Abstract The paper addresses criticisms of contemporary acculturation research by adopting a mixed method approach (open-ended survey responses, interviews, focus groups and projective techniques) to the study of the acculturation experiences of Muslim youth in New Zealand. The research explores: 1) the meaning, definition and achievement of success; 2) the process of negotiating multiple social identities; and 3) the graphic representation of identity. Thematic analysis indicated that young Muslims aspire to achieve success in personal, social, material and religious domains and that they seek to balance potentially competing demands from family, friends, the Muslim community and the wider society. At the same time they aspire to balance multiple identities, retaining religious and cultural elements in the definition of self while endeavoring to integrate into the wider society. The process of achieving this balance is characterized by three strategies: alternating orientations, blending orientations and minimizing differences. The findings are discussed in relation to advancing our understanding of integration as an acculturation option, and the community-based policy implications for multicultural societies are considered.


This contribution aims at improving the finite element modelling of concrete's damage‐permeability coupling using continuous and elastic‐based damage approaches. With this aim in view, a review of existing local and nonlocal damage formulations is performed showing how they differ in terms of damage estimation, crack propagation, and spatial discretization restrictions (when the energy‐based Hillerborg criterion is applied). Another critical review of damage‐based permeability laws is achieved to pinpoint their limitations. Indeed, the use of a bounded and strictly increasing damage variable does not allow (1) an accurate description of permeability in the presence of macrocracks that are physically unbounded and (2) a proper description of the permeability decrease as those macrocracks are closed. Accordingly, a new strain‐based permeability law is suggested. Its analytical validation is based on the BIPEDE tensile test for one loading‐unloading cycle. This new formulation intends to enhance the predictiveness of damage‐permeability coupling models leading to a better assessment of large structure's durability and serviceability.


It is noticeable that some of the Ijtihad-based Shariah opinions governing Islamic banking and finance lack common sense and are void of any wisdom, despite the fact Islamic law of transactions is rationalized and meant to bring Maslaha and benefits to human beings. It is as if entering the field of Islamic banking and finance requires deactivating one's mind, or as if the jurisprudence of banks today has become the same as the jurisprudence of devotional rituals in not being subject to ratiocination and its rules requiring mere submission. In light of the above, this article analyzes this unusual phenomenon in Islamic jurisprudence, and examines its effect on the contemporary Shariah opinions. This work is based on the assumption that re-visiting the legal opinions given on banking activities by subjecting them to Shariah objectives and rationale will open the mind on new aspects necessitating the revision of many of these contemporary rulings that govern Islamic banking practices.


Here we report familial balanced translocation (46,XY,t(8;9)(p10;p10) inherited by two brothers from the father. The first subject, 33 years old, was examined after 3 years of childless marriage. Semen analysis showed severe oligozoospermia, hypomotility and teratozoospermia. His brother, 29 years old, volunteered to join this study. He had not yet tried to start a family. Semen analysis showed dyspermia, but the condition was much less serious than his brother's. In both subjects, the secretory function of the epididymis and the genital tract accessory glands did not seem to be affected by this particular translocation. This case report highlights the importance of cytogenetic analysis in dealing with infertile patients suffering from severe dyspermia apparently sine causa. This is particularly the case when certain Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) programs are recommended, where natural selection of the sperm no longer takes place (e.g. ICSI). The possible risk of an increase in fetal chromosomal abnormalities would suggest genetic counselling in all such situations.


A novel type of magnetic nanosorbent, hydroxyapatite-coated Fe2O3 nanoparticles was synthesized and used for the adsorption and removal of nitrite and nitrate ions from environmental samples. The properties of synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. After the adsorption process, the separation of γ-Fe2O3@hydroxyapatite nanoparticles from the aqueous solution was simply achieved by applying an external magnetic field. The effects of different variables on the adsorption efficiency were studied simultaneously using an experimental design. The variables of interest were amount of magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, sample volume, pH, stirring rate, adsorption time, and temperature. The experimental parameters were optimized using a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology after a Plackett-Burman screening design. Under the optimum conditions, the adsorption efficiencies of magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles adsorbents toward NO3(-) and NO2(-) ions (100 mg/L) were in the range of 93-101%. The results revealed that the magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles adsorbent could be used as a simple, efficient, and cost-effective material for the removal of nitrate and nitrite ions from environmental water and soil samples.


In this paper, we present MedleyAssistant, a system to assist in the creation of music medleys from segments of existing music. Our goal is to make medley creation more accessible to novices, while still allowing them to express their own creative style. Our system addresses two key challenges in medley creation – determining which segments of music sound natural when transitioning to which other segments of music, and determining specific transition points between two given segments of music. This constrains the problem so that medleys created with our system tend to sound natural while allowing the user to be creative with music selection. We also provide a music visualization that helps users understand the musical principles of medley creation. ACM Classification


Water resource management involves the monitoring and management of water quality and water quantity. This research project was designed after several extensive case studies that revealed lack of adequate information on interaction between water quantity and quality of Ngong River. Many of those research investigations indicate that the river is highly polluted and almost no information about water quantity is presented.This report is compiled based on water quality and water level data collected from five flow measuring stations set up along the Ngong River and four sewer stations for a period of 5 months (July to December, 2006). The stations namely: Kibera, Nairobi Dam Outlet, Mombasa Road crossing, Outering Road crossing and Njiru Bridge. The sewer stations were located at Kibera, Enterprise road, Imara Daima and Outering Road. Water levels were determined daily for a period of five months and the data was converted into discharge by use of Manning's equation. Daily rainfall data was collected and the SCS Curve number method was used to estimate direct runoff depths within Ngong river basin.Water quality assessment was done for a wide range of physical and chemical water quality parameters. Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 10 software were used for statistical analysis. Results were screened against NEMA, FAO and WHO standards, and were compared across the five sampling stations in the dry and wet seasons to assess suitability for domestic and irrigation use.Flow in the Ngong River increases downstream with the lowest average flow rates experienced at the Kibera (0.090m3/s) and Nairobi Dam outlet (0.856 m3/s) stations.Mombasa Road station had an average flow of 5.452 m3/s. Higher flows were recorded downstream at Outering Road (6.283 m3/s) and Njiru (7.003 m3/s) stations.Direct runoff contribution from areas above Kibera and Nairobi Dam Outlet station was 7% and 78%, of the measured water yields, respectively. Water yields at the downstream stations is contributed by other sources other than direct runoff whichwere identified as extra water from wastewater discharges of overflowing manholes and open drains, and stormwater runoff.The highest pollutant concentrations found in Ngong river water were heavy metals (lead and cadmium), nitrate and residues (suspended and dissolved solids). There were reduced levels of EC, Nitrates, TSS and TDS during the wet weather whilst increasing levels of lead and cadmium reported. Lead values increased in the wet season ranging from 0.39-0.46mg/l. The heavy metal levels recorded at all stations were below the FAO guidelines for irrigation water - 5mg/l for lead and 0.5mg/l for Cadmium. Sewer water contaminant loading of TSS and TDS were found to be decreasing during the wet weather. BOD5 values of these sewers waters were high ranging from 103-500mg/l. These high values are above the NEMA effluent discharge standard which allows for only treated wastewaters to be discharged in water courses. Heavy metal levels increased during the wet season with lead values ranging from 0.39-0.44mg/l and cadmium values ranging from 0.08-0.12mg/l.Downstream river stations recorded increased levels of water quality parameters against constant discharge rates implying that Ngong River cannot sustain its assimilative capacity as it is heavily polluted. Ngong River at Kibera station can be described asadequate since water sampled complied with WHO and NEMA standards for most parameters except for Nitrates. According to FAO irrigation water standards, Ngong River is fit for irrigation however this should be cautioned due to the long-term effects on the soils and crops. Frequent water quality monitoring programs combined with the enforcement of NEMA criteria and guidelines on effluent discharges, improvement of sewer infrastructure, protection of riparian areas, control of direct waste discharges, decreasing surface run-off distances and, the creation of pervious areas for increased infiltration, can be adopted to restore the hydrological system of the Ngong River.


ABSTRACT A three-phase model of the single-fiber composite fragmentation test is proposed to evaluate viscoelasticity, stress distributions and interface fracture toughness. Based on the three-parameter standard linear solid model, a unit cell is established under periodic boundary conditions to study viscoelasticity considering the interface effect. Under the thermal residual stress and the tensile load, a three-dimensional (3D) theoretical cylinder model is utilized to predict the stress distributions in radial, hoop and axial directions for fiber, interface and matrix. The results are in good agreements with finite element method (FEM) results. Especially, we discuss the effects of the fiber shape on the mechanical behavior. Classic shear-lag theories are compared to modify the axial stress distributions. For the fragmentation test, two basic failure modes are studied in the proposed model. Based on accurate stress distributions, the energy-balance scheme takes into account all strain energies, the failure consumption, the friction consumption and the applied load work to calculate interface fracture energy release rate, results of which is consistent with other models. Furthermore, we study the effects of friction coefficients and radial debonded locations. Using the softening and failure model of the interface, the debonding process is simulated for zero-thickness and thick interfaces, respectively. Graphical Abstract


Stereotaxic head fixation plays a necessary role in current physiological techniques, such as in vivo whole cell recording and two-photon laser-scanning microscopy, that are designed to elucidate the cortical involvement in animal behaviors. In rodents, however, head fixation often inhibits learning and performance of behavioral tasks. In particular, it has been considered inappropriate for head-fixed rodents to be operantly conditioned to perform skilled movements with their forelimb (e.g., lever-press task), despite the potential applicability of the task. Here we have solved this problem conceptually by integrating a lever (operandum) and a rewarding spout (reinforcer) into one ″spout-lever″ device for efficient operant learning. With this device, head-fixed rats reliably learned to perform a pull manipulation of the spout-lever with their right forelimb in response to an auditory cue signal (external-trigger trial, namely, Go trial) within several days. We also demonstrated stable whole cell recordings from motor cortex neurons while the rats were performing forelimb movements in external-trigger trials. We observed a behavior-related increase in the number of action potentials in membrane potential. In the next session, the rats, which had already learned the external-trigger trial, effortlessly performed similar spout-lever manipulation with no cue presentation (internal-trigger trial) additionally. Likewise, some of the rats learned to keep holding the spout-lever in response to another cue signal (No-go trial) in the following session, so that they mastered the Go/No-go discrimination task in one extra day. Our results verified the usefulness of spout-lever manipulation for behavioral experiments employing cutting-edge physiological techniques.


Delay is everywhere, no matter how small or big it is. Experimental evidences show the existence and importance of time delayed reactions specially in biological systems. The role of delay is found to be multifunctional and is seemed to be system dependent. The analytically solved P(X, t) of gene regulatory process shows universal class of Poisson process at stationary condition. However, time delay creates a possible condition to the system to impart correlation in the stochastic process as sub-Poissonian or noise enhancement process which could be important in regulating and controlling the system. The results of simulation of few biological systems (gene regulation, circadian rhythm, and repressilator) using delay stochastic simulation algorithm show the possibilities of delay induced onset of oscillating states, which could be the active states of the systems, where, the system can establish coherence among the system variables, enhance the signal processing, optimize the system activities, etc. On the other hand, delay can also induce switching off of the oscillating states, which may correspond to inactive state or system failure. Further, delay can also create coherent bistable states of the system variables, at which the system can stay longer to make decisions about the fate of the system.


Problem: The paper is dealing with a psychological approach to the work with families and their children at a shelter home. It describes the circumstances and conditions for the work in the specific socio-therapeutic environment of the Horni Pocernice Shelter Home. The main research question 'What are the options of psychological intervention and psychotherapeutic work with clients in the scope of services offered by the shelter home in Horni Pocernice'works with the hypopaper that psychology and psychotherapy have their place within and next to social services. For clients who use services of this shelter home is this work essential and contributes to better understanding of their life situation and their social relations. Effectivity of psychological work in the environment of a shelter home is in a great deal connected to its acceptance, inner belief and understanding of its real possibilities by every single social worker. Lack of understanding, distorted 64 Ľ. Fonferová / Psychologie a její kontexty 5 (1), 2014, 63-74 expectations both on the side of social workers and psychologists complicate or even prevent psychotherapeutic work with clients for whom the requirements and demands of social workers are determining during their stay. Methods: This paper is based on the design of ethnographic field research. Empirical design of this research is defined by the premises of the shelter home and the time period from 2007 to 2012. Therapeutic possibilities of clients are examined from the position of psychologist and psychotherapist of this centre who offers his/her services once a week for about 5 to 7 hours. The research sample was being created during the collection of data in the examined period and its analysis when it was early established with respect to the research question that all available cases typical for full collection will be included (there were 646 clients in the examined period). Results: The answer to the main research question concerns two variables which are related to each other. The target group, which is described with the use of demographic and social characteristics, and the position of psychotherapy in social services. The differences, conditions and limitations of various approaches of assisting professions in the shelter home are organised into a three-dimensional model with interlinked variables where the socio-therapeutic environment of the shelter home represents the width, the social work represents the height and the psychological counselling represents the depth. This paper presents the results of the functioning concept of psychological work with all clients and its typical results. It describes and analyses some of the variables which generally work in psychotherapy and which are specific factors in this environment: relationship between a therapeutist and a client, variables on the side of a client, used techniques and non-therapeutical factors. Discussion and assessment of results: The final part evaluates the work of psychologist and psychotherapist in the context of the socio-therapeutic environment which by its nature calls for changes. It points out various views of social workers and psychologists or psychotherapists in their evaluation of co-operation with individual clients and shows a different conception of relationship between an evaluator and a person being evaluated which makes those two approaches different yet complementary in the complex of services. Conclusion: The conclusion brings an assessment of the importance of psychotherapy in social services as an activity determined by the concept of social work and psychotherapy and their historical continuity in individual countries.


ABSTRACT Migratory species are of increased conservation concern because of their reliance on multiple, geographically disjunct habitats. An understanding of how long-term ecological processes and contemporary population genetic patterns are related is critical for effective management and conservation of such species. Combining traditional long-term census and mark-recapture data with temporally focused molecular genetic data can help inform these efforts. We used 24 years of banding data, 15 years of migration counts, and molecular genetic data from 17 microsatellite loci to describe the migration phenology, direction, and population connectivity of Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) migrating through the Marin Peninsula, California. Count data indicated two distinct peak periods of movement across years: 15 August-30 September and 1 October-30 November. Band-encounter data from these two periods revealed a significant difference in movement: individuals in the early period of migration (15 August-30 September) displayed little net movement, whereas individuals from the second period (1 October-30 November) showed directional, southward movement. Finally, molecular genetic data suggest that the early-season period primarily involves a population from central California, whereas the second period includes both individuals from central California and individuals from desert regions of the Intermountain West. These analyses provide important information for interpreting long-term Red-tailed Hawk count and banding data and offer an example of how traditional population-monitoring methods can be combined with molecular genetic markers.


This volume contains a collection of original studies in conversation analysis (C.A.) arranged and presented both to introduce the discipline to the newcomer and to reveal some of the expanding range of discoveries which conversation analysts are making in the course of their distinctive enquiries into the order and organisation of natural language. Though sociological in its orientation. C.A. and the papers here represented are of direct methodological and substantive interest to linguists, philosophers, discourse and speech analysts and social anthropologists. Indeed the strict adherence to the methodological principle that analysis can and must be shown to be grounded in data represents a challenge to all those disciplines which set out to use their materials as mere hand-maidens to support preconstructed models, theories and hypotheses. In this series of papers which includes previously unpublished works of the late Harvey Sacks and the last completed joint researches of Sacks, Jefferson and Schegloff ordinary talk is shown as consisting of a variety of previously unnoticed socially organised practices which conversationalists engage in to generate the organisation which talk has. The methods and the analytic mentality of conversation analysts are, and are here shown to be, designed to make conversationalist's methods, structure and modes of orientation available for empirical study. The search for order and organisation reveals it everywhere. Laughter is shown to be concertedly organised and negotiated in the finest detail. The machinery of delicate repair systems is revealed. Conversational completions are shown to be the product of elaborate negotiating machineries. Conversationalists are revealed as subtly orienting-to and invoking the visual contexts of their interaction within the framework of the turn-taking organisation of conversation. This volume also contains examples of conversation analytic work into the talk produced in organisational settings such as courts and Doctor/Patient interviews. Such analyses reveal the contribution that the discipline might make towards the exploration of the kind of social phenomena traditionally researched by sociologists, social psychologists and social anthropologists.


The objective of this project was to assemble guidance for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in further developing data archiving systems across the state. This guidance, which is contained in the companion Report 2127-3, includes information on: 1) basic principles of data archiving; 2) determining what data and how much to archive; 3) performing quality control to ensure data meets certain quality requirements; and 4) developing a data archiving system using relevant architecture and standards. This report (2127-2) summarizes the research activities conducted during the project. These activities were primarily focused on four basic tasks: 1) stakeholder meetings and interviews to discuss issues and ideas about data archiving; 2) preliminary assessment of archived data needs; 3) analysis of archived data for accuracy and quality; and 4) gathering information on data archiving architecture and standards. The authors recommend that TxDOT begin or continue the dialogue to determine who will be responsible for maintaining ITS data archives at the statewide and district level. The development of one or two modest prototypes of single-source data archives will enable TxDOT to demonstrate proof of concept to system developers as well as potential data users. The authors recommend that TxDOT consider the data archiving guidelines in Report 2127-3, as well as the results from ongoing federal activities, when further developing data archiving systems.


Path integration-the constant updating of position and orientation in an environment-is an important component of spatial navigation, however, its mechanisms are poorly understood. The aims of this study are (a) to test the encoding-error model of path integration, which focuses solely on encoding as a potential source of error, and (b) to develop a model of path integration that best predicts path integration errors. We tested the encoding-error model by independently measuring participants' encoding errors in distance and angle reproduction tasks, and then using those reproduction errors to predict individual participants' errors in a triangle completion task. We sampled the distribution of encoding errors using Monte Carlo methods to predict the homebound path, and then compared the predictions to observed triangle completion behavior. The correlation between predicted errors and actual errors in the triangle completion task was extremely weak, whereas an alternative model using execution error alone was sufficient to describe the observed errors. A model incorporating both encoding and execution errors best described the triangle completion errors. These results suggest that errors in executing the response may contribute more to overall errors in path integration than do encoding errors, challenging the assumption that errors reflect encoding alone. Errors in triangle completion might not arise from failing to know where you are, but from an inability to get back home. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).


A working hypothesis that eukaryote chromosomal mutations result from specific misrecombination is proposed in relation to X-ray-induced mutations in the mouse. Unique features of chromosome-stability-deficient mutations and of tumor mutations in Drosophila are reviewed; these mutations could serve as very good models for elucidating the mechanisms of chromosome-aberration-related diseases in humans.


Background The fibronectin type 3 and ankyrin repeat domains 1 gene, Fank1, is an ancient, evolutionarily conserved gene present in vertebrates. Short-hairpin RNA (shRNA)-based knockdown transgenic mice have oligospermia caused by an increase in apoptotic germ cells. In this study, we investigated the in vivo function of Fank1. Methods In this study, we generated Fank1-knockout mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We then investigated the phenotype and in vivo function of Fank1. Testes and epididymis tissues were analyzed by histological and immunofluorescence staining. Apoptotic cells were analyzed in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling assays. Fertility and sperm counts were also evaluated. The GTEx database were used to assess gene expression quantitative trait loci and mRNA expression of candidate genes and genes neighboring single nucleotide polymorphisms was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. Results In contrast to the Fank1-knockdown model, no significant changes in epididymal sperm content and the number of apoptotic cells were observed in Fank1−/− homozygotes. In addition, a different pattern of Dusp1, Klk1b21 and Klk1b27 mRNA expression was detected in Fank1-knockout testis. These results reveal differences in the molecular changes between Fank1-knockdown mice and Fank1-knockout mice and provide a basic resource for population genetics studies.


0.60. With PSA 3 ng/mL, AUC for fatal PCa increased from 0.41 to 0.65 with addition of % fPSA and AUC for csPCa increased from 0.57 to 0.64. In men 65-72 with PSA >4 ng/mL, AUC for fatal PCa increased from 0.63 to 0.65 by adding %fPSA and AUC for csPCa increased from 0.53 to 0.63. Kaplan-Meier curve (Figure 1) shows clear separation of curves for men with 20% fPSA compared to >20% fPSA in men with 75th percentile of total PSA at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: In a large nationwide screening trial, the addition of free PSA to total PSA in men with PSA >2 (age 57-64) or PSA>3 (age 65-72) improved the prediction of clinically significant and fatal prostate cancer. The use of free PSA to risk-stratify screening could potentially decrease unnecessary prostate biopsies and be used to help determine when to terminate screening.


The recently proposed constrained-pairing mean-field theory (CPMFT) is here extended to include exchange and correlation effects from density functional theory (DFT) via alternative densities. We transform from alpha and beta spin densities to alternatives based on the total and on-top pair densities. This transformation is needed because CPMFT produces correct spin-symmetry and space-symmetry adapted densities that traditional DFT functionals are not designed to work with. The inclusion of DFT exchange and correlation effects in CPMFT is well founded both on practical and methodological reasons. We present multiple benchmarks showing that in many cases our model accurately reproduces unrestricted hybrid functional energies (both regular and range separated) and does so on the correct space-symmetry and spin-symmetry surface. Our approach affords efficient inclusion of dynamical correlation effects absent in CPMFT.


Sir .—I wholeheartedly agree with Kaplan et al 1 that genital herpes in a child should always be investigated because of the possibility of sexual abuse. Nevertheless, I am frustrated by the difficulty in eliciting a positive history for sexual abuse, and I am also concerned that false accusation or aggressive investigation may also be detrimental. Two additional cases of prepubertal genital herpes are reported herein to discuss this point. Report of Cases .—CASE 1.—A 9-year-old girl was referred for a painful perineal lesion of five days' duration. This was one of several similar occurrences of painful genital sores for this child. Her first episode at the age of 6 years was described as "hundreds" of extremely painful blisters covering most of her perineum and extending to her waist and upper thighs. Although her physician told the mother this infection was most likely herpes simplex virus (HSV), no cultures were


Current interest in ethanol as a potential fuel has stimulated research on various aspects of the fermentation process. Different techniques for increasing productivity, such as continuous culture, cell recycle amd vacuum distillation, have been evaluted, but another important consideration is the improvement of the fermenting organism to give maximum productivity. One of the most promising ethanol-producing organisms is the bacterium Zymomonas mobilis. Zymomonas mobilis is a unique bacteria among the microbial world, with peculiar growth, energy production and responde to culture conditions, causing a great interest in scientific, biotechnological and industrial fields. The bacteria`s ability to make possible energy production in favor of product formation, respond to physical and chemical environmental manipulation as well as its limited product formation make it an ideal microorganism for the study and development of microbial processes for ethanol production. The aim of this work was analyse the optimum operational conditions for the ethanol production by Zymomonas mobilis CCT 4494. Inoculum was prepared from activated culture using Erlenmeyer flasks containing 50 mL of fermentation medium. The flasks were placed on orbital shaker (model MA 830) under controlled temperature (30°C), 200 rpm, during a period of 24 hours. The pre-fermentation medium was composed in gL by: yeast extract 5.0, KH2PO4 1.0, (NH4)2SO4 1.0, MgSO4.7 H2O 1.0 and sucrose 1.0. The medium for ethanol production had the same composition of pre-fermentation medium, differing only in concentration of sucrose and nutrientes. The fermentations were carried out batchwise in Erlenmeyer flasks containing 50 mL of fermentation medium, placed on orbital shaker (model MA 830) under controlled temperature, 200 rpm, during a period of 24 hours. The cellular biomass was determined in a spectrophotometer (model Cintra 5 UV-VIS "DoubleBeam") based on 660 nm an calibration curve (Calazans et al., 1997). Ethanol was determined by gas chromatography using Chromatograph HP-5890 Series II detector FID (Flame Ionization Detector).The experiments were performed under the principles of statistical methodology of response surfaces (Box; Hunter, 1978). For the experimental design, we used the software Statistica 6.0, from a factorial design 2. The independent variables were:pH; temperature, KCl, K2SO4, MgSO4 , CaCl2 and Sucrose. The bacterium Zymomonas mobilis CCT 4494 well adapted in fermentation medium containing high concentrations of sucrose and tolerated pH and temperature variations. The optimum conditions were pH 8; 40°C; KCl (18 g.L); K2SO4 (5 g.L); MgSO4 (5 g.L); CaCl2 (1 g.L-1) and sucrose (250 g.L-1), resulting in a maximum ethanol concentration of 76.6 g.L-1. Observed in the analysis of variance (ANOVA) that the independent variables significant (p 0) and K2SO4 and CaCl2, with negative influence (coefficient <0) on the ethanol production.


Objectives The aim of this study is to summarise the clinical features of PPH of the elderly patients with portal hypertension. Methods 15 patients with PPH including nine males and six females were includes in the study. Clinical features about Symptoms, physical examination findings and laboratory test results were evaluated. Results Dyspnoea was seen in 15 patients (100%), accentuated P2 in 10 patients (66.7%), systolic murmur of tricuspid area in 12 patients (80%), PaO2 <70 mm Hg in 15 patients (100%), with an average of (58.6±9.3) mm Hg. X-ray showed prominent pulmonary artery segment in 11 patients (73%), ECG with leads V1 R/S>1 in 9 patients (60%), echocardiography showed tricuspid regurgitation in 15 patients (100%), increase in right ventricular diameter of 10 patients (66.7%), right ventricular anterior wall thickening in 6 patients (40%). Child-Pugh Classification A of five cases, with an average of (64.4±8.1) mm Hg in PaO2 and (53.6±8.4) mm Hg in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure. Child-Pugh Classification B of three cases, with an average of (60.7±8.4) mm Hg in PaO2 and (68.3±12.6) mm Hg in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure. Child-Pugh Classification C of seven cases, with an average of (53.6±8.6) mm Hg in PaO2 and (75.7±16.4) mm Hg in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure. Conclusions Dyspnoea is an important clinical manifestation in PPH patients. Accentuated pulmonary second heart sound is the common features of pulmonary hypertension. X-ray, electrocardiogram could also show the increase of pulmonary arterial pressure. Our results suggest that the severity of PPH increases with lower blood oxygen pressure, as the liver function (Child Pugh classification higher) gets worse in elderly patients with portal hypertension.


Correspondence to Professor Hania Szajewska; email@example.com ABSTRACT Introduction: Worldwide, acute gastroenteritis in children, usually caused by viruses, leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. The treatment is aimed at preventing and treating dehydration, promoting weight gain after rehydration, and reducing the duration and severity of diarrhoea. Effective and inexpensive interventions that could add to the effect of oral rehydration therapy are of interest. Recently, in many European countries, gelatine tannate is being widely marketed for treating acute gastroenteritis. Gelatine tannate is a complex of tannic acid, which possesses astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, and a protective gelatine. Currently, there is no evidence to support the use of gelatine tannate for treating acute gastroenteritis in children and only scant evidence to support the use of gelatine tannate in adults. We aim to assess the efficacy of gelatine tannate for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children. Methods and analysis: This will be a blind, placebocontrolled, randomised trial. Children younger than 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis defined as a change in stool consistency to loose or liquid form (according to the Bristol Stool Form scale or Amsterdam Stool Form scale) and/or an increase in the frequency of evacuations (typically ≥3 in 24 h), lasting for no longer than 5 days, will be recruited. A total of 158 children will be randomised to receive either gelatine tannate (children younger than 3 years of age will receive 250 mg, 4 times/day, and those older than 3 years of age will receive 500 mg, 4 times/day) or matching placebo for 5 days. The primary outcome measure is the duration of diarrhoea. Ethics and dissemination: The Bioethics Committee approved the study protocol. The findings of this trial will be submitted to a peer-reviewed paediatric journal. Abstracts will be submitted to relevant national and international conferences. Trial registration number: NCT02280759; Pre-results.


The various trajectories of the development of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) programs in BRICS countries were reviewed individually, showing the progress of Pharm D programs in each context. Evidence from developed countries indicates that Pharm D programs have contributed towards the positive development of public health and a country's local health requirements, with well-trained clinical pharmacists having a key role in the health and economic development of these emerging powers. The health systems of BRICS countries are heavily challenged with a dual burden of disease, weak health infrastructure and public health initiatives. Thus, not only will the development of Pharm D programs in BRICS countries strengthen pharmacy education contributing to a pharmacy workforce more readily able to target health-related problems, demographic and epidemiological shifts; but will also better equip public health systems with more patient-centered pharmaceutical care necessary for evidence-based, individualized and cost-effective healthcare.


The transcription factor C/EBPdelta (CEBPD) is expressed in normal mammary epithelial cells and high expression in breast cancer correlates with hormone receptors and good prognosis (Mendoza-Villanueva et al., submitted). In the MMTV-Neu mouse model, deletion of CEBPD increases tumor multiplicity, but "paradoxically" reduces metastatic progression, suggesting that CEBPD has dual tumor suppressing and metastasis promoting functions (Balamurugan et al., 2010). Here, we identify a molecular mechanism for the tumor promoting function of CEBPD that may reach beyond breast cancer. We show that CEBPD serves as a signaling hub that integrates and amplifies pathways that promote stemness in breast cancer, glioblastoma and embryonic cancer cells. This work identifies a mechanism by which hypoxia and inflammation promote cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), which are implicated in tumor progression and resistance. Our earlier studies showed that CEBPD promotes inflammatory signaling and hypoxia adaptation by inhibiting the expression of FBXW7 (Balamurugan et al., 2010 and 2013), which can target several oncoproteins for degradation. Using a variety of established breast and glioblastoma tumor cell lines/xenografts, primary mouse mammary tumor cells and tissues, recent patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines, as well as embryonic stem/cancer cell lines, we find that deletion or depletion of CEBPD reduced the number of stem cells as determined by surface markers, sphere formation, limiting dilution xenografts, and by expression of stemness genes. Mechanistic studies in culture models show that CEBPD is expressed in CSCs and connects and amplifies both hypoxia (HIF-1) and inflammation (IL-6/STAT3) pathways to increase Notch1/NICD expression and cell stemness. CEBPD induces NICD expression transcriptionally through HIF-1 and at the level of the protein by inhibition of FBXW7-mediated degradation. In addition to its known role as a target of STAT3 and activator of IL-6 gene expression, we identified an additional role for CEBPD in promoting expression of the IL-6 receptor. Furthermore, we found that CEBPD also directly activates the expression of stemness-promoting genes such as OCT4, Sox2, KLF4, Myc, Nanog, CD44 and CD133. Taken together, this study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms that promote cancer cell stemness. Because CEBPD integrates and amplifies multiple stemness promoting pathways, CEBPD may represent a unique point of vulnerability in cancer stem cells, strongly suggesting that pharmacological inhibition of CEBPD signaling may effectively target CSCs. Results from current efforts to pharmacologically downregulate CEBPD in cancer stem cells will also be presented. Citation Format: Kuppusamy Balamurugan, Daniel Mendoza-Villanueva, Barbara Rath, Philip Tofilon, Shikha Sharan, Esta Sterneck. The CEBPD transcription factor, a marker of good prognosis in breast cancer, becomes a signaling hub for promotion of cancer cell stemness by hypoxia and interleukin-6. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2017.


The independence of 1) the data plane of 802.1Q bridges; 2) the quality of service (priority) features of same; and 3) the compatibility of many of the control protocols utilizable at Layer 2; together mean that it is possible to construct a Layer 2 network upon the concept of a Network Core, a set of VLANs running a single control protocol, but sharing a physical layer and an IS-IS-based protocol foundation, with other Network Cores. The result is a network that can be optimized for several purposes simultaneously. This can provide a structure around which the many competing industrial real-time control protocols can further reduce jitter and latency, even while being used together, to their mutual advantage.


The humanitarian law is also called the law applied in armed conflicts. The human rights are violated during armed conflicts. For this reason, it is necessary the intervention and the respect of human rights during armed conflicts. The human rights became part of humanitarian law during the Tehran Conference in 1968. They influence the humanitarian right to ensure the protection of civilians during armed conflicts. On the other hand, they interact to bring before international penal courts, the perpetrators and promoters of these violations of fundamental human rights.


THE need for an accurate and simple method of monitoring digitalis dosage is clearly evident from recent studies showing that 30% of patients admitted to a medical service had evidence of toxic effects from digitalis, while 11% of patients were "under-digitalized." Studies in experimental animals indicate that 60% of a lethal dose has been given when cardiac arrhythmias first appear, ie, at the point of maximal therapeutic effect. In addition, with the exception of the patient with atrial fibrillation in whom the ventricular rate usually can be used as a guide to further digitalis therapy, heretofore there has been no accurate, safe, and reliable clinical means to determine optimal digitalis therapy. To complicate matters further, there is no specific cardiac arrhythmia due to digitalis that cannot also be due to a patient's underlying heart disease. Hence, the clinician is often presented with the therapeutic choice of either increasing his patient's


The aim of this paper is to provide an explanation to why the degree of informal employment may vary substantially between different regions within a country. In Brazil, 45% of workers in the urban labor force are employed informally. The degree of informal employment, however, varies substantially across regions, with some cities having 20% and others having 80% or more of their labor force in the informal sector.The hypothesis assessed here is that the quality of local governance—or government effectiveness—affects the decisions of workers and businesses as to whether to participate in the formal or the informal sector. The empirical analysis, based on data from 5500 Brazilian municipalities, shows that informal employment is lower in regions with better governance, higher average education, and with a relatively large manufacturing sector. Endogeneity concerns are addressed as part of a series of robustness checks of the results.


The level of N7-(2-hydroxyethyl)guanine (N7-HOEtG), one of the DNA alkylation products formed by 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) treatment, was measured in human brain tumor samples by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The tumors from 6 recurrent chemotherapy-naive patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme were analyzed as controls. The mean level of N7-HOEtG in DNA of these specimens was 0.42 pmol/mg DNA. Samples were also obtained from a patient with a recurrent glioblastoma multiforme after direct intratumoral therapy with BCNU in ethanol (DTI-015). The levels of N7-HOEtG in the samples distal, medial, and adjacent to the site of injection were 0.8, 2.6, and 369.5 pmol/mg DNA, respectively. Comparison of the level of N7-HOEtG detected in the distal sample after injection with BCNU in ethanol with the mean level of the untreated samples indicated that it was not sufficiently different to be ruled out as a chance occurrence. Comparison of the levels of N7-HOEtG in the medial and adjacent brain tumor samples with the mean level of the control samples showed values that were approximately 6- and 879-fold higher. These results demonstrate that intratumoral administration of BCNU in ethanol produces significant levels of DNA alkylation and suggest that DNA adduct measurements provide a unique molecular dosimeter to evaluate delivery of alkylating agents to brain tumors.


Based on observation and interviews with teachers of biology in SMPN 13 Malang, showed that learners class VIIIA many do not complete the study or learning outcomes are low and do not meet minimum standards of completeness (SKM), where land values SKM in SMPN 13 Malang is 75. The problem often faced by students in teaching and learning take place are less active learners, especially when asked to do chores, the students less enthusiastic about the tasks
assigned by teachers, many students who often do not enter the reason students follow other activities (such marcing band, etc.). As a result there is still much less familiar with the learning so that its value has not met minimum standards of completeness (SKM). To overcome these
problems required the learning model that can enable all learners in a group discussion activity.
Learning is applied in this research is the cooperative learning method Numbered Heads Together (NHT) variation I.
This research aims to improve learning outcomes of students SMPN 13 Malang class VIIIA through cooperative learning method Numbered Heads Together (NHT) variation I. This
research is a classroom action research (PTK), which consists of two cycles. While the approach used is a qualitative approach. The experiment was conducted in SMPN 13 Malang on 26 of July 2010-30 of August 2010. This research was conducted in the classroom learners VIIIA SMPN 13 Malang who consist of 38 students. Methods of data collection using observation sheets and test learning outcomes at the end of each cycle. Analysis of achievement test data were analyzed using student learning completeness. Completeness of each learner adjusted minimum mastery standard (SKM) in school is 75.
The results showed, in the first cycle of students who completed an individual there are 18 students with classical result 47.37% (in finish yet) with an average result 73.47. In the second cycle after the improvements of learning, learners who complete an individual has increased to 37 students with classical result 97% (finish) with an average result 79.65. Based on research results it can be concluded that the implementation of cooperative learning method Numbered Heads Together (NHT), the first variation for increasing result of study biologi for student class
VIIIA SMP negeri 13 Malang.


The synthesis and characterization of novel tetraalkylthio (SC$_{6}$H$_{13}$ or SC$_{12}$H$_{25})$ substituted $\mu $-oxo silicon(IV) phthalocyanines (3a and 3b) and their $\mu$-oxo derivatives (4a and 4b) were described in this study. These silicon(IV) phthalocyanines were characterized using different spectroscopic techniques such as UV-Vis, $^{1}$H NMR, FT-IR, and mass and elemental analysis, as well. Furthermore, the photophysical (fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes) and photochemical (singlet oxygen generation) properties of the newly synthesized silicon(IV) phthalocyanines (3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b) were investigated in dimethylformamide solution. The absorption and fluorescence excitation wavelengths of the studied silicon(IV) phthalocyanines were blue-shifted when they converted to their $\mu $-oxo dimers. The fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime values decreased with the substitution of the tetraalkylthio groups on the phthalocyanine ring. The singlet oxygen generation of the studied silicon(IV) phthalocyanines increased with the formation of the $\mu $-oxo bridge between two phthalocyanine rings.


This article aims to assess the implementation process of consulting citizen participation and conflicts involved in housing delivery against the environment of the South Africanhousing need and housing policy. In this way the study wants to clarify the relationship between housing policy and housing practice. The article is based on the legislations and policies designed to foster and promote public participation in South Africa. These include legislation at both the national and local government levels and a survey of planning departments measuring the types of public participation strategies used by local governments. The article's findings indicate that South African Municipalities need adopt a broader range of public participation techniques related to: voluntarism and public engagement, neighbourhood and strategic planning, and e-government. In contrast, the article's findings indicate that South African Municipalities are more likely to crumple if they do not promote public participation through mechanisms such as annual community meetings and referendums on public issues. The conclusion of the article offers recommendations for expanding the scope of public participation and developing strategies that maximize citizen input in community development activities in both the Provincial and local spheres of government. The survey was conducted to identify the scope of public participation techniques used by local governments and the Department of Housing in Tyutyu housing project located in the Buffalo city metropolitan municipality. It is an initiative which was started in the year  2000 with the aim of alleviating housing shortage in the area. Formerly, the area was made up of mud houses that were constructed by the former Ciskei government. Later on, shacks were added in  the area. Originally, these structures were meant to form agricultural rural village settlements. One limitation of this methodology is that it does not gauge the effectiveness of the participation techniques used by local governments and the department of housing or the intensity of public engagement. However, the results from this study provide future researchers with a mechanism for focusing future analysis. The findings can assist in identifying new directions for enhancing public participation in South Africa and globally.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to distinguish the corporate communication channels by typology, by the designation of their characteristics and features of application, as well as to institutionalize the concept of corporate media.

Design/methodology/approach
In the theoretical part, with the help of general review, critical analysis, systematization and generalization, the main scientific works devoted to corporate communications have been studied. In practical part, the method of typology there has been used and descriptive analysis of types of communication channels has been carried out.

Findings
The research distinguishes the types of channels used in modern corporate communication. It reveals that corporate communication channels can be divided into two main types according to the criteria of relation to the company: outsiders and insiders. Then the channels can be divided into broad functional subtypes: events, advertising, media and a specific category – social media. The typological separation also can be based on the auditorium and communication technologies indications.

Originality/value
This study makes a significant contribution to the development of studies of corporate communication through structuring communication channels. The establishment of types, features and prospects for the development of communication channels, in particular such specific ones as corporate and social media, contribute to a more systematic approach to the methods of their use. From a practical point of view, companies can be guided by the results of this research during the formation of a mix of corporate communication.


Switched circuits are widely used, particularly for power electronic applications in which efficiency is important. Of these applications, the class-E amplifier has been given particular attention, since it is theoretically a 100%-efficient switched circuit that has been successfully demonstrated in applications such as ballasts, converters, frequency multipliers, and communication amplifiers at frequencies as high as 10 GHz. However, with increasing power or frequency, nonlinearities become extremely important, for instance, in order to achieve actual class-E operation and even to avoid destruction of the switching device. In this paper, a new method for determining the steady-state response of nonlinear circuits containing ideal switches is proposed. While the method is more general, the description is based on the class-E amplifier because of its inherent interest. The method is based on a time-domain Gear discretization of the circuit equations. A technique for determining the initial samples of the discretized equation of each topology is developed, based on the fact that state variables are constant during switching. Finally, assuming a periodic steady-state, a single algebraic system of nonlinear equations is obtained in which the unknowns are the samples of the control variable of the nonlinearity in the whole signal period. To validate the method described, a comparison with PSpice simulations is provided.


A customer's intention of reusing an e-commerce website for shopping has a great consequence for the website's profitability; therefore, understanding the factors that influence a Web-customer's reuse intention is of great importance to e-commerce. This study examines the influencing factors by constructing an integrated model with the Motivation Hub and the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory, and adopting the constructs of general and specific Internet self-efficacy, perceived performance, disconfirmation, satisfaction, and reuse intention. Six research hypotheses derived from the integrated model were validated by EQS using a field survey of the users of top 100 e-commerce websites in Taiwan. The academic implication of this study is that the integrated model explains the factors that influence Web-customers' reuse intention. For practical application, the e-commerce companies can adopt the research outcomes to ensure the success of their websites.


Background and objective : According to the Criminal Procedure Law, unnatural deaths must be investigated by forensic pathologists and police officers. The objective of this study is to investigate the demographic data and the incident of  unnatural foreigner  death  which were autopsied at the department of  Forensic Medicine, faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen university. Methods: The death certificate and autopsy reports of foreigners at the department of Forensic Medicine, faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen university during a period of five years from January 2006 to  December 2010 were reviewed. The data were  analysed by descriptive statistics and  based on their sex, age, nationality , causes  and manners of death. Results: Of  1966  unnatural death,  58 cases were foreigner. All were males, mostly were elderly who came from Europe and lived in Khon Kaen. The most common causes of death were undetermined and   disease (36.02, 31.03 %). The others include accident, homicide and suicide  which  were found 18.96, 6.89 and 6.89 %,  respectively. Conclusion: All of the unnatural death of  foreigners  were males. Most of them were elderly and lived in Khon Kaen.  Undetermined cause and disease  were the two most common causes of death.


Rupture of aortic aneurysms is by far the most fatal heart disease, with a mortality rate exceeding 80%. There are no reliable clinical protocols to predict growth, dissection, and rupture because the fundamental physics driving aneurysm progression is unknown. Here, via in-vitro experiments, we show that a blood-wall, fluttering instability manifests in synthetic arteries under pulsatile forcing. We establish a phase space to prove that the transition from stable flow to unstable aortic flutter is accurately predicted by a flutter instability parameter derived from first principles. Time resolved strain maps of the evolving system reveal the dynamical characteristics of aortic flutter that drive aneurysm progression. We show that low level instability can trigger permanent aortic growth, even in the absence of material remodeling. Sufficiently large flutter beyond a secondary threshold localizes strain in the walls to the length scale clinically observed in aortic dissection. Lastly, significant physical flutter beyond a tertiary threshold can ultimately induce aneurysm rupture via failure modes reported from necropsy. Resolving the fundamental physics of aneurysm progression directly leads to clinical protocols that forecast growth as well as intercept dissection and rupture by pinpointing their physical origin.


Even with the current development of unconventional reservoirs in the United States, where tens of thousands of wells have been drilled and completed, there is not enough understanding of the production and successful completion drivers in unconventional plays.
 The Marcellus shale is a naturally fractured formation, and it is vital to account for the natural fractures during a simulation study. A discrete fracture network (DFN) model and a 3D mechanical earth model (3D MEM) were created and used to determine the complexity of the hydraulic fracture geometry. The microseismic data obtained during the hydraulic fracture simulations served to constrain the hydraulic fracture footprint.
 The proposed workflow uses unconventional fracture modeling (UFM) to predict the propagation of complex hydraulic fracture networks with pre-existing natural fractures and model the stress shadow effect and the lamination effect considering different proppant placement by type within the fracture. Propped and unpropped fracture half-lengths obtained during history matching provide calibration for the UFM. Based on the calibrated model, an analysis of the current perforation efficiency was performed, which showed that almost half of the perforations do not contribute to the production. Optimization of well spacing and cluster spacing was performed on a two-well pad to account for well interference such as fracture hits, stress shadow, and depletion after 30 years of production. The recommended well spacing and completion design improved production by up to 20% per well compared to the initial development plan.
 The complex approach is becoming a new norm for the successful development of unconventional reservoirs because simple analytical models cannot address well interference issues and account for heterogeneity in the rock properties. The presented workflow can be consistently applied to evaluate well spacing and interference in time for the subsequent wells completed in the Marcellus to help achieve maximum recovery.


A method to assemble light-responsive or pH-responsive microcapsules loaded with different loads (tetramethylrhodamine-modified dextran, TMR-D; microperoxidase-11, MP-11; CdSe/ZnS quantum dots; or doxorubicin-modified dextran, DOX-D) is described. The method is based on the layer-by-layer deposition of sequence-specific nucleic acids on poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-functionalized CaCO3 core microparticles, loaded with the different loads, that after the dissolution of the core particles with EDTA yields the stimuli-responsive microcapsules that include the respective loads. The light-responsive microcapsules are composed of photocleavable o-nitrobenzyl-phosphate-modified DNA shells, and the pH-responsive microcapsules are made of a cytosine-rich layer cross-linked by nucleic acid bridges. Irradiating the o-nitrobenzyl phosphate-functionalized microcapsules, λ = 365 nm, or subjecting the pH-responsive microcapsules to pH = 5.0, results in the cleavage of the microcapsule shells and the release of the loads. Preliminary studies address the cytotoxicity of the DOX-D-loaded microcapsules toward MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and normal MCF-10A breast epithelial cells. Selective cytotoxicity of the DOX-D-loaded microcapsules toward cancer cells is demonstrated.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
It may be useful to reduce the exposure of transplant recipients to homologous blood. This may be achieved by procuring donor-derived red blood cell (RBC) units, collecting more peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) with a combination of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) + recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) and by administering rHuEpo post-transplantation.

DESIGN AND METHODS
Eight ABO-compatible donors were treated with rHuEpo and intravenous iron to collect 12 RBC units for use in their recipients. PBPC were collected after mobilization with rHuEpo and G-CSF in the same donors. The recipients received G-CSF and rHuEpo post-transplantation. A control group of 10 donor/recipient pairs received G-CSF alone for PBPC mobilization and after the transplantation.

RESULTS
Eighty-six out of 91 planned RBC units were collected in the donors without significant decrease in hematocrit because of a 4-fold increase in RBC production despite functional iron deficiency. After 2 leukaphereses, the cumulative yields of NC and CFU-GM were lower in the study group while those of BFU-E, CFU-Mix and CD34+ cells were similar. However, erythroid recovery was significantly accelerated in the study group.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS
Collection of 12 RBC units within 6 weeks is feasible with rHuEpo and intravenous iron; this strategy allows a dramatic reduction in recipient exposure to homologous blood; rHuEpo has no synergistic effect with G-CSF for mobilization of PBPC in normal donors and may even be deleterious; and rHuEpo in the recipient may enhance erythroid engraftment.


Objective: To determine safety of diode laser by studying post operative complications after endourological procedures in co-morbid patients. Study Design:Adescriptive study. Place & Duration of Study: Shalamar hospital, Lahore from June 2009 to June 2012. Materials and Methods: We studied post-operative complications (up to 3 months) in 3 groups (prostatic obstruction, bladder growths ,urethral strictures) of total180 patients with ASA III & IV. We assessed hematuria, UTI, abdominal pain, suprapubic discomfort, urinary retention, dysuria, incomplete procedure, cardiac or respiratory compromise, fluid overload, mortality, catheterization times and mean postoperative hospital stay Results: In prostate group, mean age was 70.8±8.6 years and follow-up period was 3 months. Complications were: mild transient haematuria in 65 (100%), creamy urine in 50 (77%), urinary tract infection in 25 (38.4%), dysuria in 16 (24.6%), retreatment required in 06 (9.2%), suprapubic discomfort in 3 (4.5%), TURP syndrome in 1 (1.5%) and significant hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion in 1 (1.5%),. In urethral strictures, the complications were: microscopic hematuria in 80 (100%), urinary tract infection in 52 (65%) suprapubic discomfort in 9 (11.2%), dysuria in 6 (7.4%) mild transient hematuria in 5 (6.2%). In bladder growths, the complications were: mild transient haematuria in 30 (85.7%), creamy urine in 19 (54.2%), suprapubic discomfort in 18 (51.`4%), dysuria in 9 (25.7%), urinary UTI in 8 (22.8%) , ablation performed in two sittings in 1 (2.8%). No mortality in any group. Conclusion: Diode laser is a safe and useful modality in patients with co-morbidities (ASAIII and IV).


In this paper, I introduce recent our results on superconductivity fluctuation measurement of high-Tc cuprate both for the hole-doped La2-xSrxCuO4 (LSCO) and the electron-doped La2-xCexCuO4 (LCCO). In hole doped LSCO, the universality class was found to change twice as a function of doping, starting from the 2D-XY, changing to the 3D XY and another 2D 'unknown' behavior. The results favors theoretical interpretations of the phase diagram of high-Tc cuprate which assume the existence of an additional hidden quantum critical point around at the optimum doping. In electron doped cuprate, the superconductivity fluctuation is 3D XY for all samples with different hole doping, which is in sharp contrast to the hole doped cuprate. Thus, the asymmetry of the phase diagram between the hole doped and the electron doped materials is another important key factor to judge the applicability of various theories on high-Tc superconductivity. Under finite magnetic fields, the scaling relation was valid only for weak fields, and for higher fields, aspects as vortices appeared. However, even at low temperatures, just above the first order phase transition, vortex picture alone cannot describe the data satisfactory. Thus, we need a unified theory for the description of a large superconductivity fluctuation under finite magnetic fields for high-Tc cuprates. Finally, I showed that our novel technique of fabricating high-Tc Josephson bridge junction using a small island of Fe was turned out to be very promising.


Salbutamol sulphate is a selective β2-adrenergic agonist and represents an effective drug for the treatment of asthma and the symptomatic alleviation of bronchospasm. Orodispersible tablets of Salbutamol sulphate were prepared using croscarmellose sodium, sodium starch glycolate, alginic acid, modified agar and modified guar gum as superdisintegrants. Precompression parameters were carried out to study the flow properties of powder to achieve uniformity of tablet weight and the values were within permissible limits. The tablets were prepared by direct compression method and possess a weight variation below ± 7.5%, hardness of 3.09 to 3.55 Kg/cm2, percentage friability of 0.310 to 0.698, in-vitro dispersion time of 22 to 54 seconds. The drug content uniformity was in between 95.94 to 99.67%, water absorption ratio of 58.58 to 87.06%, wetting time of 18 to 49.66 seconds and in vitro drug release showed that, more than 85% of the drug was released from all formulations within 15 min and revealed that the prepared tablets were able to release the drug rapidly. Among all, the formulation F12 batch Orodispersible tablets were considered to be the best formulation which showed drug release upto 98.901% within 15 min and indicated rapid absorption, effective therapy and improved bioavailability.


Dialectal Arabic (DA) is the spoken vernacular for over 300M people worldwide. DA is emerging as the form of Arabic written in online communication: chats, emails, blogs, etc. However, most existing NLP tools for Arabic are designed for processing Modern Standard Arabic, a variety that is more formal and scripted. Apart from the genre variation that is a hindrance for any language processing, even in English, DA has no orthographic standard, compared to MSA that has a standard orthography and script. Accordingly, a word may be written in many possible inconsistent spellings rendering the processing of DA very challenging. To solve this problem, such inconsistencies have to be normalized. This work is the first step towards addressing this problem, as we attempt to identify spelling variants in a given textual document. We present an unsupervised clustering approach that addresses the problem of identifying orthographic variants in DA. We employ different similarity measures that exploit string similarity and contextual semantic similarity. To our knowledge this is the first attempt at solving the problem for DA. Our approaches are tested on data in two dialects of Arabic - Egyptian and Levantine. Our system achieves the highest Entropy of 0.19 for Egyptian (corresponding to 68% cluster precision) and Levantine (corresponding to 64% cluster precision) respectively. This constitutes a significant reduction in entropy (from 0.47 for Egyptian and 0.51 for Levantine) and improvement in cluster precision (from 29% for both) from the baseline.


Twelve primiparous cycling N'dama and Muturu cows comprising 8 Ndama and 4 Muturu Cows were subjected to three hour continous observations twice daily at 0630 - 0930hrs and 1500 - 1800 hrs for a period of 9 months during which oestrous behaviour and oestrous cycle characteristics of the cows were monitored. Results indicated that oestrous cycle length in the two breeds averaged 20.09±0.56 days and 20.56±0.87 days for N'dama and Muturu cows, respectively. Durations of standing oestrus were 12.55 ± 2.93hr in the N'dama and 11.31±4.29hr in the Muturu. There were no significant breed effects (P > 0.05) on these parameters. Mounting activities in the herd were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the morning hours than in the evening hours. The practical implications of these results in relation to controlled animal breeding were discussed. Keywords : N'dama, Muturu, oestrous Cycle, Oestrus, Oestrous behaviour.


A growing problem in the diagnosis of light-induced dermatoses is provided by the number of widely used and valuable drugs capable of provoking phototoxic or photoallergic reactions. The most important are the phenothiazine derivatives, including chlorpromazine, the chlorothiazides, the sulphonyl-urea derivatives carbutamide, tolbutamide, and chlorpropamide, and the antibiotic demethylchlortetracycline. In the differential diagnosis of a photodermatosis such reactions must always be excluded, for effective treatment may require the omission rather than the administration of a drug.


Purpose: To map the sensitivity and staining of the marginal conjunctiva in soft contact lens (SCL) wearers and nonwearers and to investigate diurnal changes. Methods: Thirty-five nonwearers and 35 SCL wearers were recruited. Mechanical sensitivity was measured at 8 locations on the ocular surface and adnexa (cornea, marginal, bulbar, and tarsal conjunctivae) using the Cochet–Bonnet aesthesiometer. Lid margin staining (lissamine green) was assessed through image analysis. Measurements were repeated at 12 hours in 11 nonwearers and 10 symptomatic SCL wearers. Results: The marginal conjunctiva was the most sensitive conjunctival region (all P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in sensitivity at 12 hours (all P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in sensitivity between the 2 groups in the morning for the lower lid tarsal conjunctiva (P = 0.003). After 12 hours, the sensitivity of the lower lid marginal conjunctiva was found to be reduced in SCL wearers compared with nonwearers (all P < 0.05). Lower lid margin staining was greater than upper lid margin staining in both groups (all P < 0.05). In the SCL wearers, a significant increase in lower lid margin staining was found at 12 hours compared with the morning (P = 0.04). After 12 hours, lower lid margin staining was significantly greater in SCL wearers compared with nonwearers (P = 0.03). Conclusions: This work has demonstrated that the marginal conjunctiva is the most sensitive conjunctival region. After 12 hours, symptomatic lens wearers showed decreased sensitivity of the lower marginal conjunctiva and increased lower lid margin lissamine green staining compared with those of the nonwearers.


Virtual reality(VR) is a hot research topic, and it has been effectively applied in military, education and other fields. The application prospect of virtual reality in education is very broad. It can effectively reduce labor cost, resource consumption, stimulate students' interest in learning, and improve students' knowledge level. New energy vehicles have also been widely promoted in recent years, and the production of new energy vehicles has played a key role in it. However, the teaching of car engine disassembly and assembly still retains a more traditional way. That's why applying VR technology has high significance. This project uses the Unity 3D engine to develop a VR-based engine teaching software, which aims to allow users to use VR headsets, handles and other accessories to simulate the disassembly and assembly of car engines in a virtual environment. We design a modular system framework and divided the software into two layers, the system layer and the function layer. The system layer includes a message system and a data configuration system. The functional layer includes the user interface system, disassembly and assembly function, and data module. In addition to fulfilling functional requirements , we used the Unity UPR tool to check out performance issues, and optimized product performance by turning off vertical sync and turning on static switches for some scene objects.


Characteristic features of European woodland include both a reduction in natural forest areas and an increase in former agricultural areas occupied by secondary woodland. The management of these areas is challenging in terms of nature conservation, agricultural and forestry management and policy. The aim of our study was to reconstruct the history and to document the current tree stand structure for a secondary oak-beech woodland in Hungary. Towards the end of the 1800s, this area which was once almost completely occupied by a continuous forest, had been transformed into a wood-pasture. As a result of its gradual abandonment, the closed forest stand of the pasture increased from 10 to 52% between 1963 and 2005. The most characteristic feature of this woodland is the abundance of large trees. Globally, the number of large and ancient trees is rapidly diminishing. Therefore preserving and maintaining such areas, where large trees could live, is an essential management task.


Costochondritis causes pain in the lower rib area or upper breastbone. Some patients fear they are having a heart attack. The most severe pain is usually between the breast and the upper abdomen. The pain may be greater when in sitting or reclining positions. Stress may aggravate this condition. Generally the third or fourth ribs are affected. However, any of the seven costochondral junctions may be affected, and more often than not more than one site is involved. The inflammation can involve cartilage areas on both sides of the sternum, but usually is on one side only. Costochondritis should be distinguished from Tietze Syndrome, which is an inflammation involving the same area of the chest, but also includes swelling.


Background After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, children of the contaminated Narodichesky region of Ukraine were obliged to participate in a yearly medical screening. They have been exposed to 137cesium (137Cs; half-life = 30 years) in contaminated soils, air, and food. Objective Using a "natural experiment" approach and a longitudinal prospective cohort study design, we investigated the association of soil 137Cs and spirometry measures for 415 children using 1,888 repeated measurements from 1993 to 1998. Methods Mean baseline village soil 137Cs measurements, which varied from 29.0 to 879 kBq/m2, were used as exposure indicators. A standardized spirometry protocol and prediction equations specific to Ukrainian children were used by the same pulmonologist in all screenings. Results Children living in villages with the highest quintile of soil 137Cs were 2.60 times more likely to have forced vital capacity (FVC) < 80% of predicted [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–6.34] and 5.08 times more likely to have a ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) to FVC% < 80% (95% CI, 1.02–25.19). We found statistically significant evidence of both airway obstruction (FEV1/FVC%, peak expiratory flow, and maximum expiratory flow at 25%, 50%, and 75% of FVC) and restriction (FVC) with increasing soil 137Cs. Conclusions These findings are unique and suggest significant airway obstruction and restriction consequences for children chronically exposed to low-dose radioactive contaminants such as those found downwind of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.


The authors of ''Functional Visual Acuity in Age-Related Macular Degeneration,'' which appeared in the January 2016 issue of Optometry and Vision Science, inadvertently neglected to report a conflict of interest for one author. Kazuo Tsubota holds the patent rights for the method and the apparatus used for the measurement of functional visual acuity (US patent no. 7470026). The other authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.


NSW is in the process of implementing major reforms to the management of water resources. One of the key components of these reforms is that "Groundwater management policies should employ the principles of ecologically sustainable development and should be directed at achieving sustainable use of the resource". The implications of this recommendation vary significantly across NSW according to the level of irrigation development and the environmental conditions of aquifers. The Namoi Valley is one region where groundwater has been identified as suffering from both over allocation and over use. Without change, groundwater dependant ecosystems, irrigators and other users face further declines in groundwater quality and quantity with potential aquifer collapse. Consequently, changes to the level of groundwater extractions are required and, not surprisingly, there have been various methods put forward by stakeholders as to how the impacts of this reduction should be distributed. To assess the on-farm economic impacts of groundwater reallocation, a representative farm model was developed for a typical cotton farming system. This paper describes the development of the representative farm model and provides an overview of initial results. Results of the representative farm modeling indicate that reallocation is likely to create significant structural adjustment pressures for some groundwater irrigators in the Namoi Valley and for the local community.


Highly ordered quaternary semiconductor Cu(2)ZnSnS(4) nanowires array have been prepared via a facile solvothermal approach using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as a hard template. The as-prepared nanowires are uniform and single crystalline. They grow along either the crystalline [110] or [111] direction. The structure, morphology, composition, and optical absorption properties of the as-prepared Cu(2)ZnSnS(4) samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-vis spectrometry. A possible formation mechanism of the nanowire arrays is proposed. Governed by similar mechanism, we show that Cu(2)ZnSnSe(4) nanowire array with similar structural characteristics can also be obtained.


Cooperative relaying is often deployed to enhance the communication reliability (i.e., diversity order) and consequently the end-to-end achievable rate. However, this raises several security concerns when the relays are untrusted, since they may have access to the relayed message. In this paper, we study the achievable secrecy diversity order of cooperative networks with untrusted relays. In particular, we consider a network with an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-antenna transmitter (Alice), <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula> single-antenna relays, and a single-antenna destination (Bob). We consider the general scenario, where there is no relation between <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and therefore, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula> can be larger than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Alice and Bob are assumed to be far away from each other, and all communication is done through the relays, i.e., there is no direct link. Providing secure communication while enhancing the diversity order has been shown to be very challenging. In fact, it has been shown in the literature that the maximum achievable secrecy diversity order for the adopted system model is one (while using artificial noise jamming). In this paper, we adopt a nonlinear interference alignment scheme that we have proposed recently to transmit the signals from Alice to Bob. We analyze the proposed scheme in terms of the achievable secrecy rate and secrecy diversity order. Assuming Gaussian inputs, we derive an explicit expression for the achievable secrecy rate and show analytically that a secrecy diversity order of up to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\min (N,K)-1$ </tex-math></inline-formula> can be achieved using the proposed technique. We provide several numerical examples to validate the obtained analytical results and demonstrate the superiority of the proposed technique to its counterparts that exist in the literature.


Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the USA. Surgery is the primary treatment for most patients with CRC. Over the past 15 years, minimally invasive techniques for colorectal surgery have been developed. There is growing evidence that these techniques have significant advantages in short-term outcomes (e.g., postoperative pain and length of hospital stay) with similar long-term recurrence and overall survival. While transanal local excision has been shown to be inferior to radical resection for early rectal cancer, transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique that appears to facilitate local excision in appropriate patients. TEM combined with radiotherapy has demonstrated promising early results and is currently being investigated in clinical trials as a potential alternative to radical surgery. We summarize the current literature on these minimally invasive approaches to CRC.


Background: This study assessed health promoting lifestyle behaviors (HPLP) among apprentices trained in the Kayseri Turkey Vocational Education Center. Methods: This descriptive study was performed in 2012 in a province of Turkey. The study group included a cohort of 332 students attending the Vocational Education Center. All data were collected by using a 54-item (6-item related with socio-demographic and 48 item related with HPLP Scale) questionnaire. Data were evaluated by independent t test, One-Way Anova and Multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: In the study group, 88.0% were male and 12.0% were female. The mean age of participants was 17.1 ± 1.5 years. The mean HPLP scale score was 111.2 ± 22.0. The mean sub-scale scores were as follows: self-actualization 34.6 ± 7.5, interpersonal relations 18.6 ± 4.3, exercise 9.4 ± 3.0, nutrition 13.9 ± 3.5, stress management 16.2 ± 4.0, and health responsibility 18.6 ± 5.7. Age groups, regular payment and job satisfaction were significant variables for sub-scales of HPLP. In the regression analysis, job satisfaction had a significant impact on HPLP sub-scale scores. Conclusions: Healthy lifestyle behaviors were moderate level among students. Physical activity and health responsibility scores were the lowest scores. "Health Protection and Development" should be included as a standard component of vocational education.


In light of the rapid growth of dc loads, ICPS created a small team to outline design considerations for dc distribution and controls. Broad interest in the subject brought in a large group who provided substantial support for the Team. The report begins with a brief background followed by discussion of design considerations that affect ICPS and IAS. The key part of the report is Part IV, which outlines in detail a path forward for ICPS and for IAS. Appendix A outlines an approach toward developing dc standards or recommended practices for design of industrial and commercial power systems. Appendix B lists some of the organizations and individuals that are working on related dc issues at present.


Effects of 0.5 wt% Indium addition on the oxidation of Au-Pt-Cu alloy, the interfacial microstructure and bonding strength between porcelain and Au-Pt-Cu-xIn alloys(x = 0, 0.5wt%) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, and a tensile tester. The bonding strength of the Au-Pt-Cu and Au-Pt-Cu-0.5In alloys with porcelain was about 24.6 MPa and 49.5 MPa in average, respectively. This higher bonding strength in the Au-Pt-Cu-0.5In alloy compared with the Au-Pt-Cu alloy without In is ascribed to the formation of In2O3 at the interface between porcelain and Au-Pt-Cu-0.5In alloy. Especially, the formation of In2O3 at the interface between porcelain and Au-Pt-Cu-0.5In alloy leads to enhancing chemical bonding between In2O3 and various oxides in porcelain, and also to improving the anchoring effect.


: In this paper I consider an interpretation of future contingents which motivates a unification of a Łukasiewicz-style logic with the more classical supervaluational semantics. This in turn motivates a new non-classical logic modelling what is "made true by history up until now." I give a simple Hilbert-style proof theory, and a soundness and completeness argument for the proof theory with respect to the intended models.


Photoplethysmography (PPG) signal has been used widely for detection of pulse rate from peripheral blood volume. PPG is a novel non-invasive method with the advantage of convenience and accuracy. The dichrotic notches, ectopic beats and apertures are the prominent features that can be extracted from PPG signal for computing different physiological vital parameters. In this paper, we have discussed various feature extraction techniques.


Relative intensity noise (RIN) in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) was greatly reduced through the use of polarization control to eliminate competition between two orthogonal polarization states by ensuring there was only one polarization state. Polarization was stable with optical feedback of up to 10%. Polarization control was achieved by inducing a small loss anisotropy in fundamental transversal mode VCSEL's. Anisotropic post structures, such as a rectangular post, an oblique post, or a zigzag-sidewall post, were found to be effective in creating loss anisotropy without serious degradation of other VCSEL characteristics such as light-output power or beam profile.


This article summarizes our investigation about technologies for moisture sensing, a parameter of analysis and study over many years because it serves to estimate the quality, and performance at commercial and environmental level. This paper presents some contributions. First, we developed a new classification about the most representative system in research and scientific articles. We shows applications of the technology in recent years according to the consulted articles. Also, we expose systems for soil and vegetation moisture measurement, this is an important application in this decade because helps to agriculture and many control applications (forestall fires, earthquakes, etc.). Finally, the tendency about new investigations is presented. This paper is important for microwave sensors designers and investigators in moisture control, because they will have a reference about what kind of method they have to use for a specific application required.


Network coding allows intermediate nodes to encode data packets to improve network throughput and robustness. However, it increases the propagation speed of polluted data packets if a malicious node injects fake data packets into the network, which degrades the bandwidth efficiency greatly and leads to incorrect decoding at sinks. In this paper, insights on new mathematical relations in linear network coding are presented and a key predistribution-based tag encoding scheme KEPTE is proposed, which enables all intermediate nodes and sinks to detect the correctness of the received data packets. Furthermore, the security of KEPTE with regard to pollution attack and tag pollution attack is quantitatively analyzed. The performance of KEPTE is competitive in terms of: low computational complexity; the ability that all intermediate nodes and sinks detect pollution attack; the ability that all intermediate nodes and sinks detect tag pollution attack; and high fault-tolerance ability. To the best of our knowledge, the existing key predistribution-based schemes aiming at pollution detection can only achieve at most three points as described above. Finally, discussions on the application of KEPTE to practical network coding are also presented.


A new approach for solving the 3D MHD equations in a strongly magnetized toroidal plasma is presented which uses high-order 2D finite elements with C1 continuity. The vector fields use a physics-based decomposition. An efficient implicit time advance separates the velocity and field advance. ITAPS (SCOREC) adaptivity software and TOPS solvers are used.


Traditionally in the vector space model of document representation for various IR (Information Retrieval) tasks, all the content words are used without considering their individual significance in the language. Such methods treat a document as a bag-of-words and do not exploit any language related information. It is obvious that considering such information in representing the documents can help in improving the performance of various IR tasks, but how to obtain this information is considered to be difficult. One of the information that can be important is the knowledge about the role of various parts-of-speech (POS). Although importance of various POS is very subjective and depends on the application as well as the domain under consideration, it can be very useful to evaluate their importance even in a general setup. In this paper we present a study to understand this importance. We first generate the document vectors using particular POS. We then evaluate how good is this representation. This is done by measuring the information content provided by document vectors. This information is then used to reconstruct the document vectors. In order to show that these document vectors are better than those of generated by traditional methods, we consider text classification application. We show some improvement in classification accuracy, but more importantly, we demonstrate the consistency in the results and a step toward a new and promising direction for using semantics for IR tasks.


OBJECTIVE
Between February 2014 and September 2015 a large measles outbreak (5,084 cases) occurred in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H). The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of routine measles vaccination in the FB&H.

METHODS
We conducted an analysis of the resurgence period surveillance data and a retrospective cohort study involving primary school aged children in randomly selected schools.

RESULTS
Measles cases occurred among all age groups, mostly among the unvaccinated. Among fully immunized, 2.1% contracted measles. Measles vaccine effectiveness was high. The study indicates that one dose reduced the risk for measles by 91.9% (95% CI: 81.4-96.4%), two doses reduced the risk by 97.3% (95% CI: 95.5-98.4%). No evidence of waning immunity was found. Our survey reveals that a significant number of children had no immunization status registered.

CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that the resurgence was likely caused by an accumulation of measles-susceptible children not being vaccinated. This vaccine effectiveness study does not support possible vaccination failure as a contributing factor.


Health care is changing rapidly. It is incumbent upon the advanced practice nurse (APN) to discern the signposts of this change and sit at the table where the new script is being written. Newer models of community-based primary care delivery demand a broader approach to delivering health services and call the APN to be at the center of this change, leading partners and patients into a more effective and consumer-focused health system.


Circadian rhythms in cortisol and testosterone in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were studied in four groups of male and female talapoin monkeys. Samples were taken 4 h apart under two conditions: whilst the sexes were kept separate (isosexual) and again after 24 h of interaction (heterosexual). There were similar rhythms in cortisol in males and females during the isosexual condition, though in blood (but not in CSF) mean levels were higher in females. Heterosexual interaction increased cortisol levels in both sexes (though more so in males), and also altered the shape of the rhythm, acrophase being delayed by 4 h in males and by 2 h in females. The amplitude of the rhythm was not altered. Cortisol levels were positively correlated in both males and females with the amount of aggression received from other males, but not from females nor with the animal's social rank. Circadian rhythms in serum testosterone in males were also altered by heterosexual interaction. Access to females delayed acrophase by 2 h, but had no effect on mean levels (unlike the effect on cortisol). As for cortisol, the amplitude of the testosterone rhythm remained unchanged. Serum testosterone was negatively correlated with aggression from males, but not from females nor with sexual interaction. This was associated with a pronounced decrease in the levels of testosterone during the night, not observed in males receiving no aggression from others. There was a non-significant trend towards a positive correlation between social rank and serum testosterone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


PurposeRecently, interest in sustainability has grown globally in the heavy vehicle and equipment industry (HVEI). However, this industry's complexity poses a challenge to the implementation of generic sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices. This study aims to identify SSCM's barriers, practices and performance (BPP) indicators in the HVEI context.Design/methodology/approachThe results are derived from case studies of four multinational manufacturers. Within-case and cross-case analyses were conducted to categorise the SSCM BPP indicators that are unique to HVEI supply chains.FindingsThis study's analysis revealed that supply chain cost implications and a deficient information flow between focal firms and supply chain partners are the key barriers to SSCM in the HVEI. This analysis also revealed a set of policies, programmes and procedures that manufacturers have adopted to address SSCM barriers. The most common SSCM performance indicators included eco-portfolio sales to assess economic performance, health and safety indicators for social sustainability and carbon- and energy-related measures for environmental sustainability.Practical implicationsThe insights can help HVEI firms understand and overcome the typical SSCM barriers in their industry and develop, deploy and optimise their SSCM strategies and practices. Managers can use this knowledge to identify appropriate mechanisms with which to accelerate their transition into a sustainable business and effectively measure performance outcomes.Originality/valueThe extant SSCM literature has focused on the light vehicle industry, and it has lacked a concrete examination of HVEI supply chains' sustainability BPP. This study develops a framework that simultaneously analyses SSCM BPP in the HVEI.


Immunohistochemical studies on metastatic carcinomas of unknown primary site are cost-effective and often allow a specific identification of the tumour origin, especially if the metastases are adenocarcinomas by light microscopy. Commercially available site-specific markers include prostate-specific antigen, thyroglobulin, thyroid transcription factor-1, uroplakin III, GCDFP-15, oestrogen and progesterone receptors, alpha-fetoprotein, the A103 monoclonal antibody against MART-1, cytokeratins 7 and 20, cytokeratins of basal cell type, p63, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA125, EMA, vimentin, HepPar-1, WT-1 and S100 protein. However, immunostaining with most of these markers does not show an absolute specificity for a certain primary site. For this reason, histopathologists interpretating staining results with these markers should take the available clinical data and the histological features of the metastatic carcinoma into consideration. These data are necessary to estimate the relative a priori probability of possible carcinomas. Based on Bayes' theorem, the a priori probability can then be used to calculate the diagnostically relevant predictive values for immunostaining results with the chosen markers.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was the evaluation of serology results in Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Training and Research Hospital Microbiology Laboratory between 2012 and 2013 among cases from different divisions for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, retrospectively.

METHODS
Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by a commercial kit in serum samples. The age and gender of cases, the division where the samples were sent and the changes in the seropositivity between years were evaluated statistically by chi-square test.

RESULTS
Totally 1162 cases varying from 9 months to 85 ages (mean 29.1 ± 10.8) were included in the study, due to the orders from divisions anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were investigated in 747 samples and 154 (20.6%) of them were positive. Anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies were investigated in 1112 samples and 27 of them (2.4%) were positive. The seropositivity of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were increased with age (p = 0.001) and a significant relationship was found with anti-Toxoplasma IgM seropositivity and the division where the samples were sent (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that as in the other parts, toxoplasmosis is an important public health concern in Muğla and it is crucial especially for women in reproductive age, the risk group for toxoplasmosis, should be informed about toxoplasmosis.


The distortion and the statistical accuracy of single photon decay spectrometers with and without pile-up correction are determined. The effect of the statistical properties of the radiation is discussed.