In recent years the relevance of passivated emitter and rear contact solar cells for industrial application increased due to significantly higher cell efficiencies compared to full area back surface field solar cells. However, the formation of local Al contacts is particularly sensitive to the manufacturing process parameters. Under non‐optimized conditions, the eutectic in local Al contacts is missing and so‐called voids are formed. So far, their impact onto the electrical parameters of the solar cells is not fully understood, mainly because of their difficult spatially resolved detection. Within this work the application of scanning acoustic microscopy circumvents this difficulty and allows a classification of local contacts in terms of "voids" or "filled contacts" on large cell area. The passivation quality of the BSF in the local contacts is investigated in detail through the local internal quantum efficiency (IQE) measured by light beam induced current (LBIC). It is found that there is a large spreading for the IQE values, attributed to a variation in BSF layer thickness. In addition, LBIC measurements of voids are fitted by 2D simulations, according to a detailed modelling of the surface recombination velocities (SRV) in local contacts. The final model is based on a non‐uniform SRV in the void's vicinity, attributed to laser damage close to the interface. It is demonstrated that the electrical parameters of the solar cell are affected by voids only when their surface is not sufficiently passivated by a local BSF.


It is widely accepted that the framework of international financial regulation does not rely on traditional international legal institutions or arrangements. This conventional account misapprehends the scope of international monetary law and the role of the International Monetary Fund, a treaty-based international institution. It miscasts the Fund as only a monitor of its members' compliance with agreements forged elsewhere. In fact, although the Fund is largely known for its conditional lending function, it is a regulatory institution charged with enforcing formal obligations of its nearly universal membership, including members' obligations with regard to their financial policies. The Fund's primary regulatory role is to conduct bilateral surveillance of its members' performance of these obligations and multilateral surveillance to "oversee the international monetary system in order to ensure its effective operation." Surveillance is thus a mode of enforcement, albeit one that relies primarily on persuasion and not on coercive sanctions. By misapprehending this regulatory function, scholars and commentators have underestimated the Fund's potential impact on its members' domestic and international financial policies and what that impact may tell us about global governance. This Article relocates the Fund within the framework of international financial regulation and describes its "financial surveillance." It observes that Fund surveillance has significant impact on its members' financial policies and proposes that this impact is, at least in part, due to the formal legal basis of its regulatory responsibilities and its members' obligations.


This text presents the story of the Clean Record Law, which establishes the ineligibility of candidates with a dubious prior life, enacted on June 4, 2010. Beginning with the creation of the People's Bill Proposal, as defined by the 1987-88 Constituent Assembly, which was to be an instrument of popular participation, this essay examines the difficulties of proposing Bills in this manner, the problems of their proceedings in Congress, the pedagogical and political potential of this instrument, and the resistances that the Clean Record Bill faced, especially on the issue of Presumption of Innocence. It also describes the actual proceedings over an eight-month period in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, as well as the various stages by which the law, after being approved and promulgated, was analyzed by the Superior Electoral Court and by the Supreme Court, which finally confirmed its constitutionality on March 23, 2011, after another eight months of discussion. In addition, this article addresses the threats that exist to diminish the law's effects, analyzing a recent Supreme Court decision on one of its 21 items, as well as the equally recent disqualification of the law's authors by one of the Court's members. Finally, this text raises the possibility of the Clean Record Law having to be defended from the interests represented by the new administration, installed in Brazil on August 31, 2016.


Anaesthesia for the separation of conjoined twins requires a well-prepared, multidisciplinary team. Each patient for surgery is different and the extent of organ sharing and coexisting anomalies must be determined before surgery so that problems can be anticipated. We report our experience of the anaesthetic management for the separation of six sets of conjoined twins. Anaesthesia and surgery were prolonged, massive blood loss and transfusion, hypothermia, electrolyte imbalance and infection being the main perioperative problems encountered.


Using a difference-in-difference approach, we test the causal link between environmental disasters and mental health indicators in rural areas of Peru by exploiting the spatial variation of exogeneous oil spills as well as the differences in their timing for the period 2014–16. We find that, after controlling for time-varying controls and for year fixed effects, oil spills lead to significantly higher probability of suffering psychological distress, such as lack of motivation, fatigue or feeling of failure. In particular, we find that an individual is 25.2 percentage points more likely to suffer from depression after an oil spill occurrence. Falsification tests provide further support that the main results are not simply the result of spurious correlations.


There is a white revolution taking place in Pakistan, led by the private sector. It is transforming the practices of the country's dairy farmers and tying them in to the increasing demand for milk of its growing middle class. For the most part, the government and its functionaries are absent from this structural transformation in the country's rural economy Such absence is a first in the country's modern history. Stretching back to the colonial era under the Raj in India, when the building of irrigation canals starting in the 19th century transformed the landscape and tied rural populations to global commodity markets, the government always had a robust presence in the operations and changes of the rural economy. This time around, it is large multinationals led by Nestle and large Pakistani industrial food giants led by Engro Foods that are taking the lead in reshaping the rural economy, this time in the dairy sector. To tie farmers to their supply chains, these and other companies guarantee that they will be the sole purchaser for the farmer's entire dairy production. They then work with farmers to change on-farm dairy management practices to ensure consistent yields and quality of milk production. For farmers, having a guaranteed buyer for their enhanced milk production gives them an incentive to make the production and practice changes that the companies demand of them. Also, shorter payment cycles in the form of weekly payments to farmers means that their cost recovery time is significantly improved from traditional agricultural production of crops and commodities that are largely restricted to the country's two planting cycles. This financial transformation of the rural economy with its greater infusion of cash to farmers is also changing their ability to afford greater schooling access for their children with a broadly expressed desire that their children will not follow them into dairy farming.


A standard pipeline for automated spoken language assessment is to start with an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system and derive features that exploit transcriptions and audio. Although efficient, these approaches require ASR systems that can be used for second language (L2) speakers and preferably tuned to the specific form of test being deployed. Recently, a self-supervised speech representation-based scheme requiring no ASR was proposed. This work extends the initial analysis to a large-scale proficiency test, Linguaskill. The performance of a self-supervised, wav2vec 2.0, system is compared to a high-performance hand-crafted assessment system and a BERT-based system, both of which use ASR transcriptions. Though the wav2vec 2.0 based system is found to be sensitive to the nature of the response, it can be configured to yield comparable performance to systems requiring transcriptions and shows significant gains when appropriately combined with standard approaches.


Due to its anatomical features, patients with an obstruction of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) have an increased risk of death. For years, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been considered as a gold standard for revascularization. However, notable advancements in the field of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) led to its acknowledgement as an important treatment alternative, especially in patients with low and intermediate anatomical complexity. Although recent years brought several random clinical trials that investigated the safety and efficacy of the percutaneous approach in LMCA, there are still uncertainties regarding optimal revascularization strategies. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment methods of LMCA disease, focusing on percutaneous methods.


ABSTRACT Women constitute an increasing proportion of individuals contracting HIV in the United States and, once diagnosed, are living longer lives since the advent of combination antiretroviral therapies. HIV-positive women, who are disproportionately ethnic minority, face unique challenges to their psychosocial adaptation. Findings from a survey of 373 mainly indigent African-American and Puerto Rican women living with HIV/AIDS in the New York City area indicated high levels of depressive symptomatology, which were inversely related to HIV-related social support from friends, relatives, partner, and groups/organizations. In line with the Cognitive Adaptation Model, structural equation modeling indicated that psychological resourcefulness (i.e., self-esteem and mastery) mediated the effects of social support on depressive symptomatology. Findings suggest the need to assess HIV-positive women for social isolation and depression and to provide them with interventions such as support groups that capitalize on their existing strengths, including their psychological resourcefulness.


This report describes the case of a 74-year-old man who spontaneously developed a chronic loin and posterior thoracic wound 28 years after a nephrectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy for renal cell carcinoma. His wound was successfully managed surgically, with an ipsilateral free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, the vascular pedicle of which was extended using 15cm saphenous vein grafts.


Abstract Deforestation results from the trade-off between benefits from forest conservation and economic profits associated with land development. However, as net gains are often uncertain, irreversible land development may later be regretted. To better inform conservation policies, we use a real options framework to model irreversible forest conversion under uncertain conservation benefits and determine the associated optimal long-run average rate of deforestation. We then analyze the impact of the demand for agricultural products on the rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. In a scenario analysis for the nine states of the Brazilian Amazon, we calculate: (i) the expected time for exhaustion of the current forest stock; and (ii) the potential forest coverage for the next 20, 100 and 200 years. Our results suggest that if forest benefits grow over time at a sufficiently high speed, they may significantly slow down deforestation. In contrast, the higher their volatility, the faster deforestation proceeds.


Laser backscattered radiation from human forearm and foot were measured by multi-probe reflectometer, which consisted of one input probe and three output probes placed at distances of 2, 4 and 6 mm from the input probe. The normalized backscattered intensity (NBI) signals from the tissue surface, measured by the output probes, after digitization, were used to reconstruct the reflectance images of tissues in various layers below the skin surface. From NBI profiles measured at various locations of the tissues on the forearm the corresponding optical parameters, the scattering (mu(s)) and absorption (mu(a)) coefficients and the anisotropy parameter g, by matching these with profiles as simulated by Monte Carlo procedure were determined. From these data the optical parametric images of forearm were reconstructed which show the variation of these parameters at various locations. Similarly, the NBI data were collected from the foot sole region of healthy and diabetes subjects and their images reconstructed. These images showed the variation in the NBI in the diabetic foot sole compared to that of healthy subject, indicating the tissue structural changes. These procedures could be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic applications of lasers.


The article covers the area of social philosophy and deals with the problem of the New Left and its role in transforming of a consumer society. Its key idea is to study interrelation and interaction of the New Left and the consumer society. The methodological approach to the problem is based on synergetic theory. Some general New Left's aims and ideas are thoroughly considered. Some problems relating to the conflict between bourgeois culture and counterculture, and the conflict between generations are examined. Particular attention is given to progressive and regressive the New Left's aspects. The subject is significant because its issues directly concern problems of a human existence and condition of present society. The New Left centers the interests on а human in the consumer system and ways of changing of this system. Besides, their attention is focused on the concealed inner workings of the consumer society. Also the New Left's relation to present social circumstances and the role of their radical questioning are revealed. The material presented can open new prospects for research studies on fundamental tendencies in the current social system. It seems to be interesting to scientists, teachers, students and those who are interested in the problem of social development. The relation and interaction new left and consumer societies are considered as the conflict which has become a factor of self-organization and development of a global consumer society. Research showed undoubted adequacy of synergetic approach in the description and understanding of essence of processes of social development occurring on this field, including questions of management of the conflict.


Teachers, and teaching, are not supposed to be political. For years this mantra was said and believed to be true. Whenever political queations were encountered in the classroom, teachers, according to the white male patriarchy that shaped modern day schooling, were expected to push those questions aside and continue to teach the "content" dictated by the heteropatriarchal system of public schools. Inspired by Miss Alordayne Grotke's teaching from the Disney show Recess!, this autoethnographic work explores how and why I chose to practice being teacher as political. This article narrowly focuses on specific political choices made inside the classroom and debunks the myth that a teacher should be politically neutral in the classroom.


Branched-chain fatty acids are potent regulators of gene expression. Among them are the vitamin A-derived retinoic acids, which are involved in cell growth and differentiation, and the chlorophyll-derived phytol metabolites such as phytanic and pristanic acids, which affect catabolic lipid metabolism. Gene expression regulated by these signaling molecules is mediated by two protein families. These are, on the one hand, the intracellular lipid binding proteins, i.e. cellular retinoic acid binding protein and liver-type fatty acid binding protein, which are responsible for ligand-transport to the nucleus. On the other hand are the ligand-activated nuclear receptors, i.e. the retinoic acid receptors for retinoic acids and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors for the phytol metabolites. In this review, we discuss the cross-talk between the two protein families and how this cross-talk contributes to targeted signaling with branched-chain fatty acids.


Background: Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) is a CD30-positive aggressive subtype of mature T-cell lymphoma. Approximately 50% of patients (pts) with sALCL develop recurrent disease after frontline treatment (Savage, 2008). Outcomes have historically been poor for pts with relapsed T-cell lymphomas, including sALCL, with a median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.5 months (mos) and 3.1 mos, respectively (Mak, 2013). A phase 2 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin, a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in pts with relapsed or refractory sALCL (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT00866047). Four-year follow-up data from this ongoing trial are presented. Methods: Pts received 1.8 mg/kg brentuximab vedotin every 3 weeks as a 30-minute outpatient IV infusion for up to 16 cycles. Response was assessed according to the Revised Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma (Cheson 2007). Assessments of response and durability of response per an independent review facility (IRF) have been previously reported. Following a protocol amendment that removed the requirement for routine CT scanning during the follow-up period, response is now being assessed per the investigator. Survival and disease status are being assessed every 3 mos for 2 years, every 6 mos during years 3 to 5, and annually thereafter. CT scans are required if progression is suspected clinically. Results: The enrolled population of 58 pts was heavily pretreated with poor prognosis. As previously reported, 72% of patients had ALK-negative disease, 62% had primary refractory disease (defined as no complete remission [CR] or relapse within 3 months of frontline therapy), and 26% had failed a prior autologous stem cell transplant (SCT). Pts had received a median of 2 prior systemic chemotherapy regimens (range, 1 to 6). Per investigator, the objective response rate (ORR) with brentuximab vedotin was 83% (48 pts) and the CR rate was 62% (36 pts), which were similar to the previously reported ORR (86%) and CR (59%) rates per IRF. At the time of this analysis (data cut June 2014), all pts had discontinued treatment and the median observation time from first dose was 46.3 mos (range, 0.8 to 57.7). Sixty-two percent (36 of 58) of pts were alive at last follow-up and the estimated 4-year survival rate by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 64% (95% CI: 51%, 76%). Median OS by best clinical response was CR (n=36): median not reached; partial remission (n=12): 11.6 mos; stable disease (n=4): 6.9 mos; and progressive disease (n=2): 4.2 mos. Median PFS was 20.0 mos (95% CI: 9.4, – [range, 0.8 to 54.9+]) for all pts and was not reached in pts with CR. Median PFS for pts with ALK-positive (25.5 mos) and ALK-negative (20.0 mos) disease were similar. Median PFS for pts with PET-negative disease at Cycle 4 (n=28) was not reached, whereas median PFS for pts with PET-positive disease at Cycle 4 (n=20) was 6.7 mos. After discontinuing treatment, 18 pts received a hematopoietic SCT (9 allogeneic, 9 autologous). The median PFS for the pts who achieved a CR and did not receive a post-treatment SCT (n=21) was 37.7 mos (95% CI: 14.1, - [range, 2.8 to 51.1+]) and the median PFS was not reached for the pts who achieved a CR and received a subsequent SCT (n=15) (95% CI: 9.5, - [range, 8.0 to 54.4+]). Of the 36 pts who achieved CR per the investigator, 17 (47%) remain in follow-up free of progression: 10 pts received a consolidative SCT following treatment with brentuximab vedotin and 7 pts received no further therapy after completing brentuximab vedotin treatment. As previously reported, adverse events (AEs) in ≥20% of pts were peripheral sensory neuropathy, nausea, fatigue, pyrexia, diarrhea, rash, constipation, and neutropenia. AEs ≥ Grade 3 that occurred in ≥5% of pts were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, anemia, recurrent ALCL, and fatigue. Conclusions: After a median observation time of approximately 4 years from first dose of brentuximab vedotin, the 4-year survival rate was 64%. Forty-seven percent of patients with CR remain in follow-up with no evidence of progression, suggesting that brentuximab vedotin treatment may be curative for some patients. A randomized phase 3 study is being conducted to evaluate brentuximab vedotin in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone for frontline treatment of CD30-positive mature T-cell lymphomas, including sALCL (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01777152). Disclosures Pro:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding, Travel expenses Other. Advani:Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co.: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Other, Research Funding. Brice:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria. Bartlett:Genentech: Research Funding; ImaginAb: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; MedImmune: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co.: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Other, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding. Rosenblatt:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding; University of Miami: Employment. Illidge:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co.: Consultancy, Honoraria. Matous:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Speakers Bureau; Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co.: Speakers Bureau. Ramchandern:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Fanale:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding. Connors:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding. Wang:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Huebner:Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kennedy:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shustov:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding.


HAC1 encodes a transcription factor that mediates the unfolded protein response (UPR) inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. We characterizedhac1Δ mutants in the sporulation-proficient SK1 genetic background and found a novel function for HAC1 in haploid tolerance. hac1Δ spore clones contain a diploid DNA content as determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and genetic analyses. Autodiploidization of hac1 spore clones occurred after germination; hac1 spores were born haploid, but efficiently generated diploid progeny during the subsequent mitotic division. Once the hac1 mutant acquired a diploid DNA content, no further ploidy increase was observed. Interestingly, the increase in genome content following meiosis was not a general property associated with hac1 spore clones; instead, it was restricted to an inability to tolerate the haploid state. Genetic analyses involving the UPR target gene KAR2 and the UPR regulator IRE1 revealed that autodiploidization associated with hac1 mutants is a consequence of its role in the UPR pathway. Inhibition of the UPR pathway induces autodiploidization, and constitutive activation of UPR target genes suppresses this response.


Abstract. The comprehensive analysis of carbon stocks and fluxes of managed European forests is a prerequisite to quantify their role in biomass production and climate change mitigation. We applied the Carbon Budget Model (CBM) to 26 European countries, parameterized with country information on the historical forest age structure, management practices, harvest regimes and the main natural disturbances. We modeled the C stocks for the five forest pools plus harvested wood products (HWPs) and the fluxes among these pools from 2000 to 2030. The aim is to quantify, using a consistent modeling framework for all 26 countries, the main C fluxes as affected by land-use changes, natural disturbances and forest management and to assess the impact of specific harvest and afforestation scenarios after 2012 on the mitigation potential of the EU forest sector. Substitution effects and the possible impacts of climate are not included in this analysis. Results show that for the historical period from 2000 to 2012 the net primary productivity (NPP) of the forest pools at the EU level is on average equal to 639 Tg C yr−1. The losses are dominated by heterotrophic respiration (409 Tg C yr−1) and removals (110 Tg C yr−1), with direct fire emissions being only 1 Tg C yr−1, leading to a net carbon stock change (i.e., sink) of 110 Tg C yr−1. Fellings also transferred 28 Tg C yr−1 of harvest residues from biomass to dead organic matter pools. The average annual net sector exchange (NSE) of the forest system, i.e., the carbon stock changes in the forest pools including HWP, equals a sink of 122 Tg C yr−1 (i.e., about 19 % of the NPP) for the historical period, and in 2030 it reaches 126, 101 and 151 Tg C yr−1, assuming constant, increasing (+20 %) and decreasing (−20 %) scenarios, respectively, of both harvest and afforestation rates compared to the historical period. Under the constant harvest rate scenario, our findings show an incipient aging process of the forests existing in 1990: although NPP increases (+7 %), heterotrophic respiration increases at a greater rate (+13 %) and this leads to a decrease in the sink in the forest pools (−6 %) in 2030 compared to the historical period. By comparing the evolution of the biomass as a function of the NPP (i.e., the turnover time) for each country, we highlighted at least three groups of countries and turnover times. This means that, contrary to the assumptions proposed by other authors, this relationship cannot be assumed as a constant for all the EU countries, but specific conditions, such as the harvest rate, the current age structure and the forest composition, may contribute to the country-specific evolution of biomass stocks. The detailed picture of the C fluxes condensed in this study, and their evolution under different harvest scenarios, may represent both a benchmark for similar studies and a basis for broader analyses (e.g., including substitution effects of wood) on the mitigation potential of the EU forest sector.


Background: Peptic perforation is a life threatening complication of peptic ulcer disease requiring prompt surgical management. Omental patch repair with peritoneal lavage is the mainstay of treatment for perforated peptic ulcer at most of the centres. Laparoscopic repair has been described by various authors since 1990 in different part of world. In current study we have assessed the feasibility and safety of use of laparoscopy for this life threatening surgical emergency. The outcome were analyzed in terms of operating time, post-operative complications, medication, hospital stay, morbidity and mortality. Methods: This study was carried out in period of two years from January 2012 to December 2013. Patients were initially assessed in emergency department and then after resuscitation taken up for surgery. Patients with provisional diagnosis of perforated peptic ulcer were included in the study, meeting inclusion criteria. Results: Total 30 patients were studied out of total 38, who were operated in the study period. 26 males and 4 females, age ranged from 18-60 years, operative time was 55 to 110 minutes. In post-operative period the need for intravenous medication (analgesics and antibiotics) was less, early assumption of routine activity and early discharge. A very important factor noted that patient were psychologically so happy and convinced that they did not have big wound over abdomen and they can resume their routine activity as before. Conclusions: Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer is safe and effective in experienced hands in most of the patients. It offers all advantages of laparotomy without compromising the safety and outcome.


Nineteenth-century French tightrope walker Jean François Gravelet, known (in a tribute to his golden hair and reputation) as the Great Blondin, found in America a challenge worthy of his renown—Niagara Falls. Problems in securing sites and permissions dictated that his crossing point be downstream from the Falls themselves, but the one hundred and sixty foot drop to the Niagara River would nonetheless provide plenty of thrills for spectators and, as Tavares points out, plenty of lucre for gamblers. Not only did the Great Blondin wow the crowd with a successful international walk, but he threw in a bonus feature, dropping a rope down to Maid of the Mist directly below him, hauling up a bottle (contents unidentified in the book, though in reality it was wine), and toasting his fans. Tavares' narration emphasizes the Great Blondin's showmanship as well as his daring, particularly as he carried his manager on his back on one crossing, as the main section of rope sagged under the added weight and a supporting guy wire snapped. Given the theme of agility and flamboyance, the rendering of figures are disappointingly stiff and stodgy, but there is compensation in the varied and dizzying angles at which the performer's antics are captured, as well as double foldout spread of multiple stunts. Though there's a frustrating lack of source notes, an author's note and a selected bibliography are included. EB


The aim of the study was to analyst the efficiency and safety of topiramate in children and adult epileptic populations depending on the patient's age and forms of epilepsy. 597 epileptic patients receiving topiramate (302 males, 295 females) aged from 2 up 57 years were followed with video-EEG control during the period of 2002-2012. Topiramate was effective at 66,2% of patients (n=395). Low efficiency was seen at 26,8% (n=160) patients. The aggravation effect has been noted at 7% (n=42) of patients. Drug compliance (for >1 year) was 61,8% (n=369). High efficiency in group 2-3 year (n=134) was 53,8% (n=72), low efficiency in 34,3% (n=46), aggravation in 11,9% cases (n=16); in group >3-7 years (n=253) high efficiency 59,7% (n=151), low 32% (n=81), aggravation in 8,3% (n=21); in pediatric population >7 years (n=132) high efficiency 81,8% (n=108), low effect in 15,2% (n=20), and 3% aggravation (n=4); in adult population >18 years (n=78) the efficiency was 82,1% (n=64), low effect 16,6% (n=13) and aggravation in 1,3% (n=1). So, topiramate is highly effective medication in the therapy of idiopathic generalized epilepsies without absences and in symptomatic/cryptogenic focal forms of epilepsy. Topiramate could also be useful additional drug in the therapy of epileptic encephalopathies. With the increasing of patients' age the efficiency of topiramate raised, while the aggravation risks decreased. Peak of aggravation potential was seen in early childhood population and maximal effectiveness in children up 7 years and adult population.


The effect of cold rolling on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al- and C-containing CoCrFeNiMn-type high-entropy alloy was reported. The alloy with a chemical composition (at %) of (20–23) Co, Cr, Fe, and Ni; 8.82 Mn; 3.37 Al; and 0.69 C was produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis with subsequent induction. In the initial as-cast condition the alloy had an face centered cubic single-phase coarse-grained structure. Microstructure evolution was mostly associated with either planar dislocation glide at relatively low deformation during rolling (up to 20%) or deformation twinning and shear banding at higher strain. After 80% reduction, a heavily deformed twinned/subgrained structure was observed. A comparison with the equiatomic CoCrFeNiMn alloy revealed higher dislocation density at all stages of cold rolling and later onset of deformation twinning that was attributed to a stacking fault energy increase in the program alloy; this assumption was confirmed by calculations. In the initial as-cast condition the alloy had low yield strength of 210 MPa with yet very high uniform elongation of 74%. After 80% rolling, yield strength approached 1310 MPa while uniform elongation decreased to 1.3%. Substructure strengthening was found to be dominated at low rolling reductions (<40%), while grain (twin) boundary strengthening prevailed at higher strains.


The exact synthesis and design of a broad class of quarter-wave TEM mode filters is presented in a three-step procedure. The theory is applicable to all microwave filter forms consisting entirely of a cascade of quarter-wave lines, quarter-wave stubs, and coupled quarter-wave lines. The exact design of many conventional filter forms that heretofore could only be designed using approximate methods is possible using the techniques and functions described. General approximating functions that give the "best" transmission response in a Butterworth or Chebyshev sense are derived. The use of a maximum number of available singularities to augment the filter skirt response leads to a minimum element filter termed "optimum multiple." An optimum multipole design insures the "best" possible response for the minimum element and all corresponding redundant element networks. The designer has the freedom of introducing sufficient redundancy to obtain a design that is practical to construct, but which still realizes the optimum response. Judicious choice of network form often results in improved performance and reduced size in comparison with many conventional filter forms. Design procedures are presented that allow the practical realization of distributed filter networks in the form of quarter-wave lines. A design example and experimental results are given to confirm the theory.


One of the prerequisite conditions for making a successful manipulation is that the relative position between the AFM tip and the objects can be sensed and controlled accurately. While this prerequisite is grandly hampered by the PZT nonlinearity and thermal drift. Although the PZT nonlinearity can be compensated to a certain extent through mounting a position sensor on the PZT scanner, this method leads to a higher system noise and a higher cost. In addition, this method can not handle the positioning error caused by thermal drift due to the lack of sensing ability to the displacement between the AFM tip and the sample stage. This paper propose a newly developed strategy to solve these problems. Its pivotal idea is the tip position is localized based on the sensing information to sample features, not PZT driving voltage or sensor signal. In this way, the positioning error aroused from PZT nonlinearity and thermal drift can be effectively suppressed. Experimental results demonstrate the advantage and effectiveness of the proposed method.


In India, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is on the increase and needs to be addressed appropriately. In this study area, herbal remedies are considered convenient for management of Type 2 diabetes with postprandial hyperglycemia due to their traditional acceptability and availability, low costs, lesser side effects. Comparative evaluation of alpha amylase inhibitory activities of selected plants extracts. Kharagpur is situated in the Midnapur West district of West Bengal in India. In this district, diabetes prevalence is comparatively high. Ten common plants in IIT Kharagpur 1 Block namely, Acalypha indica, Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Azadirachta indica, Musa sapientum, Mangifera indica, Murraya, Ocimum sanctum, Phyllanthus amarus and Tinospora cordifolia were tested for their alpha amylase inhibitory activities to establish anti-diabetic potentials. The plant extracts were prepared sequentially with petroleum ether, hexane, chloroform, ethanol and aqueous. The extracts obtained were subjected to in vitro alpha amylase inhibitory assay using starch azure as a substrate and porcine pancreatic amylase as the enzyme. Statistical difference and linear regression analysis were performed by using Graphpad prism 5 statistical software. Ethanol extracts of Mangifera indica, Azadirachta indica and petroleum ether extract of Murraya koenigii (at a concentrations 10-100μg/ml) showed maximum percentage inhibition on alpha amylase activity with an IC50 value of 37.86 ± 0.32μg/ml, 62.99 ± 1.20μg/ml and 59.0 ± 0.51μg/ml respectively when compared with acarbose (IC50 value 83.33 ± 0.75μg/ml). The results showing that Mangifera indica, Azadirachta indica and Murraya koenigii might be effective in lowering post prandial hyperglycemia. Key words: Alpha amylase inhibition, plant extracts, postprandial hyperglycemia


Considering the spread of the intentional false news, to be aware of the new news is important. In this research, the Automatic Deep Vocabulary Grouping and Combination for News Credibility and Reliability Evaluation is proposed which includes Key Vocabularies Merging Method and False News Warning Method. The proposed system could find and verify the features of the specific intentional false news according to the proposed deep combination evaluation function. Based on the collected features of the various intentional false news, the new coming news can be classified as the false news due to the feature matching percentage.


This paper investigates the effect of permanence of firm's earning on the dividend policy of Korean firms. We decompose earnings into a transitory component and a permanent one, employing the approach of Beveridge and Nelson (1981). We focus on the relation between dividends and permanent earnings. Lee (1996) presented the empirical results that dynamic dividend behavior was more accounted for primarily by changes in permanent earnings rather than current earnings, using aggregate time-series data for the Standard and Poor's composite Stock Price Index. We use firm-level panel data and test hypothesis that Korean firm's dividend decisions also depend more on permanent earnings rather than transitory earnings. We find that the permanent earning has a significantly positive relationship with dividend and the coefficient estimate of permanent earnings is larger than that of transitory earnings. Future more, we use cash flows as earnings variable and find the similar results. There is a significantly positive relationship between permanent cash flows and dividends. And the marginal effect of permanent cash flows on dividends is significantly larger than that of transitory cash flows on them. These empirical results show that Korean firms take into consideration of permanence of earnings more in making their dividend decisions.


The aim of this research was to exactly quantify pure sodium metamizole from tablets , using a spectrophotometric analysis in Visible range. The method applied has been subjected to a validation protocal which consisted in analyzing the following parameters: linearity of the method, detection limit (LD) , quantitation limit (LQ), Sandell�s sensitivity, interference of excipients, stability of prepared solutions, method and system precision, accuracy of the method. Following actual dosing, pure sodium metamizole amount in tablet of pharmaceutical was found to be 477.477 mg assigned to a percentage content of 95.495 %, very close to official declared amount (500 mg), with an maximum average percentage deviation of only 4.505 % from the official declared active substance content. This value was situated below the maximum admissible percentage deviation from stated active substance content (� 5%), established by Romanian Pharmacopoeia, X-th Edition rules.


Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a molecularly heterogeneous disorder of the bone marrow with poor long-term clinical outcomes due to a high risk of relapse after initial therapy. Relapse is thought to occur from minimal residual disease (MRD) consisting of leukemic blasts present below the limit of morphologic detection. Genomic sequencing studies have suggested complex subclonal architecture of AML, however bulk sequencing techniques may not fully resolve individual subclones present at diagnosis, remission and relapse. Here, we use a high-throughput single cell sequencing technique to delineate the subclonal structure of AML and identify clones present at diagnosis and at time of remission associated with disease relapse.Matched diagnosis, remission, and relapse samples were examined for 20 de novo AML cases including 15 relapsed and 5 non-relapsed controls. Mutational bulk sequencing was performed by NGS panel sequencing and exome sequencing was available in select cases. Single cell processing was performed using the Tapestri platform (Mission Bio, inc). Briefly, individual cells were isolated using a microfluidic approach, followed by barcoding and genomic DNA amplification for individual cancer cells confined to droplets. Barcodes were then used to reassemble the genetic profiles of cells from next generation sequencing data. We applied this approach to individual AML samples, for accurate single nucleotide variant (SNV) and indel calling for up to 300 multiplexed loci from up to 10,000 cells in a single run.Targeted single-cell sequencing was able to recapitulate all mutations identified by bulk sequencing. Additionally, single cell analysis allowed for resolution of subclonal architecture and tumor phylogenetic evolution beyond what was predicted from bulk sequencing alone. We identified rare subclonal populations associated with relapse at time of diagnosis and remission. Additionally, single-cell sequencing unambiguously resolved pre-leukemic/clonal hematopoiesis-associated clones, which persisted following treatment. Analysis of paired samples at diagnosis and relapse identified subclonal populations below detection of standard bulk sequencing methods. These included rare single-cell populations associated with treatment resistance including independent subclones with IDH1 and IDH2 mutations, co-occurring RAS and FLT3 mutations, as well as persistent low level clones associated with MRD positivity and disease relapse. Our results suggest a greater degree of subclonal heterogeneity in de novo AML samples than inferred from bulk sequencing methods alone and shows the utility of single-cell sequencing for treatment monitoring, MRD identification, and understanding of disease resistance mechanisms. Citation Format: Alexey Aleshin, Robert Durruthy-Durruthy, Ryan Corces, Michaela Liedtke, Dennis Eastburn, Ravindra Majeti. Single-cell mutational profiling of paired AML samples at diagnosis, remission and relapse: Implications for therapeutic resistance and MRD detection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5130.


This paper considers the application of principles widely used to conceptualise and address violent and aggressive behaviour in psychiatric settings and examines if and to what extent they may be applicable to the police resolution of community-based mental health crisis encounters. It suggests that police should distill the significant accumulated practical wisdom available within its ranks to inform the beginnings of an evidence-based approach regarding effective resolution of such incidents. These can then be further validated within the frameworks of interpersonal theory and enhanced therapeutic communication style recommended in psychiatric settings to help better equip police with a suite of evidence-based tools when encountering such situations.


This paper sheds light on the real effects of foreign central bank's degree of inflation aversion in presence of non-atomistic wage setters. It extends the Lippi's (2003) framework to an open economy and identifies the key strategic mechanisms between monetary policy and wage-setting decisions so as to assess the real effects of domestic and foreign policy makers' aversion to inflation. A main finding is that foreign central bank's aversion to inflation always increases employment. The impact of domestic central bank's aversion to inflation instead depends on the combination of three strategic effects.


Late on 3 April 2017 in Saint Petersburg, Vladimir Putin and Alyaksandr Lukashenka announced the end of the Belarusian-Russian energy dispute. New loans from Moscow appear to be the central outcome for Minsk. This provides relief for Lukashenka, whose regime currently finds itself squeezed between economic difficulties and social protests. But the agreement leaves Minsk's underlying economic problems unresolved, while the additional debt ties it even tighter to Moscow. In exchange for its support, the Kremlin could at some point demand Minsk make concessions that contradict the EU's interests. To date, however, Lukashenka has sought to retain a degree of autonomy from Moscow, with Minsk's dialogue with the EU providing an important counterweight.


Since 1999, Vaccinia virus (VACV) has been described as a causative agent of bovine vaccinia (BV), a zoonotic disease that occurs mainly in rural areas of Brazil. However, the circulation of VACV in urban environments and its associated burden has been poorly explored. Moreover, the current monkeypox (mpox) outbreak has raised questions regarding the immune status of the worldwide population previous vaccinated against smallpox. Hence, we conducted a cross‐sectional study to better understand the prevalence of anti‐OPV neutralizing antibodies (NA) and related exposure factors in a susceptible urban population of Brazil. A total of 372 individuals were sampled, yielding an overall seroprevalence of 16.9% (CI95% = 13.4–21.1), and antibodies titers ranging from 100 to 800 neutralizing units/mL. The prevalence of NA among individuals potentially vaccinated against smallpox (≥36 years old [yo]) was 24.9% (IC 95% = 19.5–31.2), and among those unvaccinated (<36yo) was 6.7% (IC 95% = 3.7–11.8). Interestingly, contact with horses was pointed out as an exposure factor for the presence of NA, however, the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≥36yo and the presence of vaccine take were independently associated with the presence of anti‐OPV NA. Our findings suggest that vulnerable populations could be subclinically exposed to VACV in urban areas, drawing attention to alternative routes of zoonotic VACV exposure. Our data is also important for better strategies to mitigate zoonotic OPV infections mainly among vulnerable populations.


The common practice to predict the characteristic structural load effects (LEs) in long reference periods is to employ the extreme value theory (EVT) for building limit distributions. However, most applications ignore that LEs are driven by multiple loading events and thus do not have the identical distribution, a prerequisite for EVT. In this study, we propose the composite extreme value modeling approach using clustering to (a) cluster initial blended samples into finite identical distributed subsamples using the finite mixture model, expectation-maximization algorithm, and the Akaike information criterion; (b) combine limit distributions of subsamples into a composite prediction equation using the generalized Pareto distribution based on a joint threshold. The proposed approach was validated both through numerical examples with known solutions and engineering applications of bridge traffic LEs on a long-span bridge. The results indicate that a joint threshold largely benefits the composite extreme value modeling, many appropriate tail approaching models can be used, and the equation form is simply the sum of the weighted models. In numerical examples, the proposed approach using clustering generated accurate extrema prediction of any reference period compared with the known solutions, whereas the common practice of employing EVT without clustering on the mixture data showed large deviations. Real-world bridge traffic LEs are driven by multi-events and present multipeak distributions, and the proposed approach is more capable of capturing the tendency of tailed LEs than the conventional approach. The proposed approach is expected to have wide applications to general problems such as samples that are driven by multiple events and that do not have the identical distribution.


Data-driven decision-making is performed by solving a parameterized optimization problem, and the optimal decision is given by an optimal solution for unknown true parameters. We often need a solution that satisfies true constraints even though these are unknown. Robust optimization is employed to obtain such a solution, where the uncertainty of the parameter is represented by an ellipsoid, and the scale of robustness is controlled by a coefficient. In this study, we propose an algorithm to determine the scale such that the solution has a good objective value and satisfies the true constraints with a given confidence probability. Under some regularity conditions, the scale obtained by our algorithm is asymptotically $O(1/\sqrt{n})$, whereas the scale obtained by a standard approach is $O(\sqrt{d/n})$. This means that our algorithm is less affected by the dimensionality of the parameters.


Since the fifties, isospin relations have been used in particle physics to understand the properties of multihadrons final states. In the case of the tau lepton, they allow to relate the partial widths of the decay modes to the cross sections of e+e- annihilations. A pedagogical introduction to the construction of isospin states for meson systems and an updated review of the use of isospin relations in the study of the tau lepton are presented.


This article is devoted to a review and study of literary sources concerning information about anatomical surgery and the peculiarities of the blood supply to the femoral neck. The prevalence of hip fractures in the structure of injuries, the lack of a unified treatment strategy and a high percentage of complications of this injury requires the traumatologist to have accurate knowledge of the anatomy of the vascular structure of the proximal femur and its features, which helps to avoid the occurrence of iatrogenic avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the event of an injury and subsequent fixation of femoral neck fractures, since the subsequent consolidation in the damaged area and nutrition of the femoral head depend on the degree of preservation and restoration of blood flow.


A review of the species of the genus Mylossoma Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903 found in the Ecuadorian Cis-Andean region was conducted. Two species were recognized: M. albiscopum (Cope, 1872) from the Putumayo, Napo, and Tigre river basins and M. aureum (Agassiz, 1829) from the Napo river basin. A map of geographical distribution and radiographs for both species are provided. Historical records of M. duriventre (Cuvier, 1818) were not confirmed in this geographical distribution.


Separation of a new science discipline has been grounded mental medicine the methodological base of which is synergetics an interdisciplinary science about development and self-organization. Mental medicine has conceptually-methodologically and technologically united the prenosological field of mental health and the nosological field of mental illnesses. It allowed to integrate successively and systematically the medical-rehabilitation strategies of nosocentric clinical psychiatry and preventive-correctional methods of healthcentric mental preventology. Mental medicine is a science studying etiopathogenesis and diagnostics, clinical picture and treatment of mental disorders, biopsychosocial resources of personality and society development, strategies and mechanisms of adaptation and professiogenesis based on the united synergetic methodology. This formulation includes a classical definition of psychiatry and all modalities separated in the WHO characteristics of mental health, which are priorities of mental preventology.


An experimental investigation was made of recognition of the perspectives of model objects on the basis of the shape of the envelope of a scattered laser pulse. Stable recognition of various perspectives of an object was found to be possible even for high ratios of the probe pulse duration to the time of its propagation along the object surface.


Most cases of thoracic actinomycosis (TA) have been surgically diagnosed and treated, since it is difficult to distinguish this condition from lung cancer. To clarify the features that are useful for the radiological diagnosis of TA, we analyzed the correlation between the radiological and pathological findings. TA was histologically diagnosed in the 11 patients of the present study, who were admitted to our hospital between 1976 and 2001. In the chest CT, consolidation was observed in 5 cases, a mass-like shadow in 4, a central low attenuation area (LAA) in 7, and bronchial and bronchiolar dilatation in 6. In the pathological findings, all cases showed bronchial dilatation and abscess formation in the bronchi, as well as peribronchial granulation. The evaluation of radiological and pathological correlation revealed that the central LAA in the chest CT corresponded to the abscess formation composing of actinomyces, and the cavity corresponded to the bronchial dilatation. These results suggest that radiological findings, such as LAA and bronchial and bronchiolar dilatation, are characteristic for TA, and can be useful in making a diagnosis of TA.


Deep learning based PET image reconstruction methods have achieved promising results recently. However, most of these methods follow a supervised learning paradigm, which rely heavily on the availability of high-quality training labels. In particular, the long scanning time required and high radiation exposure associated with PET scans make obtaining this labels impractical. In this paper, we propose a dual-domain unsupervised PET image reconstruction method based on learned decent algorithm, which reconstructs high-quality PET images from sinograms without the need for image labels. Specifically, we unroll the proximal gradient method with a learnable l2,1 norm for PET image reconstruction problem. The training is unsupervised, using measurement domain loss based on deep image prior as well as image domain loss based on rotation equivariance property. The experimental results domonstrate the superior performance of proposed method compared with maximum likelihood expectation maximazation (MLEM), total-variation regularized EM (EM-TV) and deep image prior based method (DIP).


Across the world, capital cities are being relocated. Such practices have existed almost as long as capitals themselves. Against the background of the relocation of Indonesia's seat of government from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, it is clear that such processes will continue to take place in the future. Especially if one considers the reasons for the move: climate change is leading to an increasing inhabitability of the Indonesian capital. Therefore, it is important to understand the processes behind such megaprojects and their impacts on the surroundings in order to build new capitals sustainably. Hence, this paper deals with examples from the past seven decades and examines them from different perspectives, such as the underlying politics and economy, planning approaches, reasons for relocation, as well as cultural and ecological backgrounds. With an analytical methodology based on eight aspects of responsible land management interventions (the 8R-framework), it is possible to assess the degree to which these moves are responsible. Combined with a literature review of past documented evidence, we derived 8R-matrices, inferred recurring issues and constructed a database containing multiple aspects of capital relocations. This database allowed simple SQL-coding, which enabled describing commonalities among the different land interventions for the capital relocations. These results help to connect occurring sets of problems to particular political, economic and planning backgrounds and to identify different frameworks within which most new capitals are situated. These new insights make future capital relocations better manageable and can support the process of capital relocation in Indonesia.


Splenic cysts are uncommon and classified as either primary(true) or secondary(pseudo-) depending on the presence or absence of a true epithelial lining. True cysts (epidermoid cyst) of the spleen are very rare. Three cases of splenic cysts in childhood were treated at the Yeungnam University Hospital in the last eleven years(1989 - 1999). Two of patients were girls. The ages at diagnosis were 7, 12 and 15 years. Abdominal ultrasonography and computerized tomography were utilized for the diagnosis. Radionuclide scanning was performed in one patient. Surgical resection(one partial splenectomy and two total splenectomies) was performed. The sizes of cysts were 4, 6.5 and gem in maximum demension.


ABSTRACT This paper examines the nitrogen isotope fractionation factors (α) associated with the volatilisation of ammonia from water under controlled conditions at two pH values (8.5 and 9.2). This experiment assumed the continuous removal of ammonia at a single purge rate of 10 mL air min−1. The fractionation resulting from the removal of total ammonia from the water into an acid trap was named the observed isotope fractionation factor (αobs), and it was measured as 1.019 (±0.0025) at pH 8.5 and 1.030 (±0.0025) at pH 9.2. The observed isotope fractionation factor includes the equilibrium isotope fractionation factor (αeq) and the kinetic isotope fractionation factor (αkin), each one mathematically derived from the experimental data. The equilibrium and kinetic isotope fractionation factors were estimated as αeq = 1.036 (±0.0014) and αkin = 1.050 (±0.003), respectively. Our results are compared to other previously measured and estimated fractionation factors.


A major problem in the field of adsorbents is that binders (kaolin clay, bentonite) introduced to bind zeolites and ensure the needed mechanical strength, are not able to sorb gases like CO2 and N2, and decrease the overall adsorption capacity. To solve this problem, one of the pathways is to introduce a binder able to sorb such gases. Thus, in this study, the physical and mechanical properties of a novel binder based on metakaolin and its composite with zeolite 4A in the granular form were studied. Metakaolin was used as a precursor for alkali-activated binder, which was synthesized using an 8M NaOH activation solution. Raw materials were characterized using granulometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential thermal analysis (DTA); and final products were characterized using density measurements, a compressive strength test, XRD, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Alkali-activated metakaolin was found to be efficient as a binding material when data for morphological properties were analyzed. A relationship was observed—by increasing the liquid-to-solid ratio (L/S), compressive strength decreased. Zeolite granule attrition was higher than expected: 2.42% and 4.55% for ZG-0.8, 3.64% and 5.76% for ZG-1.0, and 2.73% and 4.85% for ZG-1.2, measured at 4 and 5 atmospheres, respectively.


BACKGROUND
The efficacy of seed dressing and soil application formulations from the isolates of Trichoderma viride (IARI P1; MTCC 5369), T. virens (IARI P3; MTCC 5370) and T. harzianum (IARI P4; MTCC 5371) were evaluated individually and in combination in pot and field experiments during the rainy seasons of 2005, 2006 and 2007 for the management of wet root rot (Rhizoctonia solani) and improvement in the yield of mungbean.

RESULTS
A seed dressing formulation, Pusa 5SD, and soil application formulations, Pusa Biogranule 6 (PBG 6) and Pusa Biopellet 16G (PBP 16G), based on Trichoderma virens, were found to be superior to other formulations in reducing disease incidence and increasing seed germination and shoot and root lengths in mungbean. In field experiments, a combination of soil application with PBP 16G (T. virens) and seed treatment with Pusa 5SD (T. virens) + carboxin was superior to any of these formulations individually in increasing seed germination, shoot and root lengths and grain yield and reducing wet root rot incidence in mungbean. Seed treatment was more effective than soil application for all the evaluated parameters. The combined application of Pusa 5SD and carboxin was also superior to individual treatment.

CONCLUSION
The efficacy of the evaluated formulations against wet root rot of mungbean proved that the integration of soil application of PBP 16G and seed treatment with Pusa 5SD + carboxin is highly effective for the management of wet root rot, increasing plant growth and grain yield of mungbean.


Abstracts: AACR Special Conference on Tumor Metastasis; November 30-December 3, 2015; Austin, TX

Background: Eighty percent of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) die from their disease within five years of surgical resection, likely due to presence of occult metastases at diagnosis. We have developed a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model in mice to investigate the behavior of occult metastatic cells in the liver microenvironment and derive novel adjuvant therapies.

Methods: Five PDAC tumors (215, 366, 608, 654 and 738) were resected from patients and implanted orthotopically in mice. Tumors were harvested, cell lines generated and transduced with luciferase, then injected into spleens of mice to generate microscopic liver metastases, then primary tumors removed via splenectomy. Bioluminescence imaging of mice and histologic analysis and flow cytometry of livers were utilized to characterize each tumor's distinct pattern of cell clearance and outgrowth kinetics. Affymetrix gene expression of tumors was performed. Mice were treated with adjuvant therapy following resection of primary tumors in the spleen and time-to-progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were measured.

Results: Each PDX cell line demonstrated unique and reproducible clearance in the liver and outgrowth kinetics as measured by bioluminescence imaging. Distinct differences in gene expression were identified in tumors exhibiting rapid vs. delayed outgrowth. The MEK inhibitor trametinib (0.3 mg/kg oral daily) prolonged TTP and OS vs. control (OS - Tumor 608: 114 vs. 43 days, p<0.001; Tumor 366: MS not achieved vs. 167 days, p=0.0488). In a randomized preclinical trial, sequential therapy with gemcitabine followed by trametinib provided a survival advantage and increased TTP when compared with control and single agent gemcitabine treatment.

Conclusions: This PDX PDAC model of occult metastasis allows characterization of hepatic clearance of tumor cells and outgrowth kinetics. Metastatic outgrowth appears to be dependent upon distinguishable tumor cell-specific factors. Trametinib effectively inhibits KRAS-MEK-ERK signaling, delays outgrowth of occult metastases and prolongs survival of mice. Utilization of this model will help further define the complex interaction of PDAC cells and the metastatic microenvironment of the liver.

Citation Format: Matthew G. Mullen, Timothy E. Newhook, James M. Lindberg, Sara J. Adair, Edik M. Blais, Alex D. Michaels, Edward B. Stelow, Jason A. Papin, J. Thomas Parsons, Todd W. Bauer. A patient-derived xenograft model of pancreatic cancer in mice to develop novel adjuvant therapies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Metastasis; 2015 Nov 30-Dec 3; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(7 Suppl):Abstract nr A47.


Phagocytic responses by effector cells to antibody or complement-opsonised viruses have been recognized to play a key role in anti-viral immunity. These include antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis mediated via Fc-receptors, phagocytosis mediated by classically activated complement-fixing IgM or IgG1 antibodies and antibody independent phagocytosis mediated via direct opsonisation of viruses by complement products activated via the mannose-binding lectin pathway. Limited data suggest these phagocytic responses by effector cells may contribute to the immunological and inflammatory responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, their development and clinical significance remain to be fully elucidated. In this cohort of 62 patients, acutely ill individuals were shown to mount phagocytic responses to autologous plasma-opsonised SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-coated microbeads as early as 10 days post symptom onset. Heat inactivation of the plasma prior to use as an opsonin caused 77-95% abrogation of the phagocytic response, and pre-blocking of Fc-receptors on the effector cells showed only 18-60% inhibition. These results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can provoke early phagocytosis, which is primarily driven by heat labile components, likely activated complements, with variable contribution from anti-Spike antibodies. During convalescence, phagocytic responses correlated significantly with anti-Spike IgG titers. Older patients and patients with severe disease had significantly higher phagocytosis and neutralisation functions when compared to younger patients or patients with asymptomatic, mild, or moderate disease. A longitudinal study of a subset of these patients over 12 months showed preservation of phagocytic and neutralisation functions in all patients, despite a drop in the endpoint antibody titers by more than 90%. Interestingly, surface plasmon resonance showed a significant increase in the affinity of the anti-Spike antibodies over time correlating with the maintenance of both the phagocytic and neutralisation functions suggesting that improvement in the antibody quality over the 12 months contributed to the retention of effector functions. Author Summary Limited data suggest antibody dependent effector functions including phagocytosis may contribute to the immunological and inflammatory responses in SARS CoV-2 infection, however, their development, maintenance, and clinical significance remain unknown. In this study we show: Patients with acute SARS CoV-2 infection can mount phagocytic responses as early as 10 days post symptom onset and these responses were primarily driven by heat labile components of the autologous plasma. These results indicate that the current approach of studying phagocytosis using purified or monoclonal antibodies does not recapitulate contribution by all components in the plasma. In convalescent patients, high phagocytic responses significantly correlated with increasing age, increasing disease severity, high neutralisation functions and high anti-Spike antibody titers, particularly IgG1. Longitudinal study of convalescent patients over a 12-month period showed maintenance of phagocytic and neutralisation functions, despite a drop in the anti-Spike endpoint antibody titers by more than 90%. However, we found significant increase in the affinity of the anti-Spike antibodies over the 12-month period and these correlated with the maintenance of functions suggesting that improvement in the antibody quality over time contributed to the retention of effector functions. Clinically, measuring antibody titers in sera but not the quality of antibodies is considered a gold standard indicator of immune protection following SARS-CoV 2 infection or vaccination. Our results challenge this notion and recommends change in the current clinical practice.


Introduction The 2014-2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Liberia highlighted the importance of robust preparedness measures for a well-coordinated response; the initially delayed response contributed to the steep incidence of cases, infections among health care workers, and a collapse of the health care system. To strengthen local capacity and combat disease transmission, various healthcare worker (HCW) trainings, including the Ebola treatment unit (ETU) training, safe & quality services (SQS) training and rapid response team (RRT), were developed and implemented between 2014 and 2017. Methods Data from the ETU, SQS and RRT trainings were analyzed to determine knowledge and confidence gained. Results The ETU, SQS and RRT training were completed by a total of 21,248 participants. There were improvements in knowledge and confidence, an associated reduction in HCWs infection and reduced response time to subsequent public health events. Conclusion No infections were reported by healthcare workers in Liberia since the completion of these training programs. HCW training programmes initiated during and post disease outbreak can boost public trust in the health system while providing an entry point for establishing an Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR) framework in resource-limited settings.


Summary. This study discusses possible causes accounting for the present-day distribution of the Salvia L. section Salvia (Lamiaceae) genus in the western Mediterranean region, where a schizoendemism phenomenon is considered to be an important determinant factor. Vicariance relationships are studied in the taxonomic groups found in the East and West of the Mediterranean basin, and possible migratory patterns are discussed.


Mostly communication channels are experiencing noises and it is very difficult to recover from the original signals without any noise. Denoising can be performed with various filtering techniques that can be separate the noise signal from the original signal. Filtering techniques have been proposed for noise removal from the digital musical signals. The overall performance of the filtering technique is less effective. Denoising of an audio signal is an area under development. In this article, music signals are considered input signals. Denoising techniques are compared based on different filter design techniques. A technique of filtering of noise is implemented and compared using Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). Here for comparison, the Butterworth filter and different types of wavelet filters are used for denoising the musical signals. Daubechies wavelet techniques work better than existing methods is proven by SNR.


A NEW method of investigating the vibration of vocal cords is described using a model of a laryngoscope developed by me. This model records the vibration of each vocal cord separately. The interest in investigations into the movements of vocal cords and their position to each other as well as to the medial glottic region have been described often in the professional literature (Luchsinger, 1958, Timcke, von Leden, Moore, 1959, and others). Papers dealing with this question were founded on photographical, cinematographical, and stroboscopic methods. These methods have introduced new information into the studies of the physiopathology of the larynx. It is well known that by use of direct and indirect laryngoscopy, applied generally in the practice of the day, we are unable to perceive the fast movements of vocal cords. These movements vibrate with great speed (between 60 and about 2,000 cps) and, therefore, the eye cannot follow them


A coding of hierarchical structure in finite directed tree graphs was introduced by Robert Horton in 1945; after a modification by Strahler in 1952, this has become a standard river network code defined as follows. Edges along a path adjoining a source (valence 1 vertex) to a junction (valence 3 or higher vertex) are coded as order 1. Such a path of order 1 edges is also referred to as an order 1 stream. Having defined edges and streams of order i, one now recursively defines edges and streams of order i + 1 by the rule that the 'order 1' streams of the tree obtained by pruning the streams of order i (and lower) are assigned order i + 1. This code has helped to identify a number of naturally occurring patterns in river network structure as well as in other naturally occurring dendritic structures. Let Ti,j(s) denote the number of order j < i junctions in a stream s of order i and let Ti,j denote the sample average over all such streams s of order i. Empirically it has been observed that Ti,j is, allowing small-sample fluctuations, approximately a function of i-j for large classes of river networks. A calculation of Ronald Shreve published in 1969 revealed that ETi,j= ~i-j for the critical binary Galton-Watson distribution. This is our starting point. In particular, we introduce a more general notion of stochastic self-similarity and show that within a class of Galton-Watson trees both this and the consequent mean Toeplitz property are characteristic of the critical binary offspring distribution. In addition, we obtain interesting conditioned limit theorems corresponding to the invariance of the critical binary branching process under a pruning dynamic in the space of finite rooted trees.


This study was conducted to find the effectiveness of a horticultural activity program for mothers to improve the relationship between mother and child. The target participants were comprised of 60 mothers who have a child aged between 4 to 7 years, and they were divided into the experimental group (n=30) and the control group (n=30). Those of the experimental group attended 6 sessions of the horticultural activity program in total (one session per week, 90 minutes on average), and those of the control group did not participate in the program. A survey on parenting stress, self-esteem, parenting efficacy and emotional empathy was conducted before and after the program. Its results indicated that the participants of the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in the parenting stress level (associated with the characters of children, the relationship with them, and learning expectation). Their self-esteem also showed statistically significant improvements from perspectives of self-abasement, relationships with others, leadership and popularity, and assertiveness and anxiety. Their parenting efficacy including efficacy as a parent; anxiety and frustration as a parent; and interest and attention to parental roles showed statistically significant improvements, but there was no statistically significant difference in emotional empathy including emotional sympathy and empathic concern. In addition, the results of the satisfaction survey conducted among the mothers of the experimental group after the program indicated that their satisfaction of the overall program, the time required for a session, and the frequency of the program was high. In this study, it was found that positive changes could be realized through the horticultural activity program for the improvement of the relationship between mother and child by modifying relevant factors. It is expected that the participants of the study may experience more positive improvements if they can join horticultural activities with their child later, and it is necessary to develop programs that can engage parents in other environments based on the results of this study.


Introduction:Resuscitation should be initiated immediately in shock. Early goal-directed therapy is an established algorithm for the resuscitation in septic shock. The first step is to maintain cardiac preload. Central venous pressure (CVP) plays an important role in goal-directed therapy. Central venous catheterization is invasive and time-consuming in emergency conditions. There are some alternative and noninvasive methods for estimating the intravascular volume such as measuring the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter by ultrasonography. Methods: We searched PubMed, Google scholar, and Scopus databases with keywords (central venous pressure OR venous pressure OR CVP) AND (ultrasonography OR sonography) AND (sepsis OR septic shock) AND (inferior vena cava OR IVC).Result: The search resulted in 2550 articles. The articles were appraised regarding the relevance, type of article, and statistical methods. Finally, 12 articles were selected. The number of patients was between 30 and 83 cases (mean age=57-67 years), intubated and non-intubated in each study. The IVC diameter was measured in respiratory cycle by bedside ultrasonography in longitudinal subxiphoid view and caval index was calculated, then they were compared with the CVP measured by central venous catheter.Discussion: CVP is an indicator of intravascular fluid status and right heart function. CVP measurement is an invasive method and of course with some complications. The IVC is the biggest vein of venous system with low-pressure; expansion of the vein reflects intravascular volume.Conclusion: It seems that IVC diameter measured by ultrasonography could be used as an alternative method for the determination of CVP in the emergency or critical patients.


During recent years, question answering (QA) has grown from simple passage retrieval and information extraction to very complex approaches that incorporate deep question and document analysis, reasoning, planning, and sophisticated uses of knowledge resources. Most existing QA systems combine rule-based, knowledge-based and statistical components, and are highly optimized for a particular style of questions in a given language. Typical question answering approaches depend on specific ontologies, resources, processing tools, document sources, and very often rely on expert knowledge and rule-based components. Furthermore, such systems are very difficult to re-train and optimize for different domains and languages, requiring considerable time and human effort.
We present a fully statistical, data-driven, instance-based approach to question answering (IBQA) that learns how to answer new questions from similar training questions and their known correct answers. We represent training questions as points in a multi-dimensional space and cluster them according to different granularity, scatter, and similarity metrics. From each individual cluster we automatically learn an answering strategy for finding answers to questions. When answering a new question that is covered by several clusters, multiple answering strategies are simultaneously employed. The resulting answer confidence combines elements such as each strategy's estimated probability of success, cluster similarity to the new question, cluster size, and cluster granularity. The IBQA approach obtains good performance on factoid and definitional questions, comparable to the performance of top systems participating in official question answering evaluations.
Each answering strategy is cluster-specific and consists of an expected answer model, a query content model, and an answer extraction model. The expected answer model is derived from all training questions in its cluster and takes the form of a distribution over all possible answer types. The query content model for document retrieval is constructed using content from queries that are successful on training questions in that cluster. Finally, we train cluster-specific answer extractors on training data and use them to find answers to new questions.
The IBQA approach is resource non-intensive, but can easily be extended to incorporate knowledge resources or rule-based components. Since it does not rely on hand-written rules, expert knowledge, and manually tuned parameters, it is less dependent on a particular language or domain, allowing for fast re-training with minimum human effort. Under limited data, our implementation of an IBQA system achieves good performance, improves with additional training instances, and is easily trainable and adaptable to new types of data. The IBQA approach provides a principled, robust, and easy to implement base system which constitutes a robust and well performing platform for further domain-specific adaptation.


The present study attempts to locate the Dark Triad traits within the space of the Circumplex Model of Personality Metatraits. The study was conducted on a sample of 339 adolescents (48.2% females) in Poland, which were administered the Circumplex of Personality Metatraits Questionnaire and two measures of the Dark Triad traits, the Short Dark Triad (Jones & Paulhus, 2014) and the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (Back et al., 2013). We hypothesized that psychopathy and Machiavellianism will be located near Alpha-Minus (Disinhibition), while narcissism will be located near Delta-Minus (Sensation Seeking). Moreover, we expected that the two narcissistic strategies of narcissistic admiration and rivalry will be located near Beta-Plus (Plasticity) and Alpha-Minus respectively. The hypotheses were tested using the Structural Summary Method, of which the results mostly corroborated our expectations. The overlap of Machiavellianism and psychopathy, as well as narcissism's place in the Dark Triad are discussed.


Abstract Using the case of traumatic brain injury, this paper explores 1) challenges to academic and ethical integrity when in the role of clinician-researcher, and 2) potential strategies to enhance ethical qualitative research involving people with possible physical and/or emotional trauma and temporary or permanent cognitive disruption. When undertaking qualitative research with patients, families, and/ or health professionals, a researcher's clinical background may stimulate insightful and relevant research questions, interviews, and/or field observations of care to inform meaningful and translatable practice improvements. However, there may be tension between clinician versus researcher values, and these priorities affect what the clinician sees and interprets in the field. A clinician's ingrained values and professional socialisation can make it difficult to hold their professional assumptions about various phenomena at bay. The principles of human research merit and integrity, justice, beneficence, and respect, along with methodological clarity, can provide a rigorous foundation for discussion of ethical research in traumatic brain injury. This paper discusses challenges and strategies through: 1) examining clinical assumptions; 2) determining capacity for consent; 3) considering dependent or unequal power relationships; 4) determining the scope for field observations; 5) responding to unprofessional practice; 6) discriminating between research interviews and clinical conversations; and 7) critically reflecting on research data. Implications for clinical research are evident: seeing past one's own construct of understanding is challenging for clinician-researchers aiming to illuminate both patient and family experiences of care, and nuanced clinical skills. Careful ethical and methodological planning can protect participants while illuminating elements of specialist practice.


This paper presents text classification using a modified Multi Class Association Rule Method. The method is based on Associative Classification which combines classification with association rule discovery. Although previous work proved that Associative Classification produces better classification accuracy compared to typical classifiers, the study on applying Associative Classification to solve text classification problem are limited due to the common problem of high dimensionality of text data and this will consequently results in exponential number of generated classification rules. To overcome this problem the modified Multi-Class Association Rule Method was enhanced in two stages. In stage one the frequent pattern are represented using a proposed vertical data format to reduce the text dimensionality problem and in stage two the generated rule was pruned using a proposed Partial Rule Match to reduce the number of generated rules. The proposed method was tested on a text classification problem and the result shows that it performed better than the existing method in terms of classification accuracy and number of generated rules.


Bethe's expressions for the stopping cross section and the straggling parameter of a penetrating point charge have been evaluated for a spherical harmonic oscillator as a target. The results, which are rigorous except for the neglect of relativistic corrections and higher-order Born terms, are given in tabulated form as well as in the form of asymptotic shell-correction expansions to arbitrary order. Existing general expressions for the stopping cross section and straggling are confirmed as far as they go. The range of validity of various model theories of atomic stopping is tested. At velocities down to about the stopping maximum, the agreement is very good for the kinetic theory, while a Fermi gas with a properly chosen electron density yields a significantly different stopping maximum. The binary encounter theory underestimates the stopping power at all speeds. The dielectric or local-density approach does not reproduce the correct scaling behavior. None of the model theories reproduces the threshold behavior. For light projectiles, i.e., positrons and electrons, a Franck-Hertz-type structure is observed in the velocity dependence of the stopping cross section which is particularly pronounced near threshold. An equipartition rule is derived for contributions to the stopping cross section from low excitations, i.e., distant collisions, and close encounters. A straight extension of Bohr's oscillator model of atomic stopping is proposed which is shown to reproduce leading shell corrections in both stopping power and straggling and which, when applied to hydrogen, accurately describes the stopping power at velocities around and above the stopping maximum.


In response to a variety of external cues, eukaryotic cells display varied migratory modes to perform their physiological functions during development and in the adult. Aberrations in cell migration result in embryonic defects and cancer metastasis. The molecular components involved in cell migration are remarkably conserved between the social amoeba Dictyostelium and mammalian cells. This makes the amoeba an excellent model system for studies of eukaryotic cell migration. These migration-associated components can be grouped into three networks: input, signal transduction and cytoskeletal. In migrating cells, signal transduction events such as Ras or PI3K activity occur at the protrusion tips, referred to as 'front', whereas events such as dissociation of PTEN from these regions are referred to as 'back'. Asymmetric distribution of such front and back events is crucial for establishing polarity and guiding cell migration. The triggering of these signaling events displays properties of biochemical excitability including all-or-nothing responsiveness to suprathreshold stimuli, refractoriness, and wave propagation. These signal transduction waves originate from a point and propagate towards the edge of the cell, thereby driving cytoskeletal activity and cellular protrusions. Any change in the threshold for network activation alters the range of the propagating waves and the size of cellular protrusions which gives rise to various migratory modes in cells. Thus, this review highlights excitable signal transduction networks as key players for coordinating cytoskeletal activities to drive cell migration in all eukaryotes.


Near Field Communication (NFC) enables fast interactive mobile services as it allows two mobile devices to quickly and securely exchange information when they are within touching range. However, NFC-enabled phones are virtually absent on the market today, which impedes the break-through of these useful services. This paper presents the Mobile Touch Technology, which utilizes the mobile phone's microphone plus its connectivity capabilities to effectively emulate NFC with mobile phones that are already widely available on the market.


Study Design. In vitro human cadaveric study simultaneously quantifying sagittal plane flexibility and spinal canal stenosis. Objective. To compare biomechanical stability and the change in cross-sectional area during flexion and extension after laminectomy and open-door laminoplasty. Summary of Background Data. Spinal canal stenosis has been quantified in vitro but has not been quantified in studies of laminectomy or laminoplasty. Methods. Cadaveric specimens were loaded in physiologic-range flexion and extension using nonconstraining pure moments while recording segmental angles optoelectronically. Custom flexible tubing was placed within the spinal canal, and water was continuously pumped through the tubing while measuring upstream pressure. Spinal canal cross-sectional area correlated to water pressure, allowing continuous monitoring of the smallest cross-sectional area of the canal. Specimens were tested (1) normal, (2) after modeling stenosis by inserting hemispherical wooden beads in the spinal canal at 3 levels, (3) after open-door laminoplasty at 5 levels, and (4) after expanding laminoplasty to laminectomy. Results. Range of motion (ROM) in the normal, stenotic, and laminoplasty conditions did not differ significantly. However, laminectomy increased ROM significantly more than other conditions. ROM after laminectomy was 13% greater than after laminoplasty. After modeling stenosis, the cross-sectional area decreased to 52% ± 12% of normal. Laminoplasty restored the cross-sectional area to 70% ± 12% of normal whereas laminectomy restored cross-sectional area to 101% ± 4% of normal. Among all conditions, areas differed significantly except normal versus laminectomy. Conclusion. Laminoplasty leaves the spine in a significantly more stable condition than laminectomy. However, laminoplasty failed to relieve stenosis completely. In this study, stenosis was modeled as about 50% occlusion of the spinal canal. The degree of stenosis should be considered in clinical decisions of whether laminectomy or laminoplasty is more appropriate.


Research on Singapore's regionalization stratagems points increasingly towards the influence of both the socio-political environment and the economics of competition in a business environment with an ever-growing number of competitors; to the extent that other forces, particularly political ones, are often sidelined. A more in-depth study of the above two influences is best performed in a context comparatively free of the implicit complex political facets but with sufficiently rich environments to challenge internationalizing firms, and distinct influences to draw pertinent conclusions from. For this purpose, the continually expanding business environments and the unique cultures of the Middle East provide the perfect context in which to further our study. With this paper we extend our research to this groundbreaking region, and present an overview of the state of Singapore's internationalization into the Middle East as the first step in our study; finding that while the economics of competition have yet to pose a significant barrier for most, socio-political issues already begin to stymie efforts to import competencies and business practices.


Introduction: Sudden deaths in apparently healthy persons might raise doubt of foul play. Hence medico-legal autopsy in such cases is needed to satisfy the aggrieved relatives and it also gives a systemic view of various causes of deaths in such cases which ultimately improve mortality statistics.
Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of sudden natural death cases which were brought for medico-legal autopsy at Rural Govt. Medical College & Hospital during the three year period was studied. The data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed statistically.
Results: The incidence of sudden natural death is 16.01%. Most common age group involved was 41-50 years followed by 31-40 years. Male predominance (77.42%) was noted. Most commonly affected system was cardiovascular system (53%) followed by respiratory system (33.64%). Among the cardiovascular system causes Coronary artery disease was accounted in 88.7% of cases. Among the respiratory system causes pneumonia was predominant with 50.69% cases.
Conclusion: The incidence of sudden natural death is 16.01%. Males having age 41-50 years are most commonly affected. Cardiovascular diseases contribute to most of the sudden natural deaths of which Coronary artery disease is the leading cause. Increased awareness with regular health checkups is needed among the population at risk so as to improve quality of life.

Keywords: Sudden natural deaths, Medico-legal autopsy, Cardio-vascular system


Objective: The compatibility of human capabilities and limitations, in conjunction with operations and work
 environment, with the ways of designing machines is dealt within ergonomics. The placement of controls is a
 complex task for the designer who must take into account the anthropometric characteristics of his target population.
 The efficiency and comfort of the operator is improved with properly designed tractor workplace.
Design: Study was conducted in which the tractor operator workplace configurations of 5 different tractor models
 were measured using different measuring scales. The location of different tractor seat and control locations were
 calculated considering the biomechanical and anthropometric measurements. These values were given as design
 values for tractor operator's workplace design. The ergonomic evaluation of workplaces of 5 different tractor models
 was carried out in laboratory as well as in the field.
Results: Studies on evaluation of the most efficient location of controls resulted in steering column angle of 65°
 with horizontal, foot pedals (clutch and brake) distance of 87.50 cm and the draft control lever distance of 28.68 cm
 from Seat Reference Point (SRP).
Conclusion: It was concluded that the values obtained from the different tractor workplace configurations under
 study should be nearer to design values so that the operator can operate it with efficiently and comfortably.


I am writing on behalf of the Secretary of State to inform you that in response to the submission of the above-named Local Plan, and in accordance with section 20 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) Inspector Martin Pike BA MA MRTPI has been appointed to conduct the examination to determine whether the above-named Local Plan is sound. The precise date for the opening of any formal hearing part of the examination into the Local Plan will be decided by the Inspector. The anticipated date by which the report will be produced will be announced at the last programmed session of the examination.


This paper presents a novel deep architecture for saliency prediction. Current state of the art models for saliency prediction employ Fully Convolutional networks that perform a non-linear combination of features extracted from the last convolutional layer to predict saliency maps. We propose an architecture which, instead, combines features extracted at different levels of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Our model is composed of three main blocks: a feature extraction CNN, a feature encoding network, that weights low and high level feature maps, and a prior learning network. We compare our solution with state of the art saliency models on two public benchmarks datasets. Results show that our model outperforms under all evaluation metrics on the SALICON dataset, which is currently the largest public dataset for saliency prediction, and achieves competitive results on the MIT300 benchmark. Code is available at https://github.com/marcellacornia/mlnet.