AIM To describe echocardiographically left ventricular false tendon characteristics and the correlation with ventricular repolarization abnormalities in young athletes. METHODS Three hundred and sixteen healthy young athletes from different sport disciplines were evaluated from 2009 to 2011 during routine screening for agonistic sports eligibility. All subjects, as part of standard pre-participation screening medical evaluation, underwent a basal and post step test 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The athletes with abnormal T-wave flattening and/or inversion were considered for an echocardiogram evaluation and an incremental maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate, during and after exercise, were also measured. RESULTS Twenty-one of the 316 subjects (6.9%) showed false tendons in the left ventricle. The majority of false tendons (52.38%) were localized between the middle segments of the inferior septum and the lateral wall, 19.06% between the distal segments of the septum and the lateral wall, in 5 subjects between the middle segments of the anterior and inferior walls, and in one subject between the middle segments of the anterior septum and the posterior wall. ECG abnormalities, represented by alterations of ventricular repolarization, were found in 11 subjects (52.38%), 90% of these anomalies were T wave abnormalities from V1 to V3. These anomalies disappeared with an increasing heart rate following the three minute step test as well as during the execution of the maximal exercise. CONCLUSION Left ventricular false tendons are frequently localized between the middle segments of the inferior septum and the lateral wall and are statistically associated with ventricular repolarization abnormalities.


Every year, the number of people who die of lung cancer is more than the sum of that of breast, colon, and prostate cancers. Statistically, lung cancer is the second most common cancer that occurs in both male and female population. It is estimated by the American Cancer Society that there will be approximately 234,000 new cases of and 154,000 deaths from lung cancer in 2018 (1). The statistics are alarming and have come to the attention of lung cancer experts from all over the world.


The "polyhedral product functor" produces a space from a simplicial complex L and a collection of pairs of spaces, {(A(i),B(i))}, where i ranges over the vertex set of L. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the resulting space to be aspherical. There are two similar constructions, each of which starts with a space X and a collection of subspaces, {X_i} and then produces a new space. We give conditions for the results of these constructions to be aspherical. All three techniques can be used to produce examples of closed aspherical manifolds.
Abstract for Corrigenda: This note concerns two refinements to the earlier work by the first author. First, when L is infinite, the definition of polyhedral product needs clarification. Second, the earlier paper omitted some subtle parts of the necessary and sufficient conditions for polyhedral products to be aspherical. Correct versions of these necessary and sufficient conditions are given in the present paper.


Taking James Buchanan's 1963 presidential address to the Southern Economic Association as our point of departure, we summarize some of the contributions to the literatures of economics and political science that responded over the next 50 years to his challenge to concentrate on "exchange" rather than on "choice," thereby placing the theory of markets rather than the theory of resource allocation at center stage. We specifically expand upon his example of swamp draining as a collective action problem, in response to which the swamp's neighbors likely will find it their individual self-interests to delegate decisions about swamp-clearing to the "community as a collective unit," operating under clearly specified "rules for making choices, and these decisions coercively enforced once they are made." Consideration of actual solutions to the challenges of managing common pool resources or of providing collectively consumed goods shows that alternatives exist to top-down rule enforcement by a community or state exercising its police powers. Governance does not require a government, and we do not see coercion if the penalties for violating rules emerge from the bottom up, are freely agreed to ahead of time and exit from the collective unit is possible.


A 10-year-old boy was admitted with complaints of fever, pallor, fatigue and skin bleeds of 10 days duration and diagnosed as very severe aplastic anemia. He was given intensive immunosuppressive therapy but showed no response to therapy. He later evolved into acute myeloid leukemia. The occurrence of AML is reviewed and possible pathogenesis is discussed.


Despite significant progress, deficiencies of iron and iodine remain major public health problems affecting > or =30% of the global population. These deficiencies often coexist in children. Recent studies have demonstrated that a high prevalence of iron deficiency among children in areas of endemic goiter may reduce the effectiveness of iodized salt programs. These findings argue strongly for improving iron status in areas of overlapping deficiency, not only to combat anemia but also to increase the efficacy of iodine prophylaxis. The dual fortification of salt with iodine and iron may prove to be an effective and sustainable method to accomplish these important goals.


(Received November 29, 1982) In the process of preparing for the revision of the hospital formulary, we investigated into hospital formularies used at 150 hospitals in Japan. It was found that 75.2% of the hospitals surveyed hold their own formularies; most formularies appear in A6 format, and the information contained is given in tables. The formularies are mostly issued within 1 year after initiation of their preparation. They contain 291 pages on the average. Further, 93% of doctors used formularies, and 48.5% of them reported that they are satisfied with the given formularies, while 37.6 % asked for more details. Most doctors required more information, especially on "Precautions for Use." Many hospitals pointed out such problems in editing the hospital formularies as establishing the standard for summarizing information and for the expressions, and delaying work of procedures of preparation of revised package insert. The details of the investigation were analyzed also by the ownership and size of hospitals.


Corneal specimens obtained during surgery from patients with macular corneal dystrophy and obtained at autopsy from control eyes were incubated in a medium containing radioactive precursors of glycoproteins and proteoglycans. Biosynthetically radiolabeled material was extracted and characterized by using molecular sieve chromatography and specific enzymes. Cells in control corneas synthesized both a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan and a keratan sulfate proteoglycan similar to those present in monkey and bovine corneas. Cells in macular corneas synthesized a normal chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan but did not synthesize either keratan sulfate or a mature keratan sulfate proteoglycan. Instead, macular corneas synthesized a glycoprotein with unusually large oligosaccharide side chains. This glycoprotein was not detected in normal corneas and is slightly smaller than normal keratan sulfate proteoglycan. The failure to synthesize a mature keratan sulfate proteoglycan may produce corneal opacity and result in blindness. Because of evidence indicating that the corneal keratan sulfate proteoglycan is normally synthesized through a glycoprotein intermediate [Hart, G. W. & Lennarz, W. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253-5795-5801], macular corneal dystrophy may be a defect in glycoprotein processing.


Summary The importance of education within the New Right philosophy has been well analysed and documented. The attempt to cut costs, the pursuit of efficiency, improving standards along with greater parental choice and participation are some of the stated policy directions. This article seeks an analysis of the New Right philosophies that have so influenced the Conservatives' direction within initial teacher training, having a major impact on recent initiatives. In doing so it will take three directions: (a) it will offer an understanding of the New Right philosophies; (b) it will examine changes, past, present and future within school teacher education; and (c) it will place these within a wider framework of the New Right philosophies and strategies. In particular it will look at why traditional methods have been criticised. The article argues that policy within teacher training must not be seen in isolation, for it is related to wider educational issues and social policy arenas, in particular to the dev...


This short country report, a result of
 larger Information for Development Program
 (infoDev)-supported survey of Information and Communication
 Technologies (ICT) in education in Africa, provides a
 general overview of current activities and issues related to
 ICT use in education in the country. Developing the
 education system in Burkina Faso will involve equipping more
 people with a basic quality education and guaranteeing
 development in the post-primary education sector. Through
 these two main initiatives, Burkina Faso will strengthen its
 workforce and add to the number of skilled workers,
 professionals, and other contributors to its culture,
 economy, and status. Disparities in access based on
 location, gender, and age, in addition to the lack of rural
 communication structures, are Burkina's major
 constraints to universalizing ICT use. However, with a plan
 to develop ICT infrastructure in Burkina Faso, and an
 increasing demand for modern technologies and information,
 the education sector is welcoming progress toward the
 integration of ICT into its school systems, with the help of
 various partnerships from public and private organizations.


Chronic osteomyelitis is a severe long-term bone infection which retains its mechanical qualities. The authors report 10 cases of osteomyelitis of the tibia treated by muscular and fascio-cutaneous flaps and reviewed at one year follow-up. Four cases concerned the third upper part of the tibia, 3 the middle and 3 the lower third. Two total failures at the third lower part and three complications which finally healed with delay were observed. The results of this small series compared with the reports in the literature suggest the value of large excision with coverage by a well vascularized flap and the need for antibiotics. The choice of flap is related to type and site of the bone defect. Another question should be raised concerning the surgical strategy in one--or two--stage management and the duration of antibiotic therapy.


Objectives: Ethylene oxide (EtO) is classified as a human carcinogen, but EtO is still widely used to sterilize heat-sensitive materials in hospitals. Employees working around sterilizers are exposed to EtO after sterilization. The aim of the present study was to assess the exposure of EtO level, coupled with occupationally induced micronuclei from hospital workers. The influence of genetic polymorphisms of detoxifying genes (GSTT1 and GSTM1) and DNA repair genes (XRCC1 and XRCC3) on the frequencies of micronuclei in relation to exposure of EtO was also investigated. Methods: The study population was composed of 35 occupationally exposed workers to EtO, 18 student controls and 44 unexposed hospital controls in Korea. Exposure to EtO is measured by passive personal samplers. We analyzed the frequencies of micronuclei by performing cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN assay) and GSTM1, GSTT1, XRCC1, and XRCC3 were also genotyped by performing polymerase chain reaction?restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR?RFLP). Results: The frequencies of micronuclei in EtO exposure group, student controls and hospital controls were 18.00 ± 7.73, 10.47 ± 7.96 and 13.86 ± 6.35 respectively and their differences were statistically significant, but no significant differences according to the level of EtO were observed. There was a dose-response relationship between the frequencies of micronuclei and cumulative dose of EtO, but no significantly differences were observed. We also investigated the influence of genetic polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1, XRCC1, and XRCC3) on the frequencies of micronuclei, but there were no differences in the frequencies of micronuclei by genetic polymorphisms. Conclusions: The frequencies of micronuclei in EtO exposure group was significantly higher than control groups. A dose-response relationship was found between the level of EtO exposure and the frequencies of micronuclei, but no statistically differences were observed. We also found that the frequencies of micronuclei were increased according to cumulative EtO level. There was no association of the genetic GSTM1, GSTT1, XRCC1, and XRCC3 state with the frequency of micronuclei induced by EtO exposure.


Through qualitative research into the career experiences of two groups of Malawian professional women, this article reveals the value of expanding research into women's careers to the global south. Although displaying elements of western-focused traditional and new career models, these women's careers did not conform to either. Instead, due to heavy family responsibilities for both care and breadwinning, including for the extended family, and faced with inflexible human resource practices, their careers were mostly characterised by serial compromises necessary to maintain full-time continuous employment while dealing with life events and workplace setbacks. These accommodations to the realities of their complicated lives often resulted in second-best, far-from-ideal solutions. This career form, conceptualised here as a makeshift career, extends career models to fit the Malawian context and the global south but also expands conceptual understandings of women's careers in ways also applicable to the north.


ADA recommends individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are taught to adjust insulin for dietary fat however optimal adjustments are not yet clear. This study aimed to determine 1) the relationship between the 'amount' and 'type' of dietary fat and glycemia and 2) the optimal insulin adjustments for dietary fat. Six adults with T1D using insulin pump therapy attended the research clinic on 9 to 12 occasions. On the first 6 visits, participants consumed meals containing 45g CHO with either 0g, 20g, 40g, or 60g fat and either saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) or polyunsaturated (PUFA) fat. Insulin was dosed using individual insulin: carbohydrate ratio as a dual-wave 50/50% split over 2h. On subsequent visits, participants repeated the 20 to 60g fat meals with the insulin dose estimated using a model predictive bolus, with up to 2 repeats/meal until glycemic control achieved. With the same insulin dose, mean 5h incremental area under the curve (iAUC) was increased by 46%, 23% and 139% for the 3 fat loads relative to the 0g fat meal (0g: 509 ± 153; 20g: 742 ± 742; 40g: 626 ± 74; 60g: 1216 ± 434mmol/L.min; ns). The type of fat made small but non-significant differences to the 5h iAUC. To achieve glycemic control, on average, participants required 20-60% more insulin, delivered as a dual-wave over 1.25-2h. This study provides foundation for mealtime insulin dosing recommendations for dietary fat in T1D. Disclosure K. Bell: Other Relationship; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. S. Duke: None. K.M. Alexander: None. M. McGill: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott. Speaker9s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca. Advisory Panel; Self; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.. Speaker9s Bureau; Self; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. J. Wong: Speaker9s Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company. G. Fulcher: Other Relationship; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc., Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. S.M. Twigg: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott. Consultant; Self; Abbott. Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company. Speaker9s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.. Other Relationship; Self; Abbott. J. Brand-Miller: Board Member; Self; Glycemic Index Foundation. Other Relationship; Self; Hachette Australia. Stock/Shareholder; Spouse/Partner; Novo Nordisk A/S. Other Relationship; Self; Pam Krauss Books. G.M. Steil: Consultant; Self; Profusa, Eli Lilly and Company.


By deploying additional low power nodes (LPNs) within the coverage area of traditional high power nodes (HPNs) and bringing them closer to users, underlay heterogeneous networks (HetNets) can significantly boost the overall spectral efficiency (SE) and energy efficiency (EE) through a full spatial resource reuse. Considering that the severe intra-tier interference among dense LPNs and inter-tier interference between LPNs and HPNs are challenging the successful rollout and commercial operations of underlay HetNets, a great emphasis is given towards advanced techniques that take interference control, radio resource allocation, and self-organization into account to enhance both SE and EE in this paper. The interference control techniques presented in this paper are classified as the spatial interference coordination at the transmitter and the interference cancelation at the receiver. For the radio resource allocation, the multi-dimensional optimization, cross-layer optimization, and cooperative radio resource management are comprehensively summarized. The self-configuration, self-optimization, and self-healing techniques for the self-organized underlay HetNets are surveyed. Furthermore, this paper outlines the potential open issues for underlay HetNets to improve SE and EE when combining with energy harvesting and cloud computing.


The muscle strengths in various postures are still used in the workplace, although mechanization and automation have been continuously accomplished. The aim of this study is to measure the maximum muscle strength and analyze the muscle fatigue during the various wrench jobs which are one of the upper limbs related works. Four hundreds and eighty five college students (243 males and 242 females) were participated in this study. Twelve muscle strengths which are using for pulling, pushing, lifting and lowering the wrench with various postures are measured. For every movement, the muscle strengths for both hands were measured. In each measurement, five seconds averaged value and peak value were collected. The averaged value of preferred hand and non-preferred hand was compared. Also, the averaged value of opposite movement was compared through t-test. The fatigue of agonist for each movement was analyzed using EMG analysis. The results of this study can provide some basic information not only in designing the tools in work but also in selection, training and management of workers.


Most patients with colon cancer are surgically treated, with postoperative association of chemotherapy and possibly immunotherapy in advanced cases. Surgical treatment is chosen depending on the evolution stage, tumor topography and the existence of complications, colonic surgery being dictated by colonic vascularization. The radical character of the surgical intervention can be assured only in the early stages of the tumor. Colostomy is rarely necessary in patients with colon cancer. In the period of the last 5 years (2007-2011), 307 patients with colon cancer were operated in "Colentina" Surgical Clinic, radical intervention being possible only in 219 cases. 48 cases were emergency interventions for occlusion or perforation with peritonitis. Every time the mechanical preparation of the bowel was not possible, the intraoperative washout technique was used. Postoperative complications were met in 27 cases, being represented by bleeding (3 cases), peritoneal abscess (5 cases), anastomotic fistula (7 cases), abdominal wound infection (12 cases). In 5 cases the operation was done laparoscopically. Preoperative mortality was of 13 cases. Postoperative chemotherapy was done in the great majority of cases.


BACKGROUND
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune chronic multisystem disorder with a plethora of cutaneous manifestations. These manifestations often may be the only presenting complaint. Early identification of these help in diagnosing grievous systemic manifestations and their prompt and appropriate treatment.

AIMS
To study the clinical profile of SSc, modified Rodnan's skin scoring (mRSS), nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) patterns, antibody profile in the western India population, and their association with cutaneous manifestations.

METHODS
Patients of SSc fulfilling the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2013 classification of SSc criteria, who attended dermatology outpatient department (OPD) between January 2017 and September 2018 were included in the study. The demographic data, cutaneous features, autoantibody profile, mRSS, and NFC pattern were noted Results: A total of 60 patients (57 females and 3 males; mean age years) of SSc were evaluated. Clinical subtypes were 40 diffuse cutaneous SSc and 20 limited cutaneous SSc. The most common presenting symptoms were Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) (95%) and skin tightening (90%). The common cutaneous findings were sclerodactyly (86.7%), stellate scars (78.3%), parrot-beaked nose (76.7%), mask-like facies (75%), microstomia (56.7%), salt and pepper pigmentation (55%), puffy finger (46.7%), telangiectasia (46.7%), digital ulcer (38.3%), fixed flexion deformity (33.3%), and calcinosis cutis (8.33%). Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) had mRSS score of 8.3 ± 4.1 and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) subset had a score of 28 ± 10.4. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), Anti-topoisomerase antibody (ATA), and anti-centromere antibody (ACA) were positive in 59, 49, and 7 patients, respectively. The NFC patterns were early (23.3%), active (45%), and late (18.3%).

LIMITATION
The sample size of the study was small. We were not able to determine the significance of other less common autoantibodies with scleroderma.

CONCLUSION
The study highlights the importance of identifying early cutaneous findings and the role of a useful diagnostic and prognostic reproducible scoring system (mRSS) and NFC.


We extended Wilson and Cleary's (1995) health-related quality of life model to examine the relationships among symptom status (Symptoms), functional health (Disability), and quality of life (QOL). Using a community sample (N = 956) of male HIV positive patients, we tested a mediation model in which the relationship between Symptoms and QOL is partially mediated by Disability. Common and unique ideas from 3 approaches to examining moderation of effects in mediational models (Edwards & Lambert, 2007; MacKinnon, 2008; Preacher, Rucker, & Hayes, 2007) were used to test whether (a) the direct relationship of Symptoms to QOL and (b) the relationship of Disability to QOL are moderated by age. In the mediation model, both the direct and the indirect (mediated) effects were significant. The direct relationship of Symptoms to QOL was significantly moderated by age, but the relationship of Disability to QOL was not. High Symptoms were associated with lower QOL at all ages, but this relationship became stronger at older ages. We compare the 3 approaches and consider their advantages over traditional approaches to combining mediation and moderation.


Maternal habitat preferences of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are well documented from decades of coastal research but oceanic areas have received less attention. Whales breeding in New Caledonia occupy both ecosystems: a coastal reef complex (South Lagoon) and oceanic seamounts (Southern Seamounts). Generalized additive models were applied to 20 years of boat-based whale observations (n = 1,526) to describe habitat preferences and permissive home range estimations were used to explicitly model spatial segregation in relation to social context. Groups with calves (n = 206) preferred shallow coastal waters throughout the season in the South Lagoon, whereas no habitat segregation was observed between groups with (n = 74) and without calves (n = 140) in the Southern Seamounts. As a result, spatial overlap between groups with and without calves was more common in the Southern Seamounts than the South Lagoon. Despite a lack of social segregation around seamounts, mother-calf pairs were proportionally more frequent in the Southern Seamounts (27%) than in the South Lagoon (16%). Photographs of the calves' dorsal flanks were analyzed to compare age and ecological markers across sites. Calves appeared older in the Southern Seamounts than in the South Lagoon but no difference in scarring or shark bites was found across sites, suggesting that calves experienced similar lifestyles and may move between offshore and coastal waters during the breeding season. This study highlights the flexible habitatuse patterns of breeding humpback whales and raises new questions about the environmental and social drivers of their presence in offshore breeding grounds.


Radiation from hypothetical charged particles having velocities faster than the velocity of light is examined. It is found that such particles may emit radiation as other particles too when accelerated. For longitudinal acceleration the radiation received in the observer's frame is real and positive. For transverse acceleration, however, it has negative energy. Hence either transcendent matter does not radiate at all, or it cannot be electrically charged. In the case one accepts the possibility of radiation at negative energy, transcendent matter could become a source of negative (absorbing) radiation postulated to exist in some quantum cosmologies.


Many mammals create food stores to enhance overwinter survival in seasonal environments. Strategic arrangement of food within caches may facilitate the physical integrity of the cache or improve access to high-quality food to ensure that cached resources meet future nutritional demands. We used the American pika (Ochotona princeps), a food-caching lagomorph, to evaluate variation in haypile (cache) structure (i.e., horizontal layering by plant functional group) in Wyoming, United States. Fifty-five percent of 62 haypiles contained at least 2 discrete layers of vegetation. Adults and juveniles layered haypiles in similar proportions. The probability of layering increased with haypile volume, but not haypile number per individual or nearby forage diversity. Vegetation cached in layered haypiles was also higher in nitrogen compared to vegetation in unlayered piles. We found that American pikas frequently structured their food caches, structured caches were larger, and the cached vegetation in structured piles was of higher nutritional quality. Improving access to stable, high-quality vegetation in haypiles, a critical overwinter food resource, may allow individuals to better persist amidst harsh conditions.


Recently, it has been pointed out that the use of time-dependent transition rates to explain the non-exponential time-dependence of the dielectric relaxation that is often observed does not lead to the relationship between the responses in the frequency and time domains that is predicted by the superposition principle and linear response theory and which is observed experimentally. In this paper the authors show that such a correspondence is obtained if the transition rates of the entities involved depend intrinsically on the ages of the states rather than on the absolute time.


Abstract The theory of alternate stable states provides an explanation for rapid ecosystem degradation, yielding important implications for ecosystem conservation and restoration. However, utilizing this theory to initiate transitions from degraded to desired ecosystem states remains a significant challenge. Applications of the alternative stable states framework may currently be impeded by a mismatch between local‐scale driving processes and landscape‐scale emergent system transitions. We show how nucleation theory provides an elegant bridge between local‐scale positive feedback mechanisms and landscape‐scale transitions between alternate stable ecosystem states. Geometrical principles can be used to derive a critical patch radius: a spatially explicit, local description of an unstable equilibrium point. This insight can be used to derive an optimal patch size that minimizes the cost of restoration, and to provide a framework to measure the resilience of desired ecosystem states to the synergistic effects of disturbance and environmental change.


Vinylidenecyclopropanes undergo hydrobromination or alkoxybromination in the presence of N-bromosuccinimide and water or alcohols to give the corresponding vinylbromohydrin and vinylbromoalkoxy derivatives in moderate to excellent yields at room temperature. These vinylbromohydrin derivatives can be easily transformed to alpha-allenic alcohols in the presence of Et3N under mild conditions. In addition, the cyclocarbonylation of alpha-allenic alcohols with CO catalyzed by palladium chloride to give the corresponding lactones under different reaction conditions has been described.


The isotopic composition of noble gases in the mantle can provide clues for the early history of Earth. In this Perspective,
 Kaneoka
 discusses the insights gained from a new analysis of the noble gas isotopic composition of oceanic island basalts from Hawaii and Iceland by Trieloff
 et al. (page
 1036). The results indicate an atmospheric origin of mantle noble gases, supporting the idea that the whole mantle contains pristine heavier noble gases with isotopic compositions that cannot be distinguished from those of the atmosphere, except for the radiogenic components, with important implications for the homogenization of the early Earth.


We examine how professions responded to a potential change in jurisdictional boundaries by analyzing the written submissions of five professional associations in reaction to a government proposal to strengthen interprofessional collaboration, relating these responses to the professions' field positions. We identify four foci for framing used by the professions to discursively develop their boundary claims: (1) framing the issue of interprofessional collaboration (issue framing), (2) framing of justifications for favored solutions (justifying), (3) framing the profession's own identity (self-casting), and (4) framing other professions' identities (altercasting). We find that professions employed these foci differently depending on two dimensions of their field positions – status and centrality. Our study contributes to the literature by identifying distinctive ways through which the foci for framing may be mobilized in situations of boundary contestation, and by theorizing how field position in terms of status and centrality influences actors' framing strategies.


Natural markers (δ13C and δ18O stable isotopes) in the cuttlebones of the European common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) were determined for individuals collected across a substantial portion of their range in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean (NEAO) and Mediterranean Sea. Cuttlebone δ13C and δ18O were quantified for core and edge material to characterize geochemical signatures associated with early (juvenile) and recent (sub-adult/adult) life-history periods, respectively. Regional shifts in cuttlebone δ13C and δ18O values were detected across the 12 sites investigated. Individuals collected from sites in the NEAO displayed more enriched δ13C and δ18O values relative to sites in the Mediterranean Sea, with the latter also showing salient differences in both markers among western, central and eastern collection areas. Classification success based on cuttlebone δ13C and δ18O values to four geographical regions (NEAO, western, central and eastern Mediterranean Sea) was relatively high, suggesting that environmental conditions in each region were distinct and produced area-specific geochemical signatures on the cuttlebones of S. officinalis. A modified δ13C and δ18O baseline was developed from sites proximal to the Strait of Gibraltar in both the NEAO and Mediterranean Sea to assess potential mixing through this corridor. Nearly, all (95%) of δ13C and δ18O signatures of S. officinalis collected in the area of the NEAO closest to the Strait of Gibraltar (Gulf of Cadiz) matched the signatures of specimens collected in the western Mediterranean, signifying potential movement and mixing of individuals through this passageway. This study extends the current application of these geochemical markers for assessing the natal origin and population connectivity of this species and potentially other taxa that inhabit this geographical area.


The inhibitory effects of various synthetic oligosaccharides (1-8) on anti-lipid IV antiserum binding activity were examined by ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). Compound 8, containing an epitope GlcA-4Me beta 1-4Fuc of lipid IV, inhibited but precursors (1-5) of lipid IV did not inhibit the binding activity. In addition to the nonreducing end disaccharide derivative (6) having a methyl group at position 4 of glucuronic acid, its analogous compound (7) having no methyl groups was synthesized and their inhibition activities were compared. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of compounds (1-5) were examined using each antiserum.


At the onset of an indoor fire emergency, the availability of the information becomes critical due to the chaotic situation at the emergency site. Moreover, if information is lacking, not shared, or responders are too overloaded to acknowledge it, lives can be lost and property can be harmed. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to identify information items that are needed for first responders during search and rescue operations. The authors use an educational building fire emergency as a case and show how first responders can be supported by getting access to information that are stored in different information systems. The research methodology used was a combination of literature review, fire drills participation, and semi-structured interviews with first responders from different emergency organizations. The results presented are identified information items and an information model.


The process of change involves major crises and conflicts and is not usually predictable. Change leadership is not directed only to improve results, but also to determine people to behave in line with the perspectives, values and beliefs as "correct". But culture change is driven by values - change effort is geared towards the socialization of individuals to determine to adopt new values and concepts so as to act accordingly, thus improving quality of life within the organization. Such changes are deemed necessary when the current fundamental beliefs leading to adverse effects.


Various control algorithms are used in autonomic control to maintain Quality of Service (QoS) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Controllers are all based to some extent on models of the relationship between resources, QoS measures, and the workload imposed by the environment. This work discusses the range of algorithms with an emphasis on richer and more powerful models to describe non-linear performance relationships, and strong interactions among the system resources. A hierarchical framework is described which accommodates different scopes and timescales of control actions, and different control algorithms. The control algorithms and architectures can be considered in three stages: tuning, load balancing and provisioning. Different situations warrant different solutions, so this work shows how different control algorithms and architectures at the three stages can be combined to fit into different autonomic environments to meet QoS and SLAs across a large variety of workloads.


We introduce the Concept→Model→Graph→View Cycle (CMGVC). The CMGVC facilitates coherent architecture analysis, reasoning, insight, and decision making based on conceptual models that are transformed into a generic, robust graph data structure (GDS). The GDS is then transformed into multiple views of the model, which inform stakeholders in various ways. This GDS-based approach decouples the view from the model and constitutes a powerful enhancement of model-based systems engineering (MBSE). The CMGVC applies the rigorous foundations of Category Theory, a mathematical framework of representations and transformations. We show that modeling languages are categories, drawing an analogy to programming languages. The CMGVC architecture is superior to direct transformations and language-coupled common representations. We demonstrate the CMGVC to transform a conceptual system architecture model built with the Object Process Modeling Language (OPM) into dual graphs and a stakeholder-informing matrix that stimulates system architecture insight.


Pharmacogenetics is the study of genetic variation that causes variation in drug levels (pharmacokinetics), drug response (pharmacodynamics) and adverse drug reactions. Pharmacogenetics aims at identifying biomarkers that allows a personalized drug treatment and thereby increased drug efficacy and reduced occurrence of adverse drug reactions. The highest genetic influence on interindividual variability in drug bioavailability is exerted by polymorphism in cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes encoding enzymes of critical importance for drug metabolism. In the current thesis, genetic factors behind the interindividual variation in CYP2C19 and CYP3A expression and activity have been investigated. A yet unidentified member of the CYP3A subfamily, CYP3A43, was cloned and characterized. It was found that CYP3A43 expression was insignificant in human tissues and that the cDNA-expressed protein did not translate into detectable protein or catalytically active enzyme in a variety of heterologous expression systems. Thus, we concluded that CYP3A43 does not contribute to interindividual variation in CYP3A activity. CYP3A5 has been claimed to be polymorphically expressed at very high levels in Caucasians and CYP3A5 expression has been suggested to account for a large part of the interindividual differences in CYP3A activity. However, using antibodies raised against the Cterminal peptide of CYP3A5 and a peptide-conjugate as standard, we could show that the average expression in Caucasian liver is only 2 % of total CYP3A, although some livers with higher expression were identified. By contrast, we found that the fetal form of CYP3A, i.e. CYP3A7, unexpectedly accounted for a similar amount of CYP3A protein as that of CYP3A5 in adult human livers. The expression was to some extent associated to the presence of the previously described CYP3A7*1C allele. It is concluded that additional genetic factors remain to be identified in order to explain the interindividual differences in CYP3A activity. CYP2C19 catalyzes the metabolism of e.g. proton pump inhibitors and antidepressants and its genetic polymorphism significantly affects drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. There is a high interindividual variability in homozygote carriers of wildtype alleles, the basis of which has not been known. We were able to identify a new common allele (CYP2C19*17) containing a -806C>T mutation that introduces a functional transcription factor element that results in binding of nuclear factors and increased transcriptional activity. Analyses in Ethiopians and Swedes revealed a significant influence of CYP2C19*17 on drug pharmacokinetics and it was calculated that homozygous carriers will have about 40% lower omeprazole area under the plasma concentration-time curve after a single dose as compared to homozygotes for the wildtype allele. Thus, this is the first study to provide with a basis for the variability in CYP2C19 activity among subjects previously defined as homozygous for the wildtype allele. It is suggested that CYP2C19*17 may contribute to a higher frequency of non-responders during antiulcer and possibly also antidepressant therapy.


Source models are determined for the three underground nuclear explosions at the Amchitka test site using seismic observations in the period range 0.5 to 20.0 sec. Empirical yield-scaling relations are inferred from the source models and compared with the predictions of the Haskell, Mueller-Murphy, and finite difference numerical models. Several recent studies of high-frequency, near-field signals and teleseismic short-period P waves for LONGSHOT, MILROW, and CANNIKIN constrain the source functions at periods of 0.5 to 2.0 sec. Teleseismic pS and Rayleigh wave observations are used to constrain the source functions at longer periods. Using a modified Haskell source time function representation given by

ψ(t) = ψ_∞ {1-e^(-kt)[1 + Kt + (Kt)^2/2-B(Kt)^3]},

the data are best-fit if the corner frequency parameter, K, scales as predicted by the Mueller-Murphy model, and if the amount of overshoot in the reduced displacement potential, which is proportional to B, decreases with increasing yield (depth of burial). The latter behavior is opposite to that predicted by the Mueller-Murphy model and follows from the observation that the long-period level of the explosion potential, ψ_∝, increases with yield, W, by ψ_∝ ∝ W^(0.90), or with yield and depth by ψ_∝ ∝ W/h^(1/3). This long-period and overshoot scaling is consistent with that found for some numerical models, and allowing for the depth dependence of the Rayleigh wave excitation, results in the observed M_S versus log(W) slope of ∼1. The decrease in overshoot with increasing depth of burial may be the result of the increase in shear strength with increasing overburden pressure. If yield or depth dependence of the source potential overshoot proves to be a general phenomenon, a possibility supported by a preliminary investigation of Pahute Mesa observations, accurate yield estimation will require broadband seismic data. The source function representation adopted is shown to provide an excellent fit to the rise time of very near-in velocity recordings to the rise time with frequencies of 10 Hz and higher.


Alginate hydrogel polymer microspheres are usually prepared by inverse suspending method. The main problem is the remained suspending medium and surfactant on the beads. Syringe dropping or extruding method avoids using of the organic solvents. However, it is difficult to control the particle dimension and produce in large quantity. We have developed a new method called nitrogen gas jetting-dropping (GJD) method for the preparation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) imprinted polymer microspheres based on calcium alginate hydrogel. The microspheres can be produced continuously without using any hydrophobic medium or surfactant. The particle diameter is controlled by adjusting pressure and needle dimension. BSA-imprinted alginate microspheres were prepared by the GJD method and the rebinding tests were investigated. The equilibrium rebinding capacity ranged from 0.01 to 0.014 μmol/g. The imprinting efficiency towards BSA was from 1.46 to 2.17 with the greatest separation factor of 1.523 against a contrastive template ovalbumin (OVA). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010


Ascochyta blight (AB) is a consistent problem affecting large growing areas of chickpea in all countries where this crop is cultivated. This disease is capable of causing large yield losses under conducive environmental conditions. To characterize the genetics of resistance to AB in chickpea, a population consisting of 77 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from an inter-specific cross of Cicer arietinum (FLIP84-92C, resistant parent) x Cicer reticulatum Lad. (PI 599072, susceptible parent) was used. Each RIL and the parents were inoculated with blight spores by spraying. The RILs were scored for disease reactions under greenhouse conditions at 20 °C in a 12 h photoperiod. A linkage map was constructed using RAPD markers. Eleven linkage groups were obtained, of which three were small. The map spanned 889.1 cM with an average marker density of 10.1 cM. Two QTL were detected on linkage groups 1 and 4, which together explained 31% of the total phenotypic variation for AB resistance. These markers can improve precision of molecular breeding in this population.


Most colleges and universities invest substantial resources in an effort to strategically plan for a sound financial base. The revenue for the financial base is dependent on student enrollment that must be effectively managed. Increases in the price of tuition and fees can lead to decreased enrollment and negatively impact the revenue of an institution. The increases can also impact the enrollment of certain student populations such as minority students and high school graduates enrolling in college for the first time. Many studies have analyzed the price elasticity and student price response models that have been developed over time by reviewing historical price increases and enrollment across institutions. Few studies have used the models to predict changes in the enrollment of students for one college or university after the increases in the cost of attendance are imposed on students. This study sought to analyze the effectiveness of the most commonly reviewed student price response and price elasticity models in predicting changes in undergraduate enrollment at one metropolitan academic university. The three models introduced by Leslie and Brinkman, St. John and Heller were used to analyze the tuition and fee increases and to identify the likely percentage of increase or decrease in student enrollment at the University of North Texas for the fall 2004 semester. The study predicted the change in undergraduate enrollment among Caucasian, Hispanic, African American and Asian student populations. The price elasticity among full-time students, part-time students, undergraduate transfer students and new from high school students entering the University of North Texas were also analyzed in the research study. The results of the study found the student price response developed by Heller accurately predicted decreases in enrollment among first-time undergraduate students, continuing undergraduate students and undergraduate Caucasian students. The model introduced by Heller accurately predicted increases in enrollment among first-time Asian undergraduate students, first-time African American undergraduate students, continuing Asian undergraduate students and continuing African American undergraduate students. The study found an inelastic demand to price elasticity among full-time and part-time students and undergraduate transfer students. New from high school students were found to have an elastic demand to price elasticity.


An in-line and real time chromatic sensor for liquids based on plastic optical fiber was developed. It uses an air gap, fiber to fiber, transmission principle. Its dependency to turbidity and refractive index is studied and characterized. This information will provide the necessary knowledge for future implementation of more complex auto-compensations routines. Due to the predictable behavior of the sensor to variations of turbidity and refractive index, it is shown that a posterior compensation could be applied for the discrimination of color. The real-time color sensor can be used in different turbid liquids and contain different refractive indices.


Background Vascular calcification is strongly related to the risk of mortality and cardiovascular (CV) diseases. In vascular calcification, matrix Gla protein (MGP), a small vitamin K-dependent protein, is an important mineralization inhibitor. Recent studies showed that circulating MGP is associated with mortality risk. However, the longitudinal association between urinary excretion of MGP and all-cause mortality was not established. Materials and methods Urinary MGP was measured in 776 randomly recruited Flemish population (mean age: 51.2 years; 50.9% women) at baseline (during 2005–2010) using capillary electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry. Plasma inactive MGP [desphospho-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP)] levels were quantified in 646 individuals by ELISA kits. Mortality status was ascertained through the Belgian Population Registry until 2016. The longitudinal association with mortality was determined by the multivariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models. The multivariate linear regression models were used to identify determinants of urinary MGP level. Results Over the 9.2 years, 47 (6.06%) participants died, including 15 CV deaths. For a doubling of urinary MGP, the hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.31 (95% CI: 1.01–1.69, P = 0.040) for all-cause mortality and 2.05 (95% CI: 1.11–3.79, P = 0.023) for CV mortality with adjustment for covariates, including estimated glomerular filtration rate and urine microalbumin. The addition of urinary MGP to the basic models improved the reclassification as suggested by the increased net reclassification improvement [64.01% (95% CI: 32.64–98.63)] and integrated discrimination improvement [2.33% (95% CI: 0.24–4.71)]. Circulating inactive MGP, total cholesterol, urine microalbumin, and smoking were significantly associated with urinary MGP levels (P ≤ 0.041), independent of sex and age. Conclusion Elevated urinary MGP was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and CV mortality and improved the risk reclassification for all-cause mortality. These findings suggested that urinary MGP might be useful in mortality risk assessment in the general population. However, these observations need to be replicated in larger studies with a longer follow-up time.


Introduction Small bowel ulcers are frequently reported on capsule endoscopy (CE) and double balloon enteroscopy (DBE). The aetiology is not always clear. Histology is useful in addition to clinical symptoms and blood parameters to aid diagnosis and further management. Enteroscopy allows both direct visualisation of the mucosa and histological sampling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of DBE on management of patients with small bowel ulcers. Method A retrospective review of DBE's performed for suspected Crohn's disease from 2006–2014 was carried out. Data was collected for demographics, clinical symptoms and blood parameters. Findings at DBE, histology and subsequent follow up were noted. Results In our series of 399 DBEs, 122 procedures were performed in 102 patients (male = 44; female = 58; mean age 46 (range 18–84)) for suspected Crohn's disease (53 oral; 69 retrograde). Ninety percent (n = 92/102) of patients had a prior CE. Ten patients were unable to have CE due to a retained patency capsule or contraindications, however had abnormal radiology preceding DBE. Positive DBE findings were found in 56% of patients (n = 57; ulcers n = 47; stricture n = 8; abnormal mucosa n = 2). Forty percent of patients (n = 41/102) were eventually treated for Crohn's disease. In 22 patients the histology was diagnostic (n = 7) or supportive (n = 15) for Crohn's disease. Fifty-eight percent of patients with small bowel ulceration had non-diagnostic histology (normal n = 22; non-specific changes n = 11). Of the 33 patients with non-diagnostic histology, 58% (n = 19) were subsequently treated for presumed Crohn's disease based on clinical symptoms, blood parameters and macroscopic findings on endoscopic investigations. Thirteen patients who were treated as Crohn's disease had immunosuppressive therapy (azathioprine +/- anti-TNF or methotrexate). Eleven patients were empirically treated with steroids only and two patients were referred for surgery. The mean follow period for patients in the Yorkshire region was 29 months (range 1–104 months). The remainder of patients were treated for vasculitis (n = 1), latent TB (n = 1), functional symptoms (n = 4) and nsaid enteropathy (n = 3) in whom NSAIDs were discontinued. In 15% of patients no specific cause was found. Two patients were found to have carcinoid (n = 1) and follicular lymphoma (n = 1) on histology. Conclusion DBE has a useful place in clarifying the diagnosis in about half of patients with small bowel ulcers. Although histology can be non-diagnostic, the combination of the macroscopic appearance with clinical correlation is helpful in the diagnosis and management. Longer term follow up data would be useful. Disclosure of interest None Declared.


This paper presents a universal SPICE model for field-effect transistors, which is independent from technology and semiconductor material. The created behavioral simulation model is based on a set of collected measurement data. The temperature-dependent output characteristics are modeled using a hybrid approach consisting of lookup tables and analytical equations. This leads to fast simulation times and very high accuracy. The validity for the static temperature-dependent behavior of this approach is verified for one SiC and one GaN transistor using the respective datasheet curves. The transistors nonlinear capacitances are modeled in dependence of their inter-electrode voltages. In order to verify the validity in the dynamic range, the universal model is applied to a GaN high-electron-mobility transistor. Double pulse measurements are used for the dynamic validation at a characterized measurement test bench regarding its parasitic elements. Therewith a proper validation of the simulation model at switching transients as low as 5 ns is achieved.


Waiting in line is now becoming a common problem in our daily life and long waiting in queues results in loss of customers, bad reputation etc. Hence queuing and waiting time analysis is particularly important in service systems. Management of queues plays a critical role in the health care management as it deals with the issue of treatment of patients to provide better assistance. This research aims to study the outpatient department of a multi-specialty hospital in Kerala using a single line multiple server queue. For the study, we have collected the data on arrivals, waiting time, service pattern and departures during 7 days (considering 3 servers) from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm and used them as input data in the M/M/C model. The computation of performance measures corresponding to M/M/1, M/M/2 and M/M/3 queuing models shows the average waiting time of patients in the queue and system, the average length of queue and system, the percentage of server utilization, etc. can be reduced by incrementing the number of servers. Also, the plot of delay probability with the number of servers and arrival rate shows that delay probability decreases if the number of servers increases and increases with the increase of arrival rate. The analysis of the study of hospital data using queuing models shows that instead of having three doctors at present there is a need for a minimum of seven doctors to reduce the delay time of patients and thus get the facility immediately.


Advanced numerical models used for climate prediction are known to exhibit biases in their simulated climate response to variable concentrations of the atmospheric greenhouse gases and aerosols that force a non-uniform, in space and time, secular global warming. We argue here that these biases can be particularly pronounced due to misrepresentation, in these models, of the multidecadal internal climate variability characterized by large-scale, hemispheric-to-global patterns. This point is illustrated through the development and analysis of a prototype climate model comprised of two damped linear oscillators, which mimic interannual and multidecadal internal climate dynamics and are set into motion via a combination of stochastic driving, representing weather noise, and deterministic external forcing inducing a secular climate change. The model time series are paired with pre-specified patterns in the physical space and form, conceptually, a spatially extended time series of the zonal-mean near-surface temperature, which is further contaminated by a spatiotemporal noise simulating the rest of climate variability. The choices of patterns and model parameters were informed by observations and climate-model simulations of the 20th century near-surface air temperature. Our main finding is that the intensity and spatial patterns of the internal multidecadal variability associated with the slow-oscillator model component greatly affect (i) the ability of modern pattern-recognition/fingerprinting methods to isolate the forced response of the climate system in the 20th century ensemble simulations and (ii) climate-system predictability, especially decadal predictability, as well as the estimates of this predictability using climate models in which the internal multidecadal variability is underestimated or otherwise misrepresented.


The authentication of web service combination is the key to ensure the normal working of the combination service. Many methods of current web service combination are half-formalization, which can come out many errors and not easy to be detected, so the correctness is hard to be ensured. The paper introduces the Transfer matrix to analyze the deadlock problem in web service combination, and adopt Incidence matrix to ensure the accessibility of combination. Fuzzy Reasoning Petri net is the reasoning method of formalization authentication, which can achieve the credibility authentication, credibility and accessibility of the service combination. The result of the experiment show the method is an good authentication method.


Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8; also designated Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) is the likely etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). HHV-8 encodes a latent nuclear antigen (LNA) which is the product of the viral gene orf 73. LNA is recognized by most infected patient sera and is the basis of current immunofluorescence assays used in epidemiological studies of HHV-8 infection. Here we describe the characterization of four monoclonal antibodies raised to the C-terminal third of LNA–glutathione S -transferase fusion proteins. These monoclonal antibodies recognized discrete linear epitopes within the C terminus and repetitive region of LNA, detected antigen in primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells, and precipitated a 220-to 230-kDa protein doublet corresponding to LNA from HHV-8-infected PEL cell lines. In situ immunocyto-chemistry of KS lesions with these antibodies show that LNA is extensively expressed in KS spindle cells. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8; also designated Kaposi's sar-coma-associated herpesvirus) is the first known human member of the genus Rhadinovirus within the Herpesviridae (


The article is devoted to the historical memory of the West Siberian peasant uprising of 1921. In addition, the authors study the signs of cultural trauma among the descendants of the uprising's participants and discuss the process of forgetting and accentuating trauma in local communities. The paper is based on field materials (2018) in the Tyumen region, supplemented by archival and published materials. During the Soviet period, the historical memory of the peasant uprising was represented through official publications and school education. According to the official point of view, the rebels, as people who protected their property, ended up in the negative category of the "Whites" or were completely excluded from the context of the events of the 1920s. Based on the description of cultural trauma (Eyerman), we argue that the memory of peasant uprisings became traumatic only in the post-Soviet period, after the formation of the opinion "all participants of the uprising are victims" in public space. Local history experts regularly reproduce social practices of commemoration in the Tyumen region. However, these practices have not become part of the public discourse. The reason for this is the loss of family memory replaced by collective historical memory.


In this paper we study the personalized text search problem. The keyword based search method in conventional algorithms has a low efficiency in understanding users' intention since the semantic meaning, user profile, user interests are not always considered. Firstly, we propose a novel text search algorithm using a inverse filtering mechanism that is very efficient for label based item search. Secondly, we adopt the Bayesian network to implement the user interest prediction for an improved personalized search. According to user input, it searches the related items using keyword information, predicted user interest. Thirdly, the word vectorization is used to discover potential targets according to the semantic meaning. Experimental results show that the proposed search engine has an improved efficiency and accuracy and it can operate on embedded devices with very limited computational resources.


A new approach is proposed in the application of the weakly nonlinear theory, initiated by J. T. Stuart, to the problem of stability of plane Poiseuille flow in the subcritical range. Some results of computation are presented. The calculated threshold amplitudes for Reynolds number R = 5000 and 4000 with different frequencies are compared with Nishioka's experimental observations. The results are encouraging.


Casimir forces arise from vacuum fluctuations. They are fully understood only for simple models, and are important in nanoand microtechnologies. We report our experience of computer algebra calculations towards the Casimir force for models involving inhomogeneous dielectrics. We describe a methodology that greatly increases confidence in any results obtained, and use this methodology to demonstrate that the analytic derivation of scalar Green's tensors is at the boundary of current computer algebra technology. We further demonstrate that Lifshitz theory of electromagnetic vacuum energy can not be directly applied to calculate the Casimir stress for models of this type, and produce results that have led to alternative regularizations. Using a combination of our new computational framework and the new theory based on our results, we provide specific calculations of Casimir forces for planar dielectrics having permittivity that declines exponentially. We discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of computer algebra systems when applied to this type of problem, and describe a combined numerical and symbolic computational framework for calculating Casimir forces for arbitrary planar models. PACS numbers: 12.20.Ds, 42.50.Le Casimir forces for inhomogeneous planar media. 2


Lay patronage of religious houses remained of considerable importance during the late medieval period; but this is the first full-length study dedicated to the subject. Based on a wide range of medieval documentary sources, including wills, monastic registers, inquisitions post mortem, cartularies and episcopal registers, this book traces the descent of these later patrons and assesses their activities, in particular their bequests and benefactions, their involvement in the affairs of their houses, and their burials in the conventual churches; and it argues that the ties which bound the two parties together, whether amicable, indifferent or abusive, continued right up until the Dissolution brought monastic life in England and Wales to an end. Karen Stober is a Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Aberystwyth.


Fitness-for-Service codes require the evaluation of non-aligned multiple cracks in various practical applications. For on-site inspection, decision needs to be made on whether the cracks should be treated as coalesced or separate multiple cracks in case of non-aligned parallel cracks,. In the existing literature, criteria and standards for the adjustment of multiple nonaligned cracks are very source dependent, and those criteria and standards are often derived from on-site service experience without rigorous and systematic verification. Based on this observation, the authors previously reported on the effect between an edge and an embedded parallel crack in 2-D scenarios and, more recently, in 3-D scenarios of circular cracks. Since realistic crack configurations detected using non-destructive methods are generally 3-D in nature, the study of 3-D effect of non-aligned cracks with different shapes is deemed necessary in order to obtain more practical guidance in the usage of rules speculated in Fitness-for-Service codes. In this study, the effect of a semi-elliptic surface crack on a quarter-circle corner crack in an infinitely large plate under uniaxial tension was investigated. To keep this study more focused, the size of the quarter-circle corner crack was kept constant. A detailed analysis was then given to the crack shape effect of the embedded semi-elliptic cracks on the fixed quarter-circle corner crack. The analysis is repeated for various combinations of separation distances S and H between the two cracks. The results from this study are collectively significant to the understanding of the correlation between the criteria and standards in Fitness-for-Service community and the consequence of their usage in engineering practice.


The need to control in real-time the plasma parameters in fusion devices leads to the development of algorithms requiring intensive computation and providing results on a few hundred microseconds. The present work's objective was the implementation of the current filaments method (CF) to model in real-time the ISTTOK plasma shape and position. The hardware used was the on site developed PCI-TR-256 hardware configurable module, which includes the latest technology in DSP and FPGA. The algorithm estimates the position of the plasma column and generates the control signals for the vertical magnetic field actuators. The main advantage of this system is to provide a digital approach to feedback plasma position control with similar cycle times to those of analog systems but allowing flexible, user defined, algorithms.


In broadcast scenarios or in the absence of accurate channel probability distribution information, code design for consistent channel-by-channel performance, rather than average performance over a channel distribution, may be desirable. Root and Varaiya's compound channel theorem for linear Gaussian channels promises the existence of universal codes that operate reliably whenever the channel mutual information (MI) is above the transmitted rate. This paper presents two-dimensional trellis codes that provide such universal performance over the compound linear vector Gaussian channel when demultiplexed over two, three, and four transmit antennas. The presented trellis codes, found by exhaustive search, guarantee consistent performance on every matrix channel that supports the information transmission rate with an MI gap that is similar to the capacity gap of a well-designed additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN)-specific code on the AWGN channel. As a result of their channel-by-channel consistency, the universal trellis codes presented here also deliver comparable, or, in some cases, superior, frame-error rate and bit-error rate performance under quasi-static Rayleigh fading, as compared with trellis codes of similar complexity that are designed specifically for the quasi-static Rayleigh-fading scenario


Today, tetanus is a rare disease in England and Wales although in less developed and less affluent areas of the World it is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in neonates and women following childbirth. An estimated 400,000 deaths worldwide occur annually from neonatal tetanus and in 1989 the World Health Organization adopted the goal of eliminating neonatal tetanus as a public health problem by 1995-2000. This goal has not yet been achieved worldwide; however in England and Wales tetanus in neonates and young women has been extremely rare for the last 50 years. We can attribute the success in eliminating tetanus in the UK to the adoption of highly effective preventative measures as we know that the causative organism is still ubiquitous in the environment. This article outlines how we have achieved the elimination of tetanus in the UK through the development and introduction of appropriately targeted immunisation, combined with an appreciation of the importance of adequate wound toilet measures. The discovery of tetanus toxoid and its applicability for vaccination has been of great benefit and the new challenges which we face relate to the introduction of new multi-component vaccines and how we might better protect the elderly. In other parts of the world, for the cost of a few pence, one dose of tetanus toxoid can still mean the difference between life and death.


Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are resident in the lung and are involved in both the maintenance of homeostasis and the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases. In this study, murine lung ILC were characterised using flow cytometry and the impact of mouse age, sex and strain were assessed. Lung ILC were found as early as postnatal day 4 and numbers peaked at 2 weeks, and then decreased as the lung matured. During postnatal lung development, ILC expressed differential amounts of ILC2-associated cell surface antigens including ST2, CD90.2 and ICOS. Using Il5venusIl13td-tomato dual reporter mice, neonates were found to have increased constitutive IL-13 expression compared to adult mice. Neonates and adults had similar ratios of IL-5+CD45+ leukocytes, however, these cells were mostly composed of ILC in neonates and T cells in adults. Sex-specific differences in ILC numbers were also observed, with females having greater numbers of lung ILC than males in both neonatal and adult mice. Female lung ILC also expressed higher levels of ICOS and decreased KLRG1. Mouse strain also impacted on lung ILC with BALB/c mice having more ILC in the lung and increased expression of ST2 and ICOS compared with C57BL/6J mice. Collectively, these data show that lung ILC numbers, cell surface antigen expression, IL-5 and IL-13 levels differed between neonatal and adult lung ILC. Additionally, cell surface antigens commonly used for ILC2 quantification, such as ST2, CD90.2, and ICOS, differ depending on age, sex and strain and these are important considerations for consistent universal identification of lung ILC2.


ABSTRACT The susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents of and distributions of antiseptic resistance genes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated between 1999 and 2004 in Japan were examined. The data of MRSA strains that are causative agents of impetigo and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) were compared with those of MRSA strains isolated from patients with other diseases. The susceptibilities to antiseptic agents in MRSA isolates from patients with impetigo and SSSS were higher than those in MRSA isolates from patients with other diseases. The distribution of the qacA/B genes in MRSA strains isolated from patients with impetigo and SSSS (1.3%, 1/76) was remarkably lower than that in MRSA strains isolated from patients with other diseases (45.9%, 95/207). Epidemiologic typings of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) showed that MRSA strains isolated from patients with impetigo and SSSS had type IV SCCmec (75/76), except for one strain, and 64.5% (49/76) of the strains had different PFGE types. In addition, the patterns of restriction digestion of all tested qacA/B plasmid in MRSA isolates having different PFGE types were identical. The results showed that a specific MRSA clone carrying qacA/B was not prevalent, but qacA/B was spread among health care-associated MRSA strains. Therefore, it was concluded that the lower distribution rate of qacA/B resulted in higher susceptibilities to cationic antiseptic agents in MRSA isolated from patients with impetigo and SSSS.


In order to correct the image distortion in the hyperspectral camera side-scan geometric Imaging, the image pixel geo-referenced algorithm was deduced in detail in the present paper, which is suitable to the linear push-broom camera side-scan imaging on the ground in any direction. It takes the orientation of objects in the navigation coordinates system into account. Combined with the ground sampling distance of geo-referenced image and the area of push broom imaging, the general process of geo-referenced image divided into grids is also presented. The new image rows and columns will be got through the geo-referenced image area dividing the ground sampling distance. Considering the error produced by round rule in the pixel grids generated progress, and the spectral mixing problem caused by traditional direct spectral sampling method in the process of image correction, the improved spectral sampling method based on the weighted fusion method was proposed. It takes the area proportion of adjacent pixels in the new generated pixel as coefficient and then the coefficients are normalized to avoid the spectral overflow. So the new generated pixel is combined with the geo-referenced adjacent pixels spectral. Finally the amounts of push-broom imaging experiments were taken on the ground, and the distortion images were corrected according to the algorithm proposed above. The results show that the linear image distortion correction algorithm is valid and robust. At the same time, multiple samples were selected in the corrected images to verify the spectral data. The results indicate that the improved spectral sampling method is better than the direct spectral sampling algorithm. It provides reference for the application of similar productions on the ground.


At its best, the adoption system brings families together and gives children a chance at a happy and healthy life; however, as it turns out, like many other systems in the United States, the adoption system is entrenched with systemic racism that may negatively impact a child's life. In this paper, I examine the following questions: In what ways does the adoption process favor one race over the other? Who is imagined as the parent and the child in a transracial adoption? What has the public's response been when the parent is a person of color? I first look at scholarship related to transracial adoptions and the arguments around whether transracial adoptions are beneficial for the children. I discuss some deeply rooted problems in transracial adoptions that may have a long term impact on a child's life. I then outline my research methods, and finally, I discuss the results of my research. Ultimately, I argue that the adoption system, a system that is supposed to bring families together, is unintentionally keeping families apart with its regulations. In addition, I look into how some of the racist undertones in adoption policies have bled into what people imagine a family should look like.


Background In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), interleukin 20 (IL-20) is present in detectable amounts in synovial fluid, and IL-20 is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of RA as a proinflammatory cytokine. NNC0109-0012 is a novel human monoclonal IgG4 antibody which binds to and neutralises IL-20. Currently, NNC0109-0012 is being developed for the treatment of patients with RA. Objectives The primary objective of this phase 1 trial was to assess the safety and tolerability of single doses of NNC0109-0012 administered subcutaneously to healthy subjects (HS) and patients with RA. The secondary objectives were to assess the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and immunogenicity. Methods The trial was a single-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose, dose-escalation trial. Subjects, aged 18 to 75 years, were randomised 3:1. A total of 20 HS received one of the following 5 single doses of NNC0109-0012: 0.05, 0.2, 0.6, 1.5 or 3.0 mg/kg or placebo; 12 patients with RA received one of the following 3 single doses of NNC0109-0012: 0.05, 0.6 or 3.0 mg/kg or placebo. All doses were administered subcutaneously in the abdominal wall. Additional inclusion criteria for subjects with RA were: diagnosis of RA according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR1987 classification) at least 3 months prior to randomisation with active disease characterised by a DAS28 >3.2, and on stable methotrexate treatment (≤25 mg/week) for at least 4 weeks and with concomitant folic acid intake of doses at 1 mg/day or 5 mg/week. Key safety parameters included adverse events (AEs), changes in vital signs, injection-site reactions, acute-phase cytokines, lymphocyte subsets and analysis of antibodies against NNC0109-0012. PK and PD markers (including CRP, ESR, RF and proteins biomarkers) were assessed. Results A total of 93 AEs were reported for 24 of 32 (75%) subjects. Overall, there were equal proportions of subjects with an AE in the NNC0109-0012 and placebo groups (75%) and no difference in the proportion of AEs in HS and patients with RA receiving NNC0109-0012 (73% and 77% respectively). A total of 38 AEs were evaluated as probably/possibly related to trial product: NNC0109-0012: 28 events, 11 subjects (46%), placebo: 10 events, 5 subjects (63%). No deaths or AEs leading to withdrawal were reported. No subjects developed antibodies against NNC0109-0012 up to 106 days post-dosing. Linear PK in the dose range 0.05-3.00 mg/kg was indicated in both HS and patients with RA. No statistically significant difference was observed in the single-dose PK properties of NNC0109-0012 between HS and patients with RA. The mean terminal t1/2 ranged from 30–35 days in HS and from 25–28 days in patients with RA. No clinically relevant changes were observed in acute-phase cytokines, lymphocyte subsets, protein biomarkers, clinical laboratory parameters or vital signs. Conclusions NNC0109-0012 appeared safe and well tolerated in HS and patients with active RA at single doses of 0.05–3.0 mg/kg. No antibodies against NNC0109-0012 were detected and linear PK was observed for NNC0109-0012. Disclosure of Interest N. Al Kotbi: None Declared, L. Jensen Employee of: Novo Nordisk A/S, L. Graff Employee of: Novo Nordisk A/S at the time of trial conduct


This paper describes 1.3-mum AlGaInAs multiple-quantum-well semi-insulating buried-heterostructure distributed-feedback lasers for high-speed direct modulation. Combination of large differential gain AlGaInAs quantum wells and semi-insulating buried-heterostructure for reduction of active region achieved 25 and 40 Gb/s direct modulation with the device having the cavity length of 150 mum. The device whose Bragg wavelength is longer than gain peak wavelength showed 25 Gb/s direct modulation characteristics with superior temperature characteristics. The relaxation oscillation frequency of this device was 15 GHz and higher up to 70degC. Clear eye-opening was observed and single-mode fiber transmission experiments showed low power penalty up to 70degC. With the device of negative detuning with larger differential gain, we achieved 40 Gb/s direct modulation. This device showed high relaxation oscillation frequency and slope of 20.5 GHz and 3.2 GHz/mA1/2, respectively. The 40 Gb/s eye opened clearly at 25degC and eye-opening was observed up to 50degC.


Abstract Fortunatianus, who was bishop of Aquileia in the middle of the 4th century, has not received much scholarly attention. His commentary on the Gospels, which was written under Constantius II (337-361) and used by later writers such as Jerome, was thought to be lost, apart from three short excerpts which were discovered only in the 20th century. However, a (nearly) complete copy of Fortunatianus' allegedly lost commentary on the Gospels was found in 2012. The present article takes this discovery as an occasion to collect and discuss all the extant sources which are relevant for reconstructing the biography and career of bishop Fortunatianus of Aquileia. Furthermore, it discusses Fortunatianus' theological positions in the dogmatic controversies of the 4th century on the basis of the full text of his Gospel commentary for the first time (which makes it possible to reject earlier conjectures about his supposed inclinations to "Arianism"). Finally, this article addresses in an appendix the reliability of Jerome as witness to Fortunatianus' life and work.


The main concepts of this study are productivity and efficiency, which are very relevant for Latvia and are reflected both in the latest scientific publications, dissertation researches and analytical reviews of the Latvian ministries and representatives of the European Commission in Latvia, as well as in expert reports published in the press. The objective of this article is empirical interpretation and search of the most corresponding to the terminological background method of measuring of the productivity and efficiency of regions, based on a specific example of the regions of Latvia. The results of the previous authors' research showed that the productivity of region is defined as it`s ability to create as many as possible goods or services per unit of time, while the efficiency is the pure economical term that takes into account the amount of the factors of production utilizied in the production process. Productivity / efficiency of a region is not only the sum of the productivity / efficiency of economical units functioning in this region, as contains a certain "delta"-synergy effect (for factors of production), agglomeration effect (for enterprises) or concentration effect (for industries). Always economically backward Latvia's region (Latgale region) is not with the lowest productivity calculated by the GDP per 1 km 2 of a region's territory-by this indicator less successful in Latvia is Vidzeme region. But by the earnings index, calculated taking into account the sectoral structure of employment in a region, exactly the Latgale region as usually occupies the last place in Latvia, and the Riga region-the first one. To calculate the efficiency of Latvia's regions, the authors relied on neoclassical growth models, which take into account the main classical factors of production-labor, land, capital. By the efficiency in Latvia the Riga region leads expectantly, almost 2 times exceeding the efficiency of Pieriga region, and more than 3 times,-the efficiency of Latgale region. But lowest efficiency in Latvia is not in the Latgale region, but once more in Vidzeme region.


One of the fundamental tenets of modern tax policy analysis is that we should be concerned with so-called economic efficiency. Along with equity and administrability, efficiency is widely held to be a desirable and important goal. Indeed, to some analysts, efficiency is the most important of those goals, and perhaps the only appropriate goal of tax policy. Even for those who still take seriously non-efficiency concerns, however, efficiency is at least a central element of tax policy analysis, to be weighed against the other two goals (and, perhaps, some others). All tax policy proposals are thus scrutinized to determine whether they enhance or reduce the economy's efficiency.If economic efficiency were a coherent concept, it would indeed be extremely useful in the analysis of tax policy, as well as in many other areas of the law. Unfortunately, there is no substance underneath the often-impressive superstructure of efficiency analysis. This makes it not just unwise, but affirmatively misleading, to base academic analysis of taxation – in whole or in part – on attempts to measure and maximize efficiency.


It is now widely accepted that stochastic mortality – the risk that aggregate mortality might differ from that anticipated – is an important risk factor in both life insurance and pensions. As such it affects how fair values, premium rates, and risk reserves are calculated. This paper makes use of the similarities between the force of mortality and interest rates to examine how we might model mortality risks and price mortality-related instruments using adaptations of the arbitrage-free pricing frameworks that have been developed for interest-rate derivatives. In so doing, the paper pulls together a range of arbitrage-free (or risk-neutral) frameworks for pricing and hedging mortality risk that allow for both interest and mortality factors to be stochastic. The different frameworks that we describe – short-rate models, forward-mortality models, positive-mortality models and mortality market models – are all based on positive-interest-rate modelling frameworks since the force of mortality can be treated in a similar way to the short-term risk-free rate of interest. While much of this paper is a review of the possible frameworks, the key new development is the introduction of mortality market models equivalent to the LIBOR and swap market models in the interest-rate literature. These frameworks can be applied to a great variety of mortality-related instruments, from vanilla longevity bonds to exotic mortality derivatives.


The evolution of cue reception and cue production is well documented. The ability of species to use cues they did not evolve with is important in understanding flexibility in behaviour. We observed Neotropical nectar-feeding bats (Glossophaga soricina) feeding at Old World banana flowers (Musa acuminata) in a Belize garden. The flowers produce a rich source of nectar that is exposed as a bract lifts before dusk. We tested the hypothesis that the bracts serve as beacons to foraging bats and discuss this approach and the use of acoustic information by bats feeding at flowers. We ensonified a bract with cues like those of echolocating G. soricina, which revealed the production of strong echoes from the bract. Additionally, the removal of bracts from the flowers influenced the bats' flower-visiting behaviour. We suggest that the bats use the echoes from the bract opportunistically as a cue to find the nectar source. Our findings provide an example of an interaction between a plant and flower visitor not reflecting a shared evolutionary past.


ABSTRACT Photoinduced switch behaviors of two dimethylamino-bearing azometine derivatives (AZM-I and AZM-II) were investigated in conventional solvents, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and ethyl cellulose (EC) by means of absorption and emission spectroscopy. The fluorescence modulation of the molecular switches arises from increasing response of the exploited molecules to pH between pH = 6.00 and 11.00 in emission intensity at 590 and 582 nm. In the employed systems optical or chemical inputs are transduced into detectable spectroscopic outputs after the controlled exchange of protons between solution and membrane phases. In immobilized phases the attained reversible relative signal changes were very good; 97% and 99% for AZM-I and AZM-II respectively. Sensitivities of the molecular switches to most abundant anions and metal cations were also investigated. Except that of bicarbonate, Hg2+ and Ag+, presence of anions and metal cations in test medium did not restrict the proton sensing ability of the molecules.


In this paper, a novel adaptive neural network (NN) controller is proposed for trajectory tracking of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in the presence of model errors and external disturbance. A command filtered technique is used to tackle the problem of "explosion of complexity" inherent in the conventional backstepping method. Furthermore, the norm of the ideal weighting vector in neural network systems is considered as the estimation parameter, such that only one parameter is adjusted. It is also shown that the proposed NN based adaptive robust controller can guarantee the uniformly ultimately bounded of the AUV systems. Finally a numerical example is given to demonstrate the validity of the results.


In this study we investigated relationships between convergent and divergent thinking with an emphasis on fluency, originality, flexibility and elaboration in the mathematical domain. A related purpose was to examine relationships between problem types in mathematical tasks. The math section of a performance-based assessment was used to assess 857 Grade 1 to 6 students' performance in the mathematical domain. Statistically significant correlations were found between divergent and convergent thinking, and between convergent thinking and the components of divergent thinking. Also, this study provided evidence for the construct validity of the Problem Continuum Matrix (Schiever and Maker, 1991, 1997). Correlations between problem types varied according to the proximity of the types to each other.


The removal of highly radioactive and long-lived 137Cs+ and 90Sr2+ from solution is of significance for radionuclide remediation. Herein we prepared a two-dimensionally microporous thiostannate, namely (Me2NH2)4/3(Me3NH)2/3Sn3S7·1.25H2O (FJSM-SnS), and systematically investigated its Cs+ and Sr2+ ion-exchange performance in different conditions. The structural stabilities and variation, ion-exchange kinetic and isothermal behavior, pH-dependent distribution coefficients (Kd), ion-exchange in simulated groundwater and ion-exchange applied to chromatography have been investigated. The results indicated that the maximum Cs+ and Sr2+ ion-exchange capacities of FJSM-SnS were 408.91 mg g−1 and 65.19 mg g−1, respectively. In particular, FJSM-SnS showed quick ion-exchange ability and wide pH resistance (0.7–12.7) which make it outstanding among the ion-exchangers. An ion-exchange chromatographic column was firstly studied for chalcogenido ion-exchange materials, that is, a column filled with 3.0 g FJSM-SnS could remove 96–99% of Cs+ ion and near 100% of Sr2+ ion at low ionic concentrations in 900 bed volumes solutions. Furthermore, the title material could be synthesized on a large scale by a facile, one-pot and economical solvothermal method. The relatively low cost but remarkable ion-exchange performance makes it promising for radionuclide remediation.


In the modern HDTV video decoding system, video frames must be stored into the external memory for operations of motion compensation and visual display. The massive data transferring between the decoder core and external memory contributes significantly to the overall system power consumption and bandwidth requirement. Practically, various memory reduction schemes are adopted to cope with this problem, which covers the domain of reducing the power consumption, desired memory size, and the number of Read/Write/Activate/Precharge operations of external memory. Embedded compression with less complexity, efficient frame storage architecture and improved memory management is the attractive strategy. The present review is a short review having some useful patents and researches is the field of memory reduction techniques in HDTV video decoder.


Teaching on psychiatric nursing and mental health in undergraduate nursing programs at Federal Universities around the Brazil uses conceptions and care technologies that should be in line with the mental health services used as practical teaching areas for this subject. It is an exploratory case study, using a questionnaire sent to the faculty members responsible for psychiatric nursing and mental health subjects The objective of this research is to analyze the extra-hospital mental health services used as practical areas for nursing students from the perspective of nursing education. The mental health services used as practice areas in this study were all substitutive, mostly CAPS II, with similar objectives and activities as well as physical conditions that differ according to the region they are placed. The conclusion is that training areas used incite education in line with the principles of the Psychiatric Reform. Descriptors: Mental Health; Teaching; Mental Health Services.


In this letter, we present an autofocus routine for backprojection imagery from spotlight-mode synthetic aperture radar data. The approach is based on maximizing image sharpness and supports the flexible collection and imaging geometries of BP, including wide-angle apertures and the ability to image directly onto a digital elevation map. While image-quality-based autofocus approaches can be computationally intensive, in the backprojection setting, we demonstrate a natural geometric interpretation that allows for optimal single-pulse phase corrections to be derived in closed form as the solution of a quartic polynomial. The approach is applicable to focusing standard backprojection imagery, as well as providing incremental focusing in sequential imaging applications based on autoregressive backprojection. An example demonstrates the efficacy of the approach applied to real data for a wide-aperture backprojection image.


Making time estimates, such as how long a given task might take, frequently leads to inaccurate predictions because of an optimistic bias. Previous attempts to alleviate this bias, including decomposing the task into smaller components and listing potential surprises, have not shown any major improvement. This article builds on the premise that these procedures may have failed because they involve compound probabilities and mixture distributions which are difficult to compute in one's head. We hypothesize that predictive visualizations of such distributions would facilitate the estimation of task durations. We conducted a crowdsourced study in which 145 participants provided different estimates of overall and sub-task durations and we used these to generate predictive visualizations of the resulting mixture distributions. We compared participants' initial estimates with their updated ones and found compelling evidence that predictive visualizations encourage less optimistic estimates.


In the present paper we investigate the effect of categorising raw behavioural data or computational model responses. In addition, the effect of averaging over stimuli from potentially different populations is assessed. To this end, we replicate studies on word learning and generalisation abilities using the ACORNS models. Our results show that discrete categories may obscure interesting phenomena in the continuous responses. For example, the finding that learning in the model saturates very early at a uniform high recognition accuracy only holds for categorical representations. Additionally, a large difference in the accuracy for individual words is obscured by averaging over all stimuli. Because different words behaved differently for different speakers, we could not identify a phonetic basis for the differences. Implications and new predictions for infant behaviour are discussed.


Most manufacturers run businesses to be able to fulfill short delivery times, frequent shipments, various products, and price reductions. For this reason, the performance of the organization must improve and identify by conducting a process of innovation and product development (IPD). Process performance improvement is used to create a competitiveness and long-term survival of the organization. One approach to improve the organizational performance is the use of Continuous Improvement (CI) philosophy. For this reason, long-term organizational health depends on its commitment to do CI. Many previous studies focused on the performance from the success of sustainable process improvement practices. Much indication implies that lean tools and methods have supported manufacturing organizations to improve their operations process. The real effect is in the area and the difference in an operational performance like cycle time, speed, quality, cost, customer loyalty, and responsiveness. Systematically able to identify the manufacturing wastes and create a lean culture within the organization. Therefore, this study gives a starting point for separating lean initiatives for quality improvement (QI) throughout the organization.


Objective To study the imaging findings of pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC) and discuss it′s clinical value. Methods The imaging materials of 40 cases with PLC which were proved by bronchoscopic or pleural or open-lung biopsy were retrospectively analyzed, and the clinical application of imaging diagnosis were investigated. Results The primary tumorous pathological types of PLC included:13 cases peripheral type carcinoma of lung,2 cases central type carcinoma of lung,11 cases mammary cancer,6 cases gastric carcinoma,4 cases pancreatic carcinoma,3 cases renal carcinoma,1 case colon carcinoma. The major imaging features of PLC were showed as pleural nodes, lobular core nodes, intralobular small reticular and nodular shadows, small beaded thickened interlobular septums, beaded thickened bronchovascular bundles, tumescent pulmonary hilar and/or mediastinal lymph nodes. Conclusion PLC possess relative imaging feature, particularly HRCT may accurately reflect pathological feature of PLC. Imaging diagnosis is a satisfactory method in diagnosing pulmonary lymphangial metastasis of malignant tumor.


OBJECTIVE
To detect and identify the potential specific serum biomarkers for diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer.

METHODS
Samples of 35 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 40 patients with benign thyroid nodule and 34 healthy individuals were analyzed using the SELDI-TOF ProteinChip System and bioinfomation technology to find the differential peaks which were separated by HPLC and then further analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The protein sequences were analyzed by SEQUEST software and searched in Bioworks database.

RESULTS
The top six mass-to-charge ratio (M/Z) peaks with the smallest P value were 6651, 6452, 7653, 7932, 15 106 and 15 848 Da, respectively. The 6651 and 6452 Da proteins were weakly expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma but highly expressed in benign thyroid nodules and healthy individuals. The differences had statistical significance (P < 0.01). The 7653, 7932, 15 106, 15 848 Da proteins were highly expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma but weakly expressed in benign thyroid nodules and healthy individuals. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Combination of these six proteins, using the method of leave-one-out to make crossing detection, the specificity of discriminating papillary thyroid carcinoma and non-cancer was 88.0%, and its sensitivity was 92.5%. The 6651 and 6452 Da proteins were identified as apolipoprotein C-I and apolipoprotein C-III, respectively. The 7653 and 15 106 Da proteins were identified as the same protein-alpha-globin, and the 7932 and 15,848 Da proteins were identified as the same protein-beta-globin.

CONCLUSION
The detection of differentially expressed apolipoprotein C-I, apolipoprotein C-III, alpha-globin, and beta-globin may have utility for diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma and are worthy of further investigation.