We conducted a case-control 3-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) volumetric study in patients with HFS and determined the clinical predictive factors of PF CSF volume. Methods: Patients with clinically diagnosed HFS and controls matched for age, sex, race, and hypertension underwent MRI/magnetic resonance angiography examination. The PF CSF space was segmented and quantified on a heavily T2-weighted high-resolution 3-dimensional MR volume slab, centered over the porus acusticus. Results: Eighty-two study subjects (41 patients and 41 controls) were included. The mean PF CSF volume in patients with HFS and controls was 17,303.0 ± 3,900.0 vs 19,216.0 ± 3,912.0 mm3. The mean volume in patients with HFS was 11.4% smaller than in controls (p = 0.015). Analysis of differences between individually matched pairs and controls also revealed that PF CSF for controls was larger than that for patients with HFS (p = 0.007). A multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that a small PF CSF volume was associated with HFS (p = 0.01). Decreasing age (p = 0.001) and female gender (p < 0.0005), but not hypertension (p = 0.892), were also found to be predictors of a low PF CSF volume. Conclusions: Our results showed that the posterior fossa (PF) CSF volume was lower in patients with HFS compared with matched controls. HFS, female gender, and younger age were associated with smaller PF CSF volume. These observations could explain the strong female preponderance in both clinic- and population-based epidemiologic studies.


Retrograde femoral phlebography performed in the supine and erect positions are compared. In deep venous insufficiency, the contrast medium passes considerably farther down in the retrograde direction in examinations with the patient in the erect position. A comparison was made between ascending and retrograde techniques in order to find out what predictive value conventional ascending phlebography of the lower limb may have with regard to the function of the valves in the femoral vein. Layering of the contrast medium in the valvular sinus is a very reliable sign of valvular competence and was observed in two-thirds of the cases without deep venous insufficiency. This figure can be increased by a slight modification of the method of examination. Absence of layering does not necessarily indicate deep venous insufficiency.


Most materials currently used for food packaging are nondegradable, generating environmental problems. Several biopolymers have been exploited to develop materials for ecofriendly food packaging. However, the use of biopolymers has been limited because of their usually poor mechanical and barrier properties, which may be improved by adding reinforcing compounds (fillers), forming composites. Most reinforced materials present poor matrix–filler interactions, which tend to improve with decreasing filler dimensions. The use of fillers with at least one nanoscale dimension (nanoparticles) produces nanocomposites. Nanoparticles have proportionally larger surface area than their microscale counterparts, which favors the filler–matrix interactions and the performance of the resulting material. Besides nanoreinforcements, nanoparticles can have other functions when added to a polymer, such as antimicrobial activity, etc. in this review paper, the structure and properties of main kinds of nanostructured materials which have been studied to use as nanofiller in biopolymer matrices are overviewed, as well as their effects and applications.


A part of a larger study of the health behaviors of adolescent women, this investigation examined health-promoting behaviors and the influence of cognitive, social, and environmental factors on these health-promoting behaviors of rural adolescent women. The sample consisted of 128 rural African-American and white adolescent women. Forty-four percent of the variance in health-promoting behavior of this sample was explained by five variables: self-image, problem solving, mother's education, employment status, and family structure. Self-image was the most salient predictor of health-promoting behavior, explaining 33% of the variance.


ABSTRACT Molecular clock calculations suggest a late Cambrian (~ 500 Ma) divergence of myriapod classes. Yet, the earliest myriapods only appear in the latest Silurian (~425 Ma). 75 million years later; though correlation with the standard marine-based geological time scale is difficult. We radiometrically dated (U/Pb method) zircons in sediments at 3 sites in the UK associated with the supposed earliest millipedes. Kerrera, with only extinct kampecarid myriapods from temporary playa lake deposits in a semi-arid intermontane basin is 425 Ma old. Ludlow, with kampecarid myriapods and the first trigonotarbid arachnids (with book lungs), from transported material in ripple troughs at the base of a semi-arid delta complex, is 420 Ma. Cowie, with the supposed earliest air-breathing millipede (with spiracles), from a temporary playa lake in an intermontane basin complex, is 414 Ma old. The more diverse land arthropod fauna of the Rhynie Chert hot spring deposit, also in an intermontane basin, is 407 Ma old. A rapid radiative evolution from simple intermontane lake margin communities through more evolved lowland communities took only about 20 Ma to reach complex forest grade communities by the Middle Devonian Givetian (about 385 million years).


This paper describes an innovative IT platform, called Locosp, that is the result of an ongoing industrial research project that involves several multidisciplinary partners from automotive manufacturing, software engineering, distributed systems, and business process management. The platform is essentially an IT infrastructure modeled after service-oriented architecture principles, which enforce the loose coupling of software agents and help close the gap between an enterprise's newer models and its legacy IT systems. This paper focuses on Locosp's overall architecture and the services offered to the main contractor's project manager through an extension of GanttProject, an open source project management client


Serum isoferritin levels were detected by ELISA in 96 normal, 11 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 28 breast cancer (BC), 31 lung cancer (LC), 26 breast fibroma, 11 pneumonia and 11 tuberculosis. The results reveal significant differences of serum isoferritin levels between the normals and the patients, and between the malignant cases and benign cases (P < 0.01). Serum isoferritin demonstrates higher sensitivity in detecting HCC, LC and BC and thus is of great value in the differential diagnosis of these cancers.


The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the performance of the potash glyphosate formulation, compared with sulphosate and aminic glyphosate formulation, used with commercial patterns, applied in orange orchard of Pera-rio variety, on the bermudagrass The experiment was conducted in Taiuva - SP, on ultisol. The treatments were: potash glyphosate (ZAPP Qi) at 1.05, 2.10 and 2.50 Kg a.e./ha, sulphosate (ZAPP) and aminic glyphosate formulation (ROUNDUP CS) at 1.98 and 2.16 Kg a.e./ha, respectively, along writh the control without weed. The herbicides were applied in postemergency with costal sprayer, constant pressure (2,5 kg/cm2), with six nozzles DG 11002. The equivalent spray volume was 200 L/ha. The best results were obtained with 2.50 kg a.e./ha rate of potash glyphosate guarantying smaller regrowth of the bermudagrass. However, the 2.10 kg a.e./ha rate guarantied as good control as sulphosate at 1.98 and glyphosate at 2.16 kg a.e./ha.


This dataset contains baseline participant characteristics (age, sex, height, weight, Short Physical Performance Battery score, 60 second sit-to-stand score, habitual physical activity level (provided as daily energy expenditure/basal metabolic rate and time spent in age determined physical activity thresholds), and dietary intake of carbohydrate, protein, and fat, ant total energy intake). Pre- and post-intervention (28-days of exercise snacking or control) data is provided for the following variables: physical function characteristic (60 second sit-to-stand score and associated rating of perceived exertion for the test, and velocity, force, and power variables of leg pressing performance), anthropometric characteristics (calf and thigh muscle cross-sectional areas, and total lean mass, leg lean mass, and percentage body fat), and physical activity level and daily energy intake with total carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake relative to body mass. This dataset is to accompany the manuscript 'Exercise snacking to improve muscle function in healthy older adults: A pilot study' submitted for publication to the Journal of Aging Research.


Lifestyle physical activity following spinal cord injury (SCI) is critical for functional independence, mental wellness, and social participation, yet nearly 50% of individuals with SCI report no regular exercise. The objective of this study was to better understand factors leading to this participation gap by capturing the physical activity perspectives of individuals living with SCI. We completed small group interviews with nine individuals living with SCI across the United States. Iterative thematic analysis systematically revealed meaningful core concepts related to physical activity engagement with SCI. Emergent themes revealed challenges to lifestyle physical activity behavior including gaps in physical activity education, isolation during psychological adjustment, and knowledge limitations in community exercise settings. A secondary theme related to the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, highlighting additional environmental constraints affecting participation. Our findings suggest that most physical activity education is delivered during inpatient rehabilitation and is related to physical function. Lifetime physical activity strategies are achieved through self-education and peer networking. Personal motivators for physical activity include secondary condition prevention, while social and emotional barriers prevent regular adherence. These findings can inform the development and delivery of physical activity programs to maximize physical activity engagement in individuals living with chronic SCI.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between microscopic abnormalities of transplanted kidneys and sonography-based imaging biomarkers, including elasticity, venous impedance index, arterial resistive index, and size.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between 2011 and 2015, 159 recipients underwent sonography and biopsy of a transplanted kidney at our institution; 104 adult patients were included in this study. The maximal longitudinal length on gray-scale images, arterial resistive index, and venous impedance index on Doppler images and shear wave velocity on acoustic radiation force impulse imaging or Young modulus on supersonic shear imaging were measured before biopsy. The Banff criteria (2009 update), an international standardized classification and scoring system for renal allograft pathology, were used to evaluate the biopsy samples. Sonography parameters and clinical variables were analyzed with individual and summed Banff scores.

RESULTS
Spearman rank correlation coefficients and ordinal logistic regression showed no association between sonography parameters and summed Banff scores. Only the interval between transplant and biopsy was significantly associated with summed Banff scores (p < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis with individual Banff scores showed associations of one Banff feature with arterial resistive index, three with venous impedance index, and six with interval between transplant and biopsy (p < 0.05). Sonoelastography parameters were not associated with any individual Banff score.

CONCLUSION
Neither sonoelastography parameter was associated with any histopathologic change of renal allografts. Although arterial resistive index and venous impedance index were related to a few individual Banff scores, length of time between transplant and biopsy showed stronger correlation than any imaging biomarkers with renal allograft deterioration.


The plight of the urban poor towards achieving adequate and satisfying housing accommodations remains a recurring decimal in Nigeria. Previous housing policies, concepts, strategies, and initiatives failed to establish a long-term sustainable housing delivery for this particular urban populace with recurrent quality and quantity shortages. This article underlines the challenges facing housing delivery for the urban poor and the need for appropriate and timely developmental strategies to ensure sustainable and effective housing delivery in Nigeria. It examines housing policies, housing conditions, and the constraints of sustainable housing delivery for the urban poor through a systematic review of academic outputs. It was discovered among others that sustainable housing delivery for the urban poor in Nigeria is challenged by the factors of incessant and unmatched urbanization, lack of socio-cultural considerations, economic realities, neglect of urban core, and inappropriate housing policies among others. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge on housing delivery from the perspective of the urban poor and concludes by highlighting some recommendations that are likely to obliterate the challenges identified and discussed.


Schizophrenia patients show impairments in identifying facial affect; however, it is not known at what stage facial affect processing is impaired. We evaluated 3 event-related potentials (ERPs) to explore stages of facial affect processing in schizophrenia patients. Twenty-six schizophrenia patients and 27 normal controls participated. In separate blocks, subjects identified the gender of a face, the emotion of a face, or if a building had 1 or 2 stories. Three ERPs were examined: (1) P100 to examine basic visual processing, (2) N170 to examine facial feature encoding, and (3) N250 to examine affect decoding. Behavioral performance on each task was also measured. Results showed that schizophrenia patients' P100 was comparable to the controls during all 3 identification tasks. Both patients and controls exhibited a comparable N170 that was largest during processing of faces and smallest during processing of buildings. For both groups, the N250 was largest during the emotion identification task and smallest for the building identification task. However, the patients produced a smaller N250 compared with the controls across the 3 tasks. The groups did not differ in behavioral performance in any of the 3 identification tasks. The pattern of intact P100 and N170 suggest that patients maintain basic visual processing and facial feature encoding abilities. The abnormal N250 suggests that schizophrenia patients are less efficient at decoding facial affect features. Our results imply that abnormalities in the later stage of feature decoding could potentially underlie emotion identification deficits in schizophrenia.


Orthogonal matrices over arbitrary elds are de ned together with their non-square analogs, which are termed row-orthogonal matrices. Antiorthogonal and self-orthogonal square matrices are introduced together with their non-square analogs. The relationships of these matrices to such codes as self-dual codes and linear codes with complementary duals are given.


The zwitterionic surfactant Rewoteric AM CAS U forms a dynamic wall coating that prevents the adsorption of cationic proteins as well as suppresses the electroosmotic flow (EOF). Addition of polarizable anions to buffers containing this zwitterionic surfactant increases the once suppressed EOF to values nearing +3 x 10(-4) cm2/(V s). The retention of the EOF allows for the separation of analytes of widely different mobilities and is demonstrated by the simultaneous separation of cationic and anionic proteins. Using a buffer containing optimal amounts of the polarizable anion perchlorate and surfactant CAS U, the proteins lysozyme, ribonuclease A, alpha-chymotrypsinogen A, and myoglobin are separated in less than 15 min. Efficiencies as high as 1.5 million plates/m and recoveries greater than 91% are observed for proteins injected in distilled water. Migration time reproducibility is approximately 1% RSD within 1 day and approximately 3% RSD from day to day. The anionic and cationic proteins can be separated over a pH range of 5.5-9, all yielding good efficiencies.


The authors conducted thermodynamic modeling analysis on the acidity and inorganic aerosol gas-particle partitioning in the South Korea during an aircraft field campaign. The authors also determine the "chemical regime" of PM sensitivity to ammonia and nitrate availability and found that the aerosol formation is always sensitive to HNO3 levels, especially in highly polluted regions, while it is only exclusively sensitive to NH3 in some rural/remote regions. This manuscript is well written and organized, and the topic of PM control strategy is relevant to this journal. However, I am concerned about the validity of the new approach.


In this work, Al, Si and Ti oxides are used to modify the surface of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622) electrode through the hydrolysis coating technology. SEM and TEM results revealed that three prepared oxide layers have different uniformity and morphology. Also, charge-discharge results showed different initial discharge capacity and cycle ability of three different oxide coatings. It is shown that when the temperature is increased from 25 to 50 °C, the capacity retention of Al2O3-coated NCM622 is reduced by only 4 %, what demonstrated the best ability of this oxide to restrain cycle deterioration. Additionally, when the charge cutoff voltage is increased to 4.6 V, Al2O3-coated NCM622 showed 74 % of capacity retention. As the number of charge-discharge cycles increases, the dissolution of some transition metal ions may be restrained by Al2O3 layer. Generally, the enhanced electrochemical performance of Al2O3-coated NCM622 could be ascribed to the suppression of mutual reaction between electrode and electrolyte and improvement of structural stability of the material by Al2O3 coating.


OBJECTIVE The prevalence of angiographically evident preoperative transdural collateral vessels in moyamoya is not well documented. The authors hypothesized that transdural collaterals could be used as radiographic biomarkers of disease, and that their presence is associated with more advanced moyamoya arteriopathy at diagnosis, which is a harbinger of more frequent operative complications and a predictor of better long-term angiographic results following surgery. METHODS The study consists of a single-institution case series of patients with moyamoya who underwent pial synangiosis between 2005 and 2013. RESULTS Moyamoya was diagnosed in a total of 204 patients (n = 121 [59%] female, 83 [41%] male); the average age at surgery was 9.5 years (range 0.4-35 years). Radiographically, 154 (75%) had bilateral disease for a total of 308 affected hemispheres; 152 (75%) had radiographic stroke; and 190 (93%) had "ivy sign" on FLAIR MRI, indicating slow flow. Of the 358 hemispheres, 324 were treated operatively. On preoperative angiography, 107 patients (52%) had transdural collaterals in 176 affected hemispheres (49%). The Suzuki stage was higher in patients with collaterals (3.4 vs 3.0, p = 0.002). Of 324 treated hemispheres, 84 (26%) had collaterals within the surgical field. Complications included 12 strokes (3.7% stroke rate/hemisphere), with 5 (42%) directly attributable to interruption of transdural collaterals. On 1-year postoperative arteriograms available in 222 hemispheres, Matsushima grades trended better in patients with preoperative collaterals (1.5 vs 1.8 [A = 1, B = 2, C = 3]; p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Transdural collaterals are present in nearly half of all preoperative arteriograms in patients with moyamoya. These collaterals are more common in advanced disease, are associated with stroke as a perioperative complication, and may suggest increased capacity to produce surgical collaterals postoperatively. These data support the utility of preoperative arteriography.


The paper reports the cases of three adolescents affected by somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and serious social dysfunction. In one case a depressive disorder was also present that improved with a targeted pharmacologic treatment. The Author underlines that adolescents and young adults with SSD are at high risk to remain unrecognized without the necessary medical aid.


Steganography is an emerging area which is used for secured data transmission over any public media.Steganography is a process that involves hiding a message in an appropriate carrier like image or audio. It is of Greek origin and means "covered or hidden writing". The carrier can be sent to a receiver without any one except the authenticated receiver knowing the existence of this information. In this paper, a specific image based steganography technique for communicating information more securely between two locations is proposed. The author incorporated the idea of secret key and password security features for authentication at both ends in order to achieve high level of security. As a further improvement of security level, the information has been permuted, encoded and then finally embedded on an image to form the stego image. In addition segmented objects extraction and reassembly of the stego image through normalized cut method has been carried out at the sender side and receiver side respectively in order to prevent distortion of the Stego image during transmission.


Introduction Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. It is estimated 0.4% of pregnant women in England have hepatitis B. The UK pregnancy screening programme includes hepatitis B and has an uptake of 97%. Infants born to hepatitis B infected mothers are at risk of perinatal transmission and it is important to identify those requiring antiviral treatment in the third trimester in order to reduce this risk. National policy recommends immunisation of infants, with vaccine +/- immunoglobulin. NICE guidance suggests that all hepatitis B positive pregnant women should be assessed by a specialist within 6 weeks. Approximately 5000 babies are born at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells annually and mothers found to have HBV at pregnancy screening are referred to GB. The objectives of this study were to identify the demographics of patients in the antenatal screening clincis and associated outcomes in terms of further management and maternal case management. Methods Between 2005 and 2015, 33 mothers were identified as having hepatitis surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity. The mothers were identified through two separate databases held by GB and the antenatal screening midwife. Data was obtained retrospectively from patient, laboratory and imaging records. These included age, ethnicity, date of HBsAg positivity, new or known diagnosis, interval to Hepatology clinic review and "did not attend" rate. The HBV serological profile, history of antiviral treatment and subsequent follow up were determined. Results The predominant ethnicities in this cohort of hepatitis B positive mothers were Eastern European (27%) and African (24%). Of the 33 mothers, 45% did not volunteer a known diagnosis of hepatitis B until identification at screening, 27% received a new diagnosis through screening and it remained unclear whether the remaining 27% knew about their diagnosis or not. 42% of patients were seen in Hepatology clinic within 6 weeks of referral. 15% of mothers did not attend their first clinic appointment and as a result 80% of these did not have HBV DNA checked during or after pregnancy. The only eligible patient for treatment did not attend her appointment to initiate therapy. Vaccination of new born babies was 100%, and two also received immunoglobulins. After delivery, 39% did not attend their follow up appointments. Conclusion The majority of HBV positive mothers were born outside the UK, with the largest group from Eastern Europe. There was considerable clinic non-attendance both at initial appointment and more strikingly post-delivery. The disappointing rates of patient engagement in the Hepatology clinic are perhaps due to the language barrier or cultural considerations. Areas to improve the service might include better use of interpreters, counselling and educational materials. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


Background This study aimed to evaluate and compare the induction, the maintenance, hemodynamic responses and the recovery profile of propofol-remifentanil combination (total intravenous anesthesia) and sevoflurane-remifentanil under the Bispectral index for pediatric patients undergoing short lower abdominal surgery. Materials and methods Sixty ASA physical status I and II patients aged 3-10 years scheduled for elective lower abdominal procedure were assigned to receive either the propofol and remifentanil combination (group P/R = 30 patients) or sevoflurane and remifentanil (group S/R = 30 patients) under Bispectral index monitoring. In both groups, anesthesia was started with remifentanil infusion (0.5 μg/kg/min) for 2 min. In the P/R group, a bolus dose of propofol 2 mg/kg was given, and then the infusion was started (7.5 mg/kg/h) and reduced gradually to 3 mg/kg/h. In the S/R group, sevoflurane 2 vol% in 100% O 2 was added and increased gradually to 8 vol%, and then reduced to 4, 3, 2 vol%. Results Induction of anesthesia was rapid in the P/R group (2.3 ± 0.7 min) compared with the S/R group (2.6 ± 1.3 min). Hypotension occurred after induction 10% in the P/R group versus 30% in the S/R group. Bradycardia was a defining feature in the P/R group only. Group P/R achieved rapid extubation in 12 min and was transferred to the postanesthesia care unit, in 17 min compared with 15 and 20 min, respectively, in the S/R group. Conclusion This study indicates that the propofol-remifentanil combination is superior to the sevoflurane-remifentanil combination, with faster induction and recovery, although both techniques are considered to be safe and effective for providing anesthesia to pediatric patients.


The paper discusses a specialized low-power embedded system that records any debug output over the UART interface of IoT devices. The acquired data is buffered locally and sent to a central server over the GSM network, at a predefined period of time. This logging device is battery powered and solar charging is applied to it. Certain parameters of the logger can be configured remotely.


We are developing a shear-type compact MR brake (SCMRB), which can control the share stress because the viscosity of MR fluid varies by the magnetic field and shear rate. In order to design the high response brake, it is important to evaluate the response characteristics by taking into account the non-linearity of stress versus flux density and stress versus rotation speed. This paper presents the response characteristics analysis method of the SCMRB using the 3-D finite element method (FEM). The effectiveness of the analysis is clarified through the comparison with the measured ones. Furthermore, the usefulness of this brake is also clarified through the response characteristics.


Traditional Question Generation (TQG) aims to generate a question given an input passage and an answer. When there is a sequence of answers, we can perform Sequential Question Generation (SQG) to produce a series of interconnected questions. Since the frequently occurred information omission and coreference between questions, SQG is rather challenging. Prior works regarded SQG as a dialog generation task and recurrently produced each question. However, they suffered from problems caused by error cascades and could only capture limited context dependencies. To this end, we generate questions in a semi-autoregressive way. Our model divides questions into different groups and generates each group of them in parallel. During this process, it builds two graphs focusing on information from passages, answers respectively and performs dual-graph interaction to get information for generation. Besides, we design an answer-aware attention mechanism and the coarse-to-fine generation scenario. Experiments on our new dataset containing 81.9K questions show that our model substantially outperforms prior works.


Background Early recognition of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is very important. Earlier treatment leads to a better outcome in RA patients, the so called window of opportunity. Previous research into the ability of patients to recognize arthritis has been done in diagnosed RA and ankylosing spondylitis patients. The present study is the first to investigate the reliability of self-evaluation of the swollen joint count (SJC) in patients presenting with arthralgia. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients referred with arthralgia are capable of recognizing arthritis themselves. Methods In total, 643 patients referred to the Early Arthritis Recognition Clinics of Groningen and Leiden (both the Netherlands) between April 2012 and December 2013 were studied. General practitioners (GP) referred patients with arthralgia to this clinic if they had a suspicion of arthritis, but were unsure about the presence of arthritis. Patients filled in a questionnaire about their joint symptoms, including a SJC (range 0-52) on a mannequin. Subsequently they were evaluated by an experienced rheumatologist for the presence of arthritis. Correlations between patient and physician SJC were calculated using Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho). Agreement between patient and physician scores was calculated using Cohen's Kappa (K) or intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The median number of swollen joints scored by patients and physicians was 2 (0-46) and 0 (0-25) respectively. The correlation between patient and physician total SJC was low (rho 0.240). Furthermore, there was no agreement between patients and physicians for the presence of any arthritis (SJC ≥1, K 0.174) or total SJC (ICC 0.146). Also when looking at individual joints, agreement between patients and physicians was low. Arthritis was not more easily identified by patients in large vs small joint involvement (K 0.240 and 0.119 resp.), in symmetrical hand joint affliction (K 0.283), or for the number of afflicted joints (mono vs oligo vs polyarticular, K 0.158). No differences were found between men and women (K 0.235 and 0.160 resp.) and between age groups (ages <30, 30-59, ≥60 years, K 0.460, 0.181, 0.200 resp.). Conclusions This is the first study evaluating the ability of (selected) patients from the general population to recognize arthritis. Our results show that these patients are not capable of recognizing arthritis as diagnosed by an experienced rheumatologist. Based on these data we conclude that self assessed arthritis is not an appropriate tool to screen arthralgia patients for the presence of arthritis. References Spoorenberg A, van der Heijde D, Dougados M et al. The reliability of self assessed joint counts in ankylosing spondylitis. Ann Rheum Dis 2002;61:799-803. Riazolli J, Nilsson JÅ, Teleman A et al. Patient-reported 28 swollen and tender joint counts accurately represent RA disease activity and can be used to assess therapy responses at the group level. Rheumatology 2010;49:2098-2103. Disclosure of Interest None declared


The evaluation of maintenance tasks is increasingly important in the design and redesign of many industrial operations including vehicles. The weight of subsystems can be extreme and often tools are developed to abate the ergonomic risks commonly associated with such tasks, while others are unfortunately overlooked. We evaluated a member of the family of medium-sized tactical vehicles (FMTV) and chose the battery handling from a list of previously addressed concerns regarding the vehicle. Particularly in larger vehicles, similar to those analyzed in this paper, batteries may exceed 35 kg (77 lbs). The motions required to remove these batteries were simulated using motion prediction modules from the Human Motion Simulation (HUMOSIM) laboratory at the University of Michigan. These motions were visualized in UGS PLM Solutions' Jack and analyzed with the embedded 3-D Static Strength Prediction program. Critical design issues were immediately apparent, such as location, orientation, contact stress, and clearance; all directly related to the difficulty and increased risk of injury associated with replacing the batteries. Simple ergonomic interventions were evaluated for the modification of existing vehicles.


Background Obesity is abnormal fat accumulation that may impair health, defined as a BMI ≥ 30. Reduction in physical activity and sedentary lifestyles are now recognised as a major cause. Recent data suggest that obesity does not affect the response to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) (Greening 2012). However it is not known whether PR can help with weight loss in obese patients. Methods 234 patients (BMI ≥ 30) who completed an 8-week outpatient PR programme were recruited. All were provided with dietary advice leaflets and attended an hour lecture with a dietician. Weight, MRC, Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ), incremental shuttle walk (ISW) and body composition (Bodystat 1500) were measured pre and post PR. Fat free mass was calculated (Steiner 2002). Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon Signed rank tests were used to compare outcomes pre and post PR. Results Baseline characteristics mean (standard deviation) or median (25 th , 75 th percentiles); Age 68 years (62,75), FEV 1 % pred 58 (22), MRC 4 (3,5), BMI 35.5 (5.5). Disease classifications (n): COPD (145), interstitial lung disease (23), asthma (28), obesity hypoventilation (14), bronchiectasis (10), extrathoracic restriction (9) and thoracic surgery for lung cancer (2). There was a significant change in all standard PR outcome measures (MRC, CRQ and ISW, all p 2 respectively, which was statistically significant (p=0.01 and p Conclusion Obese patients undergoing supervised exercise training as part of a PR lose weight which can be attributed to loss of fat mass. However, it is debatable whether these changes are clinically significant.


Engineering certification for the installation of solar photovoltaic modules on wood roofs is often denied because existing wood roofs do not meet current building codes. Rather than requiring expensive structural retrofits, we desire to show that many roofs are actually sufficiently strong if the effect of composite action produced by joist-sheathing interaction is considered. In a series of laboratory experiments using a limited number of two-by-four wood joists with and without sheathing panels, conventionally sheathed stud-grade joists, surprisingly, exhibited between 18% and 63% higher nominal strength than similar bare joists. To explain this strength increase, a simple model was developed to predict the strengths of the nailed partially composite sections, but the model only justifies a 1.4% to 3.8% increase in bending strength of joists with an allowable bending strength of 1000 psi. More testing is indicated to resolve this discrepancy between laboratory results and analytical modeling results. In addition to elucidating nonlinear partial composite behavior of existing roof systems, this paper shows that, with minor changes in roof framing practices, strength increases of 70% or more are achievable, compared to the strengths of conventionally sheathed joists.


Palladium is an important catalyst in many catalytic reactions with diversity of technological applications. Apart from the pure metal, catalytic activity is being increasingly attributed also to palladium oxides, which however remain poorly characterized. The only thoroughly scientifically studied and technologically exploited palladium oxide is PdO. In our present study we focus on theoretical examination of PdO2. Its formation was observed under elevated hydrostatic pressure and rutile structure was proposed [1,2]. Using Density Functional Theory modelling, we have obtained more detailed information about existence of PdO2 including possible polymorphs with distinct oxygen anions (O2-, (O2)2-), details of crystal structures, vibrational properties and thermodynamic stability [3]. Here we will show that apart from the rutile structure, PdO2 can form in variety of polymorphs with much more favorable formation enthalpies. We examine these polymorphs in relation to PtO2 and calculate their IR/Raman fingerprints in broader pressure range that can help to identify them in future experiments.
Acknowledgement: The European Regional Development Fund, Research and Innovation Operational Programme, for project No. ITMS2014+: 313011W085; Scientific Grant Agency of the Slovak Republic, grant No. VG 1/0223/19; the Slovak Research and Development Agency, grant No. APVV-18-0168; Aurel supercomputing infrastructure in CC of Slovak Academy of Sciences acquired in projects ITMS 26230120002 and 26210120002 funded by ERDF.
References:
[1] I. S. Shaplygin, G. L. Aparnikov, V. B.Lazarev, Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 23, 884 (1978).
[2] G. I. Goncharenko, V. B. Lazarev, I. S. Shaplygin, Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 30, 3032 (1985).
[3] D. Fabusova, Bachelor thesis 2020, available at https://opac.crzp.sk/


For evaluating flutter proneness of the single-seat high-performance motor glider DG-800, manufactured by Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau, Bruchsal, the required investigations according to JAR-22 (Subpart D) 22.629(b)(1) have been conducted. This report deals with both the 18 m span version and the 15 m span version with winglets. A Ground vibration test and flutter calculations up to 1.2 VD covering all configurations of the airplane have been performed. The significant results are summarized in this report. Requirements and recommendations are stated aiming at a reduction of flutter risk.


This paper introduces a quality of service (QoS) framework for CAMX systems in electronics production. The proposed QoS scheme incorporates elements from the design of the DiffServ architecture, but focuses on server-side processing. An ad-hoc simulator has been produced to validate the expected benefits of QoS discrimination. The results suggest improved performance by over 2 orders of magnitude for signal-carrying data that has direct relationship to process cycles, even during periods of high traffic load and congestion. The performance for non-critical data is not significantly affected and degrades gracefully under increased loads


The study examined the extent to which digital revolution has affected the organizational structure of Nigerian banks. Twenty-five banks were selected for the study in south-western Nigeria. Interview was conducted for middle and top level managers and questionnaire was developed and administered to the other staff using a five-point Likert scale to determine the attitudes and opinions of the staff on the effects of digital revolution on the organizational structure of the banks. The mean was used as an indicator of central tendency for quantitative variables that have frequency distributions in the study. The study found that standard operating procedures, politics, culture, surrounding environment and management decisions were all affected by digital revolution. It affected the organizational balance of rights, privileges, obligations, responsibilities, and feelings that have been established over a long period of time. The revolution brought structural changes in the line and unit of command, the principles of span of control, unity of command, and scalar principle of graded chain of superiors in the studied banks. It encouraged flat organizations as decision making became more decentralized. It also altered the required skill and increased the perceived advantage of workers with computer engineering background. Authority relied on knowledge and competence and not on mere formal position The study concluded that digital revolution has changed the course of history in the banking industry leaving far reaching effects and implications on both the organizational and industrial structure. It is imperative for banks and their staff to effect proper restructuring that will facilitate optimal utilization of the benefits provided by the revolution.


System provisioning is the problem of determining the number of resources required to accomplish a complicated system level task, e.g. tracking or discriminating between N targets. This is a central problem in multi-target tracking with synthetic aperture radars where the number of targets can easily exceed the available resources. This paper treats the following conservative sensor provisioning problem: dynamically assign R platforms to process N moving targets in a way that guarantees that the radar maintains track on all targets. We propose a solution to this problem that guarantees a prescribed level of system performance, e.g., multiple target detection and position uncertainty levels, regardless of the scenario. The operational context of the paper is computational provisioning in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that dynamically assigns different computers to tracking different targets.


Start-up technique reported here relies on a double mode conversion (MC) for electron Bernstein wave (EBW) excitation. It consists of MC of the ordinary (O) mode, entering the plasma from the low field side of the tokamak, into the extraordinary (X) mode at a mirror-polarizer located at the high field side. The X mode propagates back to the plasma, passes through electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) and experiences a subsequent X to EBW MC near the upper hybrid resonance (UHR). Finally the excited EBW mode is totally absorbed at the Doppler shifted ECR. The absorption of EBW remains high even in cold rarefied plasmas. Furthermore, EBW can generate significant plasma current giving the prospect of a fully solenoid-free plasma start-up. First experiments using this scheme were carried out on MAST [1]. Plasma currents up to 33 kA have been achieved using 28 GHz 100kW 90ms RF pulses. Recently experimental results were extended to longer RF pulses showing further increase of plasma currents generated by RF power alone. A record current of 73kA has been achieved with 450ms RF pulse of similar power. The current drive enhancement was mainly achieved due to RF pulse extension and further optimisation of the start-up scenario.


AIM
To study the inhibitory effect of oxymatrine on serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in HBV transgenic mice.

METHODS
HBV transgenic mice model was established by microinjection, and identified by HBV DNA integration and replication. Transgenic mice with replicating HBV were divided into 3 groups, and injected with normal saline (group A, n=9), 50 mg/kg (group B, n=8) and 100 mg/kg (group C, n=9) oxymatrine intraperitoneally once a day for 30 d, respectively. Quantitation of serum HBV DNA in HBV transgenic mice was performed by competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with DNA hybridization quantitative detection technique before and after treatment.

RESULTS
Compared with pre-treatment, the serum HBV DNA in group A (F=1.04, P=0.9612) and group B (F=1.13, P=0.8739) had no changes after treatment. However, in group C serum HBV DNA was significantly decreased (F=13.97, P=0.0012). The serum HBV DNA after treatment was lower in group C than in groups B and A (F=8.65, P=0.0068; F=12.35, P=0.0018; respectively). The serum HBV DNA after treatment was lower in group B than in group A, but there was no statistical significance (F=1.43, P=0.652).

CONCLUSION
Oxymatrine has inhibitory effects on serum HBV DNA in HBV transgenic mice.


Biliary lipid metabolism was studied after 10 liver transplantations with continuous drainage of bile. Within 3 wk after transplantation, the new liver produced bile with concentrations of biliary lipids in agreement with those reported for T‐tube bile in cholecystectolized nontransplanted subjects. Although changes in biliary lipid composition occurred swiftly in response to various forms of disturbed liver function, they did not provide substantially more information than did standard serum tests or simple measurements of bile flow in most patients. Secretion rates of phospholipids and cholesterol were found to be completely bile acid dependent. For each micromole of bile acids, 0.22 and 0.08 μmol of phospholipids and cholesterol were secreted, respectively. When bile flow was related to bile acid output, a linear relationship was found (r = 0.89), with a positive intercept indicating a bile acid‐independent bile flow of approximately 44 μl/min. Analysis of individual bile acids showed almost exclusively primary bile acids. The relative proportion of chenodeoxycholic acid was more prominent during the first days after transplantation. Different explanations for this are discussed. (HEPATOLOGY 1990;12:1221–1228).


In order to reduce the error during transmission and improve the robustness of digital watermarking system,a new method for image watermarking using DWT and Turbo Codes is proposed.First,the watermark is encoded via Turbo Code encoder before embedding;then we apply DWT by three level,and watermark bits are embedded into coefficients in the middle frequency sub bands.At receiver,extracted bits are decoded and watermark is obtained after Turbo decoding.We investigate this method with simulation and using a variety of standard test images.Simulation results prove performance of the proposed scheme.Simulation results show that the robustness of the proposed algorithm is superior to the identical algorithm that based on BCH code or Hamming code etc.


Purpose
To determine the relationship between the amplitudes of the electrically evoked potentials (EEPs) and the number of optic nerve axons at a late stage of retinal degeneration in rhodopsin P347L transgenic (Tg) rabbits, a model of retinitis pigmentosa.

Methods
Six eyes of six wild-type (WT) (43.8 ± 7.5 months of age) and six eyes of six Tg (40.3 ± 2.6 months of age) rabbits were studied. The EEPs were elicited by 1 to 5 mA of transcorneal electrical stimulation. The first positive wave, the P1 component, was analyzed. After euthanasia, the number of axons in the optic nerve was counted.

Results
The threshold current to elicit a P1 was significantly higher in Tg rabbits than WT rabbits. The amplitude of P1 elicited by 5 mA in Tg rabbits was about 24% of that in WT rabbits (P < 0.01). The number of axons in the optic nerve of Tg rabbits was reduced to about 59% of that of WT rabbits (P < 0.01). The correlation between the axon number and the amplitude of the P1 in Tg and WT rabbits was not significant. The mean ratio of the P1 amplitude/axon in Tg rabbits was decreased to 53% of that in WT rabbits (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
The degree of reduction in the EEP in Tg rabbits is more severe than the reduction in the number of optic nerve axons. The use of transcorneal electrical stimulation to determine the suitable candidates for prosthesis at the end-stage of retinitis pigmentosa may underestimate the condition of the optic nerves.


Eccrine spiradenoma is an uncommon benign tumor of sweat glands. The clinical presentation in majority of cases is as solitary painful dermal nodule less than 5 cm in diameter, with equal incidence in both sexes. The nodule develops most usually on head, neck and dorsal aspect of the trunk and is many times recurrent. Malignant transformation is rare. Differential diagnosis includes other sweat gland tumours, sebaceous cysts and various benign subcutaneous connective tissue disorders. Exact diagnosis and radical surgical excision can avoid recurrence. We here report a case of eccrine spiradenoma, clinically diagnosed as cervical lymphadenitis and stress the importance of role of fine needle aspiration cytology in its diagnosis along with documentation of the cytological diagnostic criteria of the same.


Background Exposure to coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is linked to the development of insulin resistance. Previous studies suggested that PCB126 alters muscle mitochondrial function through an indirect mechanism. Since PCBs are stored in fat, we hypothesized that PCB126 alters adipokine secretion, which in turn affects muscle metabolism. Objectives The objectives of this study were: 1) To study the impacts of PCB126 exposure on adipocyte cytokine/adipokine secretion; 2) To determine whether adipocyte-derived factors alter glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function in myotubes when exposed to PCB126; 3) To determine whether pre-established insulin resistance alters the metabolic responses of adipocytes exposed to PCB126 and the communication between adipocytes and myotubes. Method 3T3-L1 adipocytes were exposed to PCB126 (1-100 nM) in two insulin sensitivity conditions (insulin sensitive (IS) and insulin resistant (IR) adipocytes), followed by the measurement of secreted adipokines, mitochondrial function and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Communication between adipocytes and myotubes was reproduced by exposing C2C12 or mouse primary myotubes to conditioned medium (CM) derived from IS or IR 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to PCB126. Mitochondrial function and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake were then determined in myotubes. Results PCB126 significantly increased adipokine (adiponectin, IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-α) secretion and decreased mitochondrial function, glucose uptake and glycolysis in IR but not in IS 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Altered energy metabolism in IR 3T3-L1 adipocytes was linked to decreased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) and increased superoxide dismutase 2 levels, an enzyme involved in reactive oxygen species detoxification. Exposure of myotubes to CM from PCB126-treated IR adipocytes decreased glucose uptake, without altering glycolysis or mitochondrial function. Interestingly, p-AMPK levels were increased rather than decreased in myotubes exposed to the CM of PCB126-treated IR adipocytes. Conclusion Taken together, these data suggest that increased adipokine secretion from IR adipocytes exposed to PCB126 may explain impaired glucose uptake in myotubes.


P. W. Cheng and K. J. Holyoak's (1985) pragmatic reasoning theory was used to inform hypotheses relevant to the transfer of deductive reasoning rules during adolescence. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants were trained on either permission or causal versions of P. C. Wason's (1966) selection task, and transfer to arbitrary problems was examined. In Experiments 3 and 4, the effect of training on permission or arbitrary problems to target causal problems was examined. Transfer was more likely from source causal and arbitrary problems than from permission problems. Also, there were developmental progressions in source problem performance. The findings are discussed in terms of the domain specificity of the reasoning rules induced during acquisition and in terms of the effects of training on pragmatic reasoning schemata


Slahung Subdistrict in Ponorogo  District,  East  Java  Province, has  great  potency  in  agriculture.  Most of the crops can not be utilized optimally for  economic  growth  in  the  Sub-district  due  to limited access of roads, therefore the study analised  development  of  trains  for  optimizing  the  potency of Slahung by using literature study and field survey  along  the  existing  route  Madiun- Slahung. Data was collected from the Slahung District Office and from a  survey  of  railway conditions along the track. The results obtained  are (1) Comparison of energy  consumption  shows  that train is superior at Rp 14, 87 Km / ton and 0.0025 liter / km / ton for freight transport. (2) By utilizing paddy and sugar cane production in Slahung area, Slahung will earn a profit of Rp 2,468,542,182,850.00 per year when selling the  crop  in  Madiun  City.  (3)  The  survey  estimates that 61% of the Madiun -  Slahung railway line  in good  condition and  39% in poor condition,  some of the track located in the middle of agricultural land which will make it easier for farmers  to distribute their harvest to the trading center.  (4)  The  survey  results  show  that  the  Slahung community needs a cheap and fast mode of transportation  that  overide  convenience  factor,  so  that the train with its characteristics can be accepted by the community.


'Fusion' in model systems usually refers to the decay of membrane configurations that are inherently unstable because of the method of preparation. Natural fusion is a controlled event during which the underlying forces and instabilities are subject to the additional effects of biochemical reactions. To understand biological fusion one must be able first to assess the interplay among these physical and chemical factors. This paper reviews traditional measurements of electrostatic double layer and electrodynamic van der Waals forces acting between bilayer membranes. It also describes the much stronger hydration forces that have now been systematically studied. An essential part of any fusion event is the ability of membrane surfaces to overcome or circumvent the hydration barrier in order to make contact. This may be accomplished through applied force, through bridging substances that displace water from the membrane surface, or through biochemical modification of surfaces. In model systems, destruction of the hydration layer can cause violent adhesion, membrane deformation, and rupture. Natural fusion proceeds by more subtle processes whereby interfacial forces are harnessed in ways not yet understood.


Abstract Aims: To explore changes in different outcome measures in a follow-up of persons with dizziness, and to investigate if these changes indicate different domains of functioning. Methodology: Sixty-eight persons with dizziness, mean age of 47 years, were included in an 18-month follow-up. Outcome measures used: the Vertigo Symptom Scale, Patient Specific Functional Scale, Disability Scale, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, and tests of Dynamic Visual Acuity, Single Leg Stance, and Walking Speeds. Major findings: We found significant improvements in impairments indicated by outcome measures of dizziness and visual acuity, and in activity and participation indicated by outcome measures of standing balance, patient-specific activities, disability and quality of life. Similar patterns of change were also found in subgroup analyses, except in gender. Correlations between change-scores were in the range r = 0–0.6. Significant correlations were found between change scores indicating body function and activity/participation (0.3 ≤ r ≥ 5). We found no correlations between self-report measures and tests. Conclusion: Comprehensive use of outcome measures addressing body function, activity and participation appear to provide information of changes in different domains of functioning. To enable broad and meaningful follow-up of patients with long-lasting dizziness, generic and condition-specific measures, self-reports and tests in different domains of functioning should be further explored.


This paper deals with various new formulas involving a quotient of two or more functions using applicable techniques of the differential transform method (DTM). These newly developed formulas could be helpful for solving delay differential equations and integro-differential equations, which are highly challenging to solve directly. Moreover, a delay differential equation is completely solved using various algorithms in MATLAB incorporating these new formulas.


This paper presents a monotonicity-based spatiotemporal conductivity imaging method for continuous regional lung monitoring using electrical impedance tomography (EIT). The EIT data (i.e. the boundary current–voltage data) can be decomposed into pulmonary, cardiac and other parts using their different periodic natures. The time-differential current–voltage operator corresponding to the lung ventilation can be viewed as either semi-positive or semi-negative definite owing to monotonic conductivity changes within the lung regions. We used these monotonicity constraints to improve the quality of lung EIT imaging. We tested the proposed methods in numerical simulations, phantom experiments and human experiments.


There is little information on the regulation of surfactant secretion in mouse type II cells. We isolated type II cells from C57BL/6 and FVB mice, cultured them overnight, and then examined their response to known surfactant secretagogues. Secretion of phosphatidylcholine, surfactant protein (SP)-B and SP-C was stimulated by terbutaline, 5'-N-ethylcarboxyamidoadenosine (NECA), ATP, UTP, TPA, and ionomycin. Phosphatidylcholine secretion was increased approximately twofold by all agonists in both strains of mice. The response to terbutaline and NECA is the same as in rat type II cells, whereas the response to ATP, UTP, TPA, and ionomycin is considerably less. Secretion of SP-B and SP-C was increased sevenfold by terbutaline and threefold by ATP, effects similar to those in rat type II cells. The response to terbutaline was significantly decreased in type II cells from beta(2)-adrenergic receptor null mice. These data establish that briefly cultured type II cells provide a suitable model for investigation of surfactant secretion in normal and genetically altered mice.


  Two cases of hyperosmolar nonketotic coma with neurological disorders are presented.
   One was a 49-year-old male, who was admitted because of a brain contusion and a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. At the time of admission, the patient was semicomatose with a mild right hemiparesis; his Glasgow Coma Scale rating was 6. He was treated with glycerol, steroids, and diphenylhydantoin, and his Glasgow Coma Scale rating improved to 10. On the fifth hospital day, he suffered from pneumonia and gastrointestinal bleeding, and was given intravenous hyperalimen tation. On the tenth hospital day, he became semicomatose again and his Glasgow Coma Scale rating was 6. The laboratory findings were as follows: blood sugar 675 mg/dl, serum sodium 160 mEq/l, serum blood urea nitrogen 59 mg/dl, plasma osmolarity 404 mOsm/l, and negative keton bodies in the urine. Immediately, he was treated with large amounts of intravenous drip infusion and insulin, and he recovered fully from the syndrome. The other case was a 73-year-old female, who had suffered from a hypertensive intracerebral hematoma.
   A close monitoring of fluid, blood sugar, and electrolytes seems to be important for comatose patients. This is particularly true of patients who are dehydrated and given steroids, diuretics, diphenylhydantoin, and intravenous hyperalimentation.


Aim of study was to improve environmental sanitation, reduce the risk of infectious and toxic waste to the biomedical waste handlers and the community. Objectives: To assess the status of knowledge and practice among bio-medical waste handlers regarding disposal of biomedical waste before and after educational intervention, and to determine the association of knowledge and practice score with selected sociodemograpic variables. Material & methods: A before and after interventional study was carried out on 187 biomedical waste handlers. Results: There were 21(51.2%) female biomedical waste handlers above the age of 45 as compared to 6(14.6%) between 25 to 34years. Majority175 (93.6%) of the waste handlers were educated and had education from 1to 12 standard. The mean pre training score was 9.3.with a S.D. Of 3.9, which improved to 20.0 with SD of 2.4.The mean pre training practice score was 7.8 with a S.D 3.8, which improved to 21.6 with a S.D. of 3.8 Initially there were 110(58.8%).workers in the poor category who all improved after educational intervention majority were 148(79.1%) in excellent category of knowledge after training. Initially there were 157(83.9%) in the poor category practice score, 83(44.3%) in excellent category of practices after educational intervention. Conclusion -Area wise effectiveness of educational intervention has shown an improvement in proportion of workers answering questions related to knowledge correctly. The percentage improvement has ranged from 6.4% to 78.1%. In all except two areas there has been improvement in proportion of biomedical waste handlers practicing them correctly.


Background: The SOFT and TEXT randomized phase 3 trials address two primary questions for endocrine treatment of premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. 1) In combination with ovarian function suppression (OFS), does an aromatase inhibitor (exemestane, E) improve outcome compared with tamoxifen (T)? 2) Does addition of OFS to T improve outcome compared with T alone? Trial Designs: SOFT compares 5y of T to OFS+T or OFS+E. OFS can be GnRH analog (triptorelin) × 5y, oophorectomy or ovarian irradiation. Median age was 43y (11% TEXT compares 5y of OFS+T to OFS+E. Patients were enrolled prior to CT (if planned). Median age was 43y (9% Major Eligibility Criteria – Premenopausal, confirmed by estradiol levels – ER≥10% and/or PgR≥10% – Invasive early breast cancer Specific Aims: Evaluate the role of aromatase inhibitors and the addition of OFS to T in this population. Statistical Methods (amended 2011): The primary analysis will be intention-to-treat of all randomized patients. The primary endpoint, invasive disease-free survival (DFS), is defined as time from randomization to invasive local, regional, or distant relapse, contralateral breast cancer, appearance of a second non-breast malignancy, or death. DFS will be compared using a 2-sided stratified logrank test with an overall experiment-wise alpha level equal to at most 0.05. In the original protocol, anticipated 5y DFS was 67% with T alone, 74% with OFS+T, and 79.8% with OFS+E, and required a total of 396 DFS events in TEXT and 783 DFS events in SOFT to reach 80% power. Because the enrolled population had more favorable characteristics and the event rates were lower than anticipated (2%/yr vs 8%/yr), the revised analysis plan is 'time-driven' rather than 'event-driven.' The comparison of OFS+E to OFS+T across both trials (n = 4717) is planned at median follow-up (MFU) >5y. The estimated power to detect a 20%, 25%, or 30% reduction in the hazard with OFS+E vs OFS+T is 63%, 84%, and 95%, respectively. The comparison of OFS+T to T alone is planned at 5y MFU (SOFT, n=2045). The estimated power to detect a 20%, 25%, 30%, or 33.5% reduction in the hazard is 34%, 52%, 69%, and 80%, respectively. Accruals SOFT Target: 3000; Final: 3066 TEXT Target: 2639; Final: 2672 Enrollment 2003–2011; primary analyses expected late 2013/early 2014. Related Research Quality of Life (QL) component evaluates QL, menopausal symptoms and sexual impairment. TEXT Translational Research investigates patient and tumor features that may contribute to treatment effectiveness and side effects. TEXT-Bone investigates changes in bone mineral density and the role of serial serum markers of bone remodeling as predictors of bone side effects. Co-SOFT evaluates changes in cognitive function during the first year. SOFT-EST evaluates estrogen levels during the first 4y of GnRH analogue and whether there is a suboptimally estrogen-suppressed subgroup. North American Pharmacogenetics study investigates whether genetic variations that affect T and E metabolism influence efficacy. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-2-01.


This study undertook an empirical survey of the factors, which mostly influence individual investor behavior in the Greek stock exchange. The results revealed by our sample of 150 respondents confirm that there seems to be a certain degree of correlation between the factors that behavioral finance theory and previous empirical evidence identify as the influencing factors for the average equity investor, and the individual behavior of active investors in the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) influenced by the overall trends prevailing at the time of the survey in the ASE.


Human neutrophils exposed to chemotactic concentrations of zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) and a formylated chemotactic peptide (FMLP, 10(-7)--10(-9) M) were markedly enhanced in their ability to generate superoxide (O2-) upon stimulation with either sodium fluoride or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). For both fluoride and PMA, enhancement was characterized by a decrease in the lag from stimulation to initiation of superoxide release and by an increase in the rate of superoxide generation--representing faster activation and increased activity of O2- generating enzyme, respectively. Chemotactic concentrations of casein, normal serum, and casein-treated serum enhanced the activity, but not the rate of activation, of the fluoride-stimulated superoxide generating system. This effect on activity was not so impressive as that obtained with FMLP or ZAS. The mechanisms by which FMLP enhanced responsiveness to fluoride and PMA were found to be different. Optimal enhancement for fluoride-stimulated responses required extracellular Ca++. Extracellular glucose, but not extracellular Ca++, was required for enhancement of FMLP of PMA-stimulated responses. A similar glucose requirement could not be demonstrated for chemotactic peptide enhancement of the superoxide-generating system stimulated by fluoride. Fluoride and PMA apparently activate the neutrophil O2- generating enzyme by pathways that are not identical. However, responsiveness of the enzyme to both agents is susceptible to modulation by cellular responses to chemotactic peptides.


Dendritic cell (DC) is regarded as a powerful means for anti-cancer immunotherapy. Clinical trials of cancer therapy with DC loaded with cancer antigens, such as tumor cell-lysates or HLA class I-binding antigenic peptides, have been conducted. Antigen-specific negative manipulation of the immune response by DC is a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases and also for control of allo-reactive immune responses in transplantation medicine. Currently, DC for clinical use are generated from peripheral blood monocytes of the patients. However, the number of monocytes obtained from the patients is limited and the potential of monocytes to differentiate into DC varies depending on the blood donor. Thus, the issue of limited cells is a serious obstacle for DC therapy. ES cells and iPS cells have pluripotency and unlimited propagation capacity and may be an ideal cell source for DC-therapy. Several groups, including us, have developed methods to generate DC from ES cells or iPS cells. This review introduces the studies on generation, characterization, and genetic modification of DC derived from ES cells or iPS cells.