ObjectiveThis study compared transcutaneous carbon dioxide partial pressure (PtcCO2) and end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (PetCO2) monitoring during sleep for patients with neuromuscular disease. DesignThis is a retrospective study of patients whose PtcCO2 and PetCO2 were monitored before they began using noninvasive mechanical ventilation. The outcomes were divided into four groupings: group 1, both PtcCO2 and PetCO2 are greater than or equal to 49 mm Hg; group 2, PtcCO2 is greater than or equal to 49 mm Hg but PetCO2 is less than 49 mm Hg; group 3, PtcCO2 is less than 49 mm Hg but PetCO2 is greater than or equal to 49 mm Hg; and group 4, both PtcCO2 and PetCO2 are less than 49 mm Hg. ResultsA total of 39 subjects (mean [SD] age, 27.7 [19.3] yrs) were enrolled. PtcCO2 values were significantly higher than PetCO2 values (P < 0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient between maximal and mean values of PtcCO2 and PetCO2 was 0.612 and 0.718, respectively. Bias and limits of agreement between PtcCO2 and PetCO2 were −7.5 mm Hg and −21.3 to 6.3 mm Hg for maximal values and −4.8 mm Hg and −14.8 to 5.3 mm Hg for mean values. Group 2 included 19 (48.7%) and group 3 included 3 (7.6%) patients who showed discrepancy of hypercapnia between two methods. ConclusionsMaximum PtcCO2 was significantly greater than maximum PetCO2 for both groups and, therefore, tends to be higher than PetCO2 in this population. This should be taken into consideration when assessing patients for sleep hypoventilation.


In experimental pancreatitis induced by the modified Agai technique, the combined administration of 5-fluorouracil and intralipid produced an appreciable therapeutic effect, preventing the development of acinus necrosis and suppurative melting of the gland tissue. It is suggested that the effect of the pharmacological combination is consequent on the inhibitory action of 5-fluorouracil on DNA and RNA synthesis by exocrine cells of the pancreas and on the stabilizing action on the cellular and capillary membranes of unsaturated fatty acids constituting intralipid.


In practical sensor networks, it is possible that various components of the sensor network are owned and maintained by different organizations. This complicated scenario renders provision of security and management of these components as a challenging task. A framework for assured and controlled access for sensor networks is needed. In this paper, we describe such an architecture which integrates various component technologies into a unified framework. We also describe details of a proof-ofconcept implementation, an IEEE 1451 based multi-hop wireless sensor network application that demonstrates the salient features of our unified multi-ownership architecture


Abstract Mycorrhizal associations are widespread in high‐latitude ecosystems and are potentially of great importance for global carbon dynamics. Although large herbivores play a key part in shaping subarctic plant communities, their impact on mycorrhizal dynamics is largely unknown. We measured extramatrical mycelial (EMM) biomass during one growing season in 16‐year‐old herbivore exclosures and unenclosed control plots (ambient), at three mountain birch forests and two shrub heath sites, in the Scandes forest‐tundra ecotone. We also used high‐throughput amplicon sequencing for taxonomic identification to investigate differences in fungal species composition. At the birch forest sites, EMM biomass was significantly higher in exclosures (1.36 ± 0.43 g C/m2) than in ambient conditions (0.66 ± 0.17 g C/m2) and was positively influenced by soil thawing degree‐days. At the shrub heath sites, there was no significant effect on EMM biomass (exclosures: 0.72 ± 0.09 g C/m2; ambient plots: 1.43 ± 0.94). However, EMM biomass was negatively related to Betula nana abundance, which was greater in exclosures, suggesting that grazing affected EMM biomass positively. We found no significant treatment effects on fungal diversity but the most abundant ectomycorrhizal lineage/cortinarius, showed a near‐significant positive effect of herbivore exclusion (p = .08), indicating that herbivory also affects fungal community composition. These results suggest that herbivory can influence fungal biomass in highly context‐dependent ways in subarctic ecosystems. Considering the importance of root‐associated fungi for ecosystem carbon balance, these findings could have far‐reaching implications.


Homogenization of guinea pig liver in isotonic sucrose solution followed by the separation of the subcellular fractions by differential centrifugation releases the liver L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 184.108.40.206) activity into the supernatant fraction. Electron micrographs of the liver L-asparaginase-antibody complexes, precipitated from the clear supernatant phase by addition of L-asparaginase-specific antiserum, show membrane-liek structures and some amorphous material. The attachment of L-asparaginase to the membrane-like structures is indicated by the ferritin-labeled antibody technique. The immunoprecipitates possess low activities of 5'-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphodiesterase I, NADPH cytochrome c reductase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and acid phosphatase. This observation suggests that L-asparaginase found in the liver supernatant fraction is associated with cytomembrane components. Analysis of guinae pig serum L-asparaginase-antibody complexes is polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate gives three distinct protein bands. These bands correspond to heavy and light chains of rabbit immunoglobulins and the L-asparaginase subunits. Analysis of the liver L-asparaginase-antibody complexes by the above procedure shows similar but more diffuse protein bands.


Individuals exposed to both job loss and marital dissolution are likely to be highly disadvantaged, having experienced stresses and losses in the two primary domains of life. Moreover, recent literature finds that exposure to one event tends to increase risk of the other. However, next to nothing is known about the size or composition – or changes therein – of the divorced/separated and unemployed (DSU) subpopulation. Using large, nationally representative, repeated cross-sectional datasets extending back to 1984, we aim to fill this gap for the UK. We give a descriptive account of the prevalence and social distribution of DSU, and of the cross-sectional association between its two component states: among which groups, by education and gender, does being either divorced/separated or unemployed most strongly imply a heightened risk of also being the other, and how has this changed over time? We find stable and strong educational inequality in DSU, while the gender gap has narrowed and recently closed. The association between the two states is stronger among men; has weakened strikingly over the time period we consider, for both men and, especially, women; and is educationally stratified among men but not women. Contrary to expectations, higher-educated men in one of the two states are most likely to also be in the other. Possible explanations and further questions are discussed. In particular, we highlight the possibility that over this time period the divorced/separated have become more like the general population, rather than a negatively selected subgroup among whom unemployment is a particular risk.


Abstract. The analysis of fog distribution over Switzerland consists of two different studies: The first deals with the spatial determination of fog frequencies and fog types for the early morning. It was realized by using the daily observations of 320 stations. This point by point information was spatially interpolated with the aid ofthe information (mean fog cover frequency) of 94 typical fog distributions detected from NOAA satellite data. The derived fog map of Switzerland includes four different fog zones: ground fog zone, fog-free intermediary and high fog (stratus) zone, fog-free slope zone, lower up-slope fog zone. The result of the second study consists of four maps showing the fog cover frequency of the important weather types with fog layers over the Swiss Alpine foreland. They were traced out by using the above mentioned satellite data. The four maps indicate clearly that the fog and cold air distribution during anticyclonic weather situations is strongly determined by the sub-synoptic pressure and wind field.


SUMMARY National health statistics report a 2·5-fold increase in laboratory-confirmed Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) cases over the last decade in Switzerland where no CT screening programme exists. We obtained essential denominator information to describe the epidemiology of CT in the canton of Basel-Stadt, an urban canton in north-western Switzerland. Laboratories reporting at least two CT infections from Basel-Stadt residents to the SFOPH in 2010 provided demographic and test-related data. CT positivity rates were calculated for 2002–2010. The influences of test year, age, sex and laboratory on CT positivity were investigated in a multivariable model. Positivity differed between sexes and age groups. In our sample of 32 034 records, female and male CT positivity rates were 4·7% and 11·1%, respectively. Test year was significantly associated with test outcome in the multivariable analysis but no time trend was observed. CT positivity did not change over the past 9 years in Basel-Stadt. In contrast to other European countries without CT screening, we found no evidence that the observed increase of Chlamydia cases in the national notification system represents an epidemiological trend, but rather results from an increased testing frequency.


B7 Background
 The vascular disruptive agent (VDA) CA4P induces significant tumor necrosis as a single agent. Vascular shut down is reversible and tumors can re-grow due to vascularisation of the surviving tumor rim. Pre-clinical models have demonstrated that the addition of an anti-VEGF antibody to a VDA significantly increases anti-tumor activity, possibly by inhibiting neo-vascularization of the surviving rim. The purpose of this first clinical study combining a VDA with an anti-angiogenic drug was to establish the safety of the CA4P / bevacizumab combination and to investigate potential mechanisms of synergy.
 Methods
 Patients with advanced solid malignancies received CA4P at 45mg/m2 (cohort 1), 54mg/m2 (cohort 2) or 63mg/m2 (cohort 3) every 14 days in combination with bevacizumab at 10mg/kg. Principal inclusion criteria included no significant history of ischaemic heart disease, PS ECOG 0/1 and no prior exposure to agents acting on the VEGF pathway. Pharmacokinetics, toxicity and anti-tumor responses were assessed. Functional imaging with DCE-MRI was performed at baseline, after CA4P alone and after CA4P + bevacizumab in the 1st cycle. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and progenitors (CEPs) were enumerated and serum/plasma biomarkers measured.
 Results
 At the time of abstract submission, cohorts 1 and 2 were complete (n=6). No dose limiting (grade 3/4) toxicities were seen. Most common grade 1/2 toxicities were headache, hypertension, pruritis, and pyrexia. Asymptomatic transient self-limiting ECG changes were seen in 2 patients with no evidence of myocardial damage. DCE-MRI showed statistically significant reductions in tumor perfusion/vascular permeability (36% group reductions in Ktrans) in 5 out of 7 evaluable patients (2/7 patients with 100% reduction) which reversed after CA4P alone but which were sustained following bevacizumab. CECs, CEPS, VEGF and SDF-1 all increased following CA4P administration. 3/6 evaluable patients experienced stable disease (1 >2 months and 2 >4 months ongoing). Tumor markers in three patients improved.
 Conclusion
 CA4P in combination with bevacizumab appears safe and well tolerated in this dosing schedule with evidence of early clinical activity. CA4P induced profound changes in tumor perfusion/permeability which were maintained by the presence of bevacizumab. CA4P induces an acute rise in CECs and CEPs. This therapeutic combination warrants further investigation.


This compelling story of Bertrande de Rols is a rich novella with the timeless power of a fable. It was based on a famous story of a court case in mid-16th century France. Janet Lewis depicts a distant time and a traditional, rural culture based on a highly ordered patriarchal structure. When "Martin Guerre" returns from a quest after eight years, the family embraces him, and Bertrande is swept up in the relief at the apparent return to the security of the old order. But Martin has changed, and Bertrande threatens the established order with her defiant quest for the truth. Once the accusation of false identity is laid formally and the trial process begins. Many witnesses are called. Bertrande is pressured to withdraw, and she herself is reluctant to see "Martin" executed. Finally, the real, battle-weary Martin stumbles into the courtroom and is instantly recognized. He shows no mercy to Bertrande for allowing herself to be deceived. The real facts emerge, but the fate of Bertrande and Martin remains open-ended.


We previously proposed a priority control scheme in an ATM switch to guarantee the quality of service (QoS) of important power system communications and evaluated its implementation for a single ATM node. We are now interested in the QoS guarantees for total ATM network system which contains many ATM switch nodes, traffic paths from end to end. This paper shows the applicability of our proposed priority control model in the total ATM network system and the limit of network configuration parameters, for example number of channels and ATM switch nodes, under the required QoS conditions for both teleprotection signals and other traffic in the ATM network. Also, to keep the fairness among teleprotection signals in an ATM switch, and thus to reduce two-way differential delays, we improved our priority control for teleprotection signals by adding a delay time control. Under the required QoS conditions, we show that the ATM network with our improved priority control can transmit more channels of teleprotection signals and data traffic than networks using current priority control methods.


peripheral adaptations. Adaptations which shift OBLA allow an individual to exercise at higher work rates for longer periods, translating into better overall endurance performance. PURPOSE: Identify TID related factors that delay OBLA for competitive runners. METHODS: Sixteen University of Oklahoma Cross Country athletes (8 males and 8 females) initially performed two lactate threshold (LT) tests to determine training intensity zones (TIZ) based on heart rate (HR) and blood lactate. TIZ categories consisted of: low (Z1) = LA <2mM, moderate (Z2) ≥2mM and ≤4 mM, and high intensity (Z3) >4M. Subjects subsequently wore GPS HR monitors (blinded) to practice every day for the next 5 weeks, including all training runs and races, while concluding the study with a final LT test. Total training time and TID parameters were recorded as well as the performance metrics of both running speed and aerobic cost at OBLA (S4 and AC4). Correlational analysis and multiple regression estimation were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Bivariate correlations were not significant between most TID variables and the performance variables. However, when using multiple regression (α = 0.05) to control for gender differences, total training time emerged as having a statistically significant (p < 0.01) negative relationship with performance changes (ΔS4, ΔAC4) over the time frame examined. Additionally, the coefficient analysis suggested that the proportion of training time in Z3 might be positively related to ΔS4 (p = 0.089) and ΔAC4 (p = 0.062). CONCLUSION: This study shows that improvements in an athlete's S4 and AC4 may be achieved by decreasing overall training time and potentially increasing the proportion of time in Z3. From a practical point of view, this could be achieved by elimination of training time in Z1 and/or Z2.


Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have been an attractive target for cancer research because these kinases are predominantly active during cell division. AG-012986 is a small molecule pan-CDK inhibitor that has in vitro and in vivo antitumor properties. This compound was stopped during development due in part to rapid bone-marrow independent white blood cell toxicity in non-human primate and rodent species, and the potential for acute and delayed immunosuppression in humans. Because peripheral leukocytes are largely nonproliferating cells, it was hypothesized that the effects of AG-012986 was due to an off-target mechanism and not driven by the intended pharmacology. Using primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and T-cells, we show that AG-012986 has a toxicity profile with greater specificity and more rapid cell death compared to the prototypical ATP-competitive kinase inhibitor, staurosporine. The cell toxicity mechanism was caspase-dependent and contained the hallmarks of apoptosis as indicated by cells staining double positive for propidium iodide and annexin-V. PBMCs or T-cells treated with AG-012986 and acutely stimulated either pharmacologically or through the T-cell receptor (TCR), exhibited decreased cellular toxicity compared to non-stimulated control cells. Interestingly under activating conditions with the pan-CDK compound, T-cells did not undergo significant cell division, as measured by BrdU incorporation, and were also rescued from apoptosis. This indicates that the pharmacology of AG-012986 was functioning as expected but that the toxicity due to its off-target effect had now been decoupled through cellular activation. Investigating the downstream signaling network showed that phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase was impaired in the presence of AG-012986. Thus we hypothesize that AG-012986 may target the upstream kinase MKK3 and/or MKK6 for inhibition under basal conditions, leading to cell death in T cells and perhaps other white blood cells. Citation Information: Clin Cancer Res 2010;16(14 Suppl):A10.


Ellipticine (E) [5,11-dimethyl-6H-pyrido-(4,3-b)-carbazole, NSC-71795] is an antineoplastic agent which is active against L1210 lymphocytic leukemia in mice. Preclinical toxicologic studies demonstrated hemolysis in dogs and monkeys following intravenous administration of 1.5 mg/kg. This finding prompted this investigation of the mechanism of hemolysis and a study of the various factors that might ameliorate this effect. Initial experiments demonstrated that human red blood cells were completely hemolyzed at an E concentration of 10(-3) M, while a concentration of 10(-4) M stabilized red blood cells against 150 mOsM NaCl. The extent of hemolysis correlated well with the surface activities, lipophilic properties and cellular uptake of E and some of its derivatives (7,10-dimethylellipticine, isoellipticine, 9-methoxyellipticine and 11-demethylellipticine). The greatest hemolysis occurred with 7,10-dimethylellipticine and the least with 11-demethylellipticine. The cellular uptake of E and its derivatives was linear over a wide concentration range and was not temperature-dependent. Hemolysis could be blocked by citrate, sodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate, oxytetracycline and [(+/-)-1,2-bis(3,5-dioxopiperazin-1-y1)propane]. The inhibition of E uptake by citrate appears to be a noncompetitive process and has a K1 of 1.9 X 10(-3) M. These data suggest that Ca++ might be involved in the hemolytic process and in the cellular uptake of E. The intravenous administration of ellipticine to rhesus monkey caused severe hemolysis which could be prevented by simultaneous injection of citrate.


The nutritional value of six tropical seaweeds ( Sargassum wightii, Ulva lactuca, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Hypnea musciformis, Acanthophora spicifera and Gracilaria corticata) as complementary source of dietary proteins for human and animal nutrition based on amino acid profile was evaluated. All these species showed similar non-essential amino acid patterns in which aspartic and glutamic acids constituted together a large part of the amino acid fraction (25.2% to 29.5%). Among these, Hypnea musciformis possessed higher amino acid content and better amino acid profile and all of them were generally rich in phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine and tryptophan and deficient in methionine, cysteine, leucine and lysine. Except U. lactuca all others showed a balanced amino acid profile comparable to FAO reference pattern. Seaweeds being rich in minerals, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as phycocolloids, partial substitution of costly protein sources in animal feeds with seaweed protein may improve feed quality while reducing the cost.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

Introduction: BEN is an alkylating agent in early clinical trials based on its in vitro and in vivo activity against renal cell carcinoma. We have previously reported that BEN is rapidly metabolized into its carboxylic acid (BA) and that BEN and BA undergo chemical conversion in vitro. In support of current clinical trials, we characterized the pharmacokinetics of BEN, BA, and their products in mice.

Materials & Methods: Female CD2F1 mice were dosed with 20 mg/kg BEN i.v. Twelve blood samples were obtained between 0 and 24 hrs and urine was collected at 0-6 hrs and 6-24 hrs. Formic acid was added to all samples (5%, v/v) and the sample processing was performed on ice to stop ex vivo chemical conversions. Plasma and urine concentrations of BEN, and its metabolites and conversion products were quantitated with LC-MS/MS. Plasma and urine pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated non-compartmentally.

Results: BEN was rapidly converted to at least 13 different metabolites or products. The half-life (T1/2) of BEN was approximately 60 min. Half-lives of metabolites were all >2 h. The analytes that could be quantitated in urine represented approximately 30% of the dose administered.

View this table:

ND, not detectable; NQ, not quantifiable.

Conclusions: BEN is rapidly metabolized to BA and chemically converted to many subsequent products, some of which are glucuronidated. Several metabolites and conversion products contain chloroethyl or methanesulphonate moieties, which would allow them to alkylate cellular targets and exhibit anti-neoplastic properties or cause toxicity. The enzymes responsible for the metabolism of BEN and BA need to be identified.

Support: N01-CM07106, N01-CM52202, P30-CA47904 from the NCI.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3524.


Abstract The authors studied the adjustment of the 2 distinct known expressions of gait velocity, the velocity of the center of gravity (CG) and the velocity of the center of foot pressure (CP) at the end of the 1st step in 2 experimental situations: natural gait initiation (the control situation, CS) and heel-off gait initiation (the test situation, TS). Gait was initiated by 7 healthy participants, from an erect spontaneous posture in the CS and from a posture with heels raised in the TS, on a force platform at 3 self-selected speed conditions. Biomechanical data from the force platform were collected in both experimental situations, and the authors used a particular gait analysis based on the differential method of Y. Brenière (2003) in order to approach velocity modulation by means of step length and frequency. Results showed that CG and CP velocities were adjusted differently during heel-off gait initiation than during natural gait initiation. CP velocity, as compared with CG velocity, was overestimated in TS. Results also established the relevance of the expression of step velocity by means of step length and frequency: The central nervous system, taking into account the specific postural constraints of each experimental situation, uses a reference value and a regulating parameter to modulate step velocity. Moreover, the contributions of 1st step length and frequency to the expression of step velocity in TS and CS were different. Thus, a specific locomotor behavior corresponds to a given experimental situation that is characterized by its own initial biomechanical constraints.


As one of the simplest hadronic processes, $\gamma\gamma\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-,K^+K^-$ reactions could be a testing ground for our understanding of hadronic dynamics, and will be studied with high precision at Belle-II in the near future. In this paper, we revisit these processes in the modified perturbative QCD approach, in which transverse degrees of freedom as well as Sudakov suppression are taken into account. The twist-2 and twist-3 light-cone wave functions of pion and kaon mesons are used as the candidate forms for the nonperturbative dynamical inputs. It is shown that both the intrinsic transverse momentum and the twist-3 corrections can give sizable contributions to the cross sections at the intermediate energy region and should be kept for a better understanding of the two-photon processes.


With the global increase in wind turbine distributed generators penetration, the need for a detailed assessment of the impacts of the wind turbine generators (WTGs) on a power systems distribution network operations has become critical. This assessment is normally done to allow for the simulation of the dynamic response of the distribution network to major disturbances like the short circuits once wind turbine generators (WTGs) are connected. Penetration of the wind turbine generators into a distribution network has great impacts on the sequence impedance of the network with some factors contributing to this impacts being: The size of the WTG penetrating the distribution network, the location at which the WTG is connected and the Type of the WTG interfacing technology used. An important aspect of the WTGs studies is to evaluate their impacts on the distribution power system network positive, negative and zero sequence impedances under differing operating conditions. The magnitudes of the sequence impedances are important for analyzing the short circuit handling capacity of the distribution network. Due to the topological and operational differences between the different types of WTGs interfacing technologies , the electrical generators design industry have divided wind turbine generators into four different types labeled as Type I, Type II, Type III and Type IV. The main concern of this paper was to investigate the effects of integrating each of the four types of WTG configurations on the power systems distribution network's positive, negative and zero sequence reactance/impedances. The radial distribution feeder studied was the IEEE 13 nodes radial test feeder and it was modeled and simulated for the sequence reactances/impedances analysis.


Objective To identify trends in patient presentation and outcomes data that may guide the development of clinical algorithms on Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC). Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study searching in the National Cancer Institute's SEER registry for documented MCC cases from 1986-2013. No exclusion criteria were applied. We hereby identified 7,831 original MCC entries. Demographics, staging, and socioeconomic characteristics were identified and treatment modality likelihoods and survival data were calculated via logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier statistical modeling. Results Concerning tumor localization, 44.5% (n= 3,485) were located on the head and neck, and 47.8% were located on the trunk and extremities (n= 3,742). Male and younger patients are more likely to receive radiation than surgery with no differences seen among patient race. Caucasians and "Other" races both showed higher overall survival than African American patients. States with higher median household income levels demonstrated survival advantage. Income quartiles yielded no differences in surgical or radiotherapy interventions. Moreover, patients who forego radiotherapy had a poorer overall survival. Limitations Generalizability of SEER data, potential intrinsic coding inconsistencies, and limited information on patient comorbidities, sentinel lymph node and surgical margin status are major limitations. There is no information regarding medical intervention such as systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Recoding efforts are inconclusive regarding variables such as tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, mutations, or immunosuppression status, which are well-documented for other cancers within the database. Conclusion MCC lesions of the head and neck region, lower income quartiles, and African American race are associated with higher mortality. MCC patients have a median household income that is significantly higher than national values with no significant difference in subsequent treatment modalities (surgery or radiotherapy) based on socioeconomic markers. A lack of radiotherapy is associated with higher mortality.


An important aspect of Smart healthcare involves the development of innovative non-intrusive procedures for early detection and diagnosis of specific illnesses. Essentially, diseases for which very complicated and invasive clinical and pathological tests are required could benefit from such innovations. Neuropathy or nerve loss is a characteristic of several commonly occurring longterm or terminal illnesses such as Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer. The detection of a degree of neuropathy is usually done through biopsy-type procedures in which tissue samples are collected from the body for further tests and visualization. In this paper, an innovative approach is presented by using one of the neuronal-representative organ in the body, the eye, to detect nerve loss. Specifically, small nerves are affected in the eye as the disease progresses. While this is currently a clinical practice in neurology and ophthalmology, it is still highly subjective and depends upon the clinician's perspective and experiences. The presented technique in this paper, attempts to make this procedure highly objective through translating human knowledge of neuropathy grading into a data-centric classification system using the corneal images through Confocal microscope. Clinicians use this common, non-invasive procedure for detecting a variety of anomalies in the eye. However, using the nerve-level resolution of the microscope, the corneal nerve canvas can be visualized and accordingly segmented and classified for possible neuropathy grading, which in turn, give the insight into the disease progression. The technique used in this paper is Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) that translates the human understanding of the underlying pathology into numerical decisions that can be utilized as a tool into predicting and early diagnosis of the disease.


Foundation systems for high-rise structures in the Perth CBD include the whole range of footing types: individual spread footings, single rafts, piles, and piled rafts. Of these, raft foundations are the most common. The design of raft foundations (and indeed all foundation types) relies heavily on calculations of the anticipated total and differential settlements. For these calculations, the most crucial material parameters are the stiffnesses of the soils underlying the foundation. In the Perth CBD, the soil types consist of interbedded layers of dense to very dense sand or fine gravel, and stiff to hard clays, overlying bedrock. In the period since the 1970s, when most of the current high rise structures in the CBD were built, a number of methods of determining the soil stiffness have been used. Very little information is available regarding the actual settlement performance of these structures. However, two important publications from the 1970s provide back-analysed stiffness parameters from the measured performance of 4 moderate rise structures (up to 40 storeys high) and these are regarded as benchmark values. The paper discusses the various methods used in Perth for determining stiffness, both 'traditional' and 'modern', and the results obtained using these methods are compared to the benchmark values. Data from a number of sites, mostly at the west end of the CBD, are discussed in detail, as a number of insitu test methods for determining stiffness have been used at some of these sites, including seismic CPT, Marchetti dilatometer (DMT) and self-boring pressuremeter (SBP). Some comments are also included about stiffnesses of sands in other parts of the Perth area, compared to the CBD area.


UNLABELLED
Tooth loss diminishes oral function and quality of life, and national health targets aim to reduce population levels of tooth loss.

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to determine tooth loss incidence and predictors of tooth loss among older adults in South Australia.

METHODS
Data were obtained from a cohort study of a stratified random sample of community-dwelling dentate people aged 60+ years. Interviews and oral examinations were conducted among 911 individuals at baseline and among 693 of them (76.1%) 2 years later. Incidence rates and relative risks were calculated for population subgroups and multivariate logistic regression was used to construct risk prediction models. A method was developed to calculate 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for relative risks (RR) from logistic regression models using a Taylor series approximation.

RESULTS
Some 19.5% (95% CI = 15.4-23.6%) of people lost one or more teeth during the 2 years. Men, people with a recent extraction, people who brushed their teeth infrequently, smokers and people born outside Australia had significantly (P < 0.05) greater risk of tooth loss. Baseline clinical predictors of tooth loss included more missing teeth, retained roots, decayed root surfaces, periodontal pockets and periodontal recession. In a multivariate model that controlled for baseline clinical predictors, former smokers (RR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.48-4.40) and current smokers (RR = 2.06, 95% CI = 0.92-4.62) had similarly elevated risks of tooth loss compared with non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS
The findings from this population suggest that a history of smoking contributes to tooth loss through mechanisms in addition to clinical disease processes alone.


Background The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α small interfering (si)RNA alveolar epithelial cell (AEC)-targeting nanoparticles in lung injury is unclear. Methods Sixty C57BL/6J mice with sepsis were divided into normal, control, sham, 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg siRNA AEC-targeting nanoparticles groups (n = 10 per group). The wet:dry lung weight ratio, and hematoxylin and eosin staining, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for inflammatory factors were conducted to compare differences among groups. Results The wet:dry ratio was significantly lower in control and sham groups than other groups. TNF-α siRNA AEC-targeting nanoparticles significantly reduced the number of eosinophils, with significantly lower numbers in the 50 mg/kg group than in 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg groups. The nanoparticles also significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α, B-cell lymphoma-2, caspase 3, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, with TNF-α expression being significantly lower in the 50 mg/kg group than in 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg groups. Conclusion TNF-α siRNA AEC-targeting nanoparticles appear to be effective at improving lung injury-related sepsis, and 50 mg/kg may be a preferred dose option for administration.


Abstract We give another proof of the result of Masur and Minsky that the complex of curves associated to a compact orientable surface is hyperbolic. Our proof is more combinatorial in nature and can be expressed mostly in terms of intersection numbers. We show that the hyperbolicity constant is bounded above by a logarithmic function of the complexity of the surface, for example the genus plus the number of boundary components. The geodesics in the complex can be described, up to bounded Hausdorff distance, by a simple relation of intersection numbers. We can also give a similar criterion for recognising if two geodesic segments are close.


Syndrome of Giyena-Barre can arise up in any age, in different regions, for men more frequent, than for women. There are descriptions of clinical supervisions of syndrome in domestic literature, combining with the defeat of the nervous system as a result of different pathogens which are procatarxiss in the start of mechanisms of immune attack on the albumens of mielina. However this disease continues to remain one of most heavy, requiring neyroreanimacionnykh measures, that causes the necessity of development of new methods of treatment in same queue.


Novel organocatalytic systems based on the recently developed (S)-proline derivative (2S)-[5-(benzylthio)-4-phenyl-(1,2,4-triazol)-3-yl]-pyrrolidine supported on mesoporous silica were prepared and their efficiency was assessed in the asymmetric aldol reaction. These materials were fully characterized by FT-IR, MS, XRD, and SEM microscopy, gathering relevant information regarding composition, morphology, and organocatalyst distribution in the doped silica. Careful optimization of the reaction conditions required for their application as catalysts in asymmetric aldol reactions between ketones and aldehydes afforded the anticipated aldol products with excellent yields and moderate diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The recommended experimental protocol is simple, fast, and efficient providing the enantioenriched aldol product, usually without the need of a special work-up or purification protocol. This approach constitutes a remarkable improvement in the field of heterogeneous (S)-proline-based organocatalysis; in particular, the solid-phase silica-bonded catalytic systems described herein allow for a substantial reduction in solvent usage. Furthermore, the supported system described here can be recovered, reactivated, and reused several times with limited loss in catalytic efficiency relative to freshly synthesized organocatalysts.


An overview of the OGO program is presented. Brief descriptions of the six OGO spacecraft, and the experiments on each are included.


As kidney failure progresses to stage 5 chronic kidney disease, renal replacement therapy becomes a necessity, with the options being hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or renal transplantation. When hemodialysis is chosen, some type of vascular access (VA) must be planned. Traditionally, minimal to no teaching is provided for most patients regarding VA, and only a few patients understand how their VA works, what type of access is best for them, and what kinds of problems can occur with each type. Since VA is considered the patient's lifeline, it makes sense that more attention should be focused on providing information that would help end-stage renal disease patients make better decisions both in choosing the type of VA and maintaining a healthy access. Historically, nephrology nurses have been at the forefront in providing teaching regarding nephrology issues in general. Recent data have demonstrated that nephrology nurses are taking a keen interest in VA-related issues in order to improve this aspect of care. This article focuses on the types of VA, their associated complications, and the related morbidity and mortality. In addition, patient teaching tools are provided in order to emphasize the critical components of care involved with each type of access.


Background Little is known about the organisation and delivery of epilepsy care in the UK. The National Audit of Seizure management in Hospitals (NASH) is the first comprehensive UK-wide epilepsy audit. Methods NASH assessed the immediate care, onward care pathways and prior care of patients attending Emergency Departments with seizures. Sites provided anonymous data on 30 consecutive cases via a bespoke web-based database. Results Data were collected from over 3750 patients across 127 sites in the UK (mean age=45.8 (SD 19.9), 57% male). Results show considerable variability, with a few sites performing well demonstrating that good care is possible. But overall, assessment on arrival was inadequate, routine measurements were not done (temperature in only 83% of patients), a proper neurological examination with plantar responses recorded in 37% (IQR 20.0–49.1), an attempt to gain an eyewitness description in 58% (IQR 43.3–73.3), and an ECG performed in 59% (IQR 43.3–75.8). Only 51% of first seizure patients were referred for any form of neurology specialist assessment. Conclusions Basic care currently provided shows wide variability and in many centres is inadequate to achieve good patient outcomes. Neurologists have to engage with acute services to improve this.


Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant cancer in the world, which greatly threatens human health. However, the routine treatment strategies for HCC have failed to specifically eradicate the tumorigenic cells, leading to the occurrence of metastasis and recurrence. To improve treatment efficacies, the development of novel effective technologies is urgently required. Recently, nanotechnologies have gained the extensive attention in cancer targeted therapy, which could provide a promising way for HCC clinical practice. However, a successful cancer management depends on accurate diagnosis of the tumour along with precise therapeutic protocol, thereby predicting the tumour response to existing therapies. The synergistic effect of targeted therapeutic systems and imaging approaches (also called 'imaging-guided cancer treatment') may establish a more effective platform for individual cancer care. This review outlines the recent advanced nano-targeted and -traceable therapeutic strategies for HCC management. The multifunctional nano agents that have both diagnosis and therapy abilities are highlighted. Finally, we conclude with our perspectives on the future development and challenges of HCC nanotheranostics.


This essay considers ceremonial features represented during Christian diplomatic receptions held at the court of Cordoba, under the rule of Caliphs ʿAbd al-Raḥmān III (912‒961) and al-Ḥakam II (961‒976), in a comparative perspective. The declaration of the Umayyad Caliphate of the West by ʿAbd al-Raḥmān III marked the institutionalization of a carefully elaborated court ceremonial, reaching its greatest development under the rule of al-Ḥakam II. Detailed official ambassadorial ceremonies will be addressed, such as receptions of ambassadors from Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos, and King Otto I, or the reception and submission of Ordoño IV, deposed king of Leon, accounted by both Muslim and Christian sources. Such ceremonies will be compared with ʿAbbasid and Byzantine similar receptions, analyzing furthermore the origin and symbology of those rituals within the framework of diplomatic and cultural exchanges and encounters.


The COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged the spread of remote working as an instrument to prevent the stop of work activities. Resilience has led to the adaptation of the existing work models into hybrid ones, enabling many companies to test new forms of organisation. This has led to critical issues, particularly in the management of the health and safety at work and in the sustainability of production processes, due to the contradictions in these areas, in the European legislation. At present, it is still difficult to obtain an overall framework of effects and possible risks of hybrid workplaces. In fact, in addition to traditional risks, new risks and unexplored interaction between risks and human factor are emerging. Furthermore, it highlights the need to rethink new reference figures in the safety management system. However, the benefits of increased productivity, work life balance, sustainability and environmental impact are clear. The aim of this research is to rationalize the technical knowledge and the case studies of possible risks related to hybrid workplace, in order to support the worker and the employer in the analysis of hazards and risk assessment, risk communication and prevention, through a dynamic assessment system based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). For this purpose, the current legislation has to be investigated, identifying technological solutions useful to fill some gaps for an extension of protection in new forms of remote work.


The one of the most significant environmental problems in the last decades becomes the contamination of the soil and groundwater. The contamination can comprise the substantial risk for the environment and for human health. This work studies the reliability of using zeolite, which is one of the promising innovative in situ remediation methods, in removing cadmium from a contaminated shallow aquifer. In the batch tests, the influence of several operating parameters such as the effects of initial metal concentration (50-250 mg/L), time of contact of adsorbate with adsorbent (0-180 min), pH of the solution (2-8), adsorbent dose (0.15-2 g/100 ml), and agitation speed (200 & 270 rpm) were investigated. The optimum values of these parameters for cadmium on zeolite were 50 mg/L, 60 min, 6.5, 0.25 g/100 ml and 270 rpm respectively with achieved removal efficiency greater than 99.5%.


Often analysing 'the Chinese Internet' as a national entity, existing research has overlooked China's provincially oriented web portals, which have supplied information and entertainment to substantial user populations. Through the lenses of the critical political economy of media and critical media industry studies, this article traces the ascendance of China's provincial web from the late 1990s to the early 2000s by analysing industry yearbooks, official reports, conference records, personal memoirs, archived webpages, and user traffic data. We uncover interactions between Internet service providers, legacy media organizations, commercial Internet companies, and the central and local governments – each driven by discrete economic interests, political concerns, and imaginaries about the new technology. Delineating the emergence and consolidation of China's provincial web, our study foregrounds the understudied political economy of online content regionalization at scale. Further, it sheds new light on Chinese media policy, Internet governance, and Internet histories, especially the widely noted conservative turn of online cultures after the mid-2010s.


Mobile Payment, fast becoming a competitive alternative to existing payment channels, raises opportunities and challenges for public policies and corporate strategies. Our research aims to identify the distinct impact of Mobile Payment on the payment market by studying consumers' adoption decisions and migration from incumbent channels. The core of our research is 2.6 billion records of an entire city's five-year transactions in public transportation from all five payment channels. Particularly with its multi-channel setting, we can distinguish the impact of Mobile Payment from an arbitrary new channel's distortion in the payment market. Starting with a causal inference design – DID, we confirm that the introduction of Mobile Payment draws consumers away from the incumbent channels and that a promotion magnifies this migration flow. To estimate the unique impact of Mobile Payment, we turn to aggregate demand estimation models that estimate within-channel and cross-channel price elasticity. Compared to a regular card-based channel, we find that consumers are more responsive to Mobile Payment promotion and are less likely to leave after the promotion ends. Hence with each round of promotion, Mobile Payment can steadily increase its market share by attracting customers from the incumbent channels. Tracing the transactions with unique consumer IDs, we further explore how the distinct impacts of Mobile Payment vary with consumption purposes and consumer characteristics. To turn our findings into practical applications, we use counterfactual analysis to explore regulators' and merchants' channel portfolio management and optimal promotion strategies for the Mobile Payment channel.


Companies' new primary source for sustainable revenue growth comes from creating new innovations, rather than from mergers and acquisitions. Companies are finding it difficult to align internal support for the innovative creativity of teams with standard operating procedures. This research aims to discover how innovative teams contribute to forming development strategies that CPG firms use to create new products. Dimensions of the Theory of Team Climate in Innovation (TTCI) offer insight on the dimensions of development strategy. Specifically, by integrating the theories, a proposed model identifies the innovation team's impact on the firm's development strategies. Such understanding has the potential to increase firm profits, lower innovation costs, increase innovation speed, and support innovation training. To empirically test this model, employees responsible for product development in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries were surveyed. Structural modeling techniques were used to analyze the data. Findings indicate support for using TTCI to explain the compressed development strategy. Theoretical contributions include: 1) extending TTCI and its associated measures into tangible products industries, 2) refining and adding to TTCI measures, 3) extending the development strategies theory into tangible products industries, and 4) adding to the measures for development strategy. Future research appears fertile for methods and measures used in this study, and managers in CPG will benefit from an enhanced understanding of how to better structure innovation teams in alignment with a firm's development strategy.


Na-K-2Cl cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) regulates chloride influx in neurons and thereby GABAA receptor activity in normal and pathological conditions. Here, we characterized in hippocampal neurons the membrane expression, distribution and dynamics of exogenous NKCC1a and NKCC1b isoforms and compared them to those of the chloride extruder K-Cl cotransporter 2 (KCC2). We found that NKCC1a and NKCC1b behave quite similarly. NKCC1a/1b but not KCC2 are present along the axon initial segment where they are confined. Moreover, NKCC1a/1b are detected in the somato-dendritic compartment at a lower level than KCC2, where they form fewer, smaller and less compact clusters at perisynaptic and extrasynaptic sites. Interestingly, ~60% of dendritic clusters of NKCC1a/1b are colocalized with KCC2. They are larger and brighter than those devoid of KCC2, suggesting a particular NKCC1a/1b-KCC2 relationship. In agreement with the reduced dendritic clustering of NKCC1a/1b compared with that of KCC2, NKCC1a/1b are more mobile on the dendrite than KCC2, suggesting weaker cytoskeletal interaction. NKCC1a/b are confined to endocytic zones, where they spend more time than KCC2. However, they spend less time in these compartments than at the synapses, suggesting that they can rapidly leave endocytic zones to increase the membrane pool, which can happen in pathological conditions. Thus, NKCC1a/b have different membrane dynamics and clustering from KCC2, which helps to explain their low level in the neuronal membrane, while allowing a rapid increase in the membrane pool under pathological conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To review the current and relevant literature pertaining to the origin, imaging, and treatment for the sacrococcygeal teratoma in order to obtain information beneficial for radiologic technologists.

METHODS
Both peer-reviewed articles and contemporary imaging textbooks were used in the research for this review. The material was analyzed further for practical and instructive components for imaging professionals.

RESULTS
The inquiry regarding the origin, imaging, and treatment of the sacrococcygeal teratoma yielded important facts and clinically useful information that radiologic technologists can use.

CONCLUSION
Because the sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common congenital tumor found in newborns, all imaging professionals who may be asked to actively or indirectly care for a patient diagnosed with the condition should have a fundamental knowledge of the origin, imaging, and treatment of this potentially fatal tumor.


Theatre nurses currently face the greatest threat to their existence since the evolution of the theatre nursing role. Traditionally perceived as task-oriented and separatist, the nature of the current theatre nursing role has led to the operating department being devalued as a clinical placement for preregistration student nurses which has a consequent effect on recruitment and retention problems. This article examines what the nurse provides, or could provide, in the operating theatre. The themes are that theatre nurses must give due consideration to the short-term future of their clinical role in order to regain status in the hierarchy of mainstream nursing.


This thesis concerns detection and recognition of ground object using data from laser radar systems. Typical ground objects are vehicles and land mines. For these objects, the orientation and articulation are unknown. The objects are placed in natural or urban areas where the background is unstructured and complex. The performance of laser radar systems is analyzed, to achieve models of the uncertainties in laser radar data. A ground object recognition method is presented. It handles general, noisy 3D point cloud data. The approach is based on the fact that man-made objects on a large scale can be considered be of rectangular shape or can be decomposed to a set of rectangles. Several approaches to rectangle fitting are presented and evaluated in Monte Carlo simulations. There are error-in-variables present and thus, geometric fitting is used. The objects can have parts that are subject to articulation. A modular least squares method with outlier rejection, that can handle articulated objects, is proposed. This method falls within the iterative closest point framework. Recognition when several similar models are available is discussed. The recognition method is applied in a query-based multi-sensor system. The system covers the process from sensor data to the user interface, i.e., from low level image processing to high level situation analysis. In object detection and recognition based on laser radar data, the range value's accuracy is important. A general direct-detection laser radar system applicable for hard-target measurements is modeled. Three time-of-flight estimation algorithms are analyzed; peak detection, constant fraction detection, and matched filter. The statistical distribution of uncertainties in time-of-flight range estimations is determined. The detection performance for various shape conditions and signal-tonoise ratios are analyzed. Those results are used to model the properties of the range estimation error. The detector's performances are compared with the Cramer-Rao lower bound. The performance of a tool for synthetic generation of scanning laser radar data is evaluated. In the measurement system model, it is possible to add several design parameters, which makes it possible to test an estimation scheme under different types of system design. A parametric method, based on measurement error regression, that estimates an object's size and orientation is described. Validations of both the measurement system model and the measurement error model, with respect to the Cramer-Rao lower bound, are presented.


The authors describe the methodology of high frequency ventilation in the newborn infant. Ventilation by oscillator (HFO) actually represents the best method for ventilation in newborn infants; the rate of ventilation is between 15 and 25 Hz/min. They report their experience of HFO use for the treatment of hyaline membrane disease in newborns.


Utilizing a feminist lens inspired by third wave feminism, this paper explores the gendered complexity of singlehood. To begin to unpack this complexity, I argue dating—a social practice commonly associated with leisure—is a useful conduit to achieve this end. Using autoethnography, I share personal narratives to illustrate the complexities and tensions I experienced negotiating singlehood as an adult woman and examine the ways gendered ideologies and expectations influenced how I performed womanhood in my own life. In so doing, I urge researchers to think about the diversity of ways gendered ideologies and expectations can discipline, constrain, and liberate single women's leisure lives and their engagement with dating. I also highlight why leisure researchers and feminist leisure scholars in particular should pay closer attention to exploring the diversity of ways single women may experience dating and its ties to leisure.


A normal-state kinetic theory of copper-based oxides, which is an extension of BCS theory and Anderson localization to the strong-coupling limit lambda >1, is proposed. In this limit carriers are charged 2e bosons (small bipolarons) below and above Tc. Temperature and doping dependencies of resistivity and Hall effect in copper oxides are explained by taking into account the localization of charged bosons in a random potential. Links with the 'spin' gap, high Tc and with some other unusual properties are discussed.


Magnetoreception, the response to geomagnetic fields is a well described phenomenon in nature. However, it is likely that convergent evolution led to different mechanisms in different organisms. One intriguing example is the unique Electromagnetic Perceptive Gene (EPG) from the glass catfish Kryptopterus vitreolus, that can remotely control cellular function, upon magnetic stimulation in in-vitro and in-vivo. Here, we report for the first time the cellular location and orientation of the EPG protein. We utilized a differential labelling technique to determine that the EPG protein is a membrane anchored protein with an N-terminal extracellular domain. The kinetics and diffusion dynamics of the EPG protein in response to magnetic stimulation was also elucidated using single particle imaging and tracking. Pulse chase labelling and Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) imaging revealed an increase in EPG kinetics post magnetic activation at a single particle level. Trajectory analysis show notably different EPG protein kinetics before and after magnetic stimulation in both 2 (free vs bound particle) and 3 state (free vs intermediate vs bound particle) tracking models. This data provides additional information to support and understand the underlying biophysical mechanisms behind EPG activation by magnetic fields and provides evidence for the basis of magnetoreception in the EPG protein that will aid in future studies that seek to further understand this novel mechanism. This study is important for understanding magnetoreception as well as developing new technologies for magnetogenetics – the utilization of electromagnetic fields to remotely control cellular function. Table of Contents Graphic


A single-electron memory cell, in which one bit of information is represented by +n and −n electron number states, is described. An experimental memory circuit for n ≃100 was fabricated and the basic operation was confirmed at a temperature of 30 mK. This structure can be modified to operate with n = 1.


The pricing of most contingent claims is continuously monitored the movement of the underlying assets that follow geometric Brownian motion. However, for exotic options, the pricing of the underlying assets is difficult to be obtained analytically. In reality, numerical methods are employed to monitor discretized path-dependent options since complexity of exotic options increases the difficulty of obtaining the closed-form solutions. In this dissertation, we propose a Markov chain method to discretely monitor the underlying asset pricing of a European knock-out call option with time-varying barriers. Markov chain method provides some advantages in computation since the discretized time step can be partitioned to match with the number of the underlying non-dividend paying asset prices. Compared to Monte Carlo simulation, Markov chain method can not only efficiently handle the case where the initial asset price is close to a barrier level but also effectively improve the accuracy of obtaining the price of a barrier option. We study a European knock-out call option with either constant or time-varying barriers. Under risk-neural measure, the movement of the underlying stock price is said to follow a non-geometric Brownian motion. Furthermore, we are interested to estimate the parameter p value that generates optimal payoff of a knock-out option with time-varying barriers. However, implied volatility is an essential factor that affects the movement of the underlying asset price and determines whether the barrier option is knocked out or not during the lifetime of the option.


Primary users (PU) separation concerns with the issues of distinguishing and characterizing primary users in cognitive radio (CR) networks. We argue the need for PU separation in the context of collaborative spectrum sensing and monitor selection. In this paper, we model the observations of monitors as boolean OR mixtures of underlying binary latency sources for PUs, and devise a novel binary inference algorithm for PU separation. Simulation results show that without prior knowledge regarding PUs activities, the algorithm achieves high inference accuracy. An interesting implication of the proposed algorithm is the ability to represent n independent binary sources via (correlated) binary vectors of logarithmic length.


Objective The trade-off between the speed and simplicity of dictionary-based term recognition and the richer linguistic information provided by more advanced natural language processing (NLP) is an area of active discussion in clinical informatics. In this paper, we quantify this trade-off among text processing systems that make different trade-offs between speed and linguistic understanding. We tested both types of systems in three clinical research tasks: phase IV safety profiling of a drug, learning adverse drug–drug interactions, and learning used-to-treat relationships between drugs and indications. Materials We first benchmarked the accuracy of the NCBO Annotator and REVEAL in a manually annotated, publically available dataset from the 2008 i2b2 Obesity Challenge. We then applied the NCBO Annotator and REVEAL to 9 million clinical notes from the Stanford Translational Research Integrated Database Environment (STRIDE) and used the resulting data for three research tasks. Results There is no significant difference between using the NCBO Annotator and REVEAL in the results of the three research tasks when using large datasets. In one subtask, REVEAL achieved higher sensitivity with smaller datasets. Conclusions For a variety of tasks, employing simple term recognition methods instead of advanced NLP methods results in little or no impact on accuracy when using large datasets. Simpler dictionary-based methods have the advantage of scaling well to very large datasets. Promoting the use of simple, dictionary-based methods for population level analyses can advance adoption of NLP in practice.


Three algorithms (the Charge Comparison Method, n–γ Model Analysis and the Centroid Algorithm) have been revised to improve their accuracy and broaden the scope of applications to real-time digital n–γ discrimination. To evaluate the feasibility of the revised algorithms, a comparison between the improved and original versions of each is presented. To select an optimal real-time discrimination algorithm from these six algorithms (improved and original), the figure-of-merit (FOM), Peak-Threshold Ratio (PTR), Error Probability (EP) and Simulation Time (ST) for each were calculated to obtain a quantitatively comprehensive assessment of their performance. The results demonstrate that the improved algorithms have a higher accuracy, with an average improvement of 10% in FOM, 95% in PTR and 25% in EP, but all the STs are increased. Finally, the Adjustable Centroid Algorithm (ACA) is selected as the optimal algorithm for real-time digital n–γ discrimination.


The present paper describes, for the first time, clinical signs and pathological findings of pancreas disease (PD) in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in sea water in Norway. Similarities and differences with reports of PD from Ireland and Scotland are discussed. Samples of 68 rainbow trout from disease outbreaks on 14 farms and from 155 Atlantic salmon from outbreaks on 20 farms collected from 1996 to 2004 were included in the present study. The histopathological findings of PD in Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout in sea water were similar. Acute PD, characterized by acute necrosis of exocrine pancreatic tissues, was detected in nine Atlantic salmon and three rainbow trout. Salmonid alphavirus (SAV) was identified in acute pancreatic necroses by immunohistochemistry. Most fish showed severe loss of exocrine pancreatic tissue combined with chronic myositis. Myocarditis was often but not consistently found. Kidneys from 40% and 64% of the rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, respectively, had cells along the sinusoids that were packed with cytoplasmic eosinophilic granules. These cells resembled hypertrophied endothelial cells or elongated mast cell analogues. Histochemical staining properties and electron microscopy of these cells are presented. SAV was identified by RT-PCR and neutralizing antibodies against SAV were detected in blood samples.


This paper examines the geographies of justice movements in Rotterdam in The Netherlands and Los Angeles in the United States. In their wider national and international frameworks movements in both countries continue to contest unjust forms of urbanization characterized by neoliberal initiatives that undermine the socioeconomic status of low-income residents. These movements are constituted by relations that stretch across several geographical levels. There remain, however, significant differences in their spatial organizational form: Rotterdam is characterized by loose networks of local associations which relate to constellations of nationally based Christian churches, unions, and humanist organizations, whereas networks between associations, unions, and university activists in Los Angeles have undergone institutionalization at the urban level. We show that movement territorialization is particularly evident at the urban level in Los Angeles while embedded at the national level in the shadow of state–corporatist institutional legacies and power relations in Rotterdam. By drawing upon important insights from several economic geographers, we develop a conceptual framework for explaining the spatialities of contention and contribute to contemporary controversies over relationality, territoriality, and political action at a variety of scales. A normative implication of the paper concerns the learning capacities of contesting actors to forge alliances and achieve their ambitions within path-dependent institutional frameworks.


Lebanon's economic position continues to be very difficult, with very low growth, high public debt and large twin deficits. While financial stability has been maintained, deposit inflows, critical to finance the budget and external deficits, slowed down during the past year, reducing the authorities' room for maneuver. The new government has taken some important policy steps to start the needed policy adjustment, which could help raise confidence among investors and donors. The parliament has approved a plan to reform the electricity sector and reduce its fiscal cost as well as a budget that aims to reduce the overall fiscal deficit in 2019. However, substantial new measures are still needed to reduce the exceptionally large domestic and external imbalances and mitigate Lebanon's vulnerabilities.


A single envelope modulator-based envelope tracking (ET) power amplifier (PA) structure with a related digital predistortion (DPD) technique for multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) wireless transmitters is presented in this paper. By generating a common tracking envelope, only one envelope modulator is employed for controlling supply voltage of the RF PAs in all branches in the system, which dramatically reduces the system implementation cost. Due to the structure change, additional distortion is introduced, and it is difficult to directly compensate by using the conventional DPD because the tracking envelope is no longer the same as the RF envelope, and thus the MIMO ET PA becomes a two-input and one-output system. To resolve this problem, in this paper we propose a novel DPD technique in which the PA input and output data are reconstructed into multiple data subsets according to variations of the tracking envelope. It converts the 2-to-1 mapping into multiple 1-to-1 ones, where the conventional DPD can be employed again. Experimental results demonstrated that the distortion, including static nonlinearities, memory effects, and additional distortion caused by the structure change can be effectively compensated by using the proposed DPD technique. Compared to the conventional ET, the overall efficiency of the system is only slightly decreased, but the system cost is much lower because only one envelope modulator is required in the whole system.


A haemoglobin-degrading enzyme from pathogenic Escherichia coli has been cloned, expressed and purified to homogeneity. The pure protein proteolyses haemoglobin and binds haem. In vivo, its role is to remove haem from haemoglobin and pass it to the bacteria, allowing them to overcome the limiting concentration of iron available in the body. The protein has been crystallized using polyethylene glycol to give crystals in a hexagonal space group with unit-cell parameters a = b = 114.6, c = 434.3 A. X-ray data have been collected to 2.5 A resolution. This is the first member of the SPATE (serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae) family of autotransporter proteins to be crystallized.


The study aims to evaluate the impact of the conservation planning and implementations on the cultural heritage values in a cultural landscape: Kuşadası, Aydın, Turkey. The study is limited to the decisions published on the Internet: decisions between 2013 and 2016. The methodology includes literature research, archive research in the related Regional Commission on the Conservation of Cultural Property, the Regional Directorate of Foundations, and the local administration. A site survey comprehending base map revision and photographic documentation, visual analysis, historical research and comparative study, and evaluation of conservation activities regarding concepts of conservation is also part of the research. As a result, conservation issues stem from inappropriate conservation implementations threatening the integrity of cultural heritage. The majority of the conservation implementations have focused on a single building scale. Unlicensed constructions stemming from insufficient control by the local administration in the historic urban environment and the lack of implementation of the conservation plan to remove inharmonious buildings and masses threatening the integrity of the urban layout. Preparation of a management plan, revision of the twenty-five-year-old conservation plan, and determination in their application are considered as indispensable for sustaining authenticity and integrity.


Multifunctional TiO2/Ag composite nanowires are fabricated with a hydrothermal method by precipitating Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on the surfaces of TiO2 nanowires. This hierarchical one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure can be used as a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate with high sensitivity, for detecting the rhodamine 6G (R6G) in a wide range of low concentrations (from 1 × 10−6 M to 1 × 10−12 M). In addition, the substrate can be self-cleaned under the irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) light due to the superior photocatalytic capacity of the TiO2/Ag composite nanostructure, making the recycled use of SERS substrates closer to reality. With both the evident SERS performance and high efficiency of photocatalytic capacity, such TiO2/Ag composite nanowires demonstrate considerable potential in the chemical sensing of organic pollutants.


Abstract The nuclear gene xanthine dehydrogenase (Xdh) was sequenced for 247 genera representing all major lineages of angiosperms and "gymnosperms," and the results were analyzed using likelihood and parsimony methods. The overall topology is mostly congruent with previously published trees based on chloroplast rbcL, atpB, and matK sequences. A total of 190 of the 253 nodes (71%) of the Xdh tree received bootstrap support greater than 50%. The likelihood tree was comparable in robustness to the matK topology, which exhibited 79% of the nodes with bootstrap support greater than 50%, and to the reported 7%–24% support observed for individual analyses of rbcL, atpB, and 18S ribosomal DNA clades. The number of parsimony-informative sites (1068, 69%) was similar to that of the matK (1083, 62%) study. The likelihood tree depicts angiosperms as monophyletic, with Ceratophyllum L. (Ceratophyllaceae) as sister to the rest of the flowering plants, followed successively by Amborellaceae, Nymphaeaceae, and Austrobaileyales clades as sisters to the remaining angiosperms. Acorus L. plus the remaining monocots, magnoliids, and Chloranthaceae diverge after the Austrobaileyales. Eudicots are supported and include a basal grade of Ranunculales–Proteaceae, Sabiaceae, Trochodendraceae, Buxaceae, Gunneraceae, and Dilleniaceae–Santalaceae, which are subsequent sister to the remaining eudicots. The remaining eudicots are split into two clades. The first clade consists of the Ericales, Cornales, and euasterids I and II (lamids–campanulids). The second clade consists of the following orders: Saxifragales, Myrtales–Caryophyllales–Cucurbitales, Crossosomatales, Geraniales, Rosales–Fabales–Fagales, Celastrales, Malpighiales, Brassicales–Malvales, Oxalidales, and Sapindales. Xdh data provided good support in the Caryophyllales, Ericales and Cornales, euasterids I (lamids), Magnoliales and Laurales, Malvales, Rutaceae, Oxalidales, Brassicales, and Sapindales. A future combined analysis of Xdh and other DNA data sets will have a strong potential to enhance resolution and internal support for angiosperm phylogenetics and provide insights into angiosperm evolution using biparental information.


The analysis of several Ly49 genes has identified a tissue-specific promoter adjacent to the previously defined first exon. The current study reveals the presence of an additional Ly49 promoter (Pro-1) and two noncoding exons upstream of the previously defined promoter (Pro-2). DNA sequences homologous to Pro-1 are present 4–10 kb upstream of Pro-2 in all Ly49 genes examined, and Pro-1 transcripts were detected from the Ly49a, e, g, o, and v genes. Pro-1 activity can be detected in bone marrow, embryonic thymus, freshly isolated liver NK cells, and the murine LNK cell line, but it does not function in adult thymus, sorted NK-T cells, spleen NK cells, or the EL-4 T cell line, even though these cells express Ly49 proteins. Luciferase reporter assays identified a Pro-1 core promoter region that functions in the LNK cell line but not EL-4 cells. The novel promoter is not active in mature NK cells, suggesting that Pro-1 represents an early Ly49 promoter.


Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Background This study investigates the relationship between Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) and the occurrence of postoperative complications after abdominoplasty in massive weight loss patients. Methods A single-institution retrospective review of patients undergoing abdominoplasty between 2009 and 2019 after massive weight loss. Demographic data, laboratory findings, known risk factors for postoperative complications, as well as data on major and minor complications were extracted from the patient charts. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between the variables. Results Four hundred and five patients were included in the study. The prevalence of EOSS stages was: 0 (no comorbidities, N = 151, 37%), 1 (mild conditions, N = 40, 10%), 2 (moderate conditions, N = 149, 36%) and 3 (severe conditions, N = 70, 17%). Regression analysis showed that, controlling for body mass index (BMI), BMI Δ (maximal BMI − BMI at presentation), bariatric surgery, volume of resected tissue, and duration of surgery, EOSS stage significantly associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications. Compared with EOSS stage 0, EOSS stages 2 and 3 patients were associated with significantly more minor and major complications, respectively. The volume of resected tissue, BMI Δ, and age were associated with the occurrence of major complications. A regression model of comorbidities comprising the EOSS revealed a significant association of variables diabetes mellitus and hypertension with the occurrence of postoperative complications. Conclusions Edmonton Obesity Staging System is a robust predictor of postoperative complications in abdominoplasty.


When people categorize a set of items in a certain way they often change their perceptions for these items so that they become more compatible with the learned categorization. In two experiments we examined whether such changes are extensive enough to change the unsupervised categorization for the items—that is, the categorization of the items that is considered more intuitive or natural without any learning. In Experiment 1 we directly employed an unsupervised categorization task; in Experiment 2 we collected similarity ratings for the items and inferred unsupervised categorizations using Pothos and Chater's (2002) model of unsupervised categorization. The unsupervised categorization for the items changed to resemble more the learned one when this was specified by the suppression of a stimulus dimension (both experiments), but less so when it was almost specified by the suppression of a stimulus dimension (Experiment 1, nonsignificant trend in Experiment 2). By contrast, no changes in the unsupervised categorization were observed when participants were taught a classification that was specified by a more fine tuning of the relative salience of the two dimensions.


The following paper is discussed on Distance education and its challenges ahead. We have covered a meaning, history, growth, how it developed, distance education in India, present and future, types, characteristics, role on human resource developments, advantages, limitations, Nature of Training and Education in the Workplace, India scenario, List of approved Distance Education universities in India, Avenues of Distance Education and finally the conclusion. Distance learning is a method of conveying education and instructions, generally on an individual basis, to the students who are not physically available in a usual setting such as a classroom. Distance learning is rapidly becoming an alternative to traditional classrooms. Students can benefit from the flexibility that comes with distance learning, and for students who don't have the time or money to attend traditional schools, distance learning can provide a path to higher education. As money plays an important role in the modern world all youngsters after under graduation joins jobs and at the same time they join higher education for the benefit of their promotion, hike in salary etc. which will also helps them to save their age in class rooms. Therefore we have emphasized on the improvement on the distance education.


The authors investigate the performance of an evanescent-field fibre sensor made from standard single-mode optical fibre with a tapered cladding region, upon which a thin attenuating material coating is deposited. The authors' method involves calculating the supermodes of the complete core-cladding-coating-air structure locally at each point along the taper and studying the evolution of the supermode guided power along the sensor. Results are compared with those from numerical finite difference scheme; and also used to interpret experimental results obtained for a taper with a thin layer of sulphur deposited by electrical discharge in an atmosphere of SF/sub 6/.


Technology currently plays an important role in the Government sector, with the existence of this technology each sector can maximize its system. State Civil Apparatuses (ASN) and Non-ASN Government in mastering basic PHP programming is very much needed. Implementation of Community Service (PkM) is carried out in accordance with the form of the implementation of the MoU that has been carried out between Bekasi City Government and Bina Insani University. The training was conducted online through a meeting zoom which was attended by 88 participants with the overall results of the training giving a positive response in the range of grades 4 (Good / Satisfied / Good) and 5 (Very Good / Very Satisfied / Very Good).


Elderflower is a valuable herbal raw material widely used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. It is a rich source of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols (e.g. chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin), that are responsible for their health benefits. Elderberry flowers demonstrate mainly diaphoretic, antipyretic, diuretic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and have been used in folk medicine as remedy for various ailments and diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate selected bioactive properties of fresh and dried elderberry flowers, depending on the origin. Flowers were collected from three locations of wild elderberry shrubs and from three cultivars (Sampo, Haschberg, Samyl) growing on plantation. Methanolic extracts of fresh and dried flowers were analyzed in terms of the antioxidant activity using ABTS radical method and the total phenolic content by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent method. The results were statistically analyzed by Anova in Statistica 12.5 program. The obtained results indicate that drying process causes a deterioration of bioactive properties of elder flowers. Fresh flowers demonstrated significantly higher antioxidant activity as well as higher total phenolic content than dried flowers. Furthermore, flowers of wild elderberry differed from flowers of cultivated elderberry. In most cases, flowers of cultivars showed higher values of analyzed parameters compared to the wild elder flowers. The highest average antioxidant activity and the highest average content of total polyphenols was found in flowers of Sampo cultivar.


Introduction:Some stroke patients present with mild or absent measurable neurologic deficits in spite of a significant thromboembolic event. A thrombus in the distal region of the middle cerebral artery may have such a presentation. CT angiography in the acute phase helps to identify the culprit thrombus. Thrombolysis might be beneficial in these patients in spite of the lack of measurable neurologic deficits. We present a patient with a 'silent' thrombus in the middle cerebral artery. Case Report:A 70-year-old man presented with a history of fluctuating neurologic symptoms for 2 days. Neurologic examination at the time of presentation revealed no measurable deficits. CT angiography showed a thrombus in the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery which was treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Patient did not have recurrence of symptoms after thrombolysis. MR angiogram a day after thrombolysis showed partial recanalization of the artery. Conclusion:Some stroke patients with an intracranial thrombus may present with minimal or absent measurable neurologic deficits. CT angiography is a useful tool in identifying the thrombus. Intravenous thrombolysis may be beneficial in stroke patients presenting with a "silent" thrombus.


In recent years, as people are getting wealthier, people are willing and able to afford a better life. Fresh products consumptions are increasing, some countries cannot meet this demand due to the natural environment limitation. The distances between each country are long and fresh products are easy to decay, therefore, there is a necessity to transport them under controlled temperature. It can guarantee the quality of fresh products.

Seeing the market of transport fresh products is rising, there is also trade imbalance of fresh products, which is called reefer cargoes. In this paper, we address on the reefer container because it has the advantage of door to door service. The imbalance trade of reefer cargoes will result in the imbalance trade of reefer containers. Our main research question is to find out how to reposition them.

In order to do the further research, we have determined types of cargo that are transported by reefer containers. Also we decided to limit our research area to Argentina, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, and South Africa. These five countries lie in southern hemisphere and therefore the trade patterns are more affected by the season. The most important thing is that based on our assumptions, all the reefer cargoes are transported by reefer containers. We need to determine the number of reefer containers needed by the cycle.

To solve the empty container problem, lots of researches aiming at developing a mathematical model to see what the most cost-efficient way is to reposition them. We also developed a mathematical model and it has two major variables. One is the transportation cost, the other is the holding cost, and we use the Solver in Excel to determine the lowest cost and the number of reefer containers needed to be repositioned. Furthermore, we compared the results from different assumptions and try to analyze them.


An algorithm is proposed for MA system identification using the third- and fourth-order cumulants. Asymmetric non-Gaussian input and Gaussian measurement noise are assumed. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is useful when the characteristics of noise are not known or when the SNR is low. >


In the agroecosystem, genetically engineered plants producing insecticidal Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) interact with non-target herbivores and other elements of the food web. Stacked Bt crops expose herbivores to multiple Cry proteins simultaneously. In this study, the direct interactions between SmartStax® Bt maize producing six different Cry proteins and two herbivores with different feeding modes were investigated. Feeding on leaves of Bt maize had no effects on development time, fecundity, or longevity of the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and no effects on the egg hatching time, development time, sex ratio, fecundity, and survival of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae). The results thus confirm the lack of effects on those species reported previously for some of the individual Cry proteins. In the Bt maize leaves, herbivore infestation did not result in a consistent change of Cry protein concentrations. However, occasional statistical differences between infested and non-infested leaves were observed for some Cry proteins and experimental repetitions. Overall, the study provides evidence that the Cry proteins in stacked Bt maize do not interact with two common non-target herbivores.


The Log Quality Monitoring System (LQMS) is a medium-sized knowledge-based system that was developed to address the problem of providing real-time assistance to the wireline field engineer. The authors discuss the motivation for the project, review the major decisions that were made, detail how they affected the direction of the project, and identify the basic lessons that were learned. The research version of LQMS was developed at Schlumberger-Doll Research over a period of about three and a half years. The project successfully dealt with several thorny issues in the development of knowledge-based systems: multiple domain experts, real time constraints, embedded environment, coordination and communication of multiple knowledge sources, and technology transfer. The project evolved from an exploratory, rapid prototyping style of development to a more traditional specify/design/implement/test methodology. Much of this evolution was driven by the field testing and technology transfer requirements of the later stages of the project.<<ETX>>


Standard post-war sociological theories start from a theoretical image of the family as a unity. This article problematizes this image by argueing that seemingly contradictory findings of certain empirical studies are an artefact of the concept of family as a unity. The argumentation confronts theory and research about new stepfamilies in the systems perspective. Families that are reorganized following divorce and remarriage, seem to form an anomaly for the concept of the family in systems theory. The fact that relationships between certain characteristics of the family differ depending on which family member is interviewed, is theoretically 'impossible' but found many times in empirical research. Family scholars have often been confronted with similar anomalies in recent years. Therefore, a number of authors is now exploring new ways of conceptualizing families in sociological theory. Their 'new' family concepts methodologically imply diverse ways of marking out a field of family research, which are classified and discussed in conclusion.


Correctness of synchronizers is examined : a synchronizer is said to be correct, if each execution of a protocol created by combining it with a synchronous protocol, is equivalent to some execution of the original (synchronous) protocol. Two families of synchronizers are introduced, passive synchronizers and active synchronizers. Passive synchronizers do not change the original synchronous protocol and only add a synchronization protocol for synchronizing it, while active synchronizers may change the original protocol code, messages, etc. The timely property, which is sufficient and necessary for correctness of passive synchronizers, and the matching property, which is sufficient and necessary for correctness of active synchronizers, are introduced. Lower bounds are set for communication and time complexity of correct passive synchronizers, thus showing that active synchronizers are necessary for low complexities, while retaining the correctness of the synchronIzers. Two types of active synchronizers are introduced: message-monitoring synchronizers, in which synchronizer code is performed as a result of original-protocol message reception and transmission, and variableduplicating synchronizers, which duplicate of all original-protocol variables at each node. A messagemonitoring correct synchronizer with low communication and time complexities is presented. A method is introduced for creating variable-duplicating correct synchronizers from passive incorrect synchronizers, with identical communication and time complexities. One more family of active synchronizers is examined: message-delaying synchronizers. In messagedelaying synchronizers, early messages are saved and treated later. We show that implementation of such synchronizers, using certain passive synchronizers, is not straightforward, since in these cases, nodes may not always know which messages are early and which are timely. Solutions for this problem are suggested. 1 T ec hn io n C om pu te r Sc ie nc e D ep ar tm en t T eh ni ca l R ep or t C S0 70 6. re vi se d 19 91


Objectives: To investigate changes in gene expression in fibrillated and intact human osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage for evidence of an altered chondrocyte phenotype and hypertrophy. Methods: Paired osteochondral samples were taken from a high-load site and a low-load site from 25 OA joints and were compared with eight similar paired samples from age-matched controls. Gene expression of key matrix and regulatory genes was analysed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction on total RNA extracted from the cartilage. Results: There was a major change in chondrocyte gene expression in OA cartilage. SOX9 (38-fold) and aggrecan (4-fold) gene expression were both lower in OA (p<0.001), and collagen I (17-fold) and II (2.5-fold) gene expression were each increased in a subset of OA samples. The major changes in gene expression were similar at the fibrillated high-loaded site and the intact low-loaded site. There was no evidence of a generalised change in OA to proliferative or hypertrophic phenotype as seen in the growth plate, as genes associated with either stage of differentiation were unchanged (PTHrPR), or significantly downregulated (collagen X (14-fold, p<0.002), VEGF (23-fold, p<0.02), BCL-2 (5.6-fold, p<0.001), matrilin-1 (6.5-fold, p<0.001)). In contrast MMP-13 was significantly upregulated in the OA cartilage samples (5.3-fold, p<0.003). Conclusions: The expression of key chondrocyte genes, including aggrecan and SOX9, was decreased in OA cartilage and the changes were similar in both fibrillated high-loaded and intact low-loaded cartilage on the same joint. However, there was no significant upregulation of type X collagen, and other genes associated with chondrocyte further differentiation and hypertrophy.


Modern agricultural and biological systems use electronic sensors, instrumentation, and computers for acquisition of scientific data and process control. Instrumentation is used for commercial product development, testing, and for basic research. An instrumentation and controls course for agricultural and biological engineering pre-professionals addresses sensors, measurement principles, software, and limitations of such systems with hands-on laboratory activities will be discussed. This is a core course for two ABET accredited biological and agricultural engineering degree programs. Students participate and interact in small teams for a course with enrollments of 60 students or more. The course assumes the student to be a junior, senior, or first year graduate student who has completed an introductory electronics course and most core and elective courses. Weekly laboratory activities include bread boarding of basic instrumentation circuits followed by specialty exercises on sensor response times and controls. Two signature laboratories include open channel and pipe flow water flow measurements and an internal combustion engine test exercise. Student teams also develop semester projects which are presented as posters and papers at an annual department open house. Student projects investigate electrocardiograms, temperature and humidity control, human exercise measurements, force, power, and energy consumption, detection and controls using optical sensors, and water quality, using commercially available devices. A summary of student team projects and outcomes for the past offering will be discussed. Student activities are assisted with oscilloscopes, precision power supplies, moderate LabVIEW programming, and multifunction devices. Instructional aides are presented in detailed handouts, materials written by the instructors, and other readily available sources.


An innovative thermal analysis methodology is applied for the characterization of poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocomposites containing layered silicates, needle-like sepiolite or polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nano-cages, aiming at assessing the key factors affecting nanofiller dispersion and nanocomposite properties. This methodology takes benefit of the fact that—for a given nanofiller aspect ratio—the magnitude of the excess heat capacity recorded during quasi-isothermal crystallization is directly related to the occurrence of pronounced changes to the PCL crystalline morphology. The extent of these changes, in turn, directly depends on the amount of matrix/filler interface and can therefore be considered a reliable measure for the degree of nanofiller dispersion, as supported by complementary morphological characterization. The importance of processing parameters is demonstrated in a comparative study using various melt processing conditions, evidencing the need for high shear to effectively exfoliate and disperse individual nanoparticles throughout the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the choice of the nanocomposite elaboration method is shown to profoundly affect the final morphology, as illustrated in a comparison between nanocomposites prepared by melt mixing, by in situ polymerization and by a masterbatch approach. Grafting PCL onto the filler strongly enhances its dispersion quality as compared to conventional melt mixing; subsequently further dispersing such grafted nanohybrids into the polymer matrix through a masterbatch approach provides a highly efficient method for the elaboration of well-dispersed nanocomposites. Finally, the crucial issue of interfacial compatibility is addressed in a comparison between various surface-treated layered silicates, showing that high degrees of filler dispersion in a PCL matrix can only be achieved upon polar modification of the silicate.


BACKGROUND
Taurine, a potent antioxidant, has been reported to improve streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus, in which the development of diabetes results from an attack by oxygen free radicals on pancreatic beta cells. However, taurine also increases the excretion of cholesterol via conversion to bile acid and would be expected to improve insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVE
The effects of taurine on insulin sensitivity were examined in a model rat of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes-the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat.

DESIGN
Male OLETF rats were divided into 2 groups at the age of 16 wk: a taurine-supplemented group and an unsupplemented group. As a nondiabetic control, Long-Evans-Tokushima-Otsuka rats were used. An oral-glucose-tolerance test and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp were performed at the ages of 23 and 25 wk.

RESULTS
The OLETF rats had hyperglycemia and insulin resistance and they had a greater accumulation of abdominal fat than did control rats. Abdominal fat accumulation, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance were significantly lower in the taurine-supplemented group than in the unsupplemented group. Serum and liver concentrations of triacylglycerol and cholesterol were significantly higher in the OLETF rats than in the control rats and were significantly lower in the taurine-supplemented group than in the unsupplemented group, presumably because of the increased secretion of cholesterol into bile acid. Taurine-supplemented rats also showed higher nitric oxide secretion, evidenced by increased urinary excretion of nitrite.

CONCLUSION
Taurine effectively improves metabolism in OLETF rats by decreasing serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol, presumably via increased secretion of cholesterol into bile acid and decreased production of cholesterol because of increased nitric oxide production.