OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of Fas/FasL in infantile hemangiomas and discuss the role of Fas/FasL in the pathologic evolution of infantile hemangioma.

METHOD
The EnVision immunohistochemical stain and RT-PCR technique was used to examine the expression of Fas/FasL protein and mRNA in the infantile hemangiomas.

RESULTS
(1) In the early and middle proliferating stage, a number of infantile hemangioma cells expressed Fas. In the late proliferating stage, the number of positive cells increased obviously and the expression of Fas mRNA was reaching the strongest level. In the early regressing stage the Fas still existed in some cells and after that the expression decreased quickly. (2) Up to the middle proliferating stage, there were a few of FasL(+) cells foound. In the late proliferating stage, the number of FasL(+) cells increased significantly. From the early regressing stage, the number of FasL(+) cells decreased rapidly and disappeared.

CONCLUSION
There may exist significant correlation between the expression of Fas/FasL and the development of the infantile hemangioma cells. The apoptosis of the infantile hemangioma cells mediated by Fas/ FasL may be the major reason of the spontaneous involution of infantile hemangioma.


As the use of computer-mediated systems for group work grows, the need for a better understanding of the impact of such systems becomes more important. Studies of non-computer-mediated group work have long been guided by mathematical models of group interaction and performance, but recent research suggests that these models do not fit the unique capabilities of computer-mediated systems. This article builds on previous group research to create a mathematical model of computer-mediated group performance which is then tested using data from two prior studies. This testing enabled us to conclude that models of computer-mediated groups run counter to the many guiding models of non-computer-mediated groups. We therefore discuss the implications of these differences in relation to users of this technology and to future developmental and empirical research.


Bodian silver-stained sections and Procion Yellow impregnation w ere used to examine the general neuroanatomy and details o f the nerve roots in the mesothoracic ganglion of adult males of Periplaneta americana (L .). General structure of the ganglion is summarized and the basic plan of its tracheation outlined. Fresh details are given of the seven paired longitudinal fibre tracts and ten transverse commissures, and three new oblique tracts of characteristic shape are described : the ring tract, G -tract and I-tract. Regions of the ventral association centre are briefly described. Groups of neuron cell bodies, which lie peripherally in the ganglion, are designated according to position. The fibre bundles that form the roots of each of the six paired peripheral nerves (nerves 2 -7 ) and the single median nerve (nerve 8) are numbered from dorsal to ventral and their courses and fibre com position described. In all, 30 roots are characterized on each side o0f the ganglion, containing over 150 efferent, presumed motor, fibres and over 2000 afferent, presumed sensory, fibres. Function and fibre diameter are not consistently related and almost all sizes of both motor and sensory fibres occur. Nerves 2 and 6 divide into distinct dorsal and ventral roots; the roots of nerves 4 and 8 are dorsal and of nerve 7 solely ventral; roots of nerves 3 and 5 form fairly continuous series from dorsal to ventral. The more dorsal nerve roots tend to be motor in function and the ventral roots sensory. Nearly all motor cell bodies are located ventrally or ventrolaterally and their processes run m ore or less dorsally to give off dendritic branches into dorsal or lateral neuropile before sending axons peripherally in the nerve trunks. Cell bodies of nerves 3 -6 , except for one in the midline, are ipsilateral, those of nerves 3 and 4 lying almost wholly anteriorly and of nerves 5 and 6 both anteriorly and posteriorly. Cell bodies of nerve 2 are contralateral and anterior except for one in the dorsal midline. Nerve 8 receives axons from posterior cell bodies of both sides. An apparently common inhibitorym otoneuron branches to nerves 3 -6 . The topology of some other motoneurons, chiefly of nerves 4 and 5, is outlined and the probable correspondence of some of them with previously identified metathoracic neurons is discussed. Sensory roots, predominantly of very small fibres, of nerves 2, 3 and 5 -7 enter the ventral association centre. Mainly coarser sensory fibres branch into mid-level neuropile or below , though some of those of nerves 2, 3 and 7 ascend more dorsally.


Breast cancer is leading cancer occurring to women globally. Early detection of breast cancer could result in reduced mortality and morbidity rate as well as cancer treatment cost. In this study, a data mining method called the decision tree is utilised to predict women's intention in adopting mammography for early breast cancer detection. The study is intended to investigate how using different validation, and optimisation techniques might have an impact on decision tree predictive performance. The application of data mining method is of the aim to produce predictive modelling that can make future predictions by learning from the previous data. The data from this study was collected amongst 500 women in Kuantan, Pahang using a validated self-developed questionnaire to elicit the health beliefs of women towards breast cancer and mammography as well as its' relation to their intention in practising mammography. By using RapidMiner software, data modelling was done using a decision tree to predict women's behavioural adoption towards mammography. The predictive performance of the tree was enhanced through several methods of validation and optimisation and further be analysed through its accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The model was found to perform better when using a combination of method, namely the split validation, the threshold as well as weight and parameter optimisation. Based on the results, a finalised decision tree was created based on the model that give the best performance results. Despite many decision tree studies that relate to breast cancer, yet only a few studies have been carried out to determine the behavioural pattern of Malaysian women's towards breast screening. Knowing the women's behavioural adoption towards breast screening in relation to their beliefs and perception will be a promising approach in early-stage breast cancer detection.


In man-mouse hybrid line from our cell library, the only cytological detectable portion of the human genome is the X chromosome, and the only genetic markers regularly expressed are coded by genes known to be ?X-linked. A component of the heterogeneous nuclear RNA of these cells was found to be complementary to repetitive human DNA sequences by means of RNA-DNA hybridization on nitrocellulose filters. The same procedure also permitted the identification of hybrid cell DNA sequences that are complementary to human heterogeneous nuclear RNA. This experimental approach, coupled with hybridization studies in situ, is expected to yield critical data on the distribution and the specificity of the repetitive DNA sequences present in the human genome and to provide a new tool for cytological mapping of human chromosomes.


Abstract Senescence has been studied since a long time by theoreticians in ecology and evolution, but empirical support in natural population has only recently been accumulating. One of the current challenges is the investigation of senescence of multiple fitness components and the study of differences between sexes. Until now, studies have been more frequently conducted on females than on males and rather in long‐lived than in short‐lived species. To reach a more fundamental understanding of the evolution of senescence, it is critical to investigate age‐specific survival and reproduction performance in both sexes and in a large range of species with contrasting life histories. In this study, we present results on patterns of age‐specific and sex‐specific variation in survival and reproduction in the whinchat Saxicola rubetra, a short‐lived passerine. We compiled individual‐based long‐term datasets from seven populations that were jointly analyzed within a Bayesian modeling framework. We found evidence for senescence in survival with a continuous decline after the age of 1 year, but no evidence of reproductive senescence. Furthermore, we found no clear evidence for sex effects on these patterns. We discuss these results in light of previous studies documenting senescence in short‐lived birds. We note that most of them have been conducted in populations breeding in nest boxes, and we question the potential effect of the nest boxes on the shape of age‐reproductive trajectories.


Four regenerator matrix samples, fabricated by different manufacturing methods and consisting of different ceramic materials and cell geometries, were studied to determine their reliability and performance potential in a typical industrial gas turbine engine. Hypothetical regenerators were designed from these matrix samples to give identical engine performance, and the thermal stress was determined for each. In some instances, it was necessary to stress relieve and preload the rims in order to reduce the thermal stresses so that acceptable reliability could be obtained. The four hypothetical regenerators were then compared on the basis of size, cost, leakage, etc., so that the advantages of each configuration could be observed. The performance and reliability analysis was based on Ford Motor Company's shuttle rig performance tests and over 200,000 core-hours of engine test on ceramic regenerators. The engine test program is described in detail.


Background: The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are clinically and genetically heterogeneous. Currently, 27 forms are known, with the causative gene identified in 16. Although the majority of dominant pedigrees worldwide have SCAs 1, 2, 3, 6 or 8, new SCAs continue to be delineated. We describe a new disorder: SCA 30. Methods: An Australian family of Anglo-Celtic ethnicity manifested a relatively pure, slowly evolving ataxia. Six affected and four unaffected members were personally examined in a standardised fashion. MRI and nerve conduction studies were performed in two. An autosomal genome-wide linkage study was undertaken, and an in silico analysis of potential candidate genes in the linkage region was performed. Results: The six affected members had a relatively pure, slowly evolving ataxia developing in mid to late life, with only minor pyramidal signs and no evidence of neuropathy. All had hypermetric saccades with normal vestibulo-ocular reflex gain. Only one displayed (slight) gaze-evoked nystagmus. MRI showed cerebellar atrophy with preservation of nodulus/uvula and brainstem. Linkage analysis excluded currently known SCAs and identified a logarithm (base 10) of odds score of 3.0 at chromosome 4q34.3–q35.1, distinct from all previously reported loci. In silico prioritisation identified the gene ODZ3 as the most likely contender. Conclusions: SCA 30 is a previously undescribed cause of (relatively) pure adult-onset autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia. The responsible gene is yet to be determined, but ODZ3 is a plausible candidate.


Aldehydes comprise a major portion of skin sensitizers because they can react with both cysteine and lysine. Moreover, cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a typical moderate sensitizer and is often used in an alternative test method for skin sensitization. The amino acid derivative reactivity assay (ADRA) is an in chemico test method that evaluates the reactivity of cysteine derivatives (N-(2-(1-naphthyl)acetyl)-l-cysteine, NAC) and lysine derivatives with the test chemicals and uses CA as a proficiency substance. We found that NAC depletion for CA was only 10-20% when CA was used directly from the reagent bottle, although it increased to almost 100% when stored after being aliquoted from the reagent bottle. It was also found that this was due to the air oxidation of NAC itself rather than the reaction of NAC with CA, indicating that this result simply shows an increase in apparent reactivity. Aldehydes are known to produce active species, such as radicals, during air oxidation. Therefore, we investigated whether radicals were generated under storage conditions using the radical scavenger OH-TEMPO. LC/MS/MS analysis revealed that CA and OH-TEMPO complexes were produced during the air oxidation of CA. In the results of five aldehydes, similar to CA, active species were not generated as significantly as CA. Collectively, during the evaluation of the aldehydes, it can be seen that careful measures need to be taken to prevent the aldehydes from oxidizing during storage, indicating that assessment without preventing air oxidation carries an increased risk of overestimation compared with the intrinsic skin sensitization potency.


The role of women within the entrepreneurial environment is of significant importance. The women entrepreneurship has to be studied separately for two reasons. The first being that women entrepreneurs have emerged as an untapped source of economic growth during the last decade. They not only create jobs for themselves and others but also provide society with different solutions to management, organisation and business problems as well as to the exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities. Women Community though equal men in population, it is the subject of concern to note that, yet in this modern sophisticated world, she is treated as the second citizen or subordinate to men. Though various efforts are being made to improve the status of women, women folk have not taken their maximum use and remain still backward. In almost all countries, the Governments are providing special provisions for women's development and efforts are being made to extract maximum use of women's talent. Women folk have not taken the proper use of the special provisions and facilities available for them in the business field. We find lack of efficient women entrepreneurs. It is the time now to awake the ladies community towards the opportunities available for them to get their talent useful and serve the society, which can be a cause for more rapid growth of the nation. As now, in this modern world everywhere the cost of living has increased, it becomes necessary for women to undertake economic activity and support their families. Now the attitude of the society has also changed and working women is not seen with suspicious eyes like earlier. She is more liberated now and the modern woman leads a very happy and peaceful family life with her husband and family's support in her economic activity. In the present paper an attempt has been made to study role, Trends, Problems faced by women entrepreneurs and also the position of women Entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir. Further it deals with assistance provided to women entrepreneurs. Remedies have also been discussed.


The importance of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was first recognized formally at a National Institutes of Health Consensus Symposium in December 1998. Since then, there has been a rapid growth of knowledge regarding nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children. The greatest advances have been made in the realms of awareness, diagnosis, and understanding of associated comorbidities. Challenges that lie ahead are centered on clinical management—the ongoing search for valid noninvasive diagnostic tools and effective therapy. This review addresses key clinical questions for which progress has been made.


Social innovation is now part of the political agenda, funding programs, and economic development policies. The world is changing, and, among other factors, digital transformation is assuming a key driver in the paradigm shift. Challenges appear, and solutions are needed, especially in what concerns human wellbeing and innovative approaches. Higher education can have an important role in this ongoing process, as it can supply an open, transformative platform for collective knowledge creation through research, education, innovation, and culture. In fact, it can shape the future of a knowledge-driven society if it works closely with its stakeholders and tries to meet their needs. Implementing new educational methodologies where students can participate and have a more dynamic and active role can be an effective answer. Combing formal education with non-formal education seems to develop the needed 21st -century skills. This article aims to share some best practices already developed at the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, based in Portugal. It reflects students' perceptions of their participation in nonformal projects during their formal education. Students seem to get more involved, more committed, and empowered, while they are learning by doing and contacting real cases in real conditions. The results seem to reinforce the notion that there is a strong relationship between learning, innovation, and social innovation. Students feel more holistically integrated into the world and with a lot of developed skills that will differentiate them in the future, in a more sustainable approach.


Little has been written about policies affecting the public who visit jails. As the number of jail inmates increases, many offenders' families are affected. For the majority, their first contact with the criminal justice system might be by visiting an inmate in jail. This study measured the levels of visitors' understanding and satisfaction with visitation policies at two county jails in a northeastern state. A total of 281 visitors from two county jails completed the surveys. Data from this study revealed that—to meet the needs of the visitors—attention should be given to methods of visiting, jail staff training, dissemination of visitation policies, and conditions of inmate incarceration. By addressing these issues, problems that visitors encounter while visiting inmates may be lessened, and their concerns about inmates may be decreased. These changes may lead to more amenable interactions between visitors and jail staff during visitation.


In this paper, the design technique of the wide swath TOPS(Terrain Observation by Progressive Scan) imaging mode is introduced. The TOPS mode overcomes the scalloping limitations imposed by ScanSAR mode by steering the antenna pattern along track direction during the acquisition of a burst. This paper reports the operation concept of TOPS imaging and mode design result to extract the SAR operational parameters. Finally, several analyzed results such as IRF(Impulse Response Function), NESZ(Noise Equivalent Sigma Zero) and DTAR(Distributed Target Ambiguity Ratio) are presented.


Nietzsche's doctrine of the eternal return of the same, seen through the lens of Heidegger's interpretation, captures the groundlessness of existence in a technological world devoid of normative significance. The author contends that the temporality depicted poetically in the thought of eternal return is the traumatic temporality of human finitude, to which Nietzsche was exposed at the age of 4 when the death of his father shattered his world. Nietzsche's metaphysical position is seen as a metaphorical window into the phenomenology of finitude and of the struggle to overcome it.


The Rotterdam Rules (RRs) have been recently introduced to replace previous Sea Conventions in an attempt to modernise, enhance legal certainty and to better harmonise the law in international carriage of goods by sea. The new provisions of the RRs covering container transport and seeking to redress the balance between carriers and shippers have been subject to criticism. The objective of this thesis is to investigate the effectiveness of the RRs liability regime in achieving their goals by comparing it with previous Sea Conventions. To satisfy this goal, the focus is to ascertain the impact of the RRs by examining the perceptions and voluntary adoption of the regime by private actors including shipping, marine insurance companies and P&I Clubs.

As the RRs have yet to receive the requisite number of ratifications to come into legal force, these views are of particular importance. The theory of transnational governance, which highlights the shift in regulatory power from national governments to private actors is analysed, as arguably it is reflected in the promotion of this International Convention to encourage international trade. The views of private and non-private actors accordingly have a significant bearing on the ability of the RRs to contribute to the goals of harmonisation and certainty in the field of commercial law.

The research finds some tension between the certainty provided by the current regime and the lack of clarity regarding how the RRs may work in practice. Thus, the potential costs of adopting the new regime are likely to be considered greater than the prospective benefits. Based on the analysis of private actors' perceptions of the RRs, the thesis therefore concludes that the degree of certainty provided by the existing regime hinders increased harmonisation through the adoption of the RRs. Greater awareness and involvement on the part of the private actors is required to drive legal harmonisation both in this context, and more generally in the area of transnational governance.


Observations at long wavelengths, in the wide interval from a few to 1000 micron, are essential to study diffuse media in galaxies, including all kinds of atomic, ionic and molecular gases and dust grains. Hence they are particularly suited to investigate the early phases in galaxy evolution, when a very rich ISM is present in the forming systems.
During the last few years a variety of observational campaigns in the far-IR/sub-mm, exploiting both ground-based and space instrumentation, have started to provide results of relevant cosmological impact. Most crucial among these have been the discovery of an intense diffuse background in the far-IR/sub-mm of extragalactic origin, and the deep explorations from space in the far-IR and with large millimetric telescopes on ground. These results challenge those obtained from optical-UV observations, by revealing luminous to very luminous phases in galaxy evolution at substantial redshifts, likely corresponding to violent events of star-formation in massive systems. This is bringing to significant refinements of the present schemes of galaxy formation, as far as the history of baryon transformations is concerned.


The increasing prevalence of heart failure (HF) serves as a reverse side of the effective treatment for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and increasing patient survival. Data on the epidemiology of HF and related mortality in Russia are limited. According to the EPOCHA trial (hospital phase), the prevalence of HF in the Russian Federation is 7%. HF can significantly contribute to cardiovascular mortality. However, its recognition is limited by the peculiarities of the mortality coding system in Russia. The article presents the authors' view on the registration of HF-related morbidity and mortality cases and perspectives of using left ventricular ejection fraction <50% for statistical reporting. none.


It has been shown that frailty is associated with low levels of well-being and life satisfaction. Further exploration is needed, however, to better understand which components constitute life satisfaction for frail older people and how satisfaction is related to other life circumstances. The aim of this study was to examine relationships between frail older people's life satisfaction and their socioeconomic conditions, social networks, and health-related conditions. A cross-sectional study was conducted (n=179). A logistic regression analysis was performed, including life satisfaction as the dependent variable and 12 items as independent variables. Four of the independent variables made statistically significant contributions: financial situation (OR 3.53), social contacts (OR 2.44), risk of depression (OR 2.26), and self-rated health (OR 2.79). This study demonstrates that financial situation, self-rated health conditions and social networks are important components for frail older people's life satisfaction. Health and social care professionals and policy makers should consider this knowledge in the care and service for frail older people; and actions that benefit life satisfaction – such as social support – should be promoted.


This thesis is about the computational prediction of crystal structures and their properties. Polymorphism, where the same molecule crystallizes in more than one structure is investigated. Several structures of polymorphs and clathrates, porous crystals that adsorb gases, are predicted without prior experimental data. Rigid-molecule lattice dynamics in an anisotropic force field is used to calculate temperature-dependent properties of large sets of crystals. Using the lattice-vibrational free energy as scoring function incrystal structure prediction is discussed. Brillouin zone sampling and convergence difficulties of lattice dynamics calculations are addressed, with a kernel density estimationmethod offered as a solution. The advantage of computationally affordable force field methods over electronic structure methods will be described. I demonstrate that multipole-based force fields canbe comparable in accuracy to dispersion-corrected generalized gradient approximation density functional theory and that such force fields are very suitable for crystal structure prediction as they allow the calculation of realistic free energies for hundreds ofstructures at a relatively small computational cost. For the prediction of clathrate structures, I show that a combination of the free energy and the guest-to-cavity volume ratio can be a suitable scoring function. I suggest thatporous structures in predicted crystal energy landscapes should be interpreted as possible solvates, clathrates and hydrates, and that these should be carefully considered in theanalysis of prediction results.


This paper is an empirical investigation into the validity of some theses posed in [5]. There it is stated (1) that the individual is able to evaluate his income level on a zero-one scale in a cardinal way, and (2) that the resulting evaluation U(y) of a steady income system at a level y under specific assumptions is approximately equal to A (y: uo2) where A is a lognormal distribution function with parameters u, o2. In this paper these statements are empirically investigated on the basis of a consumer survey conducted by the Belgian Consumer Union. Moreover, approximate relationships between the values of u, o2 and several variables, such as income, family size, age, job, stability of income, etc., have been derived. It turns out that o2 is an individual constant, but that u can be explained for a considerable part by the variables family size and income level. Most notable is the dependence of the individual's welfare evaluation or income, a phenomenon that is called "preference drift." It might lead to major changes in parts of the existing economic theory on consumer behavior and social welfare.


: Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common clinical condition encountered in NICU. It presents with diminished urinary output and/or retention in elevation of serum urea and creatinine, alteration in ECF volume, electrolytes and acid base homeostasis 1 . Sepsis and asphyxia are most common causes 2 . Peritoneal dialysis is generally regarded as optimal treatment modality in neonates with AKI who do not respond to medical treatment. It is technically a simple treatment modality which is constantly performed in neonates hospitalized in NICUs 3 . Objectives: 1) To study etiological profile of AKI in neonates admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). 2) To study Outcome of AKI in neonates following Peritoneal dialysis in NICU. Methods: This prospective interventional study was done in our MR medical college Hospital from October 2018 to April 2020. This study included 32 neonates admitted in NICU diagnosed with acute kidney injury and considered for peritoneal dialysis were considered for this study. Clinical history was taken and relevant investigations were performed to determine cause of AKI and peritoneal dialysis was performed, outcomes and complications related to PD were analysed. Statistical analysis used: Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis has been carried out in the present study. The results were analysed by using SPSS version 20.0. Results on continuous measurements were presented on Mean±SD (Min-Max) and results on categorical measurements were presented in Frequency (Percentage). Inferential statistics like Mann-Whitney U test was used to check difference between two groups. Results: Out of 32 neonates with AKI, 53.1% were males and 46.9% were females. While a normal birth weight was observed in 40.6% cases, 59.4% had low birth weight. Frequency of oliguric kidney injury was 71.9% and non-oliguric was 28.1%. Sepsis (78.1%) was the most common cause and followed by dehydration fever (50.0%). On peritoneal dialysis, complete recovery seen in 78.1% and mortality in 21.9% of neonates. PD related complications was seen in 46.8% neonates, most common being hypokalemia (12.5%), difficult drainage due to catheter block (12.5%) followed by hypoglycemia (9.4%), Conclusion: Acute kidney injury in neonates and infants is not uncommon and needs frequent renal function monitoring. Sepsis, dehydration fever and birth asphyxia are common predisposing factors for AKI. Peritoneal dialysis is an effective route of renal replacement therapy in the neonatal period for management of metabolic disturbances as well as renal failure. Although major complications of the procedure are uncommon, these patients still have a high mortality rate due to serious nature of the underlying primary causes.


The present study focuses on new types of drawing in fine art, as investigated in relation to their interdisciplinary context. The main aim is to reconsider the conventional idea of the process of creation, that is, one that proceeds from a concept to a preparatory drawing and concludes in a finished work. This investigation involves the questioning of the traditional role of drawing and the status of a ''finished artwork''. The possibility that the stages of an artwork''s completion are not successive and separated will be explored through the acknowledgement and understanding of their ''in-between workings''. These ''workings'' show a wider ''network'' of the co-ordinates that initially may be rejected as dead ends that lead to an entropic chaos. Exploring the key ideas of the Platonic "chora" and the architect Peter Eisenman''s "interstitial space", this book presents how the ''in-between workings'' encourage the evaluation and development of the initial ideas we intended to follow. Therefore, the existence of an ''interstitial space'' does not signify indeterminacy, but reveals the creatively interwoven activities of intention and outcome as well as theory and practice and their interaction.


This is a qualitative exploratory study that uses focus groups and arts-based research to examine students' talk about their experiences at one higher education institution (HEI) in London, UK. The study investigates the development and impact of a market-driven approach to HEIs including social policy discourses and measures of student experience, such as the National Student Survey (NSS). These constructions of student experience are examined with regard to narrative accounts given by undergraduate and postgraduate students of their everyday lives within the study university.

Drawing from critical feminist scholarship into experience and adopting a relational approach and a psychosocial view of the self, this thesis proposes alternative temporal and affective understandings of student lives that are frequently marginalised within the market-driven discourse of higher education. The thesis describes how the differential and changing identities of students have consequences for their day-to-day lives and relationships in ways that are not captured by neo-liberal appraisals and metrics.

The findings of the thesis contribute to sociological knowledge and debates on student experience by bringing into dialogue market-driven discourses and other fields of knowledge, such as student mental health research that constitutes a frequently marginalised facet of student life. The discussion contends that student 'satisfaction' does not necessarily equate with student or educational well-being and this conclusion has wider implications for the ways in which student experience is recognised and assessed.


Cyclin/cdc complexes are known to function in cell-cycle regulation. Cyclin D1/cdk4 and -6 complexes, which functions as a G1-S checkpoint and cyclin B1/cdc2 complexes, a G2-M checkpoint are essential for DNA synthesis and mitosis, respectively. Thus, dysregulated overexpression of cyclins appears to be involved in uncontrollable cell proliferation and early tumor development. We investigated the expression and proliferative index of cyclin D1 (PIcyclin D1), cyclin B1 (PIcyclin B1) and Ki-67 (PIKi-67) using immunohistochemical staining on 15 cases of ductal hyperplasia (DH), 26 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and 43 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast in order to evaluate whether these cyclins are associated with abnormal cell proliferation and play a role in tumor development from ADH to carcinoma. Furthermore, we investigated whether the expression and proliferative index of the cyclins and Ki-67 are correlated with the histologic grade according to the Van Nuys classification and with the histologic subtype according to traditional classification. Finally, we estimated the correlation coefficient among PIcyclin D1, PIcyclin B1, PIKi-67 and estrogen receptor in ADH and DCIS. The expression of cyclin D1 was detected in 39.5% of DCIS and 7.7% of ADH cases. In the DH cases, expression of cyclin D1 was not found. Expression of cyclin B1 was also detected in 69.7% of DCIS, 50.0% of ADH and 93.3% of the DH cases. The PIcyclin D1 was significantly different among these three groups. Moreover, the PIcyclin D1 and PIKi-67 were differed significantly between the low grade DCIS and ADH cases. However, PIcyclin B1 only appeared to be significantly different between the total DCIS and ADH. Results of the correlation coefficient among PIcyclin D1, PIcyclin B1 and PIKi-67 were positively correlated with each other. No significant correlation was found between the expression of ER and cyclin D1 in ADH and DCIS. In summary, our results support the hypothesis that a cyclin D1 and cyclin B1 protein aberration, along with Ki-67, may act as a relatively early event in the tumor development from ADH to carcinoma.


In recent years, driver drowsiness and distraction have been important factors in a large number of accidents because they reduce driver perception level and decision making capability, which negatively affect the ability to control the vehicle. One way to reduce these kinds of accidents would be through monitoring driver and driving behavior and alerting the driver when they are drowsy or in a distracted state. In addition, if it were possible to predict unsafe driving behavior in advance, this would also contribute to safe driving. In this paper, we will discuss various monitoring methods for driver and driving behavior as well as for predicting unsafe driving behaviors. In respect to measurement methods of driver drowsiness, we discussed visual and non-visual features of driver behavior, as well as driving performance behaviors related to vehicle-based features. Visual feature measurements such as eye related measurements, yawning detection, facial expression are discussed in detail. As for non-visual features, we explore various physiological signals and possible drowsiness detection methods that use these signals. As for vehicle-based features, we describe steering wheel movement and the standard deviation of lateral position. To detect driver distraction, we describe head pose and gaze direction methods. To predict unsafe driving behavior, we explain predicting methods based on facial expressions and car dynamics. Finally, we discuss several issues to be tackled for active driver safety systems. They are 1) hybrid measures for drowsiness detection, 2) driving context awareness for safe driving, 3) the necessity for public data sets of simulated and real driving conditions.


Internet romance fraud is a serious international crime made possible by the use of the internet and social media dating sites. It is a relationship fraud based on mutual love shared between the victims and their offender partners, without the victim knowing that the offenders have criminal intent to defraud the victim. This crime affect victims in developed countries who are referred to as 'clients' by their offenders' partners. Offenders use neutralization techniques to rationalize and justify their deviant behavior by deflecting the quilt associated with this crime. This study surveyed 320 respondents in validated internet romance fraud (IRF) hotspots. Variance-based partial least square (SmartPLS) with structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to investigate casual relationships among the various. The findings indicate internet romance fraudsters" (IRF) use neutralization methods ("condemn of the condemners", "denial of injury", "denial of victim," "denial of responsibility", game, service and livelihood) to justify their crimes. The offenders do not use defense of necessity and metaphor of the ledger to rationalize their crimes against their victims. The evidence from this study suggests new dimensions of neutralization techniques (game, service and livelihood) have been introduced by criminals to justify their crimes. The empirical evidence from this study suggests that crime intention in the context of IRF is carried on to the actualization of the crime, a novelty in IS research. The implication of this suggests that criminals are using new techniques in emerging crimes (IRF). Law enforcement and prosecution should arm themselves to deal with the new way of crime justification and rationalization.


Colorectal cancer is potentially preventable. Use of fecal occult blood testing, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and a combination of air-contrast barium enema examination and colonoscopy has proved to be a safe, relatively inexpensive approach to detecting colon cancer in its early stages, decreasing morbidity and increasing survival. Future work in secondary prevention of colon cancer should be aimed at standardized trials of fecal occult blood agents, thus optimizing the yield of localized lesions and decreasing the cost so that mass screening becomes possible. Major efforts should be aimed at educating physicians and the public alike. Primary prevention will deserve greater emphasis when specific risk factors pathogenetic of colon cancer are discovered.


Anorexia Nervosa is a chronic, severe psychiatric illness characterized with life threatening weight loss. Patients with eating disorder almost devote their lives to lose weight. In the course of disorder, patients hold irrational fears of becoming overweight and are committed to lose weight with/without engaging bulimic behaviors. The effectiveness of drug treatment and psychotherapy is scant. Therefore, in this paper, treatment process of a 28 y.o patient with anorexia nervosa whom hospitalized to inpatient unit with 33kg is presented to discuss the effectiveness CBT treatment. After two weeks of intense psychiatric care, 10 sessions of CBT is delivered in inpatient unit resulting with significant improvements in her weight control behavior. She completed 6-week inpatient treatment and followed by this, she completed her treatment process as an outpatient client. By the end of treatment, she reached 50kg and sustained her weight afterwards. The records revealed that she manages to cope with her fears of gaining weights and stopped using safety behaviors. Moreover, it is reported that her maintaining behaviors like excessive exercising habits, purging and restrictive dieting abated. Exposure intervention is combined with CBT treatment introduced to help her to first accommodate an imaginary acceptance to idea of gaining weight and tolerating to reach her healthy targeted weight. This followed by using exposure interventions as a preventative instrument to help her overcome her fears of gaining weights, during the 6 months followup she maintained the healthy weight.


The mean-field approach to two-site Bose–Hubbard systems is well-established and leads to non-linear classical equations of motion for population imbalance and phase difference. It can, for example, be based on the representation of the solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation either by a single Glauber state or by a single atomic (SU(2)) coherent state [S. Wimberger et al., Phys. Rev. A 103, 023326 (2021)]. We demonstrate that quantum effects beyond the mean-field approximation are easily uncovered if, instead, a multiconfiguration ansatz with a few time-dependent SU(2) basis functions is used in the variational principle. For the case of plasma oscillations, the use of just two basis states, whose time-dependent parameters are determined variationally, already gives a good qualitative agreement of the phase space dynamics with numerically exact quantum solutions. In order to correctly account for more non-trivial effects, like macroscopic quantum self-trapping, moderately more basis states are needed. For the onset of spontaneous symmetry breaking, however, a multiplicity of 2 gives a significant improvement already. In any case, the number of variational trajectories needed for good agreement with the full quantum results is orders of magnitude smaller than that in the semi-classical case, which is based on multiple mean-field trajectories.


Snake robots are hyper-redundant robots that are connected with one or two DOF joints. They offer a number of potential advantages beyond the capabilities of most wheeled and legged robots. In this paper, kinematics and dynamics of a planar multi-link snake robot in worm-like locomotion on an inclined surface is investigated. In this locomotion, Snake robot is able to move in the vertical plane. Body shape and curvature function are used to determine the joint relative angles in accordance with the worm-like locomotion. Next, position, velocity and acceleration of each link as well as center of gravity of the snake body are calculated. Newton principle is used to derive the dynamic equations based on kinematics of the snake robot. Friction forces, as the only driving force is modeled using Coulomb friction. Effects of friction coefficient and angle of inclined surface on the joint torques are investigated. It is shown that by increasing these coefficients the motor torques also increase. Webots software and Lagrangian method are both used to verify the theoretical results. Additionally, kinematics and dynamics equation presented in this paper may be used to generate other locomotions in vertical plane. Effect of link geometrical shape on motor torques is also investigated. Finally, FUM-Snake3 robot and physical experiments are used to further validate the mathematical model.


Introduction: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), strongly tobacco-associated, has been described to have a heavy mutation burden, harboring high rates of TP53 and RB1 alterations. While initially responsive to radiation and chemotherapy, SCLC is characterized by eventual progression and resistance to traditional therapy. We retrospectively analyzed a molecular profiling (MP) database to identify potentially actionable alterations using a multi-platform approach which includes massively parallel sequencing. Experimental Procedures: SCLC patient samples were referred to a central CLIA laboratory (Caris Life Sciences, AZ) for MP (immunohistochemistry [IHC] and next generation sequencing [NGS]). Expression of PD1 (MRQ-22, ≥1+) on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PDL1 (130021, SP142, ≥2+≥5%) in tumor cells was performed by IHC. Additional IHC (ERCC1, TOPO1) and NGS on 591 genes was performed on FFPE samples using the Illumina NextSeq platform in a subset of patient samples. All variants were detected with > 99% confidence. Variants are described as follows: pathogenic, presumed pathogenic, variants of unknown significance and unclassified variants (excluding SNPs). Results: 203 SCLC samples were identified, 48% were females (97) and 52% were males (106). Median age was 65 [range: 29-88]. Cancer cells expressed PDL1 in 2.5% of cases (5/203) and PD1+ TILs were detected in 38% (75/197). For comparison, internal PDL1+ in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) was 31% (339/1098). Notable findings from IHC included ERCC1 negative status in 93% (14/15) and TOPO1 + in 70% (14/20). CNV and mutational analysis (NGS) was available for 10 and 22 patients, respectively. Amplifications were found in the following genes: CCND3, CRKL, FGF4, FGFR1 and NFKB1A (n = 1, respectively), and CCND1, CCNE1, CDKN2A and FGF3 (n = 2, respectively). As previously reported, the most frequently altered genes were TP53 (73%) and RB1 (68%). Clinically relevant pathogenic or presumed pathogenic variants included: EGFR (exon 19 deletion), BRAF (G469A), APC (T1556fs), NF1 (A1610fs, D699fs), NOTCH1 (E473fs, C332Y, G546X) and PTCH1 (N1351fs). It was thought the patient with EGFR mutation is a case of NSCLC transformation to SCLC. Variants with unknown significance or unclassified variants detected in genes with clinical relevance and of potential interest for targeted therapy in SCLC include: DDR2, cMET, RET, FGFR1/3, BRCA2, IGF1R, RICTOR and NTRK1. Conclusion: Genomic and molecular characterization of SCLC samples reveals a heterogeneous population. Several potentially actionable targets are identified by NGS. Early reported trial data suggests susceptibility of SCLC to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We observed higher levels of PD1+ TILs, however differences in antibody clones, thresholds or staining localization (tumor cells vs. stromal lymphocytes), may account for the observed overall low PD-L1 expression. Further efforts are needed to identify and validate new therapeutic targets in SCLC. Citation Format: Stephen V. Liu, Edward S. Kim, Rebecca A. Feldman, Zoran Gatalica, Jeffrey Swensen, Hossein Borghaei, Alexander I. Spira, Gerold Bepler, Sandeep Reddy, Afshin Dowlati. Molecular and genomic characterization of SCLC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2266.


Objective: This paper responds to two articles in a recent issue of Australasian Psychiatry examining the names given to clinicians and forensic experts, and to the people to whom we give service. Conclusions: The contextual issues that confront the psychiatrist-as-expert differ from those as the psychiatrist-as-therapist in certain important ways. The alteration of the name from patient into one more descriptive of their position, such as defendant or claimant, is protective for both the assessor and the assessed. It reminds all that the nature of the relationship is not primarily therapeutic.


Ten to twenty percent of the offspring of mothers suffering from myasthenia gravis (MG) also develop transient neonatal MG, since maternal antibodies are able to cross the placenta. We report the course of two newborns of a mother with MG and a healthy father. The first pregnancy was complicated during the 3rd trimester by a hydramnion. The newborn presented with generalized muscle weakness, respiratory distress, weak sounding, anaemia, and poor sucking. Mechanical ventilation was necessary. Confirmation of the diagnosis was achieved by the result of repetitive muscle stimulation, showing a typical decrement in the EMG, and measurement of serum antiacetylcholin receptor antibodies. For 3 months, the infant was treated with neostigmin (cholinesterase inhibitor). After 26 days of hospitalization, the patient was released and followed up regularly. Myasthenic symptoms completely resolved. Side effects of the treatment were not observed. The course of the second pregnancy was normal. This second newborn was healthy. Our case report is remarkable for the very different presentation of two children of the same mother with MG during pregnancy and after delivery, with one child developing severe transient neonatal MG, initially requiring intensive care unit (ICU) treatment followed by quick recovery, and one child being healthy. We also present a score for monitoring the clinical course and adjusting anticholinesterase therapy accordingly.


Intraperitoneal splenic autotransplantation is now a clinical reality. However, doubts remains as to complications that might develop when splenic tissue is placed in this site. We assessed the ability of an extraperitoneal (subcutaneous) site of autotransplantation to provide protection similar to that previously demonstrated by intraperitoneal splenic reimplantation. These effects were studied during a naturally occurring epidemic of murine respiratory mycoplasmosis. Intraperitoneal splenic transplants but not subcutaneous implants improved chances for survival during this infectious epidemic. The results suggest that a subcutaneous site for splenic autotransplantation is not clinically applicable.


This paper presents an application of advanced first-order second-moment (AFOSM) reliability method to probabilistic design of integrated circuits with correlated parameters. The method avoids the transformation to the space of uncorrelated parameters and provides a conservative estimate of the yield. Optimal nominal values are found such that the cost of tolerances is minimized while the desired yield is achieved. Numerical results are presented for a switched capacitor filter and verified by Monte Carlo simulation.


‗‗Details, situations which I do not understand and cannot personally inspect, I
would not for the world meddle with. Besides not one feeling on any subject, public or
private, will I ever affect that I do not really experience.'' (Smith, 2000) This confession
settles the question whether the books written by Charlotte Bronte are drawn from what
came within her own world of experience. This paper wants to show the influence of the
life and experiences of Charlotte Bronte on her famous novel Jane Eyre. The first part of
the article provides a brief summary of the life of Charlotte Bronte. The second part
provides information about the schools she attended to which are Cowan Bridge and Roe
Head and their similarities to the novel. The third part of this paper provides Charlotte
Bronte's working experience as a governess in Stonegappe. The fourth part provides
information about Henry Nussey, Mr. Heger and Hathersage, which have important
influences on the novel. The paper concludes that a close acquaintance with Charlotte
Bronte's life shows that the story of Jane Eyre is largely her own experience.


Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), which binds to ectoenzyme angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2. It is very contagious and is spreading rapidly around the world. Until now, coronaviruses have mainly been associated with the aerodigestive tract due to the presence of a monobasic cleavage site for the resident transmembrane serine protease 2. Notably, SARS‐CoV‐2 is equipped with a second, polybasic cleavage site for the ubiquitous furin protease, which may determine the widespread tissue tropism. Furthermore, the terminal sequence of the furin‐cleaved spike protein also binds to neuropilin receptors. Clinically, there is enormous variability in the severity of the disease. Severe consequences are seen in a relatively small number of patients, most show moderate symptoms, but asymptomatic cases, especially among young people, drive disease spread. Unfortunately, the number of local infections can quickly build up, causing disease outbreaks suddenly exhausting health services' capacity. Therefore, COVID‐19 is dangerous and unpredictable and has become the most serious threat for generations. Here, the latest research on COVID‐19 is summarized, including its spread, testing methods, organ‐specific complications, the role of comorbidities, long‐term consequences, mortality, as well as a new hope for immunity, drugs, and vaccines.


Fog, haze and smoke are a big reason of road accidents. Fog reduces contrast level of the image that affects the visual quality of the image. In field of computer vision visual quality and visibility level of an image is affected by airlight and attenuation phenomena. Air particles, which present in atmosphere and affect the visibility level of any object, are called noise or unwanted signal between observer and object. For improving the visibility level of an image and reducing fog and noise various image enhancement methods are used. After enhancement is again restored the enhanced image by restoration methods. For improving the visibility level 4 major steps are used. First step is acquisition process of foggy images. Second is estimation process (estimate scattering phenomena, visibility level). Third is enhancement process (improve visibility level, reduce fog or noise level). Last step is restoration process (restore enhanced image). The main aim of this paper is to review state-of-art image enhancement and restoration methods for improving the quality and visibility level of an image which provide clear image in bad weather condition. We also compare prevalent approaches in this area through implementation of the methods keeping parameters common for critical analysis. In the end we provide the future scope for working directions in this area for the readers.


A significant hindrance to reuse of brownfields properties is the risk associated with redevelopment, specifically the uncertainty associated with environmental cleanup. This article explores an approach to managing environmental risk through a combination of risk quantification, environmental insurance, and the Triad Approach to site sampling and data interpretation. The expected costs of environmental liabilities are estimated using the Marsh Peer ReviewSM risk quantification process that employs statistical techniques and highly experienced technical staff. The outputs of the process indicate premiums and attachment points for insurance products, but they also point to "critical uncertainties" that drive the insurance premiums. Insurance premiums are often linked to site delineation deficiencies, such as the magnitude of impacted soil or the size of a groundwater plume. The Triad Approach is an integrated site characterization process developed by the Environmental Protection Agency that combines systematic planning, dynamic or adaptive field decision making and field analytical methods (FAMs). The real-time data produced by FAMs allow for in-field resolution of uncertainty about sample location, which in turn provides more representative delineation of contaminant distribution. The trade-off of using slightly less accurate but substantially lower cost FAMs is an increase in sampling frequency or density, thereby reducing the risk of incomplete detection or delineation while yielding a "data set" that is more powerful than fewer individual data points analyzed through traditional methods. Employing the Triad Approach to analyze the "critical uncertainties" identified in the Peer Review Process can impact insurance premiums and allow for better terms of coverage. The combination of using the Triad Approach and environmental insurance products can lead to more predictable and profitable Brownfield transactions. © 2003 Wiley Peridicals, Inc.


The Georgetown Universitv Round Table (on ~ i n ~ k s t i c s and ~ n t h ; o ~ o l o ~ ~ ) will be held immediately Eollowing the ACL meeting. Microfiche 55 : 4 ASSOL 1 A l ' J k UH \ZoyPUTAl I O N A L L l i J c U f & I ' l C S ' P e t r i m a n n o u n c e d t h a t Haad Rober P O , S e c r e t a r y 'Eredscrrer fif t h e ACLd t o r t h e p a s t f i v e Y e a r s h a s restsned f r m t h a t t ~ o s t , coincident i t h i s departure from t h e C e n t e r for h r p l i e d Lin~uistlcs to establish hi s own company, non ~ 3 k e r h a s been appointed t o t P e nosition on aP 4 r . t Q r i m t a s l S f o r t h e reaalnder o t t n e y e a r , P e t r i c k e x f l r e s s e d th.e c l r a t i t u d e and a p p ~ e c i a t i a n of t n e Associatiion f o r t h e d w f l l c d i o n an4 service Roberts has provided d u r i n g h i s t e n u r e a sentiqent stronqly sup p o r t e d by the members Present. W a l k e r r e d t h e Secretary-Treasurer's Report and the F i ~ ~ a n c i a l H e ~ w r t t 0 0 t h of W h i c h h d d been p r e p a r e d by P o t e r t s . Copies d r e attached t o t h e s e Y i ~ i ~ t e s , M e m b e r s h i p renebals, k i l l i r Q ~ r a c t i c e s t and t h e financial status of the Association u q r e discugscd, Petrick announced t h a t John MoY ne r as C h a l r r a n of t h e Yernbersh lp Committee, was p r e p a r f n q e c a r p a l a n t o recruit neb members, Petrick r e v l e ~ e d tne s t a t u s of the AJCL i n t h e absence o f p a v e Hays, i t s W i t o r , In discussing Aays* recent s u r v e y of t h e Ternbersh iD a b o u t t h e J a q r n a l , p e t r i c ~ remarked O n its quality and t h b r o u u h n e s s , b a t h in P r e D a r a t i o n and in t h e analysis of t h e results, Over 2 0 0 members r e s ~ o n d e d , an unusually high p e r c e n t a g e ; they s t r o n q l r ~ s u p p o r t e d continulna p u b l i c a t i o n in microfiche form. There was also consjderab1e i n t e r e s t e x p r e s s e d in having The Finite Str i 'ng available i n hara copy a n d in m a k l n s i t possible t o a c q u i r e f u l l s i z e copi ,es ot certain a r t i c l e s . ~ e f r i c k d n n o u n c e d an L x e c u t j v e committee d e c i s i o n r c o n t i n c l e n t on a d e q u a t e financial s u p p o r t , t h a t a t least p a r t o f t n e contents of t h e F i n i t e Strinq would b e i s sued in h a r d C O P Y form, p a r t j c u l a r l y t h o s e i tems of k e y ITtportance and timely i n t e r e s t to t h e mevhership. The cast of v a k j n q h a r d c o p i e s of a r t i c l e s w a l l a b l e d o u l d h e d e t e r m i n e d r a n d m e m b e r s w o u l d b e not i t ied accordJnqly. Petrick a n n Q u n C e d t h a t t h e E x e c u t i v e Committee had v ~ t ' e d to i n c r e a s e h e k d i t o r i a ] . Board o t t h e A J C L from 1 4 t o 15 qernbers a n d to establish t h r e e y e a r t e r m s qt office W i t h f i v e , D P ~ menlbets t o tre d p p o i n t e d @act? year on a r e g u l a r basis. P e t r i c k announced t h a t t h e increases tn e x ~ e n s e s a s s o c i a t e c j w i t h t h e A J C L a n d w i t h tne preparation and d i s t r S b U t j o n h a r f l c o p b nc?#Slett&r r e q u i r e d r d . l s j n q t h e dtres $ 5 t o 3 new tatdl of S 1 5 t a r i n d i v i d u a l r n e m b c r s h i p s . A sw4qest10n # a s wade from t h e floor t h a t a class of f a m i l y n l e F b e r s h l p b e established that w o u l d allow r e d u c e d d u e s for one o f two s p o u s e s So t h a t b o t h could be memaers but only one c o p y of ~ u b l ~ c a t l o n s k o u l d b e received. Pettick announced that h e E x e c u t i v e t o m m i t t @ @ had d e c i d e d t o ~ ) u t d i s h all t h e information t h a t could b e a d t h e r e d a b o u t recent e v e n t s assbciate? w i t h lgar Mel*cuk, Me1 C U ) ~ & a s f i r e d from 6 l o n g t'erm Position as Senior Research F e l l o w ot the I n s t i t u t e of L ~ n g u i s t i c s in t h e Acarjemy of Sciences of the USSR, ostensibly on t h e basis of a l e t t e r he h a d s u b m i t t e d to the N e w York Times, The l e t t e r , w t ~ i c h das published t n Januaryt expressed aisaareement b i L h t h e c r i t i c i s m s o f Andrei bakharov made b y t h e s o v i e t p r e s s . I h blarchr M e 1 cuk was f i r e d ; subsequently he p r e p a r e d a letter describing t h e Circumstances and a s k e d t h a t f t be brought t o t h e attention of American scientists, Questions had b e e n raised a b o u t t h e appropriateness o f ~ u b l i s n l n g such correspondence o n t h e g r o u n d s t h a t i t m i g h t h u r t ejthet Me1 cuk or t h e A C L or b o t h . An extensive discussion f r o m t h e floor indicated t h a t a variety o f positions were t a ~ e n on t h e i s s u e , P e t r i c k assured the menlhers that t h e S o v i e t position w o u l d be represented to t h e e x t e n t t h a t information a b o u t i t was available, The 1 5 t h Annual Meeting of tne A C L is being p l a n n e d for h a s h i n a t o n * L C . , conjunction w i t h t h e G e o r q e t o ~ n I J n f v e r s i t y Rauna rable on L a n j u a s e s and I ~ i n q u i s t f c s , Tentative d a t e s are 15 -16 March 1 9 7 7 , P J . k ' t j 1 F ~ : 14tn b n n u 3 1 ACL H u s i n e s s 1Cleetinq U a r t l n h d y r e p b t t e d b r i e f l y on C O L J I N G 7 h r t h e b t h I r ~ t e r n a t i o n ~ L ~ o O f e r e n c e eon Computationa1 Linquistics, ~ h i c h bas h e l d a t t h e bniverslty of Ottawa, U t t a h a * Canada, f r o m 2Y j u n e t o 3 J u l y 1 9 7 6 , The n e x t conference is scheduled for v a r n a , t ~ l q a r i a , in 1 9 7 8 , L k e r a n n o u n c e d that t h e n e x t I q t e r n a t icnal Joint C o n t e r p n c r on A r t i t $ c i a 1 lntel lisence N i l 1 h e held 2 2 2 b A \ I P " ~ ~ 1~ 7 7 a t t h e ~ ~ a s s a c h u s e t t s 1nstftute of Techna1ogy in C a ~ b r i d q e , s 4 a s s a c h u b e t t s , J a n e p o b i ~ s ~ n r e p o r t e d on Local 4rransementsr w i t h p d r t lculal' e m a h a s i s a, t h e banquet scheduled f o r t h e e v e n j n u r ~ 1 3 0 r t l y a f t e r t h e conclusion o f t h e buslness M e e t f n a * P a u l c h a ~ i n ~ e ~ o r t c d f o r t h e Program C o m m i t t e e . Of the 21 abstracts s u b m i t t e d , 1 4 w e r e a c c e p t e d ; h e exaressed h i s apmreciation to t b e C o m a i t t e e memners tor t h e i r assistance. i s e x p e r i e n c e h i t h p u b l i c i t y about t h e Call f o r Papers s w ~ e s t e d t h a t a C h e c k l i s t b e e s t a b l i s h e j to p r o v i d e more effectjve notitjcation, H O D barnes r e p o r t e d f o r t h e f i a m i n a t l o n C o m m i t t e e that t h e f o l l o h i n q s l a t e o f o f ' f i c e r s h a d been p r g p o s e d : f 'aes ident :F ' a u l C h a p i n , hSC V i c e President: J o n a t h a n Allenr MIT Secretary l r e a s u r e r : Don d a l k e r , SHI Fxecutive C o w m l t t e e : J e r r y Hoobs. C U k y y o m i m a t i n g Cornn i t t ee : Stan Yetrick, l t 3 Y 4 %tion t h a t t h e slate b e accep ted u n a n i ~ 1 o u s 1 ~ b a s carried, bonnie bash-hehber expressed t h e a p p r o p r i a t e sentiments In t h e forw ot a Resolutions C o m m i t t e e R e p o r t . T b e mirrotiche question * a s raised a g a i n , and Petrick r e v i e w e d ttie results of t h e questionnaire, t h e decision to tov vide newsletter informatfon in hard copy form, and the provision of h a r d copies of s e l e c t e d articles a t c o s t , I h e me-etinq adjourned. Dona13 t. b a l k e r S e c r e t a r y ~ r e a s u r e r , P r o r e ~ ~


The reactions of [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CBr)(CO)2(Tp*)] (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) with lithium alkynylselenolates LiSeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR (R = SiMe3, SiiPr3, nBu, tBu, Ph, p-tolyl) afford the alkynylselenolatoalkylidyne complexes [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CSeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)(CO)2(Tp*)]. Desilylation of the SiMe3 complex furnishes the parent [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CSeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH)(CO)2(Tp*)], which may be further derivatised by deprotonation and treatment with triphenylcarbenium or triphenylmetal chlorides to give mixed-heteroatom products [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CSeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CEPh3)(CO)2(Tp*)] (E = C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb). This procedure extends to dichlorosilanes, whereby the unusual bimetallic complexes [(Tp*)(CO)2W[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSiRR'C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]W(CO)2(Tp*)] (R, R' = Ph, CH3) are obtained, bridged by unsaturated units interrupted by two different main-group heteroatoms. Finally, the trimetallic analogues, [{(Tp*)(CO)2W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CSeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)}3SiR] (R = Ph, Et), may be prepared in the same manner from appropriate organotrichlorosilanes.


Abstract Most marine snails of the families Muricidae and Thaididae produce in their hypobranchial gland (mucus gland) a colorless secretion containing minute amounts of chromogens, which develop under the influence of light and oxygen into a pigment known as "Tyrian Purple." The hypobranchial gland of Plicopurpura pansa (Gould, 1853) is an exception among the muricids, because it is so active the snails can be stimulated periodically to expulse the secretion without harming the animals. In view of reported drastic declines of the populations of P. pansa because of the Tyrian Purple exploitation, in this laboratory study the effect of periodically "milking" of P. pansa on the frequency of expulsion and on the mortality of the snails was determined. At the beginning of the experiment using 110 animals (55 males and 55 females) only 30% expelled secretion. No relation was found between the occurrence of expulsion and the size or sex of the animals. In contrast to the laboratory snails the proportion of expulsions from free-living animals was 56%. Also here no differences were found between the occurrence of expulsion and the size or sex of the animals. For a period of 98 days it was tried in the laboratory to obtain daily secretions from 46 snails (23 males and 23 females). The frequency of expulsion declined drastically and at the end of the experiment no expulsions at all could be obtained. No difference could be noted between the sex and size of the snails and the decline of secretions, however, the total number of secretions during the test period was nearly double with the females, than with the males. The survival rate of the male snails was 83, of the females 87%. Handling mistakes during cleaning and feeding were the main reason for the mortalities. The attempt to milk the snails weekly caused, as during the daily milking experiment, a decline in the frequency of expulsion, and after 13 wk only 13% of the animals expulsed. To milk the animals every 2 wk caused a decline in the number of snails that expulsed, and only 18% of the animals secreted. No decline in the rate of expulsions was found by milking the animals every 3 and every 4 wk, and all animals survived. Frequent attempts to milk the animals has no impact on the survival rate, however, it affects the occurrence of expulsions. From the results reported here the decline of natural snail populations after milking could be explained by the environmental conditions of the intertidal zone. After milking, the animals don't adhere fast enough to the rocks and they are washed away to unsuitable areas by the high wave action. For this reason, P. pansa should never be removed from the rocks, and the collection of the secretion should be allowed only in exceptional cases.


The purpose of the study is to identify specifics of the organizational culture ofproject-based companies. Based on generalizations of the results of existing research, the definition of a project-based company has been clarified. The main characteristics that distinguish project-based firms from process-based firms have been identified. Based on this characteristics, it has been concluded that such companies differ not only in their organizational structure, content of activities and composition of participants, but also in their organizational culture. Among these features of organizational culture, the authors have included: focus on the final result, team interaction, informal communications, internal motivation of employees, active interaction with the customer. The conclusion has been made about the specifics of the project culture.


The tunneling measurements on La0.625Ca0.375MnO3 strain free epitaxial thin films with an insulator-metal transition temperature (TIM) of 250 K were performed using variable temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/S). We find a depression in the DOS with a finite zero bias conductance (ZBC) signifying the presence of a pseudogap (PG) at all temperatures. With cooling, the ZBC is found to increase together with an increase in the PG energy of about 0.2 eV near the transition. The PG is a signature of the polarons while the increasing ZBC, in agreement with the bulk insulator-metal transition indicates the presence of free carriers at the Fermi energy.


The charge transport of polycrystalline SrTiO3 films doped with Cr is investigated by means of temperature- and electric-field-dependent current measurements. In particular, the effect of electrical stress on the conduction mechanism is analyzed to understand the forming process of samples exhibiting resistance-switching phenomena. The temperature dependence of the conductivity can be described with the variable-range hopping model. The electrical-stress-induced conductivity increase of SrTiO3:Cr films is accompanied by a change of the temperature dependence corresponding to a significant increase of the density of localized states.


Poor psychological outcomes are common among trauma survivors, yet not all survivors experience adverse sequelae. The current study examined links between cumulative trauma exposure as a function of the level of betrayal (measured by the relational closeness of the survivor and the perpetrator), trauma appraisals, gender, and trauma symptoms. Participants were 273 college students who reported experiencing at least one traumatic event on a trauma checklist. Three cumulative indices were constructed to assess the number of different types of traumas experienced that were low (LBTs), moderate (MBTs), or high in betrayal (HBTs). Greater trauma exposure was related to more symptoms of depression, dissociation, and PTSD, with exposure to HBTs contributing the most. Women were more likely to experience HBTs than men, but there were no gender differences in trauma-related symptoms. Appraisals of trauma were predictive of trauma-related symptoms over and above the effects explained by cumulative trauma at each level of betrayal. The survivor's relationship with the perpetrator, the effect of cumulative trauma, and their combined impact on trauma symptomatology are discussed.


Leaf, stem and root of Chromolaena odorata were extracted by maceration extraction method using water, ethanol, methanol and hexane as solvents. The average percentage yield of leaf extracts in water (12.16 ± 0.13%), ethanol (8.42 ± 0.115%), methanol (10.45 ± 0.012%) and hexane (2.37 ± 0.215%) were significantly higher compared with stem and root extracts using the same solvents. All extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity against ten bacterial strains associated with human skin infections. Leaf extracts with ethanol, methanol and hexane solvents gave the best inhibitory activity against six gram-positive bacterial strains ( Bacillus cereus TISTR 687, Enterococcus faecalis TISTR 379, Staphylococcus epidermidis TISTR 518, Staphylococcus aureus TISTR 1466, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615 and Propionibacterium acnes DMST 14916) and one gram-negative bacterial strain ( Proteus vulgaris ATCC 13315). The hexane stem extract showed greater inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853(15.3±0.5 mm), B. cereus TISTR 687(14.6±0.8 mm) and Klebsiella pneumoniae TISTR 1843 (14.0±1.0 mm), while hexane root extract showed high inhibitory activity against Enterococcus faecalis TISTR 379 (14.5±0.9 mm) and Kleb. pneumoniae TISTR 1843 (14.7±0.6 mm). The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanolic leaf extract was 0.81 mg/mL against Staph. aureus TISTR 1466, followed by methanolic and hexane leaf extracts with equal MIC of 1.62 mg/mL against both Staph. aureus TISTR 1466 and Strep. pyogenes ATCC 19615. The antimicrobial activity of the methanolic leaf extract of C. odorata was correlated with the amount of both total phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The results obtained suggest that the ethanolic, methanolic and hexane leaf extracts could be developed to treat bacterial skin infections. The hexane was sutiable solvent for extraction of the stem and root parts of C. odorata .


This cross-sectional study describes the prevalence of lifetime inhalant use and identifies demographic, psychosocial, and other risk behavior characteristics of students reporting lifetime inhalant use. The sample consisted of 354 students attending alternative high schools (dropout prevention/recovery schools) in Texas. The prevalence of lifetime inhalant use was 27.7%. After controlling for potentially confounding factors, students reporting lifetime inhalant use were less likely to be financially supported by their parents/guardians, more likely to use alcohol/tobacco, marijuana, and cocaine, and more likely to carry weapons and consider suicide. Study results may allow school officials, parents, researchers, and health care providers to gain a better understanding of inhalant use among students at risk for dropping out of school, a group which has not been extensively studied by previous researchers.


Software-defined networking (SDN) has attracted the attention of the research community in recent years, as evidenced by a large number of survey and review papers. The architecture of SDN clearly recognizes three planes: application, control, and data planes. The application plane executes network applications, the control plane regulates the rules for the entire network based on the requests generated by network applications, and based on the set rules, the controller configures the switches in the data plane. The role of the switch in the data plane is to simply forward packets based on the instructions given by the controller. By analyzing the SDN-related research papers, it is observed that research, from the very beginning, is insufficiently focused on the data plane. Therefore, this paper gives a comprehensive overview of the data plane survey with a particular emphasis on the problem of programmability and flexibility. The first part of the survey is dedicated to the evaluation of actual data plane architectures through several definitions and aspects of data plane flexibility and programmability. Then, an overview of the SDN-related research was presented with the aim of identifying the key factors influencing the gradual deviation from the original data plane architectures given with ForCES and OpenFlow specifications. In this paper, we used the term data plane evolution for this deviation. By establishing a correlation between the treated problem and the problem-solving approaches, the limitations of ForCES and OpenFlow data plane architectures were identified. Based on the identified limitations, a generalization of approaches to addressing the problem of data plane flexibility and programmability has been made. By examining the generalized approaches, open issues have been identified, establishing the grounds for future research directions proposal.


Background: This study aimed to examine the preliminary reliability and validity of a Chinese version of the Ward Organizational Features Scales (C-WOFS).
Methods: An existing English version of the WOFS was adapted. Translation and back-translation were conducted to ensure linguistic consistency and cultural sensitiveness. The C-WOFS comprises six scales including the Scales of Physical Environment of the Ward, Professional Nursing Practice, Professional Working Relationships, Ward Leadership, Nurses' Influence, and Job Satisfaction. Then a crosssectional survey was conducted, and 1200 nurses were recruited from four general hospitals in two districts of Shanghai, China. 994 of them completed the survey.
Results: Confirmatory factor analysis of the six originally-specified scales indicated a poor fit to the data. A subsequent Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) improved the fit. After EFA, all items in the Scale of Physical Environment of the Ward were retained, and 16 items were removed from the other five scales. Two factors were generated from the original version of one-domain Job Satisfactory Scale, while the domains of the other five scales were the same as those in the original scales. The final version of C-WOFS contained 88 items and 15 subscales, distributed across six scales. The Cronbach's α for each scale and subscale ranged from 0.71 to 0.94.
Conclusion: The preliminary reliability and validity of the C-WOFS is satisfactory and promising to assess and correlate ward organizational features of hospitals in Mainland China. Further psychometric properties of the C-WOFS will be tested and reported.


A full-potential band calculation for La2CuO4 is performed within the local-spin-density approximation. It is shown that the strongly orbital-dependent exchange splittings due to the anisotropic exchange potential induce an antiferromagnetic and insulating solution improved upon the previous nonmagnetic and metallic one.


Natural disasters such as floods often leave psychological impact on victims. This study addresses the relationship between stress, anxiety and depression among flood victims and its relationship with quality of life. A total of 294 flood victims in the district of Kubang Pasu, Kedah, Malaysia were chosen as samples for this study. The study utilized the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) to measure stress, anxiety and depression while the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREFF) and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IESR) was utilized to measure quality of life. Results indicated that stress, anxiety and depression have significant negative association with quality of life. In addition, stress and anxiety were found to be significant predictors to quality of life. Effective and efficient social and infrastructural support from the government, relevant authorities and agencies as well as from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are needed to further strengthen and enhance the overall quality of life of flood victims.


The reduced sputtering yield (YnR) of materials induced by fast neutron is presented. Based on the experimental YnR results for (n, 2n), (n, p), (n, α) and (n, np) reactions, the value of YnR for (n, non-elastic) reaction is deduced by using data of cross sections in JENDL-3.2 and ENDF/B-VI. The value of YnR for (n, n) reaction is predicted by relation between YnR and the mean projected ranges of recoil nuclides. Combining both YnR for (n, n) and (n, non-elastic) reactions, the total YnR is obtained. Systematics of YnR for (n, non-elastic), (n, n) and (n, total) reactions have been demonstrated.


Gear is a machine element used to transmit motion and power between rotating shafts by means of progressive engagement of projections called teeth. Gears are classified according to the relative position of the axes of the shaft, type of gearing, peripheral velocity of the gears and position of teeth on gear surface. Presently gears are suffered by backlash the amount by which the width of a tooth space exceeds the thickness of the engaging tooth on the pitch circles, undercut a condition in generated gear teeth when any part of the fillet curve lies inside of a line drawn tangent to the working profile at its lowest point and interference is an important aspect of kinematics of gearing. When the gear tooth tries to dig below the base circle of mating gear then the gear tooth action shall be non-conjugate and violate the fundamental law of gearing this non conjugate action is called the interference.
These defects can be eliminated by increasing the pressure angle, by increasing the addendum of mating gear and another way of increasing the load capacity of transmissions is to modify the involute geometry. This has been a standard practice in sophisticated gear design for many years; the nomenclature describing these types of gear modifications can be quite confusing with reference to addendum modification or profile shift. An additional alteration that is very rarely used is to make the gears asymmetric with different pressure angles for each side of the tooth
 In this study, geometric design of asymmetric gear involute meshing is done. This method is appropriate for the geometric design of spur gears with a small teeth number and is based on the generalized model of involute meshing.


The thermotropic phase behavior of aqueous dispersions of 10 phosphatidylcholines containing omega-cyclohexyl-substituted acyl chains was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The presence of the omega-cyclohexyl group has a profound effect on the thermotropic phase behavior of these compounds in a manner dependent on whether the fatty acyl chains have odd- or even-numbered linear carbon segments. The thermotropic phase behavior of the odd-numbered phosphatidylcholines is characterized by a single heating endotherm that was shown to be a superposition of at least two structural events by calorimetric cooling experiments. 31P NMR spectroscopy also showed that the single endotherm of the odd-chain compounds is the structural equivalent of a concomitant gel-gel and gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition. The calorimetric behavior of the even-numbered phosphatidylcholines is characterized by a complex array of gel-state phenomena, in addition to the chain-melting transition, in both the heating and cooling modes. The gel states of these even-numbered compounds are characterized by a relatively greater mobility of the phosphate head group as seen by 31P NMR spectroscopy. The differences between the odd-numbered and even-numbered compounds are reflected in a pronounced odd-even alternation in the characteristic transition temperatures and enthalpies and in differences in their responses to changes in the composition of the bulk aqueous phase. Moreover, both the odd-numbered and even-numbered omega-cyclohexylphosphatidylcholines exhibit significantly lower chain-melting transition temperatures and enthalpies than do linear saturated phosphatidylcholines of comparable chain length.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Each did a job in the workplace, a person or a group of workers at risk of an accident or occupational disease. Human error was the cause of 80 % to 90 % of workplace accidents and is a major contributor to accidents. In underground mines PT. Freeport Indonesia, mobile heavy equipment accident at a 'top risk # 1' where a high number of events. Factors causing these accidents are often associated with human failure  was an indication of human error. Human error is also related to human factors occurs in a series of stages that include threats as a latent failure, situation awareness and action error as well as an active failure. The purpose of this study was to identified the main factors causing human errors that contributed to the incidence of accidents in the mobile heavy equipment operators at underground mines of PT. Freeport Indonesia. This research was an explanatory research with cross sectional and longitudinal retrospective study to investigate used a Human Factors Investigation Tool (HFIT). The number of samples in this study were 35 respondents. The results of this research conducted is a major factor in the discovery of each of these elements. Elements of occupational factors on threats approved by 24 operators (69%), the detection and perception of the elements of situation awareness experienced by 19 operators (54%), and the timing error of  the action elements committed by the 19 operators (54%). The statistic results with chi-square test indicates these three factors did not have a meaningful relationship, but has influences from one to another. Based on these findings, it is suggested that short- term improvements to give the referrals about safety to the workers and the long-term improvement is to create an integrated system to reduce it


Abstract This paper proposes to think counterfactually about international law: How could it have been otherwise? Asking that question has the benefit of, first, exposing contingencies in international law's development that are otherwise glossed over in the rush towards making sense of what happened. Second, counterfactual thinking supports the understanding of what actually happened in a context-sensitive fashion. Third, it forms part of comparative moral assessments and exposes blind spots. Counterfactual thinking may thus contribute to the freedom from necessity, from grand theory, and from reality. The paper draws the contours of what writing counterfactual (hi)stories of international law is about, discusses its merits as well as drawbacks, offers guidance on how to do it, and then focuses on two probing examples: What if the International Trade Organization had been established around 1949? What if garment workers were seals and the European Commission prohibited the importation of certain textiles?


We found high correlations when the values for immunoglobulins G, A, and M, obtained from the analysis of a group of 50 or more human sera by a measured-time radial immunodiffusion method, were compared to values found by two new commercial immunofluorescent methods. The Fiax and the Immuno-Fluor systems make use of fluorescently labeled antibodies and solid-phase immunoadsorbents and offer simple, precise, and objective methods for immunoglobulin quantitation. The Fiax procedure is less time consuming than is the Immuno-Fluor and gives IgG and IgA concentrations that are in close agreement with those found by radial immunodiffusion and IgM values that are significantly lower than the radial immunodiffusion values. The IgG results determined by the Immuno-Fluor method compare well with the radial immunodiffusion results, uhile the IgA values are significantly higher and IgM values significantly lower than those obtained by radial immunodiffusion.


Abstract. The article examines the Lisbon Treaty and asserts that the treaty's effects would be to revamp rather than revolutionize the existing arrangements for the CFSP/ESDP. With the future of the Lisbon Treaty in doubt since the Irish referendum on 12 June 2008, the article considers what the future scenarios might be for the CFSP/ESDP provisions of the treaty. The article does not adjudicate on the credibility of these future scenarios but proceeds by first outlining the changes introduced to the CFSP/ESDP by the treaty; the issues raised by the amendments introduced; and then considers the consequent effects on the functioning of the CFSP/ESDP, either by the approval of the reform by ratification of the treaty or, if it is considered a credible proposition, by piecemeal implementation. As the article illustrates, in most instances the reforms introduced by the Lisbon Treaty (or through part of a 'cherry picking' process) will still require further substantive decisions to determine the form of their implementation.


The contents of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc and chromium in 11 kinds of Chinese traditional medicines such as Danshen, Gouqizi, Dangshen, Jiaogulan, Dongchongxiacao, Huangqi, Rougui, Xixin, Longdancao, Shanzhuyu and Duzhong were determind by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in order to study the interrelation between metal elements and the therapeutic effect through the method of blurred classification. The results showed that the cluster in 7 kinds of medicines was similar when the relative coefficent was 0.50; cluster in 3 kinds of medicines was similar when the relative coefficent was 0.65; the cluster in 2 kinds of medicines was similar when the relative coefficent was 0.75. When the contents of metal elements are rich and the relative coefficient is considerably great, their therapeutic effect is similar. This suggests that trace elements have much to do with the therapeutic effect. The study provides new useful data for research on new types of medicines, and developing a new method for evaluating quality of Chinese traditional medicines.


After nearly two decades of genesis, human sexuality has become a regular part of the curricula for most medical schools. Evaluation of sex education is less common and often hampered by the absence of appropriate control groups and misinterpretation of statistical analysis. To evaluate a new sex education course at Louisiana State University Medical Center, we compared pre- and postcourse sex knowledge and attitude SKAT scores of 136 sophomore medical students with those of 43 seniors who received no formal sex education. Consistent with prior studies, sophomore pre-post course score changes indicated statistically significant increases in sex knowledge, recognition of sexual myths, and more liberal attitudes toward masturbation, abortion and heterosexuality. The magnitude of postcourse changes, however, was small. Postcourse sophomores and seniors displayed almost no differences in sex knowledge or attitudes. Criteria for sex education evaluation, and whether the formal course in human sexuality actually and effectively enables a student ultimately to better fulfill his/her function as a physician are discussed.


Summary. Two new species of Deharvengia and Assulina are described from samples in the mountain forests of Honshu Is. (Japan). Morphometric analysis showed low variability of their morphological characteristics with coefficients of variation ranging between 1.4 and 9.1% for the two new species. An amended description of the genus Deharvengia is provided.


Annual pressure ulcer surveys in the Netherlands and Germany have shown remarkable differences in prevalence rates. We explored the differences between the two populations, and the degree to which these differences were associated with differences in prevalence. To this end, data from 48 Dutch and 45 German facilities (n = 9772) from 2003 were analyzed. The prevalence of pressure ulcers (excluding grade 1) was 12.5% in the Netherlands and 4.3% in Germany. After adjusting for age, sex, and other risk factors, the probability of developing a pressure ulcer of stage 2 or higher in Dutch nursing homes was three times greater than in German homes.


Purpose: Chemotherapy regimens containing anthracyclines and taxanes represent the landmark of neoadjuvant systemic therapy of breast cancer. In advanced breast cancer patients liposomal anthracyclines (LA) have shown similar efficacy and less cardiac toxicity when compared to conventional anthracyclines. We performed this retrospective analysis in order to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of neoadjuvant regimens including LA outside of clinical trials in routine clinical practice. Methods: Fifty operable or locally advanced, HER2 negative, breast cancer patients were retrospectively identified in 5 Italian cancer centres. Nineteen patients had received 4 cycles of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD) and cyclophosphamide, followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel, every 3 weeks. In 25 patients the reverse sequence was employed, and a third subgroup of 6 patients received 4 cycles of NPLD/cyclophosphamide every 3 weeks followed by 4 cycles of weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel. Results: We observed 10 pathological complete responses (pCR) (20.0%, 95%CI, 9% to 31%), and 35 (70%, 95%CI, 57.3% to 82.7%) partial responses (pPR), whereas no patients progressed onto therapy. In the small subset of triple negative tumors the pCR rate was 37.5%, and in tumors expressing ER and/or PgR it was 16.7%. A pCR rate of 26.5% was observed in tumors with high Ki-67, whereas in tumors with low Ki-67 only one (6.2%) pCR was observed (p=0.14). Treatments were well tolerated. The most common toxicities were myelosuppression and palmar-plantar erytrodysesthesia; 4 asymptomatic and transient LVEF decrease have been recorded, without any case of clinical cardiotoxicity. Conclusions: NPLD-cyclophosphamide and taxanes sequential regimens were proven effective and well tolerated in breast cancer patients with contra-indication to conventional anthracyclines undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy, even outside of clinical trials in everyday clinical practice.


ABSTRACT Introduction COVID-19 disease has shocked the world by its spread and contagiousness. At this time, there is no valid vaccine and no proven drug treatment for COVID-19 patients. Current treatments are focused on Oxygenation, Cytokine Storm management, anti-inflammatory effects, and antiviral therapy. Antiviral photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is based on the reaction between a photo-sensitive agent and a light source in the presence of oxygen which can produce oxidative and free radical agents to damage the virus' structures. Recent studies show that nanotechnology can improve aPDT's outcome. The aim of this study was to find out the potential therapeutic effects of Nano antiviral photodynamic therapy on COVID-19. Areas covered This review evaluates Nano Antiviral Photodynamic Therapy: A Probable Biophysicochemical Management Modality in SARS-CoV-2. Data were extracted from published different studies published on PUBMED, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. Expert opinion Studies indicating that aPDT and Nano-based aPDT can be useful in viral pulmonary complications like Influenza, SARS-CoV, and MERS, but there was no direct study on SARS-Cov-2. Recent studies showed that Nano-based aPDT could relate to control of the stages of viral infections. Altogether, further investigations for the application of nanomedicine in antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation are needed for COVID-19 Management.


LIMBS is an open source brokerage system developed in the framework of the CALIBRATE project. LIMBS relies on open standards and open contents to promote exchanges of learning resources within a federation of e-learning systems. Contrary to the CELEBRATE brokerage system, from which it derives, LIMBS's role is limited to carrying and routing messages exchanged by the federation members rather than to enforcing semantic interoperability. With LIMBS, semantic interoperability becomes the responsibility of the federation members that rely on "clients" to communicate with the brokerage system and to support the negotiation of common query languages and metadata formats. LIMBS itself adopts a service-oriented architecture so that each service (e.g., resource discovery, digital rights management) can be used separately and combined with any (group) of the others


To overcome the shortcomings of chemotherapy including side effects and uncontrollable release, as well as to increase the therapeutic efficacy, a diblock copolymer (mPEG-b-PLA-BODIPY) was constructed containing a NIR absorbing boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) tail, a hydrophobic polylactide (PLA) segment, and a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segment. The nanoparticles self-assembled from mPEG-b-PLA-BODIPY with a core-shell structure were utilized to load docetaxel (DTX) in the core through hydrophobic interaction. Tailored drug release and high tumor penetration of the nanomedicine were realized by fully taking advantage of photothermal effect and the enhanced penetration and retention effect, facilitating enhanced therapeutic performance and reducing undesirable side effects. In vivo antitumor studies demonstrate that photothermal-enhanced chemotherapy effectively suppresses tumor progression, while systemic toxicity and side effects of DTX are remarkably decreased benefiting from rational design. This pioneering example provides a blueprint for the next generation of polymeric delivery vehicles integrating novel theranostic functions.


Aim: To compare the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and risk factors in patients with a known onset of diabetes before 40 years and after 40 years of age. Methods: This is a population-based study for which 1,414 diabetics were recruited. The fundi were photographed using 45-degree 4-field stereoscopic digital photography. The diagnosis of DR was based on Klein's classification of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study scales. Results: The prevalence of DR was 33.3% (95% confidence interval, CI: 26.6–39.9) in known onset of diabetes (≤40 years) compared to 15.6% (95% CI: 13.6–17.6) in those with late onset (>40 years; p < 0.0001). In the group with age of known onset of diabetes ≤40 years, the risk factors, associated with any DR, were poor glycemic control (odds ratio, OR: 1.36 for every g% increase in glycosylated hemoglobin), insulin use (OR: 4.21), increasing known duration of diabetes (OR: 1.10 for increase of every year in known duration of diabetes) and presence of macroalbuminuria (OR: 13.39). In the late onset of diabetes group, besides the above-mentioned risk factors, the presence of microalbuminuria (OR: 2.08), male gender (OR: 1.67), presence of anemia (OR: 1.89) and increased systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.01) were the risk factors for DR. Conclusion: The prevalence of DR was almost twice more in those subjects who developed diabetes before the age of 40 years than those who developed it later.


A new biodegradable platform-based sensor for formaldehyde assay is proposed. Natural rubber latex was modified to polylactic acid–chloroacetated natural rubber polymer blend sheets. The polymer blend sheet was grafted using a water-based system with amine monomers as a platform, with a spot exhibiting positive polarity for immobilizing with anionic dye (Acid Red 27). The sensor was exposed to formaldehyde. The color intensity of the dye on the sensor spot would decrease. Using a smartphone with image processing (via ImageJ program), the color intensity change (∆B) could be followed. A linear calibration, ∆B intensity = 0.365 [FA] + 6.988, R2 = 0.997, was obtained for 10–150 mM FA with LOD and LOQ at 3 and 10 mM, respectively (linear regression method). The precision was lower than 20% RSD. Application to real seafood samples was demonstrated. The ready-to-use sensor with the proposed method was cost-effective, was portable for on-site analysis, and demonstrated green chemical analysis.