We examined the activity of vinorelbine-based salvage biochemotherapy regimens NNDR-I (Vinorelbine [Navelbine] 25 mg/m2 d1, d8, Mitoxantrone [Novantrone] 10 mg/m2 d1, Dexamethasone [Decadron] 20 mg BID d1 through 7, Rituximab [Rituxan] 375 mg/m2 d1,8,15,29) and NNDR-II (Vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 d1, Mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 d1, Dexamethasone 20 mg BID d1 through7, Rituximab 375 mg/m2 d1,8,15,22, Fludarabine 25 mg/m2 d1, d2, d3) in 26 patients with lymphohematopoietic malignancies, including 3 adult chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in blast crisis, 2 adult chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with rapidly progressive leukemia, 10 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)(2 adults, 8 children) patients in therapy refractory relapse, and 11 adult non-Hodgkin's lymhoma (NHL) patients (9 in relapse with progressive lymphoma). All patients completed their salvage therapy as an outpatient without infectious disease complications or hospitalizations. Of the 26 patients, 20 had objective responses, including 14 complete remissions (CR). The median survival was 1.3 (95% CI:0.5–3.9) y and the probability of survival was 53± 10% at 1 year and 37 ± 10% at 3 years (Figure 1). All 3 CML patients achieved a CR; two subsequently underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation and remain alive free of leukemia at 4.5 y and 5.0 y, respectively, post blast crisis. One died with progressive disease at 0.7y. Both CLL patients achieved a CR and remain alive in CCR at 0.6y and 4.5y, respectively. Of the 10 ALL patients, 5 achieved a CR; of these 5, 2 died of pulmonary Aspergillosis at 0.3 y, 1 died of CMV pneumonitis at 0.7 y, 1 relapsed and died of gram negative sepsis at 1.2 y during reinduction, and 1 remains alive at 4.5 y in continued CR on maintenance chemotherapy. The median survival was 4 months. Of the 11 NHL patients, 4 achieved a CR and 5 achieved a PR. The median survival was 1.5y and 4 remain alive disease-free at 2.5y, 2.5y, 3.5y and 4.0y, respectively. Drug sensitivity profiling of primary tumor cells was performed in 14 patients: the vinorelbine sensitivity of the patients' leukemia/lymphoma cells predicted their clinical response to the NNDR regimens. Of the 9 responders tested, 8 were vinorelbine sensitive at the primary tumor cell level. Of the 5 non-responders tested, only one was vinorelbine sensitive at the primary tumor cell level. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that patients with high risk/poor prognosis leukemias and lymphomas can achieve meaningful objective responses in an outpatient setting using vinorelbine-based salvage regimens. Future application if the drug sensitivity profiling of primary tumor cells might help tailor the NNDR regimens to those who are most likely to respond.


ABSTRACT We report an unusual case of culture-proven pneumococcal and meningococcal mixed meningitis in an 18-month-old girl. The patient responded well to antimicrobial therapy and recovered completely without sequelae. No underlying condition could be demonstrated except a rhinitis of unknown etiology 2 days before the onset of the symptoms suggesting meningitis.


Mast cells (MCs) promote immunosurveillance for pathogens in peripheral tissues and line the host vasculature. We observe that MC are activated by dengue virus (DENV), a flavivirus that is spread by mosquito vectors. MC activation by DENV during viremia elevates systemic levels of their vasoactive products, including the MC-specific protease, chymase, and promotes vascular leakage. Symptoms of DENV infection in humans include widespread vascular leakage, pooling of fluid within internal organs and, occasionally, severe hemorrhaging; however, the processes that underlie the immune-mediated vascular pathology during dengue infection are largely unknown. A component of dengue-induced vascular leakage is MC-dependent since mice that lack MCs have greatly reduced vascular permeability during infection. We show that treatment of infected animals with MC-stabilizing drugs restores vascular integrity during experimental DENV infection. Validation of these findings using human clinical samples revealed a direct correlation between MC activation and DENV disease severity based on the measurement of chymase as a serum biomarker. Our findings reveal that MCs mediate DENV-induced vascular pathology, and suggest MC-stabilizing drugs should be evaluated for their effectiveness in improving disease outcomes during viral hemorrhagic fevers.


Aspiration to reduce production costs of rolled products extorts a need to minimize energy consumption as well as the quantity of rolling stock. Direct rolling implementation without heating thin steel ingots is one of ways to achieve this objective. The work presents assumptions of integrated process called AST – Arvedi Steel Technology, in which rolling strips proceeds directly after ingot output from the casting machine. A main aim of this concept is to eliminate the reheating process by a maximum use of heat contained in the liquid steel. The most important advantages of this process compared with the conventional are: a huge energy consumption, pollutants reduction as well as the entire technological process and production line reduction. Moreover, a needed time to produce flat products of liquid steel is only 15 minutes. AST integrated process is supposed to appoint new directions in the production processes of steel strips.


Isolation and culture of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells has been performed for many years, and the improvements achieved throughout the last decade in the human field has evoked great hopes for future cell replacement therapies. However, despite certain similarities in the molecular regulation of pluripotency between man and mouse, there is a need for developing large animal models. The aim of our study was to isolate, culture, and characterize bovine ES-like cell colonies derived from the epiblast. Embryos were produced by in vitro maturation, fertilization, and culture. After 6 days of in vitro culture, blastocysts were transferred to synchronized heifers and allowed to develop for an additional 6 days in vivo. At Day 12 after insemination, embryos were collected by nonsurgical flushing. Embryonic discs were isolated from 15 blastocysts by microsurgery and cultured on mitomycin-inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (SLN cells) in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 15% fetal calf serum (FCS), 5% knockout serum replacement (KSR), 106UmL–1 leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), nonessential amino acids (NEAA), and nucleosides. After 4 (n = 6), 6 (n = 4), and 8 days (n = 5) of culture, the primary outgrowth colonies were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and exposed to antisera recognizing Oct-4 (pluripotency marker; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA, USA), Vimentin (mesenchyme marker; Zymed Laboratories, South San Francisco, CA, USA), Cytokeratin-8 (trophectoderm marker; Becton, Dickinson and Co., Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA), and α-1-Fetoprotein (hypoblast marker; DakoCytomation, Glostrup, Denmark). The site of antigen-antibody reaction was revealed using the ABC-AEC-method and counterstained with hematoxylin. At Day 4, all colonies had developed a compact central core of cells with a low cytoplasm-to-nucleus ratio, surrounded by a monolayer of squamous cells. At Days 6 and 8, 3 out of 4 and 3 out of 5 colonies, respectively, still presented the compact core which occasionally was encapsulated by a squamous or cuboidal cell sheet. In the remaining colonies, a compact core was less defined. Oct-3/4 staining was observed in the nuclei of the compact core in 5 out of 6 colonies on Day 4, and in all colonies presenting a compact core on Days 6 and 8. However, whereas all nuclei in the core were stained on Days 4 and 6, only scattered nuclei were stained on Day 8. Vimentin staining was observed in the cytoplasm of cells in the compact core in 3 out of 6 Day 4 colonies, in all Day 6 colonies presenting a compact core, but not in any Day 8 colonies. In contrast, α-1-Fetoprotein staining intensity increased with culture period and was mostly observed in squamous monolayer portions. Cytokeratin-8 staining was weak and restricted to the cytoplasm of the cells encapsulating and surrounding the core in 2 Day 6 colonies and a single Day 8 colony. In conclusion, epiblasts isolated from Day 12 bovine blastocysts efficiently attach to feeder cells and develop outgrowth colonies with cores containing presumptive pluripotent cells (Oct-4). However, these cells to some degree lost Oct-4 expression toward Day 8 and were, in parallel, to some degree overgrown by cells of hypoblast (α-1-Fetoprotein) and trophectoderm (Cytokeratin-8) origin.


Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are typically overweight and have an increased liver fat content (LFAT). High LFAT may be explained by an increased efflux of free fatty acids from the adipose tissue, which is partly instigated by inflammatory changes. This would imply an association between inflammatory features of the adipose tissue and liver fat content.


We describe a modular HPSG implementation , based on a set of tools rather than a single monolithic engine such as ALE. With these tools we can use techniques for much faster compiling and parsing than ALE. We use two-stage grammar compilation with partial execution and a concurrent process implementation of the chart for fast parsing. We compile HPSG lexical rules into Prolog rules used at run-time by the morphological preprocess, thus eliminating lexical rule expansion at compile-time as in ALE. This gives fast lexicon compilation, and also allows further exploitation of lexical rules to eliminate empty categories.


ABSTRACT Swine production systems contribute to emission of greenhouse gases (CO2, N2O, and CH4) and ammonia (NH3) into the atmosphere. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate methods for determining the emissions of ammonia and greenhouse gases (GHG) in a commercial swine production unit with natural ventilation during the finishing phase. The concentrations of gases in the air were measured using a gas analyzer (INNOVA 1412), and the flow emission was calculated by considering the ventilation rate and the differences in gas concentration between the interior and exterior of the installation. The results showed that the emission flow obtained via the simplified method in [g per swine h-1] was 2.689, 0.30, 4.39, 13.55, and 3.273 for CO2, N2O, CH4, NH3, and water vapor, respectively. The flow obtained using the continuous method in [g per swine h-1] was 574, 0.67, 19.50, 5.84, and 7.2 for CO2, N2O, CH4, NH3, and water vapor, respectively. The proposed simplified method was highly accurate for estimating GHG emissions from swine production systems with natural ventilation.


Although Gandhi might appear to be a well-studied subject, there are indeed aspects of this subject that await serious scholarly attention. In our view, Gandhi as a communicator is one such. It is generally held that Gandhi was a great communicator and it has often been observed that Gandhi's success as a communicator was due to the various strategies that he had insightfully designed to communicate with the people of India, but this is perhaps only part of the explanation. Besides, one might argue that those strategies worked primarily because it was Gandhi who used them. The language and the style of Gandhi and his use of the verbal and non-verbal resources for communicative purposes await careful study. To understand his effectiveness as a communicator one might also consider studying his ideas and thoughts, although communication theorists tend to neglect the content or the interest value of what is being communicated in their attempt to build models of communication. Here we do not aspire to go beyond merely scratching the surface of the subject under study, namely, Gandhi as a communicator, and we propose to present our observations in the form of somewhat loose notes, rather than of a well structured essay containing a well formulated thesis.


It is the duty of municipalities and states to protect the lives, the property and the health of their citizens. The purpose of this paper is to bring to your consideration the relation of the state and the city to one disease—tuberculosis. At present states protect their citizens against other contagious and infectious diseases. Tuberculosis also should be under their control. We know that tuberculosis is preventable and curable; yet we allow it to cost this nation 150,000 lives every year. Can we, as a nation, afford to offer up this annual sacrifice when the general adoption of preventive measures and their intelligent enforcement will gradually reduce this alarming mortality, and in due time stamp out the disease? The prevention of tuberculosis is one of the most serious social problems that the country has to consider to-day, and the first movement toward the solution of the problem has been made


The number of exclusive breastfeeding globally, although there has been an increase, this number has not increased significantly. One of the factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding is the value or attitude of the mother. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between mother's perception and exclusive breastfeeding at the Pomalaa Health Center. This research was carried out at the Pomalaa Health Center in June 2022 involving a sample of 51 respondents. The sampling technique used is the Saturated Sampling technique. Data collection used a research instrument in the form of a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test with the help of a computer. The results showed that 21 people (41.2%) gave exclusive breastfeeding and 30 people (58.8%) did not and 25 people (49%) had good perceptions and 26 people (51 %) who had poor perceptions and there was a relationship between mothers' perceptions of exclusive breastfeeding in the working area of the Pomalaa Health Center based on a ρ value of 0.001 (<0.05). It is recommended that mothers add insight regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for both children and mothers


Abstract Zebra chip disease (ZC) is an emerging disease of potato in which tubers are produced with striped necrotic patterns that make them unmarketable. ZC is associated with the bacterium "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" (Lso), which is transmitted by the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc; Hemiptera: Triozidae). First found in Idaho during 2011, ZC now contributes to increased production costs each season via additional insecticide sprays. To clarify the extent and severity of the threat of ZC in Idaho, we sampled potato psyllids in commercial potato fields across the state over four growing seasons (2012–2015). All life stages of psyllids were sampled using a combination of methods (yellow sticky traps, vacuum samples, and leaf samples), and adult psyllids were tested for the presence of Lso by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Abundance of potato psyllids initially increased gradually over each growing season, then exhibited a sharp late-season rise and a sharp decline as most fields were being harvested. Abundance of psyllids was higher at warmer, lower elevation sites, but infestation onset did not differ between growing regions. Fewer psyllids were collected in vacuum samples than in sticky trap samples. Nymphs and eggs were found only late season and during years with high abundance of adults. Overall incidence of Lso was similar among all years but one. The results presented here clarify our understanding of the seasonal phenology of potato psyllids and Lso in Idaho potato fields and will aid in developing integrated management strategies against this important pest of potato.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined perceived satisfaction among Hispanic/Latino individuals who participated in a baseline examination for the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a large cohort study of 16,415 adults living in four selected communities.

METHOD
An estimated 22% (n= 3,584) of participants completed a questionnaire regarding satisfaction with staff attention, the overall experience during the study examination, and the influence of the informed consent digital video disc (DVD).

RESULTS
The majority of participants who completed the questionnaire expressed overall satisfaction with the study. Most participants reported that staff were friendly, courteous and respectful and study test procedures were clearly explained. Participants who preferred to complete the interview in Spanish felt that the informed consent DVD positively influenced their ability to make an informed decision to enroll in the study. Participants who preferred to complete the interview in English tended to report that the baseline examination was longer than expected compared with participants who completed the interview in Spanish.

CONCLUSION
Results demonstrate that culturally and linguistically trained staff and the use of the study's informed consent DVD were effective in explaining study procedures and positively influenced decisions to participate in the HCHS/SOL study. These results can inform recruitment and enrollment strategies for future participation of minority groups into longitudinal cohort studies.


BACKGROUND
Globally, hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The use of nonpharmacological methods such as lifestyle modification has been shown to improve blood pressure control; however, compliance among the patients has been poor. This study determined the association between lifestyle modification counselling and lifestyle pattern of patients with hypertension attending the Family Medicine Clinic of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Edo state of Nigeria.

METHODS
It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Family Medicine Clinic of ISTH, a tertiary health institution in South-South Nigeria. A total of 192 adult patients with hypertension were consecutively recruited. Data was collected using the open data kit with an interviewer-based questionnaire. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 and p<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS
Respondents had a mean age of 51.7 ± 11.36. Majority of respondents 163 (83%) received counselling on lifestyle modification within the preceding 12 months. There was a significant association between age of respondents (p = 0.003), fruit and vegetable consumption (p < 0.001), smoking cessation (p< 0.001) and lifestyle modification counselling received.

CONCLUSION
The study highlights the importance of lifestyle modification counselling to patients with hypertension. Physicians should routinely counsel patients on lifestyle modification as part of the treatment protocol for patients with hypertension.


Affine spheres with definite and indefinite Blaschke metric are discretized in a purely geometric manner. The technique is based on simple relations between affine spheres and their duals which possess natural discrete analogues. The geometry of these duality relations is discussed in detail. Cauchy problems are posed and shown to admit unique solutions. Particular discrete definite affine spheres are shown to include regular polyhedra and some of their generalizations. Connections with integrable partial difference equations and symmetric mappings are recorded.


A redox-neutral, light-mediated functionalization of unactivated C(sp3 )-H bonds via iminyl radicals is presented here. A 1,5-H transfer followed by the functionalization of a C(sp2 )-H bond takes place in aqueous media producing a variety of elaborated fused ketones. Mechanistic investigations have revealed 1,5-H transfer as the reversible, rate-determining step in this transformation. Divergent scaffolds are also accessible via C(sp3 )-N bond formation upon a careful choice of the reaction additives.


This is the third stage of a longitudinal study that investigates the learning of the Holocaust on pupils' citizenship values. We firstly compared primary pupils' values before and after their learning of the Holocaust; and secondly tracked these pupils into secondary to compare their attitudes with their peers who had not studied the Holocaust in primary school. It involves 200 pupils from a predominantly white rural community in the West of Scotland with very few ethnic minority pupils. The core group are now aged 15-16 years and this study continues to investigate their citizenship values using a values survey. This study is of interest to those involved in citizenship education, Holocaust education, antiracist and values education.


The four main ribonucleotides of RNA can be separated on diethylaminoethylcellulose paper sheets, with results comparable to column chromatography, by irrigation with 0.05M formic acid for 2 to 3 hours, and then reversing the direction of irrigation with 4M formic acid.


Remote zero-shot object recognition, i.e., offloading zero-shot object recognition task from one mobile device to remote mobile edge computing (MEC) server or another mobile device, has become a common and important task to solve for 6G. In order to tackle this problem, this paper first establishes a zero-shot multi-level feature extractor, which projects the image into visual, semantic, as well as intermediate feature space in a lightweight way. Then, this paper proposes a novel multi-level feature transmission framework powered by semantic knowledge base (SKB), and characterizes the semantic loss and required transmission latency at each level. Under this setup, this paper formulates the multi-level feature transmission optimization problem to minimize the semantic loss under the end-to-end latency constraint. The optimization problem, however, is a multi-choice knapsack problem, and thus very difficult to be optimized. To resolve this issue, this paper proposes an efficient algorithm based on convex concave procedure to find a high-quality solution. Numerical results show that the proposed design outperforms the benchmarks, and illustrate the tradeoff between the transmission latency and zero-shot classification accuracy, as well as the effects of the SKBs at both the transmitter and receiver on classification accuracy.


Recent studies have suggested that cell migratory responses are often mediated by G(i) protein-coupled receptors. Because it is known that CB1 cannabinoid receptors are coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, we proposed that CB1 may mediate cell migration. To test this hypothesis, modified Boyden chamber assays were used to investigate cell migration mediated by CB1 cannabinoid receptors. HU-210, WIN55212-2, and anandamide, three cannabinoid agonists with distinct chemical structures, induced migration of human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably transfected with human CB1 gene, but not 293 cells transfected with an empty expression vector. These migratory responses were concentration-dependent. The EC(50) values for HU-210, WIN55212-2, and anandamide were 0.19 +/- 0.04, 12. 2 +/- 1.4, and 39.9 +/- 3.7 nM, respectively. The maximal migration index for HU-210, WIN55212-2, and anandamide were 8.9 +/- 1.6, 9.5 +/- 1.6, and 8.8 +/- 1.3, respectively. Pretreating cells with 100 ng/ml pertussis toxin eliminated the cannabinoid agonist-induced cell migration. SR141716A, a selective antagonist for CB1, inhibited the cannabinoid agonist-induced migratory responses in a concentration-dependent manner. Checkerboard analysis demonstrated that anandamide-induced cell migrations are due to chemotaxis as well as chemokinesis. Furthermore, anandamide-induced migratory responses were inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, by PD098059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, but not by 8-bromoadenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, a cell-permeable cAMP analog. These data demonstrate that cannabinoid agonists are able to induce chemotaxis and chemokinesis, and that these migratory responses are mediated by G protein-coupled, CB1 cannabinoid receptors. In addition, these data suggest that activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase plays an important role, whereas inhibition of adenylate cyclase is probably not involved in the cell migration mediated by CB1.


The airborne dust as pollutants plays a major role in the overall atmospheric pollution. Silica is a chemical term for silicon dioxide (SiO2). The term crystalline silica refers to a crystallized form of SiO2 known as quartz, crystobalite or tridymite; it is the most abundant compound on the earth's crust capable of causing silicosis and lung cancer upon inhaling large doses in course of occupational exposure. The present study was aim to evaluate the lung efficiency of individuals who worked in various foundry industries in Satara city. Around 300 individuals were enrolled. From selected three locations, 100 individuals were enrolled. All the individuals from the test were given a pulmonary function test. Before the test, a questionnaire was given to them to collect their basic information. Their age, height and weight were also entered in the spirometer. The spirometer gives two values; one is the expected value and the other is actual value. The predicted values are based upon the age, height and weight of the person while the actual values are dependent upon the maximal inspiration and expiration of the person. All the parameters, i.e. FVC, SVC and MVV showed impairment in the large industry workers compared to other two industries workers. A significant difference (p < 0.01) in the actual and expected values was observed in the pulmonary function test individuals of all the three selected industries. The percentage efficiency for all parameters for small industry workers, i.e. FVC (96.42 %), SVC (95.71 %) and MVV (88.69 %) was also good as compared to large and medium industries. At large industry, MVV efficiency was very less (59.66 %) as compared to the medium industry (68.61 %) and small industry (88.69 %) workers. In the SVC also, a large industry worker (69.72 %) showed less value as compared to the medium industry (79.99 %) and small industry (95.71 %) workers. Restrictive defect was 14 %, 36 %, 33 % and 17 % in the large industry workers which was normal, mild, moderate and severe, respectively. These values were very low as compared to small industry workers. Individuals exposed to heavy load of pollutants in air are susceptible for many respiratory disorders. Decrease in the FVC, MVV and SVC parameters were observed in the individuals of large industry assz compared to medium and small industry. This impairment in the pulmonary test parameters are indications of an accumulation of pollutants in the airways, which intern reduces inhalation and exhalation force. So, the people exposing continuously to such silica or particulate matter pollution should be made aware about pulmonary disorders.


In analyzing family burials, it is often necessary to establish the nature of the family relationship. This study examines 18 skulls from the 14th and 15th century, presumptively assigned to the family of the Counts of Celje from the territory of present-day Slovenia. Though DNA analysis is the identification method of choice, it is not always possible to apply it. In our case we were unable to isolate the genetic material and had to use classical identification methods. After determining sex and age, we established the kinship by comparison of X-ray images of paranasal cavities (frontal and maxillary sinuses, and also orbital and nasal cavities), the shape and size of which are autosomal dominant inherited characters. The comparison also extends to numerous other likewise inherited epigenetic trait similarities on the skulls. We identified all skulls, compared them with historical and genealogical data, grouped them into nuclear families--one of them is presented in this article-, and proved that they belong to the assigned family. This multidisciplinary work, based on latest epigenetic research, is highly relevant for modern non-genetic identification studies and verification of kinship by skulls collectively interred and can be applied in similar cases where isolation of DNA is no longer possible, even though the skeletal remains may not be old.


Early hematopoietic development proceeds in a stepwise manner through progenitor intermediates. One such intermediate, the common lymphoid progenitor (CLP), can give rise to all lymphoid but not myeloid lineages in vivo, but has been suggested to preferentially give rise to B cells. Thus it remains unclear whether CLPs represent a node where lymphoid fate decisions are made, an intermediate en route to B cell commitment, or a mixture of the two. To determine if the CLP population contains both B-committed and uncommitted lymphoid progenitors, we used a novel algorithm called MiDReG (Mining Developmentally Regulated Genes) on over 2000 publicly-available mouse expression arrays to predict surface proteins with differential expression during the transition from fully multipotent progenitors to committed B cells. One of these markers bisects CLPs into two distinct populations, which we call CLPa and CLPb. Upon adoptive transfer, CLPa have robust B, T, NK, and DC output, while CLPb produce almost exclusively B cells. Thus, this surface protein marks the earliest identified step at which B cell commitment is established in vivo, with CLPa residing at the branchpoint where the B cell lineage separates from the other lymphoid fates. These results highlight the utility of MiDReG to identify novel stages of hematopoietic development. M.I. is funded by a fellowship from CIRM.


"The article highlights the Freudian approach applied in depicting the events ensuing in a family after a tragic accident – and the related psychoanalysis case, determined by a case of traumatic neurosis – as illustrated in Robert Redford's movie Ordinary People. The elder son in the family dies in a boat accident, while his brother survives, unable to save him. Ridden with unconscious guilt, the brother tries to commit suicide. Later, he eventually starts an analysis that will bring to the surface his interpretation of the accident, unknown to himself, as the actual traumatic event. The emphasis is placed on a suggestion-free direction of the cure, as promoted by both Freud and Lacan, where the analyzand finds his own words and brings the trauma to memory, moving from a traumatic and compulsory reliving in the present to a remembering of something in the past which liberates the present.

Keywords: traumatic neurosis, Freudian analysis, Jacques Lacan, direction of the cure, suggestion, variable-length session.
"


In doing p-adic analysis on spaces of classical modular functions and forms, it is convenient and traditional to broaden the notion of "modular form" to a class called "overconvergent p-adic modular forms." Critical for the analysis of the p-adic Banach spaces composed of this wider class of forms is the "Atkin U -operator", which is completely continuous and whose spectral theory (still not very well understood) seems to be the key to a good deal of arithmetic. The part of the spectrum of U corresponding to eigenvalues which are p-adic units is somewhat more understood, thanks to the work of Hida. As for the rest of the spectrum, it is surprising how fragmentary our information is (although recent work of Coleman, resolving in part some prior conjectures of ours, has improved the situation). We have begun an experimental search for nonclassical (but "overconvergent") eigenfunctions in a fairly simple way. We take a number of classical modular functions which are p-adically overconvergent (e.g., j, 1/j,...), and try to find their p-adic "U -eigenfunction expansion." There is a straightforward computational procedure to approximate such eigenfunction expansions, even though, on a theoretical level, we do not even know that the "expansions" that our algorithm produces converge in any sense, or even settle down numerically. Experimentally, they seem to, and they produce candidate Fourier expansions. In our computations, we specialize principally to p = 5. The same eigenfunctions (produced by our algorithm) seem to occur as terms in each of the eigenfunction expansions we have calculated. This leads us to suspect that we have in fact encountered all the 5-adic eigenfunctions


Industry 4.0 has led to changes that have reduced the labor force and creat-ed production environments where machines that bring together information technology and industry communicate with each other. Logistics 4.0, which emerged with Industry 4.0, paved the way for improvement in logistics process-es. Using information technologies in logistics reduces the labor force costs of enterprises by leading all stages of activities to digitalization. It can be possible to increase customer satisfaction and product quality by reducing human fail-ures with digitalization. This study was performed by planning intralogistics us-ing Logistics 4.0 technological tools, and also the problem of a manufacturing company was elaborated as a case study. This study was carried out by quanti-tative data analysis in the case study and a large-scale production company in Turkey providing the intralogistics of the materials from the supplier in the en-trance warehouse with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technologies. This paper presents the research, development, and application of logistics 4.0 in the intralogistics process from the entrance warehouse to the production lines. The aim of the case study was provided to information about the tech-nologies available within the scope of Logistics 4.0 and contribute to the litera-ture and industry with solution suggestions depending on the result of the appli-cation study within the logistics operations. As a result, depending on the case study, it was determined that Logistics 4.0 improved intralogistics operations costs by 13.37%.


Sixty growing 3/4 Boer x 1/4 Spanish (BS) and Spanish (SP) wethers were used to determine influences of diet and breed on growth and body composition. A pelleted 50% concentrate diet (CD) and a diet based on grass hay (HD) were fed for ad libitum intake. Six wethers of each breed were slaughtered at 0 wk (total of 12). Six wethers of each diet-breed combination were slaughtered at 14 and 28 wk (24 per time) after consumption of the CD or HD. Initial BW of fed wethers were 21.6 and 18.8 kg for BS and SP, respectively (SEM = 0.7). Average daily gain during the entire experiment was influenced by an interaction (P < 0.05) between breed and diet (199, 142, 44, and 50 g/d for BS:CD, SP:CD, BS:HD, and SP:HD, respectively). Carcass mass was greater (P < 0.05) for CD vs. HD (56.2, 56.2, 53.2, and 54.0% of empty BW for BS:CD, SP:CD, BS:HD, and SP:HD, respectively). Mass of the liver (2.11, 1.92, 2.00, and 1.98% of empty BW; SEM = 0.05) and gastrointestinal tract (5.50, 4.83, 8.43, and 8.36% of empty BW for BS:CD, SP:CD, BS:HD, and SP:HD, respectively; SEM = 0.16) tended (P < 0.07) to be influenced by an interaction between breed and diet. Mass of internal fat (12.2, 12.1, 3.4, and 3.4% empty BW for BS:CD, SP:CD, BS:HD, and SP:HD, respectively; SEM = 0.3) differed (P < 0.05) between diets. Energy in the carcass (320, 236, 87, and 79 MJ), noncarcass tissues (318, 237, 77, and 72 MJ), and empty body (638, 472, 164, and 150 MJ) ranked (P < 0.05) BS:CD > SP:CD > BS:HD and SP:HD. Empty body concentration of protein was 18.3, 17.5, 18.3, and 19.7% (SEM = 0.3) and of fat was 24.0, 23.4, 10.8, and 10.3% for BS:CD, SP:CD, BS:HD, and SP:HD, respectively (SEM = 0.6). Energy concentration in accreted tissue was 17.0, 18.7, 16.3, and 6.4 MJ/kg for CD:wk 1 to 14, CD:wk 15 to 28, HD:wk 1 to 14, and HD:wk 15 to 28, respectively (SEM = 1.4). In conclusion, relatively high growth potential of growing Boer crossbred goats with a moderate to high nutritional plane does not entail a penalty in realized growth when the nutritional plane is low. Body composition of growing Boer and Spanish goats is fairly similar regardless of growth rate. For growing meat goats other than with a prolonged limited nutritional plane, an average energy concentration in accreted tissue is 17.3 MJ/kg.


Authority and accessibility combine to bring the history and the drama of Tudor England to life. Almost 900 engaging entries cover the life and times of Henry VIII, Mary I, Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, and much, much more. * Almost 900 entries covering people, events, ideas, movements, institutions, and publications * An extensive chronology of important events from the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603 * Maps and photographs * A guide to related topics * Appendixes that include genealogies and lists of European monarchs, contemporary popes, English bishops, speakers and sessions of Parliament, and major battles, rebellions, and uprisings * A bibliography of historical novels set in the period * An annotated list of films and television programs set in the period * A list of useful websites * An extensive, up-to-date bibliography divided into topical sections


Abstract Numerous studies have shown that amyloid-β (Aβ) modulate intracellular metabolic cascades and an intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and a cell surface NMDA receptor expression alteration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However most of these findings have been obtained by using non-physiological Aβ concentrations. The present study deals with the effect of low Aβ concentrations on cellular homeostasis. We used nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells and murine cortical neurons sequentially treated with low chronic monomeric or small oligomeric Aβ concentrations and high acute oligomeric Aβ concentrations to bring out a priming effect of chronic treatment on subsequently high Aβ concentrations-elicited cellular response. Both cell types indeed displayed an enhanced capacity to bind oligomeric Aβ after monomeric or small oligomeric Aβ application. Furthermore, the results show that monomeric Aβ1–42 application to the cells induces an increase of the Ca2+-response and of the membrane expression of the extrasynaptic subunit of the NMDA receptor GluN2B in PC12 cells, while the opposite effects were observed in cultured neurons. This suggests a sequential interaction of Aβ with the cellular plasma membrane involving monomers or small Aβ oligomers which would facilitate the binding of the deleterious high molecular Aβ oligomers. This mechanism would explain the slow progression of AD in the human nervous system and the deep gradient of neuronal death observed around the amyloid plaques in the nervous tissue.


Object detection using Haar-like features is formulated as a maximum likelihood estimation. Object features are described by an arbitrary Bayesian Network (BN) of Haar-like features. We proposed variable translation techniques transform the BN into the likelihood for the object detection. The likelihood is a BN which includes a node that represents the object's position, angle and scale. The object detection can be achieved by inference for the node.


Since the September 2001 terrorist attacks, transnational activities of security agencies have
been expanded considerably. In parallel, with the establishment and extension of the Area of
Freedom, Security and Justice, the European Union has become an important player in this
field – even more so since the full integration of the policies related to policing, security and
justice into the EU framework with the Treaty of Lisbon.
The paper analyses, from a trans-disciplinary legal and political science perspective, the role
that European courts play in the regulation of such kinds of transnational security activities.
With the European Convention on Human Rights, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and
the fundamental rights guaranteed by national constitutions, the European multi-level system
currently has a normative framework that is dense compared to the situation in other parts of
the world. Citizens can, under certain conditions, bring cases before national courts, the
Council of Europe's European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the EU.
The paper's central research question is related to the role that the CJEU plays in the
protection of human rights and civil liberties in the emerging EU multi-level security setting,
and the structural limits of court interventions in this field. The paper shows that the
institutional setting is favourable for a high level of fundamental rights protection. However,
the still emerging normative framework leads to highly diverse outcomes regarding the case
law brought before the CJEU. This outcome is the result of conflicting interests such as
security, individual freedom and the effective application of the relevant secondary EU law.


We utilize the important characterization that E(X−t|X>t) is a constant for t∈[0, ∞) if and only if X is distributed as an exponential random variable, in order to construct a new test procedure for exponentiality. We discuss asymptotic distribution theory and other properties of the proposed procedure. Simulation studies indicate that the proposed statistic has very good power in a large variety of situations.


The optimal exploitation of a population is considered for three stochastic population models; these allow both demographic and environmental variability and the possibility of extinction. The dynamics are linear in the harvest rate; the optimal policy then recommends harvesting at the maximal rate above a critical level (the \`threshold') and at zero rate below. However, in all cases the optimal threshold differs radically according as to whether one maximizes the total return before extinction or the rate of return per unit time over the period before extinction. In the former case the optimal threshold is at the deterministic equilibrium level of the unexploited population, in the latter case it is approximately at the level of maximal sustainable production. Part of the explanation is that maximization of total yield turns out to be almost equivalent to maximization of time to extinction. Both average yield rate and the expected time to extinction vary with the policy, but the second much more powerfully. Both the criteria above are extreme: one obtains a balanced criterion (and an intermediate threshold) if one maximizes rate of return (before extinction) subject to the conservation requirement of a lower bound on the expected time to extinction. In the case when extinction is excluded because of a potential \`rescue effect' one comes to the same view by taking account of the relative time needed to restart an obliterated population. The practical implication is that more attention should be paid to extinction and restart times. For vulnerable populations it is likely that maximal utilization before an inevitable extinction will be achieved at low harvest rates. For large populations or metapopulations, with large times to extinction or quick recovery from a temporary extinction, classical resource models are appropriate.


A small but diverse assemblage of pollen, spores and marine phytoplankton recovered from a single, lignitic clay sample of the lower to middle Eocene strata from a deep injection well on Pine Island, Florida represents the oldest land flora described from the state. The assemblage contains 17 terrestrial forms and four to five brackish to marine forms of dinoflagellate cysts or algal taxa. Angiosperm pollen forms are comparable to extant taxa including the palms, Bombacacidites (Bombacaceae), Corsinipollenites (Onagraceae), Milfordia (Restioniaceae), Tiliaepollenites (Tiliaceae), and Retitricolporites sp. (Lisianthius Gentianaceae). These suggested affinities point to a mild, warmtemperate to subtropical, probably lowland, environment. No new pollen taxa are described. This is the earliest report of terrestrial vegetation and near marine vegetation of Florida and documents the presence of a Florida landmass during the early Eocene.


An experiment with 192 caged ISA Brown laying hens, fed a diet containing a high level of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), was conducted to determine the influence of selected feed additives on biomechanical and geometrical indices of tibia and femur bones. At 26 weeks of age hens were randomly assigned to 8 treatments with 12 replicates (cages of two hens). To week 55, hens were fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets either containing or not containing a high level of DDGS (200 g/kg). The diet containing 200 g/kg of DDGS was supplemented or not supplemented with feed additives, i.e. enzymes (xylanase and phytase), sodium butyrate, probiotic bacteria ( L. salivarius), herbal extract mixtures ( Taraxaci siccum, Urticae siccum, and Salviae siccum), inulin or chitosan. At week 55, inclusion of DDGS in the diet had no effect on biomechemical (bone breaking strength, yielding load, and stiffness) or geometrical (cortex thick - ness, cross-section area, weight, and length) indices of tibia and femur bones ( P > 0.05). Some of the supple - ments used had a beneficial effect on bone quality in hens fed the diet with a high level of DDGS. Thus, the addition of probiotic bacteria or herb extracts increased the breaking strength of femurs and breaking strength and yielding load of tibias ( P < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that DDGS may be included to a level of 20% in the diet of laying hens without any negative influence on bone quality, while such feed additives as probiotic bacteria and herbal extracts may improve the selected biomechanical indices of bone quality of layers fed diets with a high level of DDGS.


We present experimental evidence for (a) multiphase superconductivity and (b) coexistence of magnetism and superconductivity in a single structural phase of lithiated iron selenide hydroxide [(Li1−xFex)OH]FeSe. Magnetic field modulated microwave spectroscopy data confirms superconductivity with at least two distinct transition temperatures attributed to well-defined superconducting phases at TSC1 = 40 ± 2 K and TSC2 = 35 ± 2 K. Magnetometry data for the upper critical fields reveal a change in the magnetic order (TM = 12 K) below TSC1 and TSC2 that is consistent with ferromagnetism. This occurs because the superconducting coherence length is much smaller than the structural coherence length, allowing for several different electronic and magnetic states on a single crystallite. The results give insight into the physics of complex multinary materials, where several phenomena governed by different characteristic length scales coexist.


I. INTRODUCTIONRecently, China's push for unionization of Foreign Investment Enterprises ("FIEs") has become big news due to the country's unionization of mega-store Wal-Mart's Chinese workforce.1 Wal-Mart, staunchly antiunion in the U.S., conceded suddenly to unionization requests by the AllChina Federation of Trade Unions ("ACFTU")2 after a fight lasting more than two years.3 Most interesting in this story, and explored in this comment, are the reasons why Wal-Mart allowed unionization in its Chinese stores and the motivations and legislation behind the Chinese Communist Party's ("CCP") and ACFTU's push to compel Wal-Mart to unionize.For years, dwindling trade union membership4 has threatened the CCP's control over increasingly agitated Chinese workers,5 allowing for an increasing number of strikes in China.6 FIEs' increasing role in the Chinese economy, and their refusal to unionize, caused the CCP concern over possible westernization of the Chinese workforce inconsistent with socialist ideals.7 With large numbers of workers' protests, widespread labor unrest, and increased independent organization, as well as a real fear of foreign influence, the CCP recognized the ability of the ACFTU to exert control over the troubled Chinese workforce.8The CCP is attempting to reassert control over Chinese workers by increasing unionization through a grant in the Trade Union Law9 of more enforcement and oversight power to the ACFTU and by creating further legislation10 in order to improve political relations with, and labor conditions for, workers.11 This move is meant to strengthen the power of the CCP through national unionization and to facilitate economic development through social stability in China's new market economy.12 Spurred by the CCP, the ACFTU, China's only legal trade union,13 is attempting to unionize the entire Chinese workforce, with a goal of unionizing eighty percent of FIEs by the end of 2007.14Although recent legislative changes and proposed legislation show that the CCP is giving the ACFTU oversight over enterprise management and worker relations, as well as more avenues through which to hold employers accountable,15 these changes do not need to cause FIEs to reconsider doing business in China. In re-regulating the ACFTU, the CCP is providing trade unions with multiple masters16-stressing harmony, productivity, and encouraging foreign business. Moreover, the CCP is aligning ACFTU leadership more firmly with its own, indicating that the needs of the CCP, and not those of the worker, will control the actions of the trade unions.17 Finally, the social stability sought by the CCP will benefit enterprise management by providing workers with greater allegiance to CCP mandates-creating fewer strikes and slow downs.18Part II of this comment looks at the political, economic, and market conditions in modern day China that have caused the CCP to push for greater unionization in the hope of attaining social stability. Factors examined include China's move from a planned economy to a socialist market economy, the effect of unemployment and dissatisfied workers, the rise of FIEs, the decrease in union membership, and the effect of lost union dues on the ACFTU and CCP. Part III discusses what the recent legislative changes made by the CCP reveal about the party's political and economic objectives for China and its workforce, as well as what consequences this might have on foreign business. This section highlights the changes made in both the 1992(19) and 2001(20) amendments to the Trade Union Law of China and the proposed legislation of the (draft) Labor Contract Law,21 detailing the increased worker protection available and the barriers that make it difficult for the ACMU to be an effective advocate for Chinese workers. Part IV looks at what role the CCP has provided for itself in its re-regulation of the ACFTU. Finally, Part V proposes that FIEs do not need to look unfavorably on this new regulatory environment and can continue to engage in profitable business in China. …


Developing public e-services is one of the main challenges facing public authorities and organizations with the emerging information society. In order for this development to reach its aims of effectiveness and public participaton, information security and trust are vital issues. This paper discusses possible research questions and perspectives for the structuring of my licentiate thesis within this field, presenting a very first outline for possible aims. The research is a part of the project "Safe public e-services – an issue of trust and organisation", financed by the Swedish Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). The aim of the overall research project is to analyse how and why "secure" public e-services are constructed (both as a social and technical activity) within different practices. The research project will involve several case studies, of which one will be mine. This paper provides general suggestions for possible analytical approaches and how these can be applied to a number of possible case studies. In turn, a number of broad research questions are generated.


The purpose of this study is to settle theoretical dispute between anthropocentrism and eco-centrism on whether new ethics is necessary or not. In particular, the study aims at establishing whether either anthropocentric or eco-centric moral theory can be a sufficient basis for new environmentalism as their respective proponents argue. The central question of this study is: is either anthropocentrism or eco-centrism adequate or an alternative theory but in which the two antagonistic moral approaches are reconciled necessary and possible? Through historical survey we see that anthropocentric vs. ecocentric theoretical controversies have persisted with consequential serious negative impact on environmentalism. An attempt by eco-centrists to defend their position with testimonies from antiquity and with scientific facts and theories has not convinced anthropocentrists. Surprisingly, the latter invoke the same scientific facts and theories as used by eco-centrists as a counter-argument, thus vindicating their (anthropocentrists) position. This absurd situation has enlisted pessimistic attitudes among some philosophers on resolvability of theoretical controversies in environmental ethics. Consequently, there has been a tendency to abandon these theoretical pursuits. This is comprehensible given that the moral theory's consistency with scientific facts and theories is a crucial requirement for its adequacy. But the urgency for a resolution of anthropocentric versus eco-centric theoretical controversy still forces itself with inescapable necessity given serious implications of unresolved theoretical differences on environmentalism. This study aims at formulating a theoretical perspective that helps to resolve the controversy. To do this, each of the party to the controversy will be subjected to a comprehensive and impartial critical evaluation. Particularly, the two conflicting theories will be evaluated against the moral criteria for adequacy of moral theories. According to these criteria, a theory is adequate to the extent to which its underlying worldviews, especially metaphysical assumptions, are rationally and psychologically acceptable. The study will especially focus on rationality and psychological acceptability of metaphysical beliefs found in indigenous and Christian-modern European worldviews in so far as they underlie eco-centric and anthropocentric moral theories respectively. The study will adopt a combination of critical judge model and stage development of moral theory as its conceptual framework. Data collection will take place in library and as such, relevant information will be recorded in form of notes. Then, a philosophical method known as critical method will be employed in analyzing the data. This method consists of analysis and evaluation. It best serves the purpose of this study since the conflicting theories must be analyzed to their ultimate roots and be assessed in order to establish their strengths and weaknesses.


This paper deals with laminar, unsteady flow of viscous, incompressible and electro conductive fluid caused by variable motion of flat plate. Fluid electro conductivity is variable. Velocity of the plate is time function. Plate moves in its own plane and in "still" fluid. Present external magnetic filed is perpendicular to the plate. Plate temperature is a function of longitudinal coordinate and time. Viscous dissipation, Joule heat, Hole and polarization effects are neglected. For obtaining of universal equations system general similarity method is used as well as impulse and energy equation of described problem.


The aim of this study was to get insight into what stereotypes and prejudice students at Lund University in Sweden might have towards people receiving welfare. The study used focus groups and a survey to collect material. The results from the focus groups were mainly used for the operationalization of the terms stereotypes and prejudice for the survey. Previous studies within the field of prejudice against welfare in Sweden has shown that the Swedish public have stereotypes about people receiving welfare. Amongst others, studies have documented stereotypes of people scamming to get welfare and being too lazy to look for employment. However, this study found that the student population at Lund University's stereotypes against the group were more focused on who is receiving welfare, rather than why. Stereotypes that the population held about the group was that it is more often immigrants, people struggling with addiction or single parent households who receive welfare. No statistical significance were found between students from different faculties in the study, which might be due to a small research population. It also showed more difficult to measure prejudice than stereotypes. Since the study used direct measures to measure prejudice, the people participating must be willing to admit their own prejudice on the subject,something that could have possibly been avoided by using indirect measures instead. (Less)


Studies have shown that raptors flying within the Altamont Pass WRA are vulnerable to fatal turbine collisions, possibly because of their specific foraging and flight behavior. Between June 1999 and June 2000, I conducted 346.5 hours of raptor observations within the Atlamont Pass WRA. Behavior was recorded in relation to characteristics of the topography (slope aspect, elevation, and inclination), the weather, and ground squirrel abundance, as determined by active burrow entrances. The most significant finding of this study revealed that red-tailed hawks and golden eagles flew more in strong winds than in weak winds, particularly along hillsides facing into prevailing winds (as opposed to hillsides shielded from the wind). This is likely a result of the birds' use of declivity currents for lift during flights. These results suggest that certain combinations of topography and weather produce wind currents that are sought out by foraging red-tailed hawks and golden eagles within the Altamont Pass WRA. To decrease raptor mortality, mitigation measures can be targeted to specific areas likely to attract foraging raptors because of their capacity to create particularly favorable wind currents.


The gauge invariance of open string field theory is considered from the point of view of level truncation, and applications to the tachyon condensation problem are discussed. We show that the region of validity of Feynman-Siegel gauge can be accurately determined using the level truncation method. We then show that singularities previously found in the tachyon effective potential are gauge artifacts arising from the boundary of the region of validity of Feynman-Siegel gauge. The problem of finding the stable vacuum and tachyon potential without fixing Feynman-Siegel gauge is addressed.


Cycle slip (CS) compensation is a critical technique for nondifferential coded coherent optical transmission. By monitoring the sparse, asymmetric polarization block-coded symbol mapped signal phases of two orthogonal polarizations, the CS can be estimated from a relatively short stretch of symbols (unit). Simulation shows that the polarization block coding-based method compensates CS and improves the Q-factor by 1 dB or more compared to differential coding.


The effects of Backryeoncho (Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten) powder addition (0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2%) on the pH, titratable acidity, lactic acid contents, microbial contents, texture, and sensory evaluation of cabbage Kimchi, stored at 10℃ for 36 days were studied to establish an optimum recipe. Upon addition of Backryeoncho powder, pH was higher than that of Kimchi without powder after 36 days of fermentation. The titratable acidity was increased by the addition of Backryeoncho powder, and 0.4% powder added Kimchi showed the slowest changing level. During the fermentation period, the degree of salinity decreased with the addition of powder from 2.52 to 2.19 to 2.10. The a value was higher in Kimchi with added Backryeoncho powder in a dose-dependent manner compared with control Kimchi. The cutting force and compression force were higher during the fermentation period, and especially addition of 0.4% powder showed the highest value of hardness. The addition of powder slowed growth of lactic acid bacteria as compared with the control samples. In the sensory evaluation of overall taste, 0.4% addition of powder improved the quality of Kimchi. Therefore, addition of 0.4% Backryeoncho powder apears to be an acceptable approach to enhance the quality of Kimchi without reducing acceptability.


The aim of this contribution is to examine the effect of an indiscriminate epidemic on a population to assess whether or not a catastrophic event can be identified from examination of paleodemographic data. Using paleodemographic techniques, the death assemblage from the Royal Mint site, London, a Black Death cemetery dated 1349 AD, is compared with that from St. Helen-on-the-Walls, York, which dates from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries AD. The Royal Mint site represents a catastrophic cemetery, while that of St. Helen-on-the-Walls is of an attritional type. Certain features of the paleodemographic profile of the plague victims suggest that the population had been affected by factors other than natural wastage. Three factors are proposed which may define an indiscriminate catastrophic event in preindustrial populations.


Coming from those who had most to do with the conception and inauguration of the National Formulary and from those who have maintained it and are largely responsible for its present character, I confess all things, own all things demanded by truth, and from those who would unkindly criticize and condemn I ask the same tribute to truth, as it lays bare, in proper sequence, contemporary conditions that are exactly responsible for what the formulary has been and is to-day. In this generous, open frame of mind, we shall be able to reason harmoniously together. "Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind worm's sting, Lizard's leg and owlet's wing." While entirely fanciful and not a formula for the relief of trouble, this quotation illustrates the principle underlying the original compound prescription, its superstitious origin and haphazard ensemble little less


The relationship between the process of rat brain protein synthesis inhibition by restrictocin and mitogillin and the induction of a specific cleavage in 28S rRNA has been examined. Restrictocin or mitogillin at a concentration of 6 nM inhibits protein synthesis to a level of 80%. The inhibition induced by 6 nM alpha-sarcin is of the same order, indicating that those molecules all catalytically inhibit protein synthesis. When restrictocin or mitogillin was reduced and alkylated, a 100-fold higher concentration of these chemically modified molecules was needed in order to obtain the same inhibition as with native molecules, suggesting a close correlation between activity and configuration of the inhibitors. The inhibitory activity of restrictocin or mitogillin was completely lost after oxidation with performic acid. The inhibition of protein synthesis was always correlated with the production of a fragment from the 3'-end of the 28S rRNA. This rRNA fragment had the same electrophoretic mobility as that produced by alpha-sarcin. The 5'-end sequence of the rRNA fragment produced by restrictocin, mitogillin or alpha-sarcin is AGGAA, demonstrating that restrictocin and mitogillin inhibit protein synthesis in the same way as does alpha-sarcin. The conservation of this region of the rRNA from archaebacteria to eukaryotic ribosomes indicates its importance in the elongation process.


Accurate estimate of drug exposure plays an important role in studies of the neurobiology of drug dependence. The validity of self-reported drug use by subjects participating in such studies has not been well established. This study examined the relationship between self-reported drug use and biological markers in 18 non-treatment-seeking cocaine-dependent individuals participating in research on the effects of cocaine on the brain. A significant relationship was found between self-reported frequency of cocaine use and hair cocaine concentration. Frequency of alcohol use correlated significantly with plasma carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and aspartate aminotransferase levels. These results suggest that self-reported substance use in non-treatment seeking research subjects is generally valid.


gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, is also found in many peripheral nonneuronal tissues, including male reproductive organs. However, the distribution of GABAergic cells in various organs is not known. The GAD67-GFP knock-in mouse is a useful model for studying the distribution and morphology of GABAergic neurons in the brain. We examined the male reproductive organs of GAD67-GFP knock-in mice by fluorescence microscopy and found cells with strong green fluorescent protein (GFP) signal exclusively in the epithelium of the initial segment and proximal caput of the epididymis. The characteristic cell morphology suggested that these were narrow cells. These GFP-positive narrow cells also expressed GAD67 and GABA. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the predominant glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) isoform expressed in the epididymis is GAD67. RT-PCR analysis also revealed that mRNAs encoding the GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptor subunits necessary for the assembly of functional receptors are expressed in the epididymis. GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs detected in the proximal epididymis included alpha2, beta1, gamma1, and gamma3, and both the R1 and R2 subunit mRNAs of GABA(B) receptors were detected. Immunohistochemical analysis of GABA(A) receptor subunit proteins revealed that alpha2, beta1, and gamma subunits expressed in spermatozoa, whereas we did not detect these GABA(A) receptor subunits in epithelial cells. GABA(B) receptors were produced by narrow cells and spermatozoa of GAD67-GFP knock-in and wild-type Jcl:ICR mice. Our data suggest that the GABA system might have important functional roles in narrow cells and on spermatozoa in the lumen.


A fusion hierarchical state filtration with k−step delay sharing pattern for a multisensor system is considered. A global state estimate depends on local state estimates determined by local nodes using local information. Local available information consists of local measurements and k−step delay global information global estimate sent from a central node. Local estimates are transmitted to the central node to be fused. The synthesis of local and global filters is presented. It is shown that a fusion filtration with k−step delay sharing pattern is equivalent to the optimal centralized classical Kalman filtration when local measurements are transmitted to the center node and used to determine a global state estimate. It is proved that the k−step delay sharing pattern can reduce covariances of local state errors.


Microwave steam distillation (MSD) is an advanced steam distillation (SD) technique utilizing a microwave oven in the extraction process. MSD of essential oils from the peel of orange (Citrus auranticum L.) was studied and the results were compared with those of the conventional SD in terms of extraction time, extraction yield/efficiency, chemical composition, and quality of the essential oils. MSD was superior in terms of saving extraction time (140 min, compared to 7 h in SD) and extraction yield. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of orange peel undergone SD and MSD provided evidences as to a sudden rupture of essential oil glands with MSD. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the extracted essential oils indicated that the use of microwave irradiation did not adversely influence the composition of the essential oils. The result of this study demonstrate that MSD can be used as an alternative method to extract orange essential oil as growth promoter for fish


Background: Prolonged bottle and breast feeding may result in Early Childhood Caries (ECC). The clinical appearance of teeth in ECC in the children is typical and follow a definitive pattern. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ECC and its dependent factors in Hamadan Kindergarten's children in 2006. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, ECC data were collected using questionnaires from 414 children with age range of 2-6 years by a dentist. The relationship between early childhood caries and bottle or breast feeding, period of feeding, use of sweetening materials, frequency of feeding at night, and first time brushing were recorded. Data were analyzed with T-test and Chi- square test. Results : The prevalence of ECC was 31.7%. The most affected teeth were left maxillary incisors (28.01%) and least affected left lower canine (0%). There was a meaningful correlation between breast feeding and ECC. There was no correlation between ECC and age, sex, first time brushing, feeding period, use of sweetening materials, bottle feeding and feeding at night. Conclusion: The prevalence of ECC was high in the studied population and there was a relationship between breast feeding and it's duration with ECC.


This study assesses which structures, systems, and components of the exploratory shaft facility (ESF) are important to safety when the ESF is converted to become part of the operating waste repository. The assessment follows the methodology required by DOE Procedure AP-6.10Q. Failures of the converted ESF during the preclosure period have been evaluated, along with other underground accidents, to determine the potential offsite radiation doses and associated probabilities. The assessment indicates that failures of the ESF will not result in radiation doses greater than 0.5 rem at the nearest unrestricted area boundary. Furthermore, credible accidents in other underground facilities will not result in radiation doses larger than 0.5 rem, even if any structure, system, or component of the converted ESF fails at the same time. Therefore, no structure, system, or component of the converted ESF is important to safety.


Heart rate variability (HRV) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) are often considered as interchangeable terms. However, the application of power spectral analysis to describe spontaneous fluctuations in heart period has clearly shown that RSA is only a part of HRV, and that in specific situations their respective patterns may diverge. In order to quantify the RSA we have used a mathematical method based on combined spectral analysis of respiration and RR interval (cross-correlation function), and evaluated its performance in terms of reproducibility, sensitivity to parasympathetic withdrawal and in clinical evaluation of autonomic function. Compared to other indices of HRV the cross-correlation between RR interval and respiration showed a greater sensitivity to parasympathetic withdrawal, better reproducibility and a high sensitivity in detecting autonomic dysfunction in diabetic patients. These findings suggest that specific indices of RSA, such as the cross-correlation, can be a valid tool for the diagnostic approach to cardiac autonomic dysfunction.


The aim of the present work is to gather new information on the ferritin molecule. Natural crystals of ferritin occurring in the yolk platelets of a mollusc oocyte were studied. Their crystallographic structure was found to be equivalent to one of the structures obtained by artificial crystallization (fcc; a = 15 nm). Individual ferritin particles isolated from horse spleen were studied by microdiffraction techniques, using field emission gun transmission electron microscopy. The iron core crystals display a hexagonal structure; our results confirm the value of the unit cell parameter a (0.51 nm) and, for the first time, we have been able to extract the value of the unit cell parameter c (0.95 nm). Thus, among the three models described in the literature for the crystalline structure of the iron complex, our results corroborate that of Towe and Bradley (J. Colloid. Interf. Sci., 1967, 25, 384‐392).


Nine-hundred-and-twenty-two hypertensive patients were included in a substudy to the Hypertension Optimal Treatment study, which aimed to investigate the impact on quality of life of lowering the pressure and of intensified therapy. Seven-hundred-and-eighty-one patients completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires (intention-to-treat population), while 610 patients were included in a per protocol analysis. Patients were randomized to three diastolic BP levels (DBPs), i.e. < or =90 mmHg, < or =85 mmHg and < or =80 mmHg. Two self-administered validated questionnaires, the Psychological General Well-Being index and the Subjective Symptoms Assessment Profile (SSA-P) were completed at baseline and after 6 months. The lower the DBP achieved, the greater the improvement in well-being (p < 0.05). The increase in well-being from baseline to 6 months was significant in target groups < or =80 mmHg (p < 0.01) and < or =85 mmHg (p < 0.05). The SSA-P domains, cardiac symptoms and dizziness improved in all groups but the sex life score deteriorated in the < or =80 and < or =85 mmHg groups in male patients. In all target groups, headaches were reduced (p < 0.001), while swollen ankles (p < 0.001) and dry cough in the < or =80 mmHg group (p < 0.001) increased. Although more intensive antihypertensive therapy is associated with a slight increase in subjective symptoms, it is nonetheless still associated with improvements in patients' well-being.


In this paper, a new technique for 3D acoustic image segmentation and modelling is proposed. Especially, in the underwater environment, in which optical sensors suffer from visibility problems, the acoustical devices may provide efficient solutions, but, on the other hand, acoustic image interpretation is surely more difficult for a human operator. The proposed application involves the use of an acoustic camera which directly acquires images structured as a set of 3D points. Due to the noisy nature of this type of data, the segmentation problem becomes more challenging and the standard algorithms for range image segmentation are likely to fail. The proposed method is based on a simplified version of the so called recover and select paradigm in which the seed areas, from which the segmentation starts, are generated by adopting a robust approach based on the RANSAC (RANdom Sample And Consensus) algorithm. Superquadric primitives are directly recovered from raw data without any pre-segmentation processing. Experimental trials using real acoustical images confirm the goodness of the method, and a large robustness of the resulting segmented images, associated to a relatively low computational load.


BACKGROUND & AIMS
Studies of the pressure response of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) to simulated or spontaneous gastroesophageal reflux have shown conflicting results. These discrepancies could result from uncontrolled influence of variables such as posture, volume, and velocity of distension. We characterized in humans the effects of these variables on UES pressure response to esophageal distension.

METHODS
We studied 12 healthy volunteers (average, 27 ± 5 years old; 6 male) using concurrent esophageal infusion and high-resolution manometry to determine UES, lower esophageal sphincter, and intraesophageal pressure values. Reflux events were simulated by distal esophageal injections of room temperature air and water (5, 10, 20, and 50 mL) in individuals in 3 positions (upright, supine, and semisupine). Frequencies of various UES responses were compared using χ(2) analysis. Multinomial logistical regression analysis was used to identify factors that determine the UES response.

RESULTS
UES contraction and relaxation were the overriding responses to esophageal water and air distension, respectively, in a volume-dependent fashion (P < .001). Water-induced UES contraction and air-induced UES relaxation were the predominant responses among individuals in supine and upright positions, respectively (P < .001). The prevalence of their respective predominant response significantly decreased in the opposite position. Proximal esophageal dp/dt significantly and independently differentiated the UES response to infusion with water or air.

CONCLUSIONS
The UES response to esophageal distension is affected by combined effects of posture (spatial orientation of the esophagus), physical properties, and volume of refluxate, as well as the magnitude and rate of increase in intraesophageal pressure. The UES response to esophageal distension can be predicted using a model that incorporates these factors.


I investigate whether primary school completion has played any role on total fertility rates in all fifteen countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) between 1980 and 2009. The evidence, based on panel time-series analysis (I use the Pooled OLS, Fixed Effects and Fixed Effects with Instrumental Variables estimators in order to deal with heterogeneity and endogeneity in thin panels), suggests that primary education has indeed reduced fertility rates in the SADC, or that the community is already trading-off quantity for quality of children. The results are important because lower fertility, caused by education, implies more capital per worker, higher productivity and therefore higher growth rates, and also because - in accordance to the unified growth theory - they suggest that the SADC, like other regions in the past, is experiencing its own transition from the Malthusian regime into sustained growth.


— The cancer classification using gene expression data has shown to be very useful for cancer diagnose and prediction. However, the nature of very high dimensionality and relatively small sample size associated with the gene expression data make the tasks of classification quite challenging. In this paper, we present a new approach, which is based on optimizing the kernel function, to improve the performances of the classifiers in classifying gene expression data. Aiming to increase the class separability of the data, we utilize a more flexible kernel function model, the data-dependent kernel, as the objective kernel to be optimized. The experimental results show that using the optimized kernel usually results in a substantial improvement for the K-nearest-neighbor (KNN) and support vector machine (SVM) in classifying gene expression data.


In order to renew law, judges are not merely to be trumpets of laws, but also to make laws through law discovery (rechtsvinding), although they are limited by accountable methods viewed from law science. This makes judges serve as law enforcers and also law reformers.  Therefore, judges should make use of all their abilities to discover laws, by making interpretations (including  constitutional intepretation), commonly  employed such as grammatical, teleological or sociological, systematical or logical, historical, comparative and futuristic interpretations. Besides the law interpretation method, constitutional interpretation method may also be employed, such as textual, original, doctrinal, prudential, structural and ethical interpretation methods


Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) is a World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)-classified notifiable crustacean disease. There is limited information on the current status of IHHNV in the Philippines. Thus, this research focuses on collecting samples from various municipality markets of known shrimp producers in Central Luzon to provide an update on the status of IHHNV. These samples were subjected to IHHNV detection using PCR. Results showed that 56 out of the 276 (~20%) samples were positive for IHHNV. This indicates that IHHNV persists in Philippine shrimps despite preventive measures such as testing of broodstock. Furthermore, the sequences of the isolates acquired from different municipalities reveal a high degree of similarity, suggesting transboundary movement of the infection. Our findings also support research that demonstrated a strong link between IHHNV strains in the western hemisphere and those in the Philippines. Our data suggest that farm-monitoring processes must be tightened and strictly implemented to prevent the spread of IHHNV.


Phosphorous (P) is one of the primary nutrients to cause the eutrophication of water bodies. This process leads to algal blooms and anoxic conditions which have consequences in the form of mortality of aquatic animals, and impaired water quality. Aquatic macrophytes could be the promising candidates that can filter P from water contaminated with high levels of nutrients. In the present microcosm research, two types of floating macrophytes, i.e., salvinia floater (Salvinia natans) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) were deployed to compare their P-removal rates and efficiency under different incubation times (72, 168, and 264 h intervals). Plants were exposed to different treatments, i.e., (1) P-fed plants, (2) P-starved plants, (3) control treatments, and (4) synthetic wastewater treatment. Both plant species showed substantial P-removal efficiency from P-eutrophicated solutions and removed P-amounts were significantly correlated (R2 ≅ 1 at p ≤ 0.05) with P-accumulated in plant biomass. Plants in the P-starved state showed significantly higher P-removal rates and removal efficiency compared to plants without P-starvation. When Salvinia natans was exposed to 10 mg L−1 of P for 264 h of incubation, 21 g of fresh biomass was recorded during the P-starved phase, more than P. stratiotes (14 g) under similar conditions. The P. stratiotes removed 86.04% of P from 5 mg L−1 P solution, 53.76% from 10 mg L−1 P solution and 66.84% from SWW in the P-starved phase whereas, removal efficiency without the P-starvation phase was 33.03% from 5 mg L−1 P solution, 39.66% from 10 mg L−1 P solution, and 31.64% from SWW after 264 h interval. Compared to S. natans, P. stratiotes removed 86.0% P from a 5 mg L−1 P solution, whereas S. natans removed 56.6% when exposed to the same P solution (5 mg L−1 P solution). Bioconcentration factor (BCF) values were higher in Salvinia natans 10.5 (0.5 mg L−1 P solutions) and 1.5 (5 mg L−1 P solutions) compared to 9.9 and 1.3 of Pistia stratiotes under P-starved conditions. The present work highlighted that these aquatic plants can be a potential green sustainable solution for purifying water with excessive nutrients (N and P), especially waters of wetlands, lagoons, and ponds.


The dopamine D1-D2
receptor agonist, R-apomorphine, has been shown to be neuroprotective in different models of Parkinson's
disease. Different mechanisms of action for this effect have been proposed, but
not verified in the striatal 6-hydroxydopamine rat model. In this study, the
expression of a set of genes involved in 1) signaling, 2) growth and
differentiation, 3) neuronal regeneration and survival, 4) apoptosis and 5)
inflammation in the striatum was measured after a subchronic R-apomorphine
treatment (10 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously, during 11 days) in the striatal
6-hydroxydopamine rat
model. The expression of 84 genes was analysed by using the rat neurotrophins and
receptors RT2 ProfilerTM PCR array. The neuroprotective effects of
R-apomorphine in the striatal 6-hydroxydopamine model were confirmed by
neurochemical and behavioural analysis. The expression data suggest the observed
neuroprotection involved the alteration of the gene and the protein expression levels of the
anti-inflammatory corticotropin releasing hormone
receptor (CRHR) 1
and the pro-inflammatory CRHR2 receptor confirming its potential
anti-inflammatory action.


The clinical picture of acute rheumatic fever suggests strongly that the disease is due to sonic infectious agent. Although several microorganisms have been isolated from cases of this disease yet none has been obtained with sufficient frequency to establish conclusively a direct etiologic relationship. For this reason it seemed of interest to attempt to determine whether the disease might be due to some undiscovered virus which could not be isolated by the usual methods. Defibrinated blood obtained from patients with rheumatic fever was injected into rhesus monkeys. Only typical cases were selected. The blood was taken before active treatment was begun and during the acute stage when the disease was spreading from joint to joint—the time when it seemed most probable that the causative agent would be present in the circulating blood. The blood was obtained in large test-tubes, defibrinated by means of glass beads and injected within three


The purpose of this study was to investigate variables behave attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, awareness, knowledge of sanctions and services tax on taxpayer compliance behavior on Land and Building Tax in Klaten district.
Respondents used in the study was an individual taxpayer in the district Klaten. Furthermore, sampling method to collect data was from 100 respondents to apply the method of purposive sampling. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze research data.
The test results in the study show that attitudes behave, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, consciousness, service tax affect taxpayer behavior to obey to taxation. While knowledge of tax penalties do not affect taxpayer behavior to obey to taxation. This is because only provides insight and knowledge of the general picture that is not quite create a positive perception of taxpayers to comply with tax regulations. Furthermore, the perception created by the taxpayer is not influenced by knowledge of the tax penalties are owned by the taxpayer.


Occupational health disease is mostly caused by unsafe working conditions. However, there is a lack of information about occupational and health safety among informal workers, including farmers in Bayung Gede, Bangli, Bali Province. As reported by the Health Department of Bangli, there was a high prevalence of complaints of low back pain (45%). It has been hypothesized that an unergonomic working position might trigger this condition. Thus, this study aimed to analyze predictors of low back pain among farmers in Bayung Gede village Kintamani, Bangli. A case report study was conducted among ten farmers in Bayung Gede village, Kintamani Bangli, on March 2022. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling techniques, and measurements used were sociodemographic, Nordic body map (NBM) and REBA assessment. As a result of the REBA assessment, it was found that there were 7 participants (70%) who were at high risk of low back pain, and 55% were in nonergonomic working positions. Thus, this factor can be identified as the main predictor of low back pain among farmers in Bayung Gede village, Bali. This finding has shown that non-ergonomic working positions might be a crucial factor which leads to low back pain as an occupational health disease. Thus, it also can contribute as a health recommendation for the local health department to minimize occupational health disease among informal workers.
Keywords: occupational health, low back pain, farmers


We present results from our ALMA Cycle 0 observations, at the frequencies around the HCN, HCO+, and HNC J = 4-3 transition lines, of the luminous infrared galaxy IRAS 20551–4250 at z = 0.043, which is known to host an energetically important obscured active galactic nucleus (AGN). In addition to the targeted HCN, HCO+, and HNC J = 4-3 emission lines, two additional strong emission lines are seen, which we attribute to H2S and CH3CN(+CCH). The HCN-to-HCO+ J = 4-3 flux ratio (~0.7) is higher than in the other starburst-dominated galaxy (~0.2) observed in our ALMA Cycle 0 program. We tentatively (~5σ) detected the vibrationally excited (v 2 = 1) HCN J = 4-3 (l = 1f) emission line, which is important for testing an infrared radiative pumping scenario for HCN. This is the second detection of this molecular transition in external galaxies. The most likely reason for this detection is not only the high flux of this emission line, but also the small molecular line widths observed in this galaxy, suggesting that vibrational excitation of HCN may be relatively common in AGN-hosting galaxies.


Background: A successful root canal treatment eliminates pathogenic bacteria from infected root canals. The most common bacteria in root canal infections is Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), due to its resistance to medicament and root canal irrigation. A photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a method of root canal disinfection that uses a combination of photosensitisers and light activation to eliminate bacteria in the root canal. The duration of the PDT irradiation results in the production of singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to eliminate the E. faecalis bacteria. Purpose: To analyse the differences in the duration exposure of photodynamic therapy against the E. faecalis bacteria. Methods: The E. faecalis bacteria culture was divided into seven eppendorf tubes. Group I was a control group, and group II, III, IV, V, VI and VII were treated using PDT consisting of Toluidine Blue O (TBO) photosensitiser and light source irradiation for ten, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 seconds, respectively. After incubation, the number of bacteria was calculated by the Quebec Colony Counter and analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and the Mann–Whitney test (p <0.05). Results: There was a significant difference between the number of E. faecalis bacteria colonies in each treatment group (p <0.05). Group VI and VII, which had a longer exposure to PDT, showed a smaller amount of E. faecalis bacteria. Conclusion: The longer exposure of PDT results in a smaller amount of E. faecalis bacteria. The light irradiation of 50 seconds is the most effective to eliminate E. faecalis bacteria.


This account describes my research experiences as a doctoral student in education, seeking to understand what transition to Higher Education was like for undergraduate students. I was supported throughout the process by my colleague and supervisor Dr Jane Tobbell. I conducted ethnographic research and the case study provides an account of the methods used in both data collection and analysis. It also considers the challenges of subjectivity, especially in relation to educational research. The pros and cons of researching in your own community are discussed.


We present two observational campaigns performed with the RXTE satellite on the black hole transient H1743 − 322. The source was observed in outburst on two separate occasions between 2008 October–November and 2009 May–July. We have carried out timing and spectral analysis of the data set, obtaining a complete state classification of all the observations. We find that all the observations are well described by using a spectral model consisting of a disc blackbody, a power law + reflection + absorption and a Gaussian emission component. During the 2009 outburst, the system followed the canonical evolution through all the states seen in black hole transients. In the 2008 outburst only the hard states were reached. The early evolution of the spectral parameters is consistent between the two epochs, and it does not provide clues about the subsequent behaviour of the source. The variation of the flux associated to the two main spectral components (i.e. disc and power law) allows us to set a lower limit to the orbital inclination of the system of ≥ 43 ◦ .


Digital copies of historical documents are needed for the Digital Humanities. Currently, cameras of standard mobile phones are able to capture documents with a resolution of about 330 dpi for document sizes up to DIN A4 (German standard, 297 x 210 mm), which allows a digitization of documents using a standard device. Thus, scholars are able to take images of documents in archives themselves without the need of book scanners or other devices. This paper presents a scanning app, which comprises a real time page detection, quality assessment (focus measure) and an automated detection of a page turn over if books are scanned. Additionally, a portable device - the ScanTent - to place the mobile phone during scanning is presented. The page detection is evaluated on the ICDAR2015 SmartDoc competition dataset and shows a reliable page detection with an average Jaccard index of 75%.


Registration networks have shown great application potentials in medical image analysis. However, supervised training methods have a great demand for large and high-quality labeled datasets, which is time-consuming and sometimes impractical due to data sharing issues. Unsupervised image registration algorithms commonly employ intensity-based similarity measures as loss functions without any manual annotations. These methods estimate the parameterized transformations between pairs of moving and fixed images through the optimization of the network parameters during training. However, these methods become less effective when the image quality varies, e.g., some images are corrupted by substantial noise or artifacts. In this work, we propose a novel approach based on a low-rank representation, i.e., Regnet-LRR, to tackle the problem. We project noisy images into a noise-free low-rank space, and then compute the similarity between the images. Based on the low-rank similarity measure, we train the registration network to predict the dense deformation fields of noisy image pairs. We highlight that the low-rank projection is reformulated in a way that the registration network can successfully update gradients. With two tasks, i.e., cardiac and abdominal intra-modality registration, we demonstrate that the low-rank representation can boost the generalization ability and robustness of models as well as bring significant improvements in noisy data registration scenarios.


The detection of JPEG prior compression has become an essential task in the detection of forgery in image forensics. In this paper we propose a novel DCT implementation technique that can be utilized in the detection of any hacking or tampering of JPEG/DCT compressed images. The proposed approach is based upon recent literature ideas of recompressing JPEG image blocks and detecting if this block has been compressed before or not and how many times. In this paper we proposed a DCT implementation that has a onetime signature on processed coefficients or pixels and can be used as a tool to detect if this block has been compressed before using the proposed implementation or not. Any further processing can be easily detected and identified. The proposed DCT transformation is nonorthogonal and results in a minor amount of error due to this nonorthogonality, however it maintains an excellent tradeoff between compression performance, and transform error. Illustrative examples on several processed images are presented with complexity analysis.


SUMMARY: Thirty-nine out of 72 drug-resistant strains of Aeromonas liquefaciens isolated from cultured fish and soft-shelled turtles (Trionyx sinensis japonicus) in various districts of Japan carried transferable drug resistance factors. The fish included eel (Anguilla japonica), carp (Cyprinus carpio), ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) and goldfish (Carassius auratus). The most common type of resistance factors had the markers of resistance to sulphanilamide and tetracycline and all belonged to the fi
- type. Transferable drug resistance was not found in any of 12 strains of A. liquefaciens isolated from wild eels. The high incidence of resistance factors in A. liquefaciens from cultured fish is assumed to be due to the selective pressure exerted by chemotherapeutics used in fish culturing.


In this globalized era, world business setup has been changing. With the growing impact of information technology, contemporary consumers are increasingly adopting online resources to shop both on and offline. To meet this changing consumer habit, supply chain management has to shift its traditional linear sequence structure to agile, prompt, cost effective and real-time information integrated process to respond to worldwide consumer promptly. Information technology in the form of e-business enhanced this overall function of SCM. Through the increasing implementation of information integrated SCM or E-SCM application, now firms are capable to access themselves in the real time information about the consumer demand. Logistics management, which was always been an immense challenge for supply chain parties to manage has become an efficient process through information integrated ware house management. Therefore, in this growing era of information technology, the paper aims to investigate how e-SCM strategy, focusing on e-logistics, enhances the overall business performance taking cloth industry as an example. To do that E-SCM strategy has been described in perspective of e-fulfillment, e-procurement, e-distribution and e-transportation. Keyword : E-SCM, e-logistics, information integration, e-procurement, e-distribution, e-fulfillment, e-transportation


The main challenge in DTNs is how to deal with path uncertainty in achieving a reliable routing scheme. All Erasure coding based routing algorithms make the assumption that the underlying path probabilities are known previously and remain constant, which is unpractical. On the other hand, the overall behavior of path probability tends to be stable with the increasing number of paths, which can be used to increase the stability of Erasure coding based schemes. Bearing this in mind, we present Inter-Coding: Inter-Coding is designed to fully combine the reliability of erasure coding, and the stability of interleaving to cope with uncertainties. We evaluate our approach in terms of delivery ratio under different level of uncertainty as well as different interleaving policy, and validate that Inter-Coding offers reliable and stable performance even the path uncertainty and dynamic is high.