Paavilainen, Aleksi. 2017. Social Exclusion from Peer Interaction and Relationships in a Daycare Center – a Micro Ethnography. Master's Thesis in Special Education. University of Jyväskylä. Department of Education. 76 pages. This study investigates social exclusion from peer interaction and relationships among children in one Finnish daycare center. Social exclusion is a multifaceted phenomenon that can be encountered as a result of for instance peer exclusion or social withdrawal. Persistent social exclusion can have severe negative consequences. However, social exclusion is also an inevitable part of social life. This study discusses the multiplicity of this phenomenon in one daycare center. This study is a micro-ethnography. I wrote notes and video-recorded the everyday life of two child groups for 12 days. I analyzed the data by revealing how the context partly created the social exclusions occurring there. I paid special attention on free play times. Children encountered social exclusion from peer interaction and relationships differently: Most children appeared to only encounter it momentarily and not very intensively, whereas some children appeared to encounter it persistently and more intensively than the other children. Most children encountered this kind of social exclusion mostly due to peer exclusion, whereas some children appeared to mostly socially withdraw from their peers. Free play times inside and outside differed from each other, but the entire daycare center space affected social exclusions occurring in both locations: An explicit rule of 'everyone should play with everyone' was always present as well as a more implicit rule of 'how boys and girls should behave.' Boys, who I perceived to perform non-hegemonic masculinity, appeared to be vulnerable to experience persistent social exclusion in my data.


Geo-location database driven white space network is a very promising approach for improving secondary spectrum utilization. In this paper, we consider the business modeling for geo-location database driven white space network. In our proposed model, the database acts as a spectrum broker buying (reserving) bandwidth from spectrum licensees in advance, and then resells the reserved bandwidth to unlicensed white space devices (WSDs) in real-time. We study the optimal bandwidth reservation for the database with WSDs' demand uncertainty under both information symmetry and asymmetry. Under information symmetry, the database and the WSD experience the same degree of uncertainty about the market demand. We derive the optimal bandwidth reservations in a centralized/integrated manner (as a benchmark). Under information asymmetry, the WSD has more information (i.e., with less uncertainty) about demand (due to the proximity to end-users). We propose a contract-based bandwidth reservation mechanism, which ensures WSDs share their local information with the database credibly. We further characterize the optimal bandwidth reservation contract systematically. Simulations show that under information asymmetry, the optimal bandwidth reservation contract improves both the database's profit and the social welfare significantly (larger than 30% in our simulations) without sacrificing the WSDs' benefits, comparing to those mechanisms without information sharing.


Language contains information about the author's demographic attributes as well as their mental state, and has been successfully leveraged in NLP to predict either one alone. However, demographic attributes and mental states also interact with each other, and we are the first to demonstrate how to use them jointly to improve the prediction of mental health conditions across the board. We model the different conditions as tasks in a multitask learning (MTL) framework, and establish for the first time the potential of deep learning in the prediction of mental health from online user-generated text. The framework we propose significantly improves over all baselines and single-task models for predicting mental health conditions, with particularly significant gains for conditions with limited data. In addition, our best MTL model can predict the presence of conditions (neuroatypicality) more generally, further reducing the error of the strong feed-forward baseline.


Author(s): Kroll, Kayla Ann | Advisor(s): Dieterich, James H | Abstract: A number of outstanding questions in earthquake physics revolve around under-standing the relationships among local-scale stress changes, fault interactions (i.e. how stresses are transferred) and earthquake response to stress changes. Here, I employ seismological observations and numerical simulation tools to investigate how stress changes from a mainshock, or by fluid injection, can either aid or hinder further earthquake activity. Chapter 2.2 couples Coulomb stress change models with rate- and state-dependent friction to model the time-dependent evolution of complex aftershock activity following the 2010 El Mayor-Cucapah earthquake. Part III focuses on numerical simulations of earthquake sequences with the multi-cycle earthquake simulator, RSQSim. I use RSQSim in two applications; 1) multi-cycle simulation of processes that controlling earthquake rupture along parallel, but discontinuous, offset faults (Chapter 3), and 2) investigation of relationships between injection of fluids into the subsurface and the characteristics of the resulting induced seismicity (Chapter 4).Results presented in Chapter 2.2 demonstrate that both increases and decreases in seismicity rate are correlated with regions of positive and negative Coulomb stress change, respectively. We show that the stress shadow effect can be delayed in time when two faulting populations are active within the same region. In Chapter 3, we show that the pre-rupture stress distribution on faults governs the location of rupture re-nucleation on the receiver fault strand. Additionally, through analysis of long-term multi-cycle simulations, we find that ruptures can jump larger offsets more frequently when source and receiver fault ruptures are delayed in time. Results presented in Chapter 4 demonstrate that induced earthquake sequences are sensitive to the constitutive parameters, a and b, of the rate-state formulation. Finally, we find the rate of induced earthquakes decreases for increasing values of hydraulic diffusivity.


Kokoro is maize snack which is very popular among poor masses in Nigeria who consume it along with gari(a cassava product) as lunch on regular basis. In this study fungal contaminants of kokoro were characterized and its aflatoxin content determined. A total of 30 fungal isolates were obtained from kokoro samples and they belong to 3 different species. Aspergillus flavus had the highest frequency of occurrence of 73.33% while Penicillium species had the lowest (6.66%). Different concentration of aflatoxin B1 was detected in some of the kokoro samples analyzed. Sample D had the highest concentration of 7.25 parts per billion (ppb). The lowest concentration detected was 0.06 ppb in sample P. No aflatoxin G1 and G2 was detected in all the kokoro samples with exception of sample P which contained 2.54 ppb aflatoxin G1.According to international standards some of the kokoro samples are not suitable for human consumption because of high level aflatoxin which was above the recommended level. Therefore, production of kokoro should be standardized and appropriate packaging materials utilized to prevent the growth of aflatoxigenic fungi. This is to safeguard the health of many poor Nigerians who consume it on a regular basis.


QUESTION UNDER STUDY
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among type 2 diabetic patients in primary care settings in Switzerland, and to analyse the prescription of antidiabetic drugs in CKD according to the prevailing recommendations.

METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, each participating physician was asked to introduce anonymously in a web database the data from up to 15 consecutive diabetic patients attending her/his office between December 2013 and June 2014. Demographic, clinical and biochemical data were analysed. CKD was classified with the KDIGO nomenclature based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio.

RESULTS
A total of 1 359 patients (mean age 66.5 ± 12.4 years) were included by 109 primary care physicians. CKD stages 3a, 3b and 4 were present in 13.9%, 6.1%, and 2.4% of patients, respectively. Only 30.6% of patients had an entry for urinary albumin/creatinine ratio. Among them, 35.6% were in CKD stage A2, and 4.1% in stage A3. Despite prevailing limitations, metformin and sulfonylureas were prescribed in 53.9% and 16.5%, respectively, of patients with advanced CKD (eGFR <30 ml/min). More than a third of patients were on a dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitor across all CKD stages. Insulin use increased progressively from 26.8% in CKD stage 1-2 to 50% in stage 4.

CONCLUSIONS
CKD is frequent in patients with type 2 diabetes attending Swiss primary care practices, with CKD stage 3 and 4 affecting 22.4% of cases. This emphasizes the importance of routine screening of diabetic nephropathy based on both eGFR and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, the latter being largely underused by primary care physicians. A careful individual drug risk/benefit balance assessment is mandatory to avoid the frequently observed inappropriate prescription of antidiabetic drugs in CKD patients.


Dicer is an enzyme that generates microRNA (miRNA), which are small, noncoding RNA that function as important regulators of gene and protein expression. For exploration of the functional roles of miRNA in glomerular biology, Dicer was inactivated selectively in mouse podocytes. Mutant mice developed proteinuria 4 to 5 weeks after birth and died several weeks later, presumably from kidney failure. Multiple abnormalities were observed in glomeruli of mutant mice, including foot process effacement, irregular and split areas of the glomerular basement membrane, podocyte apoptosis and depletion, mesangial expansion, capillary dilation, and glomerulosclerosis. Gene profiling revealed upregulation of 190 genes in glomeruli isolated from mutant mice at the onset of proteinuria compared with control littermates. Target sequences for 16 miRNA were significantly enriched in the 3'-untranslated regions of the 190 upregulated genes. Further suggesting validity of the in silico analysis, six of the eight top-candidate miRNA were identified in miRNA libraries generated from podocyte cultures; these included four members of the mir-30 miRNA family, which are known to degrade target transcripts directly. Among 15 upregulated target genes of the mir-30 miRNA, four genes known to be expressed and/or functional in podocytes were identified, including receptor for advanced glycation end product, vimentin, heat-shock protein 20, and immediate early response 3. Receptor for advanced glycation end product and immediate early response 3 are known to mediate podocyte apoptosis, whereas vimentin and heat-shock protein-20 are involved in cytoskeletal structure. Taken together, these results provide a knowledge base for ongoing investigations to validate functional roles for the mir-30 miRNA family in podocyte homeostasis and podocytopathies.


Background:Skin injuries are common among neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients and may lead to significant complications. Standardized methods of preventing, detecting, and treating skin injuries are needed. Purpose:The aim of this project was to standardize the assessment, documentation, and tracking of skin injuries among hospitalized neonatal patients and to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers in this patient population. Methods:(1) Creation of an interdisciplinary skin team to identify skin injuries through weekly skin rounds. (2) Assessment of all patients at least twice daily for the presence of skin injuries. Interventions were implemented upon identification of a skin injury. Pressure ulcers of Stage II or more were further assessed by wound/ostomy nurses. Findings:A total of 2299 NICU patients were hospitalized and assessed between July 2011 and December 2015. After the initiation of skin rounds, the baseline incidence of pressure ulcers increased from 0.49 per 1000 patient days to 4.6 per 1000 patient days, reflecting an improvement in detection and reporting. The most common skin injuries detected included erythema, skin tears, and ecchymosis; the most common cause of injuries was medical devices. Implications for Practice:A dedicated skin team can improve the detection and reporting of skin injuries among NICU patients. Determination of the incidence of pressure ulcers in this population is critical to develop targeted interventions. Implications for Research:Further research is needed to determine the most effective interventions to prevent and treat skin injuries among hospitalized neonates.


Active Stator is a brushless DC machine technology, differing from brush commutated DC machines by having a field that rotates about a stationary armature, and a stationary electronic commutator that employs power electronics for active control. The switching sequence of the electronic commutator provides phase rotation. Active Stator is particularly well suited to the requirements of direct drive wind turbine driven generators operating at low speed with quadratic steady state torque speed characteristics. An Active Stator generator outputs medium voltage DC, and can be connected to an AC grid via a DC-AC converter, or a DC grid, thereby supporting the installation of an economical DC grid for interconnecting offshore wind turbine farms, and eventual transmission to shore. (5 pages)


This study investigates the effects of environmental degradation on food security in Nigeria using an annual data for the period 1970-2017. The theoretical framework was based on the Mathusian theory and the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. The empirical model developed was estimated using the Johansen and vector error correction analysis. The empirical evidence suggest an inverse relationship between food production and environmental degradation implying that food security is threaten with rising degradation of the environment. In the same manner, food production responded inversely to gross domestic product per capita, hence justifying the EKC hypothesis. Since pollution is a rising function of income at the initial development stages, the rising pollution associated with income growth tends to hamper food security. On the other hand, the evidences reveal a positive influence of agriculture land and population growth on food production. However, the effect of the latter (population growth) is negligible suggesting that an increase in population results in lesser proportionate increase in food production, hence confirming the Mathusian theory.


This paper explores community-based research in Aboriginal contexts using the northern Woodlands Cree metaphor of gathering berries. The author's Cree cultural heritage, worldview, experiences, and values are used as a guiding backdrop to frame the process of doing research from a position of place when working with and for Aboriginal people.


Electrical networks consisting of linear passive elements and many nonlinear resistors are often used to model the basilar membrane. The inputs to these networks are typically a sum of sinusoids switched on at t = 0, and the resulting quantities of interest because of their interpretation as analogs of experimental observables are the steady-state response components of a certain current and of certain voltages. In this paper, recently obtained mathematical results concerning the input-output representation of nonlinear systems are used to give, for the first time, a locally convergent expansion for all of the steady-state quantities of interest. Also given is a good deal of information concerning general properties of the expansion, and this establishes important properties of the nonlinear network's response. Of particular practical interest is a term in the expansion that contains a component whose frequency is (2f1 − f2) when the network's input consists of a sum of two sinusoids, with frequencies f1 and f2. One of our main results is an explicit expression for this (2f1 − f2) component.


Health psychology has been the most rapidly growing field of psychology of the past 15 years. It is an exciting area of study devoted to understanding the psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill and how they respond when they do. Specifically, this field is concerned with understanding human behavior in the context of health and illness. As such, it covers a wide area of interest including how individuals cope with illness and chronic disease, the psychological influences on the development of disease states, understanding and improving personal adjustment to healthcare settings, patient practitioner communication, adherence to treatment, determinants of healthrelated behaviors (diet, exercise, etc.), and understanding how individuals make sense of and react to health screening, symptoms and illness. Health psychologists both study such issues and also promote interventions to help people stay well or recover from illness. For example, a health psychology researcher might be interested in why people continue to smoke even though they know that smoking increases their risk of cancer and heart disease. Information about why people smoke helps the researcher both understand this poor health habit and design interventions to help people stop. Health psychology emerged in the 1970s, when forward-thinking scientists advanced the notion that health reflects the complex interplay of physiological, psychological and social factors. The impetus for the development of health psychology stemmed from the fact that many of the areas of research and practice had not been directly addressed by medicine. Interest in this field has been further stimulated by the usefulness of psychological models in explaining patient behavior and developing effective interventions in problematic areas in the health field. There is increased recognition of the need for health services to pay more attention to the psychological aspects of medical problems and to improve healthcare interactions. Increasingly, health professionals are dealing with chronic illness, ageing and the problems of living with disability, and health psychology is an important component of their work. Health psychologists generally hold a holistic perspective on individual wellbeing. While the primary focus is on physical rather than mental health, in reality it is acknowledged that these are two sides of the same coin. When a person has a physical illness they can experience anxiety or depression. When a person has a mental illness their behavior or treatment may well have a negative impact on their physical health leading to deterioration in their physical wellbeing. Feeling well involves mind, body and spirit. At a practical level, the health psychologist is concerned with the behavior and experience of the individual, the interface of the individual with the healthcare system, and with society as a whole. This new journal, Health Psychology Research, creates a space where all contributions in these broad areas will be welcomed in order to develop knowledge and promote the health and wellbeing of both the individual and communities.


The authors present 3 cases of asphyxia caused by atypical compression of the neck by the metal bed bars fitted at the sides of the bed to prevent falling out. These occurred in 3 elderly women living in nursing homes, confined to bed by severe neuropsychiatric disturbances. In all 3 cases, the minor nature of the skin lesions and absence of blood infiltrations in the anatomic structures of the neck had made it difficult to diagnose the cause of death. Inspection of the rest homes, together with the autopsy findings (acute pulmonary emphysema, conjunctival petechiae, and dark, fluid blood), enabled identification of asphyxia as the cause of death and its causal agent as the bed bars.


This paper presents the experimental results of the performance of various types of HVAC system airflow control dampers over a wide range of types, installations, and operating conditions. Three hundred and sixty-eight tests have been conducted with the data and results discussed herein. The main fundamental performance parameter for predicting the flow rate through a partially opened damper is the pressure loss coefficient as a function of the degree of damper opening. Major variables included the type of damper, blade movement, manufacturer, installation, approach velocity, and total system pressure drop. Results should prove very useful for HVAC system designers in the proper selection of airflow modulating dampers.


In the modern world, computers have penetrated ever deeply into our society, and in turn, society is becoming more dependent on computer systems. This increased reliance on computer systems brings the requirement for increased availability and reliability, assurance and dependability to the fore. However, the complexity of today's systems, in particular distributed systems, makes these requirements difficult to achieve or even assess. In order to increase reliability of those systems and to deal with the availability issues arising from contemporary partitioned (i.e. degraded) networks, their management is moving towards automated paradigms off the programmer's responsibility. This book deals with the analysis, i.e. detection and resolution, and subsequent trading of potential consistency threats in the scope of an application server. The thesis makes a novel contribution towards both detection and resolution of constraint inconsistencies in an application server's context.


Thrombocytopenia develops with prolonged exposure to hypoxia. Although decreases in megakaryocyte numbers due to hypoxia have been well documented, the effects of hypoxia on megakaryocyte DNA content have not been reported. In this study, megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production were compared in both C3H mice (whose megakaryocyte modal ploidy class is 32N) and C57/BL mice (whose modal ploidy class is 16N), by enclosure in cages covered with silicone-rubber membranes. After equilibration, O2 levels inside the cages were 6%-7%. Hematocrits, platelet counts, platelet sizes, percent 35S incorporation into platelets, megakaryocyte size and number, and megakaryocyte DNA content of mice were measured before and at various days after hypoxia. Although hematocritis increased and platelet counts decreased in both strains of mice with time in hypoxic chambers, megakaryocyte and platelet responses of C3H mice differed from those of C57/BL mice in several respects; hematocrits of C3H mice were higher and platelet counts were lower than those in C57/BL mice. C3H mice produced larger platelets than C57/BL mice in response to hypoxia. Total circulating platelet counts (TCPC) and total circulating platelet masses (TCPM) of both mouse strains showed similar biphasic responses, that is, elevated TCPC and TCPM on days 2-4 and decreased values after 6-14 days of hypoxia. However, hypoxic C3H mice had lower TCPC on days 4-14 and lower TCPM on days 10-14 of hypoxia than C57/BL mice. Both C3H and C57/BL mice had decreased megakaryocyte numbers at 6-10 days of hypoxia, but only C3H mice had decreased numbers of megakaryocytes at day 14. Elevated megakaryocyte size was observed in both mouse strains at day 14 of hypoxia. However, after hypoxia, C3H mice showed a greater depression in megakaryocyte number and a larger increase in megakaryocyte sizes than did C57/BL mice. C3H mice maintained 32N as the modal megakaryocyte DNA content through day 10 of hypoxia, but 64N was the modal megakaryocyte DNA content at day 14; 16N remained the modal megakaryocyte DNA content in hypoxic C57/BL mice. Hypoxic C3H mice had an increase in 16N megakaryocytes after 6 days of hypoxia, followed by an increase in the proportion of 64N cells at 14 days compared to values of untreated C3H control mice. Hypoxic C57/BL mice had an increased proportion of 16N cells at 6 days but a decreased proportion of 32N cells at 14 days. These studies demonstrate that the decreased platelet production resulting from prolonged exposure to hypoxia is primarily the result of decreased differentiation of hematopoietic precursors into the megakaryocyte lineage rather than decreased megakaryocyte DNA content, because higher ploidy classes actually increase as thrombocytopenia becomes more severe. Stem cell competition could explain the findings of reduced platelet production and increased red blood cell production in both strains of mice after exposure to hypoxia.


The design of a fuzzy logic controller using the voltage as feedback for significantly improving the dynamic performance of converter. Renewable energy resources (RES) are being increasingly connected in distribution systems utilizing power electronic converters. This paper presents a new control strategy for achieving maximum benefits from these grid-interfacing inverters using the closed loop P-I controller and fuzzy logic controller, when installed in 3-phase 4-wire distribution systems. The inverter is controlled to perform as a multi-function device by incorporating active power filter functionality. The inverter can thus be utilized as: 1) power converter to inject power generated from RES to the grid, and 2) shunt APF to compensate current unbalance, load current harmonics, load reactive power demand and load neutral current. All of these functions may be accomplished either individually or simultaneously. The THD and power factor variations for both PI-controller and fuzzy logic controller are also shown. This new control concept is demonstrated with extensive MATLAB/Simulink .Finally the proposed scheme is applied for both balanced, unbalanced linear and non linear loads. The proposed concept can be implemented to Fuzzy logic controller by using Matlab/Simulink software.


In this witty and stylish companion to Englishness Sunday Times columnist Godfrey Smith takes us on a leisurely but perceptive tour of all that he holds dear in England and the English. It is very much an informal ramble, as if in the company of an old friend. He treats us to a display of sparkling and knowledgeable comments on our national life from Churchill to pubs, Elgar to Rugby, Bertie Wooster to George Orwell, British beef to the National Lottery and from fish and chips to Evelyn Waugh.


Abstract The effect of horizontal salinity gradients on the tropical ocean circulation has not previously been evaluated. It is shown that there are noticeable differences between the dynamic height field calculated with and without the inclusion of salinity variations. Hence salinity has a significant contribution to the geostrophic velocity field. This conclusion is illustrated by running two identical Indian Ocean models:. one initialized using a climatological salinity field while the other has no horizontal salinity gradients. The differences in the temperature and velocity fields after 110 days are of the order of 0.5°C and 10 cm s−1 over some regions of the ocean. Further experiments using the same model for data updating studies showed that the absence of salinity data greatly reduces the usefulness of temperature data. It is concluded that for an accurate simulation of the tropical ocean the salinity field needs to be included.


Post-natal growth of Rattus exulans was observed in 30 litters born from wild-caught females. Detailed observations of behavioural development were made on 10 litters. The physical development of the young is described and weight and length increases analyzed. Litter size varied from two to six with a mean of 3.6 ± 0.21. Major behavioural changes correlated closely with patterns of physical development. These changes occurred at 5, 15 and 22 days, and divide the post-natal development into the neonatal (0–4 days), transitional 5–14 days), socialization (15–22 days) and juvenile periods (23 days to sexual maturity). The patterns of development in Rattus exulans were considered conservative, not specialized, which is of obvious advantage to a commensal rodent and account, in part, for the success of the species as a colonizer of islands over a vast area of the Pacific.


Desertification of arable lands due to urbanization, global warming, and low rainfall mandates water conservation and using low quality waters for irrigation. Using low quality irrigation water imposes more stress on plants which are already under stress in these regions. Thus, there is an urgent need for finding drought tolerant plants to survive under water deficit conditions. The objectives of this study were to find the most drought tolerant saltgrass genotypes for use in arid regions, where limited water supplies coupled with saline soils result in drought/salinity stresses, for use in urban landscapes. Various saltgrass genotypes were studied to evaluate their growth responses under progressive drought stress. Drought stress was imposed via a competitive dry down technique. Drought tolerance was ascertained by relative shoot dry weight and green leaf area. Though all the grasses showed a high level of drought tolerance, there was a wide range of variations observed in their stress tolerance levels. Overall, the results (clipping dry weights and the percent of the visual green cover) showed that the A138 and A137 (Arizona accessions) were the most drought tolerant accessions and the C10 and C66 (Colorado accessions) were the least tolerant ones. In regards to drought tolerance, the rest of the grass accessions were between these two groups. Most of the saltgrass accessions were more tolerant to drought stress than the bermudagrass. Bermudagrass reached full dormancy and/or necrosis stage before most of the saltgrass accessions.


Abstract. A new seawater standard referred to as the International Thermodynamic Equation of Seawater 2010 (TEOS-10) was adopted in June 2009 by UNESCO/IOC on its 25th General Assembly in Paris, as recommended by the SCOR/IAPSO Working Group 127 (WG127) on Thermodynamics and Equation of State of Seawater. To support the adoption process, WG127 has developed a comprehensive source code library for the thermodynamic properties of liquid water, water vapour, ice, seawater and humid air, referred to as the Sea-Ice-Air (SIA) library. Here we present the background information and equations required for the determination of the properties of single phases and components as well as of phase transitions and composite systems as implemented in the library. All results are based on rigorous mathematical methods applied to the Primary Standards of the constituents, formulated as empirical thermodynamic potential functions and, except for humid air, endorsed as Releases of the International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam (IAPWS). Details of the implementation in the TEOS-10 SIA library are given in a companion paper.


Handwritten digits classification has many useful applications. This has prompted decades of research into
algorithms to produce an effective system of classifying handwritten images into text. Image processing and feature extraction play a large role in this process. An intelligent system is one, which is taught, and one, which uses this learning for classification effectively. The neuro-fuzzy model of Evolving Fuzzy Neural Network (EFuNN) is used for this purpose. This paper aims to analyse and obtain the optimal number of features that will produce the most effective classification using EFuNN.


Abstract Shaping open areas in the functional and spatial structure of a city is the subject of research and analyses aimed at determining the quality of life and environmental parameters in a city and formulating conclusions regarding the spatial development planning and city landscape. The study points to problems with the transformation of open areas in a city. The urban ecosystem regeneration is linked with the urban environment parameters and social integration improvement. The modern urban design is based on a functional structure forming an inseparable whole with the natural system, including green and blue infrastructure. The analysis of contemporary models of shaping open spaces in cities indicates that the principles of regenerative design are applied. The regenerative design of open areas leads to the development of guidelines specifying new standards for shaping the functional and spatial structure related to the natural system of a city. Contemporary spatial planning should take into account the functional and qualitative parameters as well as the effectiveness of green areas. The implementation should be optimized in connection with the services contributing to the integration of the local community.


Summary: Francisella tularensis can cause fatal respiratory tularemia in humans and animals and is increasingly being isolated in the United States and several European countries. The correlates of protective immunity against this intracellular bacterium are not known, and currently there are no licensed vaccines available for human use. Cell‐mediated immunity has long been believed to be critical for protection, and the importance of humoral immunity is also now recognized. Furthermore, synergy between antibodies, T cell‐derived cytokines, and phagocytes appears to be critical to achieve sterilizing immunity against F. tularensis. Thus, novel vaccine approaches should be designed to induce robust antibody and cell‐mediated immune responses to this pathogen.


Digital money requires a ledger. By integrating this ledger with its other ledgers, a platform can enforce repayment of uncollateralized credit, beyond the ability of the banking sector. However, by controlling interoperability to other platforms' ledgers, an incumbent platform can "lock-in" customers and increase its market power. Open banking, which gives users control of interoperability, limits uncollateralized credit. Introducing CBDC as digital legal tender (on an isolated ledger) hurts credit extension, but enhances it when combined with an open architecture public ledger as a "smart CBDC".


BACKGROUND/AIMS
Although glucagon has been detected even in the serum of totally pancreatectomized patients and the origin was suggested to be the intestine, the kinetics of glucagon are not well known after pancreatectomy. In the present study, we investigated the kinetics of glucagon and glucagon-related peptides in pancreatectomy patients and discuss the glucagon processes.

METHODOLOGY
Ten patients who had undergone total pancreatoduodenectomy reconstruction using Billroth II type procedures (group PX) and 12 normal subjects (group C) were also enrolled in this study. All patients received a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test in the early morning fasting state. Serum glucagon levels were assessed using the glucagon specific C-terminal (immunoreactive glucagon: IRG) and nonspecific N-terminal (glucagon-like immunoreactivity: GLI) radioimmunoassays. The molecular forms of these glucagon-related peptides were also estimated using the gel filtration chromatography method before and after the oral glucose load.

RESULTS
After the glucose load, serum GLIs were increased significantly in group PX suggesting that these were affected by the alimentary tract reconstructions. Serum IRGs were significantly increased in group PX, but decreased in group C after oral glucose load suggesting that these paradoxical increased responses in group PX might be associated with the insulin secretion deficiencies, but not associated with the alimentary tract reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS
The paradoxical rise in IRGs based on the findings of gel filtration chromatography in group PX were possibly due to the generated peculiar glicentin-like peptide from the glucagon precursor, preproglucagon, after total pancreatectomy, which might be processed in intestines in association with the insulin deficiencies.


The effect of amylose-lipid (AM-L) complexes consisting of amylose populations with different peak degrees of polymerization (DP) and complexed with glyceryl monostearate (GMS) or docosanoic acid (C22) on the pasting properties of wheat and rice starches was evaluated with a rapid visco analyzer (RVA). AM-L complexes were formed by both (i) addition of lipids to amylose fractions with peak DP 20, 60, 400, or 950 at 60 degrees C or (ii) potato phosphorylase-catalyzed amylose synthesis in the presence of lipids. All AM-L complexes affected pasting properties in line with their dissociation characteristics. AM-L complexes therefore have potential as "controlled lipid release agents" with effects markedly different from those observable with emulsifier addition in starch pasting. More in particular, short chain AM-L complexes resulted in a starch pasting behavior comparable to that of cross-linked starch, as evidenced by reduced granule swelling, good viscosity stability in conditions of high temperature and shear, and a stable cold paste viscosity.


Abstract Nanoparticles have been recognized as an abiotic stress factor in the last decade. Although they are extensively used in nanotechnology, the possible effects of nanoparticles on plants are still unclear. Therefore the aim of the present study was to determine the dose dependent effects of 13 nm-sized aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) on wheat roots correlating with programmed cell death related characteristics. Exposure to different concentrations of Al2O3 NPs (5, 25 and 50 mg ml–1) decreased the mitotic indices dose dependently and caused chromosomal abnormalities such as c-mitosis, monopolar metaphase and stickiness after 96 h. Loss of plasma membrane integrity and irregular microtubule aggregations were determined. Nuclear deformations and TUNEL positive reactions indicating programmed cell death were also observed. Al2O3 NP-induced caspase 3, 8 and 9-like activities which control programmed cell death were observed in all concentrations. According to our results Al2O3 NPs induced programmed cell death in wheat roots after 96 h.


Asking business leaders to make decisions that produce superior financials and simultaneously contribute to social progress while protecting environmental quality is a tall order. Nancy McGaw, deputy director at the Aspen Institute's Business and Society Program, shares the results of its research into leadership development with representatives from firms around the world.


There is clear evidence that, even with the most favourable emission pathways over coming decades, there will be a need for society to adapt to the impacts of climate variability and change. To do this regional, national and local actors need up-to-date information on the changing climate with clear accompanying detail on the robustness of the information. This needs to be communicated to both public and private sector organisations, ideally as part of a process of co-developing solutions.

EUCP is an H2020 programme that began in December 2017 with the aim of researching and testing the provision of improved climate predictions and projections for Europe for the next 40+ years, and drawing on the expertise of researchers from a number of major climate research institutes across Europe. It is also engaging with users of climate change information through a multiuser forum (MUF) to ensure that what we learn will match the needs of the people who need if for decision making and planning.

The first big issue that EUCP seeks to address is how better to use ensembles of climate model projections, moving beyond the one-model-one-vote philosophy. Here, the aim is to better understand how model ensembles might be constrained or sub-selected, and how multiple strands of information might be combined into improved climate change narratives or storylines. The second area where EUCP is making progress is in the use of very high-resolution regional climate simulations that are capable of resolving aspects of atmospheric convection. Present day and future simulations from a new generation of regional models ae being analysed in EUCP and will be used in a number of relevant case studies. The third issue that EUCP will consider is how to make future simulations more seamless across those time scales that are most relevant user decision making. This includes generating a better understanding of predictability over time and its sources in initialised forecasts, and also how to transition from the initialised forecasts to longer term boundary forced climate projections.

This presentation will provide an overview of the challenges being addressed by EUCP and the approaches the project is using.


Stochastic reconstruction (SR) methods are used to generate a series of molecules that mimic the properties of complex mixtures using partial analytical data. Determining a quantitative composition using these methods is limited by the property prediction methods used. This paper addresses the use of two key measurements in the characterization of petroleum fractions, namely density and boiling point distributions. It is known that the different methods used in estimating these two basic properties have varying error rates. Boiling point prediction performances of the various group contribution methods were tested via the molecular library established for molecules that can be found present in the petroleum fractions. It has been observed that the combined use of these methods results in close to a 50% reduction in sum of squared errors than any single method. The predictive performances of the density calculation methods were similarly tested. The best-calculated density results were found via the Yen–Wo...


INTRODUCTION
The proximal humeral fractures are becoming more frequent, with a greater tendency for its surgical treatment by osteosynthesis with plate and locked screws. The mechanical and biological failure in these fractures and devices, despite the evolution of this type of implants, highlighted the synthetic bone grafts became an option.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Over a period of 96 months, patients considered were those with proximal humeral fractures treated surgically with a plate and locked screws, and in which β-tricalcium phosphate bone graft had been used. Functional results were evaluated by the shoulder range of motion as the radiological results.

RESULTS
In 19 patients, with a medial follow up of 53 months, we obtained an average shoulder range of motion of 140º in abduction, 142º in forward flexion, 37º in external rotation and L3 hand position in internal rotation for a cefalo-diaphyseal angle of 136º.

DISCUSSION
The β-tricalcium phosphate synthetic bone graft allows the maintenance of reduction after fixation of proximal humeral fractures stabilized with plate and locked screws. This reduction which means the maintenance of cefalo-diaphyseal angle is in close relationship with functional results as shown by shoulder range of motion in all planes.

CONCLUSION
The β-tricalcium phosphate synthetic bone graft should be seen as an adjuvant therapy in extramedullary fixation of proximal humeral fractures, especially those with greater comminution of the medial calcar.


One of the most important innovations brought by digitalization is crypto money known as virtual money. Cryptocurrencies, which have been discussed in recent years and especially a new portfolio for investors, are very popular. Bitcoin is the most well-known of these cryptographic systems, which do not depend on a central authority and have maximum reliability. The effects of various financial indicators on cryptoparas were examined in this study. The model includes a daily database in between April 3, 2018 to December 31, 2019. Initially stationarity is tested with unit root tests. Then cointegration and causality tests are employed. Impulse response is also implemented and analysed.


Objective: We aim to describe the environment iodine concentration in salt, water and soil along Zhejiang Province coast in the China foreland. It will be helpful for us to judge whether this area is insufficient in iodine and universal iodized salt is necessary or not. Methods: We collected iodized salt samples, drinking water samples (tap water in the towns, and well water or spring water in the villages), water samples from different sources (ditches, lakes, rivers) and soil samples through random sampling in June, 2005. Salt, water and soil iodine was detected by arsenic-cerium redox method. Statistical analysis was expressed as mean±SEM by Windows SPSS 13.0. Results: (1) The iodine concentration in salt was 27.9±4.33 mg/kg (n=108). (2) Seventy-five water samples were collected. The water iodine value was 0.6:_84.8 µg/L (mean of 11.66 µg/L). The watershed along the Qiantang River has significantly higher iodine content than the water in Lin'an in mountain area (P<0.01). The iodine content and mean iodine content of tap water, well or spring water and natural water sources were 4.30±2.43 µg/L (n=34), 23.59±27.74 µg/L (n=19) and 12.72±10.72 µg/L (n=22) respectively. This indicated that among environmental water sources, the ditch iodine content was the highest with river water iodine being the lowest (P<0.01). (3) Soil iodine value was 0.11:_2.93 mg/kg (mean of 1.32 mg/kg). Though there was no statistical difference of soil iodine in different districts (P=0.131), soil iodine content correlated positively with water iodine content. Conclusion: Iodine concentration in salt accords with national policy of adding iodine in salt. Foreland has more iodine in water than mountain area. The data reflected that water and soil iodine in foreland area was not high, which suggests universal iodized salt should be necessary. Environment iodine has relatively close association with pollution.


Much of the research undertaken in the field of musical acoustic analysis involves (electro)mechanical actuation of the instruments under measurement conditions without the musician present. This has the benefit of repeatability, so that apparatus can be designed in order to make asynchronous measurements at different points in 3D space. It also means that the instrument is analysed in its pure form without any acoustic aberrations presented by a human performer. However it has been found that when a musician performs on the instrument, this repeatability is absent (despite the musician's self-belief in their own consistency) and an alternative approach must be taken to make 3-dimensional acoustic measurements with the musician present. Musicians could of course be present during actuated musical instrument analysis but this is not (yet) a common approach. The research project described in this paper is ongoing and recent developments of sensor grid geometry are presented here along with some promising initial results. The sensor array geometry has been investigated with respect to: optimal spacing, minimising errors in data interpolation at high frequency, and practicality for construction and actual use. Some preliminary data from a section of the array grid has been obtained and is presented here in order to demonstrate the robustness of the data at high frequencies. There is some discussion of the likely errors in interpolation of the data and some further ideas are explored regarding the manipulation of the recorded data.


A novel image edge detection algorithm is presented by combining grey prediction model and discrete wavelet transform. Firstly, data are preprocessed according to GM(1,1) modeling condition. In order to remove the noise in edge information image, which is gained by preprocessed image subtracting from prediction image. Template of 3 × 3 pixel blocks is selected as the first choice in ascending order to predict maximum pixel value with GM(1,1). According to the information of template pixels with no difference, information of neighborhood pixels is used for improving differences of 3 × 3 template pixels. Secondly, median filter is employed to eliminate the isolated point noise in edge information images. Finally, image edge information with two-dimensional discrete wavelet weighted coefficient is obtained. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has advantages such as precisely locating, abundant weak edge, and better anti-noise performance comparing the classical edge detection operator methods.


The early Toarcian extinction event, once regarded as spanning in the late Pliensbachian–early Toarcian
boundary period, actually occurred in two distinct phases in the early Toarcian of the Iberian Range. The
first episode occurred in the Mirabile Subzone, Tenuicostatum Zone and is characterised by the disappearance
of about 12% of ostracod species and one suborder, the Metacopina (Superfamily Healdioidea). This
study shows that this suborder disappears during stratigraphical intervals that are considered to be representative
of low oxygen conditions in the Iberian Range. The collapse of marine ecosystems (affecting up to 40%
of ostracod species) in the Elegantulum Subzone, Serpentinum Zone was most likely triggered by a sudden
and widespread lethal increase in seawater temperature. These combined processes of oxygenation and temperature
change are considered to be responsible for the profound changes in marine environments that
resulted in the early Toarcian ostracod extinction in the Iberian Range.


Using multi-echo pulsed gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) we measure the anisotropic diffusion of water molecules in the lamellar phase of lyotropic system composed of cetylpyridinium chloride/hexanol diluted in brine. The technique reveals the Fourier spectrum of the molecular velocity autocorrelation function, and its repetitive compensating nature permits effective measurement in the presence of shear flow. We show that under zero shear the phase is highly oriented and that both the amplitude and fluctuation correlation time of lamellar undulations can be measured. The suppression of undulations by weak shear is apparent. We further measure transverse lamellae permeability arising from defects.


Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) describes a system where electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) can connect to the electric grid an participate in markets managed by grid system operators. This paper evaluates the opportunities for V2G-enabled EVs and PHEVs to realize revenues from the regulation market that offset operating costs, making them more cost competitive with conventional vehicles. We built a ten-year net cash flow model for a fleet of delivery trucks to assess the costs and benefits of adopting this technology. To project potential V2G revenue, we modified and adapted a simulation model developed by a grid system operator. Based on exploration of numerous scenarios we determined which combination of factors produced the lowest total cost of ownership. Additionally, we conducted sensitivity analysis on battery size. Our results indicate that EV and PHEV fleets offer lower operating expenses for urban pickup and delivery services than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE). In addition, fleet managers can expect to offset 5-11% of the total cost of ownership with V2G revenue.


Wavelets can substantially accelerate the computation of planar circuits in method of moments (MoM) schemes. This contribution deals with the prediction of the significant system matrix entries, a key to numerical efficiency. Further, optimized grids for improved performance are defined. The implementation of the method is addressed. Relevant practical examples such as a coupled antenna array serve to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed approach and to illustrate some of its limits.


The study aims at showing the organizational and task-oriented aspects of competency in local government units. Within the theoretical part the authors deal with issues related to the organization of promotional activities and the impact of marketing communication on local development. In the research part the results of the analysis of organizational rules of county authorities and municipal authorities with county rights of the Lodz region were presented, displaying some practical ways to organize promotional activities. Common types of organizational units appointed in order to conduct promotions, their place in the structure of offices and the scope of their assigned competence were investigated. Among the units covered by the study there were in particular those responsible for marketing communication. Units of local government assign promotional competencies to organizational units resulting from the regulations of the law or the specifics of marketing communications. For all those activities that are not mandatory, significant differences which stem from having more discretionary powers of local governments can be observed, as well as the possibility of impact related to the level of development of a given unit. These possibilities are related to the type of unit (rural district, a town with a county status) population size and the level of income per capita. Only such units that achieve a high level of development can use a relatively broad and versatile range of tasks and promotional competencies.


We present a frequency up-converted electromagnetic (EM) energy harvester that is capable of powering various portable devices and systems by hand-shaking. It consists of a freely movable ball to impact periodically (at low frequency) on the parabolic top surface of a mass of a cantilever beam allowing it to vibrate at higher (resonant) frequency. Relative motion between a magnet attached to the cantilever and a coil induces voltage. A prototype of the energy harvester has been fabricated and characterized by applying vibration from handshaking. The frequency and acceleration of the applied hand-shaking vibration has been experimentally found to be 4.6 Hz and 2g, respectively. With an optimum distance between magnet and coil, a maximum 672 mV peak-peak open circuit voltage of 370 Hz frequency and a maximum 413μW peak power delivered to an 85Ω matched load resistance have been obtained, respectively.


Britain's participation in the process towards the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), between the Warsaw Pact's Budapest Appeal in 1969 and the opening of the CSCE in 1972, has been insufficiently studied. The British analysis of European security in the late 1960s and early 1970s informed Britain's response to calls for a conference and led them to believe that the CSCE was not the right forum for advancing their security goals. British and Western interests would also not be served by rejecting negotiations or participating in a conference held on Soviet terms. This prompted the British to contribute constructively to preparing a conference and to transforming Warsaw Pact appeals into the basis for genuine discussions. In the run up to the CSCE, British objectives settled on defending Western unity, securing the propaganda advantage, and achieving some small but meaningful steps to improve European security.


Based on previous rat feeding experiments it was concluded that the saga bean contains a toxic principle in the oil fraction which cannot be destroyed by the simple process of household boiling in water. Three kinds of heat treatments with temperatures higher than that of boiling water, were applied to the sagabeans, viz. roasting, deep frying and pressure-cooking. The so-treated sagabeans were incorporated into experimental rat diets for a Protein Efficiency Ratio study, with and without supplementation with methionine and threonine. Comparing the results obtained with boiled, completaly defatted sagabeans, the present experiments by heat treatments reduce or very probably eliminate the toxic principle.


Purpose Reconstruction of the posterior lamella after eyelid tumor removal is challenging and not consensual. Tarsus is the most suitable graft, but is only available in small amounts. Herein, we aim to determine the most appropriate way to replace the tarsus by comparing the biomechanical, histological, and optical properties of five commonly used grafts. Methods This study was conducted at the University hospital of Nice between June 2019 and June 2020. Five posterior lamella grafts (tarsus, conchal cartilage, sclera, hard palate, and dermis) were harvested in five fresh frozen cadavers. Biomechanical properties were assessed by tractometry. Collagen and elastin fibers were analyzed by using histological analysis and optical characterization with the second harmonic generation imaging. Results The mean Young's modulus was 8.92 MPa (range, 2.90–22.90 MPa), 1.05 MPa (range, 0.39–1.76 MPa), 8.72 MPa (range, 2.0–23.50 MPa), 2.57 MPa (range, 0.41–4.35 MPa), and 1.44 MPa (range, 0.71–2.30 MPa) for the tarsus, the conchal cartilage, the sclera, the hard palate mucosa, and the dermis, respectively. The mean tensile strength was 3 MPa (range, 1.70–6.88 MPa), 0.54 MPa (range, 0.13–0.79 MPa), 2.87 MPa (range, 1.23–5.40 MPa), 1.4 MPa (range, 0.21–2.40 MPa) and 1.0 MPa (range, 0.46–1.43 MPa) for the tarsus, the conchal cartilage, the sclera, the hard palate mucosa, and the dermis, respectively. Hard palate mucosa was the closest to the tarsus regarding the ratio of elastin and collagen fibers. The average second harmonic generation intensity was 221 arbitrary units (a.u.) (range, 165–362 a.u.), 182 a.u. (range, 35–259 a.u.), 369 a.u. (range, 206–533 a.u.), 108 a.u. (range, 34–208 a.u.), and 244 a.u. (range, 195–388 a.u.) for the tarsus, the conchal cartilage, the sclera, the hard palate mucosa, and the dermis, respectively. The hard palate mucosa and the dermis were the closest to the tarsus regarding the collagen fiber size and orientation, respectively. Conclusions By attributing 2 points for each characteristic (biomechanical, histological, and optical), the hard palate mucosa and the sclera seem to be the most suitable grafts to replace the tarsus. Translational Relevance The aim of this article was to assess the biomechanical, histological and optical characteristics of five of the most commonly used tarsal grafts; this may be helpful in decisions for clinical practice.


Silver and copper nanoparticles are well-known as the good antimicrobial agent. The nano-size of particles influences in enhancing the antimicrobial activity. This paper discusses the effect of molarity on the microstructure and morphology of silver-copper core-shell nanoparticles prepared by a polyol method. In this study, silver-copper nanoparticles are synthesized through the green approach of polyol method using ethylene glycol (EG) as green solvent and reductant, and polyoxyethylene-(80)-sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) as a nontoxic stabilizer. The phase and morphology of silver-copper nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results XRD confirm the pure crystalline of silver and copper nanoparticles with face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. FESEM and TEM analysis confirm the existence of Ag and Cu nanoparticles in core-shell shape.


A portable scintillation counter telescope has been used to measure the absolute intensities of cosmic-ray muons underwater at 11 depths in the range 10-175 m. Over this depth range the depth-intensity curve is found to be well represented by the Miyake relationship I=A0h- alpha e- beta h/(h+h1) with A0, alpha , beta and h1 being 29.5, 1.32, 1.6*10-3 and 123.0, respectively. Using a calculated range-energy relationship for muons in water, the integral sea-level momentum spectrum was obtained from the depth-intensity curve for the momentum range 1-100 GeV/c. This spectrum has been compared with spectra reported by workers using both magnet and range spectrographs, and it is found that the present spectrum differs from these in both the absolute intensity values (intensity at >1 GeV/c=(6.29+or-0.40)*10-3 cm-2 s-1 sr-1 compared with 7.22*10-3 cm-2 s-1 sr-1 quoted by Allkofer et al.) and in the spectral shape. It is concluded that the differences result from the use of a simple muon propagation model to derive spectra from spectrograph data since this model leads to a distorted spectrum.


Oral vaccines are safe and easy to administer and convenient for all ages. They have been successfully developed to protect from many infectious diseases acquired through oral transmission. We recently found in animal models that formulation of oral vaccines in a nanoparticle-releasing microparticle delivery system is a viable approach for selectively inducing large intestinal protective immunity against infections at rectal and genital mucosae. These large-intestine targeted oral vaccines are a potential substitute for the intracolorectal immunization, which has been found to be effective against rectogenital infections but is not feasible for mass vaccination. Moreover, the newly developed delivery system can be modified to selectively target either the small or large intestine for immunization and accordingly revealed a regionalized immune system in the gut. Future applications and research endeavors suggested by the findings are discussed.


This study is the first detailed work on the age and growth of the leaping mullet (Liza saliens, Risso 1810) in the central Mediterranean. During the period 1991-1995 the age and growth of leaping mullet from the Messolonghi -Etoliko lagoon system (western Greek coast) were studied. Age and growth determinations were based upon otolith samples taken from 537 fish. Marginal increment analysis was used to validate age determination. Annulus formation took place around November each year. The back-calculated lengths at age estimated from the otoliths showed no differences between sub-areas of the lagoon system and the recorded limited between-years variability showed no persistent temporal pattern. The maximum age of leaping mullet in the Messolonghi - Etoliko lagoon was 5 years for males and 6 years for females. The von Bertalanffy equation (L‡=32.99±1.25 cm, k=0.258 ±0.017 year-1, t0=-0.47±0.04 year) accurately describes the growth of the total length of leaping grey mullet for all life stages (fry, juveniles and adults). A large spread and length overlap characterized the age groups. The estimated Length-Weight relationships were common for the two sexes (W=0.0079L3.01).


Comparing different algorithms for segmenting glass fibers in industrial computed tomography (CT) scans is difficult due to the absence of a standard reference dataset. In this work, we introduce a set of annotated scans of short-fiber reinforced polymers (SFRP) as well as synthetically created CT volume data together with the evaluation metrics. We suggest both the metrics and this data set as a reference for studying the performance of different algorithms. The real scans were acquired by a Nikon MCT225 X-ray CT system. The simulated scans were created by the use of an in-house computational model and third-party commercial software. For both types of data, corresponding ground truth annotations have been prepared, including hand annotations for the real scans and STL models for the synthetic scans. Additionally, a Hessian-based Frangi vesselness filter for fiber segmentation has been implemented and open-sourced to serve as a reference for comparisons.


Retinoic acid (RA) is one of the most functionally active intracellular metabolites of vitamin A, regulating the key physiological processes, including the differentiation of cells, organs and tissues. RA is successfully applied in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Drugs based on RA and other natural and synthetic retinoids are being actively developed for the treatment of other oncopathologies, including various solid tumors. However, the use of RA in the treatment of malignant tumors is restricted by the rapid acquisition of RA-resistance. The mechanisms of RA-resistance formation are still poorly understood, what could be explained apparently by the large number of genes directly or indirectly being regulated by RA at transcription level, including genes regulating the activity and metabolism of RA itself. The situation is further complicated by the relatively recently discovered non-genomic or non-canonical activity of RA, which consists in the non-transcriptional regulation of key protein kinases involved in tumor progression. The review is devoted to the analysis of published data on non-canonical activity of RA. The review provides a modern view on the main mechanisms implementing the canonical genomic activity of the RA, presents available information on the RA-dependent non-transcriptional regulation of ERK1 / 2, PI3K / AKT, p38MAPK and PKC protein kinases and possible mechanisms mediating this activity as well as potential significance of the RA-dependent activation of intracellular signaling pathways in the formation of RA-resistance and the malignant potential of transformed cells.


This article has three objectives. The first is to show that while co-production was originally tied to service production, co-creation has broader applications in the field of public governance and involves a broader range of actors and activities. The second objective is to demonstrate
 how the co-creation concept both builds on and extends the concept of collaborative governance, thus adding new dimensions to an already well-established literature. The final objective is to show how a strategic turn to co-creation introduces a new type of 'generative governance'
 aimed at solving complex problems by constructing platforms enabling the formation of arenas for co-creation that bring together a plethora of public and private actors, including citizens, in creative problem-solving processes. The three objectives are achieved through prospective theoretical
 analysis aimed at providing a conceptual foundation for analysing cutting-edge societal developments that are not yet commonplace.


Early in 2005, national media attention in Trinidad and Tobago was drawn to the UNDP statistics on poverty presented in the Human Development Report 2004 (HDR 2004). According to that report, approximately 12% of the population of Trinidad and Tobago was living on less than US$1 a day and 39% on less then US$2 a day (HDR 2004:147). These figures were particularly disconcerting given Trinidad and Tobago's current economic position. Since the beginning of this decade, Trinidad and Tobago has been experiencing a kind of economic boom, largely due to its position as a producer of petroleum and increasingly natural gas for the world market.


CAN protocol imposes rather stringent requirements on its timing source, which are generally met by the provision of an external quartz crystal/oscillator. The TMS320C2803x/TMS320F2806x series of microcontrollers have an on-chip zero-pin oscillator that needs no external components. This application report describes how to use the CAN module with this oscillator to operate at the maximum bit rate and bus length without the added cost of an external clock source. The experimental setup was tested over the entire operating temperature range of the device. Project collateral and source code discussed in this application report can be downloaded from the following URL: http://www.ti.com/lit/zip/sprabi7.


OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a biopsy of the synovia of the carpal tunnel is able to identify systemic diseases that were not diagnosed by clinical examination and laboratory tests. METHODS: Anatomical pathology P examinations of synovial tissue were performed in 46 patients that underwent open carpal tunnel release. Anatomical pathology examination with hematoxylin-eosin staining determined the intensity of the inflammatory process and the authors proposed a new classification of the injury according to the intensity of the inflammatory process. RESULTS: The anatomical pathology examination showed that 56.6% were classified as grade I (unchanged inflammation), 32.6%, grade II (leukocyte infiltration and discreetmoderate fibrosis), 4.3%, grade III (leukocyte infiltrate and intense fibrosis, the presence of fibrin and vascular neoformation) and 6.5%, grade IV (changes described above associated with the presence of local calcification and giant cells). Two patients with amyloidosis were classified as grade I and II and no stockpiles of amyloid material were found on their slides. Two patients with hyperparathyroidism and another with chronic kidney failure were classified as grade IV. CONCLUSION: Synovial biopsy of the carpal tunnel did not make early diagnosis of potential systemic diseases possiblein patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, and adds extra costs to the procedure.


Professors Marmor and Oberlander examine the state of health care reform in the United States. The authors briefly discuss the failed Clinton health plan before examining the return of health reform to the political agenda. They then focus on alternatives, such as a federalist option, the pincer movement, and a single-payer system. Finally, the authors highlight the lessons that can be learned from previous attempts to enact comprehensive health reform.


Sago liquid waste is rich in micro and macro nutrient that can be used for growing Chlorella sp. To understand the effectiveness of the waste as a nutrient source to grow Chlorella sp., a study was conducted from November – December 2016. Different amount of sago liquid waste was added to 3L of peat water, they were P0(0%), P1(5%), P2(15%) and P3 (25%) of peat water volume. The Chlorella sp. was culture for 11 days. Parameters measured were the abundance and biomass of Chlorella sp., nitrate and phosphate concentration, dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature. Results shown that the best growth of Chlorella sp. was in the P1(5%), the abundance was 2,768,000 cells/ml and the biomass was 0.28 g/L. During the research, the nitrate and phosphate concentration reduced, from 0.5575 to 0.2540 mg/L and from 0.9358 to 0.3142 mg/L respectively. This fact indicates that the nutrients have been used for Chlorella sp. growth. Based on data obtained, it can be concluded that the sago liquid waste can be used as nutrient source for growth Chlorella sp.
Keywords : Sago liquid waste, nutrient, growth, Chlorella sp.
1) Student


A 52-year-old woman developed hyperthyroidism due to the alternative Vascu-Vitaal pills. She was suffering from nephrotic syndrome due to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and subclinical hypothyroidism, possibly due to renal loss of thyroid hormone. For peripheral vascular disease she took the non-registered Vascu-Vitaal pills on her own initiative. According to the product information, these pills contain multiple vitamins, minerals, amino acids and tissue extracts of bovine adrenals, hypophysis and thymus. The patient developed hyperthyroidism after starting on a new batch of the preparation; it subsided after stopping the treatment. A technetium thyroid scan showed decreased uptake and subsequently the Vascu-Vitaal pills were found to contain both thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The thyroid hormone contamination was probably caused by bovine thyroid tissue. It is suggested to require a health warning statement on the package of alternative therapeutics stating that production and contents are not subject to governmental supervision.


The author reviews the history of population policy in Mexico. Sections are included on antecedents of official population policy; the radical change in orientation since the enactment of the third General Law of Population in 1973; institutional bases of Mexican population policy; the National Family Planning Plan 1977-1982; and an evaluation of the results of the population policy. (ANNOTATION)


Dimethoxycurcumin (DMC) is an active analogue of curcumin with superior efficacy in various disease models. However, pharmacokinetic research on DMC is limited.The present study was designed to investigate oral absorption and excretion of DMC, as well as making a thorough examination on in vivo metabolism. DMC in rat plasma, bile, urine and feces was quantitated by High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), and liquid chromatography-mass spectra(LC-MS) detection was performed for metabolites identification. The results showed that the oral bioavailability of DMC was 15 times higher than curcumin. DMC was metabolized in vivo via a similar pathway to curcumin. However, accumulated excretion of DMC was 13.21%±1.83%in bile, and the metabolic degree was less extensive than curcumin. Excretion of DMC was less than 1% in urine, and about 65% in feces. All the findings indicated similar in vivo disposition characteristics of curcuminoid.


Purpose: To assess the flexural strength of three dual polymerization resin cements in comparison with one autopolymerizing resin cement and one zinc phosphate cement.
Methods: Eight specimens (4x4x30mm) were made of each tested material: three dual polymerization resins cements, RelyX ARC (3M), Enforce (Dentsply) and Dual Cement (Vigodent); one autopolymerizing resin cement, Cement-Post (Angelus); and a zinc phosphate cement (DFL). The three-point flexural strength test was performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test.
Results: The mean values of flexural strength were 76.80MPa for RelyX ARC, 79.40MPa for Enforce, 83.43MPa for Dual Cement, 51.87MPa for Cement-Post, and 8.96MPa for zinc phosphate cement. The dual polymerization resin cements did not show significant difference of flexural strength, but they were different from the other cement types. Flexural strength values of autopolymerizing resin cement and zinc phosphate cement were statistically different.
Conclusion: Flexural strength was affected by cement type, and the dual polymerization resin cements had the highest values.
Key words: Resin cement; dual polymerization; flexural strength


The hydrocarbon utilizing capability of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila from oil contaminated soil composts from Western Ghats region of Karnataka was analyzed. In the bioremediation experiment, ONGC heavy crude oil and poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) utilization by the bacterial isolate was studied. Prelimi by DCPIP method suggests, the isolate PMutilization ability. The degradation of 2 % heavy crude oil isolate PM-1 was assessed by Total Plate Count (TPC), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) level at regular time intervals. Increased in population densities with simultaneous increase in BOD and COD ratio co with the UV spectrophotometry result by change in the λ gas chromatographic analysis (25.00 %) and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) (65.78 %). A substrate specificity test of the isolates on different hydrocarbons (PAH that the isolate PM-1 had good growth on decanol, hexadecane, toluene, dodecane, engine oil, benzene, phenol, ethyl benzene, pentadecane, tetradecane, octane, oleic acid and naphthalene. The breakdown of the molecular structure in heavy crude oil in PAHs indicates, the loss of conjugation in parental hydrocarbons shows the degradation potency of the bacterial isolate (PM Copyright@2015 STAR Journal


The commercial tools to simulate the non-linear dynamic characteristics of wind turbine system are various but, the tool take much time to simulate the control algorithm and require many input variables. In this paper, the procedures to derive the simplified 4-degree-of-freedom mathematical model of a 2-MW wind turbine which could be used at the initial design stage of the controller are proposed based on RISO`s suggested method. In this model, the 1st tower fore-after bending motion and 1st blade flapping motion are also considered in addition to the rotor-generator rotation motion in the 2-DOF model. The effectiveness of the 4-DOF model is examined comparing with the 2-DOF model and verification of the simplified model is accomplished through modal analysis for whole wind turbine system.


INTRODUCTION
Obesity is a disease in which inflammation is directly involved and can lead to impaired renal function.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of short term exposure to cafeteria diet on kidney tissue inflammation and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the rat plasma.

METHODS
Male Wistar rats (10 weeks of age, weighing 350 g) were assigned to receive commercial chow diet (C; n = 8 animals/group, 5% of energy from fat) or cafeteria diet (CAF-D, n = 8 animals/group: 29% energy fat) and sucrose in drinking water (300 g/L) for 6 weeks.

RESULTS
adiposity index at six weeks was higher in CAF-D group compared to C. The same behavior was observed for plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, leptin, insulin and AGEs. The gene expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in renal tissue was higher in CAF-D group and no significant difference in adipose tissue. There was no increase of these cytokines in plasma and kidney or histologically. There was a significant decrease of adiponectin in the CAF-D group.

CONCLUSION
The short exposure CAF-D reflects changes in metabolism, increased plasma levels of AGEs, which may reflect the increased expression of inflammatory cytokines in the kidney.


A passive optical network (PON) protection scheme is needed to ensure the system reliability required for business use, as PON is based on sharing a single fiber via an optical distribution network. Protection switching time is an important factor for business applications because it defines the service outage duration when a failure occurs. In this paper, we propose a PON protection scheme that enables the service outage duration to be reduced. We demonstrate Type B protection for a time and wavelength division multiplexed PON system and discuss the service outage duration.


It has been claimed that most squid species in the genus Onykia may be immature stages of species in the genus Moroteuthis. To evaluate the generic status of Moroteuthis and Onykia and to identify paralarvae collected in northern Hawaiian waters, we performed morphological investigation and nucleotide sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Of 42 Onykia paralarvae (1.8–8.5 mm dorsal mantle length, DML) examined, 41 had a nucleotide sequence identical to that of M. robusta and one (designated Onykia sp. A) could not be assigned to any known Moroteuthis species. Nucleotide sequence diversity estimates based on Kimura's two-parameter distances between Onykia sp. A and Moroteuthis spp. (0.109–0.150) fell well within the range of congeneric species, suggesting that Onykia sp. A is a member of the genus Moroteuthis. Molecular data supported the conclusion that the genus Moroteuthis is a junior synonym of the genus Onykia. Morphological investigation revealed that paralarvae of O. robusta (= M. robusta) <4.0 mm DML were distinct from other Onykia paralarvae in the chromatophore pattern on the mantle. The key characters for distinguishing O. robusta paralarvae from Onykia sp. A were the number and arrangement of chromatophores on the funnel.


Different indigenous oil palm hybrids were evaluated with an objective to assess their quality and to develop seed quality standards in commercial seed production centers. Majority of the indigenous hybrids had large proportion of small seeds and their percentage of distribution varied according to the hybrids. The different hybrid combinations recorded coefficient of variation of 11.70, 11.28 and 15.35 for seed weight, shell weight and kernel weight, respectively. Large seed group in all the crosses had high seed weight, shell weight, shell thickness and kernel weight. Though shell thickness had significant differences among crosses and size groups, the coefficient of variation recorded (6.38%) was low compared to other characteristics. Selected hybrids had low average kernel weight of 1.63, 1.05 and 0.74 g for large, medium and small seeds, respectively. In this study, high and low germination percentage was recorded in all the categories of seed groups irrespective of their sizes. All the seed physical parameters studied were positively correlated which are highly significant.


"A Case Approach to Medical-Psychiatric Practice" represents an unapologetic attempt to reinstate consultation-liaison psychiatry as a medical discipline. Intended as a teaching instrument rather than a comprehensive textbook, this volume presents case discussions that accurately capture the problem-oriented bedside world of medical-psychiatric practice. Psychiatrists at all stages of experience-from the resident to the seasoned practitioner-will find this book to be an invaluable guide to the complex clinical dilemmas encountered in hospital settings.The focus is on the differential diagnosis and pharmacological management of patients with medical conditions-for example, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, delirium, gastrointestinal conditions, alcoholism with cirrhosis, kidney disease, HIV infection-who develop concurrent psychiatric problems. A consultation-liaison guide to DSM-IV is included, and guidelines for identifying and managing these disorders and their symptoms are provided. There are chapters on managing steroid-induced psychiatric syndromes, treating gynecological patients including breast cancer patients, and working with psychiatric illness during pregnancy.Each chapter contains case presentations followed by multiple-choice questions designed to challenge the reader's knowledge and ingenuity in responding to real-life clinical quandaries. The comprehensive literature reviews and discussion provided for each topic can be used by readers to expand their knowledge in areas of interest. Numerous appendixes serve as concise pull-out summaries for handy bedside reference. Reviews are clearly organized and extensively cross-referenced, making thisbook not only an exceptional learning tool but also an excellent resource for further study.


We introduce a novel approach for the detection of possible mutations leading to a reading frame (RF) shift in a gene. Deletions and insertions of DNA coding regions are considerable events for genes because an RF shift results in modifications of the extensive region of amino acid sequence coded by a gene. The suggested method is based on the phenomenon of triplet periodicity (TP) in coding regions of genes and its relative resistance to substitutions in DNA sequence. We attempted to extend 326 933 regions of continuous TP found in genes from the KEGG databank by considering possible insertions and deletions. We revealed totally 824 genes where such extension was possible and statistically significant. Then we generated amino acid sequences according to active (KEGG's) and hypothetically ancient RFs in order to find confirmation of a shift at a protein level. Consequently, 64 sequences have protein similarities only for ancient RF, 176 only for active RF, 3 for both and 581 have no protein similarity at all. We aimed to have revealed lower bound for the number of genes in which a shift between RF and TP is possible. Further ways to increase the number of revealed RF shifts are discussed.


.. Objective: To find the pattern of isolated mandibular symphysis fracture and trends in management at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan. Study Design: Crossectional study. Setting: Department of Oral Surgery, Sir Syed Medical & Dental HospitalKarachi, Pakistan. Period: January 2018 to December 2019. Material & Methods: Eighty one patients were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were diagnosed with isolated anterior mandibular fracture on basis of detailed history, thorough clinical examination and a radiologic investigation (OPG). Etiology of fracture and gender distribution was observed, fracture pattern was observed on basis of helmet wearing. Results: There was a male predilection with a male to female ratio of 4.3:1. Road traffic accident was the commonest cause. 82.7 % of patients were not wearing helmet at time of incidence and 69% from all patients had displaced mandibular fracture which resulted in derranged occlusion. Conclusion: Isolated anterior mandibular fractures is common in younger age group, with a male predilection. Most common etiologic factor is road traffic accident. Displaced fracture pattern is prevalent among patients who were not wearing helmet at time of incidence.


The reliable operation of electronic equipment is strongly related to the thermal and mechanical conditions it is exposed to during operation. In order to ensure a long lifetime of components, it is imperative that any electronic packaging design takes into careful consideration the appropriateness of various thermal management schemes and the application-specific requirements in order to keep temperatures within certain limits. The exact requirement varies with the application, and electronic packaging designs for automotive applications are at particular risk of failure due to the naturally harsh conditions it is exposed to. Electronic devices in vehicles have to be able to operate and survive at much higher temperatures than their consumer counterparts. While that has always been an issue, the rise of electric and hybrid electric vehicles (EVs and HEVs), combined with a desire to fit as much as possible into the smallest form factor, the challenge of removing enough heat from electronic devices in automotive vehicles is constantly evolving. This paper closely examines the new challenges in thermal management in various driving environments and aims to classify each existing cooling methods in terms of their performance. Drive schedules used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for emission and fuel economy testing are taken as examples of different realistic driving scenarios and their predicted thermal profiles are evaluated against various cooling methods, both active, passive or a combination of the two (hybrid). Particular focus is placed upon emerging solutions regarded to hold great potential, such as phase change materials (PCMs). Phase change materials have been regarded for some time as a means of transferring heat quickly away from the region with the electronic components. Phase change materials are widely regarded as a possible means of carrying out cooling in large scales from small areas, considering their advantages such as high latent heat of fusion, high specific heat, controllable temperature stability and small volume change during phase change, etc. They have already been utilized as a method of passive cooling in electronics in various ways, such as in heat spreaders and finned heat sinks. The applications, however, have been mostly for system-on-chip handheld devices, and their adoption in automotive power electronics, such as those used in traction inverters, has been much slower. A brief discussion is made on some of the potential areas of application and challenges relating to more widespread adoption of PCMs. Merits of some of the existing PCM based solutions for automotive electronics applications are also discussed, as are their drawbacks and modifications.


This study examined selected communication, social, situational, and individual factors associated with alcohol and other drugs. High school students' perceptions of these substances were analyzed to compare alcohol and other drugs. The largest effects involved communication processes. For alcohol, students knew more strategies for resisting offers, had more ability to take the perspective of alcohol offerers, were more likely to receive simple offers, and were more likely to be able to resist them. Social, situational, and individual factor effects were more moderate, showing less perception of risk for alcohol, more pressure to use, more difficulty refusing, and greater, and more frequent consumption.


We detect a highly polarized continuum and broad emission line spectrum that is typical of QSOs in the hyperluminous infrared galaxy IRAS F15307+3252. The high nonvariable polarization (p = 16%-20%) and the unpolarized narrow emission lines imply that the polarized light is produced by scattering within or near the narrow-line region. Viewed along the vantage point of the scatterers, F15307+3252 would appear to be indistinguishable from luminous optically selected QSOs. The detection of buried QSOs in the three most luminous infrared galaxies known (P09104+4109, F10214+4724, and F15307+3252) suggests that QSO activity is strongly related to the hyperluminous infrared galaxy phenomenon. Even though significant CO emission and the radio-infrared correlation suggest ongoing star formation, these objects do not distinguish themselves dramatically from other QSOs. The high frequency of companions or signs of interaction among the ultra- and hyperluminous infrared galaxies supports the idea that galaxy interaction, accompanied by star formation, is related to the energizing of an active nucleus. If these objects truly represent misdirected QSOs, then hyperluminous infrared galaxies may provide a new view of QSO host galaxies, as well as important clues to the formation and evolution of galaxies and QSOs.


In International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). ICAR-IWMI Ground Water Policy Initiative - 2001, Policy Dialogue on Groundwater Management: papers presented at ICAR-IWMI Workshop on Groundwater Policy Initiative - 2001, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, India, 6-7 November 2001. Karnal India: Central Soil Salinity Research Institute


Introduction At widely separated points on the higher uplands of the Driftless and adjacent areas of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, there occur conglomerates and gravels with associated limonite, clay, and sandstone. The interest of the writers was drawn to these gravels while they were engaged in the study of the. geology of the Tomah and Sparta quadrangles, in western Wisconsin. As the problem of their origin could not be solved within the limits of that area, the study has been extended over a wider field and the available literature has been examined for descriptions of similar formations in adjacent States. These studies have led to the assembling of a considerable amount of information and to conclusions relating to the origin and age of the deposits. As these deposits merit a name, it is proposed to call them the Windrow formation, the name being selected because of an excellent exposure on . . .


The synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) was accomplished from zinc borate (Zn3B2O6) minerals to be used as electrodes in supercapacitor applications. The concentrations of obtained zinc (Zn) metal after treatment with hydrochloric acid (HCl) were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Direct synthesis of ZnO on a nickel (Ni) foam surface was conducted by employing the hydrothermal technique using a solution with the highest Zn content. The results showed the successful synthesis of ZnO nanorods on the surface of Ni foam with an average wall size of approximately 358 nm. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) measurements revealed that the synthesized electrode exhibited battery-type charge storage characteristics, reaching a maximum specific capacitance of approximately 867 mF·cm−² at a current density of 2 mA·cm−². Additionally, the energy and power densities of the electrode at a current density of 2 mA·cm−² were calculated as 19.3 mWh·cm−² and 200 mW·cm−², respectively. These results exhibited promising performance of the single-component electrode, outperforming the existing counterparts reported in the literature.


The unique aquatic nature of swimming makes it very difficult to use social or technical strategies to mitigate the tediousness of monotonous exercises. In this study, we propose MobyDick, a smartphone-based multi-player exergame designed to be used while swimming, in which a team of swimmers collaborate to hunt down a virtual monster. In this paper, we present a novel, holistic game design that takes into account both human factors and technical challenges. Firstly, we perform a comparative analysis of a variety of wireless networking technologies in the aquatic environment and identify various technical constraints on wireless networking. Secondly, we develop a single phone-based inertial and barometric stroke activity recognition system to enable precise, real-time game inputs. Thirdly, we carefully devise a multi-player interaction mode viable in the underwater environment highly limiting the abilities of human communication. Finally, we prototype MobyDick on waterproof off-the-shelf Android phones, and deploy it to real swimming pool environments (n = 8). Our qualitative analysis of user interview data reveals certain unique aspects of multi-player swimming games.


Background: Regional anesthesia is the preferred technique for most of lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. For decades, lignocaine had been the local anesthetic of choice for spinal anesthesia. Recent studies show that intravenous clonidine and dexmedetomidine can prolong the duration of the spinal anesthesia. Dexmedetomidine is a more suitable adjuvant compared to clonidine due to its more selective α2A receptor agonist activity. Aim: The study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of intravenous administration of dexmedetomidine on spinal anesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine in lower abdominal surgeries. Study Design: Prospective randomized, double-blind control study. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists Grades I and II, 20–60 years age, undergoing lower abdominal surgeries under spinal anesthesia were randomized into two groups by computer-generated table. Group 1: Bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine group; and Group 2: Bupivacaine and saline group. Spinal anesthesia was given with 15 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine. Patients in Group 1 received dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg over 20 min followed by 0.5 μg/kg/h, intravenously till the end of surgery. Patients in Group 2 received normal saline. Observations were analyzed using Student's unpaired t-test. Results: The mean duration of analgesia in group 1 was 219.7 ± 2.55 minutes and in group 2 was 150.2 ± 5.7 minutes. The prolongation in duration of analgesia in dexmedetomidine group was statistically significant. The mean durations of motor blockade in Group 1 and Group 2 were 189.6 ± 2.14 and 158.2 ± 5.31 min, respectively. Conclusion: Intravenous dexmedetomidine is useful to maintain hemodynamic stability and prolong spinal analgesia.


In enterprise data centers, reliable performance models on storage devices are desirable for efficient storage management and optimization. However, many cloud environments consist of heterogeneous storage devices, e.g., a mixture of commodity disks, where accurate performance models are of particular challenge to attain. In this paper, we propose a lightweight queueing-based storage performance modeling framework, which is able to infer the maximum IO load that a storage device can sustain, as well as its IO load v.s. response time performance curve. Our inference framework views the underlying storage resources as blackboxes and only utilizes historical measurements of the IO and response time on the devices. In an OpenStack environment, we also develop a new storage volume placement algorithm using our performance inference and modeling framework. Experimental results show that our solution can provide up to 80% increase of the IO throughput, in tandem with a 40% reduction of the average response time, compared to the performance provided by the default OpenStack policy.


A rapid and simple method for extracting specific cell-free antigens of Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum from agar slant cultures was developed. The extracts were analyzed in immunodiffusion tests for the presence of C. immitis or H. capsulatum specific antigens. These extracts were compared with culture filtrates of brain heart infusion broth subcultures in tests with 32 isolates of C. immitis and H. capsulatum and 13 other fungi which might be morphologically confused with them. The studies showed that the slant extracts were as useful as the culture filtrates and allowed more rapid identification of C. immitis and H. capsulatum. In every case, when an identification was made by conventional morphological methods, the immunological test yielded correlating results. The immunological tests were positive for two isolates that were converted to their yeast forms only after 4 months of study by conventional tests. The new procedure permits the identification of C. immitis and H. capsulatum 2 days after receipt of a pure mycelial-form culture. The test is recommended for the presumptive identification of C. immitis and H. capsulatum cultures.


MacFadyen UM, Borthwick G, Simpson H, McKay M, Neilson J. Monitoring for central apnoea in infancy-limitations of single channel recordings. Arch Dis Child 1988;63:282-7. 2 Southall DP, Bignall S, Stebbens VA, et al. The clinical reliability of pulse oximeter and transcutaneous PO2 measurements in neonatal and paediatric intensive care. Arch Dis Child 1987;62:882-8. 3 Southall DP. The role of apnoea in the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)-a personal view. Pediatrics 1988;80:73-84. 4 Richards JM. Long term recordings of heart rates and breathing patterns of full term infants during their first six months of life; their possible relevance to the sudden infant death syndrome. London: University of London, 1987. (PhD Thesis.)


The invention concerns a heat exchanger comprising an array of tubes (10) mounted between two fluid boxes (28, 46) via respective manifolds (16) and designed to be run through by a fluid. The tubes (10) comprise each several channels separated by at least a longitudinal partition and are arranged in a single row, parallel to tow large surfaces of the exchanger, such that the fluid circulation takes place in at least two layers parallel to the large surfaces of the exchanger and formed each by part of tube channels. One at least of the fluid boxes (28, 36) comprises an internal longitudinal partition dividing the fluid box into at least two longitudinal sections communicating with the two layers respectively. The invention is in particular applicable to air conditioning evaporators.


We report on the observation, in direct space, of both light localization and confinement effects near lithographically designed structures. The sample is observed in the optical near-field zone with a Photon Scanning Tunneling Microscope (PSTM). Several patterns composed of a few periods of TiO2 dots, arranged as a hexagonal lattice, have been investigated. When the central dot of the pattern is removed, a phenomenon of light localization above the vacancy can be observed in the PSTM image. The occurrence of this phenomenon can be related to the variation of the electromagnetic local density of state.