Giving birth is one of the most impressive experiences in life. However, many pregnant women suffer from fear of childbirth (FOC) and experience labour in very different ways, depending on their personality, previous life experiences, pregnancy, and birth circumstances. The aim of this study was to analyse how fear of childbirth affects the childbirth experience and to assess the related consequences. For this, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 414 women between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022. The Birth Anticipation Scale (BAS) was used to measure fear of childbirth and the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ-E) was applied to measure satisfaction with the childbirth experience. Fear of childbirth negatively and significantly predicted the childbirth experience. In addition, women who were more fearful of childbirth were found to have worse obstetric outcomes and a higher likelihood of having a caesarean delivery (p = 0.008 C. I 95%). Fear behaved as a risk factor for the birth experience, so the greater the fear, the higher the risk of having a worse birth experience (OR 1.1). Encouraging active listening and support strategies may increase pregnant women's confidence, thus decreasing their fear of the process and improving their childbirth experience.


ABSTRACT An Eulerian-Eulerian granular model was used to simulate the flow and heat transfer through a heatedgassolid fluidised bed. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether the Eulerian-Eulerian granular model adequately predicts the chamber pressure drop, temperature, and bed expansion through the bed. The model predictions were assessed and validated for various flow-regimes, namely the fixed-bed, smooth, bubbling fluidisation, and the maximum fluidisation regimes. This was done on an experimental scale heated gas-solid fluidised bed. However, the results are generalisable for heated gas-solid fluidised beds when the flow is laminar. Numerical models were created using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The CFD-model predictions were investigated, analysed, and compared to experimental results. Basic experiments were carried out to obtain varying hydrodynamic characteristics. The results showed a slight overprediction of pressure drop and bed expansion, however, the results were still in close agreement with the experiment. In contrast, underprediction of chamber temperatures were obtained. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the Eulerian model be used to predict dynamic flow behaviour. Before minimum fluidisation, when in a fixed bed regime, pressure drop in the chamber increases with no increase in bed height. No visible bubbles were present in the fixed bed regime. When fluidisation has been reached, the bed height rises whereas the pressure drop tends to a constant value. Bubble size increases with chamber height and increased superficial velocities. Bubble speed increased with increased chamber height. With increased superficial velocity, the chamber temperatures increase to a maximum temperature of326.65 K with an initial heating element temperature of373.15 K. However, when excessive heat is present in the gas-solid fluidised bed, other methods that sufficiently incorporate particle-particle interactions and bubble-bubble interactions, are recommended. An investigation should be lent to bubble-bubble interactions in the fluidised beds with relation to heat transfer. Additional keywords: Heated fluidised bed, computational fluid dynamics, CFD, Eulerian, granular, fluidisation, gas-solid


This study proposes two new approaches for identifying damage patterns in a holed CFRP cross-ply laminate using an embedded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor. It was experimentally confirmed that the reflection spectrum from the embedded FBG sensor was significantly deformed as the damage near the hole (i.e. splits, transverse cracks and delamination) extended. The damage patterns were predicted using forward analysis (a damage analysis and an optical analysis) with strain estimation and the proposed damage-identification method as well as the forward analysis only. Forward analysis with strain estimation provided the most accurate damage-pattern estimation and the highest computational efficiency. Furthermore, the proposed damage identification significantly reduced computation time with the equivalent accuracy compared to the conventional identification procedure, by using damage analysis as the initial estimation.


While the frequency and importance of adenoids in childhood is well recognized and their symptomatology pretty generally understood, this is not the case as regards adenoids in infancy. These are supposed to be uncommon and of little importance, and their symptoms are commonly overlooked or misinterpreted. They are, however, very common in infancy and of the greatest importance. Their symptomatology, while in many ways different from that in childhood, is, nevertheless, fairly characteristic, and the evil results produced are even greater in infancy than in chilhood. Although this is undoubtedly true, there is, nevertheless, a general feeling in the profession, even among the throat specialists, that adenoids should not be removed in infancy, the reason given being that they are liable to recur later. It is true that they may, and sometimes do, recur later. The fact is, however, that in the majority of cases the adenoids do not recur,


The development of high-speed railways (HSR) in China has attracted a large number of passengers from highway and aviation to railways due to their comfort and high speed. In this case, HSR passenger transportation can improve the operating income by optimizing the ticket allocation. Here, we propose an optimization method of multiclass price railway passenger transport ticket allocation under high passenger demand. First, for the "censored data" problem in the railway passenger demand forecast, we constructed an unconstrained model of railway passenger demand and solved the unconstrained demand through an expectation-maximization algorithm. Then, on this basis, we use gray neural networks (GNNs) to predict the passenger demand of different origins and destinations (ODs), and according to the prediction results, we propose two ticket allocation methods based on operation and capacity control: accurate predivided model and fuzzy predivided model. And we solve this problem by constructing a particle swarm optimization algorithm. Lastly, we use examples to prove that the proposed ticket allocation method can meet the passengers' needs and have good economic benefits.


To the Editor: We thank Drs. Nowotny and Deutz for their Letter to the Editor regarding our letter in the January-February issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases. We agree that increased education and research efforts regarding zoonoses would benefit not only at-risk patients, but also veterinary and human health professionals. We also applaud their efforts to provide serologic evidence of exposure to zoonotic pathogens among veterinarians in Austria. However, readers should be aware of the zoonotic potential of two of the pathogens in their screening. Specifically, although both animals and humans suffer from respiratory syncytial virus infections, evidence is minimal for interspecies transmission of the domestic animal and human strains. Similarly, bovine viral diarrhea virus is an important bovine pathogen, but there is little evidence for its ability to infect humans.


The lack of temporal disaggregation in conflict data has so far presented a strong obstacle to analyzing the short-term dynamics of military conflict. Using a novel data set of hourly dyadic conflict intensity scores drawn from Twitter and other social media sources during the Gaza Conflict (2008–2009), the author attempts to fill a gap in existing studies. The author employs a vector autoregression (VAR) to measure changes in Israel's and Hamas's military response dynamics immediately following two important junctures in the conflict: the introduction of Israeli ground troops and the UN Security Council vote. The author finds that both Hamas's and Israel's response to provocations by the other side increase (both by about twofold) immediately after the ground invasion, but following the UN Security Council vote, Israel's response is cut in half, while Hamas's slightly increases. In addition, the author provides a template for researchers to harness social media to capture the micro-dynamics of conflict.


We present a new approach to estimate the predominant direction of rupture propagation during a seismic sequence. A fast estimation of the rupture propagation direction is essential to know the azimuthal distribution of shaking around the seismic source and the associated risks for the earthquake occurrence. The main advantage of the proposed method is that it is conceptually reliable, simple, and fast (near real time). The approach uses the empirical Green's function technique and can be applied directly to the waveforms without requiring the deconvolution of the instrumental response and without knowing a priori the attenuation model and the orientation of the activated fault system. We apply the method to the 2016–2017 Amatrice-Visso-Norcia high-energy and long-lasting earthquake series in central Italy, which affected a large area up to 80 km along strike, with more than 130,000 events of small-to-moderate magnitude recorded until the end of August 2022. Most of the selected events analyzed in this study have a magnitude greater than 4.4 and only four seismic events have a magnitude in the range of 3.3–3.7. Our results show that the complex activated normal fault system has a rupture direction mainly controlled by the pre-existing normal faults and by the orientation of the reactivated faults. In addition, the preferred direction of rupture propagation is also controlled by the presence of fluid in the pre-existing structural discontinuities. We discuss the possible role of fluids as a cause of bimaterial interface. Another important finding from our analysis is that the spatial evolution of seismicity is controlled by the directivity.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine if infants carrying 1 cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor (CFTR) mutation demonstrate pancreatic inflammation in response to tobacco exposure.

METHODS
Cystic fibrosis carrier infants aged 4 to 16 weeks were prospectively enrolled. Tobacco exposure was assessed by survey and maternal hair nicotine analysis. Serum immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) levels at birth and at the time of recruitment were analyzed relative to the presence or absence of tobacco exposure. The effect of the severity of the CFTR mutation carried by the infant on the tobacco-IRT relationship was also analyzed.

RESULTS
Forty-eight infants completed the study. Newborn screen and follow-up IRT levels were not different between exposed infants (19 by hair analysis) and nonexposed infants (29 by hair analysis). Follow-up IRT levels were lower in infants with more severe CFTR mutations (P = 0.005). There was no difference in follow-up IRT based on CFTR mutation severity in exposed infants. Nonexposed infants with milder CFTR mutations had higher median IRT values on follow-up testing than those with more severe CFTR mutations (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The pancreas of cystic fibrosis carrier infants is affected by tobacco exposure, and those carrying less severe CFTR mutations may be more susceptible to tobacco effects.


An enzyme-based bio-nanoreactor: By acting as a mineralization template, lumazine synthase, a 60-subunit enzyme complex which has a hollow porous shell, can fabricate nanocrystalline iron oxide. Fe ions can permeate the capsid through hydrophilic funnel-shaped channels lined with glutamic acid residues and become encapsulated in the cavity as FeIII oxide. The capsid increases in size from 15 to 30 nm in diameter through formation of a higher order structure as the concentration of FeIII increases.


Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM)-based HF passive bistatic radar has massive potential for surveillance purposes. Progress about DRM based passive bistatic radar is described. Several key problems need to be overcome for the base-band signal processing, including the vice-peaks suppression of DRM signal ambiguity function, the rejection of direct-path and multipath clutter in the surveillance channel and the extraction of the reference signal in the reference channel. Relative solutions of these problems will be presented. In addition, some results based on simulation data are shown in this paper.


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Two members of the NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB)/Rel transcription factor family, NF-kappaB1 and NF-kappaB2, are produced as precursor proteins, NF-kappaB1 p105 and NF-kappaB2 p100 respectively. These are proteolytically processed by the proteasome to produce the mature transcription factors NF-kappaB1 p50 and NF-kappaB2 p52. p105 and p100 are known to function additionally as IkappaBs (inhibitors of NF-kappaB), which retain associated NF-kappaB subunits in the cytoplasm of unstimulated cells. The present review focuses on the latest advances in research on the function of NF-kappaB1 and NF-kappaB2 in immune cells. NF-kappaB2 p100 processing has recently been shown to be stimulated by a subset of NF-kappaB inducers, including lymphotoxin-beta, B-cell activating factor and CD40 ligand, via a novel signalling pathway. This promotes the nuclear translocation of p52-containing NF-kappaB dimers, which regulate peripheral lymphoid organogenesis and B-lymphocyte differentiation. Increased p100 processing also contributes to the malignant phenotype of certain T- and B-cell lymphomas. NF-kappaB1 has a distinct function from NF-kappaB2, and is important in controlling lymphocyte and macrophage function in immune and inflammatory responses. In contrast with p100, p105 is constitutively processed to p50. However, after stimulation with agonists, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha and lipopolysaccharide, p105 is completely degraded by the proteasome. This releases associated p50, which translocates into the nucleus to modulate target gene expression. p105 degradation also liberates the p105-associated MAP kinase (mitogen-activated protein kinase) kinase kinase TPL-2 (tumour progression locus-2), which can then activate the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase)/MAP kinase cascade. Thus, in addition to its role in NF-kappaB activation, p105 functions as a regulator of MAP kinase signalling.


The potential applications of neural stem cells (NSC) in the therapy of degenerative and traumatic diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) have aroused great scientific interest. NSCs can be recovered from specific areas of the CNS from fetuses, embryos and from adult brain as well, and under appropriate culture conditions, may be induced to differentiate into the three major neural cell types, neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The main neurogenic areas of mammals are the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, yet other areas of neurogenic potential have been identified, including frontal and parietal cortices, hippocampus and lateral wall of the lateral ventricle. Neural stem cells and differentiated neural cells are usually identified by expression of specific markers, proteins that are expressed by different cell types and/or at different stages of differentiation. The main cell markers are nestin and Sox-2 for undifferentiated NSCs, beta-III tubulin (B-III tubulin) for neurons, Galactocerebroside (GalC) for oligodendrocytes and Glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) for astrocytes. In general, the main neurogenic areas, the neurogenic potential of NSC and the morphological and biological characteristics of differentiated neural cells are strikingly similar among species, yet some differences have been reported. This article presents a brief review of NSCs, neurogenic areas and techniques used for their identification and characterization in humans and experimental animals.


Collective action is a community resource crucial to ensure the resilience of communities. However, maintaining cooperation over time is also a significant challenge. Arguing that a major, though neglected, precondition for community resilience is sustained cooperation, this paper analyses the conditions triggering collective action in collective housing communities. Particular attention is paid to micro-level pathways through which characteristics of the common courtyard and the related rules for its use play for the maintenance or decay of collective action. The contours of an integrated theory of sustained cooperation is sketched. Drawing on Goal Framing (GF) theory and Common Pool Resource (CPR) theory, it is argued that CPR management institutions can only be effective in a community in which a normative goal frame is salient. Empirical material is presented from a multi-method comparative case study of four low-income urban collective housing communities in Mexico City in 2010. This evidence corroborates both approaches: the two communities characterized by sustained collective action exhibit a salient normative frame in combination with all elements of CPR managing institutions, whereas the two communities with failed collective action do not meet these conditions. The results suggest that both mechanisms are necessary for sustained cooperation to occur.


The aim of the investigation was to provide quantitative and qualitative histologic data on marginal inflammation around osseointegrated implants. The significance of the lack of a periodontal ligament in the initial breakdown phase of supporting tissues in implants was examined by comparing stereologic and histologic manifestations of ligature-induced marginal inflammation around osseointegrated implants with those around ankylosed and normal control teeth in 8 cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Clinical and radiographic findings have been reported elsewhere. The marginal connective tissue around ligated implants was infiltrated by a significantly increased total number of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils compared to non-ligated implants and teeth. The total number of lymphocytes around ligated implants was significantly higher than around ligated ankylosed and normal control teeth. There were, however, no significant differences in the total number of plasma cells and neutrophils within the ligated group. Osteoclasts were exclusively observed around ligated implants and ankylosed teeth. Although variations in microbiota and susceptibility of different jaw positions to periodontal break-down may influence the results of the present study, the results seem to substantiate the theory that marginal inflammation around implants and ankylosed teeth may have more serious implications than does marginal inflammation around teeth with a periodontal ligament. Since presence of osteoclasts was not related to the absence of cervical cementum with inserting gingival fibers around ligated ankylosed teeth, the increased susceptibility of bone loss of implants is probably not caused by the absence of these tissue components. In contrast, the histologic observations seem to support that the increased susceptibility for bone loss around implants may be related to the absence of a periodontal ligament.


This study deals with the feminism representation of Margaret and Kate in
Sydney Sheldon's novel Master of the Game. The objectives are to describe the
differences and similarities of two woman characterizations namely Margaret and
Kate and to reveal the feminism value and varieties which are represented by the
two characters. This study is conducted with the descriptive qualitative method.
The source of data is Sydney Sheldon's novel Master of the Game. The data are
collected by the documentary technique and the instrument is documentary sheets.
The data derived with the feminism analysis show that each character is
differently presented in the novel. The study results that (1) The two characters
appear dominantly divergent. Margaret is powerless and obedient woman whereas
Kate is powerful and rebellious woman. (2) The feminism values presented in
their each work (career), relationship and family. Margaret represents the woman
who is not a professional business woman and stays with old fashioned mannered
woman, she is a true lover fighting for her love admission and she is controlled by
her father with patriarchal values supposing her to do chores. Meanwhile Kate is a
master of business without manner but brain, she is a true lover striking to be
loved and she is a woman living out of man's control and with obsession (3) The
varieties of feminism are differently shown by the treatments and behaviors of the
two characters. Margaret dominantly represents the Liberal feminism in which she
fights to be equal with the man whereas Kate tends to present development
feminism as she leads and does more than man


Primary hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes are both typically associated with the increased level of triglycerides. To date, there have been only a few case reports of type 2 diabetes patients with both type V hyperlipoproteinemia and eruptive xanthomas, but there have been no reports of hypothyroidism patients associated with eruptive xanthomas. We report here on a case of a 48-yr old female patient who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and primary hypothyroidism associated with both type V hyperlipoproteinemia and eruptive xanthomas. We found rouleaux formation of RBCs in peripheral blood smear, elevated TSH, and low free T4 level, and dyslipidemia (total cholesterol 18.1 mM/L, triglyceride 61.64 mM/L, HDL 3.0 mM/L, and LDL 2.54 mM/L). She has taken fenofibrate, levothyroxine, and oral hypoglycemic agent for 4 months. After treatment, both TSH level and lipid concentration returned to normal range, and her yellowish skin nodules have also disappeared.


Abstract We discuss and compare the results obtained from experimental measurements of a two-layer, Ni and TiO2 nanometric structure deposited on siliceous glass. Utilizing previous theoretical models of multilayers or periodic systems and their verifications, the paper focuses on measurement in the NIR, visible, UV, X-ray, and gamma bands of the electromagnetic spectrum; the wavelength of the incident electromagnetic wave is respected. The proposed evaluation comprises a brief description of a Snell's law-based semi-analytic model of electromagnetic wave propagation through a layered material. We also demonstrate the expected anti-reflective and shielding effects in the X-ray and gamma-ray bands, respectively.


The hormone testosterone appears to have an effect on status processes in small groups of nonhuman primates, and it may be involved in human status processes as well.


Abstract This article examines young people's experiences of open access youth work in settings in the UK, Finland, Estonia, Italy and France. It analyses 844 individual narratives from young people, which communicate the impact of youthwork on their lives. These accounts are then analysed in the light of the European youth work policy goals. It concludes that it is encouraging that what young people identify as the positive impact of youth work are broadly consistent with many of these goals. There are however some disparities which require attention. These include the importance young people place on the social context of youth work, such as friendship, which is largely absent in EU youth work policy; as well as the importance placed on experiential learning. The paper also highlights a tension between 'top down' policy formulation and the 'youth centric' practices of youth work. It concludes with a reminder to policy makers that for youth work to remain successful the spaces and places for young people must remain meaningful to them 'on their terms'.


Abstract Introduction Resilience, which aids coping and adjustment, prevents the development of mental health issues for individuals exposed to adversities. Abuse and neglect are some of the adversities that affect the health of adolescents. This study examined the relationship between abuse, neglect and resilience of adolescents. Methods The study adopted a cross-sectional design among 522 secondary school adolescents using interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Information on socio-demographics, abuse, neglect and resilience were elicited. Associations were tested with significance set at 5%. Results The mean age of respondents was 15.9 ± 1.5, 301 (57.7%) were females and 144 (27.6%) were from polygamous homes. Two hundred and forty-three (46.4%) had high resilience, 141 (27.0%) moderate resilience and 138 (26.6%) had low resilience. Psychological, physical and sexual abuse were reported among 238 (45.7%), 168 (32.1%) and 45 (8.6%) adolescents, respectively, while 71 (13.6%) and 134 (25.8%) experienced psychological and physical neglect, respectively. Adolescents who experienced physical abuse and sexual abuse were about 2 and 2.5 times less likely, respectively, to have high resilience than those who did not experience physical and sexual abuse. Conclusion Abuse and neglect negatively influence resilience of adolescents. Interventions targeted at reducing abuse and neglect should be incorporated in adolescent health protocols to increase their resilience.


The paper brings the preliminary results of ambient and biological monitoring of exposure to xylene, toluene, and styrene in paint industry. Air samples were collected at seven stationary locations at work places of 31 male workers. Samples of venous blood were taken from all workers for styrene, toluene, and xylene analysis, and of urine for metabolic derivatives, mandelic, phenylglyoxylic, and o- and m-methylhippuric acids analysis. Blood was collected on Wednesday before and after work, and urine on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday before work and on Wednesday after work. Workers were exposed to moderate concentrations of xylene and low concentrations of toluene and styrene. During periodic medical surveillance Questionnaire 16 was applied as a screening test for early central nervous disturbances. Seven workers had positive findings and required further psychological tests as recommended by WHO. Risk assessment of combined long-term exposure to organic solvents in occupational environment requires a prospective epidemiological study with matched control group.


Diatoms are unicellular photosynthetic algae known to secrete organic matter that fuels secondary production in the ocean, though our knowledge of how their physiology impacts the character of dissolved organic matter remains limited. Like all photosynthetic organisms, their use of light for energy and reducing power creates the challenge of avoiding cellular damage. To better understand the interplay between redox balance and organic matter secretion, we reconstructed a genome-scale metabolic model of Thalassiosira pseudonana strain CCMP 1335, a model for diatom molecular biology and physiology, with a 60-year history of studies. The model simulates the metabolic activities of 1,432 genes via a network of 2,792 metabolites produced through 6,079 reactions distributed across six subcellular compartments. Growth was simulated under different steady-state light conditions (5-200 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and in a batch culture progressing from exponential growth to nitrate-limitation and nitrogen-starvation. We used the model to examine the dissipation of reductants generated through light-dependent processes and found that when available, nitrate assimilation is an important means of dissipating reductants in the plastid; under nitrate-limiting conditions, sulfate assimilation plays a similar role. The use of either nitrate or sulfate uptake to balance redox reactions leads to the secretion of distinct organic nitrogen and sulfur compounds. Such compounds can be accessed by bacteria in the surface ocean. The model of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana provides a mechanistic explanation for the production of ecologically and climatologically relevant compounds that may serve as the basis for intricate, cross-kingdom microbial networks. Diatom metabolism has an important influence on global biogeochemistry; metabolic models of marine microorganisms link genes to ecosystems and may be key to integrating molecular data with models of ocean biogeochemistry.


Background and importance To improve the quality of its services and the satisfaction of its customers, our hospital's pharmacy has experimented with a weekly pharmaceutical presence in the operating room to collect and process pharmacy claims and complaints, which may improve communication between the pharmacy team and the operating room. Aim and objectives To highlight the importance of a pharmaceutical presence at the care units through collection and processing of complaints at a pilot service: the operating room. Material and methods To analyse the claims of the medical and paramedical staff collected during the weekly pharmaceutical presence in the operating room over a period of 1 month, and to assess measures undertaken for the treatment of these claims. Results During the study period, 58 complaints were collected: 69% related to medical devices and 31% to drugs. Data processing revealed the following findings: most of the complaints concerned articles ordered but not yet delivered by suppliers (15%), available articles with limited quantity (14%), unavailable articles for which no requests were made (14%), articles that did not belong to our hospital nomenclature (12%), articles available at the central pharmacy but not available at the operating room pharmacy (10%) and articles for which the annual forecast quantity was already consumed (10%). Measures taken by the pharmacy team: relaunch suppliers for articles already ordered; increase endowments (within the limits of availability); propose indication limitations for articles with critical stock; ordering items whose annual forecast quantity was not totally consumed; proposed alternatives for articles that did not belong to our hospital nomenclature; endowment of the operating room pharmacy by the articles available at the central pharmacy and making special orders, with limited quantities, for articles for which the annual forecast quantity was already consumed. Conclusion and relevance The pharmaceutical presence in the staff of the operating room has helped to better understand the needs of users in order to meet these needs within the limits of what is possible. In fact, the involvement of the pharmaceutical team in care units makes it possible to improve customer satisfaction and to increase the overall quality of therapeutic care. References and/or acknowledgements None. No conflict of interest.


This report describes an acute right coronary artery dissection occurring during diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Following catheter manipulation in the vicinity of the aortic valve, the patient complained of mild chest discomfort and had transient electrocardiographic evidence of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction with runs of 2:1 atrioventricular block. Within 5 min, the EKG reverted to precatheterization appearance, and the patient was asymptomatic. Coronary angiography revealed a dissection of the proximal vessel without obstruction. The patient had no clinical sequelae while monitored in the intensive care unit. The patient underwent elective aortic and mitral valve replacement. The area of the dissection was directly visualized, and no abnormality was noted. We review the literature of spontaneous and iatrogenic coronary artery dissections with regard to pathology, diagnosis, and prognosis, and make recommendations for therapy.


This paper presents a Lyapunov-function based control approach with cascaded proportional-resonant (PR) controller for single-phase grid-tied LCL-filtered quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI). The proposed control approach guarantees the global stability of the closed-loop system and zero steady-state error in the grid current. The reference values for the inverter current and capacitor voltage are generated by using cascaded connected PR controllers. As a consequence of using PR controllers, the need for performing derivative operations and estimating grid side inductance and capacitance is eliminated which, in turn, achieves zero steady-state error in the grid current. The shoot through control of the qZSI is achieved by the simple boost control technique. Computer simulations are conducted to show that the proposed control approach provides a good steady-state and dynamic performance in achieving the required control objectives.


A nonlinear dynamic modeling method for cantilever beams undergoing axially oscillating motion is presented in this paper. Hybrid deformation variables are employed for the modeling method with which frequency response characteristics of a axially oscillating cantilever beams are investigated. It is shown that the geometric nonlinear effects of stretching and curvature play important roles to accurately predict the frequency response characteristics. The effects of the amplitude and the damping constant on the frequency characteristics are also exhibited.


We examine firm sales of patents, which are a characteristically valuable firm resource. Using the lens of absorptive capacity, and specifically, its components of recognition, assimilation, and commercialization ability, we surface heretofore underappreciated mechanisms that underpin firm patent sales. We first propose that while the firm's recognition ability will enable and encourage firms to seek out and acquire patents, intrinsic resource capacity limitations associated with its patent portfolio will motivate the firm to "clean its closet" and sell some of its existing patents to free resources and allow new patents to enter its portfolio. We further propose that the firm's assimilation and commercialization abilities can help to ease the firm's capacity constraints, and will, thus, temper the positive relationship between the firm's recognition ability (and patent purchases) and patent sales. As one of a small but growing collection of empirical tests on patent sales, we find support for our hypotheses using a large, cross-industry sample of 1728 public firms observed from 1975 to 2010. In so doing, we provide an absorptive capacity-based explanation for the understudied but strategic question of why firms sell their patents.


Introduction: Prognosis markers available at diagnosis are needed to discriminate high-risk (HR) from low-risk (LR) mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients (Delfau-Larue et al. Blood 2005; Balasubramanian et al. ASH 2014 abstract 78). In the present work, we report a whole-genome copy number analysis performed with a new technical approach. Samples from ninety-six young MCL patients treated in the phase III LyMa trial (Le Gouill et al. ASH 2014) have been investigated. Methods: Samples were selected according to material availability and patient9s outcome. The cohort included 9 HR patients with primary refractory disease or relapse within one year post-diagnosis and 87 patients still in response one year after diagnosis, including 64 LR patients who were still in complete remission more than 30 months after diagnosis. Lymph node biopsies collected at diagnosis, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded were used to extract DNA, even when highly degraded. Both whole-genome copy number profiling and the most frequent somatic mutations of TP53 were analyzed with 50 ng of genomic DNA using the OncoScan® FFPE Assay, a new robust and validated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array (Foster et al. BMC Med Genomics 2015). This assay uses the Molecular Inversion Probe technology (MIP) optimized for highly degraded FFPE samples. The ~200000 probes allowed for the detection of genome-wide copy number alterations (CNAs) with a higher concentration in cancer-related genes. The frequency and prognosis impact of CNAs were evaluated. Results and discussion: Overall, 68 recurrently altered regions were observed in 98% of patients. Deletions were more frequent than amplifications, at 9 vs 3 by patient respectively. Recurrent CNAs included losses at 1p21 (43%), 11q22 ( ATM ) (40%), 13q14 (24%), 9q22-31 ( CDKN2A/CDKN2B ) (25%), 13q33-34 ( RB1 ) (21%), 8p11 (18%), 17p13 ( TP53 ) (17%) and gains at 3q26-27 (35%), 3q21 (27%), 10q11 (13%) 15q11 (13%), 11q13 ( CCND1 ) (12%), 13q31 ( mir-17-92 ) (11%), 7p22 ( CARD11 ) (10%), 10p12 ( BMI1 ) (9%), 8q24 ( MYC ) (8%) and 12q13 ( CDK4 ) (7%). TP53 mutations were detected in 5 patients including two with 17p13 deletion and showed a trend to be more frequent in the HR group vs LR (22% vs 3%; p=0.07). Deletions of TP53 (44% vs 14%; p=0.04), CDKN2A (67% vs 29%; p=0.054) and 8p11 (89% vs 24%; p=0.0002) were more frequent in the HR. The CDK4 (33% vs 6%; p=0.03) and mir-17-92 (44% vs 9%; p=0.01) loci were more frequently amplified in HR patients. Amplification of the miR-17-92 locus could explain why miR-17-92 overexpression, a PI3K/AKT pathway regulator, was associated with a worse prognosis in MCL (Roisman et al. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2016). In contrast, amplification of the CARD11 locus was associated with LR (16% vs 0%; p=0.03). Conclusion : This study confirms the poor prognostic impact of TP53 alterations and reveals new CNAs associated with HR MCL such as 8p11 deletion and mir-17-92 locus amplification. Conversely CARD11 amplification appears to be associated with LR and absent from HR patients. These findings provide important clues for future theranostic-driven therapies in MCL. Disclosures Hermine: Alexion: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; AB science: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.


The Effect of Local Revenue, Surplus of Financing Budget, and Flypaper Effect on Opportunistic Behavior of Regency/City Budget Compiler. Opportunistic behavior is a behavior which trying to achieve the desire in every way even that is illegal. This research aims to examine PAD, SiLPA and flypaper effect on the OPA. This research used the secondary data. The amount of the populations were 9 Regency/City in Bali with fiscal year 2009-2013. The sampling method used is purposive sampling which took three public service budgets Regency/City in Bali. The analysis technique used is the panel data regression. Based on the analysis can be concluded that SiLPA is the only variable that affect the OPA, while the PAD and Flypaper Effect have no affects Keywords: Local Revenue, Surplus of Financing Budget, Flypaper Effect, Opportunistic Behavior of Regency/City Budget Compiler


Ubiquitination and deubiquitination have a critical role in protein homoeostasis in the cell. Here, we have characterized a novel USP44 (ubiquitin‐specific protease 44), which has a ZnF‐UBP (zinc‐finger ubiquitin‐specific protease) domain and conserved cysteine, histidine and asparagine/aspartic acid residues characteristic of deubiquitinating enzymes. The biochemical assay revealed that USP44 can cleave ubiquitin from ubiquitinated substrates both in vitro and in vivo. Further, USP44 undergoes both lysine 48‐ and lysine 63‐linked polyubiquitination. In situ hybridization using mouse tissues showed a basal detection level in all organs tested, with strong detection in lung, pancreas, skin, liver, stomach and intestine. RT‐PCR (reverse‐transcription PCR) analysis showed high levels of detection of USP44 mRNA in testis, spleen, lung, stomach and ovary. Furthermore, we raised a polyclonal antibody against USP44 and checked its endogenous protein expression in different cell lines. A localization study of USP44 showed its predominant expression in the nucleus.


We develop a maximum-likelihood (ML) approach to estimate genomic mutation rates (U) and average homozygous mutation effects (s) from mutation-accumulation (MA) experiments in which phenotypic assays are carried out in several generations. We use simulations to compare the procedure's performance with the method of moments traditionally used to analyze MA data. Similar precision is obtained if mutation effects are small relative to the environmental standard deviation, but ML can give estimates of mutation parameters that have lower sampling variances than those obtained by the method of moments if mutations with large effects have accumulated. The inclusion of data from intermediate generations may improve the precision. We analyze life-history trait data from two Caenorhabditis elegans MA experiments. Under a model with equal mutation effects, the two experiments provide similar estimates for U of approximately 0.005 per haploid, averaged over traits. Estimates of s are more divergent and average at -0.51 and -0.13 in the two studies. Detailed analysis shows that changes of mean and variance of genetic values of MA lines in both C. elegans experiments are dominated by mutations with large effects, but the analysis does not rule out the presence of a large class of deleterious mutations with very small effects.


In the Tremp Basin area (south Pyrenean foreland, Spain), the Campanian–Maastrichtian Orcau-Vell and Santa Engracia depositional sequences onlap the western termination of the Sant Corneli anticline. The precise mapping of the different systems tracts belonging to these depositional sequences, their spatial arrangement, and the structural control of the anticline on the sedimentation still remained unclear. To accurately interpret the geometry of the depositional sequences and to determine the factors influencing the sedimentation, we have developed a method that aims to build a three-dimensional (3-D) geological picture of this area. The originality of our approach is that the 3-D map, which consists of the volume and shape of all the systems tracts, has been produced mainly from the interpretation and combination of surface data, including a mosaic of aerial photographs at 50-cm (20-in.) pixel size and a digital elevation model at 10-m (33-ft) resolution. We have additionally constrained the model by integrating bedding dip and strike data and balanced cross sections. With respect to the 2-D, the 3-D visualization and field observations reveal the structural control at different scales of the lateral propagation of a fault-propagation fold (Sant Corneli anticline) on the stratigraphic architecture. The Orcau-Vell depositional sequence was controlled by the rise of the base level and was characterized by differences in the sedimentation rates. The emplacement of a north-south–trending gravitational normal fault, located at the western tip of the Sant Corneli anticline, was coeval with the emplacement of the Santa Engracia depositional sequence. This fault resulted from the westward propagation of the Sant Corneli anticline, generating a local slope and a depression that channeled the turbidites and the Gilbert-type delta deposits of the Santa Engracia depositional sequence. Uplift of the Sant Corneli anticline may have subsequently stopped, and the area subsided, inducing a rapid rise of the base level.


For many years, fingerprints have been captured by pressing a finger against a paper or hard surface. This touch-based fingerprint acquisition introduces some problems such as distortions and deformations in the acquired images, which arise due to the contact of the fingerprint surface with the sensor platen, and degrades the recognition performance. A new touch-less fingerprint technology has been recently introduced to the market, which can address the problems with the contact-based fingerprint systems. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for unwrapping the acquired 3-D scan of the subject's finger into a 2-D rolled equivalent image. Therefore, The resulting image can be matched with the conventional 2-D scans; it also can be used for matching unwrapped 3-D fingerprints among themselves with the 2-D fingerprint matching algorithms. The algorithm is based on curvature analysis of the 3-D surface. The quality of the resulting image is evaluated and analyzed using NIST fingerprint image software.


Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC

Introduction: Cabozantinib is an oral, small-molecule inhibitor of MET, VEGFR2, and RET, and it also inhibits AXL, KIT and TIE‐2. These targets are known to play important roles in tumor cell proliferation and/or angiogenesis. Cabozantinib is FDA-approved for the treatment of patients with progressive metastatic medullary thyroid cancer.

Methods: Cabozantinib was tested against the PPTP's in vitro cell line panel at concentrations ranging from 1.0 nM to 10.0 μM using the PPTP's standard 96 hour exposure period. It was tested against the PPTP solid tumor xenografts using a dose of 30 mg/kg administered by the oral route daily for 3 or 4 weeks with a total treatment/observation period of 6 weeks.

Results: The median relative IC50 value for the PPTP cell lines was 8.1μM, with a range from 0.034 μM to greater than 10.0 μM and with only 3 cell lines showing IC50 values less than 1 μM. The most sensitive cell line, Kasumi-1, is an AML cell line that is known to have an activating KIT mutation.

Cabozantinib was generally well tolerated in vivo, with only a 1.8% toxicity rate in treated animals. Thirty-four of 34 tested xenograft models were considered evaluable for efficacy. Cabozantinib induced significant differences in EFS distribution compared to control in 31 of 34 (91%) of the evaluable solid tumor xenografts. Cabozantinib induced tumor growth inhibition meeting criteria for intermediate EFS T/C activity (EFS T/C greater than 2) in 22 of 31 (71%) evaluable solid tumor xenografts. Intermediate activity for the EFS T/C metric was observed across all tumor panels evaluated. Partial responses were observed for two of the solid tumor xenografts, the rhabdoid tumor xenograft BT-29 and the slow-growing ependymoma xenograft BT-41. Tumor growth control was most pronounced for the alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts (ARMS), with 4 of 5 ARMS lines showing less than 20% increase in tumor volume during the 21 days of treatment. Two of 3 Wilms tumor lines (KT-11 and KT-13) also showed complete tumor growth control at Day 21, as did the medulloblastoma xenograft (BT-28) that was studied.

Conclusions: The in vitro and in vivo pattern of activity observed for cabozantinib against the PPTP preclinical models is similar to that of agents previously studied by the PPTP that inhibit angiogenesis (e.g., sunitinib, cediranib, and sorafenib). The absence of in vitro activity for most solid tumor cell lines at concentrations associated with specific kinase inhibition together with widespread in vivo tumor growth inhibition and infrequent tumor regression suggest that for most pediatric cancers the in vivo effects of cabozantinib will primarily result from indirect effects on tumor growth (e.g., inhibition of VEGFR2-mediated angiogenesis). Exceptions would be those pediatric cancers with activating genomic alterations in kinases specifically inhibited by cabozantinib (e.g., medullary thyroid cancer with RET mutations). (Supported by NO1-CM-42216 from the NCI).

Citation Format: Malcolm Smith, Min Kang, Patrick Reynolds, Richard Gorlick, Anders Kolb, John Maris, Stephen Keir, Catherine Billups, Raushan Kurmasheva, Peter Houghton. Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program (PPTP) stage 1 evaluation of cabozantinib. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-353. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-LB-353


Background: Dexamethasone is not only a potent glucocorticoid with several health benefits but is also associated with severe side effects, one of which is hepatotoxicity. L-Citrulline is known to possess antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antidyslipidemic effects, among others, of which hepatoprotection has not been extensively explored. We aimed to assess the effect of L-Citrulline on dexamethasone-induced derangement in liver enzymes and serum proteins in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats, weighing between 200 and 250 g, were randomly assigned into five groups of five rats each. While Group I received no intervention, dexamethasone intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg) was administered to the other groups for 7 days. Groups III, IV, and V were pretreated with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg L-Citrulline daily for 21 days, respectively. Biochemical assessment was made after humanely sacrificing the animals. Values at P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant compared to the dexamethasone group. Results: L-Citrulline significantly lowered the levels of aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), gamma–glutamyltransferase, and serum total and conjugated bilirubin in a dose-dependent manner. The greatest reduction in alkaline phosphatase level by L-Citrulline was recorded at 200 mg/kg (13.96 ± 0.73 IU/L). Similarly, the total protein level was significantly increased by L-Citrulline 800 mg/kg (9.38 ± 0.39 g/dL), but the greatest increase in albumin level was at 400 mg/kg (4.20 ± 0.21 g/dL). In a dose-dependent manner, the AST: ALT ratios were markedly reduced while the albumin: globulin ratios were greatly increased following L-Citrulline supplementation. Conclusion: L-Citrulline supplementation confers hepatoprotective effect against dexamethasone-induced derangements in liver enzymes and serum proteins in Wistar rats.


The CHIPS Act is driving the U.S. towards a self-sustainable future in domestic chip production. Decades of outsourced manufacturing, assembly, testing, and packaging has diminished the workforce ecosystem, imposing major limitations on semiconductor companies racing to build new fabrication sites as part of the CHIPS Act. In response, a systemic alliance between academic institutions, the industry, government, various consortiums, and organizations has emerged to establish a pipeline to educate and onboard the next generation of talent. Establishing a stable and continuous flow of talent requires significant time investments and comes with no guarantees, particularly factoring in the low workplace desirability in current fabrication houses for U.S workforce. This paper will explore the feasibility of two paradigms of Industry 4.0, automation and Augmented Reality(AR)/Virtual Reality(VR), to complement ongoing workforce development efforts and optimize workplace desirability by catalyzing core manufacturing processes and effectively enhancing the education, onboarding, and professional realms-all with promising capabilities amid the ongoing talent shortage and trajectory towards advanced packaging.


HIV fusion and entry into CD4 T cells are mediated by two receptors, CD4 and CXCR4. This receptor requirement can be abrogated by pseudotyping the virion with the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) that mediates viral entry through endocytosis. The VSV-G-pseudotyped HIV is highly infectious for transformed cells, although the virus circumvents the viral receptors and the actin cortex. In HIV infection, gp120 binding to the receptors also transduces signals. Recently, we demonstrated a unique requirement for CXCR4 signaling in HIV latent infection of blood resting CD4 T cells. Thus, we performed parallel studies in which the VSV-G-pseudotyped HIV was used to infect both transformed and resting T cells in the absence of coreceptor signaling. Our results indicate that in transformed T cells, the VSV-G-pseudotyping results in lower viral DNA synthesis but a higher rate of nuclear migration. However, in resting CD4 T cells, only the HIV envelope-mediated entry, but not the VSV-G-mediated endocytosis, can lead to viral DNA synthesis and nuclear migration. The viral particles entering through the endocytotic pathway were destroyed within 1–2 days. These results indicate that the VSV-G-mediated endocytotic pathway, although active in transformed cells, is defective and is not a pathway that can establish HIV latent infection of primary resting T cells. Our results highlight the importance of the genuine HIV envelope and its signaling capacity in the latent infection of blood resting T cells. These results also call for caution on the endocytotic entry model of HIV-1, and on data interpretation where the VSV-G-pseudotyped HIV was used for identifying HIV restriction factors in resting T cells.


aggravating factors are readily apparent: pompholyx and pitted keratolysis are exacerbated by heat, and stress is a wellrecognized aggravating factor for all types of eczema. Darier's disease frequently flares after. UVL exposure^ and the occurrence of a phototoxic rash in a patient who had been treated with a topical tetracycline illustrates the dangers of this medication, which should probably be replaced with a topical antiseptic in the army medical packs. Living in close contact with others facilitates the spread of infection and this was well illustrated by an outbreak of chickenpox which spread through the isolation ward of this hospital.'' The incidence of infective conditions is likely to have been higher because these problems are generally dealt with easily by the primary-care physicians. An exception to this appears to be the diagnosis of scabies. In only one of the six cases had the diagnosis been correctly suspected. On the other hand a soldier with longstanding eczema had been treated with benzyl benzoate because of an itchy rash and this precipitated erythroderma. Clearly scabies is an important diagnosis, not only because it is easily disseminated during communal living, but also because it responds rapidly to appropriate treatment. It is well known to lower the morale of armies and sap the initiative of their commanders,' Although much of the morbidity due to skin disease can be attributed to the adverse environment in which the soldiers were living, it is disturbing to note that in almost one-third of cases the problem had been present for at least 3 months and in most cases, had preceded deployment to the Gulf, This illustrates the prevalence of dermatological problems even within the highly selected population of the army. However, in addition to the common dermatoses one soldier presented with Darier's disease and another with ecchymoses due to acute myeloid leukaemia. In Britain, where dermatologists undergo basic training in general medicine prior to commencing specialist training in dermatology, such specialists can enjoy a dual role in military campaigns such as this—and are not there just to diagnose scabies!


Plants of the Cannabis genus are the only producers of phytocannabinoids, terpenoid compounds that strongly interact with evolutionarily ancient endocannabinoid receptors shared by most bilaterian taxa. For millennia, the plant has been cultivated for these compounds, but also for food, rope, paper, and clothing. Today, specialized varieties yielding high-quality textile fibers, nutritional seed oil or high cannabinoid content are cultivated across the globe. However, the genetic identities and histories of these diverse populations remain largely obscured. We analyzed the nuclear genomic diversity among 340 Cannabis varieties, including fiber and seed oil hemp, high cannabinoid drug-types and feral populations. These analyses demonstrate the existence of at least three major groups of diversity, with European hemp varieties more closely related to narrow leaflet drug-types (NLDT) than to broad leaflet drug-types (BLDT). The BLDT group appears to encompass less diversity than the NLDT, which reflects the larger geographic range of NLDTs, and suggests a more recent origin of domestication of the BLDTs. As well as being genetically distinct, hemp, NLDT and BLDT genetic groups each produce unique cannabinoid and terpenoid content profiles. This combined analysis of population genomic and trait variation informs our understanding of the potential uses of different genetic variants for medicine and agriculture, providing valuable insights and tools for a rapidly emerging, valuable legal industry.


The internationalization of labor is a prominent feature of the economy today, but is accompanied by adverse effects on operator health. In general, musculoskeletal diseases are the first to appear in this context. The open observations activity and interviews with operators and the hierarchy have been made to discover the organizational constraints. Other interviews were also conducted to account for the determinants of activity outside of work. The use of video has allowed the registration of work cycles, which helped to describe and quantify the postures and gestures to establish a possible link between musculoskeletal diseases and work activity. The collected data were processed using software Actogram Kronos. To understand the process of origin of these diseases, the analysis of the socioeconomic context is also essential because they in part determine the organization of certain companies. The objective of this paper was to discuss the activities of operators of blistering in both work and outside work. The goal is to determine the constraints presents in these two spheres of activity, that may increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal diseases and to define their interaction.


BACKGROUND
It has been suggested that Class II division 1 malocclusions treated with extractions result in detrimental changes in the facial profile. This study investigates changes in the position of the upper lip following upper arch extractions only.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate changes in the position of the upper lip following extraction of the upper first premolars and retraction of the upper incisors.

METHODS
The sample consisted of 35 Class II division 1 patients with overjets of least 5 mm whose malocclusions were corrected with upper first premolar extractions and full fixed appliances. Twelve patients in the sample had overjets > or = 9 mm. There were no extractions in the lower arch. Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms were used to determine the changes in the position of the upper lip.

RESULTS
At the end of treatment the upper lip was 0.46 mm less protrusive than at the start of treatment. In patients with overjets > or = 9 mm the upper lip was approximately 1 mm less protrusive at the end of treatment (Mean pre- and post-treatment difference: 0.92 mm). There were no significant gender differences in the positions of the upper lip.

CONCLUSION
Minimal changes occur in the position of the upper lip following extraction of the upper premolars and retraction of the upper incisors. Factors other than the position of the upper incisors may determine the post-treatment position of the upper lip.


Protein identification by top-down mass spectrometry based methods yield intact mass of the proteins and indicate the presence of post-translational modifications (PTMs) and/or isoforms. Currently, the methods employed for top-down protein identification are performed using instruments with dual mass analyzers and are based on fragmenting isolated charge states, which greatly reduces the duty cycle of the instrument. High throughput top-down methods are required for protein identification in complex sample mixtures. We demonstrate the capability to perform intact protein identifications in a single-stage time-of-flight mass spectrometer during protein elution from a liquid chromatography (LC) column. In addition, we have developed a new data-independent fragmentation method known as `Continuous Accumulation of Selected Ions-Collisionally Activated Dissociation' (CASI-CAD) to fragment multiple charge states of the protein simultaneously for the purpose of identification in the LC timescale. CASI-CAD is performed without any precursor selection and thus, the duty-cycle of the instrument is not lowered. Both these methods unambiguously identified all the proteins in the human proteasome complex used for method development. The presence of PTMs and N-terminal modifications were also characterized for the proteins in this complex.Supercharging reagents are known for their ability to enhance the multiple charging of proteins during electrospray ionization (ESI). This improves the mass measurement accuracy and fragmentation efficiency of proteins during ESI-MS. Currently, the mechanism behind supercharging is unknown. We have analyzed different supercharging reagents under a variety of solvent conditions to probe the mechanisms behind supercharging. In addition, the supercharging ability of sulfolane was utilized for proteins eluting from a column by adding the reagent to the LC solvents. Furthermore, reagent introduction in the vapor phase increased the signal intensity for intact proteins eluting from a column when compared to experiments performed without the reagent. These methods presented here are efficient top-down means to address complex samples in the chromatographic timescale.


This paper examines issues of crime and violence in Indigenous communities in the context of broader problems of criminal justice law, policy and practice. In particular it addresses four points: 1) the problem the legal system has in ensuring protection of Indigenous women in the context of domestic and family violence; the problem Indigenous people have in using the legal system to protect and enhance their own interests and rights, particularly in the area of civil and family law, and the implications this has for criminalization; Indigenous access to legal advice and representation and funding issues associated with Aboriginal legal services; and the limitations of criminal justice agencies in developing strategic policies that change the way they do business with Indigenous people.


Beryllium capsules filled with cryogenic deuterium and tritium fuel layers may provide many advantages for obtaining ignition at the National Ignition Facility. However, characterizing the uniformity and thickness of the frozen fuel layer in such a target is challenging since traditional x-ray radiography techniques, which rely on absorption for image contrast, cannot provide sufficient contrast to image the fuel layer in these low-Z materials. We propose using x-ray phase contrast imaging, which relies on gradients in the refractive index and wave interference, to characterize fuel layer uniformity. We present numerical modeling results of x-ray phase contrast imaging demonstrating the feasibility of this method for target characterization, discuss the necessary x-ray source characteristics, and present concepts for using this technique in the context of dynamic high density plasma experiments.


The climate change system is one of the planet Earth internal systems. Interdependence, interaction, and cooperation of all systems within the planet Earth are making the planet Earth existence as reality. The planet Earth as requisitely holistic unit of the Nature – Universe, is one of countless planets, and one of planets within the Milky Way Galaxy System, which is one requisitely holistic unit among countless galaxies of the Nature - Universe. The climate change system is maker, provider, holder and guardian of the living conditions within the Biosphere of the planet Earth. With ceaseless interdependence, interaction and co-operation of all internal and external systems of the Earth is making present possible and observable as it is. Research and scientific observation of the Nature from requisitely holistic systemic viewpoint are opening new horizons for better tomorrow of humanity.


The article describes the latest advances in the development of techniques and approaches in the field of proteomics in the Sigma-Aldrich company. It focuses on three major areas - on sample preparation for two-dimensional electrophoresis, on sample preparation for MS and on quantitative determinations in proteomic studies. A part of the article is devoted to new custom synthesis of labeled peptides for the determination of peptides using MS technique.


In order to be useful, any acceleration scheme must produce an accelerated bunch with small angular divergence and single energy distribution (high beam quality). It is difficult to realize such a high beam quality acceleration by using one laser beam, because there is a transverse ponderomotive force existing in the focused laser pulse. Here, we give a way to get a bunch accelerated axially by using two laser beams. Then we give another way to realize ultracold, almost no angular divergence laser vacuum acceleration. It is well known that a laser beam of a finite transverse extent will generate a transverse ponderomotive force to expel the electron from the beam axis. So, if an electron is initially between two parallel laser beams, each beam will push the electron to the axis of symmetry of the two parallel beams. And the electron will remain near the axis. In our scheme, we use two non-parallel beams to accelerate the electrons.


Identifying errors in early design phases leads to a decrease in the repairing cost compared to the situation in which such problems are discovered only in advanced design phases. This work is a first step toward an automatic verification approach for embedded and real-time systems' high-level specifications, such as UML models. This paper presents a model-driven framework to simulate system's behavior already in early design phases, prior to the implementation phase. More specifically, the mentioned framework simulates the behavior specified within UML models, generating a trace of executed actions for the selected behaviors. The achieved results show that early simulation of UML models is practicable, opening room for its usage in different CASE tools for early verification and validation of embedded and real-time systems.


It is paramount to develop wearable devices for Human Machine Interface Applications that can collect biopotential signals with high accuracy and without signal loss. Instrumentation amplifiers are essential blocks in Bio- signal acquisition systems like EEG &ECG because of their ability to amplify low differential signals with high precision. It is essential and challenge to design an amplifier that amplifies weak EEG signals (0-100µv) having low frequency contents (0.5 Hz to 100 Hz) that meets our noise, frequency requirements while maintaining low power, low area consumption, high common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR). In this paper we propose a Novel technique to reduce offset, noise and improve NEF. The Noise Efficient factor is reduced to 1.75 by using chopper Stabilized 2-stack Instrumentation amplifier.


Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly considered for biomedical applications as drug-delivery carriers, imaging probes and antibacterial agents. Silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) represent another subclass of nanoscale silver. AgNCs are a promising tool for nanomedicine due to their small size, structural homogeneity, antibacterial activity and fluorescence, which arises from their molecule-like electron configurations. The template-assisted synthesis of AgNCs relies on organic molecules that act as polydentate ligands. In particular, single-stranded nucleic acids reproducibly scaffold AgNCs to provide fluorescent, biocompatible materials that are incorporable in other formulations. This mini review outlines the design and characterization of AgNPs and DNA-templated AgNCs, discusses factors that affect their physicochemical and biological properties, and highlights applications of these materials as antibacterial agents and biosensors.


A brief review of biased coin designs is presented. Some asymptotic properties of the adaptive biased coin designs of Wei (1978) and Eisele (1994) are given. Applications of biased coin designs to estimation and testing problems are also given.


The aim of this paper is to consider an Ishikawa type iteration process with errors to approximate the fixed point of two uniformly quasi-Lipschitzian mappings in cone metric spaces. We also extend some fixed point results of these mappings from complete generalized convex metric spaces to cone metric spaces. Our results extend and generalize many known results.


Medical education began in Saudi Arabia in 1969 when King Saud University, the first medical school was established. Since then globalization has brought numerous challenges. In this paper, we review the status of medical education and its expected future projects.


Digital Forensics become one popular term because Currently many violations of cyber crime. Digital techniques Computer Forensics performed or with analyze digital device, whether the device is a media Actors or as a media victim. Digital Forensic Analysis Being divided into two, traditional / dead and alive. Forensic analysis traditionally involves digital data Deposited permanent Operates in Irish, while live forensic analysis involves analysis of data Namely temporary in Random Access Memory or Deposited hearts transport equipment in the Network. Singer proposes journal Forensic analysis of life in the latest operation system windows 10. That study focused IN case several email security browsers Sales Operations manager of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer Edge. In addition, although many digital forensics type software applications not free, goal on research objectives compares browser security information so it will be more minimize abuse email.


Abstract PIB is a research project pertaining to the psychotherapeutic potential of Lego bricks. This is based on Lego Group's own method called Lego Seriousplay and Eric Berne's transactional analysis as a theoretical background. If we see it from the Lego's aspect, our plan is a training like LSP. It is only alike because of the special application. We made a lot of modifications according to the original methodology. In this document we would like to present details of our research we have been working on for almost two years. The characteristics of our methodology will be illustrated, too.


Omnidirectional cameras are commonly used in computer vision and robotics. Their main advantage is their wide field of view which allows them to acquire a 360 degree view of the scene with only one sensor and a single shot. However, few studies have investigated the human detection problem using this kind of cameras. In this paper, we propose to extend the conventional approach for human detection in perspective images and based on Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) apdapted to spherical images is used for this issue. Our approach uses the Riemannian manifolds in order to adapt the gradient in the omnidirectional images. Several experiments have been done using INRIA image database; the results show that adapting detection and image database to the geometry of omnidirectional camera allows a robust detection, and significantly increases the performances.


In this paper, an enhanced directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) coordination scheme is introduced. The proposed scheme considers the fault severity by applying weighting factors, calculated based on system fault currents at different locations in each relay zone of protection. This enhanced coordination reduces the operating time of the relays for severe fault currents avoiding the greater thermal and mechanical stresses that reduce equipment lifetime. The DOCRs coordination problem is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem to accomplish better results than the single-objective methodology with respect to relays selectivity and speed. DOCRs coordination problem is solved using Goal Attainment method in MATLAB optimization Toolbox.A two-fault point coordination scheme is applied to IEEE 14 bus system for both the conventional and the proposed scheme. The results are analyzed according to several system performance indices including: the mean of the system's relays operating times, the maximum primary relay operating time, the maximum backup relay operating time and maximum coordination time interval (CTl) between primary/backup pairs. The achieved results indicated that the proposed scheme considering the severity weighting factors has reduced the mean operating time of relays especially for the relays with faults with high severity. It means more reliable, faster protection system with less thermal and mechanical stresses for system equipment.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the approach of operation plus chemotherapy in the treatment and diagnosis of human complicated alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in multi-organs (liver, lung and brain).

METHODS
The clinical data for 17 cases of alveolar echinococcosis were reviewed by a follow-up of 1 - 7 years between 2000 and 2009 at our hospital.

RESULTS
Among 17 cases, 8 cases achieved an excellent effect after taking liposomal albendazole, 3 cases received radical hepatectomy and 1 case pneumonectomy with a better effect, 1 case of palliative liver transplantation had lung metastasis and stayed on a long-term therapy of liposomal albendazole. Another case of liver transplantation received a long-term postoperative chemotherapy. And the metastases of lung and brain were found. Three operative cases suffered serious complications in liver and brain and received a long-term chemotherapy. One of them died of serious brain complications after a 6-month follow-up. And one advanced AE patient died at home due to a refusal of any further treatment. Since more than two organs are involved by AE lesion of alveolar echinococcosis, it was rather difficult to diagnose and cure AE radically by complicated surgery. Thus the life quality and long-term survival of patients were seriously endangered.

CONCLUSION
Based on surgical approaches for serious complications and a comprehensive medical therapy, the multi-organ AE patients may have a prolonged survival and an improved clinical outcome.


This guide will help students working on their capstones to do a literature review or research a topic in CUR 557.


Assumption of exchange rate overshooting has significant position in international macroeconomic discussion. This phenomenon is one of the abnormal behaviors of exchange rate that happen in short run. Dornbusch (1976) shows that because speed of equilibrium prices is slow relative to asset markets and commodity prices are sticky in the short run, However, over time, commodity prices will rise and result in a decrease in real money supply and thus, in a higher interest rate. This, in turn, will cause the currency to appreciate.
The aim of this article is study of exchange rate overshooting for period 1380:1-1387:12 by Vector Error Correction approach. Results show that monetary relative shock in long run and short run also effect exchange rate that imply exchange rate overshooting in Iran.


This paper examines the effect of board characteristics on accounting return in the Indonesian banking industry. The conceptual framework borrows from agency theory claiming that the board is held liable for monitoring responsibilities and that monitoring effectiveness will lead to higher corporate achievement. Yet the theory predicts that board characteristics matter in constituting firm performance. It is hypothesized that leadership structure, representation of independent directors, board size, and the rank of college board chairperson attended are necessary attributes enable the board to deliver better performance. The investigation is based on a dataset consisting of 83 banks during 2009-2015. Panel data analysis reveal that the proportion of independent directors, board leadership structure, and board size shows insignificant influence. The rank of universities the board chairperson graduated is found to have an impact on accounting earnings. The impact is robust after the type of controlling owners is taken into account. Yet the association between university rank and performance is more pronounced in the listed-banks. JEL Classification : G32; M14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26905/jkdp.v22i1.1742


Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is frequently lifesaving for people living with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). However, patients are waitlisted for LT according to the model for end-stage liver disease-sodium (MELD-Na) score, which may not accurately reflect the burden of living with PSC. We sought to describe and analyze the clinical trajectory for patients with PSC referred for LT, in a mixed deceased donor/living donor transplant program. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study from November 2012 to December 2019, including all patients with PSC referred for assessment at the University Health Network Liver Transplant Clinic. Patients who required multiorgan transplant or retransplantation were excluded. Liver symptoms, hepatobiliary malignancy, MELD-Na progression, and death were abstracted from chart review. Competing risk analysis was used for timing of LT, transplant type, and death. Results: Of 172 PSC patients assessed, 84% (n = 144) were listed of whom 74% were transplanted. Mean age was 47.6 years, and 66% were male. Overall mortality was 18.2% at 2 years. During the follow-up, 16% (n = 23) were removed from the waitlist for infection, clinical deterioration, liver-related mortality or new cancer; 3 had clinical improvement. At listing, 82% (n = 118) had a potential living donor (pLD). Patients with pLD had significantly lower waitlist and liver-related waitlist mortality (HR 0.20, p<0.001 and HR 0.17, p<0.001, respectively), and higher rates of transplantation (HR 1.83, p = 0.05). Exception points were granted to 13/172 (7.5%) patients. Conclusions: In a high-volume North American LT center, most patients with PSC assessed for transplant were listed and subsequently transplanted. However, this was a consequence of patients engaging in living donor transplantation. Our findings support the concern from patients with PSC that MELD-Na allocation does not adequately address their needs.


In glacier cartography, as in all mapping, questions of convention and standardization have long plagued cartographers. National and international efforts at standardization have generally failed. To assess the styles, techniques, and status of glacier representation, several hundred maps of glaciers and related features were examined and evaluated. As a result it is suggested that there is room for innovation and that greater attention be devoted to the following problems: (1) color symbolization, (2) perception of symbols and color by map users, (3) inclusion of more symbolic information on medium-scale maps, and (4) effects of automated cartography on representation techniques.


Physical inspections that assess how well affordable housing properties meet quality and safety standards help to ensure that low-income tenants live in a healthy built environment. This study was part of a larger Health Impact Assessment (HIA) conducted between January 2012 and November 2013 to inform policymakers about the potential health consequences of a proposed policy decision to align the physical inspections required by housing funding agencies, which would result in a reduction of the frequency of physical inspections. Key informant interviews (n=18) of property managers and tenants were used to explore the inspection process, identification of housing quality issues, and potential effects on the health of affordable housing tenants and the impact on property management practices. Results indicate that physical inspection frequency may be an important trigger for property managers and tenants to adhere to proper maintenance schedules.


This literature review is devoted to the differential diagnosis of central and peripheral vestibular vertigo from the point of view of modern otoneurology. In addition, an own case is given.


Oxygen and carbon stable isotope records of two stalagmites from NW Romania provide a continuous climatic record between 14.8 and 5.6 ka BP. The chronology is established by 21 TIMS uranium series ages. Uncertainties in the isotope chronology range between ą20 and ą100 yr. The d18 O values are positively correlated with temperature, whereas d13 C fluctuations suggest changes in soil CO2 production. Lateglacial deposition of both stalagmites started at ~14.8 ka BP. The d18 O records subsequently show a slow decline in temperatures until 12.6 ka BP. Three warmer periods with increased soil productivity occurred at 14.5-13.9 ka BP, 13.6-13.2 ka BP, and 12.9-12.6 ka BP. Lower d18 O and high d13 C values between 12.6 and 11.4 (11.7) ka BP indicate a cold and dry climate during the Younger Dryas (GS-1). During the Early Holocene, three short cold intervals are marked on the d18 O profiles at 11.0-10.6, 10.5-10.2 and 9.4-9.1 ka BP. For the remainder of the Holocene sequence, the d18 O records show less variation between 9 and 7.8 ka BP and gradual warming from 7.6-5.6 ka BP. The speleothem records correlate with the Greenland ice core records and with other proxies throughout Europe and the North Atlantic region.


An original ensemble Monte Carlo technique for hot phonon problems is applied for the simulation of anisotropic nonequilibrium phonon distributions in momentum space. The dynamics of the coupled nonequilibrium electron-LO-phonon system in electric fields are simulated within the realistic three-valley model of GaAs. Hot phonon effects on the transient and steady-state high-field electron transport as well as on the relaxation of electrically heated electrons are obtained and investigated under various conditions.


Reinforcement learning (RL) agents optimize only the features specified in a reward function and are indifferent to anything left out inadvertently. This means that we must not only specify what to do, but also the much larger space of what not to do. It is easy to forget these preferences, since these preferences are already satisfied in our environment. This motivates our key insight: when a robot is deployed in an environment that humans act in, the state of the environment is already optimized for what humans want. We can therefore use this implicit preference information from the state to fill in the blanks. We develop an algorithm based on Maximum Causal Entropy IRL and use it to evaluate the idea in a suite of proof-of-concept environments designed to show its properties. We find that information from the initial state can be used to infer both side effects that should be avoided as well as preferences for how the environment should be organized.


Metal-halide perovskites are promising light-emitting materials due to their continually tunable emission peak, high color purity, high emission efficiency and low cost. Incorporating some two-dimensional (2D) perovskites into the three-dimensional (3D) perovskite can facilitate carrier localization to the emitting area and reduce non-radiative recombination. However, the incorporated 2D perovskites typically contain diverse phases with different bandgaps and random distribution, which significantly limits the performance of perovskite light emitting diodes (PeLEDs). Furthermore, the morphology of the quasi-2D perovskite film is also a key issue to the device performance. Herein, through replacing part of FA+ with Cs+, the phase distribution and morphology of perovskite film can be tailored simultaneously. When 20% of FA+ is replaced by Cs+ in the perovskite film, the charge transfer efficiency is enhanced and the current leakage is suppressed. Eventually, the efficiency of PeLED is almost doubled and the stability is also significantly improved.


This paper proposes a Bayesian approach to hidden semiMarkov model (HSMM) based speech synthesis. Recently, hidden Markov model (HMM) based speech synthesis based on the Bayesian approach was proposed. The Bayesian approach is a statistical technique for estimating reliable predictive distributions by treating model parameters as random variables. In the Bayesian approach, all processes for constructing the system are derived from one single predictive distribution which exactly represents the problem of speech synthesis. However, there is an inconsistency between training and synthesis: although the speech is synthesized from HMMs with explicit state duration probability distributions, HMMs are trained without them. In this paper, we introduce an HSMM, which is an HMM with explicit state duration probability distributions, into the HMMbased Bayesian speech synthesis system. Experimental results show that the use of HSMM improves the naturalness of the synthesized speech. Index Terms: speech synthesis, HSMM, Bayesian approach


Introduction to STATA data graphs frequency distributions and univariate statistics T tests, anova, and nonparametric comparisons bivariate regression multiple regression regression diagnostics fitting curves robust regression logistics regression principal components and factor analysis list of some Stata commands Monte Carlo and Bootstrap Methods.


Abstract We erected a new genus (Grylloprimevala Zhou & Ren gen. nov.) and defined a new species (Grylloprimevala jilina Zhou & Ren sp. nov.) from a natural cave in the primeval forest of Jilin Province, China, according to the morphological, behavioral, and molecular evidence. Grylloprimevala gen. nov. is distinguishable from other genera of Grylloblattodea primarily by morphological characters, including the slightly concave posterior margin of the pronotum and no poorly sclerotized zones, six intramarginal and nine intermarginal setae on the cervical sclerite, one tooth on the lacinia, no pulvilli on tarsal segments, and a symmetrical epiproct with a pointed triangular and middle‐depressed median projection on the posterior margin. Based on the morphological features mentioned above, we further identified a new species, G. jilina sp. nov. At the aspect of behavior, G. jilina sp. nov. displays the typical characteristics of troglobites, including degraded visual senses, developed body surface sensors, and predation between individuals. Furthermore, molecular phylogenetic analyses also supported the morphological delimitation of G. jilina sp. nov. due to the separate clade of G. jilina sp. nov. Our results provide materials for the determination and conservation of Grylloblattodea in China.


Background and Objectives. Pleural phenol was used successfully to alleviate terminal pain associated with metastatic esophageal cancer in a 43-year-old man. Methods. The patient first was given 20 ml 0.5% bupivacaine for diagnostic purposes through an interpleural catheter to control a severe aching pain throughout the T5-8 dermatomes. Seven days later, 10 ml 6% phenol suspended in 0.5% bupivacaine was injected and produced analgesia for two days. A second injection using 18 ml 10% phenol provided adequate analgesia for the next four weeks until the patient's death. Two weeks after the lower thoracic pain was relieved, the patient had complained of a new right-sided pain in the region of C7-T2, which was treated successfully with 10 ml 10% phenol. Results. During the course of this therapy, his sustained-release morphine consumption diminished from 540 mg to 90 mg despite his terminal disease. Post mortem examination and histologic studies revealed no macroscopic or microscopic changes to the viscera, spinal cord, or sympathetic chain. Conclusions. Repeated doses of phenol suspended in bupivacaine provide adequate analgesia for terminal cancer pain when administered interpleurally. No pathologic changes were detected despite a total of 3400 mg phenol delivered into the right thoracic cavity.


Much of the empirical evidence on developing economies indicates that the basic intertemporal model of the current account fails to predict the dynamics of the actual current account series. This article argues that the model can predict the dynamics of the current account series if it is appropriately adjusted to reflect the nature of capital mobility and exchange rate policies in these countries. Using data on Ghana that span across capital control and liberalized regimes this article reports three finding. First, consistent with the existing empirical evidence, the basic model fails to predict the dynamics of the actual current account. Second, extending the basic model to capture variations in interest rates and exchange rates better explains the path of the actual current account balances only during the liberalized regime. Third, tests of asymmetric access to the international financial market indicate that economic agents in Ghana could not use the international financial market to smooth their consumption during the capital control regime. However, the liberalization program that reduced constraints on capital flows has enabled economic agents to use the international capital market to smooth consumption.


For thermal equilibrium systems it is shown, how the Kubo-Martin-Schwinger boundary condition may be used to factorize the generating functional of Green functions at least on the level of the full two-point function. Genuine non-equilibrium system exhibit correlations that one may also incorporate in the path integral. One one hand this provides a natural tool for a perturbative expansion including these correlations. On the other hand it allows to prove that in general non-equilibrium systems the generating functional does not factorize.


Author(s): Geistfeld, Mark | Abstract: The controversy regarding the appropriate purpose of tort law continues to rage. Some advocate that tort rules should minimize accident costs as an instrument for maximizing social welfare and wealth. Others argue that as a matter of corrective justice, tort rules should fairly protect the individual right to physical security. These two conceptions of tort law are fundamentally incompatible and mutually exclusive. It would seem, then, that the tort system must choose between efficiency and fairness. This article establishes the possibility of a unified conception of tort liability, one capable of fully accounting for the central tenets of welfare economics and the fair protection of individual rights. The unified conception incorporates economic analysis into a fair theory of tort law. Under this approach, the individual right to physical security constrains the ability of the tort system to promote social welfare. The constraint yields rights-based tort rules that are consistent with the Pareto principle and satisfy the equity-efficiency criterion, the two central tenets of welfare economics. The approach is illustrated by a rights-based conception of fairness that adequately describes the important tort doctrines while unifying the compensation and deterrence functions of tort law. As this example illustrates, the constraint imposed by a rights-based principle does not make welfare considerations irrelevant. It merely defines the conditions under which tort rules can appropriately rely upon welfare considerations. Further analysis shows why any rights-based tort system is likely to provide an important role for economic analysis, one that operates within the constrained space of welfare concerns. The economic inquiry no longer exclusively focuses on the minimization of costs. Freed from such a limited and controversial role, economic analysis becomes integral to a unified conception of tort law.


Introduction: A material which is used as a base must have an adequate seal, be able to prevent leakage, and remain in place under dislodging forces, such as chewing pressure and also having adhesive properties to restorative materials and to the dentine. Hence, it is important to know the bond strength in clinical practice. Aim and objective: The aim and objective of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of the glass ionomer cement (GIC) and resin composite with Biodentine as a base. Materials and methods: Acrylic blocks with a central hole measuring 2 mm in depth and 5 mm in diameter were prepared. A total of 30 samples were prepared, the holes were then filled with Biodentine and the samples were randomly divided into 3 subgroups consisting 10 specimens each: group I: methacrylate-based (MB) composite, group II: Fuji type II resin-modified GIC (RMGIC), and group III: Fuji type IX GIC. For the SBS test, each block was secured in a universal testing machine and the values were compared by using one-way analysis of variance. Results: Highest bond strength of 1.495 ± 0.05 MPa was observed in group I (i.e., MB composite), followed by group II with 1.139 ± 0.02 MPa (i.e., type II RMGIC), and the lowest bond strength of 0.80 ± 0.05 MPa observed in group III (i.e., Fuji IX GIC). Conclusion: The adhesion of Biodentine to MB composite surface appears to be greater compared to that of RMGIC and GIC.


Twenty-five strains that conform closely to the original and subsequent descriptions of the organism now known as Eubacterium cylindroides (Rocchi) Holdeman and Moore have been studied, and previously undescribed characteristics of this species are presented. This organism is a numerically significant member of the normal intestinal flora of man and animals, and it has also been found in clinical specimens. ATCC 27803 (=Virginia Polytechnic Institute 3654) is designated the neotype strain of Eubacterium cylindroides.


Learning Objectives: Age is an independent risk factor for delirium in the ICU, with an increased risk for delirium as age increases. While there have been several studies defining risk factors for delirium of the elderly population in the medical wards, none of these studies were conducted in the ICU where the prevalence for delirium is as high as 80%. To the authors' knowledge, there is currently no research that defines risk factors for ICU delirium in a geriatric veteran population. Methods: Data was collected retrospectively using the institution's computerized medical record. Patients 65 years of age or older admitted to the medical or cardiac ICU services from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2015 were included. Patients were excluded if they had delirium at ICU admission, alcohol withdrawal, cardiothoracic surgery, acute brain injury, multiple admissions involving ICU delirium during the study period, or if discharged from the ICU within 48 hours. Data collected included age, gender, ICU admission diagnosis, length of time in ICU, delirium diagnosis, use of restraints, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, pre-ICU emergency trauma or surgery, APACHE II score, mechanical ventilation, metabolic acidosis, coma, E-PREDELIRIC score, and PREDELIRIC score. Additional medication-related data collected included use of benzodiazepines, opiates, propofol, tricyclic antidepressants, steroids, histamine 2 receptor antagonists, meperidine, and sedative hypnotics. The outcomes were assessed through univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Risk factors associated with ICU delirium based on the univariate analysis include increased age, prolonged time in the ICU, benzodiazepine use and time on benzodiazepines, time on opiates, use of sedating medications, AKI, and higher PREDELERIC and E-PREDELERIC scores. AKI was the only independent risk factor identified by multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Minimizing ICU length of stay, duration of benzodiazepines, use of sedation, and time on opiates are potential ways to decrease risk of delirium in the geriatric veteran population.


High-stability tungsten strip lamps are assessed as a means of maintaining the International Practical Temperature Scale below 1064.43°C. The variation of spectral radiance temperature with changes in the lamps and their environment is discussed. Factors necessary to correct the spectral radiance temperature for changes in the resistance and pin temperature of two lamps are given. It is shown that applying corrections for changes in lamp resistance reduces the uncertainty in the use of lamps by an order of magnitude. The uncertainties which are to be associated with the use of tungsten strip lamps under practical conditions are 0.015°C at 1064°C and 0.045°C at 770°C (99% confidence limits). These results indicate that the platinum resistance thermometer appears to be a better alternative means of maintaining temperature scales in the range considered.


Urban areas are increasingly recognized as an important source of methane (CH4), but we have limited seasonally resolved observations of these regions. In this study, we quantify seasonal and annual urban CH4 emissions over the Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC metropolitan regions. We use CH4 atmospheric observations from four tall tower stations and a Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Model to simulate CH4 concentrations at these stations. We directly compare these simulations with observations, and use a geostatistical inversion method to determine optimal emissions to match our observations. We use observations spanning four seasons and employ an ensemble approach considering multiple meteorological representations, emission inventories, and upwind CH4 values. Forward simulations in winter, spring and fall underestimate observed atmospheric CH4 while in summer simulations overestimate observations due to excess modeled wetland emissions. With ensemble geostatistical inversions, the optimized annual emissions in DC/Baltimore are 39±9 Gg/month (1 δ), 2.0±0.4 times higher than the ensemble mean of bottom-up emission inventories. We find a modest seasonal variability of urban CH4 emissions not captured in current inventories, with optimized summer emissions ~41% lower than winter, broadly consistent with expectations if emissions are dominated by fugitive natural gas sources that correlate with natural gas usage.