The recent increase of forest fires due to agricultural field burning in the South East Asian region has led to haze episodes in Malaysia which contributed to the increasing number of hospital visits for treatments related to respiratory diseases. With the increase of air pollution, it becomes a necessity to attempt at investigating and predicting the air pollution levels, which would in turn which would lead to proper strategies so untimely effects to human health can be kept at a minimum. The Air Pollutant Index is used to identify and classify the ambient air quality status, However the lack of ground air quality monitors which compute the API generally leads to unreliable warning information. Recent studies indicate that data retrieved from remote sensing satellites is now an emerging alternative for air quality prediction at the ground level, hence this research aims to use satellite-based data to predict the air quality of East Malaysian cities with the help of different classification algorithms. Aerosol Optical data, Meteorological data and Fire data were collected from different satellite sources, two algorithms were selected and modelled. The two algorithms which were implemented, were Random Forest and Gradient Boosting, when trained and validated they both algorithms performed reasonably well with an accuracy 0.89 and 0.85 respectively, for the city of Kuching.


The antibacterial activities of ceftazidime and netilmicin were studied in a two-compartment in vitro model. Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures were exposed to changing drug concentrations that mimic human pharmacokinetics. Netilmicin alone reduced the numbers of organisms in cultures of the susceptible strains by more than 99% within 4 h; however, regrowth occurred after 8 h. Although ceftazidime alone killed more slowly than netilmicin, only one of the five strains regrew within 28 h. When both drugs were combined, rapid initial killing occurred without subsequent regrowth. Studied after 24 h in combination with ceftazidime, netilmicin was as effective when given as a single daily dose as when administered in three daily doses that provided 50% more aminoglycoside per day. Decreased bacterial susceptibility was seen after ceftazidime exposure for one strain and after netilmicin exposure for all originally netilmicin-susceptible strains. No such reduction in susceptibility was observed during exposure to the combination. The results of standard in vitro checkerboard tests for synergism were predictive of the initial (4 to 8 h) but not the final (24 to 28 h) assessment of drug interaction in the pharmacokinetic model.


A three-year-old boy presented with an enlarging neck mass. Biopsy demonstrated IgD-positive nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL), which was staged as IIa. The patient received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) with rituximab and had excellent results. NLPHL is a relatively rare disease that is biologically distinct from classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). NLPHL is a B-cell malignancy likely of germinal center origin that has an overall good prognosis and favorable response to treatment. Unlike cHL, NLPHL is ubiquitously CD20-positive. Recent evidence supports the efficacy of targeted anti-CD20 therapy in NLPHL, though prospective data is limited. This case demonstrates several unique features of NLPHL and further supports the use of rituximab in front-line therapy. The clinical characteristics among patients at various ages are discussed with a special focus on the IgD-positive subtype. A thorough literature search demonstrates this to be the youngest patient with NLPHL yet described.


PURPOSE
This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of different approaches for estimating the articulation rates in connected speech of Parkinsonian patients with different stages of neurodegeneration compared to healthy controls.

METHOD
Monologues and reading passages were obtained from 25 patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), 25 de novo patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), 20 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), and 20 healthy controls. The recordings were subsequently evaluated using eight syllable localization algorithms, and their performances were compared to a manual transcript used as a reference.

RESULTS
The Google & Pyphen method, based on automatic speech recognition followed by hyphenation, outperformed the other approaches (automated vs. hand transcription: r > .87 for monologues and r > .91 for reading passages, p < .001) in precise feature estimates and resilience to dysarthric speech. The Praat script algorithm achieved sufficient robustness (automated vs. hand transcription: r > .65 for monologues and r > .78 for reading passages, p < .001). Compared to the control group, we detected a slow rate in patients with MSA and a tendency toward a slower rate in patients with iRBD, whereas the articulation rate was unchanged in patients with early untreated PD.

CONCLUSIONS
The state-of-the-art speech recognition tool provided the most precise articulation rate estimates. If speech recognizer is not accessible, the freely available Praat script based on simple intensity thresholding might still provide robust properties even in severe dysarthria. Automated articulation rate assessment may serve as a natural, inexpensive biomarker for monitoring disease severity and a differential diagnosis of Parkinsonism.


Background: The influence of various psychological factors and coping mechanisms on quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients has been well established. We evaluated locus of control and attributional styles, and their association with coping styles and quality of life (QOL) among Iranian cancer patients.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with breast cancer and patients with colorectal cancer in stage I to III. Patients were assessed for demographic and disease characteristics, cancer-related symptoms, locus of control, attributional styles, coping styles, and QOL.Results: From 140 invited patients, 100 patients participated in the study. Data of 55 patients with breast cancer and 22 patients with colorectal cancer were appropriate and included for analysis (mean age of 47.5 ± 7.9 years, 89.6% female). Factors positively associated with QOL included educational level, internal locus of control, overall hopefulness, and confrontive, optimistic, and self-reliant coping styles (r = 0.228 to 0.426). Factors negatively associated with QOL included age, symptoms severity, overall hopelessness, and fatalistic and emotive coping styles (r = -0.221 to -0.674). Internal locus of control and hopefulness were associated with confrontive/adaptive coping styles (r = 0.226 to 0.381), while external locus of control and hopelessness were associated with evasive/maladaptive coping styles (r = 0.208 to 0.381).Conclusion: These results indicate that internal locus of control, hopefulness, and positive attributional styles are associated with more adaptive/confrontive coping strategies and better QOL in Iranian cancer patients. Further studies with more comprehensive psychosocial evaluation in a larger sample of cancer patients are warranted.


Nineteenth century Ireland falls neatly into two distinct periods: the period preceding and the period following the great famine of 1845–1849. The emigration of women during and after the famine is examined in this article. Changes in marriage and the spread of dowries is analyzed to distinguish between the roles of married and unmarried women. Options other than emigration are highlighted insofar as they constituted "choices" for women which avoided the decision, taken by some two million women, to leave their island home by emigrating.


Objective: This study aimed to identify the theoretical references that guide clinical practice in mental health nursing. Methods: Descriptive study of qualitative approach, conducted through semi-structured interviews. The study subjects were nurses working in Psychosocial Care Centers of Fortaleza/CE. It was used the analysis of content of Bardin. Results: Five categories emerged that link the theoretical references that guide the clinical practice of nurses: nursing theories referential, biomedical referential; alternative practices referential; referential of harm-reduction policy, and psychoanalysis reference. Conclusion: It was identified that the professional practice of the most of the respondents was guided by more than one of these references, although some present contradictions between them, and this was not perceived by the subjects. These references, at times, were applied only formally, without the purpose of reception of the subject in psychological distress and their care demands.


The SARS-CoV2 pandemic has impacted risk management globally. Blockchain has been increasingly applied to healthcare management, as a strategic tool to strengthen operative protocols and to create the proper basis for an efficient and effective evidence-based decisional process. We aim to validate blockchain in healthcare, and to suggest a trace-route for a COVID19-safe clinical practice. The use of blockchain in combination with artificial intelligence systems allows the creation of a generalizable predictive system that could contribute to the containment of pandemic risk on national territory. A SWOT analysis of the adoption of a blockchain-based prediction model in healthcare and SARS-CoV-2 infection has been carried out to underline opportunities and limits to its adoption. Blockchain could play a strategic role in future digital healthcare: specifically, it may work to improve COVID19-safe clinical practice. The main concepts, and particularly those related to clinical workflow, obtainable from different blockchain-based models have been reported here and critically discussed.


Vehicle following and its effects on traffic flow has been an active area of research. Human driving involves reaction times, delays, and human errors that affect traffic flow adversely. One way to eliminate human errors and delays in vehicle following is to replace the human driver with a computer control system and sensors. The purpose of this paper is to develop an autonomous intelligent cruise control (AICC) system for automatic vehicle following, examine its effect on traffic flow, and compare its performance with that of the human driver models. The AICC system developed is not cooperative; i.e., it does not exchange information with other vehicles and yet is not susceptible to oscillations and "slinky" effects. The elimination of the "slinky" effect is achieved by using a safety distance separation rule that is proportional to the vehicle velocity (constant time headway) and by designing the control system appropriately. The performance of the AICC system is found to be superior to that of the human driver models considered. It has a faster and better transient response that leads to a much smoother and faster traffic flow. Computer simulations are used to study the performance of the proposed AICC system and analyze vehicle following in a single lane, without passing, under manual and automatic control. In addition, several emergency situations that include emergency stopping and cut-in cases were simulated. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the AICC system and its potentially beneficial effects on traffic flow. >


The thermodynamic and morphological properties of binary films of phospholipids and diacetylene lipids deposited at the air-water interface have been studied. Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) and fluorescence microscopy have been applied to investigate the formation, organization, and structure of the film domains. BAM data acquired at different temperatures, film compositions, and surface pressures reveal the appearance of distinct patterns of the diacetylenic moieties. In particular, the exceptionally high-quality BAM images point to dendritic and fractal-like appearance of the diacetylene domains; these phenomena are discussed in a framework of diffusion-limited aggregation processes. The results of the microscopy analyses further indicate that the two molecular components already segregate at low compression pressures and that the combined effects of film composition and temperature influence the occurrence of transitions between different phases within the films. This study sheds light on the molecular and cooperative features of mixed lipid/diacetylene films and further helps to understand the unique biosensing properties of these assemblies.


It is a common belief that in composites the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT is never larger than its value in the most efficient of its components. This criterion was demonstrated in 1991 in a classical paper by Bergman and Levy [1] based upon a variational analysis of two-component mixtures. The Bergman−Levy limit may be violated (and has been experimentally verified not to hold) in nanostructured systems, namely wherever interfaces play a significant role on the composite transport properties, but has always been considered an unsurpassable threshold in macroscopic systems. Very recently, however, Yang and coworkers [2] argued that heat fluxes in thermoelectric systems are not necessarily divergence-free, so that the use of Laplace equation made by Bergman and Levy may not be appropriate to compute the effective value of the transport properties of any composite. Specifically, Yang et al. showed that in a onedimensional system ZT may actually exceed its value in both components – although the improvement is small and achievable only under an external bias. In any case and beyond the practical relevance of the reported result, the theoretical criticism to the Bergman−Levy limit appears founded, motivating an investigation of the possibility of designing composites with enhanced thermoelectric efficiency with respect to their components. In this communication analytical and numerical analyses concerning the thermoelectric properties of twophase macrostructured composites will be reported. Preliminary results confirmed the claim of Yang and coworkers concerning the violation of the Bergman−Levy limit in one-dimensional systems. An extension of the analysis to periodically layered systems will be presented, allowing for conjectures on the criteria to be followed in order to maximize ZT in such a class of structures.


Among the structural and non-structural methods of flood control, rockfill dams are a kind of detention structures that increase travel time and reduce the maximum instantaneous flood discharge. Due to the rapid and automatic effect of these dams, flood reduction happens more quickly. In this research, the best arrangement of rockfill dams at Taleghan basin was determined based on the cost of rockfill dams and the outlet discharge peak criteria. For this purpose, "BRM" model, NSGAII and TOPSIS methods were used. The results of the model implementation for Taleghan basin indicated that the model has high accuracy and saves time of run. The final design cost is 74.4% less than the "all of dams" option. In addition, the final option has reduced the discharge peak by 64.9% compared to the "without any dam" option. At the final plan, the most of dams are allocated at the upstream areas of the basin and have been locating on the main river and the two reaches of Taleghan basin and there is no dam in the downstream of the basin (except the basin outlet).


This is the first complete economic and social history of Brazil in the modern period in any language. It provides a detailed analysis of the evolution of the Brazilian society and economy from the end of the empire in 1889 to the present day. The authors elucidate the basic trends that have defined modern Brazilian society and economy. In this period Brazil moved from being a mostly rural traditional agriculture society with only light industry and low levels of human capital to a modern literate and industrial nation. It has also transformed itself into one of the world's most important agricultural exporters. How and why this occurred is explained in this important survey.


Trace-element anomalies in the continental crust (e.g., Nb-Ta-Pb) are useful to decipher the formation and evolution of continents. We found that the trace-element patterns of upper, middle, and lower crust are all marked by strongly negative phosphorus anomalies, which were not likely to have been generated directly by mantle melting. In order to address this "crust composition paradox," we compiled major- and trace-element data from global arc magmas, igneous minerals, and deep arc cumulates and found that the phosphorus deficit in continental crust is coupled with an elevated Th/La ratio. This feature can be best explained by the fractional crystallization of apatite during arc magma evolution rather than the influence of a subducted slab. Accumulation of apatite-bearing mafic cumulates in deep arcs followed by foundering into the upper mantle causes the mismatch in the phosphorus systematics between the mantle and the continental crust. This process plays a critical role in shaping the chemical composition of continental crust.


Bilateral facial paralysis is a rare condition, we report a case of a 70-year-old healthy, illiterate man with sequential bilateral facial paralysis as a manifestation of unknown cause after exclusion of various known causes. He initially presented with a left sided Bell's palsy 12 months back, within a month there was facial palsy on the contra lateral side, but patient has not taken any measures to seek any medical attention initially. Later on 4 months back, he developed episodic headache and reeling sensation. His physical examination revealed bilateral lower motor neuron facial palsy with high blood pressure. As the investigations revealed no cause, we have arrived at the diagnosis of Bilateral Bell's palsy and treated his hypertension.


The formation of bacterial biofilms on surfaces and their subsequent biofouling pose extensive safe and healthy concerns to a variety of industries. Biofilms are ubiquitous, and the biofilm state is considered the default mode of growth for the majority of the world's bacteria population. Once mature, biofilms are difficult to remove completely and have improved resistance against antibacterial agents. Given this, there has been significant interest to mitigate or at least manage biofilm formation on surfaces. One such method has been through the material design of surfaces, and to the interest of this study, through the development of antimicrobial stainless steels. Stainless steel is not an inherently antimicrobial material. Stainless steels alloyed with small amounts of either copper (Cu) or silver (Ag), both well-known natural antimicrobial agents, have been investigated since their initial development in the late 1990's onward. This class of materials have been proven to show significant antimicrobial effect over their traditional counterparts without compromising the characteristic mechanical properties of the stainless steels. However, most of the antimicrobial assessments for these materials documented within literature are conducted over a 24hour timeframe and do not adequately account for the biofilm mode of growth. As so, this study aimed to assess how biofilms grow on this class of antimicrobial steels over a longer duration of growth and under growth conditions which more adequately modeled the biofilm mode of life. The same strain of Escherichia coli commonly used in antimicrobial surface testing, ATCC 8739, was grown on submicron-polished coupons of a ferritic Cu-alloyed stainless steel (1.50 wt. % Cu), an austenitic Ag-alloyed stainless steel (0.042wt. % Ag), and a standard 304 series stainless steel, used as a baseline. Following ASTM-E2647-13, the E. coli/SS coupons were grown using a drip flow bioreactor under low shear conditions at either ambient temperature or 37 ± 3 °C with a batch phase of 6 hours and a continuous phase of 48 hours up to 96 hours. Directly after harvesting, the coupons were analyzed with an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (E-SEM) under low vacuum with a water vapor environment. The effect of surface chemistry and alloy microstructure, surface roughness, rinsing the surfaces prior to inoculation and after harvesting, temperature, and growth duration on the resulting E. coli biofilms were all investigated in some capacity. Growth on the submicron finished surfaces indicated there were no significant differences between the biofilms grown on the three different steel compositions. Bacterial attachment appeared non-preferential to surface chemistry or alloy microstructure, suggesting that E. coli interacted with the surfaces effectively the same under the given growth conditions. To account for apparent randomness in bacterial attachment, it is hypothesized that the surface features of interest were on a size scale irrelevant to the size of single bacterial cells. To account for the lack of an observed biocidal effect from the Cuand Ag-alloyed stainless steels, it is hypothesized that an organic conditioning film which developed on the surfaces from the fluid environment may have effectively inhibited the release of Cu and Ag ions from the steel surfaces. E-SEM Characterization of Escherichia coli Biofilms Grown on Copperand Silver-Alloyed Stainless Steels over a 48 – 96 Hour Time frame within a Drip Flow Bioreactor


Model driven development uses more and more complementary models. Indeed, large-scale industrial systems are currently developed by hundreds of developers working on hundreds of models by different distributed teams. In such a context, model inconsistency detection is gaining a lot of attention as the overlap between all these models, which are often maintained by different persons, are a common source of inconsistencies. This paper proposes a method to detect inconsistencies when models are scattered on different editing sites using partial replication. The method provides a way to check the consistency of a single view against the ones that are related to it regarding consistency. It relies on Praxis, an operation based representation of models, to determine what information needs to be collected for consistency checking and the DPraxis protocol to find where it can be.


Trends toward later and less marriage and childbearing in East Asia have been even more pronounced than in the West. At the same time, many other features of East Asian families have changed very little. We review recent research on trends in a wide range of family behaviors in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. We also draw upon a range of theoretical frameworks to argue that trends in marriage and fertility reflect tension between rapid social and economic change and limited change in family expectations and obligations. We discuss how this tension may be contributing to growing socioeconomic differences in patterns of family formation. This focus on East Asia extends research on the second demographic transition in the West by describing how rapid decline in marriage and fertility rates can occur in the absence of major changes in family attitudes or rising individualism.


The theory of deep learning is now considered largely solved, and is well understood by researchers and influencers alike. To maintain our relevance, we therefore seek to apply our skills to under-explored, lucrative applications of this technology. To this end, we propose and Deep Industrial Espionage, an efficient end-to-end framework for industrial information propagation and productisation. Specifically, given a single image of a product or service, we aim to reverse-engineer, rebrand and distribute a copycat of the product at a profitable price-point to consumers in an emerging market---all within in a single forward pass of a Neural Network. Differently from prior work in machine perception which has been restricted to classifying, detecting and reasoning about object instances, our method offers tangible business value in a wide range of corporate settings. Our approach draws heavily on a promising recent arxiv paper until its original authors' names can no longer be read (we use felt tip pen). We then rephrase the anonymised paper, add the word "novel" to the title, and submit it a prestigious, closed-access espionage journal who assure us that someday, we will be entitled to some fraction of their extortionate readership fees.


There has recently been an explosion of interest in the analysis of data in data warehouses in the eld of On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP). Data warehouses can be extremely large, yet obtaining quick answers to queries is important. In many situations, obtaining the exact answer to an OLAP query is prohibitively expensive in terms of time and/or storage space. It can be advantageous to have fast, approximate answers to queries. In this paper, we present an I/O-e cient technique based upon a multiresolution wavelet decomposition that yields an approximate and space-e cient representation of the data cube, which is one of the core OLAP operators. We build our compact data cube on the logarithms of the partial sums of the raw data values of a multidimensional array. We get excellent approximations for on-line range-sum queries with limited space usage and computational cost. Multiple data cubes can be handled simultaneously. Each query can generally be answered, depending upon the accuracy supported, in one I/O or a small number of I/Os. Experiments show that our method performs signi cantly better than other approximation techniques such as histograms and random sampling.


The report discusses the role of levees in flood risk reduction, the shared responsibilities for levees in the United States, and the role of three agencies: FEMA, the Corps, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It also discusses federal assistance for levees, describes the debate about whether levees investments have a role in federal flood mitigation programs, and compares Corps, FEMA, and NRCS activities and authorities. Finally, the report outlines policy options for locally-operated levees that might be considered by the 112th Congress. Legislative proposals in the 111th Congress are discussed in an Appendix.


In the midst of movement and chaos of life, we forget to pay heed to our health and as a result of which susceptibility to various allergens is increasing day by day. Allergens can be dust, smoke, fumes, pollen and even food. A person can either be allergic to certain allergen right from his birth or can acquire hypersensitivity in later stage of his life. Food allergy is quite common in present era and is affecting the lives of many people. Although there are a number of manifestations of food allergy like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache etc, most commonly seen are skin manifestations like blisters, itching, redness, burning sensation, oozing, discolouration etc. Acharyas have also mentioned Virudhaahar as one of the most prominent cause of Kushtha. Virudhaahar is any food that causes sensitivity reactions in a person. In contemporary sciences, there are no such permanent cures for hypersensitivity induced skin diseases. But in Ayurveda, through Shodhana and Shamana, these can be treated effectively and occurrence can also be avoided to some extent. This case report is of 38 yrs old male who visited our OPD with itching, oozing, blisters with intense burning sensation in palms and redness and itching in groin areas. The disease was diagnosed here as Charmdala. The treatment protocol opted was Virechan and Shamana. The patient was assessed every 7 days for a month and showed significant relief. This case thus proves that Ayurveda has the potential for curing Virudhaahar janya Kushtha which is often unresponsive to the contemporary treatment protocol.


Kyoto Animation, a studio with very humble beginnings, has gained recognition the world over as a uniquely inspired and inventive enterprise. This book examines Kyoto Animation's philosophy and creative vision with close reference to its anime. It focuses on the studio's choice of genres, themes and imagery while exploring its maintenance of high production values. The analysis highlights the studio's commitment to the pursuit of both artistic excellence and technical experimentation--and its reliance on the imagination and expertise of in-house staff.


Quantified constraints over the reals appear in numerous contexts. Usually existential quantification occurs when some parameter can be chosen by the user of a system, and univeral quantification when the exact value of a parameter is either unknown, or when it occurs in infinitely many, similar versions. The following is a list of application areas and publications that contain applications for solving quantified constraints over the reals. The list is certainly not complete, but grows as the author encounters new items. Contributions are very welcome!


Personas, stemming from the field of user-centered design (UCD), are hypothetical users that represent the behaviors, goals, and values of actual users. This study describes the creation of personas in an academic library. With the goal of leveraging service-generated data, the authors coded a sample of chat reference transcripts, producing two numeric values for each. The transcripts were plotted on an X/Y graph where X represented the nature of the user's information need and Y represented the nature of the user's motivation. A k-means cluster analysis of the plotted points produced four clusters, which served as the personas' basis.


The development of drug-resistant bacteria from the overuse of antibiotics is a serious problem, with overutilization threatening to disarm caregivers and their patients even as together they face increasingly virulent strains of microbes. On the other hand, the speedy treatment of pneumonia with antibiotics is a firmly established, evidence-based practice, enshrined in Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations Core Measures used in hospital accrediting and public reporting, and in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) public-reporting and pay-for-performance hospital measures. This sets the stage for a potential conflict between (a) not doing the wrong thing by overprescribing antibiotics and (b) prescribing antibiotics on time for pneumonia. In November 2005, pneumonia antibiotic timing results were announced for the 133 top-performing hospitals in the first year of the 3-year CMS Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration (HQID) pay-for-performance project, conducted in collaboration with Premier Inc, a hospital purchasing and informatics alliance. Premier client hospitals participating in the HQID also submit drug utilization and other comparative data to Premier for client access for benchmarking purposes; this makes it possible to see how the antibiotics specified for pneumonia are used by Premier hospitals for other conditions. In this study we look at where increased success in meeting the HQID pneumonia antibiotic timing measure is tied to an increase in antibiotic use for conditions where antibiotics are unwarranted—with the potential for promoting antibiotic resistance.


A floristic survey was performed on a temporary pond, "Laqui du Seignavoux", situated in the Mont-Dore massif of the French Massif Central, between 2017 and 2019. Except in 2017, each year, we performed four sampling campaigns from April/May to December. Water samples and diatoms were collected. The temporary pond evolved from a poorly mineralized ecosystem due to snow, inducing oligotrophic and oligosaprobic water, well oxygenated in spring, to a more mineralized, less oxygenated, eutrophic–hypereutrophic, and polysaprobic environment in summer. This change in abiotic conditions was found to be linked to the presence of cattle, beginning in May, that trample and excrete in the pond, leading to higher ammonium and nitrate concentrations. During this period, the dominant species were Pinnularia sp., Nitzschia palea, and Nitzschia palea var. tenuirostris. In spring and winter, different species of Eunotia dominated the community such as Eunotia pseudogroenlandica. Finally, light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations on a new species of the genus Pinnularia from the temporary pond are presented and the ecological preferences are discussed.


The long, uninterrupted apposition between the type I hair cell and the calyx ending has implications for the intercellular communication between these structures. Conventional synaptic transmission will be compromised unless the impedance of the ending is made relatively high. The apposition also creates the possibility of ephaptic transmission between the hair cell and the ending. Ephaptic transmission from the hair cell to the outer face of the calyx ending is too weak to make more than a minor contribution to sensory coding. Basolateral currents associated with hair-cell transduction can result in a substantial accumulation of K+ ions in the intercellular space. The accumulation can alter conventional transmission by depolarizing the hair cell and can alter afferent firing by depolarizing the ending. Reasons were presented suggesting that K+ accumulation may play an essential role in transduction involving type I hair cells, including the linearization of input-output relations and an increase in the maximal rate of discharge.


The "Modular Assembly Kit for Security Properties" (MAKS) is a framework for both the definition and verification of possibilistic information-flow security properties at the specificationlevel. MAKS supports the uniform representation of a wide range of possibilistic informationflow properties and provides support for the verification of such properties via unwinding results and compositionality results. We provide a formalization of this framework in Isabelle/HOL.


This study aims to determine the current Business Model Canvas (BMC) and make a better BMC in the Sinopsis Creative which is engaged in the coffee shop business. The analysis was carried out on 9 BMC elements consisting of Customer Segments, Value Propositions, Channels, Customer Relationships, Revenue Streams, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partnership, and Cost Structure. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interview techniques. The research results from the identification of the new BMCs show a future picture of the company regarding the 9 elements of BMC. In the Customer segment, customers can add customers from outside the city. New channels need to be added Frenchise brand. You can add inventory control to key activities. In the revenue stream, you can add to selling packaged coffee beans so that they can be sold elsewhere.


Intra-annual radial growth rates and durations in trees are reported to differ greatly in relation to species, site and environmental conditions. However, very similar dynamics of cambial activity and wood formation are observed in temperate and boreal zones. Here, we compared weekly xylem cell production and variation in stem circumference in the main northern hemisphere conifer species (genera Picea, Pinus, Abies and Larix) from 1996 to 2003. Dynamics of radial growth were modeled with a Gompertz function, defining the upper asymptote (A), x-axis placement (beta) and rate of change (kappa). A strong linear relationship was found between the constants beta and kappa for both types of analysis. The slope of the linear regression, which corresponds to the time at which maximum growth rate occurred, appeared to converge towards the summer solstice. The maximum growth rate occurred around the time of maximum day length, and not during the warmest period of the year as previously suggested. The achievements of photoperiod could act as a growth constraint or a limit after which the rate of tree-ring formation tends to decrease, thus allowing plants to safely complete secondary cell wall lignification before winter.


INTRODUCTION Mental health problems affect approximately 26% of U.S. adults in a given year and 50% at some point in their life time (Demyttenaere et al., 2004; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 1999). The leading causes of disability in the United States, in fact, include four mental health conditions: major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; Murray & Lopez, 1996). Depressive disorders, however, are more common than schizophrenia and OCD's. For example, in the Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) study, about 9.5% of adults over the age of 18 were diagnosed with a depressive disorder in a given year compared to 1.1% for schizophrenia and 2.3% for OCD (Regier et al., 1993). It is estimated that 16% of American adults meet criteria for major depressive disorder at some time in their life (Kessler et al., 2003) and the prevalence of depressive disorders is markedly increasing in younger cohorts compared to older ones (Kasen, Cohen, Chen, & Castille, 2003). However, racial differences in the risk of depression is unclear. African Americans appear to have equivalent or lower rates of major depression than Whites (Kessler, McGonagle, Schwartz, Glazer, & Nelson, 1993; Kessler et al., 2003; Robins & Regier, 1991) but higher rates than Whites of depressive symptoms (Vega & Rumbaut, 1991; Williams & Harris-Reid, 1999). The limited available data for other racial groups suggest that the prevalence of mental health problems is similar to those of Whites but the need for more research on this topic has been explicitly stated by a growing contingent of mental health scholars (U.S. DHHS, 2001).


BACKGROUND
Studies in dogs with experimental chronic kidney disease (CKD) have demonstrated that abnormalities of calcium-phosphorus (Ca-P) homeostasis occur frequently and have a negative effect on kidney function and survival. However, the prevalence of these alterations in dogs with naturally occurring CKD at different stages of severity has not yet been investigated.

HYPOTHESIS
Abnormalities of Ca-P metabolism occur early in the course of CKD with an increased prevalence in more severe stages.

ANIMALS
Fifty-four dogs with CKD and 22 healthy dogs.

METHODS
Blood and urine samples were obtained for a CBC, biochemistry, determination of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitriol, and ionized calcium concentrations and urinalysis. Based on urine protein/creatinine ratio and serum creatinine concentration, dogs were grouped according to the IRIS classification for CKD.

RESULTS
Hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) (PTH > or = 48 pg/mL) was diagnosed in 41 (75.9%) dogs with CKD. Its prevalence increased from 36.4% (stage 1) to 100% (stage 4). Hyperphosphatemia (P > 5.5 mg/dL) was present in 37 (68.5%) dogs; increasing in prevalence from 18% (stage 1) to 100% (stage 4). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that serum phosphorus concentration in the 4.5-5.5 mg/dL range correctly identified the presence of HPTH in most dogs. Calcitriol concentration progressively decreased in dogs with CKD and differences became statistically significant by stage 3.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
HPTH and hyperphosphatemia occur frequently in dogs with naturally occurring CKD, even at early stages of CKD in some dogs. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring these parameters early in the course of CKD.


The experiment was conducted on the growth and yield of okra using nutrient management through different types of fertilizers and netting at the Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. There were netting treatments, viz. N1 = Control (no net) and N2= Net (blue color) along with fertilizer treatments viz. T1 = no fertilizer (control), T2 = vermicompost @ 10 t ha−1, T3 = vermicompost @ 15 t ha−1, T4 = combined application of 2/3 part organic (T3) and 1/3 part inorganic (T5), and T5 = inorganic fertilizers. Temperature (◦C) and relative humidity (%) were recorded under net and at the open condition daily during production stage (month of May) However, the value didn't differ significantly. Growth parameters of okra viz. plant height, pod length, pod diameter, and pods of okra were found the highest from T4N2 treatment combination which was significantly higher from other combinations. The lowest growth and yield of okra was found from the treatment combination of T1N1. First flowering was observed in T4N2 at 32 days after planting of okra seeds. Vermicompost at different rates (10 t ha−1 and 15 t ha−1) with net gave lower production of okra compared to inorganic fertilizer treatments with net. The highest yield of okra (19.65 t ha−1) was found from the combined effect of T4N2 which was 56.74% higher compared to control (T1N1).


Image fusion is basically a process where multiple images (more than one) are combined to form a single resultant fused image. This fused image is more productive as compared to its original input images. The fusion technique in medical images is useful for resourceful disease diagnosis purpose. This paper illustrates different multimodality medical image fusion techniques and their results assessed with various quantitative metrics. Firstly two registered images CT (anatomical information) and MRI-T2 (functional information) are taken as input. Then the fusion techniques are applied onto the input images such as Mamdani type minimum-sum-mean of maximum (MIN-SUM-MOM) and Redundancy Discrete Wavelet Transform (RDWT) and the resultant fused image is analyzed with quantitative metrics namely Over all Cross Entropy(OCE), Peak Signal -to- Noise Ratio (PSNR), Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Structural Similarity Index(SSIM), Mutual Information(MI). From the derived results it is inferred that Mamdani type MIN-SUM-MOM is more productive than RDWT and also the proposed fusion techniques provide more information compared to the input images as justified by all the metrics.


Electrically actuated shape memory alloys (SMAs) find widespread applications in engineering and science. Such materials are known to retain/remember their state. In the stressed/deformed state, when activated by the application of a suitable excitation mechanism, such as the use of heat or potential, they return to their original unstressed state. To test their reliability, it is a standard procedure to undertake a life cycle analysis. In this paper, the life cycle analysis of a SMA spring using the Talbot interferometric technique is reported. The life cycle of the SMA spring is analyzed in terms of the displacement drift, which sets in because of the functional fatigue generated due to its repeated use. Collimated light from a He-Ne laser transmitted through a beam splitter is converged through a focusing lens onto a plane mirror attached to the spring. Backreflected light from the mirror is incident on a set of two Ronchi gratings separated by the Talbot distance, forming a moiré pattern. The resulting interferograms are analyzed using a fringe rotation mechanism. The angle of orientation is a function of displacement drift. There is deterioration in the SMA property because of repeated cycles, and the spring loses its ability to return to its original unstretched position. The values of the displacement drift generated after 1, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 such cycles as measured using a Talbot interferometer are 0, 0.875, 1.275, 1.459, 1.720, and 1.859 mm, respectively. It is observed that the SMA effect deteriorates as the number of stretching/contraction cycles increases. The uncertainty analysis is also reported. The expanded uncertainty was determined to be 201.61 μm.


Optimal control theory takes into account constraints such as energy and time economies which are relevant to the understanding of biological design. The versional eye tracking system responsible for the extremely rapid and precise movements called saccades, which occur, for example, during reading, seemed a likely biological system in which to test for time optimality. A homeomorphic detailed physiological model was constructed based on quantitative muscle, neuronal and oculomotor characteristcs. It is a sixth-order nonlinear representation which considers reciprocal innervation and the asymmetrical force-velocity relationship of the agonist-antagonist muscle pair that moves the eye. Simulations were done by digital computer, and responses of the model to first-, second-, and third-order time optimal control signals were observed; the major portions of the response trajectories were essentially the same. The model response was then compared with measured human saccadic eye movements, and it was found that this experimental data agreed most completely with the model driven by first-order time optimal control signals. Additionally, electromyographic studies in man and neurophysiological experiments in animals agree in showing that the nervous controller signals during saccades are also of the first-order type. Thus, we can conclude that the saccadic eye movements studied are accurately depicted by a model that yields time optimal responses.


Abstract For the 1992 Landers mainshock, the lateral heterogeneity of the lithosphere combined with an extended earthquake source may account for the complexity of the strong-motion observations that cannot be easily interpreted by a simplified point-source model in a laterally homogeneous medium. Both the effect of an extended source and that of lateral heterogeneity are examined using a forward modeling technique that combines distributed nonuniform slip on a fault plane in a 3D medium. Surface-wave synthetics are constructed using surface-wave Gaussian beam method, which allows for a mild degree of lateral heterogeneity. We analyze the amplitude and waveform data of the Landers strong-motion recordings in southern California in order to identify the path effects and the effect of an extended source. The overall source parameters of the Landers earthquake are obtained by comparing synthetics with recordings at near-source stations which lie within relatively homogeneous path structures. This procedure yields a unilateral rupture propagating northwesterly over two distinct rupture segments with somewhat different focal mechanisms. The surface-wave phase velocity map is modified to fit the data recorded at larger hypocentral distances. The final improved model generates a very good agreement between observations and synthetics. In the presence of lateral heterogeneity, the focusing, defocusing, and multipath interference are found to contribute significantly to the strong-motion shaking in a 3D basin.


Aims, Objectives and Background A significant mortality and morbidity rate has been observed in patients presenting with head injuries. Delays in assessment, imaging, time critical diagnosis and management has compromised patient safety and quality of care at Walsall Manor Hospital. To roll out an effective HI pathway with the aim to ensure:- > 90% of high risk HI patients are assessed within 15 minutes Greater efficiency within the process of obtaining CT (computed tomography) imaging Final decision making < 4 hours. Method and Design Quality improvement methodology was employed in the form of process mapping to understand the current patient journey. SWOT (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis and driver diagrams were used to analyse the problem. Gantt chart was used to plan proposed timelines and PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycles used to implement small changes with continued analysis. A new HI pathway was introduced which involved; a succinct thorough assessment, earlier identification of need for CT head, modifications to the requesting and transfer processes to imaging and review of the decision making processes. Abstract 1658 Figure 1 Results and Conclusion Data retrieval and analysis post interventions showed a reduction in time to initial ED clinician assessment from 63 minutes to 29 minutes. Percentage of CT scans performed within the hour increased from 67% to 89%. Time to CT scans being performed improved from 82 minutes to 55 minutes. These changes in turn had a significant impact on the decision to admit/discharge time which reduced from an average of 9 hours and 5 minutes to 3 hours and 40 minutes. The introduction of a HI pathway alongside other adjuvant interventions had a marked impact on the safety and quality of care, provided to head injury patients at Walsall Manor Hospital. These measures will be re-evaluated at 6–12 monthly intervals to ensure continued enhanced performance.


The problem of treating bleeding esophageal varices is a difficult one. Ratnoff and Patek 1 have shown that the first hemorrhage is fatal in one-third of these cases. Patek 2 states that the two-thirds of the patients who survive have only a 50% chance of being alive at the end of a year. It is clear from these findings that, in addition to controlling the initial hemorrhage, some definitive procedure is called for to prevent recurrences. According to Welch, 3 85 to 90% of patients with portal hypertension will have liver disease. Since the work of Whipple 4 and of Blakemore and Lord, 5 porta caval anastamosis has become a valuable procedure in the interim control of hemorrhage from esophageal varices, but its complexity has proved too great for it to be used in poor risk patients or in instances of acute hemorrhage. Numerous methods of controlling hemorrhage in the


Since exogenous progesterone (P4) causes superovulation in hypophysectomized (hypoxed) cyclic hamsters treated with gonadotropins, the current study was performed to evaluate the roles of P4 and luteinizing hormone (LH) as a folliculotropic complex in the immature hamster. Intact or hypoxed immature hamsters were injected daily, beginning on Day 23, with 1 mg P4 and/or 20 micrograms LH for 4 days. Treatment with P4 alone or combined with LH in intact immature hamsters increased the number of antral follicles (6.7 and 4.3, respectively, vs. 1.5 per ovary in controls), but neither treatment maintained large follicles in hypoxed animals. In contrast, in hypoxed hamsters, the number of small preantral follicles was enhanced by P4 or LH (406 and 409, respectively, compared to 302 per ovary in untreated controls), but with no additive effects by combined treatment. The stimulatory effect of P4 in intact hamsters was unrelated to serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, or LH. Moreover, in the hypoxed hamster, P4 or LH acts directly to increase the numbers of small preantral follicles with 2 to 5 layers of granulosa cells, whereas equally large doses of stilbestrol or estradiol cyclopentylpropionate are ineffective. In the hypoxed or intact hamster, the effects of P4 or LH may involve either recruitment of smaller follicles into larger stages or prevention of atresia. The present experimental design can not distinguish between these possibilities.


A high-level synthesis methodology for low-power design is described. With the objective of supporting the design of low-power, performance-constrained systems such as signal processing applications, the methodology enables the designer to place throughput and latency constraints on the synthesized design. A library-based design style is used, where libraries may include multiple implementations of each component type. Library components are characterized by their relative power, area, and delay performance. The methodology has been implemented in the Sierra high-level synthesis system.


The patchy spatial distribution of many benthic commercial bivalve species plays an important role in determining
the fishing and management strategies applied within a fishery. This study used fisher catch-return data and high
resolution Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data to determine the distribution of fishing effort within a region opened
to commercial dredge fishing during the 2003 Tasmanian commercial scallop (Pecten fumatus) fishery, Australia. Fisher
catch return data suggested that most (88%) of the open region was fished, however, fine-scaleVMS data showed that 50%
of the fishing effort occurred within 0.85% of the total area available to fishing, and 95% of the effort occurred within
∼12% of the open region. The distribution of VMS inferred that the fishing effort was found to be patchy at all measured
spatial scales (5×5km to 250×250m grid cell sizes); however, the degree of patchiness decreased with lower spatial
scale cell sizes. Significant differences in the dredged benthic communities recorded within regions exposed to different
concentrations of fishing intensity (heavy, moderate and low) were observed, with low and moderately fished regions
containing high abundances of screwshells and their associated hermit crabs. Water depth was found to explain some
of these observed differences, suggesting that the results may be the consequence of fisher behaviour over pre-existing
habitat types. The observed distribution of the fishing effort and scallop beds within the Tasmanian commercial scallop,
Pecten fumatus, fishery suits a closed area spatial management strategy, with the areas opened to fishing potentially being
of the same scale as scallop beds (km×km).


Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are promising vectors for delivering therapeutic radiation to cancer cells, but the slow pharmacokinetics of immunoglobulins can lead to high radiation doses to healthy organs, which has hampered the advent of targeted radiommunotherapy (RIT) in the clinic. In response, considerable attention has been dedicated to RIT strategies — including pretargeted radioimmunotherapy (PRIT) — that reduce the radiation burden to healthy tissue. PRIT harnesses the tumor-targeting properties of mAbs while avoiding their drawbacks by employing process in which we are able to radioactively label mAbs after they have accumulated at their target site in vivo. Recently, an innovative approach has emerged based on the extraordinarily selective and rapid inverse electron demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition between a tetrazine (Tz) bearing radioligand and transcyclooctene (TCO) modified mAb. This system has yielded PET images with high contrast while delivering only a small fraction of the radiation dose produced by directly labeled mAbs. Given the success of these pretargeted imaging modalities, the logical next step is to leverage this technology for the development of a safe and effective approach to PRIT. To accomplish this goal, we synthesized two novel 177Lu-labeled Tz radioligands in excellent radiochemical yield (>98%). We compared their uptake in a PRIT system with TCO-modified 5B1 — a human, anti-CA19.9 mAb — using preclinical murine models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Biodistribution studies in mice bearing subcutaneous xenografts indicated that 177Lu-DOTA-PEG7-Tz—the best ligand tested—had rapid (4.6 ± 0.8%ID/g at 4h) and persistent (16.8 ± 3.9%ID/g at 120h) uptake in xenografts while rapidly clearing from blood and non-target tissues. Single-dose therapy studies using 5B1-TCO and varying doses of 177Lu-DOTA-PEG7-Tz (400, 800, and 1200μCi) showed that our system elicits a dose-dependent therapeutic response in mice bearing human xenografts, the higher two doses causing marked reduction in size or complete elimination of the tumors in vivo. Moreover, dosimetry calculations indicated that, as expected, the PRIT approach reduced the effective absorbed dose of radiation relative to directly labeled 177Lu-5B1 by as much as an order of magnitude at doses that elicited an equal therapeutic response. This was particularly true in metabolic organs such as the liver, kidneys, and spleen as well as tissues such as dose-limiting tissues like blood and red marrow. In the past, several strategies for PRIT have been limited by intrinsic problems (i.e. immunogenicity or radionuclide washout due to noncovalent binding) that prevented clinical translation. We have adapted and optimized a novel PRIT system without those inherent limitations that matches or improves upon their efficacy in preclinical studies. Studies to expedite clinical translation are currently underway. Citation Format: Jacob Houghton, Rosemery Membreno, Dalya Abdel-Atti, Wolfgang W. Scholz, Brian M. Zeglis, Jason S. Lewis. Improving the efficacy of pretargeted radioimmunotherapy in preclinical murine models by utilizing bioorthogonal click chemistry. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3051.


Explicit finite element approximate inverse preconditioning methods have been extensively used for solving efficiently sparse linear systems on multiprocessor and multicomputer systems. New parallel computational techniques are proposed for the parallelization of explicit preconditioned biconjugate conjugate gradient type methods, based on Portable Operating System Interface for UniX (POSIX) Threads, for multicore systems. Parallelization is achieved by assigning every loop of the parallel explicit preconditioned bi-conjugate conjugate gradient-STAB (PEPBiCG-STAB) to the desired number of threads, thus achieving for-loop parallelization. Theoretical estimates on speedups and efficiency are also presented. Finally, numerical results for the performance of the PEPBiCG-STAB method for solving characteristic two dimensional boundary value problems on multicore computer systems are presented, which are favorably compared to corresponding results from multiprocessor systems. The implementation issues of the proposed method are also discussed using POSIX Threads on a multicore system.


Coronaviruses (CoVs) are single-stranded RNA viruses described for >50 years. Novel coronavirus (SARS-Coronavirus-2: SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan and has spread globally. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms are primarily pulmonary (fever, dry cough, fatigue, pneumonia); however, other organs can be affected, including the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, heart, and brain.
Pediatric COVID-19 is milder than the adult's type. Children with severe disease often have an underlying co-morbidity, such as chronic lung disease or immunosuppression.
SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-229E are associated with neurological complications. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are not well understood in adults or children, and these manifestations are not rare. The number of patients with neurological manifestations has been increasing Recently, especially in the third peak of the disease.
Early diagnosis and timely management may lead to a better outcome. There are limited reports of neurological complications in the pediatric population. Further studies are required for early diagnosis and better results. We reported the third case of encephalitis in children without any respiratory or gastrointestinal manifestation.
A 7-year-old male was admitted with fever and loss of consciousness. He presented no respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. He reported no medical history and history of substance abuse. Laboratory findings confirm that neurological manifestations might be expected in covid-19 infections, despite the absence of respiratory symptoms. The patient was treated, and the level of consciousness was gradually improving. Supportive treatment and outpatient follow-up were recommended.


Objectives: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) diagnosed based on the diagnostic criteria of Bárány Society, verify the clinical application value of the diagnostic criteria, and further explore the clinical problems associated with the diagnosis of possible BPPV. Methods: A total of 481 patients with BPPV who were admitted from March 2016 to February 2019 were included. All patients were diagnosed by the Dix-Hallpike, straight head hanging and supine roll tests, the nystagmus was recorded using videonystagmography. For patients with possible BPPV (uncertain diagnosis), particle repositioning therapy and follow-up diagnosis were used to further clarify diagnosis. Results: Based on Bárány Society's diagnostic criteria for BPPV, the distribution characteristics of different BPPV types were as follows: 159 (33.1%) patients had posterior canal BPPV-canalolithiasis (PC-BPPV-ca), 70 (14.6%) patients had horizontal canal BPPV-ca (HC-BPPV-ca), 55 (11.4%) patients had spontaneously resolved-probable-BPPV (Pro-BPPV), and 53 (11.0%) patients had HC-BPPV-cupulolithiasis (HC-BPPV-cu). In emerging and controversial BPPV, 51 (10.6%) patients had multiple canal BPPV (MC-BPPV), 30 (6.2%) patients had PC-BPPV-cu, and 19 (4.0%) patients had anterior canal BPPV-ca (AC-BPPV-ca), 44 (9.1%) patients had possible-BPPV (Pos-BPPV). Among the 44 patients with Pos-BPPV, 23 patients showed dizziness/vertigo without nystagmus during the initial positional test, five patients were possible MC-BPPV, four patients had persistent geotropic positional nystagmus lasting > 1 min when lying on both sides, and were considered to have Pos-HC-BPPV, four patients showed apogeotropic nystagmus when lying on one side, and were considered to have possible short-arm HC-BPPV, four patients showed geotropic nystagmus when lying on one side, and were considered to have Pos-HC-BPPV, three patients had down-beating nystagmus, lasing > 1 min, were considered to have Pos-AC-BPPV-cu. One patient showed transient apogeotropic positional nystagmus on both sides during the supine roll test, and was diagnosed with possible anterior arm HC-BPPV. Conclusions: PC-BPPV-ca is the most common among patients with BPPV, followed by HC-BPPV-ca. In emerging and controversial BPPV, MC-BPPV, and Pos-BPPV were more common. For the diagnosis of Pos-BPPV, a combination of the history of typical BPPV, particle repositioning therapy and follow-up outcome is helpful to clarify the diagnosis.


Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the aesthetic blackening coating formed by a hydrothermal process, focusing on the formation of magnetite and the oxide adhesion for improving the corrosion resistance of the steel.

Design/methodology/approach
The aesthetic black coating was applied on AISI 4140 steel using a hydrothermal process with a non-toxic solution consisted of ferrous sulphate hydrate (FeSO4·7H2O), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrazine hydrate (N2H4·H2O). Upon process parameters temperature and time, the morphology of the coatings and oxidation kinetics were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Furthermore, the samples with coatings were subjected to the adhesion test using a tensile testing machine equipped with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera.

Findings
From the formation parameters due to temperature and time for the conversion coatings, it was found that the oxidation kinetics had special characteristics which were in accordance with a linear rate law and Arrhenius relation. For the samples blackened, the XRD analysis results revealed that the magnetite was successfully formed on the surface of the steel. On the other hand, increasing the blackening temperature worsened the scale adhesion as observed by the lower strain provoking the first spallation and the higher sensitivity of the oxide to spall out with the imposed strain.

Originality/value
The effects of parameters of the formation of conversion coatings were investigated to understand the kinetics of the coatings. Furthermore, a tensile adhesion test using a CCD camera was applied to evaluate the adhesion between the native oxide formed by conversion coating.


Objective—To evaluate and refine an assault patient questionnaire to facilitate the contribution of accident and emergency (A&E) departments to Crime and Disorder Act local crime audits. Method—A brief nine item questionnaire was devised in collaboration with the authors of the Home Office British Crime Survey. A prospective sample of 46 consecutive assault patients who attended Cardiff Royal Infirmary A&E department were interviewed by either reception staff or triage nurses. The questionnaire was revised appropriately. Results—The collection of information in A&E departments about the circumstances of violence was straightforward. Questions about motive for violence and about relationships between the injured and their assailants were problematic. Conclusion—The collection of information relevant to Crime and Disorder Act crime audits was possible without extra resource. Receptionists were found to be the most appropriate staff to record information.


The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the erythropoietic response to hemolysis can be mediated by other regulatory peptides in addition to erythropoietin. For this purpose, we have investigated the influence of erythrophagocytosis by human monocytes and macrophages on the mRNA expression of several growth factor genes, including interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and erythroid potentiating activity (EPA), which are supposed to influence erythropoiesis. Immunologically mediated erythrophagocytosis increased the expression of EPA mRNA (2 to 3 times). Such increase appeared to be specifically associated with phagocytosis of erythrocytes, since phagocytosis of yeast microorganisms or antibody-coated latex particles had no effect on EPA gene expression. Yeast, however, powerfully stimulated the expression of GM-CSF, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNAs which, with the exception of G-CSF, were not influenced by erythrophagocytosis. Erythropoietin and IL-3 mRNAs were never detected in cultured monocytes, either in control or in treated samples. Our findings may suggest that phagocytosis of erythrocytes by monocytes/macrophages increases the expression, and possibly the production, of EPA. This could in turn potentiate the erythropoietic response to extravascular hemolysis by increasing the number of cells responsive to erythropoietin. Thus, EPA might be a mediator of an end-product positive feedback on the rate of red cell production.


This report is designed to foster discussion among citizens, leaders and policy makers regarding an important public issue of concern to Iowans. Iowa State University seeks to provide accurate research-based information on relevant issues and neither endorses nor opposes proposals regarding the issues analyzed. The research contained herein was conducted with partial support from the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station (IAHEES), Iowa State University Extension (ISUE) and funding from the Iowa County Recorders Association. Funding from the Iowa County Recorders Association was solely used for providing research assistance with the understanding that the goal of the project was to develop objective information sources for making reasonable judgements regarding the costs of providing vital statistics services to Iowans. The project director expressly avoided receiving financial gain from the project so as to prevent conflicts of interest, bias in research, and/or the appearance thereof


Using comparative genomic hybridisation, we investigated chromosomal imbalances in 28 cases of thymic epithelial neoplasms including type A, B2, B3, the A component of type AB and different subtypes of type C thymoma. To identify different patterns of chromosomal aberrations associated with the biological behaviour and the histological diversity of thymomas, a hierarchical cluster analysis of 65 cases was performed. The here‐reported Comparative Genomic Hybridisation (CGH) data (28 cases) of partly uninvestigated tumour subtypes were pooled with previously published data of chromosomal imbalances of 37 thymomas (Zettl et al. [Am J Pathol 2000;157:257–66]). The analysis of 278 chromosomal subbands yielded 2 main clusters. The first main cluster was characterised by gains of the chromosomal arm 1q, consisted only of type C and B3 thymomas and was further subdivided into 2 subgroups. To the first subgroup only thymomas were attributed, which, in addition to gains of the chromosomal arm 1q, showed losses on 6q and 16q, whereas tumours belonging to the second subgroup exhibited no further recurrent chromosomal alterations. The second main cluster was formed by a heterogeneous group of thymoma types (types A, AB, B2, B3 and C), showing no specific pattern of chromosomal imbalances. In 19 thymomas, no chromosomal imbalances could be detected (3 type B2 and 5 type A thymomas of our study as well as 11 type A thymomas investigated by Zettl et al., Am J Pathol 2000;157:257–66). Chromosomal imbalances were more frequent in type C thymomas than in other subtypes. The distribution of tumour stages according to Masaoka (p = 0.003) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification (p < 0.0001) was significantly different in the clusters and subgroups obtained. The groups reflect the staging system and the WHO classification and show that type B3 and type C carcinomas have a strong relationship concerning their chromosomal imbalances. Furthermore, chromosomal imbalances detected in some type A thymomas might be responsible for the aggressive behaviour described in a few cases of this thymoma subtype. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


This investigation is performed on 100 cattle in Kaliobia governorate Egypt aged from 1- 6years severity of illness increase with age , these animals suffered from fever (41°C) enlargement lymph node and drop in milk yield emaciation in progressive stages , cattle producers first notice the anemic anaplasmosis – infected animal when it becomes weak and lag behind the herd when these animals were subjected to microscopic examination the degree of parasitaema was recorded as the percentage of infected red blood cells in each blood smear 100 microscopic field wear examined .We report the detection of anaplasma marginale by PCR in blood samples obtained from cattle supposed to be infected. The assay employs primers specific for the gene encoding anaplasma marginale specific PCR using primers derived from msp5 gene .The PCR products for 26 positive samples were subjected to sequence (Labtechnology, Egypt) and BLAST analysis was used for identification of the genomic DNA of these parasites. changes associated with anaplasma marginale in these cattle particular emphasis to the oxidative stress the reduce TAC level may reflect adecrease in antioxidant capacity and CBC change . Blood collected from all animals on EDTA to microscopic examination and PCR to determine type of anaplasma.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the influence that globalization has had on the development of the contemporary Japanese art production. The study also aims to expand the global narrative of Japanese art by introducing concepts behind festivals for revitalization that have been occurring in Japan in recent years.

Design/methodology/approach
Guided by Culture Theorist Nira Yuval-Davies' approach to the politics of belonging, the paper is situated within cultural studies and considers the development of contemporary art in Japan in relation to the power structures present within the global art market. This analysis draws heavily from the research of art historians Reiko Tomii, Adrian Favell, and Gennifer Weisenfeld, and is complemented by investigative research into the life of Art Director Kitagawa Fram, as well as observational analyses formed by on-site study of the Setouchi Triennale in 2015 and 2016.

Findings
The paper provides historical insight to the ways that the politics of belonging to the western world has created a limited benchmark for critical discussion about contemporary Japanese art. It suggests that festivals for revitalization in Japan not only are a good source of diversification, but also evidences criticism therein.

Research limitations/implications
Due to the brevity of this text, readers are encouraged to further investigate the source material for more in-depth understanding of the topics.

Practical implications
The paper implies that art historiography should take a multilateral approach to avoid a western hegemony in the field.

Originality/value
This paper fulfills a need to reflect on the limited global reception to Japanese art, while also identifying one movement that art historians and theorists may take into account in the future when considering a Japanese art discourse.


Research in law-related education (LRE) and related fields is reviewed in this report. For the past two decades, researchers consistently have reported that law-related curricula and instruction make a positive impact on youth when compared to traditional approaches to teaching and learning law, civics, and government. The overall conclusion is that LRE programs have a positive effect on student knowledge about law and legal processes, and individual rights and responsibilities. In addition, there is evidence that LRE programs have a positive influence on student attitudes and behavior. The most positive changes in student behavior often are associated with LRE programs where the following elements are present: instruction is of high quality and promotes higher order thinking; students are actively involved in the instructional process; teachers thoughtfully mediate the curriculum through wise selection of materials and outside resource persons; administrators actively support the program; and instructors have a network of professional peer support. This review incorporates an analysis of the major databases that yielded 9 technical reports, 6 scholarly papers, and 25 dissertations directly linked to law-related education. In addition, 13 journal articles and 6 book chapters were included in the review. (BT) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** ootUnderstanding the value of law related and civic education for youth; A review of the literature PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND 1101011 DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY


This dissertation explores biological (physical) and social characteristics associated with health later in life, integrating gender/sex considerations and a life course perspective. We use data from 50-years-old and older Spanish and other European adults from two different sources: the Active Ageing Longitudinal Study \Estudio Longitudinal de Envejecimiento Activo" (ELEA) in Spain, and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). This study includes cross-sectional and longitudinal (both prospective and retrospective) designs and embraces a broad set of variables such as demographic characteristics, socioeconomic and health indicators, early health and socioeconomic conditions, etc.
Results are presented in five original papers. Cross-sectionally, we found that, compared to men, part of the overall poorer health among women was surely determined by a gender effect and may have had an early origin, probably related to traditional gender roles established early in life. Additionally, we found marked socioeconomic gradients in health and mobility indicators like frailty and balance performance. Health behaviours like physical activity and obesity seemed to play a similar and small role in explaining the link between socioeconomic status and frailty and balance in older adults. Longitudinally, in a prospective study of the predictors of disability for two years, we found that a decline in function was associated with an increased number of chronic diseases and symptoms of depression among Spanish men, whereas among women it was associated with decreased cognitive performance. Finally, in a retrospective study with a life course approach, we found a direct association between childhood and adult health among older Europeans, whereas the impact of the socioeconomic status in childhood was more indirect and operated through the own socioeconomic status in adulthood.
This suggests that in order to improve adult health, efforts can be made in ameliorating child health. Moreover, poor childhood health was a stronger predictor of adult health -having more negative effect- in Northern compared to other European countries. This finding may be useful for planning interventions based on country-specific evidence, and contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms underneath the health dynamics over the life course.
The results of this study add to the evidence of the importance of including a multidisciplinary and life course perspective when evaluating health and well-being in later life. They might also contribute to enhance health and reduce health inequalities by suggesting effective interventions meant to improve the quality of life of older adults.


We studied the use of nest-sites by Griffon Vultures ( Gyps fulvus ) and the breeding success in these sites during 1998–2002 in Gamla Nature Reserve (Israel). Nest-sites in which a breeding attempt succeeded in fledging a young, were more likely to be occupied by nesting vultures in the following breeding season, than nest-sites that experienced a failure. This suggests that Griffon Vultures in Gamla used a Win–Stay/Lose–Shift strategy regarding nest-site fidelity.


Background: Alveolar bone loss is the most striking feature of periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway inhibitor and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor in the reduction of alveolar bone loss in an experimental periodontal disease (EPD) model. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 60 Wistar rats divided into three groups of 20 rats each and then subjected to a ligature placement around the left maxillary second molars. Group 1 rats were treated with COX inhibitor (diclofenac sodium 10 mg/kg/d), group 2 with NOS inhibitor (aminoguanidine hydrochloride 10 mg/kg/d) and group 3 served as controls, receiving only saline, intraperitoneally 1h before EPD induction and daily until the sacrifice on the 11th day. Leukogram was performed before ligation, at 6 h and at the first, seventh and 11th days after EPD induction. After sacrifice, all the excised maxillae were subjected to morphometric and histometric analysis to measure the alveolar bone loss. Histopathological analysis was carried out to estimate cell influx, alveolar bone and cementum integrity. Results: Induction of experimental periodontitis in the rat model produced pronounced leucocytosis, which was significantly reduced by the administration of diclofenac sodium and aminoguanidine on the 11th day. In morphometric and histometric examinations, both the test drugs significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the alveolar bone loss as compared with the control group. Conclusion: Both COX inhibitor and NOS inhibitor are equally effective in inhibiting the inflammatory bone resorption in an experimental periodontitis model.


Databases are growing in size and complexity. With the emergence of data lakes, databases have become open, fast evolving and highly heterogeneous. Understanding the complex relationships among different entity types in such scenarios is both challenging and necessary to data scientists. We propose an approach that utilizes a convolutional neural network to learn patterns associated with each entity type in the database at the character level. We demonstrate that the learned character-level patterns can capture sufficient semantic information for many useful applications including data lake schema exploration, and interactive data cleaning.


The disruption of envelopes and the fragmentation of capsids of equine herpes-virus type I observed in negatively stained samples were attributed to viral dehydration on carbon films during preparation for electron microscopy. Prior fixation of virus with OSO4 or glutaraldehyde and subsequent application of negative stain before drying minimized envelope disruption and virtually eliminated the occurrence of capsomere sheets and broken capsids. This sample procedure significantly improves electron microscopic evaluation of herpesvirus samples.


87 Introduction: The incidence of liver cancer varies greatly by geographic region. The age standardized rates (ASR) among men are 5.3 in North America, 6.2 in Western Europe, and 36.9 in East Asia. The ASRs for women are 1.9 in North America, 1.7 in Western Europe, and 13.3 in East Asia. Several factors, such as HBV and HCV infection, alcohol consumption and aflatoxin-B1-contaminated food, have been established as risk factors for liver cancer. The IARC Monograph on tobacco smoking concluded there is sufficient evidence in humans that cigarette smoking causes liver cancer. However, the United States Surgeon General's report concluded the evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between smoking and liver cancer. A meta-analysis of published epidemiologic studies may help to clarify the potential association. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search for epidemiologic studies on liver cancer and cigarette smoking. Meta-relative risks (mRR) were calculated to combine study specific risk estimates overall, for various strata and for dose-response data. Heterogeneity, publication bias and influence analyses were performed. Results: A total of 38 cohort studies (including 4 nested case-control studies) and 56 case-control studies investigated the association of cigarette smoking and liver cancer risk. Compared to never smokers, the adjusted mRRs for liver cancer were 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37-1.68) for current smokers and 1.20 (95% CI = 1.06-1.36) for former smokers. For men, the adjusted mRRs were 1.65 (95% CI = 1.40-1.96) for current smokers and 1.41 (95% CI = 1.10-1.81) for former smokers. For women, the adjusted mRRs were 1.92 (95% CI = 1.36-2.71) for current smokers and 1.39 (95% CI = 0.74-2.61) for former smokers. When stratified by geographic region, adjusted mRRs for current smoking were 1.68 (95% CI = 0.89-3.17) for the Americas, 1.26 (95% CI = 0.65-2.46) for Europe, and 1.55 (95% CI = 1.35-1.78) for Asia. In addition, the associations among current smokers appeared to be consistent with the overall mRR regardless of study design (case-control and cohort), sample size, and publication period (1966-1990 vs. 1991-2006). The mRRs for adjusted estimates were similar to those for crude estimates. When we restricted the studies to those adjusting for alcohol, HBV or HCV, the magnitude of effect for current smoking remained similar. Using Egger's test, there was no suggestion of publication bias (p value = 0.471). Dose-response trends were observed with adjusted mRRs of 1.6 for every 20 cigarettes per day increase and 1.3 for every 40 pack-years increase of smoking (p for trend = 0.0099 and 0.0499, respectively). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis supports the association between cigarette smoking and liver cancer risk. For current smoking, major differences in liver cancer risk were not suggested by gender, geographic region, study design or time period of publication.


Discusses the degree of fitness of a dynamic model of a SCARA robot. The model takes into account the elasticity, the clearance and the irregularity of the speed reducers. The discussion compares actual data, collected during experimental tests on a commercial robot, with results obtained via computer simulation. Problems related with the parameters determination and instability of the controller are highlighted.<<ETX>>


Abstract:Present-day pragmaticists regard Henk Haverkate's work on conversational etiquette as a momentous insight into politeness studies. In spite of recent endeavours to highlight the socio-pragmatic disparities between Spanish and British politeness models, very little research has been conducted into conversational etiquette. This paper seeks to examine different models of conversational etiquette in Spanish and English in order to offer an introduction to turn-taking theory, conduct an empirical analysis of turn-taking in these languages in formal scenarios, and discuss the results within the framework of politeness studies.


The consequences of terrorist threat and terrorist acts for mental health of the individual, groups of individuals and community in general are analyzed. Mental disorders emerging in the victims of terrorism is described. The problem of terrorist threats use as a psychic weapon is discussed. Tolerance of population to terrorism can be divided into two types--psychophysiological and socio-psychological. The ways for elevating tolerability to terrorist threat and terrorist acts are suggested. Help in the centers of terrorist act must be of the complex character, being provided by different specialists including psychologists and psychiatrists. The importance of state structures and community support in this work is emphasized.


Fear of (mass) migration has been and still is an important aspect of ongoing processes of socio-spatial bordering of immigrants within the European Union. The recent EU-enlargement involving several post-Soviet nations has only but intensified these sentiments. Offering an alternative to the well-known, yet flawed Fortress Europe metaphor, Henk van Houtum and Roos Pijpers argue that that the moral panic on immigration and consequent migration policy in various member states of the European Union follows a geo-strategic logic which much more than a Fortress resembles the management of a Gated Community.


PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the influence of change in loneliness on the experience of depression among the students in a business school in India. Building on the literature, the authors argued the dynamic nature of loneliness and depression and subsequently explored the linkage between change in loneliness and associated change in the experience of depression. Further, the purpose is also to explore whether such linkage depends on individual personality factors.Design/methodology/approachThe present study is part of a bigger study that employed a longitudinal survey design. Data were collected in two phases with a six-month time lag between the phases. Data were initially collected in July 2014, and again with all measures repeated in January, 2015. Data were collected from two sections from the undergraduate program participants at one of the reputed institutions in India. Demographic variables such as gender, number of siblings, and family type (nuclear family or joint family) were collected. The authors controlled for age and qualification as all the students have the same qualification and almost all of them were in the same age group. All these variables were controlled due to their probable interference with the proposed theoretical model.FindingsThe findings reveal a significant role of loneliness on experience of depression and a moderating role of personality on the relationship. The linkage between change in loneliness and change in depression was found to be higher among those people who were high on extraversion. The findings clearly indicate that the impact of loneliness will be more as the need for attachment is high for individuals having higher extraversion.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research may explore the role of neuroticism in the link between loneliness and depression.Practical implicationsThe findings of this longitudinal study are very relevant for all the professional groups in the college/university setting. It is important for students as well as college authorities to understand the dynamic nature and relationship of loneliness and depression, as well as the role of personality factors. Routine monitoring as well as various educational programs may be included as regular components of campus culture. Even curriculum can also be fine-tuned. Various programs can be designed to improve interpersonal skills, cognitive understanding, and resolution of aversive emotions, as these college going students or buddying managers are more receptive to intervention programs.Originality/valueThe paper clearly reflects its originality. It adds value in the form of contribution to theoretical development as well as to various college authorities to handle students emotions effectively.


The water potential that controls moisture movement in concrete is a kind of stress that also causes concrete to shrink and to expand. An explicit equation that shows the relationships between water potential and drying shrinkage was derived through a mathematical process. In this study, only two micromechanisms that are valid when the relative humidity is over 50% are considered among the three shrinkage mechanisms. The theory developed shows that the magnitude and the shape of the drying-shrinkage curve depends on the compressibility of the ingredients, the amount of aggregate, and the pore structure of the cement. The relationship between drying shrinkage and water potential is found to be a logarithmic curve. Thermocouple psychrometers are embedded in a concrete slab to measure the water potential. The test results prove the validity of the theory, and show how to use the derived equation.


Hydrothermal paleoactivity in the unconformity between the Buenos Aires Complex and La Tinta Formation in the Barker area, Tandilia. The alteration present at the rocks in the unconformity between the Precambrian Buenos Aires Complex and the Late PrecambrianCambrian La Tinta Formation was studied in eight profiles widespread around Barker locality, Tandilia Ranges. The petrographic study, the x-ray diffractometry, the treatment of whole-rock analysis and the fluid inclusion study allowed either to support or to question previous hypotheses about the genesis of such altered rocks. Mineral parageneses suggest asymmetric alteration patterns confined to the contact, basement sedimentary succession, with local variations. Pyrophyllite + sericite (2M1-1M) + especularite (titanohematite) ± aluminum phosphate-sulfate (APS) minerals ± tourmaline ± rutile occurred where elements leaching and temperatures were higher (~ 260 oC), at the unconformity. Sericite (1M) + chlorite + calcite ± anatase-rutile ± kaolinite (1T) ± secondary quartz developed where lower temperature was reached, usually farther from the unconformity. Local silicification, at the unconformity rocks, postdates or was simultaneous with the alterations of lower temperatures (< 190 oC) of formation. By means of isocon diagrams the component mobility in the different types of alteration are shown. All mineral parageneses found could be satisfactorily explained by a hydrothermal alteration model in which the unconformity acted as a hydrothermal channel way, of multiple activity focus, on a regional scale.


To reduce the network load during peak hours, servers deliver partial data to users during the off-peak time of the network before the actual requests are known, which is known as caching. This paper studies a single user caching problem in which the file contents are subject to dynamic modifications with respect to a certain probability distribution. To cope with the dynamical nature of the file contents, a successive refinement approach to caching is presented: partial information of the original data is cached first and then if there is a modification, a refinement to the previously cached data is delivered to the user. Given a fixed cache memory, there is a tension between the rates of two cache descriptions. The problem of optimal caching strategies is formulated through a successive Gray-Wyner network, the optimal rate region of which is characterized. Some lower and upper bounds on the performance of optimal caching strategies are developed and shown to actually yield closed form solutions for certain classes of file contents.


The Maldives comprises 1192 islands covering a land mass that amounts to under 1% of the total geographical territory of the country. The population of 280 000 is dispersed across 200 isolated communities, with an average of 1000 people per community. Recent progress in health terms include a reduction in the infant mortality rate from 62 in 1992 to 14 in 2003, and 95% coverage in child immunization. In 1992, SHE a non-governmental organization established that the β-thalassaemia prevalence rate was 18.1% (1 in 5) and on the basis of the result, launched a nationwide awareness and population screening programme, visiting each island in the Maldives every 5 years and targeting 12–35-year-olds. Screening of 100 cord blood samples indicated a 28% incidence of α-thalassaemia. Screening results highlighted significantly high incidence of more than one haemoglobinopathy on individual islands. This is of particular importance given the norm of intra-island marriages. Specific mutation analysis showed that three mutations accounted for more than 95% of the thalassaemia genes, ensuring a high detection rate and cost effectiveness of a prenatal diagnosis programme. Outcomes of the screening programme include screening of more than 25% of the target population; the establishment of a Government National Thalassaemia Centre; inclusion of thalassaemia into the school curriculum; the legal requirement for screening prior to marriage; legalization of prenatal diagnosis and medical termination of pregnancy; and the commencement of prenatal diagnostic services. The programme successes include effective advocacy, resource mobilization, motivation for screening, voluntary blood donation, and thalassaemia becoming a household word in the country.


Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) and drug-eluting stents (DES) were available for treating femoropopliteal disease since 2017 and 2019. However, there are few reports to investigate whether approval of DCB and DES improved primary patency in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: We divided consecutive 407 patients into 2017 (n=93), 2018 (n=128), and 2019 (n=186) groups, undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT) for de novo femoropopliteal lesions in our hospital. We retrospectively compared clinical characteristics, procedure, and one-year patency between the three groups. Results: Baseline characteristics were not different except for the lower rate of popliteal lesions in 2017 (p=0.030). Use of DCB increased from 7.5% in 2017 to 38.7% in 2019, and use of DES from 0.0% in 2018 to 24.2% in 2019. One-year primary patency increased significantly both from 2017 to 2018 (62.7% vs. 70.8%, p=0.036) and from 2018 to 2019 (70.8% vs. 80.5%, p=0.025). Cox proportional multivariate analysis revealed that restenosis was independently associated with advanced age (p=0.036) and hemodialysis (p=0.003). Conversely, use of paclitaxel-based devices (p<0.001) and larger diameter of finalized devices (p=0.005) were protective factors against restenosis. Conclusion: One-year primary patency after EVT in femoropopliteal lesions was improved annually by utilizing DCB and DES, individually.


The story of the Aquedah represents one of the most moving stories of the Bible. Most modern discussions on it take their point of departure from Soren Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling. I shall do so too in this essay, which focuses on the relations between ethics and religious belief and tries to show that Kierkegaard misinterpreted the story. The inquiry analyzes philosophical responses to the Aquedah from Philo and Jewish and non-Jewish philosophers until the present. It underscores its paradoxical implications, including a structuralist analysis and comparison of the Aquedah with the biblical story of Yephta's daughter. The final conclusion asserts that what Kierkegaard extolled, Judaism condemns as sacrilege.


Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Personality Assessment evokes memories of years past when I participated in its birth. Therefore, in recording what I consider significant events in Rorschach's stormy history, I am placing them within an autobiographical framework. Originally introduced into America by David Levy in the early 1920s, the Rorschach attracted students from many disciplines who revolted against the "trait" psychology that pervaded the psychological scene at the time. For 30 years, we accepted Rorschach enthusiastically as a global method that could study the human personality as a whole and in depth. In the late 1960s, we were challenged because of repeated failures in validating research. Interest declined in its development and application. Since 1970, however, it has emerged with more strength and vigor on firmer theoretical foundations and sounder methodology. Although the method is one of the most frequently required, requested, needed, recommended, and used in many clinical settings, it is still challenged today, chiefly because of overemphasis on the nomothetic approaches in research and failure to consider interactions between personality dynamics, behavior, and situational and sociocultural variables. Those of us whose lives have long been entwined with the history of the Rorschach should step back from the contemporary canvas and contemplate the future of our method, t suggest that we develop alternative conceptual models and greater diversity of research methods and modes of thought. The Journal of Personality Assessment can enhance the future of the Rorschach by giving greater prominence to clinically oriented research, notably to the idiographic and interactional aspects of the method. In so doing, the journal can help the Rorschach reach its real goal of complete scientific validity.


Two novel lanthanoid thioantimonates [Sm(4)(tepa)(4)(μ-η(2),η(3)-Sb(3)S(7))(2)(μ-Sb(2)S(4))] (1, tepa = tetraethylenepentamine) and [Eu(2)(tepa)(2)(μ-SbS(3))(μ-OH)](2)(SbS(4))(OH)·H(2)O (2) were solvothermally synthesized. Compound 1 represents the only example of different types of [Sb(3)S(7)](5-) and [Sb(2)S(4)](2-) anions coexisting in the same lanthanoid thioantimonate framework, while 2 displays rare mixed-valent Sb(3+)/Sb(5+) character with the Sb(3+) in a noncondensed pyramid [Sb(III)S(3)](3-). The theoretical band structure and luminescence properties have also been investigated.


We conduct an empirical evaluation of extrapolation performance when conditioning on scalar control inputs like desired output length, desired edit from an input sentence, and desired sentiment across three text generation tasks. Specifically, we examine a zero-shot setting where models are asked to generalize to ranges of control values not seen during training. We focus on evaluating popular embedding methods for scalar inputs, including both learnable and sinusoidal embeddings, as well as simpler approaches. Surprisingly, our findings indicate that the simplest strategy of using scalar inputs directly, without further encoding, most reliably allows for successful extrapolation.