This paper focuses on the extant copies of Tomon kikan, especially those preserved in Eihei-ji and Soji-ji.The original manuscript of Tomon kikan was written by Tokuo Ryoko (1649-1709) in 1703, the 16th year of the Genroku period in the Edo era. No printed copies of this work have been found, with only several manuscript copies are preserved.On my examination of the end notes of these two manuscripts, I found recorded that the original Tomon kikan was kept at Soji-ji and Genko-an soon after it was finished, and it was copied in writing at Chokoku-ji in 1850, the 3rd year of the Kaei period. My conclusion is that one of the extant copies came down to us today via Chokoku-ji.


The skills of software developers are important to the success of software projects. Also, when studying the general effect of a tool or method, it is important to control for individual differences in skill. However, the way skill is assessed is often ad hoc, or based on unvalidated methods. According to established test theory, validated tests of skill should infer skill levels from well-defined performance measures on multiple, small, representative tasks. In this respect, we show how time and quality, which are often analyzed separately, can be combined as task performance and subsequently be aggregated as an approximation of skill. Our results show significant positive correlations between our proposed measures of skill and other variables, such as seniority, lines of code written, and self-evaluated expertise. The method for combining time and quality is a promising first step to measuring programming skill in both industry and research settings.


There is considerable interest in new methods for the assessment of retinal blood flow for the diagnosis of eye diseases. We present in vivo normal human volumetric retinal flow measurement using Fourier domain Doppler optical coherence tomography. We used a dual-plane scanning pattern to determine the angle between the blood flow and the scanning beam in order to measure total flow velocity. Volumetric flow in each blood vessel around the optic nerve head was integrated in one cardiac cycle in each measurement. Measurements were performed in the right eye of one human subject. The measured venous flow velocity ranged from 16.26 mm/s to 29.7 mm/s. The arterial flow velocity ranged from 38.35 mm/s to 51.13 mm/s. The total retinal venous and arterial flow both added up to approximately 54 microl/min. We believe this is the first demonstration of total retinal blood flow measurement using the OCT technique.


The analysis of amino acids presents significant challenges to contemporary analytical separations. The present paper investigates the possibility of retention prediction in hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) gradient elution based on the analytical solution of the fundamental equation of the multilinear gradient elution derived for reversed-phase systems. A simple linear dependence of the logarithm of the solute retention (ln k) upon the volume fraction of organic modifier (φ) in a binary aqueous-organic mobile is adopted. Utility of the developed methodology was tested on the separation of a mixture of 21 amino acids carried out with 14 different gradient elution programs (from simple linear to multilinear and curved shaped) using ternary eluents in which a mixture of methanol and water (1:1, v/v) was the strong eluting member and acetonitrile was the weak solvent. Starting from at least two gradient runs, the prediction of solute retention obtained under all the rest gradients was excellent, even when curved gradient profiles were used. Development of such methodologies can be of great interest for a wide range of applications.


Grain production is vital to the national economy and people's livelihood, and improving grain production efficiency is of great significance to the sustainable development of China's economy and society. From the perspective of financial support, using the DEA global Malmquist productivity index model and based on the data of 13 main grain producing areas in China from 2001 to 2017, this paper discusses the evolution characteristics and regional distribution differences of the total factor productivity index of grain production in China's main grain producing areas. The results show that from 2001 to 2017, the total factor productivity index of grain production in China's main grain producing areas showed an overall fluctuation trend of gradual decline, with an average annual decline of 7.3%. From the perspective of spatial analysis, the grain production efficiency in China's main grain producing areas is characterized by uneven spatial development, which is generally manifested as the decreasing trend from the central region to the eastern and western regions. Meanwhile, it can be seen from the decomposition index that the change of total factor productivity of grain production in China's main grain producing areas mainly depends on the change of technical efficiency.


As the area where chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found continues to expand, there is concern over the impact it may have on elk (Cervus elaphus) populations that congregate on winter feedgrounds in Wyoming. A stochastic simulation model was created to determine the effect that genotype-specific CWD mortality rates had on a hypothetical free-ranging elk population. Life table data gathered from captive elk held in a CWD-contaminated facility was used to parameterize the model. Modeling the free-ranging elk herd without hunting or differences in survival by genotype resulted in a near extinction decrease in elk numbers over a 100-year period. However, incorporating differences in CWD-mortality by genotype into the model allowed the population to stabilize if hunting was modified to harvest only antlered elk. Our results indicate that, with flexible hunting management, elk populations could adapt to CWD through changes in the frequency of genotypes associated with the incubation time for CWD.


In this paper, a structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model is established for the study of the stability of China's economic growth and market confidence in response to the moderately loose monetary policy since the economic crisis. The empirical research using the monthly data from December 2007 to August 2012 shows: after the economic crisis, China's monetary policy has a positive effect on stabilization of market confidence as well as economic growth. The positive effect of the credit channel to economic growth is higher than that of the monetary channel and the government debt bond channel. And the positive effects on stabilizing the market confidence through the monetary channel is not obvious, while there is a strong stimulus through credit channel in the short term, but the positive effects will fade quickly.


We have shown that a decrease in dimethylaminohydrolase type 2 (DDAH2) activity and an increase in asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) results in nitric oxide synthase derived oxidative/nitrative stress and that this contributes to acute lung injury (ALI) in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The mechanism by which DDAH2 is regulated is unknown and was the focus of this study. pp60Src is a member of the Src-family protein tyrosine kinases. In pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAEC) and the mouse lung, LPS increased ADMA-mediated NOS-derived superoxide and this correlated with an increase in pp60Src activation and DDAH2 inhibition. LPS also increased the interaction of pp60Src with DDAH2 resulting in increased DDAH2 tyrosine phosphorylation. In PAEC, the over-expression of a dominant negative mutant of pp60Src (K295MSrc) prevented the LPS dependent decrease in DDAH2 activity and the resulting increase in ADMA levels and attenuated the ability of LPS to stimulate NOS-derived superoxide and peroxynitrite generation. Further, the over-expression of a constitutively active pp60Src (Y527FSrc) either in PAEC or the mouse endothelium was sufficient to inhibit DDAH2 activity and increase ADMA levels. Y527FSrc over-expression also increased NOS-derived superoxide and peroxynitrite generation. Mutating the single tyrosine (Y) residue of DDAH II located at aa207 to phenylalanine (Y207FDDAH2) produced an enzyme that was resistant to pp60Src dependent inhibition. Together our data suggest that in ALI, the effects of LPS on DDAH/ADMA signaling and downstream NOS-derived oxidative stress are dependent on the pp60Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of DDAH II at Y207.


Chitin which is the result of processing from green conch shell waste can be transformed into chitosan through a deacetylation process using variations in the concentration of NaOH. This study aims to determine the optimum conditions of variations in base concentration to the value of the degree of deacetylation of chitosan. The types of bases used are NaOH with the concentration variations of 50%, 55%, and 60%. Chitosan obtained was calculated the yield and characterized using FTIR. The results showed the optimum condition of the value of chitosan deacetylation degree was achieved by using 60% NaOH which produced the highest deacetylation degree value of 76.5%.
Keywords: Green mussels shell, chitin, chitosan, deacetylation


For many years there was doubt if gamma-irradiated PVC materials could be sterilized with ethylene oxide. It was feared that toxic concentrations of ethylene chlorohydrin (2-chlorethanol) might originate with this procedure. We investigated the various possibilities of ethylene chlorohydrin formation. Gamma-irradiated PVC tubes were resterilized with ethylene oxide and the 2-chlorethanol concentrations determined by gas chromatography. The 2-chlorethanol concentrations at the end of sterilization ranged from 240 to 436 ppm depending upon the composition of the tubes. After 4 d they ranged from < 5 to 280 ppm and after 21 d from < 5 to 218 ppm. For comparison were examined PVC tubes which were not gamma-irradiated but ethylene oxide sterilized only. We extracted < 5 to 23 ppm ethylene chlorohydrin from them. PVC tubes gas sterilized only and retaining 44 to 9300 ppm ethylene oxide were submerged in physiological NaCl solution for 2 h. The ethylene chlorohydrin concentrations formed by this procedure ranged from 43 to 75 ppm. After 4 d aeration before begin of extraction they decreased to < 5, 10 and 16 ppm. PVC tubes aerated for 5 or 7 d, containing at least 236 ppm ethylene chlorohydrin did not demonstrate any effect upon cultures of human fibroblasts. The toxic concentrations of 2-chlorethanol in our own animal- and cell culture experiments were 12 000 ppm or higher. Other investigators found no damaging effect on mouse fibroblasts by adding 20 000 ppm ethylene chlorohydrin. It appears to be sufficiently proven that gamma-irradiated PVC items may be resterilized with ethylene oxide and used in patients provided they they have been adequately aerated.


Introduction: The intracellular Ca2+ sensor stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is thought to play a critical role in enamel development, as its mutations cause Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI). We recently established an ameloblast-specific (AmelX-iCre) Stim1 conditional deletion mouse model to investigate the role of STIM1 in controlling ameloblast function and differentiation in vivo (Stim1 cKO). Our pilot data (Said et al., J. Dent. Res., 2019, 98, 1002–1010) support our hypothesis for a broad role of Stim1 in amelogenesis. This paper aims to provide an in-depth characterization of the enamel phenotype observed in our Stim1 cKO model. Methods: We crossed AmelX-iCre mice with Stim1-floxed animals to develop ameloblast-specific Stim1 cKO mice. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and micro- CT were used to study the enamel phenotype. RNAseq and RT-qPCR were utilized to evaluate changes in the gene expression of several key ameloblast genes. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the amelogenin, matrix metalloprotease 20 and kallikrein 4 proteins in ameloblasts. Results: Stim1 cKO animals exhibited a hypomineralized AI phenotype, with reduced enamel volume, diminished mineral density, and lower calcium content. The mutant enamel phenotype was more severe in older Stim1 cKO mice compared to younger ones and changes in enamel volume and mineral content were more pronounced in incisors compared to molars. Exploratory RNAseq analysis of incisors' ameloblasts suggested that ablation of Stim1 altered the expression levels of several genes encoding enamel matrix proteins which were confirmed by subsequent RT-qPCR. On the other hand, RT-qPCR analysis of molars' ameloblasts showed non-significant differences in the expression levels of enamel matrix genes between control and Stim1-deficient cells. Moreover, gene expression analysis of incisors' and molars' ameloblasts showed that Stim1 ablation caused changes in the expression levels of several genes associated with calcium transport and mitochondrial kinetics. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings suggest that the loss of Stim1 in ameloblasts may impact enamel mineralization and ameloblast gene expression.


Despite compelling evidence that some patients with a psychiatric diagnosis could benefit from genetic assessment, genetic testing for psychiatric patients is underutilized. Few studies have reported psychiatric genetics training for mental health specialists, and such research is especially lacking in Spain. We aimed to gather the opinions of Spanish mental health residents, including resident intern nurses (RINs), doctors (RIDs) and psychologists (RIPs). A short survey was prepared by an expert team and distributed to all mental health residency centers in Spain during the first semester of 2021. Of the 2028 residents, 18% responded. Participants were mainly females (71%), in their first year of residency (37%) and within the 27–31‐year age range. While participants received little theoretical (13.4%) and practical (4.6%) training on average, RIDs had the most affirmative responses. Notably, RINs and RIDs were interested in genetics during residency (>40%) and strongly believed (85.0%) that genetics training using both theoretical and practical methodologies should be incorporated into residency training. However, RIPs were less interested (20%), and only 60% believed that genetics training should be incorporated. Spanish mental health residents, although interested in genetics in psychiatry, receive little training on this topic. They strongly believe that genetics training using theoretical and practical methodologies should be incorporated.


Polymers prepared by controlled radical polymerization (CRP) can be employed in subsequent chain-end joining reactions, yet accurately assessing the extent of coupling in mechanistically unique paths is not straightforward. Precisely known mixtures of polystyrene standards were prepared and analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), mimicking the coupled product and precursor that could be present after a post-polymerization, chain-end joining reaction. The exactly known percentages of each polymer in the mixture allowed for comparison of the true "extent of coupling" (Xc) to that determined by a commonly used equation, which is based on number average molecular weights (Mn) of the precursor and coupled product. The results indicated that an improvement in accuracy could be achieved by instead using refractive index (RI) signal height ratios under the peak molecular weight (Mp) of each component, with all calculations being within 0.05 of the true Xc of the fabricated "product" mixture (compared to greater than 0.10 average error using the more established method) when the sample mixture had nominal molecular weights of 2500 and 5000 Da. Moreover, when "precursor" and "coupled" pairs mixed were not related as a simple doubling of molecular weight, the calculation method presented here remained effective at determining the content of the mixture, especially at higher Xc values (>0.45). This second case is important for experiments that may link polymer chains together with a spacer, such as a radical trap, a triazole, or even larger structure such as an oligomer.


In this study, the flow characteristics of torpedo-like geometry placed near the free-surface at various angles of attack were investigated numerically. The study was carried out at the Reynolds number of Re=4x10 between immersion ratios of 0.75≤h/D≤3.5 and angles of attack α=0°,4°, 8°, and 12°. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence model was used along with the Volume of Fluid (VOF) multiphase model to investigate the effects of free-surface. Wake region had an asymmetrical structure near the free-surface as a result of the interaction. A jet-like flow region was observed between the geometry and the free-surface at lower immersion ratios due to the restriction of the flow area. This flow region had a downward movement towards the lower pressure wake region. The drag coefficient, CD, values were increased with the decrease of immersion ratio. At angles of attack α=8° and 12°, the flow separation occurring near the nose caused an additional restriction in the flow area and directed the jet-like flow toward free-surface. Variation of Froude numbers (Fr) depending on the immersion ratio is examined, and it is found that Fr number and corresponding drag coefficient have higher values for the lower immersion ratio. The free-surface effect was found negligible at h/D≥2.5 for all cases.


Background: Hypertension is a public health burden globally and is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Elevated blood pressure (BP) in young adulthood leads to atherosclerosis in middle age. Bengaluru is a rapidly growing city with huge traffic congestion which leads to increased stress levels in professional bus drivers. The purpose of the study was to assess whether bus drivers had higher waist-hip ratio elevated BP as compared to non-drivers.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to record the anthropometric parameters, measure waist-hip ratio, record systolic (SBP), and diastolic BP (DBP) in (1) Group A - 30 Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus drivers and (2) Group B - 30 non-drivers (clerical staff) and to assess and compare the results between both the groups.

Materials and Methods: Study included 60 subjects aged between 25 and 35 years chosen based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Questionnaire including personal history and diet history was answered by all the subjects. Physical examination was done. Waist circumference and hip girth were measured and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) calculated in both the groups. BP was recorded in sitting position both by palpatory and auscultatory methods in both groups. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed.

Results: WHR was significantly higher in the study group as compared to subjects in the control group (P = 0.01*). There was significant elevation of SBP (P = 0.001**) and DBP (P = 0.001**) in the study group. With respect to the years of job experience, study group had more SBP (P = 0.001**) and DBP (P = 0.043*) compared to controls.

Conclusion: Higher waist-hip ratio and increased BP in drivers as compared to controls suggest that drivers are at high risk of developing coronary heart disease or stroke at an early age. Drivers have to be educated about lifestyle modifications to reduce stress and maintain BP within a normal range.


OBJECTIVE
The diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that result from damage to the lung parenchyma. While the cause of most DPLDs remains unknown, extensive epidemiological and experimental evidence has linked exposure to environmental toxins to the pathogenesis of some of those diseases. The purpose of this review is to examine the potential relation between exposure to toxins released from the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse on September 11th, 2001 and the development of DPLD based on published evidence up to date.

METHODS
We examine such evidence from two points of view, (1) exposure, and (2) histopathogenesis.

EXPOSURE
Analyses of WTC-dust and particle size demonstrate that some portion of the dust was composed of particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, reaching distal airways and alveoli. The presence of such particles has been confirmed in studies of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage in WTC-exposed firefighters. Histopathogenesis: In vitro and animal experiments and patient evidence suggest that WTC dust is capable of inducing a pulmonary interstitial inflammatory response.

RESULTS
To date, there have been limited clinical reports documenting the development of diffuse parenchymal responses following exposure to WTC dust. No single common pathologic response has been described. The one common denominator in the reports is that the individuals who developed disease were heavily exposed either during the disaster or during the initial 2-to-3 days following the disaster.

CONCLUSION
DLPDs are probably associated with heavy or extended exposure to the toxins released at the WTC disaster site. Coupled with the historical experience with exposures to occupational toxins this mandates continued long-term clinical observation of this cohort.


Sic The recent paper by Gulmezoglu et al. (Vol 103, June 1996)' compared the use of a newly developed suction fetal scalp electrode with the traditional double helix spiral electrode. The advantages of this less invasive electrode are promising, with the prospect of less fetal scalp infection, less viral transmission and less pain to the fetus. In particular, with the increasing incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide, there may be increasing demand for such a device in monitoring the fetal heart in labour. However, a number of points with respect to this paper need to be addressed. First, the authors calculated that a sample size of 118 was required to demonstrate a difference between the electrodes, assuming a success rate of 90% with the suction electrode, with a power of 80%. The reported success rate with the suction electrode was actually much lower at 70%. Although acknowledged by the authors, the number recruited in the study was only 100, due to limited time. It is a pity that they did not pursue their goal for the sake of the extra 18 patients or so, and unfortunate that time constraints have limited the statistical validity of the results of a small but important trial. Second, it is not stated whether those examining the infants 24 h after delivery were blinded to the type of electrode used. Such information is important with regard to potential bias. Finally, the results indicate a much lower rate of meconium passage in the suction electrode group, 10% versus 28%. While it is suggested that no firm conclusion should be drawn from this observation, the authors postulate that the lower rate could be due to less scalp irritation or pain from the suction electrode than with the spiral electrode, and should be further investigated. In this context, it would be more relevant to know the rate of meconium at membrane rupture and then ascertain if new development of meconium after application of the electrode is different between the two groups. Without this information, and because of the small numbers studied, the reported difference is most likely due to chance. Overall, the authors should be commended for highlighting this relatively new device, which clearly has a role in the future of fetal heart rate monitoring.


Abstract This paper analyses the image homogeneity realized by recording the spatial distribution of the gas discharge light emission in an ionization-type infrared (IR) image converter with a gallium arsenide semiconductor photodetector. The image of the photodetector material which contains the internal inhomogeneities is studied thoroughly at the optimum converter condition in order to image the large-diameter photodetector plates (100 mm) for nondestructive analysis. The analysis of the image homogeneity is determined by the fractal dimension of the gas discharge light emission when a current is passed through a converter cell. The images are analysed using both the profile and spatial distribution light emission intensity data showing the internal inhomogeneity in the photodetector plate. Thus, by using the fractal concept, the image quality of the high-resistivity photodetector plate can be assessed exactly and the size and location of the internal inhomogeneities in the photodetector plate can be ascertained.


The study aims to investigate: (1) the prevalence of cannabis among epileptic patients seen at Mansoura University Hospital, (2) serum levels and gene expression of cytokines in epilepsy patients and the controls. and (3) the possibility that cannabis use affects the cytokine levels in epilepsy patients, triggering its future use in treatment. We recruited 440 epilepsy patients and 200 controls matched for age, gender, and ethnicity. Of the epileptic patients, 37.5% demonstrated lifetime cannabis use with a mean duration of 15 ± 73 years. Serum levels of interleukin IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were analyzed and gene expression analysis was conducted only for those cytokines that were different between groups in the serum analysis. The "Epilepsy-only" patients had significantly higher serum and mRNA levels of IL-1α, β, IL-2,6,8, and TNF-α compared to the controls and the "Cannabis+Epilepsy" group (p = 0.0001). IL-10 showed significantly lower levels in the "Epilepsy-only" patients compared to the controls and "Cannabis+Epilepsy" (p = 0.0001). Cannabis use is prevalent among epilepsy patients. Epilepsy is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state supported by high serum and gene expression levels. Cannabis users demonstrated significantly lower levels of inflammatory cytokines compared to epilepsy non-cannabis users which might contribute to its use in the treatment of resistant epilepsy.


By carefully analyzing the low temperature density dependence of 2D conductivity in undoped high-mobility n-GaAs heterostructures, we conclude that the 2D metal-insulator transition in this 2D electron system is a density inhomogeneity driven percolation transition due to the breakdown of screening in the random charged impurity disorder background. In particular, our measured conductivity exponent of approximately 1.4 approaches the 2D percolation exponent value of 4/3 at low temperatures and our experimental data are inconsistent with there being a zero-temperature quantum critical point in our system.


We measure information percolation in securities markets for a one security – many markets setting. Applications range from over-the-counter dealer markets to trading in multiple electronic venues. The outcome is a network map with markets as vertices and information flows as directional edges. The approach first removes pricing errors due to, for example, liquidity trades. It then measures the information flow from A to B by the strength of B's immediate response to A. To illustrate, we analyze information percolation in foreign exchange during normal times and after an event where price discovery is suddenly left to the market (Swiss franc crash).


Aim To determine the turnaround time (TAT) for surgical pathology specimens (SPS) seen in our department and to identify the various determinants (variables) that affect it. Materials and method This is a cross-sectional descriptive study (prospective) of all SPS that were sent to the histopathology laboratory of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). A special proforma/questionnaire was designed for this study taking into account the various stages of converting a histopathological request to a result. Results Following specimen accessioning, the mean number of days before grossing was 1.65 ± 0.97 days. Tissue processing took a mean of 2.30 ± 2.05 days. Many of the processed SPS (histopathological slides) were reviewed and reported by histopathology resident doctors and consultant histopathologists within second and third days after processing in the laboratory (24.1% and 23.2% respectively), with a mean of 5.18 ± 13.07 days. Typing of result and verification of result took a mean of 2.99 ± 13.16 days. The shortest time interval to transform a histological request to a standard result was four days while the mean TAT was 8.47 ± 3.34 days. There was a significant correlation between the histological diagnosis and TAT. Conclusion Overnight fixation should be limited to large operating room specimens and not generalised. Provision of automated tissue processor, multi-headed and projecting microscopes will improve the TAT. All laboratory staff should be made to know that each stained glass slide represents a living patient and that the results are awaited.


Background: Manual lymphatic drainage techniques (MLdT) have received interest for their efficacy in orthopedic rehabilitation and sports medicine. Strength of the body of evidence for using MLdT on conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system is not established. Purpose: To determine whether MLdT in addition to conventional rehabilitation interventions on conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system can, decrease edema, and improve ROM, patient-reported outcomes, and health care use. Methods: Studies published between 2007 and 2018, with similar outcome measurements, were grouped for analysis. Strength of the body of evidence was determined by using the Cochrane GRADE guidelines, and the American College of Chest Physicians guidelines. Findings: There is moderate support for the use of MLdT for conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system as effective interventions to reduce pain, and improve patientreported outcomes pertaining to functional activities and quality of life (QOL). Manual lymphatic drainage techniques are moderately effective treatment methods associated with lower health care use, edema reduction, and improving ROM. Conclusions: Moderate evidence was observed supporting the efficacy of MLdT in combination with conventional rehabilitation interventions for the treatment of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. Future research is needed to provide stronger evidence to support the use of MLdT for patients with conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, and to determine which interventions concurrent with MLdT produce best outcomes. INTRODUCTION Inflammatory responses secondary to orthopedic disorders involve the lymphatic system with clinical presentations including non-infectious lymphangitis, lymphangiospasms, and lymphadenitis.1 Subsequently, an altered cellular environment may lead to the proliferation of hyaluronan, fibrinogen, and irregular collagen that advance fibrosis and scar tissue.2,3 Unmanaged edema promotes less favorable states of repaired tissue that is prone to subsequent injury, or is less functional than the uninjured tissue state.2 Therapists in orthopedic practice are routinely required to select edema management interventions, which requires sound clinical reasoning. Many modalities have been used within the rehabilitation field to address edema and pain resulting from orthopedic disorders, including but not limited to ice, elevation, compression, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and massage.4-10 The effectiveness of these modalities in reducing edema remains inconclusive. Additionally, their physiologic effect on the lymphatic system have not been fully explicated.5,6,9,11 Manual lymphatic drainage techniques can decrease edema and are 1 of the 4 components of complete decongestive therapy, which is considered the "gold standard" treatment for lymphedema.12-14 Manual lymphatic drainage techniques are gentle and rhythmic soft tissue techniques that stimulate the lymphatic structures without promoting erythema or inflammation1,15,16 while supporting the absorption of excess fluid, protein, and waste products. The abolishment of an inflammatory reaction and associated edema is not expected from MLdT because this requires multifaceted treatment interventions. Although preliminary studies provide evidence to the effects of MLdT,15-17 the mechanism for these effects are still under investigation. From a physiological perspective, the gentle pressure and stretching components of MLdT stimulate the intrinsic and extrinsic lymph pumps, which increases lymph velocity via the contraction of smooth muscles within the lymph collector vessel.18 Manual lymphatic drainage techniques have demonstrated an effect on improving the contractility of the lymphatics as visualized by indocyanine green, near-infrared fluorescence imaging.19 In addition to edema reduction, MLdT are recognized for decreasing pain by stimulating a general parasympathetic response for the patient, resulting in general relaxation.17,20,21 The absorption of nociceptive chemical stimulants, such as lactic acid, cytokines, and inflammatory mediators, from the interstitial environment as a result of MLdT may have an analgesic effect.1,22,23 The rhythmic, intermittent, and gentle pressures of MLdT stimulate the large diameter, nonnociceptive nerve fibers and decrease pain.24 Manual lymphatic drainage techniques have received interest in orthopedic rehabilitation and sports medicine.25,26 A 2009 systematic review concluded that manual lymphatic drainage techniques were effective when combined with conventional musculoskeletal therapies, in sports medicine and rehabilitation. The authors concluded that MLdT are particularly useful in reducing edema and enzyme serum levels associated with acute skeletal muscle cell damage.26 Another review also confirmed the effectiveness of MLdT for patients with musculoskeletal edema in orthopedic injuries.25 Although these previous reviews have provided some evidence of the benefits of MLdT pertaining to reducing musculoskeletal edema from acute orthopedic and sports-related injuries; the body of evidence on the effects of MLdT on range of motion (ROM), patient-reported outcomes pertaining to pain, functional activities and quality of life (QOL), and health care use have yet to be explored. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this systematic review was to examine if the addition of MLdT to conventional rehabilitation interventions in people with conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system were effective in decreasing edema, and improving ROM and patient-reported outcomes. A secondary objective was to examine outcomes specifically related to edema, pain, ROM, functional outcomes, QOL, and health care use Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Techniques on Conditions Affecting the Musculoskeletal System: A Systematic Review David Doubblestein, PT, PhD(ABD), OCS, CLT-LANA, Cert. MDT1 Sandy Sublett, PT, DPT, OCS, CLT2 Min Huang, PT, PhD, NCS3 1OrthoMichigan Therapy Services, Flint, MI 2Advanced Therapy Specialists, Cedar Rapids, IA 3University of Michigan – Flint, Flint, MI 92 Orthopaedic Practice volume 32 / number 2 / 2020 between interventions with and without MLdT. SEARCH STRATEGY This systematic review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) format.27 An extensive literature probe was conducted from 09/07/17 through 04/07/18 using the following electronic databases: PEDro (via University of Sydney), CINAHL (via EBSCO), PubMed (via U.S. National Library of Medicine), Cochrane Library (via Wiley Online Library), Scopus (via Elsevier), Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Collection (via GALE CENGAGE Learning), and Google Scholar. Key search terms included lymph, lymphatic, mobilization, drainage, manual, orthopedic, musculoskeletal, edema, oedema, knee, foot, ankle, hip, back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. Filters included [NOT] lymphedema, [NOT] cancer, human subjects, clinical trials, case reports, retracted publications, and controlled trials. Examples of key word combinations are outlined in Appendix 1. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Screening of titles and abstracts were conducted by the principal investigator and coinvestigator, using study selection-criterions, designed by the authors for guidance. Occasions in which there were discrepancies, a third reviewer also completed the screening for inclusion. Criteria for initial inclusion included those articles written in English, with a publication date range of 01/01/2007 through 05/15/2018. Due to a dearth of peer-reviewed journal articles on MLdT and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, the primary search included randomized trials, non-randomized controlled cohort studies, case-series, and case-control studies. The population of interest were human subjects aged 5 years or older with a confirmed condition affecting the neuromusculoskeletal system, not limited to a specific body region. The working definition for conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system was a result of searching for inclusionary terms under this broad heading.28-31 Inclusionary terms for conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system are listed in Appendix 1. These broadly-based definitions, enabled searching for relevant literature to expand multiple methods of MLdT, as well as, multiple conditions that are commonly seen within orthopedic rehabilitation practices. The intervention inclusion criteria included, manual interventions from frequently reported MLdT, including Vodder technique, manual lymph drainage, Chikly technique, lymph drainage therapy, Artzberger technique, manual edema mobilization (MEM), or Leduc technique.32-36 Techniques that stimulated the lymphatics from a light touch, rhythmic, skin tractioning method, not directly associated with a specific tenet, were also included in the study selection. MLdT may have been used as a stand-alone treatment or concomitant with other modalities, other than those in the exclusion criteria. Studies that were anecdotal, descriptive, expert opinions, or qualitative designs were excluded. Conditions, such as cancer, lymphedema, lympho-lipedema, and chronic venous insufficiency were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION Data extraction from the included studies was conducted independently by the principal investigator and the co-investigator, using a template adapted from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Intervention – A.6.1 characteristics of included studies for systematic reviews.37 Discrepancies were resolved with a third reviewer. The characteristics of interest included the authors, level of evidence, validity scale, participants, conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, aims of the study, intervention group, control group, outcomes, key findings, and conclusions. The information on other conventional interventions were added to the characteristics template. The level of evidence was determined using the 2011 O


We examined gazelle peripheral blood leucocytes using the α-Naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining technique (pH 5.8). Our purpose was to determine the percentage of ANAE positive lymphocytes. The proportion of ANAE positive T-lymphocytes was 72%. T-lymphocytes showed an ANAE positive reaction, but eosinophilic granulocytes and monocytes also showed a positive reaction. By contrast, no reaction was detected in B-lymphocytes, neutrophil granulocytes or platelets. The reaction observed in T-lymphocytes was a red-brown coloration, usually 1–2 granules, but enough granules to fill the cytoplasm were detected rarely. As a result of ANAE enzyme staining, we concluded that the staining technique can be used as a cytochemical marker for gazelle T-lymphocytes.


There is a paradigm shift in literature from the analysis of broader output growth towards explaining the effects of macroeconomic policies on the key determinant of long-run growth, namely, Total Factor Productivity (TFP). This study investigated the threshold or sustainable level of institutional development necessary for financial openness to stimulate TFP growth by employing a Dynamic Panel Threshold Model (DPTM) proposed by Seo & Shin (2016) and used by Seo, Kim & Kim (2019) for the panel of 28 selected African countries over the period of 1996 to 2017. The findings showed that there exists a threshold or sustainable level of institutional development (3.61 out of 10 point scale) which African countries must attain to reap the full benefits of financial openness on TFP in Africa because the quality of institutions in most of African countries are pervasively weak and poorly developed to checkmate excesses, corruptions and political interferences in the financial markets. Therefore, the study recommended that there should be a deliberate attempt by relevant authorities to block all inherent loopholes in the institutional  settings in African countries which give room for shady dealings in the financial markets to ensure institutional environments (political, legal, regulatory and economic institutions) are healthy enough to absorb the negative influence of financial openness that may hinder growth and development in the long-run by lowering TFP growth.


One-Stop Service (OSS) of public, investment and business permits (Badan Perizinan Terpadu dan Penanaman Modal/ BPTPM) Regency (Kabupaten) of Sragen is considered to have high performance, as evidenced by having received many awards in the field of public services, including four times received the award as the best regency of investment or Investment Award from Badan Koordinasi Penanaman Modal. This research is to test whether high performance can always give satisfactory service quality, and to analyze the cause using Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) method, in terms of six dimensions: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and accessible, by comparing the expectation of the customers to the actual service performance. Collecting data with randomly questionnaires to 100 customers during period October 24 November 18, 2016. BPTPM Kabupaten Sragen customers highly expect the best service on reliability dimension, but service performance score on reliability dimension is not good enough, and still less than tangibles, empathy, and responsiveness dimensions score, thereby reducing the level of customer satisfaction. This is what causes the quality of service is not satisfactory, although overall is considered to have a high level of service performance. From this research, it is proven that high service performance, does not always result in satisfactory quality of service, because it is also influenced by the level of customer expectation on each service factors. Thus, service providers should give priority to improve service performance on the aspect most desired by the customers first, to improve the quality of service..


ABSTRACT Eleven exopolysaccharides (EPS) isolated from different human intestinal Bifidobacterium strains were tested in fecal slurry batch cultures and compared with glucose and the prebiotic inulin for their abilities to act as fermentable substrates for intestinal bacteria. During incubation, the increases in levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were considerably more pronounced in cultures with EPS, glucose, and inulin than in controls without carbohydrates added, indicating that the substrates assayed were fermented by intestinal bacteria. Shifts in molar proportions of SCFA during incubation with EPS and inulin caused a decrease in the acetic acid-to-propionic acid ratio, a possible indicator of the hypolipidemic effect of prebiotics, with the lowest values for this parameter being obtained for EPS from the species Bifidobacterium longum and from Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum strain C52. This behavior was contrary to that found with glucose, a carbohydrate not considered to be a prebiotic and for which a clear increase of this ratio was obtained during incubation. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that EPS exerted a moderate bifidogenic effect, which was comparable to that of inulin for some polymers but which was lower than that found for glucose. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA gene fragments using universal primers was employed to analyze microbial groups other than bifidobacteria. Changes in banding patterns during incubation with EPS indicated microbial rearrangements of Bacteroides and Escherichia coli relatives. Moreover, the use of EPS from B. pseudocatenulatum in fecal cultures from some individuals accounted for the prevalence of Desulfovibrio and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, whereas incubation with EPS from B. longum supported populations close to Anaerostipes, Prevotella, and/or Oscillospira. Thus, EPS synthesized by intestinal bifidobacteria could act as fermentable substrates for microorganisms in the human gut environment, modifying interactions among intestinal populations.


The authors present a calorimetric technique using a pyroelectric PVDF tube sensor for measuring absorption loss in optical fibres. They show theoretically that the sensitivity could be of the order of 0.005 dB km-1 with a measurement time of about 19 s. Measurements made on single-model fibre at 1.06 microns show that absorption loss is about 0.2 dB km-1. They also present data on the components which contribute to the total loss. Extrapolation of measurements indicate that absorption effects make up approximately 0.1 dB km-1 at 1.55 mu m.


AbstractThis essay frames the cultural and social aspects of Antonio Capuano's film, Sacred Silence (1996) in the tradition of neorealism and of cinema as a representation of reality and, furthermore, analyzes them by drawing also on Walter Benjamin's work on the city of Naples and on the theme of the flâneur.


Exponential growth in number of users with diverse data rate requirements has lead to the heterogeneity of traditional cellular networks. To support massive number of users, nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has emerged as a promising solution to achieve increased number of connections and higher spectral gains as compared to orthogonal multiple access (OMA). However, studies show that weak users (WU) and strong users (SU) served using NOMA (referred as NOMA-group) experience different throughputs. In a NOMA group, an SU achieves higher throughput than a WU. Further, as the number of users in a NOMA group increases, due to superposition of signal of multiple users in NOMA, the intra-group interference dominates, thereby reducing throughput of the WUs. This article proposes novel time slotting (TS) techniques that aims at user fairness amongst the users by increasing the throughput of WUs, especially when the number of users increases in a NOMA group. The power allocation coefficients and the time slot duration for the proposed TS techniques are optimized to satisfy the minimum throughput of each user in a NOMA group while maximizing the throughput of WUs. The fairness between the users is measured by calculating both quality of service fairness and quality of experience fairness experienced by the user. It is observed that the proposed TS technique improves the fairness measures significantly. Furthermore, energy efficiency (EE) is also calculated for the TS techniques using the optimized power allocation coefficients and time duration. The numerical results suggest improvement in the EE of the system along with enhancing user fairness amongst the users.


Abstract Environmental approaches to substance use prevention currently rely on a behaviorist paradigm. On this theoretical foundation, useful intervention strategies may be overlooked, and effectiveness may be limited. To address these issues, this study drew on Löw's 'sociology of space' to develop a socio-spatial theory for prevention research. Salient dimensions of everyday settings (e.g. home, bar) were identified through mixed-methods research with 24 female university students who were current users of alcohol or cigarettes. Situational pathways explored the event-level interplay of these dimensions with other factors in relation to situational substance use and abstinence. On this basis, the article proposes a visual theory which outlines three mediating steps between physical environment and situated substance use outcomes: perceived space (construal of manifest aspects); interpreted space (construal of latent aspects); and momentary thoughts and feelings. Personal and cultural factors moderate this process. The theory is illustrated using three pathways in smoking ban contexts. The findings can inform intervention design and research into contextual factors of substance use by outlining a mechanism with specified variables, highlighting the role of subjective meaning-making, and suggesting specific environmental aspects for future consideration.


We have measured high spatial/depth resolution (2-3 [.proportional]m) thermal conductivity (κk) at 300K before and after plasma-induced effects on a series of n -GaN/sapphire (0001) samples fabricated by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) using a ThermoMicroscope'as scanning thermal microscope (SThM). The sample thicknesses were 50 ± 5 [.proportional]m and the carrier concentrations ~ 8 × 10 16 cm -3 , as determined by Hall effect measurements. The thermal conductivity before treatment was found to be in the 1.70 – 1.75 W/cm-K range, similar to that previously reported for HVPE material with this carrier concentration and thickness [D. I. Florescu et al. , J. Appl. Phys. 88, 3295 (2000)]. The samples were processed under constant Ar gas flow and pressure fora fixed period of time (5 min). The only variable processing parameter was the DC bias voltage (125 – 500 V). After the initial 125 V procedure κ exhibited a decrease linear in the DC voltage in the investigated range. At 125 V the thermal conductivity was only slightly less (κ ~ 1.65 W/cm-K) than the untreated case. κ had dropped to ~ 0.3 W/cm-K for the 500 V situation. The implications of these results for device applications in the area of high power opto-electronics and high power electronics will be discussed.


The article presents an resource approach to the process of building the competitive advantage. The purpose of this article is to determine the potential of agricultural production cooperatives (APCs) in review of resources. The exemplification is constituted by the APCs operating in the Opole region, among which the research was conducted using a survey method. The study focused on the period 2008-2010 and included 28 cooperatives. The characterization and analysis of resources of studied cooperatives allowed to extract resources that are strengths or weaknesses in the context of building a competitive advantage.


AMG 531 is a novel thrombopoiesis-stimulating peptibody that is being studied for its ability to increase platelet production by stimulating the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor. This phase 2 study was conducted to identify the appropriate starting dose of AMG 531 for treatment of chronic ITP in adult Japanese patients. The study consisted of 2 phases: a 2-week cohort dose-escalation phase to determine the starting dose for subsequent phase 3 evaluation, and a treatment continuation phase (that lasted until completion of the dose-escalation phase) which provided continuation of treatment for those with a platelet response. Patients in the continuation phase received the dose of AMG 531 they had received in the dose-escalation phase with the option for subsequent dose adjustments. Twelve patients were enrolled with a mean platelet count of 11.8x109/L and a median age of 60.5 years (range 32 to 63); 8 were female. Four patients enrolled into each of 1μg/kg, 3μg/kg, or 6μg/kg dose cohorts and received AMG 531 by subcutaneous injection on days 1 and 8 with no dose adjustments. Cohort dose escalation was to be stopped in the event of an observed platelet count >1000x109/L. Comparison of dose cohorts showed that the proportion of patients achieving a platelet response (doubling of baseline counts and ≥50x109/L) was greater in cohorts receiving higher doses of AMG 531 (see Table). A dose response was also observed in the mean peak platelet counts, the mean fold changes from baseline in peak platelet counts, and the maximum platelet count. Because one patient in the 6μg/kg cohort had an excessively high platelet count (980x109/L), this dose was eliminated from consideration as the starting dose in phase 3 and further dose escalation to 10μg/kg dose cohort was stopped. Five of 7 eligible patients (3μg/kg, 1/4; 6μg/kg, 4/4) elected to enter the treatment continuation phase. There were no study withdrawals, and no serious adverse events (AEs) were reported during the study in either phase. The most common treatment-related AE in the cohort phase was headache (25%), and in the treatment continuation phase were arthralgia, contact dermatitis, and malaise (each 20%). No patients received rescue medications during the entire treatment period. No antibodies against either AMG 531 or endogenous TPO were detected. AMG 531 was well-tolerated and produced a dose-responsive increase in platelet counts. The phase 3 study in Japanese patients with ITP will be initiated with a starting dose of 3μg/kg based on the outcome of this study.


A theory is given of the density of states (DOS) of a two-dimensional electron gas subjected to a uniform perpendicular magnetic field and any random field, adequately taking into account the realistic correlation function of the latter. For a random field of any long-range correlation, a semiclassical non-perturbative path-integral approach is developed and provides an analytic solution for the Landau level DOS. For a random field of any arbitrary correlation, a computational approach is developed. In the case when the random field is smooth enough, the analytic solution is found to be in very good agreement with the computational solution. It is proved that there is not necessarily a universal form for the Landau level DOS. The classical DOS exhibits a symmetric Gaussian form whose width depends merely on the rms potential of the random field. The quantum correction results in an asymmetric non-Gaussian DOS whose width depends not only on the rms potential and correlation length of the random field, but the applied magnetic field as well. The deviation of the DOS from the Gaussian form is increased when reducing the correlation length and/or weakening the magnetic field. Applied to a modulation-doped quantum well, the theory turns out to be able to give a quantitative explanation of experimental data with no fitting parameters.


of the scenery together with passing references to contemporary developments (not all of them readily intelligible, e.g. 253) are no substitute for an analysis of the significance of the saint's life and work in the complexities of the French catholic renaissance. The publishers' claim that Dr. Stopp's work is 'a thorough study of the whole significance of her subject, and unlikely to be superseded for a long time to come' is not justified and few ecclesiastical historians are likely either to agree that the papal brief of beatification and bull of canonisation 'provide ultimate criteria in a historical perspective' or to be flattered by the suggestion that these documents have been neglected as evidence because they are written in Latin (255). There are a few misprints and several infelicities of style while the bibliography is slender and uncritical. This book may be welcomed as an intelligent and sensitive 'spiritual biography' but not as a significant contribution to ecclesiastical history.


The intact heart of a young rat was excised rapidly and cooled to 0 degree C; its energy-rich compounds were examined by 31P Fourier Transform nuclear magnetic resonance. The heart showed the characteristic spectrum of sugar phosphates, inorganic phosphate, phosphocreatine, and magniesium phates, inorganic phosphate, phosphocreatine, and magnesium ATP, characteristics of the energizing state of the nonbeating tissue. Warming to 30 degrees C imposes an energy load upon the heart consistent with short-term resumption of beating, concomitant intracellular acidosis, and decomposition of all detectable energy-rich compounds. The intracellular acidity causes a shift from pH 7.0 to 6.0. The effects of possible interferences with this pH measurement are considered. The method appears to have wide usefulness in cardiac infarct models for detecting the fraction of the total volume occupied by the infarct and for studying the effect of various proposed therapies upon this infarcted volume.


We report a case of Goodpasture-like syndrome developing in a patient who was treated with D-penicillamine for the diffuse form of systemic sclerosis. This unusual pulmonary-renal syndrome has been described on rare occasions in patients receiving D-penicillamine. This complication appeared to be uniformly fatal unless treated with aggressive immunotherapy. We review the cases reported to date in the literature and describe the clinical characteristics, therapy, and outcome of this group of patients.


Motivation: T-box antitermiantion is the most distributed mechanism of regulation of various amino acids in Gram-positive bacteria. Identification of the T-box regulon and a metabolic analysis of amino acid biosynthesis and transport is one of problems of comparative genetics, genomics and molecular biology. Results: Search for T-box elements and analysis of operon structures identified a large number of new candidate T-box regulated genes, mostly transporters, in Gram-positive bacteria. We assign amino acid specificity for a large number of candidate transporters as well as for other new amino acid related genes. Availability: The program is available by request to the author.


Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) have real-time knowledge of the immediate driving environment, actions to be taken in the near future and information from the cloud. This knowledge, referred to as preview information, enables CAVs to drive safely, but can also be used to minimize fuel consumption. Such fuel-efficient transportation has the potential to reduce aggregate fuel consumption by billions of gallons of gas every year in the U.S. alone. In this paper, we propose a planning framework for use in CAVs with the goal of generating fuel-efficient vehicle trajectories. By utilizing on-board sensor data and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications, we leverage the computational power of CAVs to generate eco-friendly vehicle trajectories. The planner uses an eco-driver model and a predictive cost-based search to determine the optimal speed profile for use by a CAV. To evaluate the performance of the planner, we introduce a co-simulation environment consisting of a CAV simulator, Matlab/Simulink and a CAV software platform called the InfoRich Eco-Autonomous Driving (iREAD) system. The planner is evaluated in various urban traffic scenarios based on real-world road network models provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Simulations show an average savings of 14.5% in fuel consumption with a corresponding increase of 2% in travel time using our method.


Low Frequency Oscillations (LFO) occur in power systems because of lack of the damping torque in order to dominance to power system disturbances as an example of change in mechanical input power. In the recent past Power System Stabilizer (PSS) was used to damp LFO. FACTs devices, such as Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC), can control power flow, reduce sub-synchronous resonance and increase transient stability. So UPFC may be used to damp LFO instead of PSS. UPFC damps LFO through direct control of voltage and power. In this paper the linearized model of synchronous machine (Heffron-Philips) connected to infinite bus (Single Machine-Infinite Bus: SMIB) with UPFC is used and also in order to damp LFO, adaptive neuro-fuzzy controller for UPFC is designed and simulated. Simulation is performed for various types of loads and for different disturbances. Simulation results show good performance of neuro-fuzzy controller in damping LFO.


Reductive openings of cyclic acetals are widely used in modern synthetic organic chemistry for the regioselective introduction of protecting groups. A systematic study was performed on the applicability and efficacy of various hydride donor and protic or Lewis acid reagent combinations in the reductive ring opening of glucosidic 4,6-halobenzylidene acetals bearing an ortho-, meta-, and para-chloro- or -bromo substituent on the benzene ring. Most of the reagent combinations tested cleaved the 4,6-O-halobenzylidene acetal rings at O4 or O6 efficiently and with the expected regioselectivity. The LiAlH4-AlCl3 and the BH3·THF-TMSOTf combinations produced the 4-O-halobenzyl ether/6-OH products with complete regioselectivity and high yields. The use of Me3N·BH3-AlCl3 reagent system in toluene was also effective in cleaving the acetal ring at O6 but was accompanied by Al-chelation-assisted debenzylation side reactions. The NaCNBH3-HCl and the Et3SiH-BF3·Et2O combinations were highly effective in yielding the 6-halobenzyl ether/4-OH derivatives. Et3SiH, in combination with TfOH, produced the 6-O-ether/4-OH products in rapid reactions but also triggered silylation and reductive halobenzylation as secondary transformations. Reductive opening of the 1,3-dioxane ring of pyranosidic 4,6-O-halobenzylidene acetals by the proper reagent combination was found to be an efficient method for the regioselective introduction of versatile halobenzyl protecting groups onto the pyranose ring.


Introduction In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), earlier diagnosisimproves outcome but the optimum method of surveillance in high-risk groups is controversial. Recent AASLD and EASL guidelines[1.2] have recommended six- monthly ultrasound surveillance (USS) alone. British guidelines[3] currently recommend combining serial alpha-fetoprotein (aFP) measurements with six-monthly USS. This study aimed to assess the role of aFP measurement in HCC surveillance programmes. Methods This large retrospective multicentre study assessed newly diagnosed HCC over a 5-year period (2006–2011) at three centres: two general hospitals and one tertiary referral centre. Electronic and multi-disciplinary team data were reviewed. Results 111 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of HCC were identified. Of these, 91(81.9%) were male and the median age was 69 years (range 24–87). 52(46.8%) patients with newly diagnosed HCC had established liver disease prior to diagnosis. Of these, 21(40.4%) were participating in combined USS-aFP surveillance, 2(3.8%) USS alone and 1(1.9%) aFP alone. A diagnosis of HCC was confirmed by liver biopsy in 43(38.7%), CT in 41(36.9%), MRI in 25(22.5%) and USS combined with elevated aFP in 2(1.8%). At diagnosis, aFP was elevated in 81(73.0%), normal in 22(19.8%) and unmeasured in 8(7.2%) patients. Of those 21 diagnosed in an established surveillance programme of six- monthly USS and aFP, 17(81.0%) showed a rise in aFP. When assessing the trigger for confirmatory cross-sectional imaging ± biopsy across all data, a solely elevated aFP prompted further investigation in 11(9.9%); in those under surveillance, this number was 7(29.2%) with no abnormality detected on USS within the preceding three-month period in 6(85.7%) of these. Conclusion These results demonstrate that a significant number of patients would have had a delayed diagnosis of HCC if aFP measurement was removed from UK screening programmes. Potential contributing factors limiting the success of USS- based screening programmes include: small lesion size, sonographer error, patient factors limiting USS accuracy (e.g. body habitus) and irregular attendance for USS. This study supports continued serial measurement of aFP in patients with liver cirrhosis in contrast to European and American guidelines. Disclosure of Interest None Declared. References Hepatology, vol. 53(3)1020–1022, Mar. 2011. Journal of Hepatology, vol. 56(4)908–943, Apr. 2012 Gut, vol. 52(3)iii1-iii8, 2003.


A review of MRI safety incidents conducted over a 3-year period for a large independent sector diagnostic imaging provider in the UK. The review took a systematic approach using reports logged on an internal incident reporting system that were then categorised and analysed for themes and trends. Notable cases and actions taken are also described from within the period. MRI safety-related events made up 7.5% of the total number of incident reports submitted and 15.5% of all MRI-related reports. The MR safety-related incidence report rate was 0.05% (1 per 1987 patients), which is relatively low considering the number of patients seen in our facilities each day. Internal MRI safety events indicated the main trends to be around referral of contraindicated devices (32% of reports) and failure in the screening process (21.5%—either due to unexpected implants or being unable to confirm safety). To improve practice and work to reduce incidents, advice and instructional materials were developed. The review suggests a potential approach to categorisation of MRI-related safety events which could allow comparisons to be made across organisations, helping to look for trends and guide learning. It also provides insight into the state of MRI safety within the organisation, a rationale for some of the interventions introduced to improve safety, and discussion around common issues arising in MRI safety.


We introduce a new class of graph neural networks (GNNs), by combining several concepts that were so far studied independently - graph kernels, attention-based networks with structural priors and more recently, efficient Transformers architectures applying small memory footprint implicit attention methods via low rank decomposition techniques. The goal of the paper is twofold. Proposed by us Graph Kernel Attention Transformers (or GKATs) are much more expressive than SOTA GNNs as capable of modeling longer-range dependencies within a single layer. Consequently, they can use more shallow architecture design. Furthermore, GKAT attention layers scale linearly rather than quadratically in the number of nodes of the input graphs, even when those graphs are dense, requiring less compute than their regular graph attention counterparts. They achieve it by applying new classes of graph kernels admitting random feature map decomposition via random walks on graphs. As a byproduct of the introduced techniques, we obtain a new class of learnable graph sketches, called graphots , compactly encoding topological graph properties as well as nodes' features. We conducted exhaustive empirical comparison of our method with nine different GNN classes on tasks ranging from motif detection through social network classification to bioinformatics challenges, showing consistent gains coming from GKATs.


Abstract. This study have been conducted to get a better imaging with seismic processing using 2D land reflection data. Some corrections are applied to get pres-stack time migration such as elevation correction, refraction correction, amplitude energy correction, filtering, deconvolution, velocity analysis, residual static correction, and migration process respectively. The final result of the image in time domain shows that many of the changes from the previous reflector that is not on the actual position. However, the result of the seismic picture has been improved in a better understanding to give the subsurface geological structure. Keywords: 2D land, reflection seismic, migration


In this study I consider a multiple-image algorithm for automatic removal of foreground objects that block the view in the image of an object of interes t. Such and other algorithms for image analysis can assist the operator of an optical surveillance syst em to analyze the large volumes of image data that are typically supplied by the detectors. By considering multiple images from slightly different viewpoints a part of the object of interest that is covered by a foreground object in one image may be visible in another. By combining the information a single enhanced image of the object may be presented to th e operator where the foreground objects have been removed. Our algorithm involves alignment and comparison of the images. I was able to successfull y process experimental images and produce images were larger foreground objects were indeed removed. Our results show that the alignment is critical and may be adapted to improve the overall result. Also, a careful presentation of the enhanced images is required since otherwise a partially removed foreground object may confuse rather than assist th e operator.


Objective. The term "invalidation" refers to the patients' perception that their medical condition is not recognized by the social environment. Invalidation can be a major issue in patients' lives, adding a significant burden to symptoms and limitations while increasing the risk of physical and psychological disability. In this study in patients with rheumatic diseases, we investigated the relationship between invalidation and sociodemographic, clinical, psychological, and personality characteristics. Methods. This international cross-sectional study included 562 adults with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 124), spondyloarthritis (n = 85), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 112), or fibromyalgia (FM; n = 241). Assessed were the family and health professionals subscales of the Illness Invalidation Inventory (3*I), happiness (Subjective Happiness Scale), personality (Ten-Item Personality Inventory), pain, and loneliness (numerical rating scales). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to test different models. Results. Invalidation occurred in all rheumatic diseases, but patients with FM reported the most invalidation. Including all correlated variables in the multivariate model, pain remained as a determinant of invalidation by health professionals, but not by family. Regarding psychological variables, loneliness remained as a determinant of invalidation by family, but not by health professionals. FM and low levels of happiness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were associated with invalidation while taking account of other variables. Conclusion. Invalidation occurs in all rheumatic diseases and patients with FM experience the most invalidation. Psychological factors (happiness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness), loneliness, and pain intensity are associated with invalidation, irrespective of the rheumatic disease and may deserve dedicated interventions.


Background: Growing evidence suggests that certain foods have addictive properties. Food addiction has sparked interest within the scientific community. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of food addiction to examine their differential characteristics, and the association between food addiction symptoms and physical and psychological variables, such as eating-related behaviours, body mass index (BMI), and personality traits (e.g., types of narcissism).Method: The sample consisted of 208 participants (mean age = 26.82 ± 7.89 years; BMI = 27.53 ± 12.21 kg/m2; 80.3% female; 79.3% White). Participants completed a web-based self-report survey of food addiction containing the questionnaires to measure these constructs. The main scale used as an outcome variable was the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS).Results: 14.4% of participants met the YFAS diagnostic criteria for potential food addiction. Individuals who met the criteria displayed greater food craving, more frequent consumption of sugary foods, the tendency to develop eating disorders, and more negative attitudes toward and thoughts of physical appearance. Those categorised as food addicts also exhibited a lower level of self-esteem and grandiose narcissism, and a high level of hypersensitive narcissism. Food craving and body image issues were associated with the severity of food addiction.Conclusions: The findings of this investigation supported the construct of food addiction as both, addictive behaviour and behavioural addiction. Furthermore, it was suggested that this potential addiction is related to overweight and obese individual young females.


Poverty problems appear when available income is lower than the basic needs. It is well known that probability of having more income growth is associated with a well designed financial system. This kind of system can facilitate income and wealth movements from surplus to deficit units. This relationship is approved in this paper econometrically by studying different groups of developing countries.


BACKGROUND
Although rabbits have often been used as an experimental model for the analysis of lung preservation, there are no reports of long-term survival after rabbit lung allotransplantation. The purpose of this study was to establish a lung allotransplantation model for the evaluation of acute lung rejection in the rabbit and to investigate the transplantation techniques in the rabbit.

METHODS
Left unilateral lung allotransplantations were performed in 10 pairs of Japanese white male rabbits, weighing from 2.8 to 3.7 kg. Rabbits were divided into two groups. Group A rabbits (n=5) received Cyclosporine A (CsA) (20 mg/kg/day) orally for 5 days postoperatively, while Group B rabbits (n=5) received no CsA. All rabbits were sacrificed at the fifth postoperative day for histological examinations.

RESULTS
Anastomoses of the pulmonary vein were achieved by using the atrial cuff technique. Satisfied blood flow was obtained in all arterial and venous anastomosis sites. Bronchial anastomosis was also well healed and all rabbits could maintain adequate spontaneous ventilation. In Group A, histopathology revealed that three cases were grade A0, one was grade A1 and the other was A2. In Group B, three cases lived for five days, and histopathology showed two cases were grade A2 and one case was grade A3.

CONCLUSION
We established a left unilateral lung allotransplantation model in the rabbit and observed suppression of acute rejection of the transplanted lung by CsA. This study suggests that the rabbit is also an experimental model suited for the analysis of lung preservation as well as lung allotransplant rejection.


Aims The management of mid-shaft clavicle fractures (MSCFs) has evolved over the last three decades. Controversy exists over which specific fracture patterns to treat and when. This review aims to synthesize the literature in order to formulate an appropriate management algorithm for these injuries in both adolescents and adults. Methods This is a systematic review of clinical studies comparing the outcomes of operative and nonoperative treatments for MSCFs in the past 15 years. The literature was searched using, PubMed, Google scholar, OVID Medline, and Embase. All databases were searched with identical search terms: mid-shaft clavicle fractures (± fixation) (± nonoperative). Results Using the search criteria identified, 247 studies were deemed eligible. Following initial screening, 220 studies were excluded on the basis that they were duplicates and/or irrelevant to the research question being posed. A total of 27 full-text articles remained and were included in the final review. The majority of the meta-analyses draw the same conclusions, which are that operatively treated fractures have lower nonunion and malunion rates but that, in those fractures which unite (either operative or nonoperative), the functional outcomes are the same at six months. Conclusion With regard to the adolescent population, the existing body of evidence is insufficient to support the use of routine operative management. Regarding adult fractures, the key to identifying patients who benefit from operative management lies in the identification of risk factors for nonunion. We present an algorithm that can be used to guide both the patient and the surgeon in a joint decision-making process, in order to optimize patient satisfaction and outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(11):850–858.


This study was conducted to overcome the deliciousness by sex reversal in hemp plants. When female plants grown under long day length condition were transferred to short day length condition in 3th and 6th leaf stage, a few male flowers were formed and the gap of flowering days between sex reversed male and normal female flowers were around 10 days and 3 days, respectively. Although the flowering amounts were small, this short gaps of flowering days were enough for artificial pollination. When female plants grown under long day length condition were transferred to short day length condition just after treatment of silver nitrate in the vegetative stage, a great amount of male flower was formed and the gap of flowering days between sex reversed male and normal female flowers were only 1 to 3 days. The increased sex reversed male flowers and induced short gap of flowering days were adequate for natural wind pollination. When female seeds were cultivated, seed yield was 141 kg/10a, while it was 96 kg/10a when normal seeds cultivated.


Laparoscopy is useful in both the diagnosis and the management of impalpable testes. Intra-abdominal testicles can be removed laparoscopically if atrophic or can be partly devascularized by spermatic vessel clipping if apparently normal. Assessment of testicular revascularization would be desirable prior to subsequent orchidopexy. A second-stage vasal-based orchidopexy can then be performed once adequate testicular reperfusion via the deferential pedicle is believed to have occurred. We have used both diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in the management of 103 non-palpable testes over a period of 6 years. Open procedures following laparoscopy included 57 orchidopexies, 11 orchiectomies and one microvascular testicular autotransplant. Thirteen laparoscopic interventions were performed: 5 orchiectomies for atrophic testes and 8 testicular vessel clippings followed by 6 second stage open inguinal orchidopexies. Color Doppler duplex ultrasonography was not found to be reliable for assessment of testicular revascularization following spermatic vessel clipping. There were 3 complications which were all related to puncture with the Veress needle.


Recently industrial companies specializing in the production of baked goods, alcoholic beverages, industrial ethanol, and biofuels have developed an interest in the various factors that affect the growth of yeast. These companies are looking to find the conditions most suitable for their facilities to produce yeast at a profitable rate. Our experiment looks at the effects of various temperatures on the growth of yeast. We hypothesize warmer temperatures will produce more CO2 indicative of yeast growth because the oxidation process speeds up at warmer temperatures. We suggest looking at the effects of different amounts of sugar, growth medium, and water concentration to better understand optimal conditions for maximum yeast growth.


The riverine and river ecological system of the Mille river in Jari Demonstration Zone was seriously damaged,and biodiversity declined or even vanished. Based on "Theory on Succession",the achievements of nature protection and wetland restoration,reconstruction of wetland biocommunity and ultimate restoration of riverine ecology were feasible by employing ecological engineering and naturalization theory,which gave a constructive demonstration to the protection of local hydro-ecological resources.


ABSTRACT While health needs in Nunavik are distinct, there is a scarcity of knowledge transfer intended for local primary care providers. We aimed to build an information tool in the form of a newsletter and a website to share with them a selection of relevant research articles. To identify such articles, a scoping study of Inuit health research published between 2012 and 2017 was conducted. Selection criteria were adapted from the framework of information mastery. After a database search yielding 2896 results, publications were screened for eligibility. Next, the 226 eligible articles were evaluated and scored for their relevance, their methods (including community participation), their local applicability and their clinical utility. The 20 highest-scored articles were selected for dissemination in a newsletter. They were summarised and presented in 6 thematic emails: Child Development, Infectious Diseases, Traditional and Modern Medicine, Metabolism, Nutrition and Contaminants, and Inuit Perspectives. The newsletter was sent to over 190 health workers and regional stakeholders in Nunavik and was also published online. We hope that this project will foster knowledge sharing and inter-sectorial collaboration between research, public health and clinical care. Trends in Inuit health research are discussed.


The production of milk-clotting enzyme (MCE) by free and immobilized Bacillus circulans 25 cells was investigated. The investigation evaluates cell immobilization through entrapment and covalent binding to different carriers. B. circulans 25 cells immobilized covalently via glutaraldehyde (cross-linker) to natural wool exhibited higher effectiveness factor (0.76) compared to other carriers. Immobilized cells produce maximum level of MCE and highest ratio of milk-clotting activity/proteolytic activity (MCA/PA) after 24 h using 0.4g wet weight cells/g wool. In batch operation, decreasing biomass loading to 0.2 g enhanced the MCA/PA ratio and specific productivity by 5.94 and 59.88%, respectively. Immobilized cells on natural wool as an effective and suitable carrier were able to produce the same level of MCA, productivity and MCA/PA ratio for 9 repeated cycles (216 h). Under continuous operation immobilized cells in a packed-bed bioreactor were able to keep producing MCA with MCA/PA ratio for about 7 days at the same level. Moreover, continuous operation demonstrates a very good productivity of 0.385 KU/L/h, which is higher than the other production systems by 7.0-11.7 fold. Immobilized B. circulans 25 cells proved to be fully capable of continuous MCE production in a packed-bed bioreactor.


Introduction In Clostridium difficile infection, antibody-mediated immune response to secreted toxins A and B (which are also the main virulence factors) appears to be important in determining the nature of clinical disease. During a bacterial infection, activation of B cells leads to loss of immunoglobulin (Ig) D and expression of antigen-specific Ig on the cell surface. Following resolution of infection, antigen-specific memory B cells may be detectable in the circulation. Our aim was to identify circulating toxin A-activated B cells during clinical disease and toxin A-specific memory B cells following resolution of C difficile infection. Methods Purified C difficile toxin A was labelled with Alexa Fluor 488 (toxin A488) and its biological activity and specificity of fluorescence were confirmed using Vero cells and anti-toxin A antibody, respectively. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were obtained from 20 patients [13 female, 7 male; median age 67 yrs (range 32–96 yrs)] with C difficile infection, within 10 days of diarrhoeal onset. For flow cytometry, PBMNCs were incubated on ice in the dark for 1 h in the absence or presence of toxin A488. After washing, cells were labelled with anti-CD19-ECD (B cell marker) and anti-IgD-PE (to identify antigen-activated IgD-negativecells). PBMNCs were also polyclonally stimulated in vitro for 6 days to induce differentiation of memory B cells to antibody secreting cells (ASCs). Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays were used to quantify toxin A-specific IgG ASCs and expressed as percentage of total IgG ASCs. Toxin A-specific IgG antibody levels in sera were studied by ELISA. Data are expressed as median (range). Results Compared to control buffer, a significantly greater proportion of events (flow cytometry) were seen in the CD19-positive, IgD-negative gate in PBMNCs exposed to toxin A488 [0.09% (0%–0.54%) vs 0.92% (0.09%–1.78%); p<0.001]. In four patients studied at the same time as flow cytometry, toxin A-specific ASCs were detected by ELISPOT assays (0.04%–2%). In studies over 4 (1–10) months after infection, toxin A-specific ASCs were observed [0.33 (0.07–2.12)%]. Serum anti-toxin A antibodies were detectable in eight patients at the time of clinical disease and in four patients, the antibody levels increased over the following 6 (2–10) months. Conclusion (1) A small population of toxin A-specific, antigen-activated B cells can be detected in the circulation soon after C difficile infection. (2) In addition to circulating antibody, toxin A-specific memory B cells can be detected over many months after C difficile infection. (3) Future studies can investigate the relationship between the development of B cell responses to C difficile toxins and the nature of clinical disease. Competing interests None declared.


Current travels aiming at relaxation, entertainment and meeting other cultures and customs are becoming ever-demanding compared to travels in the near and distant past. Tourist offer has entered the phase when accommodation, food, favorable climate, even cultural and historical sights do not seem to be crucial factors which influence the decision of a contemporary man to visit the destination, which has been mainly achieved by the influence of mass media, fast information transfer as well as easy access to almost all world's tourist destinations. Cultural tourism has been motivated by the need of visiting places of attractive cultural and artistic content in order to meet, understand and respect the variety of local and regional cultures.


A Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) controller based on the conditional servo-compensator technique is designed for the robust stabilization of a new satellite launching strategy called (unmanned) airlaunch. This strategy consists in using a two-stages launching system. The first stage is composed of an airplane (manned or unmanned) that carries a rocket launcher which constitute the subsequent stages. The control objective is to stabilize the aircraft in the launch phase. It is developed separately for two nonlinear motion modes of the model, the longitudinal and lateral modes, and is applied to the full multi-input multi-output model of the aircraft. The controller is indeed able to assure system stability for rather large disturbances. Performance of the proposed control algorithm is illustrated through simulations.


We report for the first time Trilepida fuliginosa (Passos, Caramaschi & Pinto, 2006) and Drepanoides anomalus (Jan, 1863) in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. Our record for T. fuliginosa represents the northernmost locality for the species and extends its geographic distribution by nearly 662 km (in a straight line) from São Geraldo do Araguaia, state of Pará. Our record for D. anomalus is the easternmost known occurrence and extends its distribution by 203 km from Piçarra, Pará. Updated distribution maps and images of preserved specimens are provided.


The binding of acridine orange to chromatin of fixed human lymphocytes is increased after stepwise removal of histones by hydrochloric acid. No changes in the dye-binding features of the cells were found after f1 histone extraction (0.01 N HC1). Additional extraction of f2 and f3 by 0.05 N HC1 (partial extraction) and by 0.25 N HC1 (more complete extraction) resulted in increased binding of acridine orange (1.9 and 2.5 of that of the control, respectively).9222


Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slow-growing, locally aggressive malignant fibroblastic mesenchymal skin tumor, which is considered as the most common skin sarcoma. As a treatment modality, local excision with 4–5 cm border is commonly replaced by Mohs micrographic surgery. A 24-year-old woman with a giant DFSP in the forearm is presented. The patient was admitted to clinic with a large protuberant mass on the left forearm. The preliminary diagnosis was soft-tissue sarcoma due to a history of rapid growth and absence of any skin lesion. DFSP originates from the dermis and commonly infiltrates underlying muscles, tendons, fascia, and bones. In this case, there was no skin infiltration. Mohs micrographic surgery was not used in the treatment since the tumor was confined to subcutaneous tissue and did not infiltrate to the skin. Although the Mohs micrographic surgery was not used, the tumor did not recur postoperative 6 months' follow-up. A long-term follow-up is strongly recommended in DFSP cases.


Abstract This article explores the similarities between American pragmatism and (mostly German) historicism in the nineteenth century - similarities that were often ignored because of cultural differences between the U. S. and Germany and a different status of the natural sciences or the humanities in the two cultures. The main claim of this text is that American pragmatism developed ideas that allow us to overcome the dichotomy between objectivism and relativism in historiography. Joas identifies conceptual tools in the works of Josiah Royce, Mead, and Dewey that can account both for the intersubjective and the temporal nature of human experience and the processes of the formation of ideals. By bringing Ernst Troeltsch, the most sophisticated thinker from the historicist tradition, into the picture, Joas demonstrates that in the 1920s one could almost speak of the beginning of a process of convergence between Mead's "temporalized pragmatism" and Troeltsch's "existential historicism." For contingent reasons this convergence never took place, but remains a challenge to which this paper responds.


By Jordan Perrin, Mechanical Engineering; Frank Bolek, Chemical Engineering; Michael Mallory, Industrial Design
Advisor: Francis Russell
Presentation ID: PM_ATRIUM21
Abstract: Class: PD 2030 Inquiry to Innovation: Cincinnati Zoo Challenge (UC Forward and Honors) Advisor: David Orban, Animal Excellence Coordinator, CZBG, email@example.com This interdisciplinary team design project was carried out during the spring semester of 2019 as a part of the UC Forward Inquiry to Innovation Class. Student teams collaborated with the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden to produce and test animal enrichment prototypes for use in the exhibits of fours species at the Zoo, including Malayan Tigers, Giraffes, Little Penguins, and the Rhinoceros Hornbill. Teamwork included researching species behavior, best practices in animal enrichment and animal exhibit design. Applied research included prototype design and fabrication and behavior observation of the prototypes in use by the animals. Animals in zoos and other forms of captivity are often provided with different forms of enrichment such as a variety of foods, puzzles, and exercise equipment. These enrichments are meant to stimulate natural behaviors and increase the quality of life for the animal at the zoo. Enrichment is also used as an educational tool for visitors to learn more about the animal and its natural habitat. For this project, the natural behaviors of the Rhinoceros Hornbill were researched. It was discovered that these birds are highly intelligent animals that are native to the rainforest. Our enrichment focuses on their preening and bathing behaviors and problem-solving skills. This project focuses on finding a way to allow them to bathe and clean their beaks in the exhibit while also stimulating their problem-solving skills.


Rice.E>., "Multimoda: F a r F i e l d Acous t ic Radiar i o n P a t t e r n u s i n g Mode C u t o f f R a t i o , " & J o u r n a l , Vol. 16, S e p t . 1978, pp. 906-911. Also NASA TM-73721. Cumprty, N. A., "Tone Noi re from R o t o r / S t a t o r 1 n t e r a c t i o r . s i n High Speed Fans," Journa l of Sound an? V i b r a t i o n , Vol. 24 , Oct . 1972, pp. 393-409. Lansixrg, D. L., D r i r c h l e r , J . A. , m d P u r r y , C. G., "Radia t ion of Sound From ~n Unflanged C i r c u l a r Duct w i t h P l w , " p a p e r p r e s e n t e d a t t h e 79th Meeting o f t h e A c t m a t i c a l S o c i e t y , A t l a n t i c C i t y , N. J . , A p r i l 21-24, 1970. S m l e , A. V. m d R i c e , E. J . , "Far -F ie ld Mul t i modal A c o u s t i c R a d i a t i o n D i r e c t i v i t y , " NASA Tn-73839, 1977. 14. Savkar, S. D. ,"Radiation of Cylindrical Duct Acoustic Modes with Flow Mismatch," Journal of S o m d and Vibration, Vol. 62, Oct. 1975, p ~ . 363-386. 15. Heidelberg. L. J., Rice, E. J., and Homyak, L., "Experimental Evaluation of a Spinning Mode Acorrstic Trertmtnt Design Concept for Aircraft Inle:s,"Proposed NASA Technical Paper. 16. Heidelberg, L. J. m d Homyak, I.. , ''Full-Scale Engine Tests of Bulk Abrorber Acoustic Inlet Treatment," proposed paper for presentation at the A I M 5th Aeroacoustics Conference, Seattle, Warhington, March 12-14, 1979. Flgure 1. Sketch of the p-opagallon angle, I n the duct. loorDUCT MACH 17. Williams, John, "Ground-Based Facilities with Forvard-Speed Reprecentation for Aircraft Noise Research," Aerodynsmic Noise, AGARD-LS-80, 1977, pp. 11-1 to 11-43. 18. tleibann, H. F. m d Dietrich, D. A., "Siaulat~on of Flight-Type Engine Fan Noire in the NASALevis 9x15 Anechoic Wind Tunnel," NASA TM X73540, ,1976. 15. Horse, P. H. and Ingard, K. U., ~ ~ e o x e t i c a l Acoustics, McCrn4iil1, New York, 1966. DUCT MACH 0 EXAMPLE APPROACH CONDITION NUMBER. 0 EXAMPLE TAKEOFf CONDITION 0 . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 .6 .7 .8 EXTLRNAL VELOCITY. -& Flgure 4. Effect of external and duct veloclt~es on farheld propagation angle lor near cutoff modes. /\r,:n, TO C ~ V E /' '. / . h. WAVE FRONT' -


An assessment of how well graduates of one medical school performed in residency training was undertaken to assess the school's monitoring of students' performances. The minutes of the school's student progress committee for four years were reviewed to identify all students who had had academic difficulty. Seven students had been recommended for dismissal but ultimately graduated, 22 students were on academic probation for longer than one year, and 22 students were on academic probation for less than one year. The residency performance of 43 of these 51 students were compared with the performances of a randomly selected group of students who had had no academic difficulties and had graduated during the same period. Of 12 performance and knowledge items assessed by the residency directors for the studied graduates, the one dealing with quality of interaction with patients showed significant differences among the residents. The residents who had had academic difficulty had lower ratings on this item than the residents who had not had academic trouble. On all other items, those residents who had had academic difficulties received generally lower scores than the other residents, but the differences were not statistically significant. Of the seven students considered for dismissal, one had been dismissed and one had withdrawn from the residencies; the other five generally received positive ratings from their residency directors. The findings suggest that the medical school's overall monitoring of students' performance was working and confirmed the authors' opinion that each decision concerning a student with academic difficulties should be based on the student's individual situation.


Nature-Friendly Planning of Humanity's Future Dialectics and Dynamics of Development Management V R Krishna Iyer SOMETIME back I participated in an international seminar on environmental planning and management, I have been feeling very unhappy about the grave dangers of callous technology intoxicated with epicurean appetites tempting men and women into inevitable doom. My thoughts are pertinent only to the extent that I, a sombre and sensitive inhabitant of the Earth, am in anguish as I behold the lethal prospect of hi-tech corporate power, inflicting on unforgiving Nature, mortal wounds, leading to the Fifth Act of the Shakespearean tragedy of humanity. Karl Marx once made a poignant remark: "Human projects that ignore the great laws of nature bring only disaster". How I wish Marxists remembered the pregnant meaning of this observation when in some Indian stales, they disdain green movements and environmentalist campaigns, drugged by an ignorant craving for industrialism, oblivious of the new dialectic, in our hi-tech world, of the switchover from 'industrialise or perish' to 'industrialise and perish' since, in the myopic perception and insatiable hunger for maximum profit, the MNCs mayhem Nature in their gold rush. To be addicted to the religion of money, rejecting the long-term needs of humanity and its well-being in the biosphere is to gamble with the delicate balance between life and the rest of Creation. The biosphere is a supreme value and so too is the 'noosphere' which is an expression meaning developmental operation guided by sense and sensibility. Biosphere, so obvious a concept foryou. embraces the Earth's surface and atmosphere in which living organisms are found and with which interaction occurs to form the global ecosystem. It is what may be termed biogeochemistry and allied matters. The sphere of life which is the biosphere includes all parts of our planet where life has 'asserted' itself the atmosphere, the ocean and all land surface where life formsexist. Life is the link between the cosmos and the earth and transforms dead matter, using energy, so as to create the material world. Living organisms in the process of evolution continually change. It is in the rapid march of such changes that Homo sapiens emerged amidst forests and beasts. The extraordinary phenomenon of humans with hrains became a marvellous landmark in the story of creation. The ability to use reason was pari of this development of anthropogenesis.


Li–air is a novel battery technology with the potential to offer very high specific energy, but which currently suffers from a large charging overpotential and low power density. In this work, we use ab initio calculations to demonstrate that a facile mechanism for recharging Li2O2 exists. Rather than the direct decomposition pathway of Li2O2 into Li and O2 suggested by equilibrium thermodynamics, we find an alternative reaction pathway based on topotactic delithiation of Li2O2 to form off-stoichiometric Li2–xO2 compounds akin to the charging mechanism in typical Li-ion intercalation electrodes. The low formation energy of bulk Li2–xO2 phases confirms that this topotactic delithiation mechanism is rendered accessible at relatively small overpotentials of ∼0.3–0.4 V and is likely to be kinetically favored over Li2O2 decomposition. Our findings indicate that at the Li2O2 particle level there are no obstacles to increase the current density, and point to an exciting opportunity to create fast charging Li–air...


Wafer test is becoming ever more important to semiconductor designers and manufacturers, due to the ever-increasing cost of test as a proportion of device cost. Hence the knowledge of test concepts and techniques relating to the testing of semiconductor devices is important in the aspect of product development and enhancement. This paper reports on three-dimensional graphic simulation used to explain principles in semiconductor test. The objective is to use computer aided design and animated simulation to provide a visual aid for understanding important qualitative concepts and the underlying formula.