It is well-known that the OFDM scheme has some tolerance for symbol/frame timing errors (i.e. valid starting position of FFT window). Such tolerance exist for SC-FDE. However, frame timing offset affects the receiver performance due to deviation in frequency domain channel estimation result when fractional channel estimation vector is applied in time domain. To achieve optimized receive performance at all times, symbol/frame timing must be estimated precisely in accordance to the exact starting position of the channel estimation sequence block. In this paper, we propose an efficient frame/frequency synchronization along with channel estimation technique suitable for implementation of SC-FDE based 60GHz WPAN physical layer systems employing a Frank-Zadoff preamble structure. The proposed method is designed for parallel processing, and is robust against carrier frequency offset in moderately dispersive multipath-fading LOS+NLOS channels.


This study uses a difference-in-differences approach with the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation SHO as the focus and examine whether the threat of short-selling can twist banks' decisions. Our results show that leverage, operating risk, systemic risk, tail risk, and stock volatility are lower for treatment than for control banks listed in the Russell 3000 index. The evidence shows that treatment banks face looser short-selling constraints under the regulation, which reduces risk-taking. Additionally, these effects are driven mainly by treatment banks hampered by poor corporate governance. Overall, our paper provides novel evidence that short-selling threats can stabilize the financial market.


A method for aspirating nasal and genital epithelial cells and secretion using a vacuum pump is described. The samples obtained are suitable for diagnosis of infectious diseases by isolation of bacteria and viruses and by demonstration of the organisms by immunofluorescent techniques.


Corn silage is an important feed for intensive ruminant production but the growing of corn has relied heavily on the use of chemical fertilizer. Experiments were conducted to determine the appropriate technology of corn-legume intercropping with supplemental use of chemical, organic manure and biofertilizer. In experiment one, three species of legumes: stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis), soybean (Glycine max) and mungbean (Vigna
radiata) were intercropped with corn to select the best legume species to use for intercropping. Results indicated that corn-soybean intercropping gave the highest mixed forage dry matter (14.10 t/ha) compared to corn-mungbean (13.22 t/ha) and corn-stylo intercropping (8.77 t/ha) (p<0.05). Corn-soybean intercropping produced good quality feed in terms of the nutritive quality of forage and volatile fatty acids (VFA) of silage.
Soybean contributed to increased crude protein (CP) in mixed corn-soybean forage (14.11%) in comparison with sole corn crop (10.05%), corn-mungbean (13.14%) and
corn-stylo (11.28%) (p<0.05). Corn-soybean intercropping gave the highest forage protein yield (1990 kg/ha) (p<0.05) in comparison with corn monocrop (1415 kg/ha) and other corn-legume intercropped treatments. Higher level of CP, CP yield, leaves chlorophyll, leaf area index (LAI) and plant maturity of soybean than other legumes hence higher forage quality and DM of corn-soybean. In the second experiment, cornsoybean
combinations of 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 in addition to monocrops of corn and soybean were evaluated. The ratio of 75:25 and 50:50 recorded DM yields similar to
those of monocropped corn (14.77 t/ha). Relative yield total (RYT) values of intercropping were higher than that of monocrop corn and soybean. Mixtures with 50:50
combination ratio had higher mean RYT values (1.15) (p<0.05) than the other ratios. Land equivalent ratio (LER) increased with corn-soybean intercropping and the highest total LER value was recorded with 50:50 ratio (1.13). Forage quality in terms of CP (75:25 ratio 12.75%, 50:50 ratio 13.73% and 25:75 ratio 14.68%) was improved by intercropping due to higher nitrogen availability for corn in intercropping compared with
its sole crop (10.83% CP). Combination ratio of 50:50 gave higher protein yield (1886.45 kg/ha) than other crop combination ratio. The third experiment was carried out to evaluate effects of 10 types of fertilizer on corn-soybean forage yield and quality. Chemical fertilizer (NPK) gave significantly higher yield and quality of forage compared to organic and biofertilizer (p<0.05). Combining chemical fertilizers with chicken manure in a 50:50 ratio resulted in similar dry matter yield with the 100% NPK treatment. This might be attributed to the gradual release of essential nutrient from chemical and chicken manure (CM) fertilizer as required by the plants at all growth time. Combinations of NPK and CM resulted in increased plant height; crop growth rate (CGR) and LAI compared to CM alone but was similar to 100% NPK application. Similarly, CP content was not significantly different among 100% NPK (14.48%) and 50% CM+50% NPK (14.55%). Treatments with application of biofertilizer and combination of biofertilizer with NPK or CM treatments gave higher values of ARA compared to sole chemical and sole organic manure fertilizers. Overall, evidences recorded from this study prove that corn-soybean intercrops could increase forage quantity and quality, produce higher total protein yield, decrease requirements for protein supplements and chemical fertilizer compared to the corn monoculture with a 50:50
corn-soybean combination ratio and combination of chicken manure and chemical fertilizer.


Over the past decade, a growing number of legal and political theorists have looked to ideas of trusteeship and fiduciary relations to explain foundational concepts associated with the rule of law, constitutional government, the role of judges and legislators, and the idea of public authority itself. Professor Evan Criddle and I have contributed to this literature by arguing that fiduciary principles can help explain administrative law and international law. This public fiduciary literature has attracted thoughtful and nuanced critiques. Some of the critiques reject the public fiduciary project outright, while others are of a more in-house variety, and take exception to some of the arguments I have defended, either solely or with Professor Criddle. In this chapter I reply to the thorough-going critiques of Timothy Endicott and Seth Davis, and the in-house criticism of Paul Miller.


A general synchronization method is proposed for a class of nonlinear chaotic systems involving uncertain parameters and nonlinear transmitted signals. Under some mild conditions, it shows that the class of nonlinear chaotic systems can be treated as linear time-varying systems driven by the additive white noise contaminated at the receiver, or the observed output. Synchronization can be achieved by using Kalman filtering technology. We present some sufficient conditions under which the states of the driven system are able to track the states of the drive system asymptotically, and good tracking performance can be obtained in the presence of the additive white noise involved in the observed output.


Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder, is one of the major causes of death among all health issues. Diabetes can be regulated by antidiabetic drugs that control the activity of some metabolic enzymes including amylases. Endophytic fungi have the potential to prevent diabetes through inhibition of alpha-amylase activity. This study was aimed to isolate and evaluate endophytic fungi from different plants like Mango (Mangifera indica) coded as MAN, MBR, Neem (Azadirachta indica) indicated as NGU and NTH and jambolan (Syzygium cumini L) shown as JCO, JGR, JGY for their antidiabetic potentials. Eight endophytic fungi, isolated from the leaves of these plants, were screened for their potential anti-amylase activity. Aqueous extract of endophytic fungi isolated from jambolana (200μg/ml) exhibited significant amylase inhibition (62%) followed by MAN, MBR, NGU and NTH sample (49-59%). Therefore, endophytic fungi from the leaves of selected plants might be remarkable sources of discovering natural anti-diabetic molecules. Keyword: Azadirachta indica; Diabetes mellitus; Mangifera indica; Syzygium cumin


It is almost one hundred years since Dewey stated that the purpose of research in all its forms and disciplines was an "effort to understand and help others understand what teachers and learners do during the process of learning and what this means potentially for the education of teachers" (Dewey, 1904/1974). Early in 2003 the author of this paper began a research study that investigates the development of relationships between teacher mentors and preservice teachers. The aim of the study seeks to examine the extent to which the concept of community of practice influences the construction of professional identity through the situated learning of preservice teachers in selected school settings. Associated with this aim is to identify the potential for 'communities of practice' to address the anxiety of teachers in the context of seemingly overwhelming levels of change in education and society affecting their professional roles and identities right now. Ironically the researchers found that the anxieties of teachers actually affected their efforts to entice schools and teachers to be involved in the study. This paper focuses on this first stage of the research study. It examines the dilemmas experienced by the researchers as they endeavoured to encourage schools and teachers to participate in the research. It raises issues about the relationship between academics in teacher education and schools and how we can facilitate teachers' involvement in future research in schools.


The development of recombinant DNA technology and the emerging field of synthetic biology have open up a more advanced era of biotechnology. The discoveries are developed to solve the existing problems in the community.The presence of the iGEM competition initiated by the iGEM Foundation since 2003 adding up new data and a new discovery that is constantly being improved upon, so that peoples' interest and concern with synthetic biology in the world are increasing every year, including in Indonesia.This paper discusses the idea of design to develop an expression system with a synthetic biology approach using standard parts listed on the iGEM website.The system design uses Escherichia coli as its chassis to have the capability as an iron waste bioaccumulator agent in the waters. This draft is expected to be one of the contributions for the future of the development of synthetic biology ideas, research, and applications in handling environmental problems in Indonesia.


Introduction: Active substance use and unstable housing are both associated with increased emergency department (ED) utilization. This study examined ED health care costs among a cohort of substance using and/or homeless adults following an index ED visit, relative to a control ED population. Methods: Consecutive patients presenting to an inner-city ED between August 2010 and November 2011 who reported unstable housing and/or who had a chief presenting complaint related to acute or chronic substance use were evaluated. Controls were enrolled in a 1:4 ratio. Participants' health care utilization was tracked via electronic medical record for six months after the index ED visit. Costing data across all EDs in the region was obtained from Alberta Health Services and calculated to include physician billing and the cost of an ED visit excluding investigations. The cost impact of ED utilization was estimated by multiplying the derived ED cost per visit by the median number of visits with interquartile ranges (IQR) for each group during follow up. Proportions were compared using non-parametric tests. Results: From 4679 patients screened, 209 patients were enrolled (41 controls, 46 substance using, 91 unstably housed, 31 both unstably housed and substance using (UHS)). Median costs (IQR) per group over the six-month period were $0 ($0-$345.42) for control, $345.42 ($0-$1139.89) for substance using, $345.42 ($0-$1381.68) for unstably housed and $1381.68 ($690.84-$4248.67) for unstably housed and substance using patients (p Conclusion: The intensity of excess ED costs was greatest in patients who were both unstably housed and presenting with a chief complaint related to substance use. This group had a significantly larger impact on health care expenditure relative to ED users who were not unstably housed or who presented with a substance use related complaint. Further research into how care or connection to community resources in the ED can reduce these costs is warranted.


Objectives. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the development and application of discrete choice experiments (DCEs) within health economics. Even though the literature include several reviews of the methodology associated with conducting DCEs and analysing the resultant choice data, a detailed classification of the areas covered by DCEs is lacking. The aim of this paper is to provide, after a brief description of the most important phases of a DCE, a comprehensive categorization of the various areas in which DCEs in health care have been performed. Methods. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify published studies using stated preferences DCEs within a health context between January 1990 and May 2011. Results. 256 DCEs were included in the review. Compared to the 1990-2000 period, the number of DCEs has increased quickly, with experiments carried out in 30 different countries. A growing number of studies primarily investigated patients' preferences during the years, collecting a greater number of responses in comparison to the baseline period. A significant proportion of publications estimated the benefits of health care services, like specialistic surgical and medical services, generic medical services, services for chronics and elderly people, maternity and childbirth services and diagnostic facilities. Nevertheless, DCEs has also been used to value health outcomes, examine preferences for pharmaceutical products, investigate labour-market choices as well as healthcare systems characteristics and health policies. Conclusions. This paper adds to the body of literature reviewing the growing stock of published DCEs in health economics, providing a new detailed taxonomy of the various areas in which such experiments have been applied. Together with the methodological refinements, future research should continue to explore new contexts of analysis.


This study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) and partial least square (PLS) tools to examine the determinants (namely management commitment, work involvement, incentive and recognition, and supportive environment) involved in the adoption of OHSAS 18001 management system by industries in Malaysia. Survey data was drawn from a sample of 128 OHSAS 18001 certifi ed companies from various industries. Statistical results confi rmed that only management commitment and supportive environment positively infl uence OHSAS 18001 management system adoption, while work involvement, and incentive and recognition are not signifi cantly infl uencing OHSAS 18001 adoption. The fi ndings are useful for practitioners that are considering the adoption of OHSAS 18001 management system in their companies. This paper concludes with discussion, implications, limitations and suggestion for future study.


A one-pool model with Ca2+-activated inositol-trisphosphate-concentration degradation is considered. For complex bursting Ca2+ oscillation, point-cycle bursting of subHopf-subHopf type is found to be in the intermediate state from quasi-periodic bursting to point-point bursting of subHopf-subHopf type. The fast-slow burster analysis is used to study the transition mechanisms among simple periodic oscillation, quasi-periodic bursting, point-point and point-cycle burstings. The dynamics analysis of different oscillations provides better insight into the generation and transition mechanisms of complex intra- and inter-cellular Ca2+ signalling.


Suggested contributions, membership categories, and discrete, incremental thank you gifts are devices often used by benevolent associations that provide public goods. Such devices focus donations at discrete levels, thereby effectively limiting the donors' freedom to give. We study the effects on overall donations of the trade-off between rigid schemes that severely restrict the choices of contribution on the one hand, and flexible membership contracts on the other, taking into account the strategic response of contributors whose values for the public good are private information. We show flexibility dominates when (i) the dispersion of donors' taste for the public good increases, (ii) the number of potential donors increases, and (iii) there is greater funding by an external authority. Our theoretical results are consistent with three basic patterns we discover in the membership schemes of National Public Radio stations: stations offer a larger number of suggested contribution levels—a proxy for flexibility—as (i) the incomes of the population served become more diverse, (ii) the population of the coverage area increases, and (iii) there is greater external support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.


This paper describes the interactive software system development process focused on blind people making use of the user experience evaluation methodology focused on blind people (MEUXuc). What led us to carry out this work is that based on the related works there are no ISSs that specify how they were evaluated and whether or not they are usable for the target user, in cases where the blind user is involved (one user). The results are not optimal due to the type of evaluation used, in turn, it is observed that there are few systems that focus on learning mathematics and that at the same time are inclusive and adapt to blind users. 15 blind users participated in this work to carry out the tests, between 18 and 52 years old, of both sexes, all with minimal knowledge in the use of a mobile device. The tests that were performed were: low-level prototype analysis, semi-closed Card Sorting, Thinking Aloud, HED/UT Scale and PANAS. As a result, it is observed that by making use of a methodology focused on blind users, most of the factors referred to by the user experience are met, such as: usability, accessibility, utility, among others. In this way, the investigation and realization of this interactive software systems allows to conclude that blind people are able to perform various tests as long as the methods are adapted to their needs to be able to evaluate systems that are focused on them, thus making the systems more accessible, useful, usable, valuable, among others.


The dissipative particle dynamics simulation method is adopted to investigate the microemulsion systems prepared with surfactant (H1T1), oil (O) and water (W), which are expressed by coarse-grained models. Two topologies of O/W and W/O microemulsions are simulated with various oil and water ratios. Inverse W/O microemulsion transform to O/W microemulsion by decreasing the ratio of oil-water from 3:1 to 1:3. The stability of O/W and W/O microemulsion is controlled by shear rate, inorganic salt and the temperature, and the corresponding results are analyzed by the translucent three-dimensional structure, the mean interfacial tension and end-to-end distance of H1T1. The results show that W/O microemulsion is more stable than O/W microemulsion to resist higher inorganic salt concentration, shear rate and temperature. This investigation provides a powerful tool to predict the structure and the stability of various microemulsion systems, which is of great importance to developing new multifunctional microemulsions for multiple applications.


A total of 135 units is required for the Ph.D. Degree. Of these units: • 48 must include Materials Science and Engineering core and approved technical units including: o 30 required MatSci core course units, including MatSci 201-210*^ o 15 approved technical units, which are usually substantive engineering courses and directly relevant to Materials Science & Engineering** o 3 units of MatSci 230 – Colloquium (taken in Autumn/Winter/Spring of first-year) ^MatSci 206 may be replaced with ME 209. *All 45 core and technical units MUST be letter graded (A,B,C,D,F NOT P/NC). **Research, seminar, teaching, CPT, required EFS courses may NOT be used for the 45 core/technical units, but may be used for the 135 total units needed for Residency. • 87 are residency units (typically 75-87 research units in MatSci 300)


Advancements have been made in the modelling of extreme wave loading in the offshore environment. We give an overview of wave models used at present, and their relative merits. We describe a method for embedding existing non-linear solutions for large, regular wave kinematics into linear, irregular seas. Although similar methods have been used before, the new technique is shown to offer advances in computational practicality, repeatability, and accuracy. NewWave theory has been used to constrain the linear simulation, allowing best possible fit with the large non-linear wave. GH Bladed was used to compare the effect of these models on a generic 5 MW turbine mounted on a tripod support structure.


1. The possibility was investigated that, in man, some of the descending command for tonic voluntary wrist extension is transmitted to extensor motoneurones over a non‐monosynaptic pathway. 2. Stimulation of the cutaneous superficial radial nerve at 3 times perceptual threshold depressed the electromyogram (EMG) of extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and the discharge of single ECR motor units, both with a mean central delay of 4.2 ms. Such stimuli depressed the response to transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex, but had little effect on the H reflex. 3. The possibility that the relative sparing of the H reflex was due to an alteration in transmission of the afferent volley for the H reflex was excluded. 4. The central latency of the cutaneous‐induced depression of the discharge of single motor units in biceps brachii (C5‐C6) was shorter by about 1 ms than that of the more caudal wrist and finger extensor motor units. This suggests that the locus for the cutaneous‐induced effects was spinal but above the cervical enlargement. 5. The pattern of EMG depression (evoked by superficial radial but not palmar stimuli, in wrist extensors but not wrist flexors) is that previously described for the presumed propriospinal system of human subjects. 6. It is concluded that a significant component of the voluntary command for tonic wrist extension reaches the relevant motoneurone pool via a non‐monosynaptic pathway. It is suggested that the interposed neurones could be C3‐C4 propriospinal neurones.


Assertive screening, as opposed to defensive screening, is done for the participant's benefit not the provider's protection. It is used to identify and manage chronic health conditions and functional limitation. It is neither risk averse nor protective but an "enabling, pre-exercise medical review that will facilitate safe and effective recreational participation".1 Such screening asserts the right of older and functionally very limited people to participate in exercise programmes.

Unnecessary safety screening, medical clearance and detailed questionnaires may be a disincentive for an older person already ambivalent about commencing an exercise programme. Such screening may be an unjustified barrier to participation and presage an unwarranted encroachment of medical services into normal human activities. In a review of safety monitoring before an exercise programme in older persons, Gill and colleagues …


A correlational study was conducted in order to examine the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation, subjective well-being and working alliance between counsellor and client among substance abusers from ten local residential substance-use treatment centres in Malaysia. A total of 211 participants were recruited through random sampling. The age of participants ranged from 18 to 61 years old (min age 36 years old). Data was collected through the administration of Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Loneliness Scale and Counsellor-Patient Relationship Scale. The research intends to explore the associations between aspects of emotion dysregulations with level of satisfaction with life and working alliance between counsellor and client. Data was analysed using Pearson's correlation. Significant findings revealed that: (a) More difficulties in two aspects of emotion dysregulation are associated with lower satisfaction with life, (b) General difficulties in regulating emotions are linked to higher levels of loneliness, and (c) The relationship between subscales of DERS and working alliance between counsellor and client revealed no significant effect. Nonetheless, counsellors can provide effective service to substance abusers by increasing their subjective well-being through training or modeling of adaptive emotion regulation strategies at the treatment centres.


In this work, x-ray propagation in microsize and nanosize capillaries has been considered in the framework of a simple unified wave theory. It is shown that diminishing of the channel sizes completely changes the mode of beam transportation; that is, we obtain the transformation of surface channelling in microcapillaries to bulk channelling in nanocapillaries (nanotubes).


The global population growth in the last decades has caused an ever increasing consumption of materials and natural resources, which consequently generated more solid waste, impacting negatively on the environment and requiring a sustainable waste management system. These discarded materials are mainly composed of plastics, glass, paper, metal and organic waste. Plastics are used in various sectors, and very often have a brief period of use, which accelerates their discard. Besides collection and recycling of PET-bottles, there are no significant activities of integrated plastics waste management in Republic of Croatia so far. In the paper, an investigation of the composition of the plastic household waste will be presented as well as several waste management strategies concerning amount and types of waste and its distribution.


The opening of the Stasi files in 1992, made possible by the Stasi Documents Legislation, was an important symbolic act of reconciliation between victims and perpetrators. For victims, reading their file provided a means of re-appropriating stolen aspects of their lives and rewriting their life histories. This article argues that the Stasi file itself can be viewed as a form of hostile biography, authored by an oppressive state apparatus, that constituted in GDR times an all-powerful written 'technology of power'. The analogy of secret police files to literary genres enables us to pose a number of questions about the current uses to which the files are being put by victims and perpetrators. Are victims and perpetrators making similar use of their Stasi file in the writing of their autobiographies? What happens when the secret police file is removed from its original bureaucratic context and 'regime of truth' and starts to circulate as literary artefact in new contexts, for instance, as part of victims' and perpetrators' autobiographies? How is the value of the Stasi file now being judged? Is the file being used principally in the services of truth and reconciliation, as originally intended in the legislation, or does it now circulate in 'regimes of value' that place a higher premium on accounts of perpetrators, as can be witnessed in the publication of the fictitious 'autobiography' of the notorious secret police informer, Sascha Anderson?


The biological and imaging characteristics of technetium-99m imidodiphosphate (Tc99m-IDP) were measured in 4 horses once and in 1 horse twice. All computational results are expressed with 95.5% (mean +/- 2 SD) confidence limits. The clearance half-time of the radiopharmaceutical from the blood was 29.6 +/- 2.3 min. The percentage of the administered dose circulating in the whole-blood volume at 4 h was 3.9 +/- 0.8%. The Tc99m-IDP radioactivity confined at the plasma fraction of the whole blood at 4 h was 85.3 +/- 1.6%. At 8 h, approximately 45 +/- 16% of the dose administered had been excreted via the urine. The mean effective half-time of the urine activity concentration was 1.1 +/- 0.3 h. The ratios of bone-to-soft tissue activities increased with time postinjection. Urinary radioactivity concentration measurements and radiation dose rate measurements immediately behind the elbows were analysed and it was determined that 24 h is an appropriate radioisolation time for mature horses administered 3.7 GBq (100 mCi) Tc99m-IDP.


Abstract The viability of orthodontic traction of impacted teeth in adults is often questioned by a large percentage of orthodontists who would rather consider the extraction of these teeth. Although possible, orthodontic traction of impacted canines in adults takes longer than in younger patients, present a poorer prognosis that worsens with age. Because of the prevalence of periodontitis in adults versus children, periodontal inflammation must be identified and resolved in order to keep attachment loss from progressing during orthodontic care. Likewise mucogingival changes need to be predicted and managed. This article reports a successful case of impacted maxillary right canine traction in an adult female, associated with alveolar corticotomies and the use of skeletal anchorage. At the end of treatment, the canine was ideally positioned in the occlusion, presenting excellent esthetics, function, and healthy periodontal tissues.


The traditional communications transmit all the source date represented by bits, regardless of the content of source and the semantic information required by the receiver. However, in some applications, the receiver only needs part of the source data that represents critical semantic information, which prompts to transmit the application-related information, especially when bandwidth resources are limited. In this paper, we consider a semantic communication system for speech recognition by designing the transceiver as an end-to-end (E2E) system. Particularly, a deep learning (DL)-enabled semantic communication system, named DeepSC-SR, is developed to learn and extract text-related semantic features at the transmitter, which motivates the system to transmit much less than the source speech data without performance degradation. Moreover, in order to facilitate the proposed DeepSC-SR for dynamic channel environments, we investigate a robust model to cope with various channel environments without requiring retraining. The simulation results demonstrate that our proposed DeepSC-SR outperforms the traditional communication systems in terms of the speech recognition metrics, such as character-error-rate and word-error-rate, and is more robust to channel variations, especially in the low signal-to-noise (SNR) regime.


Objective: This study focuses on Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) deficiency to analyze and investigate the value of the serum bile acid profile for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods: Clinical data of 66 patients with cholestatic liver diseases (CLDs) diagnosed and treated in the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from early April 2015 to the end of December 2021 were collected, including 32 cases of NTCP deficiency (16 adults and 16 children), 16 cases of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD), 8 cases of Alagille syndrome, and 10 cases of biliary atresia. At the same time, adult and pediatric healthy control groups (15 cases each) were established. The serum bile acid components of the study subjects were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The data were plotted and compared using statistical SPSS 19.0 and GraphPad Prism 5.0 software. The clinical and bile acid profiles of children with NTCP deficiency and corresponding healthy controls, as well as differences between NTCP deficiency and other CLDs, were compared using statistical methods such as t-tests, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Results: Compared with the healthy control, the levels of total conjugated bile acids, total primary bile acids, total secondary bile acids, glycocholic acid, taurocholic acid, and glycochenodeoxycholic acid were increased in NTCP deficiency patients (P < 0.05). Compared with adults with NTCP deficiency, the levels of total conjugated bile acids and total primary bile acids were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency (P < 0.05). The serum levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, taurohyocholate, and tauro-α-muricholic acid were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency, but the bile acid levels such as glycodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, and lithocholic acid were decreased (P < 0.05). The serum levels of secondary bile acids such as lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and hyodeoxycholic acid were significantly higher in children with NTCP deficiency than those in other CLD groups such as NICCD, Alagille syndrome, and biliary atresia (P < 0.05). Total primary bile acids/total secondary bile acids, total conjugated bile acids/total unconjugated bile acids, taurocholic acid, serum taurodeoxycholic acid, and glycodeoxycholic acid effectively distinguished children with NTCP deficiency from other non-NTCP deficiency CLDs. Conclusion: This study confirms that serum bile acid profile analysis has an important reference value for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NTCP deficiency. Furthermore, it deepens the scientific understanding of the changing characteristics of serum bile acid profiles in patients with CLDs such as NTCP deficiency, provides a metabolomic basis for in-depth understanding of its pathogenesis, and provides clues and ideas for subsequent in-depth research.


The mature larva and pupa of Tomoxia lineella LeConte are described and illustrated based on specimens collected and reared from a standing large-toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata Michaux) in a northern-mixed forest element in south-central Wisconsin. Larvae were collected on 30 March 2001 and 23 April 2001 from tunnels approximately two cm under the bark in the wood of the south-facing side of the tree. Tomoxia lineella was previously unrecorded from Wisconsin. Mordellidae is a commonly encountered and speciose group with more than 1,500 species worldwide. In North America north of Mexico three tribes, 17 genera, and 203 species are known (Jackman and Lu 2002). Despite the relative abundance of the family, very few larvae have been described and keys to larvae are scarce. Keys to larvae of eight genera including Tomoxia have been published for the Palearctic Region (Odnosum 1992), however these descriptions are based on relatively few species (three Tomoxia) and do not include North American species. Larvae of seven species in Mordellistena were described from the Ukraine (Odnosum 1985, 1989) but none of these occur in North America north of Mexico (Bright 1986). Other species descriptions of mordellid larvae are generally brief or incomplete, often not illustrated and inadequate for comparison. Only one other species of Tomoxia, T. biguttata Gyllenhal has been formally described (Perris 1875). Descriptions of mordellid pupae are limited in both number and depth and none may be considered complete or adequate for comparison. Due to the paucity and adequacy of descriptions in the literature, especially concerning North American Mordellidae, there is a tremendous gap in our knowledge of the immature stages of mordellid species. Additionally, the correct association of many North American mordellid species into appropriate genera is still in considerable question (Jackman and Lu 2002), and knowledge from immature stages may eventually aid in developing a better understanding of the relationships within this family. Ecological data for Mordellidae are also sparse. Mordellid larvae are stem-borers, apparently feeding largely on herbaceous plant stems, shrub stems, and dead wood (Lawrence 1991). Plant associations for mordellid larvae have only recently begun to be recorded, records are few, and larvae have rarely been determined to species (Ford and Jackman 1996).


What began as a conversation in 2000 between two women religious on how to help Kenyans affected by HIV/AIDS has evolved into a far-reaching ministry supported by the Wheaton Franciscan sisters. Inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, Sr. Florence Muia, ASN, a native of Kenya, explored with Sr. Marge Zulaski, OSF, a Wheaton Franciscan sister, how to offer assistance and support to Kenyans with HIV/AIDS. The two began by establishing a partnership involving the Wheaton, IL, congregation; the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi; and community members in Kenya. These partners have worked together closely to secure local community members' buy-in for a care program, study models for success, build a program infrastructure, secure funds, staff up, and interact with government agencies. The result? Upendo Village, a program that helps ensure the physical, economic, and emotional safety of people suffering from HIV/AIDS. This partnership has enabled the Wheaton Franciscans, the Assumption Sisters, and the Kenyan community to live out a simple principle: We are called to help each other.


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objectives: Limited evidence exists for chemotherapy selection in advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) after first-line FOLFIRINOX. Second-line gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GEMNAB) is publicly funded in the Canadian provinces of Alberta (AB) and Manitoba (MB), but not in British Columbia (BC). We compared population-based outcomes by region to examine the utility of second-line GEMNAB versus gemcitabine (GEM) alone. Methods: We identified patients treated with first-line FOLFIRINOX between 2013 and 2015 across BC, AB, and MB. Baseline characteristics and treatment regimens were compared between AB/MB and BC. Survival outcomes were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with log-rank test. Results: A total of 368 patients were treated with first-line FOLFIRINOX (143 AB/MB, 225 BC): median age 61 (interquartile range: 55 to 68) years, 42% comprising female individuals, and 67% with metastatic disease. Receipt of second-line therapy was 48% in AB/MB versus 44% in BC (P=0.35), and time from diagnosis to second-line therapy was 7.7 (AB/MB) versus 9.4 months (BC; P=0.1). Distribution of second-line GEM use: 73% GEMNAB, 23% GEM (AB/MB) versus 27% GEMNAB, 66% GEM (BC; P<0.001). Median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis was similar: 12.4 (AB/MB) versus 11.5 months (BC; P=0.91). On Cox regression analysis, region was not significant. Secondary survival analysis by second-line regimen demonstrated a median OS of 18.0 months with GEMNAB versus 14.3 months with GEM (P<0.01). Conclusions: In this population-based comparison of APC patients treated with first-line FOLFIRINOX, survival outcomes were comparable regardless of funded access to second-line GEMNAB. OS by regimen favored second-line GEMNAB, but patient selection may be largely responsible for this difference.


The invention is characterised in that it includes a truncated contact lens (1) having a truncation plane parallel to the base of the contact lens and a centrally disposed polymer nanocomposite material (2) joined to the perimeter of the truncated zone, said material being sensitive to pressure changes, biocompatible and transparent and including contact electrodes (3). The invention is also characterised in that it includes means for transmitting intraocular pressure measurement data to an external system. The invention also relates to an intraocular pressure measurement method using said lens, consisting of: i) positioning the sensor contact lens on an eye in order to determine the intraocular pressure thereof; ii) supplying a direct current between the external electrodes; iii) measuring ?V between the internal electrodes; and iv) identifying if the value obtained is outside the linear response expressed as changes in resistivity of the polymer nanocomposite material. The invention further relates to a telemetry system including said lens.


We describe a GOMS model of a ship-board Radar Operator's behavior while monitoring air and sea traffic. GOMS is a technique that has been successfully used in Human-Computer Interaction to generate engineering models of human performance. Based on the GOMS model developed, we identified those portions of the task where an intelligent agent would be most able to assist operators in the performance of their duties, and the nature of the knowledge that will be required for the task. We present the results of a simulated execution of the model in a sample scenario, which predicted the operator's responses with a high degree of accuracy.


2257 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely distributed environmental contaminants especially found in the byproducts of combustion processes such as coke ovens, cigarette smoke, and charcoalbroiled meats. Humans are constantly exposed to PAHs, many of which are carcinogens. Cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) enzymes play important roles in the activation of PAHs such as 3-methycholanthrene (MC) to genotoxic metabolites, which could in turn lead to carcinogenesis. We reported earlier that exposure of rats to MC leads to persistent induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A enzymes for up to 45 days. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that persistent induction of CYP1A1 gene expression by MC is mediated by sustained transcriptional activation of the CYP1A1 promoter in human hepatoma cells (HepG2). A plasmid containing the human CYP1A1 promoter (pGL3-1A1) and reporter (luciferase) gene was transiently transfected into HepG2 cells for 16 h, followed by MC (2.5 µM) or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) (solvent control) treatment, and luciferase expression was determined at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after MC or DMSO exposure. Endogenous expression of CYP1A1 catalytic activity and apoprotein content was also determined in treated cell lysates. MC elicited 16 fold increase in luciferase activity at 24 h time point in transfected cells compared to DMSO-treated controls. There was signjficant induction of luciferase expression even at the 96 h time point, suggesting that persistent induction of reporter gene expression was mediated by sustained transcriptional activation of the CYP1A1 gene promoter. MC also caused sustained induction in the endogenous catalytic activity and apoprotein content of CYP1A1 for up to the 96 h time point in treated cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that persistent CYP1A1 induction by MC may have, in part, involved Ah receptor-independent mechanisms. These results support the hypothesis that persistent induction of CYP1A1 by MC in HepG2 cells may involve mechanisms other than persistence of MC in the cells. Future in-depth investigations are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of persistence of MC-inducible CYP1A1, a phenomenon that potentially has important implications for human carcinogenesis induced by PAHs.


Choline kinase (ChoK), the first enzyme in the Kennedy pathway, is responsible for the generation of phosphorylcholine (PCho) that renders phosphatidylcholine, the most abundant phospholipid of plasma membrane. ChoK overexpression has been detected in several cancer types and may act as a prognostic factor in lung, bladder and breast tumors, suggesting its important role in proliferation and cell growth. Specific pharmacologic or siRNA ChoKα inhibition have been proposed as a novel broad-spectrum antitumor strategy. Indeed, ChoKα inhibition induces cell death in several tumor cell lines but is a cytostatic drug in primary cells. In order to exploit their full potential as novel anticancer drugs, it is essential to understand the mechanism implicated in the differential cytotoxic effects induced by ChoK inhibitors on cancer cells. Here we investigate this mechanism using as a model cells from a ductal mammary carcinoma, T47D, and the non-tumorigenic epithelial gland mammary cells, MCF10A. Cells were treated with two chemical ChoK inhibitors, MN58b and TCD717, the latter recently approved by the FDA to begin a Phase I clinical study for the treatment of solid tumors (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01215864). First, cell viability and proliferation was evaluated to confirm the previous differential effect described in other cell types. By flow cytometry and MTT assay both inhibitors induced cell death in the T47D cells but caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in the non-tumorigenic MCF10A cells. Protein levels of several cell cycle (cyclins, phosphor-Rb, E2F) and cell death related proteins (caspase3, PARP) were studied, confirming that ChoK inhibitors caused cell cycle arrest in normal cells but cell death in breast cancer cells. To further investigate the mechanism implicated in this specific cytotoxic effect, the expression levels of some of the most relevant ER stress related genes such as C/EBPβ, ATF4 and CHOP were investigated by QPCR. These genes have been recently involved in apoptosis induced by cytotoxic agents such as tocotrienol and delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol. C/EBPβ gene expression levels were significantly increased in tumor cells treated with either inhibitor compared to the non-tumourigenic cells, and this increase was maintained from at least 6 to 48 hours. CHOP overexpression was also significantly increased at earlier times after treatment in T47D cells than in MCF10A cells. Moreover, treatment with ChoK inhibitors significantly increased the production of CHOP and the major ER chaperone BIP in T47D cells compared with non-tumourigenic cells. These data suggest a differential effect of ChoK inhibitors on the induction of ER stress factors in normal vs. tumor cells. In summary, ChoK inhibition has a profound differential effect in cell cycle regulation and in ER stress response in tumor vs. normal cells, suggesting that ER stress could mediate the specific cytotoxic effects of ChoK inhibitors. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2644. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2644


Abstract The emergence of a positive attitude toward mountains is commonly regarded as an eighteenth-century phenomenon. The facts tell otherwise. Unearthing a number of hitherto-unknown sources, this article demonstrates that interest in and enthusiasm for mountains already began to evolve around 1500: from then on, mountains gained in importance in political, religious, and scientific discourses. Travel through mountainous regions increased, and people started to climb mountains. The interplay between theoretical interests and practical engagement led to a new emotional response, or what may be called mountain feeling, that anticipated the attitude of the eighteenth century and of the present.


Dynamic Potential Search (DPS) is a recently introduced search algorithm that returns a bounded-suboptimal cost solution. DPS orders nodes in the open-list based on their potential which is a combination of both the g- and h-values of a node. In this paper we study the behavior of DPS on weighted graphs. In particular, we develop a new variant of DPS, called DPSU which calculates the potential by counting one for each edge regardless of its costs. We develop an eager version and a restrained version of DPSU. We then compare all these algorithms on a number of weighted graphs and study the pros and cons of each of them.


This paper is a research report on the development of technology application based
Mathematics learning tools at the study program of technology and engineering in a
vocational school. The needs to improve the relevance between the results of
vocational training in school and demands of public and industry are included as one
of the policies of National Education year 2010-2014. The policy determined that
education program in school should relevance to the needs of business and industry.
That is why; Vocational School (SMK) must be able to produce graduates that have
skills and competencies needed by the field of business and industry and
internationally recognized standard. SMK is now demanded to play its active roles
to develop link and match between school and industry.
The learning tools developed in this research project was technology application
based Mathematics learning tools that include (1) Syllabus, (2) Lesson Plan, (3)
Students' Textbook, (4) Students' Worksheet, and (5) Instrument of evaluation. The
model used in this project was Four-D Model which included three steps as follows:
(1) making definition, (2) planning, and (3) development. The result of va lidation
study for this mathematics learning tools was 3.67 (Very Good).


Zoonotic disease dynamics in wildlife hosts are rarely quantified at macroecological scales due to the lack of systematic surveys. Non-human primates (NHPs) host Plasmodium knowlesi, a zoonotic malaria of public health concern and the main barrier to malaria elimination in Southeast Asia. Understanding of regional P. knowlesi infection dynamics in wildlife is limited. Here, we systematically assemble reports of NHP P. knowlesi and investigate geographic determinants of prevalence in reservoir species. Meta-analysis of 6322 NHPs from 148 sites reveals that prevalence is heterogeneous across Southeast Asia, with low overall prevalence and high estimates for Malaysian Borneo. We find that regions exhibiting higher prevalence in NHPs overlap with human infection hotspots. In wildlife and humans, parasite transmission is linked to land conversion and fragmentation. By assembling remote sensing data and fitting statistical models to prevalence at multiple spatial scales, we identify novel relationships between P. knowlesi in NHPs and forest fragmentation. This suggests that higher prevalence may be contingent on habitat complexity, which would begin to explain observed geographic variation in parasite burden. These findings address critical gaps in understanding regional P. knowlesi epidemiology and indicate that prevalence in simian reservoirs may be a key spatial driver of human spillover risk.


Leuprorelin acetate is a luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LH‐RH) analog, which is used for chemical castration. Chemical castration treatment has an especially important role for prostate cancer. To ensure ongoing chemical castration, a novel sustained‐action injection system using spherical microcapsules has been developed. We report a patient who had granuloma caused by administration of the 11.25 mg leuprorelin acetate product. Histological examination revealed many giant cells with vacuoles. On the basis of reported cases, these vacuoles are characteristic for the granuloma caused by leuprorelin acetate product. The vacuoles in the granuloma are the same size as the microcapsules, and their shape is almost spherical. We assume that the vacuoles in the granuloma are actually the microcapsules. We expect that there will be investigations regarding the procatarctic cause of granuloma formation.


Pneumatic linear drives are widely used in manufacturing, mainly for handling tasks. Pneumatic drives are very versatile and reliable. They are easy to install and to maintain as well as economically priced. Due to rising interest in environmental matters and increasing energy costs, energy efficiency has become a major issue in industrial applications. There is a growing competition between pneumatic and electromechanical drives. Pneumatic drives are said to have high operating costs while the purchase of electromechanical drives is more expensive. The operating costs of pneumatics are mainly induced by the energy consumption to provide pressurized air. Therefore many different air saving measures for simple handling tasks are proposed in literature, which offer opportunities for reducing the air consumption in comparison to standard configurations.This paper provides an overview of different approaches for saving air and typical applications for these approaches. The thermodynamic concept of exergy is utilized in the paper. It provides a better standard of comparison between different technologies than common energy analysis because exergy accounts for a system's ability to conduct work out of different forms of energy. An exergy based analysis and a comparison of different air saving circuits are presented.The approaches described in literature are suitable for different applications. The study includes an analysis of cross flow valves to recuperate parts of the exhaust air during backstroke. Furthermore shut-off-valves using the expansion energy saved in the pressurized air of meter-out controlled cylinders are evaluated. The use of expansion energy is applicable if the entire cylinder force is not required at the end stop.The circuits are simulated based on lumped parameter models (DSHplus). The simulations are validated by experiments. The exergy efficiency of the examined circuits is compared to a meter-out controlled standard drive. Furthermore possible restrictions for the use of these circuits are discussed. This includes stability problems caused by the reduced force in the end stop or influences on the drive dynamics. If these restrictions are considered in the design of the facility, the same level of process quality and reliability compared to a standard setup can be achieved. Large energy savings and therefore reductions of operating costs of the pneumatic drives are possible with limited effort.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


We study supercontractivity and hypercontractivity of Markov semigroups obtained via ground state transformation of non-local Schr\"odinger operators based on generators of symmetric jump-paring L\'evy processes with Kato-class confining potentials. This class of processes has the property that the intensity of single large jumps dominates the intensity of all multiple large jumps, and the related operators include pseudo-differential operators of interest in mathematical physics. We refine these contractivity properties by the concept of $L^p$-ground state domination and its asymptotic version, and derive sharp necessary and sufficient conditions for their validity in terms of the behaviour of the L\'evy density and the potential at infinity. As a consequence, we obtain for a large subclass of confining potentials that, on the one hand, supercontractivity and ultracontractivity, on the other hand, hypercontractivity and asymptotic ultracontractivity of the transformed semigroup are equivalent properties. This is in stark contrast to classical Schr\"odinger operators, for which all these properties are known to be different.


In this thesis the potential of photo-crosslinked polymer networks for intraocular drug delivery is described. Patients with diseases of the back of the eye would benefit considerably from the development of drug delivery systems that can provide sustained intraocular delivery for months to years. Due to their versatility, photo-crosslinked polymer networks are an interesting class of materials for application in drug delivery systems. Photo-crosslinked polymer networks are often prepared from oligomers that are end-functionalized with double bond-containing groups. Many of the networks described in this thesis were prepared from oligomers functionalized with fumaric acid monoethyl
ester (FAME). The possibilities of preparing photo-crosslinked polymer networks using these end-groups were explored. The work described in this thesis demonstrates that photocrosslinked polymer networks with diverse properties can be prepared from FAMEfunctionalized oligomers. By varying factors such as the crosslink density and network hydrophilicity, release profiles could be tuned. Model proteins could be released in a controlled way over periods of a few months. Therefore the prepared networks hold promise for the intraocular delivery of protein drugs. Importantly, an initial in vivo study indicated that photo-crosslinked polymer networks are well tolerated in the rabbit vitreous. However, there also remain challenges that need to be solved. Due to their large size and relative instability the controlled release of proteins remains challenging. Side reactions may occur during the network formation process and interactions of the protein with the polymer matrix may lead to incomplete protein release. It was shown that side reactions can be minimized if the network preparation process is optimized carefully, but these issues need further attention in the future. In vivo release studies with one of the networks that displayed attractive release profiles could be a next step towards an intraocular drug delivery system based on photocrosslinked polymer networks.


Aripiprazole is a recently released antipsychotic medication which differs from other atypical antipsychotic agents by its partial agonist activity at postsynaptic D2 receptors. It is administered orally and is distinguished by a long elimination phase half-life relative to other antipsychotic medications. Randomized studies have demonstrated the efficacy of aripiprazole relative to placebo in the treatment of acute relapse of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, maintenance treatment of schizophrenia, and treatment of acute bipolar mania. Aripiprazole is generally well tolerated relative to other antipsychotic medications, although commonly reported side effects include worsening extrapyramidal symptoms and motoric activation similar to akathisia. Further studies and postmarketing data will be helpful in providing additional information about the comparative safety, efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole.


Beyond its economical rigors and mechanisms, globalization has a strong social dimension which considers the impact of economical interconnectivity on the life and work of individuals and the societies to which they belong. Thereby, economic globalization changes the facts on: nationalism, culture, national or individual identity. The new rules imposed by the supranational entities and the changes induced by the transnational firms of the XXI century, opened the road to certain disputes and controversies. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the main controversies raised by the economical globalization by bringing into discussion: the resurgence of nationalism, the power of the international corporations and some negative aspects like inequity and poverty.


This study compared young and old hypertensive and normotensive subjects with respect to the number of symptoms reported on the Cornell Medical Index (CMI). The hypertensive subjects had more physical and psychological complaints than did the normotensive subjects. Differences in symptoms reported between the blood pressure groups were not concentrated in one specific category (e.g., cardiovascular) but were distributed over several categories. Age did not influence the number of symptoms reported for either blood pressure group. The results were discussed in the context of the lack of specificity of symptoms reported by hypertensive subjects, and to what extent reported symptoms on the CMI are influenced by knowledge of one's blood pressure status.


In a disability service centre, the caregivers have serviced patients turning over, hanging diaper, taking a shower, feeding on and other activities and if they proceed under unnatural postures and overloading for a long time easily causes themselves musculoskeletal (MSD) injuries. The goal of this study is to recognise and record the potential factors of MDS injuries of caregivers in disability service cemter. The used methods were conducted mainly by questionnaires (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ)), and ergonomics checklists (Musculoskeletal Disorders checklist (MSDs) and Baseline Risk Identification of Ergonomic Factors checklist (BRIEF) by observation and record to discover the other damages of such operations. Research results showed there existed a significant correlation (p<0.05) between the musculoskeletal injuries with the used hand, daily average working hours, and whether rest was taken in working hours.


Abstract Background: Meningiomas are usually slow growing, well circumscribed intracranial tumors. In symptom-free cases observation with close follow-up imaging could be performed. Symptomatic meningiomas could be surgically removed and/or treated with radiotherapy. The study aimed to evaluate the volumetric response of intracranial meningiomas at different time points after photon, proton, and a mixed photon and carbon ion boost irradiation. Patients and methods: In Group A 38 patients received proton therapy (median dose: 56 GyE in 1.8–2 GyE daily fractions) or a mixed photon/carbon ion therapy (50 Gy in 2 Gy daily fractions with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and 18 GyE in 3 GyE daily dose carbon ion boost). Thirty-nine patients (Group B) were treated by photon therapy with IMRT or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy technique (median dose: 56 Gy in 1.8–2 Gy daily fractions). The delineation of the tumor volume was based on the initial, one- and two-year follow-up magnetic resonance imaging and these volumes were compared to evaluate the volumetric tumor response. Results: Significant tumor volume shrinkage was detected at one- and at two-year follow-up both after irradiation by particles and by photons. No significant difference in tumor volume change was observed between photon, proton or combined photon plus carbon ion boost treated patients. WHO grade and gender appear to be determining factors for tumor volume shrinkage. Conclusion: Significant volumetric shrinkage of meningiomas could be observed independently of the applied radiation modality. Long-term follow-up is recommended to evaluate further dynamic of size reduction and its correlation with outcome data.


The aim of this paper is to present the core of Kant´s critique of traditional metaphysics and ontology as a transcendental semantics that allows reformulating the problem about the objects and their reality. In order to achieve this purpose, we propound a paper divided in two parts: 1. A brief justification of Kant's semantics interpretation; 2. A work program based on a semantics comprehended as a fundamental part of a method of resolution of philosophical problems. Basically, we can state that the critical position against traditional metaphysics and ontology leads to the question upon: how are a priori synthetic judgments possible? This question leads to its conditions of possibility, that is: sensible representations; intellectual representations; syntactic rules; semantic rules (or referential rules, on the relation between intellectual representations and some sort of sensibility or affection); the operator of the syntactic and semantic rules (subject, man, human nature, gender, people etc.). This is what we call the core of Kant's critique and with which we may begin to solve philosophical problems even beyond those presented by our philosopher. As such, we are briefly going to observe the following steps: 1. From metaphysics in its various senses to the ontology of sensible objects; 2. A critique of pure reason against dogmatic metaphysics; 3. Criticism as semantics; 4. The semantic project and the kinds of judgments; 5. Human nature and the theory of judgment; 6. The work program within Kant's own work; 7. Subsequent results of Kant's project


The Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) is a static energy conversion technology that is expected to provide low mass thermal to electric conversion with efficiencies between 20 and 35 percent. The U.S. program to develop this technology for space power applications has grown substantially over the past 3 years. This expanding program has brought together several laboratories and technical consultants, in separately sponsored projects, to develop the key elements of the technology. An assessment of this multiparty program indicates that, in general, the effort has focused on the high priority technical elements with only moderate overlap between individual projects. There are, however, several areas where additional coordination is needed between major participants in the existing projects, and other areas where new projects should be started, in order to provide reliable space power systems without unnecessary delays.


The aim of this study was to identify the reality of computerized management information systems in Jawwal, and to detect the differences between the views of the study sample on the variables of the study according to the variables (age, Scientific Qualification, field of work and years of service). To achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire was designed and developed to measure the variables of the study applied to the company's 70 employees. The comprehensive inventory method was used and 60 samples were recovered for analysis with a recovery rate (85.7). SPSS pakage was used to analyze the data. The study reached several results, the most important of which is that the degree of approval of the requirements of the management and operation of computerized information system in Jawwal Company in general amounted to 73.14%. There were statistically significant differences between the respondents' perceptions of computerized management information systems in Jawwal Company, due to the demographic variables (scientific level, years of experience, work place, job level). Management Information Systems and the importance of using modern devices, advanced software, and attention to the availability of modern networks and work to solve network problems such as interruptions and slow communication that came within the results of the study. And operational and application software to increase user awareness of the capabilities of the hardware and software used and not to focus on how to use them only.


We report the use of a simple close-spaced vapor transport technique for the growth of high-quality epitaxial GaAs films using potentially inexpensive GaAs powders as precursors. The free carrier type and density (1016 to 1019 cm−3) of the films were adjusted by addition of Te or Zn powder to the GaAs source powder. We show using photoelectrochemical and electron beam-induced current analyses that the minority carrier diffusion lengths of the n- and p-GaAs films reached ∼3 μm and ∼8 μm, respectively. Hall mobilities approach those achieved for GaAs grown by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition, 1000–4200 cm2 V−1 s−1 for n-GaAs and 50–240 cm V−1 s−1 for p-GaAs depending on doping level. We conclude that the electronic quality of GaAs grown by close-spaced vapor transport is similar to that of GaAs made using conventional techniques and is thus sufficient for high-performance photovoltaic applications.


We present the case of a patient with incessant slow‐fast atrio‐ventricular (AV) node reentrant tachycardia induced by dual AV node conduction with aborted conduction to the ventricles. The unapparent conduction over the slow pathway was suspected here because of spontaneous nodal echoes without QRS complexes occurring during sinus rhythm, manifested as isolated premature atrial beats and which repetitively induced the tachycardia.


The Uruguay River is a source of drinking water for the city of Paso de Los Libres (Corrientes, Argentina). Potentially harmful cyanobacteria, sometimes forming blooms, have been detected since the year 2008. Weekly water samples from Uruguay River at Paso de Los Libres were analyzed from May 2006 to assess water quality for drinking water supply. Besides, samples from water intake of the water treatment plant of Paso de los Libres and surface water samples from Stream Yatay, a tributary of Uruguay River upstream Paso de los Libres, were studied on March 2012 due to the presence of tastes and odors. Phytoplankton species were identified and quantified. Mouse bioassays and microcystins analysis by ELISA method were performed on raw water from Uruguay River, and geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol content in raw water and in drinking water were analyzed by GC-MS. Samples from Yatay stream were cultured in BG11 medium without nitrate. A bloom of Planktothricoides raciborskii (Woloszynska) Suda & Watanabe was registered in Yatay stream on March 2012, together with low abundances of Dolichospermum helicoideum (Bernard) Wacklin, Hoffmann & Komarek. High levels of 2-methylisoborneol were detected in raw water, and powdered activated carbon was applied to remove odour and taste compounds. Mouse bioassays and microcystins analysis were negative. Planktothricoides raciborskii and D. helicoideum are rare tropical species, and they are new records for Argentina.


As part of a systematic knowledge-based analysis of terms related to regulation of wages, the paper analyzes the meaning, usage, and translation of terms designating the general concept of compensation for work in English and Lithuanian. The analysis is based mainly on Chapter IX of the Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania and its translation into English, as well as the translation of conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and some other legal texts related to wages into Lithuanian. It has been established that while some English and Lithuanian terms with the general meaning of compensation for work are very similar both semantically and functionally, it is possible to trace certain smaller or greater differences between them.


PURPOSE
To present a novel technique to deliver passive-scattering proton beam with fixed range and modulation using a 3D printed patient-specific bolus for proton stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy.

METHODS
A CIRS head phantom was used to simulate a patient with a small brain lesion. A custom bolus was created in the Eclipse Treatment Planning System (TPS) to compensate for the different water equivalent depths from the patient surface to the target from multiple beam directions. To simulate arc therapy, a plan was created on the initial CT using three passive-scattering proton beams with a fixed range and modulations irradiating from different angles. The DICOM-RT structure file of the bolus was exported from the TPS and converted to STL format for 3D printing. The phantom was rescanned with the printed custom bolus and head cup to verify the dose distribution comparing to the initial plan. EBT3 films were placed in the sagital plane of the target to verify the delivered dose distribution. The relative stopping power of the printing material(ABSplus-P430) was measured using the Zebra multi-plate ion chamber.

RESULTS
The relative stopping power of the 3D printing material, ABSplus-P430 was 1.05 which is almost water equivalent. The dose difference between verification CT and Initial CT is almost negligible. Film measurement also confirmed the accuracy for this new proton delivery technique.

CONCLUSION
Our method using 3D printed range modifiers simplify the treatment delivery of multiple passive-scattering beams in treatment of small lesion in brain. This technique makes delivery of multiple beam more efficient and can be extended to allow arc therapy with proton beams. The ability to create and construct complex patient specific bolus structures provides a new dimension in creating optimized quality treatment plans not only for proton therapy but also for electron and photon therapy.


During development, multipotent precursor cells differentiate into various cell types in response to different extracellular signals. Rajan et al. investigated the regulation of cell fate in central nervous system (CNS) stem cells, which can differentiate into non-CNS cell types when exposed to novel environments, and discovered that a single ligand, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), could activate two distinct cell fate pathways. Rat CNS stem cells grown in culture without added BMP differentiated into CNS-type neurons or glia. Clonal cells treated with BMP differentiated into either glia or smooth muscle cells, depending on their local density. High-density cells differentiated into glia, whereas low-density cells differentiated into smooth muscle. Cells expressing a dominant-negative Smad protein mostly differentiated into glia upon BMP treatment, whereas cells expressing a dominant-negative STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) mostly differentiated into smooth muscle. The authors used a combination of Western analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and immunocytochemistry (on mouse cells) to show that BMP activated Smads in both high- and low-density cultures, whereas BMP treatment augmented basal STAT activation in high-density cultures. Pharmacologic analysis indicated that BMP4 activated STAT3 independently of transcription. Pharmacologic analysis, in combination with immunoprecipitation, and the expression of dominant negatives, indicated that the STAT pathway leading to glial differentiation depended on activation of the serine-threonine kinase FRAP (FKBP12/rapamycin-associated protein) secondary to dissociation of the immunophilin FKBP12 from the BMP receptor. Thus, BMP can stimulate differentiation down different cell fate pathways, depending on additional signals that influence the cytoplasmic environment. P. Rajan, D. M. Panchision, L. F. Newell, R. D. G. McKay, BMPs signal alternately through a SMAD or FRAP-STAT pathway to regulate fate choice in CNS stem cells. J. Cell Biol. 161 911-921 (2003). [Abstract] [Full Text]


Translational regulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which catalyses the first step in the biosynthesis of polyamines, appears to be an important mechanism in the strong feedback control as well as in the hypotonic induction of the enzyme. However, the exact mechanisms are not yet understood. The ODC mRNA has long 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) which may be involved in the translational control of the enzyme. In the present study we have used a series of stable transfectants of Chinese Hamster ovary cells expressing ODC mRNAs with various truncations in the 5' and 3' UTRs to investigate the importance of these regions. It is demonstrated that neither the 5' UTR nor the 3' UTR appears to be involved in the polyamine-mediated feedback control of ODC synthesis. The hypotonic induction of ODC, on the other hand, was shown to be highly dependent on the presence of the 3' UTR, but not on the 5' UTR, of ODC mRNA. Cells expressing ODC mRNAs lacking the 3' UTR showed no, or only a very slight, induction of ODC whether the 5' UTR was present or not, whereas the cell lines expressing ODC mRNAs containing the 3' UTR (with or without the 5' UTR) markedly induced ODC after a hypotonic shock. The present finding of a role for the ODC mRNA 3' UTR in the hypotonic induction of ODC is the first demonstration of a specific effect of the 3' UTR in the regulation of ODC.


In mitosis, sequences on sister chromatids are preferred as DNA repair templates, whereas in meiosis interhomolog-based repair is promoted. The switch of template preference during homologous recombinational (HR) repair of DNA breaks is a defining event in sexual reproduction. This preference is needed to establish linkages between homologous chromosomes that support meiotic chromosome segregation. In budding yeast, a central activity that enforces meiotic interhomolog bias is encoded in a meiosis-specific protein kinase complex, consisting of Red1, Hop1 and Mek1 (i.e., the RHM complex). Activation of Mek1 kinase in meiosis – dictated by complex formation and upstream DNA break-dependent signaling – leads to modification of HR factors and the establishment of interhomolog HR repair bias. How meiotic repair bias is established is a central question with implications for sexual reproduction, genetic diversity and genome stability. Studying the role of the RHM complex in DNA repair is complicated by the fact that Red1 and Hop1 are required for efficient meiotic DNA break formation. Here, we conditionally express RHM components in mitotically-dividing cells to show that these factors can autonomously establish the RHM complex outside of its physiological environment. In vivo analysis is complemented with in vitro biochemical reconstitution to analyze the composition of a Red1-Hop1 subcomplex. The RHM complex can be activated under DNA damaging conditions in mitotically-dividing cells, and activation depends on upstream Mec1 kinase function. We use this system to perform a structure-function analysis of RHM complex formation and Mek1 activation. Finally, we demonstrate that expressing active Mek1 in mitosis leads to rad51Δ-like DNA break sensitivity, suggesting that activation of the RHM complex is sufficient to reconstitute (parts of) its physiological function in mediating HR-based repair. This system should enable querying downstream effects of RHM complex action on DNA repair dynamics and template bias. Human homologs of Red1 and Hop1 are often aberrantly re-expressed in cancer cells. Our system has the potential to inform on (dys)functional effects of these genes on genome stability during human tumorigenesis.


The mood of a community influences work productivity, socioeconomic outcomes and general quality of life of its members, so being able to measure it opens a wealth of opportunities like, informing policies, scheduling events and possibly discovering the contexts that bring about undesirable moods within a community. Though there are a plethora of methods for measuring emotional states of individuals in lab settings (e.g. self-report, analysis of nonverbal behaviours, physiological sensors), they do not scale well to large numbers of people or in-the-wild settings. This paper examines the feasibility of inferring the mood of a community by measuring the walking speed of pedestrians, which is a technique that is unobtrusive, scalable, and readily available. Our preliminary results from our data collection reveal differences in walking speed at different times of the day; demonstrating the feasibility of our approach. We discuss the implications of our findings, followed by the future steps of this work.


Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR), ownership structure, and financial performance in a sample of 14 domestic financial holding companies in Taiwan. The empirical data gathered clearly indicate that banks recognized with CSR awards demonstrate superior financial performance across all models compared to those without awards. Notably, the bank's practice of CSR, which signifies drawing from and contributing back to society, correlates with superior financial returns. In terms of large external shareholders, the institutional block-holders has a more pronounced impact as a monitoring mechanism compared to individual block-holders. Moreover, the study also supports the convergence-of-interest hypothesis, indicating that the alignment of interests between the managerial insiders and the shareholders through equity ownership can bolster a company's financial performance.

JEL classification numbers: G32.
Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Ownership Structure, Financial Performance.


In this study we reviewed the use of genetic information in the Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSA) of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). We also evaluated genetic indicators for each criterion of important marine areas. We proposed five genetic indices, mainly based on microsatellite analysis (e.g., private allele frequency and number of cryptic species), then selected EBSAs in tropical and temperate zones of Japan based on eight coral species as a case study. Finally, we compared the results with the findings from conventional species-based EBSAs. In the EBSAs genetic information was mainly used in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the Baltic Sea; it was rarely applied in the Southern Hemisphere and Asian regions. Although typically applied to large organisms, genetic information is used to various organisms, including benthic and bacterial communities. Genetic data are used as indicators of diversity and endemism. Genetic indices were available for all seven EBSA criteria, but only five indices of three criteria were used. Examination of important areas of corals in the temperate zone using these indices showed that the indices without genetic indicators extracted a large number of important areas in the tropics; however, the use of genetic indicators identified important locations, including in temperate zones. Comparison with conventional, mainly species-based non-genetic methods showed less than 50% agreement, although particularly important sites in marine protected areas were identified by both methods. While there is still more work to be done, such as consideration of the number of survey sites or target species, one reason is that species-based methods tend to evaluate tropical areas higher. Therefore, these genetic indices are useful for examining important regions, particularly in temperate zones; they revealed cryptic lineages, indicating that many unknown marine taxa should be considered in vulnerable marine areas. Some indicators could be extracted with additional effort, such as population size estimation, immigration, or the use of next-generation sequencing, thus guiding future studies. Because limited genetic information was available in the early stages of EBSA selection, there is a need for systematic surveys and evaluations, particularly in the Southern hemisphere, Asian region, and in small organisms.


Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) has long been known to be highly mobile and toxic when compared with the other stable oxidation state, Cr(III). Cr(VI)-soluble environmental pollutants have been detected in soils and water bodies receiving industrial and agricultural waste. The reduction of Cr(VI) by microbial organisms is considered to be an environmentally compatible, less expensive and sustainable remediation alternative when compared to conventional treatment methods, such as chemical neutralization and chemical precipitation of Cr. This study aims to isolate and identify the composition of the microbial consortium culture isolated from waste activated sludge and digested sludge from a local wastewater treatment plant receiving high loads of Cr(VI) from an abandoned chrome foundry in Brits (North Waste Province, South Africa). Furthermore, the Cr(VI) reduction capability and efficiency by the isolated bacteria were investigated under a range of operational conditions, i.e., pH, temperature and Cr(VI) loading. The culture showed great efficiency in reduction capability, with 100% removal in less than 4 h at a nominal loading concentration of 50 mg Cr(VI)/L. The culture showed resilience by achieving total removal at concentrations as high as 400 mg Cr(VI)/L. The consortia exhibited considerable Cr(VI) removal efficiency in the pH range from 2 to 11, with 100% removal being achieved at a pH value of 7 at a 37 ± 1 °C incubation temperature. The time course reduction data fitted well on both first and second-order exponential rate equation yielding first-order rate constants in the range 0.615 to 0.011 h−1 and second order rate constants 0.0532 to 5 × 10−5 L·mg−1·h−1 for Cr(VI) concentration of 50–400 mg/L. This study demonstrated the bacterial consortium from municipal wastewater sludge has a high tolerance and reduction ability over a wide range of experimental conditions. Thus, show promise that bacteria could be used for hexavalent chromium remediate in contaminated sites.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility/acceptability, reliability, external validity, and discriminant capacity of the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) concept in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS
PASS was assessed by asking patients to respond yes or no to a single question: "Considering all the different ways your disease is affecting you, if you would stay in this state for the next months, do you consider that your current state is satisfactory?" during the 24-week, randomized (2:1 ratio), double-blind, placebo-controlled portion of an adalimumab study of 315 patients.

RESULTS
PASS reliability was high (kappa = 0.86) in patients with stable disease. Significantly more patients who answered yes to PASS than patients who answered no to PASS were responders based on the ASsessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS) International Working Group criteria for 20% improvement (75% who answered yes versus 29% who answered no), the ASAS criteria for 40% improvement (61% versus 16%), the ASAS partial remission criteria (37% versus 3%), and > or =50% improvement on the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (65% versus 19%; P < 0.001 for all comparisons), demonstrating external validity of the PASS concept. More adalimumab-treated than placebo-treated patients achieved PASS at week 12 (42.3% versus 22.4%; P < 0.001), and more adalimumab-treated than placebo-treated patients achieved sustained PASS through week 20 (34.6% versus 12.3%; P < 0.001), indicating excellent discriminant capacity.

CONCLUSION
PASS is a feasible, acceptable, reliable, and valid assessment of satisfactory health state in patients with AS.


The flavonoids of two diploid species of Phlox and two of their allotetraploid derivatives were characterized. The tetraploids accumulate five flavonoids not observed in the parental species. Generally, novel compounds are less highly glycosidated than, but otherwise similar to, parental compounds that they partially or totally replace. We propose that hybridity and polyploidy have repressed or suppressed the activity of certain ancestral genes responsible for the production of glycosidating enzymes. Accordingly, the novel compounds are merely the accumulated or modified precursors of parental compounds.


In a prospective study, we tried to determine whether extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) has any effect on urinary epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations and to investigate whether EGF can be used as a marker for detecting shockwave-induced impairment of distal tubular cells. A total of 12 patients with renal pelvic or caliceal stones < or = 2 cm undergoing anesthesia-free SWL without ancillary measures and a control group of 10 patients without any urologic symptoms were included in this study. The urinary concentrations of EGF were measured by radioimmunoassay before and 4 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days after SWL. Relative urinary EGF concentrations were expressed as the ratio of EGF to creatinine (ng/mL creatinine). The mean urinary EGF concentration (mean +/- standard error) in control subjects and patients with renal pelvic or caliceal stones before SWL was 23.90 +/- 3.15 ng/mL creatinine and 22.18 +/- 6.85 ng/mL creatinine, respectively (p > 0.05). In patients with stones, we found a decrease in urinary EGF concentration 4 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days after SWL. Indeed, 7 days after SWL, the EGF concentration was on average half of the original value, a biologically significant, although not statistically significant, decrease.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Middle meningeal artery embolization after surgical evacuation of a chronic subdural hematomas is associated with fewer treatment failures than surgical evacuation. We compared emergency department visits within 30 days for patients with chronic subdural hematomas with and without adjunctive middle meningeal artery embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases of chronic subdural hematoma treated from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment was classified as surgery only or surgery combined with middle meningeal artery embolization. The primary outcome was 30-day emergency department presentation and readmission. RESULTS: Of 137 patients who met the study criteria, 28 (20%) underwent surgery combined with middle meningeal artery embolization. Of these 28 patients, 15 (54%) underwent planned middle meningeal artery embolization and 13 (46%) underwent embolization after surgical failure. The mean chronic subdural hematoma size at presentation in the group with surgery only (n = 109, 20.5 [SD, 6.9] mm) was comparable with that in the combined group (n = 28, 18.7 [SD, 4.5] mm; P = .16). A significantly higher percentage of the surgery-only group presented to the emergency department within 30 days compared with the combined group (32 of 109 [29%] versus 2 of 28 [7%] patients; P = .02). No significant difference was found with respect to readmission (16 [15%] versus 1 [4%] patient; P = .11). Nine patients (8%) in the surgery-only group were readmitted for significant reaccumulation or residual subdural hematoma compared with only 1 patient (4%) in the combined group (P = .40). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical evacuation combined with middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with chronic subdural hematoma is associated with fewer 30-day emergency department visits compared with surgery alone.


Perpendicular magnetic recording media, composed of granular-type FePt-MgO films on Fe-Ta-C soft magnetic underlayer (SUL), have been fabricated on to 2.5-in glass disks. [001] textured FePt granular films with high-perpendicular magnetic anisotropy were obtained by annealing the FePt/MgO multilayer films. The FePt grain size, perpendicular coercivity, magnetic activation volume, and the exchange coupling between the FePt grains were found to be strongly dependent on the initial multilayer structures and the annealing conditions. The recording performance of the disks was evaluated by a spin-stand. The obtained results reveal a close correlation between the recording performance and magnetic properties. The thermal stability of the granular-type FePt media was studied using high-temperature magnetic force microscopy (MFM) technique, equipped with in situ sample heating, in the temperature range 25/spl deg/C-200/spl deg/C. The estimated signal decay at high temperature is ascribed to the temperature dependent magnetic anisotropy behavior.


In a wide variety of human solid tumors, an aggressive, metastatic phenotype and poor clinical prognosis are associated with expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Met. Disclosed herein are (a) a monoclonal antibody named Met4, which antibody is specific for Met, and (b) a hybridoma cell line that produces Met4. The Met4 antibody is particularly useful for detecting Met in formalin-fixed tissue. Methods of using the Met4 antibody for detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluating therapeutic efficacy are provided.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to develop an efficient search strategy for prognostic studies and clinical prediction guides (CPGs), optimally balancing sensitivity and precision while independent of MeSH terms, as relying on them may miss the most current literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
We combined 2 Hedges-based search strategies, modified to remove MeSH terms for overall prognostic studies and CPGs, and ran the search on 269 journals. We read abstracts from a random subset of retrieved references until ≥ 20 per journal were reviewed and classified them as positive when fulfilling standardized quality criteria, thereby assembling a standard dataset used to calibrate the search strategy. We determined performance characteristics of our new search strategy against the Hedges standard and performance characteristics of published search strategies against the standard dataset.

RESULTS
Our search strategy retrieved 16 089 references from 269 journals during our study period. One hundred fifty-four journals yielded ≥ 20 references and ≥ 1 prognostic study or CPG. Against the Hedges standard, the new search strategy had sensitivity/specificity/precision/accuracy of 84%/80%/2%/80%, respectively. Existing published strategies tested against our standard dataset had sensitivities of 36%-94% and precision of 5%-10%.

DISCUSSION
We developed a new search strategy to identify overall prognosis studies and CPGs independent of MeSH terms. These studies are important for medical decision-making, as they identify specific populations and individuals who may benefit from interventions.

CONCLUSION
Our results may benefit literature surveillance and clinical guideline efforts, as our search strategy performs as well as published search strategies while capturing literature at the time of publication.


Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) were on maintenance invasive haemodialysis (HD) procedure. This procedure by itself affects immunity of the patients and they become more susceptible to viral infections. We investigate the occurrence of HBV HCV and HIV infections in patients with hemodialysis. A retrospective study of 430 endstage renal failure patients referred to hemodialysis department at AlKindy Teaching Hospital Baghdad, Iraq from January 2015 to January 2017 was conducted. Patients were investigated for HBsAg using enzymelabeled antigen test (ForesightEIAUSA) HCV Abs (IgG) specific immunoglobulin using a HCV enzymelabeled antigen test (ForesightEIAUSA) and anti HIV Abs (IgG) using enzymelabeled antigen test (ForesightEIAUSA). The frequency of HBV infection in the first year was not significant between males (111%) and females (000%)(P = 0295). About HCV also there are no significant differences between males (1263%) and females (931%)(P = 0347). After one year of follow up the frequencies of HBV and HCV were not significant between two sexes. Additionally none of the patients had an HIV infection. This study brings to light that HBV and HCV have the same frequencies in both genders and lower occurrence with time. Furthermore HIV was not detected in those patients.


Cataract extraction combined with glaucoma surgery remains controversial. Some authors advocate consecutive surgeries arguing that the expected lower inflammation will allow a better outcome of the filtering surgery. However it is well known that cataract extraction after a filter may impair the long term efficacy of glaucoma surgery. Conversely the combined approach is more convenient for the patient with one operation and generally a better visual result. However it is generally considered that the IOP‐lowering effect is less effective in combined procedures. Rather than opposing these two approaches, it is probable than according to the characteristics of the patient and the type and the stage of glaucoma, a consecutive or a combined surgery is more appropriate. Therefore the surgeon must be prepared to perform the two types of surgery. Micro incisions for cataract surgery (MICS) offer some substantial advantages vs conventional corneal incisions; a better tightness of the surgical wound allows a better control of IOP during the surgery. Therefore glaucoma surgeries (penetrating or not) are much easier to perform without changing your technique. In this presentation some surgical tips will be given in order to facilitate your combined procedures.


A new non-decoupling three-dimensional guidance law is proposed for bank-to-turn (BTT) missiles with the motion cou- pling problem. In this method, the different geometry is taken for theoretically modeling on BTT missiles' motion within the three- dimensional style without information loss, and meanwhile, Lie- group is utilized to describe the line-of-sight (LOS) azimuth when the terminal angular constraints are considered. Under these cir- cumstances, a guidance kinematics model is established based on differential geometry. Then, corresponding to no terminal angular constraint and terminal angular constraints, guidance laws are re- spectively designed by using proportional control and generalized proportional-derivative (PD) control in SO(3) group. Eventually, simulation results validate that this developed method can ef- fectively avoid the complexity of pure Lie-group method and the information loss of the traditional decoupling method as well.