Objective : The defining objectives of the study are the following three. First, to classify the level of real development of internationalisation in Ukrainian SMEs. To accomplish this goal, the authors summarise the theory and methodology defining the field of internationalization. They also present their own empirical studies on Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Second, they analyse the main forms, motivational factors and barriers to the internationalisation of Ukrainian SMEs. Finally, they discuss the development of strategies and mechanisms for activating the internationalisation of SMEs in Ukraine. Research Design & Methods : The study used qualitative research, including a survey of the literature and our own empirical research (detailed interviews with Ukrainian entrepreneurs, survey questionnaire, and experimental assessments of scientists from Ukraine and Poland on this subject). Findings : The present condition of the internationalisation of Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises is assessed, and its obstacles and motives have been identified. In the context of the European Union's experience in regulating small and medium-sized businesses, the most promising strategies and sectors of the economy have been classified. It is in these sectors that Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises should gain the greatest competitive advantages. Lastly, mechanisms for promoting the internationalisation of Ukrainian SMEs are defined. Implications / Recommendations : In modern conditions the internationalisation of Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises is at an early stage. It does currently extend substantively beyond export-import operations. In Ukraine, enterprises that internationalise tend to do so upon or near their inception. The main approach to stimulating the internationalisation of Ukraine's SME sector is to develop effective state regulatory policy adapted to the contemporary norms and standards of the European Union. The results of the study have shown that Ukrainian SMEs can gain their greatest competitive advantages in the global market in industries including agriculture (primarily, "eco" and "green"), alternative and renewable energy production and IT technologies. Contribution : Research fills a research gap in the field of internationalisation of Polish and Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises.


Capitalism has always been a global system, but not in fixed ways. Different national powers have emerged and become dominant over the centuries, but the fundamental processes underlying the uneven development of global capitalism have not altered; they continue to be driven by imperialism — the struggle of large capital over economic territory of various kinds. Since the late 1960s, only the East Asian region has shown notable increases in its share of global GDP, and for the last two decades this has been dominated by the rise of China. This is directly related to the ability of the Chinese state to control the economy and to implement heterodox policies with very high investment rates. However, the Chinese case is exceptional: few other developing countries have followed a trajectory anything like that of China. Meanwhile, internal inequalities have increased across the world, as the bargaining power of capital vis‐a‐vis labour has increased dramatically in every country. This reflects the changed form of 21st century imperialism, which relies increasingly on the international legal and regulatory architecture as fortified by various multilateral, plurilateral and bilateral agreements that establish the hegemony of global capital in different ways.


Deep generative models are essential to Natural Language Processing (NLP) due to their outstanding ability to use unlabelled data, to incorporate abundant linguistic features, and to learn interpretable dependencies among data. As the structure becomes deeper and more complex, having an effective and efficient inference method becomes increasingly important. In this thesis, neural variational inference is applied to carry out inference for deep generative models. While traditional variational methods derive an analytic approximation for the intractable distributions over latent variables, here we construct an inference network conditioned on the discrete text input to provide the variational distribution. The powerful neural networks are able to approximate complicated non-linear distributions and grant the possibilities for more interesting and complicated generative models. Therefore, we develop the potential of neural variational inference and apply it to a variety of models for NLP with continuous or discrete latent variables. This thesis is divided into three parts. Part I introduces a generic variational inference framework for generative and conditional models of text. For continuous or discrete latent variables, we apply a continuous reparameterisation trick or the REINFORCE algorithm to build low-variance gradient estimators. To further explore Bayesian non-parametrics in deep neural networks, we propose a family of neural networks that parameterise categorical distributions with continuous latent variables. Using the stick-breaking construction, an unbounded categorical distribution is incorporated into our deep generative models which can be optimised by stochastic gradient back-propagation with a continuous reparameterisation. Part II explores continuous latent variable models for NLP. Chapter 3 discusses the Neural Variational Document Model (NVDM): an unsupervised generative model of text which aims to extract a continuous semantic latent variable for each document. In Chapter 4, the neural topic models modify the neural document models by parameterising categorical distributions with continuous latent variables, where the topics are explicitly modelled by discrete latent variables. The models are further extended to neural unbounded topic models with the help of stick-breaking construction, and a truncation-free variational inference method is proposed based on a Recurrent Stick-breaking construction (RSB). Chapter 5 describes the Neural Answer Selection Model (NASM) for learning a latent stochastic attention mechanism to model the semantics of question-answer pairs and predict their relatedness. Part III discusses discrete latent variable models. Chapter 6 introduces latent sentence compression models. The Auto-encoding Sentence Compression Model (ASC), as a discrete variational auto-encoder, generates a sentence by a sequence of discrete latent variables representing explicit words. The Forced Attention Sentence Compression Model (FSC) incorporates a combined pointer network biased towards the usage of words from source sentence, which significantly improves the performance when jointly trained with the ASC model in a semi-supervised learning fashion. Chapter 7 describes the Latent Intention Dialogue Models (LIDM) that employ a discrete latent variable to learn underlying dialogue intentions. Additionally, the latent intentions can be interpreted as actions guiding the generation of machine responses, which could be further refined autonomously by reinforcement learning. Finally, Chapter 8 summarizes our findings and directions for future work.


Complications associated with diabetes are a consequence of acute disturbance in glucose metabolism in a human body. The most significant complication of diabetes is bone disorders which contributes to high levels of bone disability. This study included 118 diabetic patients, 56 males, 62 females, and 60 healthy non-diabetic controls, 30 males, 30 females. The patients and controls were age matched. Circulating levels of bone function markers (osteoprotegerin, vitamin D, PTH, total calcium and inorganic phosphorus) were determined in all subject groups. The data obtained from this study showed that the serum levels of osteoprotegerin had significantly increased in both diabetic male & female in both age ranges which were 496.3±61.46 pg/mL & 335.7±29.33 pg/mL; 329.8±48.78 pg/mL & 219.9±18.72 pg/mL respectively, in comparison with its level in control matched age ranges 294.6±26.19 pg/mL & 226.8±28.07 pg/mL; 215.7±31.85 pg/mL & 171.9±14.19 pg/mL respectively. Serum calcium concentration had non-significantly increased both in the diabetic males and females in both age ranges which were 11.10±0.46 mg/dL & 11.76±0.74 mg/dL; 10.33±0.33 mg/dL & 10.28±0.48 mg/dL respectively, when compared with its level in control matched age ranges 10.46±0.34 mg/dL & 10.14±0.35 mg/dL;9.69±0.41 mg/dL & 10.08±0.45 mg/dL. Serum vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and inorganic phosphorus concentrations had significantly decreased both in the diabetic male and female subjects in both age ranges which were 5.78±1.30 ng/mL and 2.47±0.12 ng/mL; 9.47±1.98 ng/mL, and 10.70±2.11 ng/mL; 74.78±7.42 pg/mL & 67.83±3.69 pg/mL;42.94±2.00 pg/mL & 15.51±1.98 pg/mL; 4.34±0.27 mg/dL & 4.76±0.35 mg/dL; 4.38±0.21 mg/dL; 5.12±0.44 mg/dL respectively when compared with their level in control matched age ranges 13.07±2.13 ng/mL & 15.53±3.40 ng/mL; 57.49±5.64 pg/mL & 62.61±3.71 pg/mL; 5.12±0.44 mg/dL & 5.35±0.37 mg/dL respectively. The current results suggest that circulating levels of osteoprotegerin play a crucial role in biological mechanism of type (II) diabetes, and are possible biomarkers of insulin resistance and progression of many serious health problems associated with diabetes.


Abstract The paper describes a method, developed in Sweden, of presenting wind, temperature, precipitation, and flight weather forecasts in tabular and worded form by automatic computer processing of available numerical forecast charts. The theoretical basis of this processing is an objective. weather-type classification. When the resulting synoptic climatology is applied to a series of computer-derived forecast fields, objective conclusions about changes in the weather are produced.


Relative clauses can be divided into two classes: dependent relative clauses and independent relative clauses. The latter are also known as nominal or free relative clauses. Dependent relative clauses depend on a certain referent in the clause, which is referred to by the relative pronoun, as exemplified in (1a). Independent relative clauses do not have a referent in the clause and behave as nominal expressions, as exemplified in (1b).


Abstract Climatisation and natural ventilation concepts are today, in most countries, considered to be an essential aspect of the building project. In fact they are utilised to guarantee summer thermal comfort and indoor air quality control. Also there are many other advantages including low energy use, reduction of noise levels and easy plant maintenance. In recent years the use of hybrid ventilation systems in office buildings has been developed. The achievement of thermal comfort conditions in buildings is an important aim in order to satisfy occupants. To achieve a high level of life quality a study of climatic parameters of the ambient air is needed. International Standard ISO 7726 and ASHRAE Standard 55-81 define the values of parameters affecting thermal comfort in offices. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the fluid dynamic phenomena connected to the running of the air conditioning and natural ventilation systems in an innovative office building, constructed in central Italy, aimed at achieving energy optimisation with good thermal comfort. This building has been monitored and the main fluid dynamic data of the air have been recorded. In addition the recorded values have been related to external parameters including solar radiation, wind speed and wind direction, to verify the indoor conditions in relation to the energy use of the building and to outdoor conditions. This research has been accomplished using automated monitoring for indoor data acquisition, a microclimatic station and a meteorological station equipped with the probes needed to measure the external environmental parameters. The experimental data corresponding to a monitoring period are reported. Results verified the performance of the measuring system developed for this project. They also provided information about the ventilation behaviour and thermal comfort conditions in the building under various sets of climatic conditions.


Intraresonator frequency selection has made it possible to compress to 0.02 cm−1 the output spectral line of a laser working on interband transitions of holes in Ge. This laser operates in the long-wavelength IR region (50–140 cm−1). There is a considerable increase in the spectral power density of the line. We demonstrate the possibility of tuning the output frequency over a wide spectral region. We discuss the frequency-competition processes occurring in the active medium.


The traffic flow through a light signal is explored by using the optimal velocity model and its improvement known as full velocity differences model. The simulations consider a single line of identical cars, equally spaced, and with no obstacles after the signal crossing line. The flow dependence on vehicle's characteristics, as it's length and sensitivity, are studied. Also, the influence of the attitude of drivers (careful or aggressive) has been used as parameters on the present work. It was found that the optimal separation between cars, defined as the distance that allows the system to carry the higher number of vehicles through the signal crossing line, is independent of the sensitivity of the system, but it does depend on the aggressive or careful characteristic of the drivers. The optimal separation is also found to be proportional to the length of the cars for a system of identical vehicles.


The prediction of load capacity and the control of the execution of the Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles are often exercised with components of empiricism and intuition. This fact is often added to the uncertainties arising from the formation of the soils and the limitations of preliminary studies that support the project design. In this context, aiming to aid the executive control of CFA, a semi-empirical method is proposed based on the soil type, geometric dimensions of the piles, and the installation energy obtained during the pile excavation. The method makes it possible to determine the CFA pile load capacity during the execution process of each pile of pilling. As a consequence of the proposed method, the settlement of each pile can be controlled through the quantification of the energy required or the work carried out to excavate each pile through a specific software installed in the machinery monitoring system that increases the safety and reliability of the piling.


The anomalous origin of the left circumflex (Cx) artery (LCX) from the right coronary sinus or the right coronary artery (RCA) has been reported as one of the most common congenital coronary anomalies. However, the occurrence of double or twin Cx coronary arteries has been sparsely reported in the literature. We describe a rare case of a middle-aged male with acute myocardial infarction (MI) who had double Cx coronary arteries, one arising from the RCA and the other from the left main coronary artery. He underwent successful angioplasty with the stenting of the culprit right Cx artery (RCX).


In this work, differentiation of positive and negative images of Tuberculosis (TB) sputum smear has been attempted using statistical method based on Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM). The sputum smear images (N=100) recorded under standard image acquisition protocol are considered for this work. Second order statistical texture analysis is performed on the acquired images using GLCM method and a set of nineteen features are derived. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is then employed to reduce feature sets, to enhance the efficiency of differentiation and to reduce the redundancy. These feature sets are further classified using Radial Basis Function (RBF) classifier. Results show that GLCM is able to differentiate positive and negative TB images. Correlation is found to be high for many of the parameters. Application of PCA reduced the number of features to four which had maximum magnitude in the first principal component. Higher classification accuracy is achieved using RBF classifier. It appears that this method of texture analysis could be useful to develop automated system for characterization and classification of digital TB sputum smear images.


There are many references among literature supporting the idea of using authentic material in language teaching. Authentic material provides the learners with many significant advantages and promotes learners with high motivation and interest in language learning.  This paper attempted to recognize Libyan EFL teachers' attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of authentic reading materials at university level in Libya. After employing attitude and believes questionnaire toward the use of authentic materials to EFL teachers from the University of Gareuness in Libya the results indicated that EFL Libyan teachers had a positive attitudes towards the use of authentic material. In addition, the study indicated that a perfect reading class should use a combination of both authentic texts and textbooks. Therefore, language programs should consider introducing authentic materials into the curriculum as a tool to improve the current learning environment.


This is a case of an 18‐year‐old male who presented with hip pain, shortness of breath, and respiratory failure and was found to have a large saddle pulmonary embolus involving the pulmonary artery bifurcation, which extended into the main right and left pulmonary arteries, as well as the lobar branches bilaterally. The patient was taken to the operating room for an emergent pulmonary embolectomy where a significant amount of tumor was removed through an incision in the main pulmonary artery with pathology consistent with metastatic chondrosarcoma. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12115 (J Card Surg 2013;28:436–438)


The necessity and managerial expediency of formation and implementation of the innovation strategy in the activity of the company are determined. The methodological connection between innovation activity and innovation strategy was identified, which formed the blocks of their interaction and support. The methodical approaches of the complex analysis of the external and internal environment of the company when developing an innovative strategy to strengthen market positions are proposed. The model of formation of innovative strategy of the company for activation of market activity and implementation of its production potential is built. The method of alternatives indicates that the varieties of the overall development of the company in the system of strategy are reduced to three main types: growth, stability and reduction. The growth strategy is aimed at developing the most promising business areas of the company. The stability strategy involves focusing on and supporting existing business areas. The authors think that the practical proposals provided will improve the conditions of innovative development of the company, management of which will allow to mobilize additional resources, improve the efficiency of internal flow management, as well as the quality of strategic and operational decisions at all levels of the company with a priority orientation for innovative type of development.


A case of metastatic angiosarcoma of the ovary, complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation, is described. The tumour was diagnosed by histopathologic examination and immunohistochemical studies. Angiosarcoma of the ovary, although extremely rare, appears to be a highly malignant neoplasm with an aggressive course and effective therapy is unknown.


The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of amalgam restorations with and without overhangs on alveolar bone loss via digitized radiographs for subjects of varying ages and overhang widths. The first phase of this study compared the alveolar bone loss among teeth with clinically acceptable two-surface amalgam restorations with a control surface on the same tooth. The second phase was similar to the first phase with the exception that it compared defective amalgam restorations (those containing amalgam overhanging approximal margins) with the control surface on the same tooth. The collected data showed a significant loss of alveolar bone as a result of amalgam overhang presence (P < 0.02). However, overhang width and patient age did not affect the significance of the detrimental effects of the amalgam overhangs. Overall alveolar bone height was seen to decrease with patient age, independent of amalgam restorations. Digital radiography was seen to be an accurate method for evaluating alveolar bone height changes due to the local environment created by overhanging amalgam margins.


SUMMARY

Mercurialis annua seeds are shed all year round. In the period early April to mid October they are actively collected by Messor structor. This ant transports the seeds to the nest and removes a seed appendage containing lipid and protein reserves known as caruncle. After this 'manipulation' the seeds are able to germinate but they are deposited in small chambers inside the ant nest where they are prevented from germinating. They germinate if experimentally removed from the nest or if disturbed by man or animals. During the experiments the seeds germinated after being washed in running water for 24 h or if the caruncle was physically removed. The seeds of this plant species thus have two ways of terminating dormancy. Ants remove both the mechanical and the chemical inhibitor, water only removes the chemical one.


The diffusion of social networks introduces new challenges and opportunities for advanced services, especially so with their ongoing addition of location-based features. We show how applications like company and friend recommendation could significantly benefit from incorporating social and spatial proximity, and study a query type that captures these two-fold semantics. We develop highly scalable algorithms for its processing, and enhance them with elaborate optimizations. Finally, we use real social network data to empirically verify the efficiency and efficacy of our solutions.


Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the potential cost-effectiveness and expected value of perfect information of a recently derived clinical prediction rule for patients presenting to emergency departments with chest discomfort. Methods: A decision analytic model was constructed to compare the Early Disposition Prediction Rule (EDPR) with the current standard of care. Results were used to calculate the potential cost-effectiveness of the EDPR, as well as the Value of Information in conducting further research. Study subjects were adults presenting with chest discomfort to two urban emergency departments in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The clinical prediction rule identifies patients who are eligible for early discharge within 3 hours of presentation to the emergency department. The outcome measure used was inappropriate emergency department discharge of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Results: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the EDPR in comparison to usual care was (negative) $2,999 per inappropriate ACS discharge prevented, indicating a potential cost-savings in introducing the intervention. The expected value of perfect information was $16.3 million in the first year of implementation, suggesting a high benefit from conducting further research to validate the decision rule. Conclusions: The EDPR is likely to be cost-effective; however, given the high degree of uncertainty in the estimates of costs and patient outcomes, further research is required to inform the decision to implement the intervention. The potential health and monetary benefits of this clinical prediction rule outweigh the costs of doing further research.


The  uniform steady slow  viscous flow of an incompressible non-Newtonian second order fluid past a fixed sphere of Reiner-Rivlin fluid with constant coefficient of Newtonian-viscositiesand , elastico-viscosity, and cross-viscositiesand  at  very small Reynolds  number has been delineated and   discussed under the  Stokes' approximation.   In the present model, no-slip(slide) is assumed on the boundary of the fluid  sphere's surface  so as to satisfy continuity of shear  across the surface. The unequivocal articulations for the stream functions are obtained to the second  order in the small cross-viscous parameters and  characterizing, respectively, the cross-viscosities  of  external and internal fluids, and special cases of flow past a solid and different fluid  spheres are deduced then. The effects of forces exerted by external fluid in the flow on the streamlines and the drag on the fluid sphere have been investigated and also represented graphically.  The effects of elastico-viscous parameter on drag and different fluid parameters have also been studied.


Background: Cancer patients are at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, thromboprophylaxis in these patients is associated with an increased hemorrhagic risk. The Khorana score is a risk scoring model for prediction of VTE that includes clinical and laboratory parameters. It has been expanded by incorporating two biomarkers, soluble P-selectin (P-sel), and D-Dimer. Other laboratory markers like prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) have also been reported to predict VTE in cancer patients. von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a mutimeric protein that promotes platelet adhesion and aggregation in high shear stress conditions; it is also implicated in venous thrombosis. ADAMTS13 (a desintegrin-like and metalloprot ease thrombospondin type 1 motif) specifically cleaves VWF multimers and subsequently regulates its activity; previous studies displayed decreased levels of ADAMTS13 in cancer patients when compared to patients without cancer. Aims: (i) to search for an association between VWF and ADAMTS13 levels and VTE in cancer patients; (ii) to compare Khorana score and expanded Khorana score before and after addition of VWF and ADAMTS13 levels. Methods: multicenter case-control study. Subjects were ambulatory patients receiving chemotherapy for stage III or IV cancer, prospectively followed for 6 months for the development of VTE. Each case (patient who developed VTE) was matched with seven controls (patients who did not develop VTE) for age, sex, type of cancer and stage. The Khorana score and the expanded score were calculated. ADAMTS13 activity was measured using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay; VWF, ADAMTS13 antigen, P-sel, D-Dimer and F1 + 2 levels were measured using ELISA methods. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to compare the levels between cases and controls. Logistic models were used to test whether VWF and ADAMTS13 levels would add significant prognostic information to Khorana and expanded Khorana score. Results are expressed as odds ratios (OR) and their 95% CIs. Results: We studied 20 cases and 140 controls. VWF levels were significantly higher in cases when compared to controls (326 ± 185% vs. 242 ± 158%; P = 0.02), whereas ADAMTS13 levels were not significantly different (activity 87 ± 18.9% vs. 81.5 ± 18.9; antigen 579 ± 108 ng/mL vs. 564 ± 137 ng/mL). VWF and ADAMTS13 levels were not correlated (r = -0.06 Pearson). VWF levels significantly increased with increasing stage of cancer (P = 0.03) whereas ADAMTS13 activity levels only tended to decrease (P = 0.06). The addition of VWF levels significantly improved the Khorana score (OR = 3.5 [1.2-10.2]). ADAMTS13 activity levels significantly improved the Khorana and the expanded Khorana scores (OR = 5 [1.4-23.5]) and 5.8 [1.4-28.2], respectively). Summary/Conclusions: Prospective studies are needed to confirm our results and determine if VWF and ADAMTS13 can be used as predictive markers of VTE in stage III/IV cancer patients. Our results also highlight a role of VWF and ADAMTS13 in the pathophysiology of VTE in cancer.


Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) have received drastically increasing interest, partly owing to the potential applicability of MANETs to myriad applications. The deployment of such networks, however, poses several challenging issues, due to the dynamic nature of the nodes, the arbitrary topology, the limited wireless range of nodes, and transmission errors. Since all the nodes in the network collaborate to forward the data, the wireless channel is prone to active and passive attacks by malicious nodes, such as Denial of Service (DoS), eavesdropping, spoofing, etc. Implementing security is therefore of prime importance in such network , As MANET is quickly spreading for the property of its capability in forming temporary network without the aid of any established infrastructure or centralized administration, security challenges has become a primary concern to provide secure communication. we focus on the findings and future works which may be interesting for the researchers However, in short, we can say that the complete security solution requires the prevention, detection and reaction mechanisms in MANET.


Normal rat liver expresses Ya (Mr 25,500), Yc (Mr 27,500) and Yk (Mr 25,000) Class Alpha glutathione S-transferase (GST) subunits. The Ya-type subunit can be resolved into two separate polypeptides, designated Ya1 and Ya2, by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. In rat livers that possess aflatoxin B1-induced pre-neoplastic nodules, a marked increase is observed in the expression of Ya1, Ya2, Yc and Yk; of these subunits, Ya2 exhibited the greatest increase in concentration. The Ya1 and Ya2 subunits isolated from nodule-bearing livers were cleaved with CNBr, and the purified peptides were subjected to automated amino-acid-sequence analysis. Differences in the primary structures of the two Ya GST subunits were found at positions 31, 34, 107 and 117. These data demonstrate that Ya1 and Ya2 are distinct polypeptides and are the products of separate genes. The amino acid sequences obtained from Ya1 and Ya2 were compared with the cloned cDNAs pGTB 38 [Pickett, Telakowski-Hopkins, Ding, Argenbright & Lu (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 4112-4115] and pGTR 261 [Lai, Li, Weiss, Reddy & Tu (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 5182-5188], which encode rat Ya-type subunits. From these comparisons it appears probable that Ya1 represents the GST subunit encoded by pGTR 261, whereas Ya2 represents the subunit encoded by pGTB 38. It is likely that the over-expression of Ya1 and Ya2 in nodule-bearing livers is of major significance in the acquired resistance of nodules to aflatoxin B1, since previous work [Coles, Meyer, Ketterer, Stanton & Garner (1985) Carcinogenesis 6, 693-697] has shown that the Ya-type GST subunit has high activity towards aflatoxin B1 8,9-epoxide.


Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC

The hotspot mutations in codon 132 of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) is a frequent DNA alteration in gliomas and astrocytomas. IDH mutations are prognostic and diagnostic for tumors with mutation, associated with a proneural subclass, and have longer survival compared with those without the mutation.

We have developed a highly sensitive and simple method to detect hotspot mutations in codon 132 of IDH1 using PNA-mediated real-time PCR clamping, PNAClampTM.

PNAClampTM is based on unique properties of PNA probes that PNA oligomers are not recognized by DNA that can serve as sequence-selective clamps during PCR amplification. This method can also detect 5 mutations through only one tube reactions simultaneously, which requires only 10 ng of the target DNA each.

Data analysis was much faster and easier to perform than analysis of the sequencing data, and results could be obtained in 3hr from DNA extraction to analysis.

Furthermore, we could readily identify a mixture of 1% mutant allele vs. 99% wild type allele with our PNAClamp assay, in comparison to direct sequencing assay which have detection limit of approximately 20% mutant allele.

We performed the assay on 191 paraffin-embedded glioma specimens in Korea for diagnosing IDH mutation.

The results showed that the PNAClampTM IDH1 detected higher number of mutation (27.2%, 52/191) than of direct sequencing (20.9%, 40/191) in 191 giloma samples in Korea. The result was not in agreement with the sequencing in12 (6.3%) samples. This result was likely due to the high sensitivity of PNAClampTM.

PNAClampTM is a fast, sensitive and easy to perform method which can reliably detect common mutations of IDH genes in gliomas or other tumors.

Citation Format: Jihye Yoon, jae jin Choi, Woohyung Choi, Heekyung Park. PNA mediated real-time PCR clamping assay to detect IDH1 mutations . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4225. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4225


Nowadays, large warehouses handle a huge number of products. Handling the enormity and different types of (range) products also demand complex warehouse processes. In this paper, the IKEA warehouse in Stavanger, Norway, is taken as an example, which stores, manages, and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories. The focus of this paper is to understand the warehouse processes that make the warehouse popular with the customers. Petri net is used to model the processes, and by simulation, the effect of the processes are understood. This paper shows how the processes integrate the large range of products, customer service, and the supply chain. The logistics flow is represented with a modular Petri Net model using the tool known as the General-purpose Petri Net Simulator (GPenSim). The goal of this paper is also to determine and propose any changes for a more efficient warehouse performance.


Aim: The aim of our study was to estimate the level of HbA1c in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). To determine any correlation between HbA1c, admission blood glucose (Random blood sugar), serum lipid profile among the cases and to evaluate the outcome during hospitalization.
Study Design and Setting: Cohort study.
Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Biochemistry and General Medicine including ICCU and Cardiology unit, RIMS, Imphal, between September 2015 to August 2017.
Methodology: Data were collected from 98 patients admitted in Medicine ward who were diagnosed with ACS irrespective of their diabetes status and they were divided into three groups according to their HbA1c levels (<5.7%, 5.7-6.4%, > 6.5%). The blood samples collected by venipuncture were analyzed for HbA1c level, done by RANDOX HbA1c Rx series (latex agglutination inhibition assay), admission blood glucose (measured by Trinder's method) and serum lipid profile (RANDOX enzymatic Endpoint Method Rx series). The data were analyzed using statistical tools like Chi Square test, Independent sample t test, Pearson's Correlation, Fisher's exact test through SPSS 21.0.
Results: Majority of the patients were men (72.4%) & (27.6%) women and in the age group of 51-65 years. The mean age is 62.14 years. 54.1% of the ACS patients were already diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus whereas 45.9% were non-diabetic. Out of 98 patients, 60 had HbA1c level in the diabetic range (≥6.5%), 25 in the pre-diabetic range (5.7-6.4%) and the remaining 13 were within normal range (<5.7%). Admission blood glucose, total cholesterol and LDL were positively correlated with HbA1c value.
Conclusion: The mortality of the ACS patients irrespective of diabetic status during hospitalization was associated with HbA1c value irrespective of diabetic status during hospitalization. However, it was not associated with thirty days mortality.


Across the country for the last several years, health literacy has become a "buzz word"--a major topic of discussion. In 2008, the American Association for Health Education approved a position statement on health literacy. (1) As a health educator since 1971 and after reading article after article about math literacy, reading literacy and science literacy, I think it's about time! Before delivering my AAHE Scholar Address in April 2010, a Google search for the words "health literacy" identified 5,120,000 and 988 videos. On June 30, 2010, a new Google search for "health literacy" identified 20,800,000 and 1,300 videos. Clearly, health literacy continues to be an important concern across the country. And, health educators in all settings acknowledge that health literacy is a key determinant of health outcomes, has a major impact on health disparities, and most important, should be a fundamental part of general education. Although it is important that all individuals become health-literate, my comments are focused on youth because most of my professional work has centered within school settings working with children and youth from ages 6-18 years. More important, I believe that is where we must begin, and the earlier, the better. Hopefully by beginning on the first day of kindergarten and continuing through high school graduation, we can make a difference. I believe health-literate youth will grow up to be health-literate adults who will be able to make positive health-related decisions for themselves and the parents/guardians for whom they likely will become primary caregivers. In my discussion, I will address what I see to be some evolving challenges for health educators working with youth as well as some possible strategies for addressing them. EVOLVING CHALLENGE #I : UNDERSTANDING HEALTH LITERACY "To begin with an end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination." (2)(p98) Moreover, as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Understanding is a two-way street" Before we, as health educators, can facilitate understanding of health literacy, we must truly understand it ourselves. So, what is health literacy? Does the meaning of health literacy vary from person to person, organization to organization and location to location? Why is health literacy important? What is implied when we say someone is health-literate? How does health literacy work? What are the potential benefits of health literacy and the potential consequences of not being health literate? To what other concepts are health literacy connected? How do we see health literacy in relation to our work in health education, health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention and health care reform? Finally, how do we measure health literacy? What does a health-literate person know and what is a health-literate person able to do? Clearly, understanding (as a concept) is complex; it is much broader than mere knowledge. Moreover, there are many different ways of understanding. Like a die, understanding is multi-faceted? When one truly understands an idea or concept, he/she can explain it, can interpret it and can apply it; he/she has perspective, can empathize and has self-knowledge. (3) So, let us examine health literacy in each of its facets. Understanding Facet #1: Explanation. This first facet is basic--what is health literacy and what is it not? Initially, we must define health. On more than one occasion, when sharing my profession (i.e., health educator) with a person I did not know, the first question I was asked (focusing on the physical) is "Oh, what sport do you play?" Most professionally-prepared health educators agree that health is a dynamic process of achieving one's potential in several interrelated dimensions. In the literature and in multiple textbooks, health has been portrayed as a continuum, a star, a wheel, or one of many other geometric shapes. Regardless of the model used, when we talk about health literacy, we must not limit our discussions to physical health and accessing the (physical) health care system; we must remember to address all dimensions of health--physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual. …


Now a day"s all our basic needs are relates with electricity. The demand for electricity is tremendously increasing day by day. Due to insufficient transmission capacity one or more transmission lines may operate beyond their limits thereby causing the network congestion. It can be detected by evaluation of Available Transfer Capability (ATC) of the network for various applied power transactions. Major challenge in electrical power system is to rigorously compute the transfer capability remaining in the system for further transaction which is describe as Available Transfer capability. This paper reports the appraisal of ATC using participation factor and power transfer distribution factor. The participation factor is a measure of how the real power output of the generator changes in response to load demand. In this paper, by choosing different participation factor, its effect of ATC is observed by MATLAB. The solutions obtained are useful in the present restructuring environment. Keywords— Generator participation factor, Power Transfer distribution, Available transfer capability, Network Congestion, MATLAB


Depth-distance dependent bias in body-wave magnitude is investigated using the International Seismological Centre (ISC) dataset from 1978 to 1993. Large deviations in mb determination at varying epicentral distances using the Gutenberg and Richter (1956) depth-distance correction terms shows that the correction terms presently used need to be revised. New empirical global depth-distance correction terms B(D,h) for body-wave magnitude are determined using the values of scalar moment M0 in the Harvard Centroid Moment Tensor (CMT) catalog to calibrate P-wave amplitude-distance curves. Comparison of event magnitude mb calculated using the Gutenberg–Richter correction terms, and that of this study, shows that the new depth-distance correction terms tend to increase small magnitudes and decrease large magnitudes. Comparison of the correction terms of Gutenberg and Richter, Veith and Clawson (1972), and Lilwall (1987b) with those obtained in this study shows that mb is biased most when using the correction terms of Gutenberg and Richter (1956). A systematic bias in the estimated mb for distance greater than 88 is observed for the Veith–Clawson and the Lilwall correction terms. Using Gutenberg– Richter, Veith–Clawson, and Lilwall correction terms, mb for deep earthquakes is systematically underestimated by about 0.1–0.15, 0.3–0.5, and 0.1–0.2 magnitude units, respectively. Application of the new correction terms to the ISC dataset shows that estimated mb is then independent of distance and focal depth and hence provides unbiased estimates of mb in comparison with other correction terms. This observation is also a positive test of the hypothesis that calibration with respect to M0 gives a better estimate of mb. Comparison of the standard deviation of mb values for single events using different depth-distance correction terms shows that the Gutenberg– Richter standard deviations are, on average, larger than those of Veith and Clawson, Lilwall, and this study. Application of station corrections obtained from magnitude residuals reduces the average standard deviations by about 0.07 magnitude unit, which is statistically significant.


Abstract : As China continues its comprehensive military modernization program, the 2015 Annual Report to Congress on Military and Security Developments Involving the PRC, published by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, has expressed concerns that Chinas military modernization has the potential to reduce core U.S. military technological advantages. In order to put this concern into a broader context, this thesis asks: how does Chinas navy compare to navies of existing powers? With Chinas naval expansion in mind, this thesis compares the Peoples Liberation Army (Navy) (PLAN) to other modern naval powers to determine if Chinas force structure resembles a regional navy that is built primarily for power projection, sea denial, or sea line of communications (SLOC) defense. Comparative case studies are used to contextualize Chinas naval modernization by identifying characteristics of archetypal navies built for sea denial, power projection, and SLOC defense. The Royal Swedish Navy is analyzed as a navy that specializes in sea denial, the French Navy is analyzed as a navy that specializes in power projection, and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force is analyzed as a navy that specializes in SLOC defense. This thesis finds that China is primarily pursuing a maritime strategy centered on SLOC defense, but is also capable of employing a sea denial strategy in its near seas.


Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common health care-associated infections in patients. Approximately half of SSIs are preventable when using evidence-based strategies; however, deviations from evidence-based practice can occur over time. Infection preventionists and perioperative staff members can help prevent these deviations by observing staff member practices using tracer methodology. Tracer methodology uses clinical information to follow patient care, treatment, or services provided throughout the care delivery system. The goal of tracer methodology for SSI prevention is to validate that organizational processes are promoting safer patient care. Using tracers, perioperative and infection prevention staff members can develop strategies to eliminate deviations from evidence-based practice, thereby helping to prevent SSIs and improve patient outcomes.


High-frequency shock-type vibration (HFV) with a frequency content mainly above 1250 Hz, e.g., from impact wrenches, is likely to cause a significant amount of vibration injuries and even hand-arm vibration syndrome. The objective of this study was to measure vibration up to 100 kHz with a Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) and investigate the variation of vibration over the machine surface, the vibration propagation into finger tissue, and the vibration reduction on the finger tissue due to a foamed polymer layer. Our results showed that the vibration on the handle varies moderately and that the amplitudes are higher on the machine surface. A large proportion of the vibration is transferred into the finger tissue and thereby subjects the finger tissue to high-vibration amplitudes, but it is effectively reduced by a thin layer of foamed polymer.


A psychiatrist, in India, unlike in the western developed world often is required to play dual role of being a treating psychiatrist and that of an expert witness for the same patient. In the clinical scenario, the principle of therapeutic alliance comes into play, while in the court of law, he/she needs to play the role of assisting the judicial system to deliver "justice." Psychiatrist role in the court is directed by the court rules and not by the clinical rules. This chapter aims to describe the various roles played by the psychiatrist in the court room and provides a basic outline of the medicolegal expectations from a psychiatrist.


In the random linear network coding scenario with subspace codes applied, if the number of packets injected into the network is larger than the dimension of the subspace, the packets are not linearly independent. This paper addresses the problem of how to choose these packets to represent the subspaces so as to minimize the decoding failure probability and formulates it as a precoding problem. We propose a precoding method based on the generator matrices of a class of the maximum distance separable codes and show that it can minimize the decoding failure probability for a sparse random transfer matrix over a large enough finite field. Our result is obtained by analyzing the rank distribution of finite field random matrices in the large field size limit. As a consequence, it is applied to shed some light on the tradeoff between the maximum achievable sparsity of the transfer matrix and the rate of the subspace code.


The Doñana National Park (DNP) is a protected area with water resources drastically diminishing due to the unsustainable extraction of groundwater for agricultural irrigation and human consumption of a nearby coastal city. In this study, we explore the potential of wavelet analysis applied to high-temporal-resolution groundwater-and-surface-water time series of temporary coastal ponds in the DNP. Wavelet analysis was used to measure the frequency of changes in water levels and water temperature, both crucial to our understanding of complex hydrodynamic patterns. Results show that the temporary ponds are groundwater-dependent ecosystems of a through-flow type and are still connected to the sand-dune aquifer, regardless of their hydrological affection, due to groundwater withdrawal. These ponds, even those most affected by pumping in nearby drills, are not perched over the saturated zone. This was proven by the evidence of a semi-diurnal (i.e., 6 h) signal in the surface-level time series of the shallow temporary ponds. This signal is, at the same time, related to the influence of the tides affecting the coastal sand-dune aquifer. Finally, we detected other hydrological processes that affect the ponds, such as evaporation and evapotranspiration, with a clear diurnal (12 h) signal. The maintenance of the ecological values and services to the society of this emblematic wetland is currently in jeopardy, due to the effect of the groundwater abstraction for irrigation. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the behavior of these fragile ecosystems of DNP, and will also contribute to sound-integrated water-resource management.


A 67-year-old woman with symptoms of cardiogenic shock is reported. Heart rupture as a complication of acute coronary syndrome was diagnosed. Cardiorrhaphy was performed. In the next stage coronary angiography was performed. Subtotal stenosis of a small marginal branch was responsible for this incident.


The Authors report their clinical experience about the use of atracurium besylate in preventing succinylcholine-induced fasciculations and postoperative myalgias in fifty athletes (ASA class 1), submitted to arthroscopic meniscectomy. The patients were pretreated with atracurium 5 mg i.v. or saline solution in a double-blind fashion. After 2.5 minutes, succinylcholine 1.3 mg/kg was administered, and fasciculations were recorded on a scale ranging from 0 to 3. Twenty-four hours after surgery all subjects were questioned about myalgias occurrence, scored by a 0-3 scale. Fasciculations occurred in all patients who received saline and in 44% of those treated with atracurium. Myalgias on the postoperative day were observed in 80% of patients treated with saline solution, but only in 36% of patients who received atracurium. The difference between atracurium and saline solution was statistically significant (p less than 0.001) either for fasciculations or myalgias incidence. These findings show that atracurium 5 mg i.v. is effective in preventing succinylcholine-induced fasciculations and postoperative myalgias, and suggest atracurium as the drug of choice for this purpose, particularly in muscular subjects.


PURPOSE
To measure the chemical composition, Knoop hardness, surface roughness, and composite bond strength of additive manufactured (AM) and conventional interim materials.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Disks were prepared using conventionally (CNV group) and additively manufactured (AM group) materials: CNV-1 (Protemp 4; 3M ESPE), CNV-2 (Anaxdent new outline dentin; Anaxdent), AM-1 (FreePrint temp; Detax), AM-2 (E-Dent 400 C&B MFH; Envisiontec), AM-3 (NextDent C&B MFH; 3D Systems), and AM-4 (Med620 VEROGlaze; Stratasys). Each group was subdivided into 3 subgroups (n = 20) for analyzing Knoop hardness (KHN), chemical composition, superficial roughness (Ra), and composite shear bond strength. The first subgroup was exposed to a microhardness test. Subsequently, EDAX analysis was selected to analyze the chemical composition. The second subgroup was selected to measure the superficial roughness (Ra) using a contact profilometer. The third subgroup was used to measured composite shear bond strength using a universal testing apparatus. A digital microscope was used to analyze the fracture mode. The Shapiro-Wilk test showed normally distributed data. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Sidak tests were selected (α = .05).

RESULTS
Major variances in chemical composition were observed among the specimens. Significant differences in Knoop hardness (P<.001) and surface roughness (P<.001) were detected. The AM-4 (13.45 ±2.93 KHN), the CNV-2 (13.35 ±5.84 KHN), the AM-2 (13.03 ±3.29 KHN), and the AM-1 (12.55 ±2.93 KHN) groups obttained the highest Knoop hardness values, followed by the AM-3 and the CNV-1 groups (P<.05). The AM-1 group (1.88 ±1.11 Ra) obtained the highest surface roughness values among the groups, followed by the AM-3 group (0.90 ±0.14 Ra) (P<.05). However, no significant differences in shear bond strength values were found between the groups ranging from 23.18 ±8.88 MPa to 33.29 ±9.17 MPa (P = .061). All the groups showed a cohesive mode of failure.

CONCLUSIONS
The AM interim materials tested had significant chemical composition variations compared to conventional materials. For the mechanical properties evaluated, the AM materials obtained appropriate mechanical properties for use as an interim dental restoration. However, further studies are required to evaluate more extensively its mechanical properties and verify their applicability in the oral cavity, clinical behavior, and biocompatibility. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


Omental lipoma is an extremely rare abdominal tumor that, despite its large size, often remains asymptomatic. A giant lipoma arising from the greater omentum in a  21-monthold girl is reported. The mass was excised completely and the patient is doing well at the 12-month follow-up, with no recurrence. Nontender lobulated mobile mass, location, and uniformly low attenuation on computed tomography were diagnostic. Keywords : abdominal tumor, giant lipoma, omentum


Effective peripheral blood flow is positively related to cardiac output and gravity (part dependent) and inversely related to gravity (part elevated), venous pressure, interstitial fluid pressure, degree of peripheral neuropathy, arteriosclerotic and thrombotic arterial obstructions, and infection. These factors are considered in the operation of the end-diastolic pneumatic boot in the treatment of illustrative patients with lymphedema, venous stasis disease, peripheral arteriosclerosis obliterans, peripheral neuropathy, cellulitis, and osteomyelitis and the failing heart. A method of treatment that includes the use of the boot and the injection of local antibiotics is described.


Objective: To estimate the cost-utility of dasatinib versus high-dose imatinib (HDI, imatinib 800mg/day) for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in patients with resistance to imatinib at standard doses. Methods: We adapted to the Canadian setting a Markov model with a monthly cycle length that followed hypothetical patients until death. Cost effectiveness was evaluated during three phases of CML: chronic (86% of Ontario patients in 2006), accelerated (9%) and blast crisis (5%). Efficacy of dasatinib and HDI (cytogenetic and hematologic response) and adverse events (AEs) were taken from randomized trials. Canadian costs of medications, laboratory tests, professional fees, hospitalizations, and AEs were obtained from published sources. Societal utility scores were estimated from a Canadian time trade-off study. Analyses were performed from the perspective of the Ontario Ministry of Health. Costs (2006 CDN$) and outcomes (QALYs) were discounted at 5% annually after the first year. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were carried out to quantify uncertainty for the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Results: Dasatinib dominated HDI in chronic phase patients with additional QALYs (3.92 vs. 3.47) and a lower lifetime cost ($379,678 vs. $444,934). The ICERs of dasatinib vs. HDI in accelerated and blast phase were $88,098/QALY and $173,922/QALY respectively. The higher cost/QALY of dasatinib in the advanced phases is explained primarily by the increased predicted survival of dasatinib patients and therefore the longer duration of drug therapy for these patients. Parameters with the greatest influence on results were the time horizon, drug costs and utility values. The interpretation of results remained robust in univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: From an economic perspective dasatinib is an attractive treatment choice for the majority of imatinib resistant CML patients and provides better value for money than HDI.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Individuals with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) report using alcohol and marijuana to cope with pain. Little research has tested whether co-use is associated with worse psychological outcomes.

METHODS
Participants had CLBP and past-month alcohol/marijuana co-use (n = 192), alcohol use (n = 148), marijuana use (n = 78), or no use (n = 101).

RESULTS
Co-use was associated with more drinking-related problems, anxiety, and pain anxiety compared to alcohol-(but not marijuana-) only, whereas marijuana-only use was associated with worse psychological outcomes than alcohol use-only; effect sizes were small to medium.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Co-use and marijuana-only were associated with worse outcomes than alcohol-only.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE
The present findings extend current understanding of co-use by finding that marijuana use among people with CLBP (a group with especially high rates of use of these substances) is associated with worse alcohol-related problems and psychological outcomes.


A non-linear dynamic empirical model, based on a Volterra-like approach, was previously proposed by authors for the time-oriented characterization of S/H-ADC devices. In this paper, the experimental procedure for model parameter measurement is presented, as well as techniques devoted to the implementation of the model in the framework of main commercial CAD tools for circuit analysis and design. The results of simulations, performed on the obtained model both in time and frequency domain, are proposed which show model capability to point out the dynamic non-linear effects in the device response.


Globular, non-adherent coelomocytes, called "G3 granulocytes", of the polychaetous annelid Nereis diversicolor display spontaneous cytotoxicity. These cells were found capable of killing invertebrate as well as vertebrate target cells by a contact-dependent cytolytic process. Cytotoxic activity of G3 granulocytes against foreign cells develops in three steps. At first, the cells become motile and form lamellipodia. In a second step, short, pointed pseudopodia arise from the edge of the lamellipodia and are making contact with the stimulating foreign object. In a third step, the G3 granulocytes release dense granules by exocytosis onto the foreign substrate or cell which finally will undergo lysis. Within few minutes after activation, the G3 granulocyte will alter its polarity, realigning both Golgi apparatus and centrosome towards the target cell. A pore-forming protein may be involved in the cytotoxic activity of the G3 granulocytes. These cells were observed to burst after contact with and release of granules onto an abiotic solid substrate, indicating that under certain circumstances the G3 granulocytes may be sensitive to their own cytotoxic activity. These data support the postulate of Franceschi et al. (Eur. J. Immunol. 21, 489-493 (1991) that a primitive natural killer cell-like activity had been developed early in phylogenesis. A simple method for preparing invertebrate coelomocytes for scanning electron microscopy is described.


Diagnostic significance of orientation reflex in response to neutral sound stimuli in hemispheric ischemic cerebral stroke is discussed. The following electrophysiological indices for orientation reflex were analysed: desynchronization reaction, non-specific vertex EEG potential and spontaneous electrodermographic activity--galvanic skin reflex to repeated sudden neutral audio stimuli were analysed. Beginning from the acute period of stroke, a follow-up study was carried out. Correlations between stroke severity and orientation reflex stability as well as between a rate of some pattern diminution in the early rehabilitation period and hemispheric lateralization of the pathological focus and severity degree of the neurological deficit were found.


Pattern classifiers that are trained in a supervised fashion are typically trained with an error measure objective function such as mean-squared error (MSE) or cross-entropy (CE). These classifiers can in theory yield Bayesian discrimination, but in practice they often fail to do so. The authors explain why this happens and identify a number of characteristics that the optimal objective function for training classifiers must have. They show that classification figures of merit (CFM/sub mono/) possess these optimal characteristics, whereas error measures such as MSE and CE do not. The arguments are illustrated with a simple example in which a CFM/sub mono/-trained low-order polynomial neural network approximates Bayesian discrimination on a random scalar with the fewest number of training samples and the minimum functional complexity necessary for the task. A comparable MSE-trained net yields significantly worse discrimination on the same task.<<ETX>>


ABSTRACT CAREGIVER VIEWS ON MEDICATION TREATMENT FOR PERSONS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA IN A CULTURAL CONTEXT Tracy Griffith Roberta Sands Ph.D Schizophrenia is a disabling, often persistent psychiatric disorder that poses numerous challenges in its management and consequences. The burden of care for persons with schizophrenia has shifted from hospitals to families, resulting in a significant cost for the caregiver as well as for the person with schizophrenia ( Jungbauer, Wittmund, Dietrich & Angermeyer, 2004). Although there is no agreement on whether a specific cluster of psychotic symptoms has the most impact on a caregiver's burden of care, there is agreement that the severity of symptoms affects the caregiver. The more severe the symptoms, the larger the burden felt by the caregiver (Muhlbauer, 2008). The cause of schizophrenia remains elusive and there is no known cure. The best practice model for treating the symptoms of schizophrenia is treatment with anti-psychotic medications and psychosocial supports for the person with schizophrenia and his or her caregiver (McDonald, Short, Berry & Dyck, 2003). Strong social supports, including family and community supports and a good relationship with the care team, reportedly exert a positive influence on medication adherence (Bentley & Walsh, 2006). A study by Drapalski, Leith and Dixon (2009) also has noted that when a family member acts as a caregiver, this has a positive effect on patient outcomes. This qualitative study explored the views of African American caregivers on medication treatment for schizophrenia. It was guided by the following research questions: What are the views of African American caregivers toward the taking of medication for schizophrenia? How do the caregivers describe their role in relation to medication adherence? What kinds of strategies do the caregivers use to promote medication adherence? How do the caregivers describe their caregiving role in relation to activities outside medication adherence? How do African American caregivers incorporate cultural values into their caregiving role? How do caregivers view support, or lack thereof, provided by community mental health services? The research used a modified grounded theory methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten African American caregivers and two key informants. The major study findings were: (1) Monitoring of medication was a significant activity for caregivers. (2) Strategies to promote medication adherence varied among caregivers. (3) Non-medication adherence caregiver activities were around maintaining their loved one in the community. (4) The importance of family and church was a strong cultural value for the caregivers. ( 5) Supports and coping methods for the caregivers centered around a strong faith system and close family, friends and the relationship with the psychiatrist. Two theories of explanation were used to interpret the findings, symbolic interactionism and a family life course developmental framework. Recommendations for social work intervention with caregivers were made. This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations_sp2/21 Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Social Work (DSW) First Advisor Roberta Sands Ph.D. Second Advisor Lina Hartocollis Ph.D. Third Advisor Christian Kohler M.D.


Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common type of lung cancer with high malignancy and easy metastasis in the early stage. In this study, we aimed to figure out the role of tryptophan metabolic pathway in LUAD prognosis and treatment. Different molecular subtypes were constructed based on tryptophan metabolism-related genes. Significant prognostic genes and clinical prognostic characteristics, immune infiltration level, and pathway activity in different subtypes were determined by algorithms, such as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso), CIBERSORT, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The effect of different gene mutation types on the prognosis of patients with LUAD was explored. The clinical prognosis model was constructed and its reliability was verified. Of the 40 genes in the tryptophan metabolism pathway, 13 had significant prognostic significance. Based on these 13 genes, three molecular subtypes (C1, C2, and C3) were established. Among them, C1 had the worst prognosis and the lowest enrichment score of tryptophan metabolism. At the same time, C1 had the most genetic variation, the highest level of immune infiltration, and significantly activated pathways related to tumor development. The high-risk and low-risk groups had significant differences in prognosis, immune infiltration and pathway enrichment, which was consistent with the results of subtype analysis. Mutation in tryptophan metabolism-related genes leads to abnormal tryptophan metabolism, immune deficiency, and activation of cancer-promoting pathways. This results in high malignancy, poor prognosis, and failure of traditional clinical treatments. Through the establishment of risk score (RS) clinical prognosis model, we determined that RS could reliably predict the prognosis of patients with LUAD.


The authors explore the problem of dynamic virtual private networks (VPNs) over wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks to facilitate the guarantee of diverse quality of service (QoS) requirements of different traffic streams, especially those with very stringent delay jitter requirements and with bursty characteristics. Each VPN consists of different traffic streams with various quality sensitivities. The proposed QoS model provides three types of QoS services for various VPNs: static, optical burst switching (OBS) and alternative VPNs. All the three types provide transmission in the optical core networks without any O/E/O conversion. The static type has a set of dedicated or shared lightpaths which have been pre-allocated and the traffic from this VPN has a constant bit rate (CBR). The OBS type need to setup the lightpath using so-called optical burst switching while a traffic stream with variable bit rate (VBR) request, is occurring. The alternative type has to set up a lightpath based on two-way reservation protocols such as tell-and-wait (TAW) for the traffic with unspecified bit rate (UBR) or available bit rate (ABR). The proposed model is suitable for carrying the multimedia applications which have various sensitivities to delay and jitter. By employing dynamic VPNs directly over the WDM layer, one can eliminate the often complex QoS related functions in the upper protocol layers, and thus increase the overall communication efficiency. Furthermore, this could be the first step towards providing fine grained service over optical wide area networks. In addition, basic performance analysis and preliminary results are presented, based on simulation, and the network designer is provided with a quantitative assessment of proportion for different traffic types with different QoS service requirements.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the application value of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis.

METHODS
TRUS and examination of prostatic secretion (EPS) were used in the diagnosis of 3 500 cases of chronic prostatitis from September, 2000 to May, 2006.

RESULTS
Lower resonance of the inner gland, low-level echo, uneven echo light spots, incomplete outlines and unsmooth borderlines were found in 2279 cases (65.1%), and the enlarged prostate in 1 084 cases (31.0%), with clear integrated amicula and enhanced echogenic spots at the juncture of the external and inner gland. No obvious changes were noted in 137 cases (4.0%), and in another 391 cases (11.2%) were detected alteration of the acoustic image of cystospermitis and blurred margins and uneven echoes of the seminal vesicle. The WBC count in EPS was < 10/HP in 132 cases (3.8%), 10-19/HP in 2 156 cases (61.6%) and > or =20/HP in 1212 cases (34.6%).

CONCLUSION
TRUS, as a diagnostic means for chronic prostatitis, can be easily performed and causes little pain and therefore is readily accepted by patients. Combined with EPS, TRUS can provide more definite diagnostic evidence, and for those who are afraid of pain and reject EPS, it is a desirable alternative in the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis.


Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare, debilitating condition which presents with progressive and inconsistent neurological features. The main symptoms are stiffness and intermittent, painful muscle spasms, triggered and exacerbated by stressful and emotional stimuli. The fluctuating clinical nature of SPS, and otherwise normal neurological examination, often lead to a misdiagnosis of conversion disorder. Psychiatric symptoms frequently accompany this disorder and patients are often first seen by psychiatrists. SPS is autoimmune-based: antibodies are directed against glutamate decarboxylase, resulting in dysregulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain which is considered the cause of the neuropsychiatric symptomatology. SPS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of conversion disorder. Effective management requires early detection, a collaborative approach with GABA-ergic medication and intravenous immunoglobulins, and management of concomitant psychiatric disorders. We describe a patient with SPS. Only one other case has been reported in South Africa.


Regional anaesthesia and analgesia offer unique advantages of reduction in general anaesthesia requirements and the demands on NICU resources while improving the general outcome. We assessed the feasibility of continuous lumbar epidural analgesia in 20 neonates for various major surgical procedures lasting from 60–260 min. The babies were aged 18 h to 34 days. They were born at a gestational age of 31–40 weeks. We had difficulty in passing the epidural catheter from the lumbar route in two patients, so we had to resort to the caudal route. The problems associated with the placement of the catheter from the lumbar route are discussed. The analgesia was provided for up to 72 h. Nineeteen of the babies could be extubated in the operating theatre. They were awake but comfortable at the time of extubation. There were no complications due to the technique. Subsequent to this study, epidural analgesia either by lumbar or caudal route has become the routine in our hospital for all major thoraco‐abdominal surgical procedures in neonates.


In 1962 the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology was awarded to Francis H.C. Crick, James D. Watson and Maurice H.F. Wilkins, the three men who, almost a decade earlier, had worked together at Cambridge, merging data from chemistry, physics and biology to solve the structure of DNA - Crick and Watson working to build a hypothetical model that would conform in all its parts to what Wilkins' X-ray pictures had already shown of the molecule. This is a reissue of the classic account of the discovery of the structure of DNA. Watson also tells of the excitement of being a young American scientist in Cambridge - how hw saw the challenge of a great discovery waiting to be made.


ABSTRACT. A unique group of entodiniomorph protozoa was found in forestomach contents from quokka (Setonix brachyurus), western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) and euro (Macropus robustus erubescens). A new genus, Macropodinium n.g., containing five new species, is described. Three species are described from forestomach contents of the quokka: Macropodinium baldense n. sp., Macropodinium moiri n. sp. and Macropodinium setonixum n. sp. A single species, Macropodinium ennuensis n. sp., is described from the red kangaroo and euro. The last species, Macropodinium yalanbense n. sp., is described in forestomach contents from the western grey kangaroo. At least three distinct features in the new genus are incompatible with any of the described families in the order Entodiniomorphida. On this basis, the new family Macropodiniidae has been created.


Aotearoa (New Zealand - NZ) brings a unique richness to research on diversity management at work. In this chapter we show how the historical and socio-political context of New Zealand has embedded a peculiar local flavour. New Zealand's geographic isolation in the face of globalization, commitment to biculturalism and demographic shift to a multi-ethnic society, are key contextual elements to this contentious diversity discourse. Issues of equality and diversity are framed by the ideal of partnership between indigenous Maori and Pakeha (white New Zealanders) based upon the Treaty of Waitangi. In 1893 NZ was the first nation state to grant women the right to vote, and this, alongside other 'firsts' in labour and social legislation, has led to an internalized notion of egalitarianism. From 1984, NZ experienced substantial shifts in the nature of labour market engagement with minimal government involvement in the economy and deregulation. Indeed, NZ stood out for being one of few left-leaning governments to wholeheartedly embrace neoliberal approaches and policy (Callaghan, 2009; Roper, 2005). The shift from 'soft socialism' and collective responsibility to 'almost unfettered liberalism' (Humphries and Grice, 1995, p. 23) has shaped policy-level debates on how 'fairness' and 'equity' in employment outcomes can be achieved. New Zealand's approach in this time has been through lenient regulation with legislation 'light' on references to equality (McGregor, 2011).


Abstract : The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Peak 2D and 3 D video analysis systems for measuring static model angles. A model. representing the right rearfoot. was constructed from a squared and leveled piece of wood and a goniometer. The goniometer was rotated clock-wise or counter-clockwise in the frontal plane to simulate eversion or inversion of the shank relative to the calcaneus. The entire model was also rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise in either the transverse or sagittal planes. Three video cameras, two for 3D analysis and one for 2D analysis, simultaneously recorded fifty-one different positions of the rearfoot model. Special attention was given to field size (0.75 meters) and distance between markers for recording the 51 conditions. A repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's HSD detected significant difference of the inversion/eversion angle between methods: Actual angles, 2D joint angles, and 3D Segmental angles. There was a significant difference between Actual angle and 2D Joint angle and 2D Joint and 3D Segmental angle. The greatest absolute differences for 2D Joint angles occurred when the model was rotated 30 degrees in the transverse plane. These 12 conditions of 30 degree transverse rotations were significantly different than the other 39 conditions. Separate ANOVA's were applied to each group (n 12, n = 39). 3D was significantly better than 2D for the 12 conditions of 30 degree transverse plane rotations, however there was no difference among 2D and 3D values for all other conditions (n = 39). For the 51 conditions, the mean absolute error between Actual and 2D was 0.74 and Actual and 3D was 0.81 degrees.


Findings by light and electron microscopy and histochemistry in three cases of myxoma of a nerve sheath are presented. The histochemical findings are compared with those obtained in identical studies done on two benign schwannomas, two neurofibromas, and a soft tissue myxoma. In addition, myxomatous changes in a peripheral nerve obtained at vagotomy were similarly studied.Morphologically, myxoma of the nerve sheath is a distinct neoplastic entity showing moderate cellular aty-pia and a characteristic tissue distribution. Histochemi-cally, the neoplasm shows a mucopolysaccharide profile that categorizes it as a neoplasm of mesenchymal origin rich in highly sulfated acid mucins. Of particular note is its close histochemical similarity to a neurofibroma.


We study the problem of compressing massive tables within the partition-training paradigm introduced by Buchsbaum et al. [SODA'00], in which a table is partitioned by an off-line training procedure into disjoint intervals of columns, each of which is compressed separately by a standard, on-line compressor like gzip. We provide a new theory that unifies previous experimental observations on partitioning and heuristic observations on column permutation, all of which are used to improve compression rates. Based on the theory, we devise the first on-line training algorithms for table compression, which can be applied to individual files, not just continuously operating sources; and also a new, off-line training algorithm, based on a link to the asymmetric traveling salesman problem, which improves on prior work by rearranging columns prior to partitioning. We demonstrate these results experimentally. On various test files, the on-line algorithms provide 35-55% improvement over gzip with negligible slowdown; the off-line reordering provides up to 20% further improvement over partitioning alone. We also show that a variation of the table compression problem is MAX-SNP hard.


Vegetable soybean (edamame) [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a low input, high nutritional value, short crop cycle and soil-enriching profitable crop. It offers quick economic return and provides health benefits to the consumers. The market demand for edamame has begun to flourish and expand dramatically in recent decades due to increased awareness of nutritional properties, and the change in life styles towards healthier food. This article highlighted the importance of edamame as a nutraceutical and functional food-grade produce, summarised the research advances in seed composition and their roles, cultivar selection and crop establishment, planting date and fertilisation, weed management and harvesting. Current production problem of extensive labor at harvest and future research challenges in improving crop establishment, developing cultivars competitive to weed and resistant to pest insects/diseases, assessing biological activities of edamame elemental and phytochemical properties on cancer cell inhibition, and developing organic production system were also proposed with aims of enhancing farm profitability and expanding opportunities for extensive use of edamame.


The typical uncertainty of a low-dose rate calibration of a detector, which is calibrated in a dedicated secondary national calibration laboratory, is investigated, including measurements in the photon field of metrology institutes. Calibrations at low ambient dose equivalent rates (at the level of the natural ambient radiation) are needed when environmental radiation monitors are to be characterised. The uncertainties of calibration measurements in conventional irradiation facilities above ground are compared with those obtained in a low-dose rate irradiation facility located deep underground. Four laboratories quantitatively evaluated the uncertainties of their calibration facilities, in particular for calibrations at low dose rates (250 nSv/h and 1 μSv/h). For the first time, typical uncertainties of European calibration facilities are documented in a comparison and the main sources of uncertainty are revealed. All sources of uncertainties are analysed, including the irradiation geometry, scattering, deviations of real spectra from standardised spectra, etc. As a fundamental metrological consequence, no instrument calibrated in such a facility can have a lower total uncertainty in subsequent measurements. For the first time, the need to perform calibrations at very low dose rates (< 100 nSv/h) deep underground is underpinned on the basis of quantitative data.


Two aspects of the application of fringe anemometers to particle sizing are discussed. It is shown that the test space should be defined in terms of fringe contrast, and the effects of particle position in the test space are explored. The conditions under which the approximate results of diffraction theory are valid are examined, and the requirements are found to be large particles and large detector apertures in the forward direction.


We have described a case of peripelvic extravasation of urine caused by lower ureteral obstruction from a breech presentation in a 20-year-old primigravida. The patient was successfully treated with cesarean section to relieve the obstruction, and systemic antibiotics.


This study introduces and explores Lacan's complex theories of subjectivity and desire through close readings of cananical children's books such as "Charlotte's Web", "Stellaluna", "Holes", "Tangerine" and "The Chocolate War". It provides an introduction to this body of work while making the claim that children's textual encounters are as significant as their existential ones in constituting their subjectivities and giving shape to their desires. The texts render lucid Lacan's theory, and the theory helps explain why the text remain so profoundly influential in constructing a childs's sense of self.


The study was aimed to investigate the histological characteristics of the Tomcats accessory sex glands. A total of six indigenous Tom cats were used in this study. The samples of the ampulla of ductus deferens, prostate and bulbourethral glands were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin saline, and processed with routine paraffin technique. The tissue sections were stained by Hematoxyline & Eosin, Masson's trichrom and PAS stains. Results showed that the mucosa of ampulla has composed of tunica mucosa, muscularis, and adventitia. The tunica mucosa lined by mucous secreting cells which showed negative reaction for PAS stain and non-secreting cells which have intense reaction for PAS stain. The tunica muscularis composed of circular oriented smooth muscle fibers. The tunica adventia composed of dense irregular collagenous connective tissue. Prostate was large tubuloalveolar gland, surrounded the pelvic urethra; the gland consisted of very thick peri urethral tunica mucosa which lined with transitional epithelium. The prostatic lamina propria composed of collagen bundles, tubuloalveolar glands and manifested by many of like cavernous tissue wide veins. The prostate glandular epithelium was pseudo stratified columnar to low cuboidal which showed intense reaction for PAS stain. The muscularis of prostate composed of thick layer of skeletal muscle cells. The bulbourethral glands surrounded by a thick fibro-muscular capsule whose septa subdivided the gland into lobules. Each lobule composed of tubuloalveolar secretory units. The secretory units were lined by pseudo stratified to simple columnar epithelium supported by a thin layer of myoepithelial cells surrounds each alveolus. The cytoplasm of epithelial secretory units contained acidic secretory granules with Alcian blue (2.5pH) stains (fig.11, 12 & 13). It was concluded that tom cat's accessory glands has devoid of seminal vesicles and has well developed and functional prostate and bulbourethral glands.


We compared diagnostic performances between radiologists with reference to clinical information and standalone artificial intelligence (AI) detection of breast cancer on digital mammography. This study included 392 women (average age: 57.3 ± 12.1 years, range: 30–94 years) diagnosed with malignancy between January 2010 and June 2021 who underwent digital mammography prior to biopsy. Two radiologists assessed mammographic findings based on clinical symptoms and prior mammography. All mammographies were analyzed via AI. Breast cancer detection performance was compared between radiologists and AI based on how the lesion location was concordant between each analysis method (radiologists or AI) and pathological results. Kappa coefficient was used to measure the concordance between radiologists or AI analysis and pathology results. Binominal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing the concordance between radiologists' analysis and pathology results. Overall, the concordance was higher in radiologists' diagnosis than on AI analysis (kappa coefficient: 0.819 vs. 0.698). Impact of prior mammography (odds ratio (OR): 8.55, p < 0.001), clinical symptom (OR: 5.49, p < 0.001), and fatty breast density (OR: 5.18, p = 0.008) were important factors contributing to the concordance of lesion location between radiologists' diagnosis and pathology results.


A year‐long deployment of a mooring in the South Java Current (SJC) of Indonesia provides a fascinating insight into this poorly understood, semi‐annually reversing boundary current. A striking three‐week period of southeastward flow begins in mid‐May 1997. An analytical model directly account for changes in velocity at this time due to the passage of a westerly wind‐forced, downwelling Kelvin wave from the equatorial western Indian Ocean. The entire water column is warmed, with a fresh cap overlying salty water, consistent with the Indian Ocean source. Following the wave passage, the SJC is north‐westward, and the prevailing south‐easterly monsoon winds lead to upwelling of cold, salty water. In early August, the SJC abruptly returns to south‐eastward flow, and remains so until November 1997 in the face of steady south‐easterly local winds. The anomalous flow direction and cooler water are related to an upwelling Kelvin wave, forced by unseasonal prolonged easterly wind anomalies in the equatorial Indian Ocean. After a small reversal of flow in November 1997, the SJC is south‐eastward, as expected during the north‐east monsoon. A trend toward increasing salinities in the record is attributed to the increased input of salty Indian Ocean water, enhanced evaporation, and a lack of freshwater advection due to the regionally reduced precipitation during the 1997‐98 El Niño.


There is growing evidence that human ideology as well as social and political attitudes also have a genetic basis. In case of some genetic predisposition of political attitude, an association with fertility would be a hint of potential selection on political ideology. We therefore investigated on the basis of men and women that have completed, respectively, almost completed reproduction, of three different data sets (the World Value Survey 1981–2014 covering a wide range of countries and developmental levels, n = 152,380, the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe of 2005, n = 65,912, and the General Social Survey of the United States 1972–2014, n ∼ 6200) whether political attitude is associated with number of children. Overall, in the world wide survey, both extreme political attitudes, albeit more pronounced for right/conservative than for left/liberal attitude, are associated with higher average offspring number compared to intermediate attitudes. If countries are analyzed separately, however, the picture is inconsistent, and in most countries, the association is non-significant. In the European and the US-survey, only the political right is associated with above average number of children. The time series of US data from 1972 to 2014 shows that at least in the US-sample, this pattern emerged during the 1990s: in the 1970s and 1980s, also in the US-sample both political extremes had a reproductive advantage, which vanished for left wing individuals during the 1990s. From an evolutionary perspective, we are not able to draw final conclusions as the association between political attitude and reproduction varies across countries and time. Nonetheless, the overall pattern suggests that in human evolutionary history, both left and right political attitudes may have conveyed fitness benefits so that both attitudes have been kept in the population.


The objective of this study is development of driver's sleepiness using Visually Evoked Potentials (VEP). VEP computed from EEG signals from the visual cortex. We use the Steady State VEPs (SSVEPs) that are one of the most important EEG signals used in human computer interface systems. SSVEP is a response to visual stimuli presented. We present a classification method to discriminate between closed eyes and opened eyes. Fourier transforms and power spectrum density features extracted from signals and Multilayer perceptron and radial basis function neural networks used for classification. The experimental results show an accuracy of 97% for test data.


All the structural proteins (gp47, gp34, p27, p23, p16, and p12) of the murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) were simultaneously purified utilizing alkylagarose chromatography as the initial fractionation step. Least-hydrophobic MuMTV polypeptides (p23, p16) and the slightly hydrophobic p27 were separated from moderately hydrophobic proteins gp47 and p12 by passage through octylimino (C8)-agarose; the gp47 and p12 could be removed from the matrix by elution with ethylene glycol, whereas the most hydrophobic MuMTV protein, gp34, was eluted using nonionic detergent together with ethylene glycol. Subsequent purification steps involved ion-exchange or gel filtration chromatography. The resulting protein preparations appeared near-homogeneous on analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Recoveries of MuMTV proteins, based on their approximate individual contribution to total virus protein, ranged from about 20% for gp47 to greater than 100% for the minor structural component p23, the major phosphoprotein of MuMTV. Antiserum against purified C3H MuMTV gp34, together with purified, radioiodinated gp34, was used to develop a radioimmunoassay which showed that from 13 to 14% of total MuMTV protein by weight is gp34. Using this assay system, the group-specific antigenic reactivity of gp34 was also demonstrated. When solubilized preparations of C3H, RIII, and GR MuMTV's were used as competing antigens in gp34 radioimmunoassays with anti-C3H MuMTV serum, both group- and type-specific differences in antigenic reactivity were found.


In this issue's forum, Nigel Rapport takes his lead from Georg Simmel, who asked how society is possible. Simmel notes that every individual has a sense of being connected to others, and it is through these connections that the individual has a 'grasp of the whole complex as society' (1971: 8). But this understanding is only realised through particular, concrete interactions. The individual in Simmel's sociology, then, can only exist as an individual through this engagement with others – with, in short, 'society'. It is this set of relations, it seems, that makes society possible. However, Simmel suggests that the picture an individual gains of the Other through personal contact is based on certain distortions – classifications of a general and conventional nature, some of which may be alienating. At the same time, Simmel also indicates that the individual simultaneously remains separate from society: 'It seems, however, that every individual has in himself a core of individuality which cannot be re-created by anybody else whose core differs qualitatively from his own. . . . We cannot know completely the individuality of another' (9–10).


We present a microscopic study of the quantum fluctuations of the superconducting order parameter in thin homogeneous superconducting wires at all temperatures below T{sub c}. The rate of quantum phase-slip processes determines the resistance R(T) of the wire, which is observable in very thin wires, even at low temperatures. Furthermore, we predict a new low-temperature metallic phase below a critical wire thickness in the 10-nm range, in which quantum phase slips proliferate. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}


The elderly population growth is a world phenomenon, and in Brazil, the modifications are done in a radical and very accelerated way. Currently, the data indicate that the elderly form a population of 30 million individuals and this number in bound to increase to 57 million by 2040. The present pilot study aimed at investigating the musical experience impact on the octogenarian's cognition in the city of São João del Rei/Minas Gerais/Brazil. The research was approved by the ethics committee with a favorable assent from the Human Research Ethics Committee of the São João del Rei Federal University(UFSJ) –Number 3.685.143 (05/11/2019).All the participants completed 2 questionnaires: The Mini-Mental and the Portuguese version of the Brief Music Experience Questionnaire (Brief MEQ).The statistical analyses searched to compare the extreme score values from the BRIEF M.E.Q Questionnaire, that is, the 1 st Quartile X 4 th Quartile of this sample were compared in relation to the performance in the Mini-Mental (cognitive performance). The results indicate that the group with more intense musical experience (4 th Quartile) show scores significantly higher in the Mini-Mental (p<0.01).It was concluded that the musical practices constitute themselves as an important protective strategy for elderly cognition, having a favorable impact in the life quality of this population. New studies, with a more robust sampling, will be necessary to evaluate this theme more clearly, also adding other variables such as physical activity, socio-economical and schooling levels.


Background Activated synovial fibroblasts (SF) are key mediators of inflammation and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), their activated phenotype has been likened to that of cancer associated fibroblasts. Two major historical limitations to SF study are (a) a paucity of robust in vitro functional assays & (b) comparisons are limited to SF from multi-treated longstanding RA and from osteoarthritis as a non-inflammatory control. We hypothesised that SF migration and wound healing would differ between normal, resolving and persistent disease Objectives To develop a novel panel of in vitro functional assays to assess SF migration and proliferation, comparing SF in five distinct outcome groups including treatment naïve RA, resolving arthritis and normal synovium Methods Synovial biopsies were obtained from treatment naïve patients with inflammatory arthritis and SF cultured and expanded to P4-P5 using established methods. Samples taken within 3 months of symptom onset to analyse differences between resolution and persistence were categorised at follow up as either spontaneously resolving arthritis (resolving, n=5) or very early persisting RA (VeRA, n=5). Samples taken from treatment naive established RA of 4-156 months duration (Est. RA (n=5)) and from longstanding multi-treated RA obtained during joint replacement (Est. RA JRep, n=9) were used to analyse the effect of disease duration on RA SF. Normal SF (n=7) were collected during arthroscopy for non-inflammatory knee arthralgia Migration: Cells were seeded in tissue culture migration inserts (Thistle scientific) in 6 well plates. After 24 hour incubation, inserts were removed revealing two cell monolayers separated by a gap. Migration was assessed as percentage of the gap covered in 18 hours. 2. Wound healing scratch test: SF were grown in 6 well plates for 7 days then a standardised gap was created by scratching the monolayer with a pipet tip. Migration was assessed as percentage of gap covered in 18 hours. 3. Proliferation was determined using EDU (Invitrogen) incorporation and flow cytometry. The effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines was assessed by stimulation with TNFaand TGFb Results Statistically significant differences in pure migration were observed between the five groups (p=0.002). Normal and resolving lines migrated faster than RA lines regardless of TNFa or TGFb stimulation; the biggest difference was between normal/resolving and Est. RA JRep (73.9% vs. 15.9%, p<0.005; 60.8% vs. 15.9%, p=0.05 respectively). VeRA and Est RA samples showed intermediate migration between these groups suggesting decreased migration with increasing disease duration and a degree of functional plasticity in early disease. By contrast, no significant differences were seen in wound healing. There were no differences in EDU incorporation between groups, indicating that the observed effect was not secondary to differential cell proliferation Conclusions Neither wound healing by migration across pre-cultured surfaces nor cellular proliferation differ between SF from different groups. However de novo migration is high in normal and resolving SF, with attenuation in RA that is greater in longstanding disease. This indicates a novel acquired phenotype that functionally differentiates SF. Studies of cellular migration mechanisms are ongoing Disclosure of Interest None Declared