The synthesis and application of nanoparticles is an important area of research that is gaining attention recently. In this recent project, we report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, AgNP using aqueous solution of silver nitrate and Gnetum africanum leaf extract (reducing agent). The synthesis of AgNP was achieved by mixing aqueous solution of silver nitrate (70ml, 15.75mM) with a solution of Gnetum africanum leaf extract 100 ml) in a reaction flask and allowed to stand for 24 hours in a dark cupboard. A color change from light brown to yellowish brown was observed which indicated that synthesis of silver nanoparticles took place. The presence of AgNP was ascertained using UV-vis spectra analysis and absorption at 442 nm showed the presence of AgNP. The antioxidant assay of both the synthesized AgNP and the leaf extract was determined using DPPH. Antimicrobial activity was conducted using three different organisms which were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas respectively. The antioxidant results using DPPH scavenging ability of AgNp showed that at concentrations of 2mg/ml,1mg/ml and 0.1mg/ml, the percentage inhibition  of  DPPH  by AgNp was 61.69, 53.06 and 38.31 respectively and that of Gnetum africanum leaf extract was 81.32, 78.49, and 58.29 respectively at the same concentrations using Ascorbic acid as a standard. The antimicrobial activity of both the synthesized AgNps and Gnetum Africanum Leaf extract using one gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and two gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas) revealed that the synthesized AgNps showed lesser activity than Gnetumafricanum leaf extract for both the gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas) and (Escherichia coli). From the above findings, it can be observed that Gnetum Africanum Leaf extract reduced Ag+ to Ag0 and also both the synthesized AgNps and the Gnetum Africanum Leaf extract showed reasonable antioxidant activity against DPPH and antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. This implied that both samples have medicinal values.


Random forest is an excellent ensemble learning method, which is composed of multiple decision trees grown on random input samples and splitting nodes on a random subset of features. Due to its good classification and generalization ability, random forest has achieved success in various domains. However, random forest will generate many noisy trees when it learns from the data set that has high dimension with many noise features. These noisy trees will affect the classification accuracy, and even make a wrong decision for new instances. In this paper, we present a new approach to solve this problem through weighting the trees according to their classification ability, which is named Trees Weighting Random Forest (TWRF). Here, Out-Of-Bag, which is the training data subset generated by Bagging and not involved in building decision tree, is used to evaluate the tree. For simplicity, we choose the accuracy as the index that notes tree's classification ability and set it as the tree's weight. Experiments show that TWRF has better performance than the original random forest and other traditional methods, such as C45, Naïve Bayes and so on.


Do not use abbreviations, footnotes, or references. Limit: 200 words. Submit 3 to 5 key words using standard Index Medicus terminology at the bottom of the abstract Body of Manuscript: Organize in the following manner: (1) introduction, (2) materials and methods, (3) results, (4) discussion, (5) conclusion. Use a normal, plain font (e.g., 12-point Times Roman) for text Double-space the text Use italics for emphasis ALL PAGES MUST BE NUMBERED: Use the automatic page numbering function Do not use field functions Use tab stops or other commands for indents, not the space bar Use the table function, not spreadsheets, to make tables. Tables are to be numbered using Arabic numerals (Table 1, Table 2, etc.) and are to appear after the References. Figures are to be numbered using Arabic numerals (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.) and are to appear after the Figure Legends. Describe ethical guidelines followed (for human or animal studies); cite approval of institutional human research review committee or animal welfare committee; describe in detail hazardous procedures or chemicals involved, including precautions observed. Outline statistical methods used. Identify drugs and chemicals used by generic name. If trademarks of instruments and other devices are mentioned, list manufacturer and city. Type footnotes on the manuscript page on which they occur. Acknowledgments: Limit to those persons who have contributed to the scientific development or production of the manuscript. References: Cite references in order of appearance in text using Arabic numbers. Reference citations in the text should be identified by numbers in square brackets (e.g., [1]). Double check that the numbered references at the end of the article correspond. Cite personal communications and unpublished data in text, not in references. Journal abbreviations must conform to those used in Cumulated Index Medicus. Journal article (list all authors): 13. Meltzer SJ, Ahnen DJ, Battifour H, Yokokota J, Clinie MJ. Protooncogene abnormalities in colon cancers and adenomatous polyps. Gastroenterology 1987;92:1174-1180. Book: 18. Day RA. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. Philadelphia: Institute for Scientific Information, 1979. Chapter in book: 22. Costa M, Furness JB, Llewellyn-Smith IF. Histochemistry of the enteric nervous system. In Johnson LR, ed. Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract, vol. 1, 2nd ed. New York: Raven, 1987, pp 1-40. For references where there are two or more authors who share first authorship, the Journal of Gastrointestinal of Surgery requires those authors' names to be in bold type. It is the corresponding and first authors' responsibility to ensure that these names appear in bold in the reference section when each draft of the manuscript is submitted. 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As more tech companies engage in rigorous economic analyses, we are confronted with a data problem: in-house papers cannot be replicated due to use of sensitive, proprietary, or private data. Readers are left to assume that the obscured true data (e.g., internal Google information) indeed produced the results given, or they must seek out comparable public-facing data (e.g., Google Trends) that yield similar results. One way to ameliorate this reproducibility issue is to have researchers release synthetic datasets based on their true data; this allows external parties to replicate an internal researcher's methodology. In this brief overview, we explore synthetic data generation at a high level for economic analyses.


Chemical neuromodulation of the retina using native neurotransmitters to biomimetically activate target retinal neurons through chemical synapses is a promising biomimetic alternative to electrical stimulation for restoring vision in blindness caused by photoreceptor degenerative diseases. Recent research has shown that subretinal chemical stimulation could be advantageous for treating photoreceptor degenerative diseases but many of the parameters for achieving efficacious chemical neuromodulation are yet to be explored. In this paper, we investigated how the depth at which neurotransmitter is injected subretinally affects the success rate, spike rate characteristics (i.e., amplitude, response latency, and time width), and spatial resolution of chemical stimulation in wild-type Long Evans and photoreceptor degenerated S334ter-3 transgenic rat retinas in vitro. We compared the responses to injections of glutamate at the subretinal surface and two subsurface depths near the outer and inner plexiform layers and found that while injections at all depths elicited robust retinal ganglion cell responses, they differed significantly in terms of the spike rate characteristics and spatial resolutions across injection depths. Shallow subsurface injections near the outer plexiform layer evoked the highest spike rate amplitudes and had the highest spatial resolution and success rates, while deep subsurface injections near the inner plexiform layer elicited the shortest latencies and narrowest time widths. Our results suggest that surface injections are suboptimal for subretinal chemical neuromodulation, while shallow subsurface and deep subsurface injections may optimize high spatial and high temporal resolution, respectively. These findings have great significance for the design and development of a potential neurotransmitter-based subretinal prosthesis.


The effect of cholesterol feeding on liver and aortic nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activities, and on liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation, codeine hydroxylation and cytochrome P-450 levels was examined in rats and guinea pigs. One percent cholesterol was added to a casein-sucrose-soybean oil basal diet for rats or a stock diet with 2% soybean oil for guinea pigs. The effect of vitamin E and cholestyramine was also examined in some experiments. Cholesterol feeding increased the rate of lipid peroxidation in liver and aortic homogenate both in rats and guinea pigs when fed non-vitamin E supplemented basal diets. Vitamin E supplementation prevented the increase in the aorta, but not as completely in the liver in rats, while the reverse was true in guinea pigs. The effect of cholestyramine was dependent on the level of vitamin E in the diet. Cholesterol feeding decreased glutathione peroxidase activities in rats and guinea pigs. In guinea pigs, cholesterol feeding also markedly decreased liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation, codein hydroxylation and cytochrome P-450 levels especially when fed non-vitamin E supplemented basal diets. In rats, cholesterol feeding reduced liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation and in some cases, increased microsomal codeine hydroxylation activities, but had no effect on microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels. Vitamin E supplementation increased liver and serum cholesterol levels in guinea pigs, but had no such effect in rats. Results of this study indicate that cholesterol feeding can result in various metabolic alterations in rats and guinea pigs. The implication of these alterations in atherogenesis requires further investigations.


This study investigates relationships between white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology markers, and brain and hippocampal volume loss. Subjects included 198 controls, 345 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 154 AD subjects with serial volumetric 1.5‐T MRI. CSF Aβ42 and total tau were measured (n = 353). Brain and hippocampal loss were quantified from serial MRI using the boundary shift integral (BSI). Multiple linear regression models assessed the relationships between WMHs and hippocampal and brain atrophy rates. Models were refitted adjusting for (a) concurrent brain/hippocampal atrophy rates and (b) CSF Aβ42 and tau in subjects with CSF data. WMH burden was positively associated with hippocampal atrophy rate in controls (P = 0.002) and MCI subjects (P = 0.03), and with brain atrophy rate in controls (P = 0.03). The associations with hippocampal atrophy rate remained following adjustment for concurrent brain atrophy rate in controls and MCIs, and for CSF biomarkers in controls (P = 0.007). These novel results suggest that vascular damage alongside AD pathology is associated with disproportionately greater hippocampal atrophy in nondemented older adults. © 2016 The Authors Hippocampus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Phosphorus (P) fertilizers are currently used during the establishment phase of most eucalypt plantations. Phosphorus fertilizer is applied at a similar rate to nearly all sites, but eucalypts respond to P only at some sites. Site-specific management would improve the efficacy of P fertilizer use, so soil indicators of P fertilizer response in new eucalypt plantations warranted evaluation. Research focussed on soil solution, P, because that is the pool of P directly available to plant roots. Concentration of P in solution (both bulk soil and that predicted at the root surface) was related to rates of uptake and growth in solution-and soil-based studies. These and more commonly used indicators of soil P status were calibrated and compared in field experiments.
In conclusion, an indicator of P intensity (CaC12 P was more highly correlated with response in different soil types than both quantity-based indicators (Bicarbonate, Bray no. 2, Acid extractable P), and predicted concentration of P at the root surface.


Population genetic studies of dogs of the last few years, based on sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), has meant a great leap forward in the unraveling of the origin and early history of the domestic dog. Based on the archaeological record, which was earlier the principal source of information, it was not possible to say anything more precise than that the dog probably originated from the wolf some 15,000 years ago. Such basic questions as where this happened, and whether it happened just once or several times at different places, could not be answered. In studies of human history, population genetic analyses of mtDNA have been of considerable importance, establishing the time and place for the first origin of modern humans and monitoring the major migrations (Cavalli-Sforza and Feldman 2003). In this chapter, we show how, similarly, studies of mtDNA in dogs, starting on a large scale in 1996, have begun to create an increasingly sharper picture of the origin of dogs. Most prominently, two studies from 2002 (Leonard et al. 2002; Savolainen et al. 2002) have given the first solid evidence for the geographic origin of dogs, indicating a single origin in East Asia. The results also show the potential for further, more detailed studies, which should help to map the routes and time points for the first spread of dogs around the world, and to describe the development of morphological variants that eventually resulted in today's dog breeds. The domestic dog is perhaps the most fascinating of...


Introduction This study determined whether the multicomponent rehabilitation programme of a memory clinic had positive outcomes on ameliorating everyday functioning, quality of life, mood and behavioural disturbances of persons with dementia and reducing distress and burden of caregivers. Method A retrospective pre-test–post-test study without control group was conducted on the first cohort of persons with dementia (n = 30) and their caregivers (n = 30), who participated in a programme lasting for a maximum of 1 year with 25 1-hour counselling sessions. The assessment contained an evaluation of everyday functioning in basic, instrumental and advanced activities of daily living, cognition, mood, emotional and behavioural disturbances, quality of life and caregiver burden. Results Eight participants dropped out prematurely. For persons with dementia (n = 22), participating in the programme did not improve everyday functioning and cognition but ameliorated quality of life significantly (Z = –2.7, p = 0.006, 95% CI (.003–.005)) and stabilized mood, emotional and behavioural disturbances for 60% or more of them. For caregivers (n = 22), the mild to moderate burden of care remained stable or got better for 63.6% of the caregivers. Conclusion This programme appears to be promising and valuable, and might reduce institutionalization rates. Future explorations are recommended to research how participants evolve and to investigate which participants responded in a positive way.


Beata Górnicka, Neighbours of a family with a disabled person. Culture – Society – Education no. 1(19) 2021, Poznań 2021, pp. 51–60, Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 2300-0422. DOI 10.14746/kse.2021.19.4 Nowadays, social changes include the perception not only of disability itself, but also of a family with a disabled member. These changes concern the organisation of support for the family, which functions in the entire social ecosystem, including the closest social groups, e.g., the neighbourhood. Although this neighbourhood, which is also subject to changes, can become an invaluable source of support, unfortunately, it may also become an environment that contributes to the social exclusion of a family. In this paper, the author presents selected aspects of the co-existence of people with disabilities and their families with their neighbours. The paper used research on opinions about being the neighbour of a family with a disabled person, which included declarations of help or support really offered. The author asserts that a family with a disabled person can experience both positive and negative attitudes and behaviours from neighbours.


SUMMARY The prognosis of patients harboring metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) remains poor despite therapeutic improvements obtained in recent years thanks to new biologic agents. A resistance mechanism limits the effectiveness of current cancer therapies to treat metastatic CRC patients. The identification of mechanisms of drug resistance may highlight new biomarkers useful to predict the clinical outcome or the likely responsiveness to pharmacological treatment of those metastatic CRC patients who cannot benefit from current therapeutic regimen. Moreover, the recognition of panels of biomarkers may suggest new strategies to overcome resistance by rational drug design and combination treatment. This review discusses CRC biomarkers, focusing initially on the most recent findings about the known ones, and mostly about the novel protagonists of this complex scenario.


A quantum key distribution (QKD) system may be probed by an eavesdropper Eve by sending in bright light from the quantum channel and analyzing the back-reflections. We propose and experimentally demonstrate a setup for mounting such a Trojan-horse attack. We show it in operation against the quantum cryptosystem Clavis2 from ID Quantique, as a proof-of-principle. With just a few back-reflected photons, Eve discerns Bob's (secret) basis choice, and thus the raw key bit in the Scarani–Acín–Ribordy–Gisin 2004 protocol, with higher than 90% probability. This would clearly breach the security of the cryptosystem. Unfortunately, Eve's bright pulses have a side effect of causing a high level of afterpulsing in Bob's single-photon detectors, resulting in a large quantum bit error rate that effectively protects this system from our attack. However, in a Clavis2-like system equipped with detectors with less-noisy but realistic characteristics, an attack strategy with positive leakage of the key would exist. We confirm this by a numerical simulation. Both the eavesdropping setup and strategy can be generalized to attack most of the current QKD systems, especially if they lack proper safeguards. We also propose countermeasures to prevent such attacks.


The 24-hour 500-mb. barotropic forrcasts prepared by the Joint Numerical Weather Prediction Unit (JNWPU) have been investigated in 30 cases of rapid sea level cyclogenesis. Composite error maps are presented for the region of cyclogenesis. The 500-mb. errors are found t o bc significantly larger when the solenoidal field at that level is strong than when it is weak.


The incubation of mechanically denuded mouse oocytes in medium containing LiCl delayed both germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and polar body extrusion in a dose‐dependent and reversible manner. When myo‐inositol alone was added to the culture medium, we observed that it accelerated GVBD and increased the rate of polar body extrusion, whereas, when combined with LiCl, the normal timing of GVBD was recovered. In the same way, when inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) was microinjected into the ooplasma, we observed an important improvement of the rate of GVBD, as compared to control oocytes, and prevention of lithium inhibition. However, neither myo‐inositol nor InsP3 were able to rescue totally the oocytes from the negative effect of lithium on polar body extrusion. Moreover, lithium induced some important changes in microtubule and chromosome organizations. Before extrusion of the first polar body, the reduction of the spindle size or the appearance of short individualized chromosomes dispersed around a large aster of microtubules were often observed, whereas, after polar body extrusion, the spindle appeared smaller and chromosomes were often trapped in the midbody. Thus lithium affects mouse oocyte maturation at two different levels: GVBD and polar body extrusion. Whereas the former seems to be affected via polyphosphoinositide turnover, the latter is InsP3‐independent and seems to be influenced negatively via underdevelopment of microtubular structures. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Objective: The bleaching agents may interact with restorative materials, such as dental amalgam, providing an increase mercury ions (Hg) release, whose toxic effect is known. Whereas many patients have amalgam restorations (AR) and seek bleaching treatments, the present study aimed to evaluate in vitro the amount of Hg released from AR made with spherical alloy, after being subjected to different concentrations of carbamide peroxide (CP) for home bleaching. Methods: 40 class I AR were prepared in bovine teeth. After the restoration, the samples were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n = 10): C (control group), CP10 (CP 10%) CP15 (CP 15%) CP20 (CP 20%) and its treatments were simulated for 14 days for 6 hours daily. The Hg ions released was measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and surface changes were assessed in the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Hg levels (percent mass) were recorded and the differences were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's "Post hoc" test. Results: Statistical analysis showed the bleaching treatment resulted in a higher Hg release (p <0.05), although no visible changes were identified in micrographs when comparing the control group with the other groups (CP10, CP15, CP20). Conclusion: Increased Hg release may be observed during simulated home bleaching. Indexing terms: Dental amalgam. Mercury. Tooth bleaching.


This paper investigates the mutual information of several 2/spl times/2 systems using orthogonal polarizations. Analytical approximations of the mutual information in equi-power allocation scenarios are derived and compared in both Rayleigh and Ricean fading conditions.


We propose a new technique for multi-wavelength upstream transmission in time division multiplexed-passive optical networks using FP-LDs at optical network units. The scheme increases upstream capacity without the use of costly higher speed burst-mode transceivers.


This paper uses data visualization tools based on Dashboard and the Balanced Scorecard to assess the eco- and cost-efficiency of renewable energy based bio-fuels. It also intends to help increase the public awareness of renewable energy and facilitate the commercialization of renewable energy. Furthermore, this paper evaluates the effectiveness, the level of user involvement, and usability of two data visualization tools. Based on the case study, this paper demonstrates how effective and useful both the Dashboard and the Balanced Scorecard are in communicating the strategic goals toward sustainability and thus provides easier guidelines for renewable energy development decisions and communicating the benefits of renewable energy development across the energy industry.


This research investigates plasma-treated carbon nanowalls (CNW) for use as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The CNWs were synthesized on a fluorine-tin-oxide (FTO) glass substrate via microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor-deposition (PECVD) using CH4 gas. Then, post-plasma treatments were performed on the CNWs in different plasma environments (using O2, H2 and N2 gas) under the same conditions, after which DSSCs were fabricated using the plasma-treated CNWs as counter electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to obtain cross-sectional and planar images of the CNWs, and Raman spectroscopy was used to analyze the structural characteristics of the post-plasma-treated synthesized CNWs. The energy conversion efficiency was then used to analyze the effect of using the plasma-treated CNWs as counter electrodes in the DSSCs. The DSSC for which the as-deposited CNW was used as a counter electrode showed an energy conversion efficiency of 1.64%, and the DSSC with the H2 postplasma-treated CNW counter electrode showed an energy conversion efficiency of 2.23%. Thus, the DSSC with the H2-treated electrode presented a 36% higher efficiency than the DSSC with the as-deposited CNW electrode.


This paper examines functional equivariance, recently introduced by McLachlan and Stern [Found. Comput. Math. (2022)], from the perspective of backward error analysis. We characterize the evolution of certain classes of observables (especially affine and quadratic) by structure-preserving numerical integrators in terms of their modified vector fields. Several results on invariant preservation and symplecticity of modified vector fields are thereby generalized to describe the numerical evolution of non-invariant observables.


Abstract: Seed analysis tests should be performed under standard conditions for each species, so that the results can be reproducible anywhere. Seeds of the forest species Toona ciliata var. australis have been commercialized in Brazil despite no standard conditions for their analysis have been published. The objective was to determine basic information about temperature and photoperiod for the germination test and the imbibition time and volume of water for electrical conductivity. In the germination test the seeds were incubated at 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C with 0, 12 and 16 h of light. The electrical conductivity was evaluated up to 108 h after immersion of the seeds in 50 and 100 mL of deionized water. The conditions of 25 °C and 16 h of light provided higher amount of normal seedlings. At 15 °C all seeds remained hard regardless the photoperiod used, however, it became absent when light was added at higher temperatures. The electrical conductivity test should be performed with a volume of 50 mL and evaluated after 24 h of imbibition. It also showed a stronger correlation between normal seedlings, being a promising vigor evaluation test for this species.


Stacking monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides into a heterostructure with a finite twist-angle gives rise to artificial moire superlattices with a tunable periodicity. As a consequence, excitons experience a periodic potential, which can be exploited to tailor optoelectronic properties of these materials. While recent experimental studies have confirmed twist-angle dependent optical spectra, the microscopic origin of moire exciton resonances has not been fully clarified yet. Here, we combine first principle calculations with the excitonic density matrix formalism to study transitions between different moire exciton phases and their impact on optical properties of the twisted MoSe$_2$/WSe$_2$ heterostructure. At angles smaller than 2$^{\circ}$ we find flat, moire trapped states for inter- and intralayer excitons. This moire exciton phase drastically changes into completely delocalized states already at 3$^{\circ}$. We predict a linear and quadratic twist-angle dependence of excitonic resonances for the moire-trapped and delocalized exciton phase, respectively. Our work provides microscopic insights opening the possibility to tailor moire exciton phases in van der Waals superlattices.


Abstract:Growing attention to Black men's development and outcomes has encouraged scholars to further consider how the intersection of race and gender influence these students' collegiate experiences (McGuire, Berhanu, Davis, & Harper, 2014; Pelzer, 2016). However, "it is one thing to study Black men's gendered experiences (e.g., gendered racism) and it is another to study Black men as gendered persons" (McGuire et al., 2014, p. 257). Even less is known about the gendered and racialized realities of Black trans masculine students (Duran, 2018; Jourian, 2017). Through a secondary analysis of data utilizing quare theory (E. P. Johnson, 2005) and Blacktransfeminist thought (Green & Bey, 2017), we unveil how Black trans masculine collegians negotiate engagement with Black masculinity through their voices and presence within Black and queer spaces and in quaring and transing of Black masculinity. Our findings, dichotomized by much to be undone and much to be done, point to the ongoing simultaneity of needing to undo harmful and essentialized notions of Black masculinity and creating new possibilities and ways of doing Black masculinity. This study advances inquiry into the students' desire to disengage Black masculinity from the oppressive forces of cisheteropatriarchy and misogynoir (Bailey, 2013), complicating characterizations of Black collegians. We call for the theoretical and practical subversion of essentialist notions of manhood, masculinity, Blackness, and their junctures from a decidedly Black center through the intersectional analytics of quare theory and Blacktransfeminist thought.


The world of EMS is exciting, challenging and dynamic. Staff and managers are equally responsible for the success of the organisation and to this end, each staff and manager must do their share. EMS by virtue of its nature of operations makes the industry dynamic and paramedics need good leadership together with strong management so that the core objectives of EMS become easier to achieve. A formal managerial qualification is beneficial to managers since it empowers them with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Managers should make it their duty to arm themselves with the proper qualifications so that they can justly execute their duties. Leadership skills should be seen as a tool to strengthen management and staff relations and must be used effectively to gain maximum result.


Hypermedia applications can be defined as collections of interactive and multimedia documents that are organized as a hypertext net. The development of hypermedia applications poses specific problems, such as the need for modeling sophisticated navigational structures, interactive behaviors, and harmonic presentations involving the synchronization of contents. Moreover, the increasing popularity of Internet based systems has put stress on the lack of mechanisms to formally specify security policies when designing hypermedia applications. Traditional design models and methodologies are not suitable for hypermedia applications and the up-to-now developed hypermedia oriented models do not cover the whole set of design needs. In this context, we present Labyrinth, a hypermedia oriented model providing formal elements to describe the static structure and dynamic behavior of this kind of nonlinear, multisensory, and interactive applications.


Background According to the 2013 European LeukemiaNet recommendations, BCR-ABL kinase domain (KD) mutation screening by conventional Sanger sequencing (SS) is recommended in all patients (pts) with progression, failure or warning, since detection of second-generation (2G) TKI-resistant mutations (T315I, F317L/V/I/C, V299L, Y253F/H, E255K/V, F359V/I/C) helps in the selection of the most suitable alternative therapy. However, SS has limited sensitivity. A recent study (Parker et al, J Clin Oncol 2011) has shown that low level mutations (i.e., undetectable by SS) may be identified by mass spectrometry and this may aid in more appropriate selection of the second-line treatment strategy for imatinib-resistant pts.

Aims We sought to determine i) whether an UDS-based approach for BCR-ABL KD mutation screening might allow more sensitive detection of 2GTKI-resistant mutations at the time of switchover to second or third-line therapy and ii) whether low level mutations identified by UDS undergo clonal expansion, thus predicting for subsequent failure, if the 2GTKI to which they are insensitive to happens to be chosen.

Methods To this purpose, we used UDS to scan the BCR-ABL KD in a cohort of 75 chronic myeloid leukemia (n=50) or Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=25) pts who were treated with a 2GTKI (dasatinib or nilotinib) after having failed first-line (n=62) or second-line (n=13) TKI therapy. A total of 235 samples collected at the time of switchover and at subsequent timepoints during second-or third-line treatment were analyzed. All the samples had already been evaluated by SS. UDS was performed on a Roche GS Junior instrument, according to an amplicon sequencing design and protocol set up and validated in the framework of the IRON-II international study. Runs were designed to achieve high sequencing depth. However, raw data analysis with Amplicon Variant Analyzer software (Roche Applied Science) was performed filtering out variants <1% to reduce the likelihood of amplification artifacts and sequencing errors.

Results Forty-three imatinib-resistant pts failed subsequent second- (n=37) or third-line (n=6) treatment with 2GTKIs (dasatinib, n=28; nilotinib, n=15). By routine SS analysis, 32 BCR-ABL KD mutations had been identified in 29/43 (67%) pts at the time of switchover - informing subsequent-line treatment selection in 12 pts who were found to harbor 2GTKI-resistant mutations. At the time of treatment failure (after a median of 9 months; range, 2-30), SS had detected newly acquired 2GTKI-resistant mutations in all 43 pts. We thus wondered how many of these mutations could have been detected at the time of switchover using a more sensitive approach. By UDS re-analysis, 73 mutations were identified in 35/43 (81%) pts at switchover – UDS detected all the 32 mutations previously identified by SS plus 41 low level mutations (i.e., with an abundance between 1 and 15%). Twenty-four of the 41 low level mutations were resistant to the 2GTKI that happened to be selected (T315I=10; E255K=2; E255V=1; Y253H/F=4; F359V=1; F317L=4; V299L=1) and all invariably expanded becoming detectable by SS at relapse, alone or in combination with pre-existing mutations. Thus, mutations that would have influenced therapeutic decision after first or second TKI failure could have been detected in 17 more pts by UDS (p<0.001).

Thirty pts who achieved a stable response to second- (n=26) or third-line (n=4) treatment with 2GTKIs after having failed first- or second-line treatment, respectively, were also analyzed for comparison. By UDS, a total of 13 mutations were detected – including 6 mutations (6 pts) that had already been identified by SS plus 7 low level mutations (7 pts). No low level mutation resistant to the 2GTKI the pts actually received was detected.

Conclusions In comparison to SS, UDS could identify 2GTKI-resistant mutations at the time of switchover in a significantly greater proportion of pts. Low level mutations (down to 1% abundance) detected by UDS were consistently found to expand when the 2GTKI they are insensitive to happened to be chosen. UDS-based screening of the BCR-ABL KD at switchover might thus have enabled more effective therapeutic tailoring. Further evaluation of whether this technology may be implemented in a diagnostic setting is highly warranted.

Supported by PRIN 2009 (prot.2009JSMKY), Fondazione CARISBO, AIL, AIRC, FP7 'NGS-PTL', IGA NT 11555 and 13899.

Disclosures: Soverini: Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; ARIAD: Consultancy. Machova Polakova: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding. Castagnetti: Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Gugliotta: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria. Rosti: Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Ariad: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Baccarani: Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speaker fees Other; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speaker fees, Speaker fees Other; Ariad: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speaker fees, Speaker fees Other; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speaker fees, Speaker fees Other; Teva: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speaker fees Other. Martinelli: Novartis: Consultancy, Speaker fees Other; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Speaker fees, Speaker fees Other; Pfizer: Consultancy, Speaker fees, Speaker fees Other; Ariad: Consultancy, Speaker fees, Speaker fees Other.


Background: Antidepressant prescribing continues to rise. Increased long-term prescribing and higher doses are contributing to current growth; however, patient factors associated with the use of higher doses remain unknown. This study ' s aim was to investigate patient factors associated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescribed daily dose for depression treatment in general practice. Methods: A stratified sample of low to high prescribing practices were selected. Routine individual patient-level data were extracted one practice at a time: September 2009 to January 2011. Patients included were ≥ 18 years, and prescribed an SSRI for depression. Logistic regression analysis was undertaken to assess individual predictor variables on SSRI daily dose by standard therapeutic dose versus higher dose, as SSRIs demonstrate flat dose response curves for depression treatment. Predictor variables included: age, gender, deprivation, co-morbidity, smoking status, being prescribed the same SSRI for ≥ 2 years, and patients ' general practice. For a subgroup of patients a second sub-group analysis included long-term benzodiazepine and/or z-hypnotic (B&Z) as a predictor variable. Results: Inter-practice SSRI prescribing varied significantly; practice point prevalence ranged from 2.5% (94/3697) to 11.9% (359/3007) of the practice population ≥ 18 years old; median 7.3% (250/3421) ( χ 2 = 2277.2, df = 10, p < 0.001). Overall point prevalence was 6.3% (3518/52575), with 5.8% (3066/52575) prescribed SSRIs for depression of whom 84.7% (2596/3066) had data for regression analysis. Higher SSRI doses were significantly associated with, in descending order of magnitude, individual practice attended, being prescribed the same SSRI for ≥ 2 years (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.17, p < 0.001) and living in a more deprived area (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.16, p = 0.009). Higher SSRI doses in the B&Z subgroup were significantly associated with individual practice attended, being prescribed a long-term B&Z (OR 2.05 95% CI 1.47 to 2.86, p < 0.001) and being prescribed the same SSRI for ≥ 2 years (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.47, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Higher SSRI doses for depression were associated with practice attended and being prescribed the same antidepressant for ≥ 2 years. As long-term antidepressant use increases, the use of higher doses may further contribute to prescribing growth.


Abstract Background Access to pediatric surgical intervention in low-income countries is expanding, but investments in post-surgical care have received less attention. This study explored the barriers and supports for school-aged children to access post-surgical, community-based follow-up care in Uganda as perceived by community stakeholders. Materials and methods This qualitative exploratory case study used in-depth, semi-structured interviews and in-country site visits among Ugandan organizations providing follow-up care to school-aged children in Uganda after surgery. Data from eight interviews and eight site visits were coded, analyzed, and cross-tabulated with a modified grounded theory approach. Results Four key barriers to community-based follow-up care were identified: discrimination, financial barriers, geographical barriers (including transportation), and caregiver limitations to support recovery. Three key supports to successful access to and participation in community-based post-surgical recovery were identified: disability awareness, the provision of sustained follow-up care, and caregiver supports for reintegration. Conclusions Increasing awareness of disability across local Ugandan communities, educating caregivers with accessible and culturally aware approaches, and funding sustainable follow-up care programming provide promising avenues for pediatric post-surgical recovery and community reintegration in contemporary Uganda. Implications for rehabilitation Multiple, intersecting factors prevent or promote access to post-surgical community-based services among school-aged children in Uganda. The most prominent barriers to pediatric community reintegration in Uganda include discrimination, lack of financial resources, geographical factors, and caregiver limitations. Community and interprofessional alliances must address disability awareness and sources of stigma in local contexts to promote optimal recovery and reintegration after surgery. Collaborative efforts are needed to develop sustainable funding for community-based care programs that specifically support pediatric post-surgical recovery and reintegration. Efforts to provide appropriate and empowering caregiver education are critical, particularly in geographical regions where ongoing access to rehabilitation professionals is minimal.


In this paper, we consider the inventory management (IM) problem where we need to make replenishment decisions for a large number of stock keeping units (SKUs) to balance their supply and demand. In our setting, the constraint on the shared resources (such as the inventory capacity) couples the otherwise independent control for each SKU. We formulate the problem with this structure as Shared-Resource Stochastic Game (SRSG)and propose an efficient algorithm called Context-aware Decentralized PPO (CD-PPO). Through extensive experiments, we demonstrate that CD-PPO can accelerate the learning procedure compared with standard MARL algorithms.


Abstract The continuous demands for stringent environmental regulation and increased interests in the preservation of natural resources have motivated industries and research institutions to examine and consider alternative approaches on the use of renewable resources and waste by-products. This study was conducted using one of the most available natural fiber types worldwide, the Phoenix Dactylifera L. Fibers, commonly known as Date Palm Fibers (DPF). Limited researches and inconsistencies in results obtained have been reported in literature on the use of DPF in concrete. Thus, there is a need of further evaluation and study on the structural behavior of fiber reinforced concrete with DPF. The present study used DPF as a natural reinforcement in concrete at varying content of 0%, 0.6%, 1.0%, and 1.4%; and different fiber lengths of 0 mm, 15 mm, 30 mm, and 45 mm. The results indicated that integration of DPF affects the physical properties particularly the workability and density of fresh concrete. Generally, the mechanical properties such as compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength of DPF reinforced concrete decreases as the amount of DPF increases in content and fiber lengths. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was carried out to examine the internal behavior and effect of DPF in the hardened concrete. Matrix deboning, fiber fractures, and voids due to the pull-out effect were observed as failure modes that contributed to lower compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and deflection as compared to control specimen.


The goal of this study is to provide a framework for future researchers to understand and use the FARSITE wildfire-forecasting model with data assimilation. Current wildfire models lack the ability to provide accurate prediction of fire front position faster than real-time. When FARSITE is coupled with a recursive ensemble filter, the data assimilation forecast method improves. The scope includes an explanation of the standalone FARSITE application, technical details on FARSITE integration with a parallel program coupler called OpenPALM, and a model demonstration of the FARSITE-Ensemble Kalman Filter software using the FireFlux I experiment by Craig Clements. The results show that the fire front forecast is improved with the proposed data-driven methodology than with the standalone FARSITE model.


Drosophila melanogaster (the fruit fly) is arguably a superstar of genetics, an astonishing versatile experimental model which fueled no less than six Nobel prizes in medicine. Nowadays, an evolving research endeavor is to simulate and investigate human genetic diseases in the powerful D. melanogaster platform. Such a translational experimental strategy is expected to allow scientists not only to understand the molecular mechanisms of the respective disorders but also to alleviate or even cure them. In this regard, functional gene orthology should be initially confirmed in vivo by transferring human or vertebrate orthologous transgenes in specific mutant backgrounds of D. melanogaster. If such a transgene rescues, at least partially, the mutant phenotype, then it qualifies as a strong candidate for modeling the respective genetic disorder in the fruit fly. Herein, we review various examples of inter-species rescue of relevant mutant phenotypes of the fruit fly and discuss how these results recommend several human genes as candidates to study and validate genetic variants associated with human diseases. We also consider that a wider implementation of this evolutionist exploratory approach as a standard for the medicine of genetic disorders would allow this particular field of human health to advance at a faster pace.


Intratesticular haematoma is not well described in the ultrasound literature and may be mistaken for a primary testicular malignancy if a detailed clinical history and careful ultrasound examination are not performed. We report two cases of intratesticular haematoma (one complicated by the presence of microlithiasis), describe the ultrasound appearances and document the natural history of the haematomas. A clinical history coupled with Doppler ultrasound features is crucial for conservative management.


Many Latin American governments have radically restructured their old age income security systems, starting with Chile's 1981 pension reform. The reforms move national pension system from purely social to largely individual responsibility; from risk pooling to individual savings accounts. They maintain reduced public risk pooling features, combined with mandatory and voluntary individual private savings to finance pensions and diversify the risks to adequate income in old age-the multi-pillar approach.


Abstract The estimation of poverty and inequality indicators based on survey data is trivial as long as the variable of interest (e.g., income or consumption) is measured on a metric scale. However, estimation is not directly possible, using standard formulas, when the income variable is grouped due to confidentiality constraints or in order to decrease item nonresponse. We propose an iterative kernel density algorithm that generates metric pseudo samples from the grouped variable for the estimation of indicators. The corresponding standard errors are estimated by a non-parametric bootstrap that accounts for the additional uncertainty due to the grouping. The algorithm enables the use of survey weights and household equivalence scales. The proposed method is applied to the German Microcensus for estimating the regional distribution of poverty and inequality in Germany.


Newborns are not yet stable in adequate temperature control, making them vulnerable to heat loss. Early breastfeeding initiation is a factor that affects the temperature of the baby. The mother's skin becomes a thermoregulator or thermal synchrony to warm the baby. The purpose of this research was to determine the influence of early breastfeeding initiation on newborn body temperature. The research was a pre-experimental study with a one-group pretest-posttest design. Participants were newborns born in Midwife Dina Mardiana in July 2019. A digital thermometer was used to measure the baby's temperature. The data analysis technique used was paired sample t tests. The results showed that early breastfeeding initiation had a significant influence on newborn body temperature (p < 0.001). The average body temperature increased by 0.46724 ∘C after early breastfeeding initiation.
Keywords: early breastfeeding initiation, newborn body temperature, newborn


It is now widely recognized that using IP as the foundation for next-generation mobile networks makes strong economic and technical sense, since it takes advantage of the ubiquitous installed IP infrastructure, capitalizes on the IETF standardization process, and benefits from both existing and emerging IP-related technologies and services. The large-scale support of data services and their integration with legacy services are the common objectives of all wireless efforts termed third generation (3G) and beyond. In these all-IP wireless networks, IP can be deployed in two modes: the transport mode and the native mode. As we show in this article, this duality in the use of IP has a significant impact on network efficiency and performance. It is the extended native use of IP in the terrestrial segment of a wireless operator's domain that more readily allows for building a converged network with multiple access technologies. We then discuss the different levels of mobility in the all-IP network. In particular, our focus is on micromobility, and on the issue of seamless localized mobility within the converged network. After reviewing the mobility schemes that have emerged in previous years, we describe a hierarchical mobility management scheme based on multiprotocol label switching (MPLS). The scheme employs an enhanced type of MPLS routers, called label edge mobility agents, and is scalable, efficient, and flexible. It directly inherits the noted capabilities of MPLS in terms of support of QoS, traffic engineering, advanced IP services, and fast restoration. This scheme does not use nodes that are specific to any given wireless technology, and is well suited for gradual deployment.


Experiments were performed with the aim of determining diurnal fluctuations in rectal temperature (RT),respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) of Yankasa sheep, and the effect of feed and water deprivation on the physiological parameters. On the experimental day, seven experimental sheep were deprived of feed and water for 12 h, while four control sheep were given access to feed and water ad libitum. The RT, RR and HR of all the sheep were measured using standard procedures. The RT rose gradually from its minimum values of 39.0 ± 0.3 and 39.1 ± 0.2 0C at 07:00 h in experimental and control sheep, respectively, and attained peak values of 39.5 ± 0.3 and 39.7 ± 0.2 0C at 18:00 hours in the experimental and control animals, respectively. There was a significant (P < 0.05) and positive correlation between hour of the day and RT values in experimental and control sheep (r = 0.640 and 0.769, respectively). The RR and HR values of experimental sheep (30.1 ± 0.5 breaths/min and 88.6 ± 1.3 beats/min, respectively) were not significantly different from those of control sheep; 30.5 ± 0.8 breaths/min and 89.2 ± 1.6 beats/min, respectively. In conclusion, meteorological parameters, feed and water deprivation exerted significant influence on RT, RR and HR in Yankasa sheep, and they should be considered whenever the physiological parameters are measured in the breed, even during the rainy season.

 Key words: Diurnal fluctuations, rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate.


Three separate and unrelated issues are briefly addressed in this editorial of the final 2011 issue of JEMDSA, namely, comments on some of the articles the journal hosts, a reminder of our Combined SEMDSA-NOFSA Congress in Cape Town in April 2012, and an invitation to reassess and revisit the aims and objectives of our journal, including its Editorial Board.


In the January 1974 issue of Computer, Art Collmeyer presented several papers describing recent developments in classical design automation. This issue expands on that theme, opening up the wide ranging application of DA techniques. All the papers selected for this issue are drawn from the proceedings of the Tenth Design Automation Workshop held in Portland, Oregon June 25–27, 1973.


Abstract: Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are commonly diagnosed with ovarian neoplasia. However, there is very little information regarding medical management of this disease condition and subsequent patient response. Long-term medical therapy of 2 cockatiels eventually diagnosed with ovarian neoplasia is described along with responses to the treatment regimens. Each bird had initial signs consistent with reproductive disease (chronic egg laying, ascites, and lethargy) and respiratory distress. The diagnosis of ovarian adenocarcinoma was confirmed on postmortem examination of both birds. The birds were conservatively managed by periodic coelomocentesis and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist administration for 9 and 25 months, respectively. A positive response to GnRH agonist therapy was documented in 1 of the 2 birds. These 2 cases demonstrate that periodic coelomocentesis with or without GnRH agonist therapy may be a viable option for the long-term management of ovarian neoplasia and reproductive-organ–associated ascites in cockatiels.


Every year, authorities in Malaysia are putting efforts on disaster management mechanisms including the flood incidence that might hit the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This includes the state of Kelantan of which it was reported that flood is just a normal event occurred annually. However, the aftermath was always unmanageable and had left the state to struggle for its own recoveries. Though it was expected that flood occurred every year, among the worst were in 1967, 1974, 1982 and recently in December 2014. This study is proposing a semantic network as an approach to the method of utilising big data analytics in analysing the huge data from the state's flood reading stations. It is expected that by using current computing edge can also facilitate mitigating this particular disaster.


Recently, tourism industry has begun to draw attention of researchers as it became one of the biggest contributors to the country's wealth in terms of services. According to the latest data from The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), revenues from international tourism in the world were roughly half a billion dollars. Of the many studies that have been conducted about tourist arrivals in specific regions, only a few have discussed the motivation to travel based on the culture and the way of life of the tourists. This is important considering that tourism service providers need to understand the culture of the tourists in order to provide their needs. About a quarter of the world's population is Muslim, and their religion governs their way of life. These people constitute a significant market share for the tourism industry, so it is important to understand their tourism patterns. As a country with the largest Muslim population, Indonesia is ranked at top six beautiful countries in the world. Despite its beauty, Indonesia's position as the largest Muslim country potentially affects the decision of tourists from other Muslim countries to come. It is because religion is thought to be the main carrier and exposition of cultural similarity. Using a gravity model framework for bilateral tourism flows, this study seeks to estimate the effect of Muslim country on the number of inbound tourists in Indonesia. Our data set includes a panel of 33 countries of origin for the period 2001-2017. We use pooled least squares, fixed effect and random effect models for our estimations. Our results show the negative effect of Muslim country, implying that the number of inbound tourists to Indonesia from Muslim countries is smaller than those from non-Muslim countries. This finding indicates that Indonesia has not been able to attract Muslim tourists to visit. In line with the gravity model approach, most of the Muslim countries are geographically far from Indonesia, and this hampers the number of inbound tourists. Also, many Muslim countries have low level of per capita income, and among few Muslim countries with high per capita income typically have small population. Therefore, it is not religion similarity that matters in determining tourist arrivals from Muslim countries in Indonesia but rather on the economic capacity and travelling time.


Social learning has been championed as a promising approach to address complex resource problems. According to theory, social learning requires several pre-conditions to be met, including (1) a divergence of interests, (2) mutual interdependence and (3) the ability to communicate. This article investigates what happened when social learning was put into practice in a multi-actor negotiation platform in the Dutch Drentsche Aa area. Our findings show that, although the platform aimed for open dialogue and at first sight appeared to meet the conditions, social learning was not achieved and the negotiations stagnated because of disagreement, frustration and distrust. Further analysis shows that the process was characterized from the beginning by unequal power relations, which enabled a dominant coalition to impose its problem definition and limit possible solutions. The article concludes by discussing the implications of our findings for the theory and practice of social learning Keywords participation • natural resource problems • competing claims • nature conservation policy • multi-stakeholder negotiation platforms


Design and Planning professionals have long been influenced by the belief in physically and spatially deterministic power over people and the environment, a belief that their representations of space become space. As a result the goal of design often becomes "fixing" or directing behavior and culture instead of letting culture happen. This outlook often prevents designers from engaging critically with culture, through representational space and spatial practice, as a crucial, possibly the most crucial, aspect in the design process. Just as human cultures interact to constantly reproduce and co-produce hybrid cultures, the professional designer and those users and experiencers of design (at whatever scale) must interact to co-produce spaces and places of activity. Through a critique of the practice of placemaking, we highlight the need to differentiate between participation and co-production. Understanding participation as one element of the design process and the role of design at larger scales of co-productive processes can help designers have a better understanding of how spaces are produced, and the role of designers in the creation of spaces of potentiality. Agamben's writing on potentialities and Lefebvre's spatial triad offer a theoretical framework to investigate the ethical role of professional designers in society while taking a critical stance against the singular solutions of modernist urban transformation. Spaces of Potentiality are seen here as a designer's simultaneous withdrawal from rational problem solving and deterministic solutions, and an engagement with open source strategies for the co-production of urban space.


The ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP) brings together some of the world's leading researchers on climate change economics and policy, from many different disciplines. The Centre is hosted jointly by the University of Leeds and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and is chaired by Professor Lord Stern of Brentford. CCCEP was established in 2008 and its first phase ended on 30 September 2013. Its second phase commenced on 1 October 2013 and ended on 30 September 2018.

DATA DESCRIPTION (ABSTRACT)
Producing climate information and managing climate risk both require a conceptual understanding of the transient behaviour of non-linear systems under time-dependent forcing, of the implications of non-linearity for the interpretation of imperfect models, and of the consequences of non-linearity for economic and policy decisions. This project was an end-to-end study of the implications of non-linearities in climate change, through an inter-disciplinary collaboration between scholars in philosophy, non-linear systems theory, climate modelling and economics. Here we offer two sets of code to run extended versions of the DICE integrated assessment model, as well as an ensemble of simulations from the FAMOUS general circulation model. These data have been produced as part of project 4(b) of the ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP), Phase 2, entitled "Climate change, non-linear systems and economic decisions".


Since human observers are the ultimate receivers of an image, most of the image quality assessment (IQA) methods are based on analysis of the properties and mechanism of the human visual system. However, due to the lack of undistorted images for a reference, the accuracy of the no-reference IQA (NR-IQA) cannot compete with that of the full-reference IQA (FR-IQA). To bridge the performance gap between the FR-IQA and NR-IQA methods, we propose a NR-IQA method based on multi-task generative adversarial network, which attempts to restore dependable hallucinated images to compensate for the missing corresponding reference images. Two tasks, hallucination images and the quality maps are outputted by the generator and are combined with the specific loss to improve the reliability of hallucination images. Besides, two discriminator networks are used to respectively distinguish the undistorted images and hallucination images pairs, quality maps and structural similarity index measurement maps pairs. Finally, the hallucination images and distorted images are input into the IQA network, and quality scores are evaluated based on the differences between them. The superiority of our proposed method is verified by several different experiments on the LIVE datasets, TID2008 datasets, and TID2013 datasets.


Spinal cord lesion can be presented as acute, in cases of trauma such as fractures, hematomas and inflammation, or can progress slowly in some chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to identify the sensitivity and specificity of CT examination in diagnostics of different causes of spinal compression in dogs. In this study, different cases with same nature of progressed signs and no findings on x-ray imaging were presented for investigation. All cases were demonstrated for spinal impact sings according to the neurological examination and were good candidates for CT imaging. The study was conducted on 196 dogs, evaluated through CT examination between 2015 and 2017. All dogs arrived with signs suggesting spinal cord lesion of varying degrees, those sings progressed with time but had no evident of spinal lesion in x-ray imaging. Different diagnostics were made based on the CT scans and the cases were divided based on that. For the dogs in the study, signs of spinal compression were evaluated, being taken in consideration the presence of hypo or hyper attenuating material in the medullary canal, integrity of the spinal canal and the vertebral body, the values of A and H index, location of the spinal lesion and presence of vacuum phenomena. Computed tomography examination of the vertebral column proved to be a valuable tool that completed the neurologic examination and show a high sensitivity (94.48%) and a high specificity (87.88%) in diagnostic of spinal cord compression.


The present paper aims at refining current knowledge about the so-called complexity principle as one of the driving forces in Dutch constituent ordering as well as re-evaluating the common assumption in traditional Dutch reference grammars that the middle field position is the standard slot for non-predicate PPs. Building on journalistic data in the Dutch Parallel Corpus, it is first shown that non-predicate PPs are significantly more often placed in postfield position (the structural position after the final verb cluster) than in middle field position (the position before the final verb cluster), which indicates that the postfield position rather than the middle field position should be considered the standard slot for PPs in written Dutch. Second, a binary logistic regression analysis is fitted in order to empirically test the complexity principle. The results show that the syntactic weight of the PP affects PP placement significantly, which is in line with was found earlier, but contrary to previous findings the weight of the middle field position itself has no significant effect and, interestingly, the interaction between PP weight and postfield weight appears to be a significant predictor too. On the basis of these findings, we propose a refined account of the complexity principle, in which both PP weight and postfield weight govern the positioning of non-predicate PPs in written Dutch.


Selenium-containing phycocyanin (Se–PC) was purified from Se-enriched cultures of a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium (Nostoc sp.) using fast protein liquid chromatography. Ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography, and Sephacry S-300 size exclusion chromatography were employed in the process of protein purification. The purity ratio and the separation factor of the purified Se–PC were found to be 5.97 and 14.73, respectively. The Se content in the Se–PC was 550 μg g−1 protein as determined by ICP-AES analysis. Interestingly, we also found that, Se–PC could effectively suppress the paraquat (PQ)-induced cell death and morphological changes, reverse PQ-induced DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation, and block PQ-induced cell apoptosis through inhibition of superoxide overproduction in human kidney HK-2 cells. The results indicate that Se–PC is a promising selenium species for the protection of renal cells from paraquat-induced damage.


This research is a pioneer attempt to establish theoretical foundation and a framework for technical developments in home automation. This study suggests the need for an International Technology Roadmap for Home Automation (ITRHA) to formulate a need based vision of typically 10 to 15 years and stresses the need for HA to cater for the specific requirements of family home users. The concept of family life cycle is used to understand the temporal needs of family. In order to formally describe a coherent set of family processes, their relationships, and interaction with external elements, a reference model named family system is established that identifies external entities, 7 major processes, and 7 subsystems to manage smooth functioning of these processes by allocating resources and interfacing between processes and external entities. The family system reference model can be used to conduct detailed requirement analysis and thus identify potential HA products and services meeting realistic user needs.


: This article reviews the antiretroviral medications in development as presented at the Eighth Annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. New medications for the treatment of HIV/AIDS are discussed by classification and a brief description of its unique quality is described.


In the context of evolution of law in France concerning equality
 between men and women and discrimination, this paper shows discrimination
 between young men and women (of French and foreign origin) in their entry path
 into the labour market. Two types of youth path are identified : on the one
 hand, having the same job after the end of their studies and 3 years after, and
 on the other hand, having a first job after the end of their studies and
 another one 3 years after. Discrimination is measured in terms of job access
 and of wage. This paper questions also the effects of labour market and of
 human resources practices in firms on discrimination.


This paper presents an excellent speed control scheme for induction motor drives. Phase-locked loop (PLL) technique based on proportional-integral derivative (PID) feedback of phase difference is employed to provide extremely accurate speed regulation. The quick-response torque control of an induction motor is used to provide better torque characteristics. In addition, a disturbance is estimated by a disturbance observer and the estimated value is fed back to eliminate the disturbance effect on the motor speed. The proposed system combines the precise speed regulation of PLL technique and the advantage of the quick-response torque control, with the insensitivity to disturbance by the disturbance compensation. A phase-plane analysis is used to evaluate the effects of gain coefficients of PID feedback of phase difference. Experimental results are presented to verify the characteristics of the proposed system.


Objective Despite growing awareness of the importance of engagement with the natural world for people living with dementia, little is known about the impact specifically for people living independently in their own home. This review identifies, analyses and synthesises existing research, incorporating first-person narrative accounts of the benefits and potential challenges experienced in forging meaningful connections with the natural world. Methods Six databases were searched from February 2000 to February 2021. Relevant organisations and authors were contacted, and a hand search of included study reference lists was conducted. The findings of included studies were synthesised using a thematic analysis approach. Findings Sixteen studies were included: 13 qualitative and three mixed methods. Eight themes and three sub-themes were identified, revealing how contact with the natural world held a significance for people living with dementia, associated with a sense of pleasure, comfort, stimulation, freedom and meaning. Support and the use of adaptive strategies afforded opportunities for continued engagement with meaningful outdoor activities and the promotion of identity, independence, social interaction, enhanced wellbeing and quality of life for people living independently with dementia. Conclusion Meaningful connections with the natural world offer far more than a 'breath of fresh air'. When support mechanisms are in place, engaging with the natural world can be a valuable arena for enablement and continuity, providing a sense of connectedness to self, place and others.


Toxic epidermal necrolysis-like acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (TEN-like ACLE) is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Because of its rarity, little is known about this entity. In this report, we describe a case of two women previously diagnosed with SLE that presented TEN-like skin lesions. The common elements in both patients were the initial disposition of the lesions on the photoexposed areas, the positivity of Nikolsky´s sign, the discrete mucosal attrition compared to that observed during TEN, and the simultaneous appearance of dermatological lesions with an extra-cutaneous flare of lupus disease. The skin biopsy in both cases showed epidermal necrosis with an identification of lupus band on direct immunofluorescence. Systemic corticosteroids were used with a good evolution after 2 weeks. Skin damage is an indicator of disease activity, and careful search for extracutaneous involvement is obligatory to prevent further complications.


The orientation distribution function (ODF) of the crystallites of polycrystalline materials can be calculated from experimentally measured pole density distribution functions (pole figures). This procedure, called pole-figure inversion, can be achieved by the series-expansion method (harmonic method). As a consequence of the (hkl)−({\bar h}{\bar k} {\bar l}) superposition, the solution is mathematically not unique. Rather it contains a range of possible solutions (kernel) which is only limited by the positivity condition of the distribution function. The complete distribution function f(g) can be split into two parts \tilde{f}(g) and \tilde{\tilde f}(g) expressed by even- and odd-order terms of the series expansions. For the calculation of the even part \tilde{f}(g), the positivity condition for all pole figures contributes essentially to an `economic' calculation of this part, whereas, for the odd part, the positivity condition of the ODF is the essential basis. Both of these positivity conditions can be easily incorporated in the series-expansion method by using several iterative cycles. This method proves to be particularly versatile since it makes use of the orthogonality and positivity at the same time.


vances in nonlinear materials and engineering, the improvement of optical coating and the laser cavity design. Among them, the properties of laser host materials still determine the ultimate performance of a laser system. Current laser material research has progressed in three basic directions-high average power, low cost miniaturization and wavelength agility. For high average power lasers, Nd:YAG is still the material of choice due to its high thermal-mechanical strength. Slab geometry has become the favorable design for diode pumping and low thermal lensing. Current research is aimed at producing large size slabs via novel growth technique or sintering of polycrystalline ceramics. For low cost low power miniature laser systems, the host material selection is more flexible. Although Nd:YVO, has demonstrated excellent performances, the high cost and growth difficulty are two problems remained to be resolved. An alternative crystal, Nd:SFAP (Sr,(PO,)Z) has shown comparable performance and can be grown in large sizes at low cost. However, its market potential is closely linked to the cost of KTP nonlinear crystals since the intracavity doubling to both the green and the red are the major application of this crystal. One of the competing technology for the same application is the upconversion laser. So far only Er up-conversion green laser has shown adequate output from both single crystals and glass fibers. Both Tm and now Nd upconversions in ZBLAN fibres have demonstrated shorter wavelengths to the blue and UV. Current limits are cost and efficiency. In addition to fix wavelength lasers, there are also demands for tunable lasers operating from UV to far IR region. Obviously no single technology can provide such a broad tuning range with the same output or efficiency. Tunable lasers based on Cr"' and Ti3' are desirable because of the simplicity. However, tuning range is limited to 700 nm to 1 pm. Cr4' lasers in fosterite and YAG extend the tuning range from 1.1 to 1.5 pm. Recent discovery of Cr4':LiA10, and V4':LiGaOz provides peak emissions at 1.3 and 1.55 pm region and they may have specific applications in the telecommunication field. However, doping in these two compounds seems to require defect association which tends to degrade crystal quality. Another new laser based on C?':ZnS has shown tuning range from 2 to 3 km region. All of these are exciting development. Since there is no solid state tunable source in the UV and visible region, it needs nonlinear conversions using BBO or LBO to reach these wavelengths. Just recently a new nonlinear crystal, CLBO (CsLiB,O,,), has just discovered. The congruent melting nature of this crystal may promise low cost for these applications. Since there is no known tunable IR laser source beyond 3 pm, the only way to reach this region is to use OPO. At present, it has produced tuning just beyond 4 km. Clearly, finding any new laser hosts is getting harder but needs to continue. Short term solution may have to rely on laser engineering of known crystal hosts. Tu K2 1130


The large body of existing research in Test Case Prioritization (TCP) techniques, can be broadly classified into two categories: dynamic techniques (that rely on run-time execution information) and static techniques (that operate directly on source and test code). Absent from this current body of work is a comprehensive study aimed at understanding and evaluating the static approaches and comparing them to dynamic approaches on a large set of projects. In this work, we perform the first extensive study aimed at empirically evaluating four static TCP techniques comparing them with state-of-research dynamic TCP techniques at different test-case granularities (e.g., method and class-level) in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and similarity of faults detected. This study was performed on 30 real-word Java programs encompassing 431 KLoC. In terms of effectiveness, we find that the static call-graph-based technique outperforms the other static techniques at test-class level, but the topic-model-based technique performs better at test-method level. In terms of efficiency, the static call-graph-based technique is also the most efficient when compared to other static techniques. When examining the similarity of faults detected for the four static techniques compared to the four dynamic ones, we find that on average, the faults uncovered by these two groups of techniques are quite dissimilar, with the top 10% of test cases agreeing on only 25% - 30% of detected faults. This prompts further research into the severity/importance of faults uncovered by these techniques, and into the potential for combining static and dynamic information for more effective approaches.


The rabbit is an important species as both a production animal and as a model organism in physiology, pharmaceutical, and numerous other studies. Similar to other species, the rabbit skeletal muscle proteome has been characterized, first using 2DE mapping and more recently using high-throughput shotgun proteomics. This article is a commentary on "Shotgun proteomics analysis of the sarcoplasmic reticulum preparations from rabbit skeletal muscle" (Z. Liu et al., Proteomics, 2013, 13, 2335-2338). Herein, we present the reasons why the manuscript is of high relevance to three major fields: farm animal, rabbit, and muscle/meat proteomics.


We have investigated the response of T cells to staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) injections in vivo. We found that a single injection of SEA with an optimal dose of 10 microg increased the expression of both CD4 and CD8 significantly. There was expansion of SEA-reactive T cells in vivo after SEA re-injection and the time interval between injections strongly influenced the responsiveness of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Anergy of T cells was observed after three SEA treatments. The time interval between injections mainly affected the unresponsiveness of CD4+ T cells, not CD8+ T cells. Marked deletion followed by anergy of CD4+ T cells was induced at short intervals, and anergy without obvious deletion of CD4+ T cells was induced at long intervals. We also found that the anergic state was reversible in vivo. Repeated SEA stimulation led to down-regulation of interleukin (IL)-2, and high levels of IL-10. This study showed that both CD4+ and CD8+ SEA-primed T cells were responsive to SEA rechallenge in vivo, and a third injection was needed to induce the anergy of T cells.


A study was made of the effects of 3 food diets containing 22, 12 and 12% of protein (the latter diet included hydrolysates) on the lifespan of old animals. Protein metabolism was studied concurrently from excretion of nitrogenous metabolism products with urine, from the level of free amine acids in the tissues, the content of proteins and its fractions in the blood serum, and urea in the tissues. The biological value of the diets proposed was estimated in experiments on young animals. The mean lifespan of old animals was found to decrease if the animals were fed the diet containing protein hydrolysates.


Objective To investigate the utility and effectiveness of a noise-attenuating, tablet-based mobile health system combined with asynchronous telehealth evaluations for screening rural Nicaraguan schoolchildren for hearing loss. Study Design Prospective population-based survey. Setting Rural Nicaraguan communities. Patients There were 3,398 school children 7 to 9 years of age. Intervention(s) Diagnostic automated and manual audiometry, detailed asynchronous telehealth evaluations Main Outcome Measure(s) Referral rates, ambient noise levels, and audiometric results as well as hearing loss prevalence, types, and risk factors. Results Despite high ambient noise levels during screening (46.7 dBA), no effect of noise on referral rates on automated audiometry or confirmatory manual audiometry in those who failed automated testing was seen. The overall audiometric referral rate was 2.6%. Idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and cerumen impaction were the most common types of hearing loss in this population with an estimated prevalence of hearing loss (all types) of 18.3 per 1,000 children. SNHL was associated with both drug exposure during pregnancy (p = 0.04) and pesticide exposure in the home (p = 0.03). Conclusion Hearing screening using a tablet-based, noise-attenuating wireless headset audiometer is feasible and effective in rural low-resource environments with moderately elevated ambient noise levels. The referral rate with noise-attenuating headsets was much lower than that previous reports on this population. In addition, manual audiometry resulted in much lower referral rates than automated audiometry. The confirmed hearing loss rate in this study is comparable to reports from other low-income countries that use some form of noise attenuation during screening. Pesticide exposure and drug exposure during pregnancy are potential causes of SNHL in this population.


A series of copper phthalocyanine thin films were prepared on amorphous substrates using physical vapor deposition at ambient temperature. Different sample preparation conditions were used: the deposition rate was varied, and the substrates was static or rotating. The preferred orientation in the thin film was studied as a function of the deposition conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis was performed using θ/2θ and pole figure measurements. In the case of layers prepared at low deposition rates and using nonrotating substrates, a very strong fiber texture was detected with (100) crystallographic planes oriented preferably parallel to the substrate surface. At higher deposition rates, an additional second type of preferred orientation was observed with (110) planes oriented preferably parallel to the substrate surface. In the case of layers prepared with rotational substrates, the (110) type of preferred orientation was quantitatively more strongly developed. If we consider electronic band structure calculations, these results imply that the electron/hole transport through the thin films is enhanced for films prepared at high deposition rates and rotating substrates.


: In this study 163 patients had long term follow ups after PTA; the value of a test which had previously hardly been used, the "Cox proportional hazards model", for prognostic purposes is stressed. In this test account is taken of the severity of the stenosis before PTA, the extent of re-stenosis following PTA and the distance of the occlusion from the aorta and these are related to the likelihood of success. The use of the Cox proportional hazards model with an accurate description of the clinical material and the use of the Kaplan-Meier method is recommended in order to obtain comparable figures for the results obtained in various centres. In this study patency after six months was 77%, after a year 67%, after three years 46% and after five years 37%.


It is demonstrated by a detailed analysis of blind system identification that under specific system configurations, a recently published least-squares algorithm shows a poor convergence behavior, especially if the system order is overdetermined. To overcome these problems, a supplementary condition is introduced that guarantees proper convergence in most cases. An alternative approach for the blind identification of mixed-phase systems, the so-called cumulant zero-matching method, is presented. In this approach, the solution of a set of nonlinear equations, which is necessary in the least-squares method, is replaced by the calculation of zeros of polynomials. The main advantage over the least-squares solution is that overdetermination of the system order is rather harmless, since it only results in additional zeros in the origin of the z-plane. The different methods for system identification presented are illustrated by simulation results. >


This essay aims to study why politicians engage in dynastic politics within democratic institutions and how they reject institutional changes that may limit their ability to pass on political power to family members. While scholars have emphasized institutions as an enabling factor, it is unclear how the power struggle manifested to preserve the institutions that continually suit the interests of aspiring dynasts amidst the democracy shift and pressure. This study seeks to fill the gap by delving into how political players struggle to preserve the structures that allow them to form political dynasties. This study also presents an original empirical conclusion demonstrating that Indonesian political dynasties more than tripled between 2010 and 2018, or in only one election cycle. This study contends that the primary cause of the rapid growth of political dynasties in Indonesia is inextricably related to the gradual institutional changes following Indonesia's democratic transition in 1998. In the process, the parasitic symbionts—i.e. the aspiring dynasts—were able to make institutional drifts.


The treaty creating the World Trade Organization (WTO) replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) dispute resolution system, which contained no formal sanctions for breach of agreement as a practical matter, with a system that results in centrally authorized sanctions against recalcitrant violators of WTO trade agreements. We examine the important features of the new system and argue that the institutionalization of a sanctioning mechanism was not motivated by a perceived need to increase the penalty for violations, but rather by a need to decrease the penalty. In particular, the GATT system relied on unilateral retaliation and reputation to police the bargain. Toward its end, unilateral retaliation became excessive and interfered with opportunities for efficient breach. The WTO mechanism for arbitrating the magnitude of proposed sanctions is the major innovation under WTO law and ensures that sanctions are not set too high.


Abstract : In the NASA/JPL Deep Space Network (DSN), radio science experiments (probing outer planet atmospheres, rings, gravitational waves, etc.) and very long-base interferometry (VLBI) require ultra-stable, low phrase noise reference frequency signals at the user locations. Typical locations for radio science/VLBI exciters and down-converters are the cone areas of the 34 m high efficiency antennas or the 70 m antennas, located several hundred meters from the reference frequency standards. Over the past three years, fiber optic distribution links have replaced coaxial cable distribution for reference frequencies to these antenna sites. Optical fibers are the preferred medium for distribution because of their low attenuation, immunity to EMI/RFI, and temperature stability. A new network of Beam Waveguide (BWG) antennas presently under construction in the DSN requires hydrogen maser stability at tens of kilometers distance from the frequency standards central location. The topic of this paper is the design and implementation of an optical fiber distribution link which provides ultra-stable reference frequencies to users at a remote BWG antenna. The temperature profile from the earth's surface to a depth of six feet over a time period of six months was used to optimize the placement of the fiber optic cables. In-situ evaluation of the fiber optic link performance indicates Allan deviation on the order of parts in 10(-15) at 1000 and 10,000 seconds averaging time; thus, the link stability degratlation due to environmental conditions still preserves hydrogen maser stability at the user locations. This paper reports on the implementation of optical fibers and electro-optic devices for distributing very stable, low phase noise reference signals to remote BWG antenna locations. Allan deviation and phase noise test results for a 16 km fiber optic distribution link are presented in the paper.


BK (Maxi-K) channel activity is allosterically regulated by a Ca2+ sensor, formed primarily by the channel's large cytoplasmic carboxyl tail segment, and a voltage sensor, formed by its transmembrane helices. As with other voltage-gated K channels, voltage sensing in the BK channel is accomplished through interactions of the S1–S4 transmembrane segments with the electric field. However, the BK channel is unique in that it contains an additional amino-terminal transmembrane segment, S0, which is important in the functional interaction between BK channel α and β subunits. In this study, we used perturbation mutagenesis to analyze the role of S0 in channel gating. Single residues in the S0 region of the BK channel were substituted with tryptophan to give a large change in side chain volume; native tryptophans in S0 were substituted with alanine. The effects of the mutations on voltage- and Ca2+-dependent gating were quantified using patch-clamp electrophysiology. Three of the S0 mutants (F25W, L26W, and S29W) showed especially large shifts in their conductance–voltage (G-V) relations along the voltage axis compared to wild type. The G-V shifts for these mutants persisted at nominally 0 Ca2+, suggesting that these effects cannot arise simply from altered Ca2+ sensitivity. The basal open probabilities for these mutants at hyperpolarized voltages (where voltage sensor activation is minimal) were similar to wild type, suggesting that these mutations may primarily perturb voltage sensor function. Further analysis using the dual allosteric model for BK channel gating showed that the major effects of the F25W, L26W, and S29W mutations could be accounted for primarily by decreasing the equilibrium constant for voltage sensor movement. We conclude that S0 may make functional contact with other transmembrane regions of the BK channel to modulate the equilibrium between resting and active states of the channel's voltage sensor.


Neurons displaying cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity (CCK neurons) in rat and monkey cerebral cortex were examined by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. CCK neurons were found to be mainly bipolar cells present in all layers and in all areas of the rat cerebral cortex. CCK neurons were also found in all regions examined in monkey cortex (pre- and post-central gyri and superior parietal lobule). The somata and the dendritic processes of CCK neurons receive relatively few synapses but both symmetric and asymmetric axosomatic and axodendritic synapses were found. The majority of axon terminals displaying CCK-like immunoreactivity formed symmetric synapses, most frequently with the somata and proximal dendrites of pyramidal and nonpyramidal neurons. The somata and processes of CCK neurons were also found to establish very close nonsynaptic associations with blood vessels and with other neurons, suggesting possible roles for the peptide in the maintenance of neuronal excitability and cerebral blood flow.


Background: Advances in dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) software algorithms have improved the accuracy of this method for body-composition measurement. Objective: Our objective was to compare the utility of DXA, underwater weighing (UWW), and a multicomponent model (MC) for assessing changes in body composition. Design: Previously sedentary women aged 40–66 y were randomly assigned to exercise training (ET; n = 36) and no exercise training (NT; n = 40). ET subjects exercised 3 d/wk; NT subjects remained sedentary. Changes in body mass, fat mass, and fat-free mass over 1 y were assessed by the 3 methods. Results: Correlations among methods were significant and large (0.73–0.97). Body weight did not change significantly in either group. In the ET group, fat-free mass increased significantly as assessed by DXA (0.7 ± 1.0 kg) but changes assessed by MC and UWW were not significant. Changes in fat mass and percentage body fat in the ET group were not significant. SDs for changes in fat mass and percentage body fat, respectively, from DXA were 2.5 kg and 2.7%; for MC, 5.5 kg and 7.1%; and for UWW, 4.4 kg and 5.8%. In the NT group, changes in fat-free mass, fat mass, and percentage body fat were significant ( P ≤ 0.02) as assessed by MC (fat-free mass, (cid:2) 1.5 ± 3.7 kg; fat mass, 2.3 ± 4.1 kg; percentage body fat, 2.8 ± 4.7%) and UWW (fat-free mass, (cid:2) 1.1 ± 2.5 kg; fat mass, 2.1 ± 3.6 kg; percentage body fat, 2.5 ± 3.5%), but changes by DXA were not significant (fat-free mass, 0.2 ± 1.2 kg; fat mass, 1.0 ± 3.9 kg; percentage body fat, 0.6 ± 3.2%). Conclusion: DXA was the most sensitive method for assessing small changes in body composition of postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:401–6.