To describe the epidemiology of uveitis in northern Bénin. This retrospective study carried out from records describing 10 years of uveitis care in 2 eye clinics in northern Bénin. The sample of 623 eyes with uveitis in 489 patients accounted for 1.0% of all consultations. A male predominance was observed with a sex-ratio of 1.5 (297 m/192 F). The patients' mean age was 35.7 ± 16.1 years, and the age range most often affected was 20-39 years. The uveitis was anterior in 32.3 %, posterior in 29.0 %, intermediate in 28.1% and total (panuveitis) in 10.6%. The cause was undetermined in 85.7 % of cases and identified in 14.3%, including toxoplasmosis in 47 cases (7.5%) and herpes zoster in 20 cases (3.2%). Outpatients accounted for all cases, and all received topical corticosteroids. Some complications were observed. Uveitis has a prevalence rate of 1% in northern Bénin. It caused blindness in 9.8% of affected eyes and impaired vision in 49.3%.


Web applications, which are computer programs ported to the Web, allow us to use various remote services and tools through our Web browsers. There are an enormous number of Web applications on the Web, and they are becoming the basic infrastructure of everyday life. At the same time, multimodal character agents, which interact with human users by both verbal and nonverbal behavior, have recently seen remarkable development. It would be of great benefit if we could easily modify existing Web applications by adding multimodal user interface to them. This paper proposes a framework where IntelligentPad and Multimodal Presentation Markup Language work in collaboration to introduce multimodal character agentsto the front-end of existing Web applications. Example applications include attaching a multimodal user-interface to a news site on the Web. The framework does not require users to write any program code or script.


A novel widely expressed homologue of the VAV oncogene, VAV2 (53% identical residues), has been identified within the critical region for the tuberous sclerosis gene, TSC1, on human chromosome 9q34. By Southern blot analysis, analysis of allele‐specific transcription, and direct sequencing of the VAV2 mRNA/cDNA from patient lymphoblastoid cell lines, we demonstrate that both alleles of this gene are expressed in TSC patients and there are no significant mutations. VAV consists of a novel array of signalling domains and is thought to play an important role in signal transduction in haematopoietic tissues where it is exclusively expressed. VAV2 is likely to serve a similar role more generally in mammalian cells, but is not the TSC1 gene.


Restenosis (re‐narrowing of the blood vessel wall) and cancer are two different pathologies that have drawn extensive research attention over the years. Antiproliferative drugs such as paclitaxel inhibit cell proliferation and are therefore effective in the treatment of cancer as well as neointimal hyperplasia, which is known to be the main cause of restenosis. Drug‐eluting stents (DES) significantly reduce the incidence of in‐stent restenosis (ISR), which was once considered a major adverse outcome of percutaneous coronary stent implantations. Localized release of antiproliferative drugs interferes with the pathological proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), which is the main cause of ISR. Conventional approaches to treating cancer are mainly surgical excision, irradiation, and chemotherapy. In cancer therapy, surgical treatment is usually performed on patients with a resectable carcinoma. An integrated therapeutic approach, such as the addition of a delivery system loaded with an antiproliferative drug at the tumor resection site, is desirable. This will provide a high local concentration of a drug, that is, detrimental to malignant cells which may have survived surgery, thus preventing re‐growth and metastasis of the tumor. The present review describes recent advances in systems for controlled release of antiproliferative agents. It describes basic concepts in drug delivery systems and antiproliferative drugs and then focuses on both types of systems: stents with controlled release of antiproliferative agents, and drug‐eluting particles and implants for local cancer treatment. The last part of this article is dedicated to our novel drug‐eluting composite fiber structures, which can be used as basic stent elements as well as for local cancer treatment.


By assuming an anomalous heat conduction of the form 1/T and a power law for the total dissipation, it is possible to show the existence of bifurcated universal profiles for current density and temperature. This is done without a priori imposing an abstract relaxation procedure through a variational approach having less transparent constrains attached to it. The exact solutions are a simple demonstration showing that Kadomtsev's arguments [1] for ruling out the heat conduction dependence on the inverse temperature (κ ∝ T–1), do not hold, although his reasoning for a non-local dependence in the κ still holds. The H and L bifurcated branches also exist for pure ohmic heated tokamaks and they coincide with the canonical profiles for 1/T heat conduction. The branching occurs for q(edge)/q(axis) = 2 in the circular symmetric case with a power law for the total dissipation. The current profiles are labelled universal in the sense of being the same no matter what exponent one has in the power law approximation, and they resemble the observed profiles in most tokamaks. The general consideration in the first part may suggest that the results from the special model are qualitatively correct in a more general physical setting.


Lowe demonstrated a method for automatically segmenting and smoothing image curves by varying degrees. It was intended to remove noise and unnecessary fine detail, aiding subsequent processing such as grouping and matching. An alternative technique is described in this paper that is based on recursively subdividing the curve into alternative sets of sections. Rather than use thresholds on the values of curvature and its derivatives to determine the segmentation and degree of smoothing our technique is driven by three qualitative measures: (1) a criterion for selecting potential breakpoints, (2) a criterion for determining the amount of smoothing for curve sections, and (3) a significance measure that determines which sections form the best selection. The advantages of the technique are robustness, scale invariance, and the absence of parameters.


This study makes a critical investigation into the efficacy of the Bakweri chieftaincy of the south-west region of Cameroon in the sustainable transformation of contemporary conflicts. The Bakweri people have a rich culture of indigenous mechanisms for mitigating conflicts. However, most of them have been overshadowed by modern state structures in the contemporary era of globalisation. The study found that the Bakweri chieftaincy faces numerous challenges in contemporary times. Among others, it is marred by corruption, a leviathan state and the impact of immigration into the local communities. These undermine Bakweri customs, including respect for its traditional institutions. Despite this, the study concludes that as an indigenous African institution, the chieftaincy holds great potential for the restorative and sustainable resolution of disputes.


The teaching of biology contains a series of representations, such as natural language, graphics, tables, diagrams, figures, which can be analyzed as registers of semiotic representation. Duval proposes a watchful eye on the teacher's students' difficulties, to perform conversion between different registers of semiotic representation. This study, exploratory, analyzes in the light of this theory such difficulties, within the simulation "Fluctuations in populations" proposed by Krasilchick (2004). To collect the data, we conducted a course with students of 2nd year of high school in Technical Environment. Of the two types of semiotic conversion, students had greater difficulties in conversions not congruent. Non congruent questions of the simulation proposal require the skills of explaining phenomena and the relationship between them and greater teacher attention at the time of change and coordination of the different registers of representation.


The role of cell‐to‐cell adhesion in the early embryogenesis of the starfish Asterina pectinifera was studied by using concanvalin A (ConA), an agent known to weaken cellular contact by binding to glycosides at the cell surface. The major change in morphology was a diminution in the volume of the endodermal tissues (the digestive tract) of the treated larvae. It was found by pulse treatment that this effect of ConA was stage‐specific, and that the effective period corresponded to the stage when blastomeres become more cohesive. The number of cells in the mesodermal tissues, however, was relatively constant while the volume of the endodermal tissue varied considerably. It was suggested that cell‐to‐cell adhesion during this stage is involved in the allocation of endodermal tissues. In contrast, mechanisms other than cell adhesion were considered to be important for the differentiation of the mesodermal tissues.


In the foreword of this book, Professor Hoeppli gives his motivation and approach to the study of the parasitic diseases in Africa and the Western Hemisphere as follows: "Numerous diseases caused by zooparasites play an important role in Africa and occur likewise in the Western Hemisphere, especially in Central and South America and the West Indies. It is of considerable interest to know which of these diseases occurred in pre-Columbian America and which were introduced by the slave trade. Early documentation of parasitic diseases in Africa and the Western Hemisphere and information obtained by the study of the slave trade are means to answer this difficult question."
The book is divided into three parts. In Part One, different kinds of early documentation are pointed out, and a brief outline of the slave trade is given. In Part Two, the main subject—the early documentation of parasitic diseases in Africa and the New World and their transmission by the slave trade—is dealt with.


Background : Molluscum contagiosum (MC) infection is caused by a pox virus and the virus is probably passed on by direct skinto- skin contact which may affect any part of the body. There is anecdotal evidence associating facial lesions with HIV-related immunodeficiency. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Molluscum contagiosum infection among PLWHAs attending ART clinic at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods : This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 5,207 patients (3519 female and 1688 males) attending ART clinic between January 2006 and December 2007. Physicians performed complete physical and pelvic examinations. Diagnosis of Molluscum Contagiosum infection was based on the clinical findings of typical lesions on the external genitalia, perianal, trunk, abdominal and facial regions. Results : The mean age of the patients was 34.67 yrs. ± 9.16). About 10% (542) had various sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The male to female ratio was 1: 4.2. One hundred and twenty seven subjects (23.4%) had no formal or primary education with 247 (45.6 %) beingtreatment naive while 295 (54.4 %) were treatment experienced. Of the 542 PLWHAs with STIs, 3.3 % had undetectable viral load (< 200 copies/ ml) while 272 (50.1 %) had low CD4 count (< 200 cells / mm3.) and The Mean log10 viral load was 5.02 + 0.94. Molluscum Contagiosum infection was diagnosed in 13 patients (0.024%; 8 females and 5 males). Vaginal Candidiasis was the commonest genital infection diagnosed in 223 (41.1%) of the patients with STIs. MC patients had higher viral load, lower CD4 count and more likely to be treatment experienced". Conclusions: Molluscum Contagiosum infection is not uncommon among the HIV-infected patients, but underreported. Awareness of this cutaneous manifestation should be known to Physicians in AIDS care. Key Words : Molluscum contagiosum, HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infection


UNLABELLED
Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in humans affecting 103 countries worldwide.

AIMS
The present study aims to determine the diagnostic utility of cell counter data--hemoglobin, total leukocyte count, platelet count and depolarized laser light (DLL)-based purple-coded events (PCEs) in detection of acute malaria. This is a retrospective study of 523 patient data that came for complete blood count for the first time.

RESULTS
One hundred thirty-five of the 523 patients showed microscopic evidence of malaria. Platelet count showed the highest sensitivity of 77.77% (105/135). PCEs (> or = 1) showed 43.7% (59/135) sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that a low platelet count (< 150 x 109/L) is a good hematological parameter for presumptive diagnosis of malaria. If we change the cut-off for PCEs from > or = 1 to > or = 2, the sensitivity would be 56.29% (76/135) and the specificity would be 94.58% (367/388), respectively. The sensitivity of DLL was low, particularly with a low parasitic index (PI). The number of PCEs does not correlate with the PI. The cut-off number of PCEs in DLL-based malaria detection should be modified in highly endemic areas.


Cardiovascular responses to cold stress were investigated in hypertensive patients. There were few differences in the changes under cold stress of the serum catecholamine concentration between the juvenile group and middle-aged group. In the juvenile group, a remarkable increase in TPR was observed under cold stress, suggesting that the vascular reactivity is increased and at the same time the cardiac response to inotropic action was increased under cold stress. On the contrary, in the middle-aged group, there was less increase in TPR under cold stress and no increase in inotropic action was observed. From such results, hyperreactivity to stress in the cardiovascular system is thought to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. Such cardiovascular responses are seen more easily in juvenile hypertension or initial stage of essential hypertension. In the hypertensive patients after middle-age, organic changes will develop by the repeated pressure load to the cardiovascular system caused by various stimulations and the reactivity of cardiovascular system to stress becomes less manifest.


Two efficient methods to construct the indazole nucleus have been developed, both of which utilize palladium-catalyzed intramolecular carbon-nitrogen bond formation. One is based on intramolecular Buchwald-Hartwig amination reaction of 2-halobenzophenone tosylhydrazones. The catalyst system we developed for this reaction allows the cyclization to proceed under very mild conditions and thus could be applied to a wide range of substrates with acid- or base-sensitive functional groups. Furthermore, this methodology could be applied for the construction of benzoisoxazole ring system. In addition, catalytic C-H activation with palladium followed by intramolecular amination of benzophenone tosylhydrazones was also accomplished with the aid of the catalyst system such as Pd(OAc)(2)/Cu(OAc)(2)/AgOCOCF(3), which gave another route to indazoles. Using this combination, indazoles with various functional groups could be obtained in good to high yields, especially in the case of substrates having electron donating group such as methoxy group on benzene ring. Interesting chemo- and regioselectivity were also observed in this reaction.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
The effect of breast cancer cells on the normal function of osteoblasts remains unclear. This study was to investigate the effect of conditioned medium from two types of human breast cancer lines on osteoblastic proliferation, differentiation and mineralization.

METHODS
Fetal rat carvarial cells were treated with conditioned medium from MCF-7 estrogen-receptor(ER) positive, or MDA-MB-231 ER negative, breast cancer cells. Proliferation was measured by MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was assessed by the p-nitrophenyl phosphate (PNPP) method, and mineralized nodules were confirmed by alizarin red S (ARS) staining and the area of bone nodules was measured to observe the mineralization capacity.

RESULTS
When osteoblasts were treated with conditioned medium from MDA-MB-231 or MCF-7, the cells became long and spindle-like, assumed a fibroblastic morphology. Conditioned medium from breast cancer cells inhibited proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, compared with those cultured with vehicle control medium. The proliferation inhibition rates of culture with 50% conditioned medium from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells on osteoblasts were 18.1%, 13.0%, 19.2%, 19.3% and 15.8%, 20.8%, 33.9%, 28.7% on day 1, day 3, day 5, and day 7, respectively (P<0.01). Moreover, incubation with conditioned medium inhibited ALP activity and bone-nodule formation of osteoblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of 50% conditioned medium from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells inhibited ALP activity by 31.9% and 47.5% (P<0.01), and diminished the area of bone nodules by 89% and 74%, respectively, compared with the vehicle control group.

CONCLUSION
Breast cancer cells inhibit proliferation, decrease ALP activity and disrupt the mineralization process of osteoblasts.


The current spatial heterogeneity of the localisation of research personnel and mutual spatial influences between the main centres of its concentration and neighbouring regions in Central Russia, according to the hypothesis, lead to its further growth in these centres. The present paper assessed the localisation of research personnel using spatial autocorrelation analysis. The spatial interactions between regions were analysed by the method of Anselin, considering various systems for measuring distances. The Granger test was applied to confirm the presence of the established interactions. Additionally, the study built regression models of interregional spatial interactions, assessed the concentration of factors for the development of research personnel in Russian regions and examined relevant efficiency indicators. As a result, the following mutual spatial influences in Russia were determined: between Moscow city and Saint Petersburg, Tver, Bryansk and Vladimir oblasts; between Moscow and Ivanovo, Vladimir, Oryol oblasts and the Chuvash Republic; between Nizhny Novgorod and Tula oblasts; between Saint Petersburg and Tambov, Bryansk, Vladimir, Smolensk and Yaroslavl oblasts. Spatial interactions between the regions of the Ural, Volga and Siberian districts were not identified. This result, along with the increasing dynamics of the concentration of research and development human resources in the central regions, contributes to the deepening of spatial heterogeneity of research personnel in Russia. About 65% of all research personnel in Russia are located in 22 regions, and only 4 regions (cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod oblasts) have spatial interactions with the neighbouring regions. 60.5% of research and development human resources are concentrated there. The findings can be used to develop mechanisms for reducing the spatial heterogeneity of the development of research personnel in Russia.


Insofar as slip in an earthquake is related to the strain accumulated near a fault since a previous earthquake, and this process repeats many times, the earthquake cycle approximates an autonomous oscillator. Its asymmetric slow accumulation of strain and rapid release is quite unlike the harmonic motion of a pendulum and need not be time predictable, but still resembles a class of repeating systems known as integrate‐and‐fire oscillators, whose behavior has been shown to demonstrate a remarkable ability to synchronize to either external or self‐organized forcing. Given sufficient time and even very weak physical coupling, the phases of sets of such oscillators, with similar though not necessarily identical period, approach each other. Topological and time series analyses presented here demonstrate that earthquakes worldwide show evidence of such synchronization. Though numerous studies demonstrate that the composite temporal distribution of major earthquakes in the instrumental record is indistinguishable from random, the additional consideration of event renewal interval serves to identify earthquake groupings suggestive of synchronization that are absent in synthetic catalogs. We envisage the weak forces responsible for clustering originate from lithospheric strain induced by seismicity itself, by finite strains over teleseismic distances, or by other sources of lithospheric loading such as Earth's variable rotation. For example, quasi‐periodic maxima in rotational deceleration are accompanied by increased global seismicity at multidecadal intervals.


The CAR T-cell therapy axicabtagene ciloleucel induced a median overall survival of 25.8 months for patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma.


This article discusses active control of parametrically excited systems. Parametric resonance is observed in a wide range of applications and can lead to high levels of unwanted motion. For example, in cable-stayed bridges, the vibration of the deck excites the cables axially, inducing a periodically time-varying tension. If the frequency of deck vibration is about twice the natural frequency of the cable, a parametric resonance occurs and leads to a large-amplitude swinging motion of the cable. To tackle the consequences of parametric instability, active vibration control employing a piezoelectric actuator is proposed in this article. We consider a beam subjected to an axial harmonic load that represents a parametrically excited system with a periodically varying stiffness. Using both analytical and experimental methods, we assess the stability of the beam and propose active control aimed at relocating the transition curves and hence stabilising the system via velocity feedback and pole placement. Analytical relationship between the transition curves and the poles of the system is derived. Transition curves can be assigned to a prescribed location using appropriate velocity and displacement control gains. Finally, we demonstrate the proposed approach with experiments on a beam equipped with a macro fibre composite patch.


The lives we live are woven around the stories we tell. This is true of programmers as of all humans. Now the greatest of all stories are origin stories. In a first part, I will examine the origin stories of software, from simple tales of software creation to elaborate theories of software evolution. As I do, I will relate these stories to the tools they explain and the technological realities we bring about by following them. In a second part, I will conclude by reflecting on storytelling, on the progression of the above stories, and on what lies beyond. Stories are fun! And they subtly inform us. Let me tell you a good story...


I will describe briefly some mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardii which are unable to form a complete flagellum. Eight flagella-less, six stumpy and eleven short flagellum mutants have been studied. Flagella-less mutants are shown to have a normal basal body when examined in the electron microscope. The transitional region, characterized by the presence of a densely staining cylinder with the appearance in longitudinal section of a letter H, is also present (figure 39, plate 12). Outer flagellar tubules extend from the basal body into the transitional region and terminate at its distal end. In transverse sections through the transitional region the outer tubules often appear poorly formed and in some cases incomplete. The 9 + 2 axoneme is completely absent, and the flagellum only extends part way through the tunnel in the cell wall and is thus not visible in the light microscope. These mutants appear to have some abnormality in the structure or assembly of the transitional region which prevents the further development of the external flagellum. Stumpy mutants have flagella less than 1 μ m long from the distal end of the transitional region cylinder. At the tip, the membrane is distended, and the enlarged space between the membrane and the outer axoneme tubules is filled with electron dense material (figures 40, 41, plate 12). This sometimes appears in the form of ribbons in both longitudinal and transverse sections suggesting that it may occur in sheets. It may represent tubule material which failed to become incorporated into organized tubules. The 9 + 2 array of tubules may appear normal as in figure 41, but more frequently some of the individual tubules appear poorly formed or incomplete and the whole array is distorted. No abnormalities are seen in the basal body and transitional regions.


"Memories: A World Tour" takes you on a fascinating journey back through time to a pre-globalised world where regional customs and national cultures were as distinctive as they were diverse. From the bustling streets of Victorian London and the ruins of ancient Egypt to the temples of Japan and the tribesmen of New Guinea, this publication explores the world through a captivating collection of over 800 magic lantern slide images. From the 1870s to the 1930s, photographic magic lantern slide shows were a popular, entertaining and educative way for people to learn about the world beyond their own shores. From Cairo and Delhi to Adelaide and Cape Town, intrepid photographers travelled to all corners of the world to document its peoples and customs. For the first time these images have been brought together in a single publication and the result is a beautiful yet poignant echo of a lost world that at the same time conveys a powerful sense of shared humanity. "Memories: A World Tour" is an important primary source of historical information, which precisely and beautifully documents what the world was like before the advent of television and mass-travel.


In this paper, we propose a novel method called Rotational Region CNN (R2CNN) for detecting arbitrary-oriented texts in natural scene images. The framework is based on Faster R-CNN [1] architecture. First, we use the Region Proposal Network (RPN) to generate axis-aligned bounding boxes that enclose the texts with different orientations. Second, for each axis-aligned text box proposed by RPN, we extract its pooled features with different pooled sizes and the concatenated features are used to simultaneously predict the text/non-text score, axis-aligned box and inclined minimum area box. At last, we use an inclined non-maximum suppression to get the detection results. Our approach achieves competitive results on text detection benchmarks: ICDAR 2015 and ICDAR 2013.


This study relies heavily on World Fertility Survey and Demographic and Health Surveys data to examine recent trends and determinants of contraceptive use in five Latin American countries: Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru. These countries experienced a substantial increase in contraceptive prevalence in the inter-survey period. Within countries, however, the increase was not equally shared by all social and demographic groups. The study found that relatively disadvantaged groups experienced greater gains in contraceptive use. Despite the prevailing tendency towards convergence, wide differentials in contraceptive behavior among social sectors still persist. A decomposition analysis based on logistic regression revealed that certain shifts in the population composition--i.e., increased proportion of urban and better educated women and a growing proportion of mothers who want to discontinue child-bearing--contributed substantially to the aggregate increase in contraceptive prevalence in most countries. Structural changes, understood as changes in the relations between the explanatory variables and the likelihood of using contraception, were also found to play a significant role in contraceptive use trends, particularly in Colombia.


Substantial concentrations of penicillin V potassium (PVK) have been found in the environment, which may pose potential threats to human health and contribute to the emergence of penicillin-resistant bacterial strains. In this study, antibiotic-degrading bacterial strains for PVK were isolated from sludge and characterized. Ochrobactrum tritici was selected for the biodegradation of PVK with high efficiency. To enhance its PVK degradation ability, a whole-cell biodegradation process was established and optimized using Ochrobactrum tritici. The degradation rate with 0.5 mg/ml PVK reached 100% within 3 h. The potential biodegradation pathway was also investigated. To the best of our knowledge, the present study provides new insights into the biodegradation of PVK using an Ochrobactrum tritici strain, a promising candidate strain for the industrial biodegradation of β-lactam antibiotics. ABSTRACT Substantial concentrations of penicillin V potassium (PVK) have been found in livestock manure, soil, and wastewater effluents, which may pose potential threats to human health and contribute to the emergence of penicillin-resistant bacterial strains. In this study, bacterial strains capable of degrading PVK were isolated from sludge and characterized. Strain X-2 was selected for biodegradation of PVK. Based on morphological observations and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, strain X-2 was identified as an Ochrobactrum tritici strain. To enhance the PVK degradation ability of PVK, a whole-cell biodegradation process of Ochrobactrum tritici X-2 was established and optimized. In the whole-cell biodegradation process, the optimal temperature and pH were 30°C and 7.0, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the degradation rate using 0.5 mg/ml PVK reached 100% within 3 h. During biodegradation, two major metabolites were detected: penicilloic acid and phenolic acid. The present study provides a novel method for the biodegradation of PVK using Ochrobactrum tritici strains, which represent promising candidates for the industrial biodegradation of PVK. IMPORTANCE Substantial concentrations of penicillin V potassium (PVK) have been found in the environment, which may pose potential threats to human health and contribute to the emergence of penicillin-resistant bacterial strains. In this study, antibiotic-degrading bacterial strains for PVK were isolated from sludge and characterized. Ochrobactrum tritici was selected for the biodegradation of PVK with high efficiency. To enhance its PVK degradation ability, a whole-cell biodegradation process was established and optimized using Ochrobactrum tritici. The degradation rate with 0.5 mg/ml PVK reached 100% within 3 h. The potential biodegradation pathway was also investigated. To the best of our knowledge, the present study provides new insights into the biodegradation of PVK using an Ochrobactrum tritici strain, a promising candidate strain for the industrial biodegradation of β-lactam antibiotics.


OBJECTIVE
Determination of ventricular filling volumes with the use of Doppler echocardiographic measurements critically depends on the presence of a circular-shaped flow area and a flat velocity profile across it because evaluation of flow volume is usually based on echocardiographic measurements of its diameter and pulsed Doppler recordings within the center of this area. The approach may be limited at the mitral and tricuspid ring levels as a result of their noncircular shape and because nonflat velocity profiles are present. The purpose of this study was to examine in a pulsatile flow model simulating ventricular inflow conditions the accuracy of an automated method based on the analysis of color Doppler flow velocities for evaluation of flow volumes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A recently-developed automated Doppler method that takes into account the velocity distribution across a region of interest was examined in a pulsatile flow model by using flows with waveforms characteristic for ventricular inflow through tubes with elliptically-shaped cross-sectional areas. Color Doppler imaging was performed against flow direction along the major and minor axes of the tubes with major diameters ranging between 3 and 5 cm and major-to-minor diameter ratios of 1.5 and 2.0.

RESULTS
A close correlation was found between flow volumes measured by the Doppler technique for registrations along the minor or major axis of the ellipses and actual values (r = 0.99, standard error of the estimate = 0.44 to 1.98 mL), with a systematic underestimation or overestimation, respectively, depending on the diameter ratio. Averaging of the data derived from 2 orthogonal measurements by using the geometric mean value yielded an excellent agreement between Doppler data and actual flow volumes.

CONCLUSION
This automated color Doppler method enables reliable determination of flow volumes in a pulsatile flow model simulating ventricular inflow conditions with the use of 2 orthogonal imaging views. The data indicate that the method may improve the noninvasive evaluation of ventricular filling volumes.


The purpose of this study is to investigate the complementary relationship between networks and organizational innovation (OI) activities. This empirical study uses mainly probit and OLS estimation methods on 1760 Chilean SMEs. The regression analysis reveals that market- related networks (with customers, suppliers and competitors) positively influence the SMEs OI performance. Moreover, a complementary relationship between market-related networks and OI is found. This indicates that market-related networks and OI are economic activities that are highly interrelated and significantly improve the SMEs performance. Overall, the findings suggest that Chilean SMEs are engaged in market-related networks than through networks with technological institutions for improving OI and productivity performance. This indicates that higher cost of innovation; skills shortage and lack of access to credit reduce OI and productivity performance. The policy implications of this empirical study are that Chilean SMEs need to develop strong linkages to market-related agents (e.g., customers, suppliers) and with technological institutions (e.g., universities) for higher OI and productivity performance.JEL Codes: JELO3


We thank all authors for the six commentaries on 'Depression: Why Drugs and Electricity are not the Answer' (Read & Moncrieff, 2022). We are sorry we cannot address all their points in the space available. Pariante quotes from Hippocrates: 'from the brain and from the brain only arise our pleasures, joys, laughter and jests as well as our sorrows, pains, grieves and tears' (Hippocrates goes on to suggest that madness arises from excessive 'moistness' of the brain). This biological reductionism is a contentious position that is central, with varying subtly, to the commentaries by Aftab et al., Meechan et al., Pariante, and Goldberg and Nasrallah, exemplified by the latter's description of depression as a 'potentially fatal brain syndrome'.


A common mechanism to ensure cache coherence is to issue snoop requests to all processors to check for the presence of cached data. Since most of snoop requests result in misses in caches and waste a lot of power, snoop filters are widely used to filter out unnecessary snoop requests to reduce power consumption. However, snoop filters also suffer from the similar problem that the false positive predictions consume a large amount of power. Substantially, designing an efficient snoop filter has to make tradeoff decisions between the filter rate and hardware cost. Traditionally, the snoop filter rate can be improved by increasing the memory capacity of snoop filters, but results in the burden of hardware overhead. In this paper, we propose an efficient adaptive mechanism to improve the filter rate of snoop filters by duplicating multiple copies of small snoop filters and distributing cache tags evenly to the duplicated copies according to the analytics of page tables. Experimental results show that the adaptive mechanism applied to JETTY snoop filters achieves an average of 19.17% and 76.1% improvement in the filter rate and memory reduction for the Splash 2 benchmarks, respectively.


In this paper, plastic behavior and plastic strength of cruciform fillet welded joint under tension is investigated by finite element method. Attension is focussed, in particular, on the effect of geometry of fillet weld including its contour, size and penetration. And the approximate analysis of welded joint have been carried out from a simple model constructed by three zone, ie, base metal, heat affected zone, and weld metal.


ABSTRACT Transcriptional mechanisms remain poorly understood in trypanosomatid protozoa. In particular, there is no knowledge about the function of basal transcription factors, and there is an apparent rarity of promoters for protein-coding genes transcribed by RNA polymerase (Pol) II. Here we describe a Trypanosoma brucei factor related to the TATA-binding protein (TBP). Although this TBP-related factor (TBP-related factor 4 [TRF4]) has about 31% identity to the TBP core domain, several key residues involved in TATA box binding are not conserved. Depletion of the T. brucei TRF4 (TbTRF4) by RNA interference revealed an essential role in RNA Pol I, II, and III transcription. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we further showed that TRF4 is recruited to the Pol I-transcribed procyclic acidic repetitive genes, Pol II-transcribed spliced leader RNA genes, and Pol III-transcribed U-snRNA and 7SL RNA genes, thus supporting a role for TbTRF4 in transcription performed by all three nuclear RNA polymerases. Finally, a search for TRF4 binding sites in the T. brucei genome led to the identification of such sites in the 3′ portion of certain protein-coding genes, indicating a unique aspect of Pol II transcription in these organisms.


This study primarily aimed to compare the incidence of asthma between breastfed and bottle-fed children. And to determine if the demographic characteristics such as age, sex, ordinal position in the family and familial history of asthma affect the incidence of asthma as well. This study used Comparative-Survey Design through self-structured questionnaire given to the parents of the respondents who were the 3-7 year-old asthmatic children, selected through purposive sampling technique. The data gathered were then tabulated and analyzed using Chi-Square Method of Association. It was found out that most of the asthmatic respondents were between 5-7 years old which showed a high association between the age and the incidence of asthma. It implies that as the age increases, the incidence of asthma also increases. Results also showed that males are more likely to have high incidence of asthma than females. The incidence of asthma is likewise higher in eldest respondents than the middle or youngest. Moreover, there is a significant relationship between the familial history of asthma and its incidence. And finally, the feeding status of the respondents whether breastfed or bottle-fed during the first 6 months of life affects the incidence of asthma as the incidence is higher in bottle-fed than in breastfed respondents


The research aims to investigate the effects of natural and accelerated weathering on polyethylene-based films. At this regard, monolayer films of low density/linear low density polyethylene blends, containing commercially available organic pigments and an UV absorber of the benzophenone type, have been considered. The samples were weathered on field (natural weathering) or using two different artificial procedures: UV lamp and QUV chamber. Conditioned film samples were, then, analyzed by performing several physical tests taking as-received films as a reference. Rheological measurements showed an increase in viscosity of weathered sample melts as a consequence of photodegradation phenomena, inducing the formation of double bonds and crosslinks. This latter result was also confirmed by gel content measurements. UV–visible spectroscopic tests indicated that in both cases of natural and artificial weathering an increase of the transmittance of films occurred. Tensile tests indicated the increase of films stiffness, especially in case of samples conditioned using the UV lamp, and a large decrease of the strain at break, both in machine and in transverse directions, especially for film weathered using the QUV chamber. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013


The stratum corneum (SC), composed of corneocytes and intercellular lipid membranes, is the outermost layer of the epidermis, and its main function is the regulation of water loss from the skin. The major components of the SC lipid membranes are ceramides (CER), cholesterol (CHOL), and free fatty acids (FFA), which are organized in multilamellar structures between corneocytes. The intercellular SC lipid membrane is believed to provide the main pathway for the transport of water and other substances through the skin. While changes in the composition of the SC lipid membranes have been shown to affect the organization of the lipid molecules, little is known about the effect of compositional changes on their water permeability. In this work, we study the effect of membrane composition on the water permeability of model SC lipid membranes using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). The QCM-D method enables the direct determination of the diffusivity (D), solubility (S), and permeability (P) of water through the model SC lipid membranes. We find that D and S weakly depend on the chain length of saturated fatty acids, while P shows no significant dependence. In contrast, the saturation level of free fatty acids and the structure of ceramide have significant influence on D and S, respectively, resulting in significant changes in P. By taking advantage of the dissipation monitoring capability of the QCM-D at multiple overtones, we find that the shear modulus (G) of the SC lipid membranes depends on its composition and decreases upon water absorption by the membranes.


This paper is devoted to a spectral description of wave propagation phenomena in conservative unbounded media, or, more precisely, the fact that a time-dependent wave can often be represented by a continuous superposition of time-harmonic waves. We are concerned here with the question of the perturbation of such a generalized eigenfunction expansion in the context of scattering problems: if such a property holds for a free situation, i.e. an unperturbed propagative medium, what does it become under perturbation, i.e. in the presence of scatterers? The question has been widely studied in many particular situations. The aim of this paper is to collect some of them in an abstract framework and exhibit sufficient conditions for a perturbation result. We investigate the physical meaning of these conditions which essentially consist in, on the one hand, a stable limiting absorption principle for the free problem, and on the other hand, a compactness (or short-range) property of the perturbed problem. This approach is illustrated by the scattering of linear water waves by a floating body. The above properties are obtained with the help of integral representations, which allow us to deduce the asymptotic behaviour of time-harmonic waves from that of the Green function of the free problem. The results are not new: the main improvement lies in the structure of the proof, which clearly distinguishes the properties related to the free problem from those which involve the perturbation.


Biochar (BC) amendments might decrease the bioavailability of metals in soils that are contaminated with heavy metals. In general, soil microbial communities are sensitive to changes in soil property changes. Microbial communities were tested in a Cd- and Pb-polluted paddy field in southern China. BC was applied as a basal soil amendment before rice transplantation in 2009. The BC was applied at rates of 0, 10, 20, and 40 tons per hectare. Soil heavy metal fractions with sequential extraction procedure, soil microorganisms, and enzymes were monitored in 2011. The soil pH and soil organic carbon (SOC) were significantly increased by 2% to 5% and 16% to 51% under BC amendment, respectively. Compared to the non-BC treatment, the cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) acid-soluble fraction concentrations were significantly decreased by 15.3% to 26.7% and 18.2% to 30.9%. The Cd and Pb reducible fraction were decreased by 13.5% to 25.6% and 21.9% to 23.53%.The Cd and Pb oxidizable fraction by 15.4% to 69.2% and 22.7% to 29.3% with BC application, respectively. The populations of actinomycetes and fungi were increased by 19.0% to 38.5% and 3.7 to 9.3 times, respectively. Meanwhile, BC significantly increased the cellulose, urine enzyme, neutral phosphatase, and sucrase activities by 117.4% to 178.3%, 31.1% to 37.6%, 29.7% to 193.8%, and 36.5% to 328.6%, respectively. BC amendment offers a basic option to reduce Cd and Pb bioavailability and change the fractions. The BC also increases microorganism quantity and soil enzyme activity.


With Express Lane Eligibility (ELE), a state's Medicaid and CHIP programs can rely on another agency's eligibility findings to qualify children for health coverage. This report examines Louisiana's experience with ELE, finding that Louisiana increased children's coverage and saved significant administrative costs. The first state to implement ELE's auto-enrollment option, Louisiana found that almost the same percentage of children obtained care, whether they enrolled (1) via standard Medicaid methods or (2) via ELE, with parents who consented to enrollment by accessing services. When the state changed procedures and required parents to consent by checking a box, enrollment declined by 62%.


Conducting research on anxiety disorders among African American children and adolescents, prior to the early 1990s was considered an "orphan area" of psychology. The articles in this section, first authored by a new generation of researchers, appear to set a direction for future research. The findings underscore the importance of including culturally relevant variables in the assessment of African American children's anxiety and its disorders.


The trauma of forced migration is not only detrimental for the victims themselves, but can overcast subsequent generations as well. This article examines the role of the family narrative in the case of Polish deportees and their descendants. Drawing upon Aleida and Jan Assmann's concepts of communicative and cultural memory, I address how the development of self-construction and identity of the second generation was impeded by their parents' difficulties to verbalize a traumatic past. I argue that aside from the communicative memory, the cultural memory of this group was affected as well as their experiences of victimization were politically and socially not recognized.


We study the separation process of gaseous H2O/CH4 mixtures using nanoporous graphene membranes via molecular dynamics simulations. We run the simulation in an equilibrium system 10 times with different initial atomic velocities to overcome the inefficiency brought by the low pressure of the system. The results show that the H2O molecules can permeate the graphene membrane with a linearly time-dependent crossing number. The permeance of the H2O molecules reaches to 9.5×10−4 mol/m2sPa, far exceeding that of the polymer gas separation membranes. High selectivity of H2O over CH4 is also observed. In summary, this study demonstrates that the specific NPG cloud be adopted as an efficient membrane in natural gas dehydration.Copyright © 2016 by ASME


Abstract An adaptable method of computing muscle co-activity is presented. Instantaneous muscle activities from multiple muscles are reduced into commonality and activity level dimensions. Both dimensions are weighted independently and combined into a co-activation measure, Φ. Myoelectric data from relaxed and braced simulated rear vehicle impacts were used to compare Φ to two existing co-activity measures in muscle pair and multi-muscle cases, Φ showed greater sensitivity in the muscle pair case and could better discriminate the relaxed and braced conditions in the multi-muscle case than previous measures. The flexibility of Φ allowed tailoring to reflect the current purpose.


The spectrometer SPI, one of the two main instruments of the INTEGRAL spacecraft, has strong capabilities in the field of Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB)detections. In its 16° field of view (FoV) SPI is able to trigger and to localize GRBs. With its large anticoincidence shield (ACS) of 512 kg of BGO crystals SPI is able to detect GRBs quasi omnidirectionally with a very high sensitivity. The ACS GRB alerts will provide GRB arrival times with high accuracy but with no or very rough positional information. The expected GRB detection rate in SPI's FoV will be one per month and for the ACS around 300 per year. At MPE two SPI software contributions to the real-time INTEGRAL burst-alert system (IBAS) at the INTEGRAL science data centre ISDC have been developed. The SPI-ACS branch of IBAS will produce burst alerts and light-curves with 50 ms resolution. It is planned to use ACS burst alerts in the 3rd interplanetary network. The SPI-FoV branch of IBAS is currently under development at MPE. The system is using the energy and timing information of single and multiple events detected by the Germanium-camera of SPI. Using the imaging algorithm developed at the University of Birmingham the system is expected to locate strong bursts with an accuracy of better than 1°.


A fuzzy modeling method for complex systems is studied. The notation of general stochastic neural network (GSNN) is presented and a new modeling method is given based on the combination of the modified Takagi and Sugeno's(MTS) fuzzy model and one-order GSNN. Using expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm, parameter estimation and model selection procedures are given. It avoids the shortcomings brought by other methods such as BP algorithm, when the number of parameters is large, BP algorithm is still difficult to apply directly without fine tuning and subjective tinkering. Finally, the simulated example demonstrates the effectiveness.


Cation vacancies like V-Ga, V-Al and their complexes with oxygen are predicted to be abundant in III-nitrides and to play an important role in nonradiative recombination. Appearing in triple or double negatively charged states, they are not paramagnetic and have not so far been detected by magnetic resonance even under illumination. In this Brief Report, we demonstrate an efficient way to make cation vacancy defects in GaN detectable by electron paramagnetic resonance and present our identification of the VGaON pair in GaN which is the model material for the III-nitrides and their alloys.


BACKGROUND
The spatial QRS-T angle describes the relation between ventricular depolarization and repolarization. Having a wide (abnormal) angle is considered an important predictor of arrhythmic events. Given the high incidence of sudden cardiac death in dialysis patients, this parameter is of particular interest in this patient group. The objective of this study was to assess the association of (modifiable) echocardiographic parameters and an abnormal spatial QRS-T angle in dialysis patients.

METHODS
A total of 94 consecutive dialysis patients were included. In all patients a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), a two-dimensional echocardiogram and routine blood samples were obtained. The spatial QRS-T angle was then calculated from the 12-lead ECG. An abnormal spatial QRS-T angle was defined as ≥130° in males and ≥116° in females.

RESULTS
An abnormal spatial QRS-T angle was present in 27 (29%) patients. Patients with an abnormal spatial angle had a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 47 ± 7 versus 55 ± 6% (P < 0.001) and had a higher left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony, with a septal to lateral (S-L) delay of peak systolic velocity of 70 inter quartile range (iIQR) (40, 100) ms versus 30 IQR (10, 70) ms (P = 0.001), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for possible confounders demonstrated that LVEF [odds ratio (OR) 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72-0.93, P = 0.001] and LV dyssynchrony (OR 1.19 per 10 ms; 95% CI 1.03-1.38, P = 0.02) were independent determinants of an abnormal spatial QRS-T angle in this patient group.

CONCLUSIONS
LVEF and dyssynchrony are echocardiographic determinants of an abnormal spatial QRS-T angle in dialysis patients and might therefore represent a potential target for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in these patients.


Object detection is essential to many perception algorithms used in modern robotics applications. Unfortunately, the existing models share a tendency to assign high confidence scores for out-of-distribution (OOD) samples. Although OOD detection has been extensively studied in recent years by the computer vision (CV) community, most proposed solutions apply only to the image recognition task. Real-world applications such as perception in autonomous vehicles struggle with far more complex challenges than classification. In our work, we focus on the prevalent field of object detection, introducing Neuron Activation PaTteRns for out-of-distribution samples detection in Object detectioN (NAPTRON). Performed experiments show that our approach outperforms state-of-the-art methods, without the need to affect in-distribution (ID) performance. By evaluating the methods in two distinct OOD scenarios and three types of object detectors we have created the largest open-source benchmark for OOD object detection.


Ice naturally forms in the disordered or ``amorphous'' state when accreted from vapor at temperatures and pressures found in the interstellar medium and in the frigid, low density outer regions of the Sun's protoplanetary disk. It is therefore the expected form of ice in comets and other primitive bodies that have escaped substantial heating since formation. Despite expectations, however, the observational evidence for amorphous ice in comets remains largely indirect. This is both because the spectral features of amorphous ice are subtle and because the solar system objects for which we possess high quality data are mostly too close to the Sun and too hot for amorphous ice to survive near the surface, where it can be detected. This chapter reviews the properties of amorphous ice, the evidence for its existence and its consequences for the behavior of comets.


The runtime for Kernel Partial Least Squares (KPLS) to compute the flt is quadratic in the number of examples. However, the necessity of obtaining sensitivity measures as degrees of freedom for model selection or confldence intervals for more detailed analysis requires cubic runtime, and thus constitutes a computational bottleneck in real-world data analysis. We propose a novel algorithm for KPLS which not only computes (a) the flt, but also (b) its approximate degrees of freedom and (c) error bars in quadratic runtime. The algorithm exploits a close connection between Kernel PLS and the Lanczos algorithm for approximating the eigenvalues of symmetric matrices, and uses this approximation to compute the trace of powers of the kernel matrix in quadratic runtime.


Postural instability marks one of the most disabling features of Parkinson's disease (PD), but only reveals itself after affected brain areas have already been significantly damaged. Thus, there is a need to detect deviations in balance and postural control before visible symptoms occur. In this study, we visually perturbed balance in the anterior-posterior direction using sinusoidal oscillations of a moving room in virtual reality at different frequencies. We tested three groups: individuals with PD under dopaminergic medication, an age-matched control group, and a group of young healthy adults. We tracked their centre of pressure and their full-body motion. We investigated sway amplitudes and applied newly introduced phase-locking analyses to investigate responses across participants' bodies. Patients exhibited significantly higher sway amplitudes as compared to the control subjects. However, their sway was phase-locked to the visual motion like that of age-matched and young healthy adults. Furthermore, all groups successfully compensated for the visual perturbation by – most likely reflexively - phase-locking their sway to the stimulus. As frequency of the perturbation increased, distribution of phase-locking (PL) across the body revealed a shift of the highest PL-values from the upper body towards the hip-region for young healthy adults, which could not be observed in patients and elderly healthy adults. Our findings suggest an impaired neuromuscular stability, but intact visuomotor processing in early stages of PD, while less flexibility to adapt postural strategy to different perturbations revealed to be an effect of age rather than disease. New & Noteworthy A better understanding of visuomotor control in Parkinson's disease (PD) potentially serves as a tool for earlier diagnosis, which is crucial for improving patient's quality of life. In our study, we assess body sway responses to visual perturbations of the balance control system in patients with early-to-mid stage PD, using motion tracking along with recently established phase-locking techniques. Our findings suggest patients at this stage to have an impaired muscular stability but intact visuomotor control.


A CMOS 80-400MHz fifth order Chebyshev Gm-C low pass filter with a unique auto tuning system is presented. Both Gm and C are tuned digitally leading to a 5X tuning range. A digital magnitude-locked loop liked tuning system is proposed. The tuning system uses a digital calibration scheme, broadening the tuning range dramatically. A fifth order Chebyshev Gm-C filter with the proposed auto tuning system was designed with TSMC 0.13µm RF CMOS process for verification. Measurement results show that the cut-off frequency of the filter can be tuned between 80-400MHz, with an average tuning error of no larger than 3.6%. The dynamic range of the filter for THD less than 1% is 60dB. The power dissipation is only 5.5mW with 1.2V supply voltage.


A Wearable microwave head imaging is proposed for medical application, namely stroke and cancer detection. The wearable device in a hat-like structure incorporates an array of flexible ultra-wideband antenna. The characterization and assessment of a custom-made composite substrate using a flexible polymer poly-di-methyl-siloxane(PDMS) and magnetite iron oxide (FeO.Fe2O3) for wearable head imaging systems is presented. Micro-scale FeO.Fe2O3 particles are homogenously combined with PDMS in different ratios to build the flexible engineered magneto-dielectric (MD) composite substrate. Besides the low cost, fabrication simplicity, and durability, the magnetite FeO.Fe2O3 particles can be used to control the relative permittivity and permeability over a wide range of values to suit the proposed application. The permittivity ,permeability and losses of the developed substrate are extracted using a custom-made 2-port multilayer microstrip transmission line test fixture with the help of conformal mapping algorithms. Our proposed design has been designed and analyzed using HFSS tool.


Universal design (UD) of ICT is about creating solutions that are usable and accessible for as many end-users as possible. Currently, agile development is a common approach in ICT-projects. This article investigates the challenges for ensuring UD in agile ICT-projects. We propose the term «agile universal design»(AUD)to denote UD in agile ICT-projects. Through a scoping review, we find that traditional user-centered and quality control activities may be seen as disruptive in the agile process. On the other hand, promotion of stakeholders and user involvement throughout the development process and in all phases fit well with UD approaches. Seven practical AUD challenges are identified and point to the fact that securing high quality usability aspects for users with a diverse set of needs require more than limited early attention followed by mere sporadic user focus. We find main AUD issues to be: a) capturing, communicating, keeping track of and quality assure requirements from stakeholders and users in the process towards developing a final solution, b) balance time spent on user-involved activities with development activities. The article discusses the challenges and the need for more research on AU methodology


Depending on the circumstances, an IgG4 antibody response could have consequences which are either detrimental or beneficial for health. Because of its role in allergic disease and its modulatory effect on other immunoglobulin classes (IgE in particular) and subclasses, IgG4 will continue to be the subject of intensive research. There is, however, an urgent need to develop reagents which would render the detection of IgG4 variants 'a' and 'b' routine, so that their biological and antibody characteristics could be understood.


Conservation policy and practices over the past few decades have strongly emphasised the linkages between rural poverty and environmental degradation and, more specifically, the importance of reconciling the socio-economic needs and expectations of local communities with the objectives of biodiversity conservation and protected-areas management. Several international agencies and organisations, including the World Bank, World Wide Fund for Nature, The World Conservation Union, USAID and United Nations agencies, have come out in support of the idea that biodiversity-conservation programmes should take into account the socio-economic needs of the local population. Protected areas are thus increasingly expected to cross the boundaries of conventional biodiversity protection and take their place on the national development agenda by contributing to poverty reduction among rural communities adjacent to parks and reserves. In fact, over the past two decades or more, there has been growing recognition in conservation circles that national parks and other protected areas cannot be managed successfully without consideration for the subsistence and economic requirements of their neighbouring communities (Hulme & Murphree, 2001; Kothari et al., 1998; Naughton-Treves, 2005; World Parks Congress, 2003). With world leaders and development agencies increasingly coming out in support of poverty-alleviation initiatives, and the Millennium Development Goals – particularly the first of the eight goals – that aim to curb poverty significantly by 2015, it is important to understand and assess the role that protected areas may potentially play in this endeavour. This chapter explores one example of how a national park in the Free State Province of South Africa has reached out to its neighbouring communities in an attempt to channel conservation benefits to the local people and thereby to address some of the developmental needs of the population in the surrounding areas. More specifically, the chapter distils some of the key findings and lessons derived from a poverty-alleviation project at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park – a project that operates under the banner of the People and Parks Programme of South African National Parks (SANParks) and attempts to involve neighbouring communities in the conservation of biodiversity in a mutually beneficial fashion. The People and Parks Programme embodies the new policy framework of conservation authorities in South Africa – a policy that represents a significant change in philosophy from the conventional protectionist and fortress approach to conservation. In


This paper traverses the optimal design approach of high order FIR digital filters based on the parallel algorithm of neural networks, which its activation matrix is produced by cosine basis functions. The main idea is to minimize the sum of the square errors between the amplitude response of the desired FIR filter and that of the designed by training the weight vector of neural networks, then obtaining the impulse response of FIR digital filter. The convergence theorem of the neural-network parallel algorithm is presented and proved, and the optimal design approach is introduced by examples of 2000th order FIR digital filters. The results of the amplitude responses show that attenuation in stop-band is more than 230 dB with no ripple and pulse existing in pass-band, and cutoff frequency of pass-band and stop-band is easily controlled precisely. Therefore, the presented optimal design approach of high order FIR digital filters is significantly effective


This book is a multipurpose text that can be used in any class with a focus on comparative legal systems for corporations, taught in the U.S. or abroad. It contains cases, statutes, analysis and readings, the majority of which are from foreign jurisdictions. It also has extensive notes and questions. The focus is primarily on the U.S., U.K., major European continental civil law systems (France, Germany, Italy) and European Union law, and Japan; with references to other jurisdictions such as China, India and Brazil. In addition to law schools, the book may also appeal to non-law school professors of business administration, economics, and political science. In setting out to produce a casebook to meet the needs of students in different legal systems and on both introductory and advanced courses, make a contribution to scholarly debates and address practical and policy concerns, the authors set themselves ambitious goals, which they have amply achieved. This methodologically rigorous, insightful and stimulating book is rich in technical content but details are never allowed to obscure the main questions. The distinguished authors wear their scholarship lightly and the book is written in an admirably clear and accessible style. This book is a major addition to the growing literature on comparative corporate law and it is destined to shape the way we think about and teach the subject. Eilis Ferran, Professor of Company and Securities Law, Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge Corporate law rules vary considerably around the world, and there is much that students of corporate law can learn from a comparative analysis of how different systems deal with similar problems. This casebook, co-authored by a group of experts with a rich set of perspectives, is thus a valuable and welcome addition to the literature. Lucian A. Bebchuk, Professor of Law, Economics and Finance, Director, Program on Corporate Governance, Harvard Law School This excellent book is a welcome addition to the still relatively sparse comparative corporate law literature. It is a wonderful teaching resource and a useful reference for the scholar. Tan Cheng Han, Professor of Law and Chairman, Centre for Law & Business, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore [Comparative Corporate Law by Ventoruzzo and others] is both comprehensive and readily understandable. I think it will be a significant addition to both the literature and teaching material on comparative corporate governance. Martin Lipton, Founding Partner, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz In-house counsels of firms operating internationally will find the book a practical and useful tool. Your own corporate issues aren't so unique after all, learning how others have approached theirs, across the world, is both instructive and refreshing, a must read! Antonino Cusimano, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Directors, Telecom Italia The materials collected and translated in English are precious and fascinating for a broad and international audience. The richness of the book is not, however, only in the materials carefully selected and sewn together, but also in the stitches that fasten them: The introductions, notes and questions, economic insights and empirical data that connect the materials allow readers to consider the causes and consequences of different legal rules in different systems, and compare different regulatory strategies. Viviane Muller Prado, Professor of Corporate Law, Escloa de Direito, Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Sao Paulo, Brazil This book proves not only that corporate law is global, but also that a global approach is essential in order to understand the laws of different countries and how they interact. The book, innovative in both methodology and contents, will be indispensable for anyone who studies and practices corporate law. Guido Rossi, Professor of Law Emeritus, Bocconi University and Former Chairman of the Italian Stock Exchange Commission


In this paper we study the elementary amalgamation property (AP) and the joint embedding property (JEP) for intermediate logics. We point out the class of Kripke structures with elementary embedding can be viewed within abstract elementary class framework. Following this approach, both elementary AP and JEP can be consideredelementary class framework. Following this approach, both elementary AP and JEP can be considered quite naturally for intermediate logics. The main method for our investigations is the extension of Morleyization method from classical model theory to Kripke model theory. The almost-classical logic and almost-classical models have been defined. After verifying that the class of almost-classical models forms an abstract elementary class, we, furthermore, prove that the almost-classical logic neither has the elementary AP nor JEP property. We finally give an example of a non-classical intermediate logic which extends the almost-classical logic and has both elementary


Distributive laws are a standard way of combining two monads, providing a
compositional approach for reasoning about computational effects in semantics.
Situations where no such law exists can sometimes be handled by weakening the
notion of distributive law, still recovering a composite monad. A celebrated
result from Eugenia Cheng shows that combining $n$ monads is possible by
iterating more distributive laws, provided they satisfy a coherence condition
called the Yang-Baxter equation. Moreover, the order of composition does not
matter, leading to a form of associativity. The main contribution of this paper
is to generalise the associativity of iterated composition to weak distributive
laws in the case of $n = 3$ monads. To this end, we use string-diagrammatic
notation, which significantly helps make increasingly complex proofs more
readable. We also provide examples of new weak distributive laws arising from
iteration.


Regional impacts assessment model is an indispensable tool for the study on environmental and economical change and the impacts on ecosystems. In this paper a regional impact assessment model AVIMia, which is an extended version of AVIM is designed. AVIMia is consists of two components: original AVIM (AtmosphereVegetation Interaction Model) and an impact assessment model. Over past 50 year the arid/semi-arid grassland of North China degraded severely due to the change in Climate and social economy. AVIMia is applied to assess the impacts of climatic changes and human activities on grassland in North China, based on historical data, and the different climatic and social scenarios for this region. For the assessment of grassland, specially, the following impact facts are taken into consideration: grazing, cultivation on grassland communities and soil attributes from plot to regional scale. The model is validated by observed data of Inner Mongolia semi-arid grassland. Both the data analysis and model assessment show that: Total aboveground NPP of Inner Mongolia grassland is 771.7*10 kg /yr. Edible aboveground biomass is 498.1*10 kg /yr. Typical steppe and meadow steppe dominate the production of this region. Total estimated livestock holding capacity is 45.51million sheep unit. The grassland is overgrazed more than 100% in Inner Mongolia. Overgrazing is one of the most important reasons inducing the widespread degradation and desertification.


The present study is dealing with the basic physics for a novel way to generate a free-formed ceramic body, not like common layer by layer, but directly by Selective Volume Sintering (SVS) in a compact block of ceramic powder. To penetrate with laser light into the volume of a ceramic powder compact it is necessary to investigate the light scattering properties of ceramic powders. Compared with polymers and metals, ceramic materials are unique as they offer a wide optical window of transparency. The optical window typically ranges from below 0.3 up to 5 µm wave length. In the present study thin layers of quartz glass (SiO_2) particles have been prepared. As a function of layer thickness and the particle size, transmission and reflection spectra in a wave length range between 0.5 and 2.5 µm have been recorded. Depending on the respective particle size and by choosing a proper relation between particle size and wave length of the incident laser radiation, it is found that light can penetrate a powder compact up to a depth of a few millimeters. With an adjustment of the light absorption properties of the compact the initiation of sintering in the volume of the compact is possible.


Mucopolysaccharidosis-I (MPS-I) is a lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by inactivating mutations of IDUA, encoding the glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzyme α-l-iduronidase. Although MPS-I is associated with skeletal abnormalities, the impact of IDUA deficiency on bone remodeling is poorly defined. Here we report that Idua-deficient mice progressively develop a high bone mass phenotype with pathological lysosomal storage in cells of the osteoblast lineage. Histomorphometric quantification identified shortening of bone-forming units and reduced osteoclast numbers per bone surface. This phenotype was not transferable into wild-type mice by bone marrow transplantation (BMT). In contrast, the high bone mass phenotype of Idua-deficient mice was prevented by BMT from wild-type donors. At the cellular level, BMT did not only normalize defects of Idua-deficient osteoblasts and osteocytes but additionally caused increased osteoclastogenesis. Based on clinical observations in an individual with MPS-I, previously subjected to BMT and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), we treated Idua-deficient mice accordingly and found that combining both treatments normalized all histomorphometric parameters of bone remodeling. Our results demonstrate that BMT and ERT profoundly affect skeletal remodeling of Idua-deficient mice, thereby suggesting that individuals with MPS-I should be monitored for their bone remodeling status, before and after treatment, to avoid long-term skeletal complications.


Introduction Raised arterial stiffness may explain the cardiovascular morbidity in COPD. Studies report that certain interventions may impact on this surrogate endpoint despite lacking reproducibility data in COPD, who may have large intra-thoracic pressure swings with variations in the pulse wave. Aims 1. To compare pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) between cuff-based operator-independent (Vicorder) and tonometric (SphymoCor) devices 2. Assess the effect of lung hyperinflation (LH) on measurement variabililty in COPD. Methods Between October 2011 and August 2012 repeat measurements of PWV and AI were made on 33 consecutive COPD patients. (Age 67.5±8.2 years, FEV1 52.9±19.0% and Residual Volume (RV) 157.5±47.7% predicted) prospectively recruited from an inner-city teaching hospital outpatients. Results Comparing devices Vicorder recorded lower values (PWV mean = 9.1 m/s, bias = - 0.64±1.00 m/s, p=0.02; AI mean = 24.0±7.6%, bias = -4.0±7.2 %, p=0.002). There was however, a strong linear relationship (PWV r = 0.76 p<0.001; AI r = 0.56, p = 0.01) with Bland-Altman plots confirming satisfactory agreement (PWV Co-efficient of variation (COV) = 11 %, limits of agreement (LOA) = -2.66 - + 1.38 m/s; AI COV = 30 %, LOA = -18.4 – 10.4 %). Path length and transit time differences, although strongly correlated, contributed to variability of PWV and AI whereas LH (as measured by RV, total lung capacity, or the ratio of inspiratory capacity to residual volume) did not. Conclusion Measurement of PWV in COPD is highly reproducible, not affected by lung hyperinflation, and a suitable surrogate endpoint in trials.


Spectra of SF6 circuit breaker arcs during the arc extinction phase following peak currents up to 53 kA have obtained in the wavelength range 510-517 nm. Copper emission lines and irregularly occurring tungsten emission lines from entrained contact material have been identified and the ratio of the number density of tungsten to copper atoms estimated from the line intensities. An approximate radial distribution of both copper and tungsten line intensities has also been obtained. The irregular occurrence of tungsten in the arc plasma column and the restricted extent of the tungsten line emitting cross section are both believed to be a consequence of the complicated evaporation processes associated with the copper-tungsten contact. An approximate correlation is shown to exist between the occurrence of tungsten line emission at the critical instant of current zero when current interruption is sought and a sharp deterioration in the current interrupting ability of the breaker. The implication of this is that the hitherto neglected presence of tungsten at current zero, as distinct from copper, contributes in combination with the already known effects of flow throttling and nozzle ablation in determining the extent of the degradation of circuit breaker performance.


Background and objective: Insecticides are one of the most important pollutants in water. Diazinon is one of the phosphorus pesticides that can be found in aquatic ecosystems in Iran. The toxic effect of diazinon is inhibition of the enzyme acetyl cholinesterase (Ache). In this study, MWCNT/ Fe3O4 efficiency was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this study, co-precipitation method was used for the Fe3O4 synthesis on multiwall carbon nanotube. The pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, pollutant concentrations and temperature parameters were investigated. Diazinon was measured by Gas chromatography method. Results: The results showed that the optimum conditions for diazinon removal were pH 6, contact time of 15 minutes, andn adsorption dose of 0.6 g/l. So, the absorption efficiency increases with increasing of temperature and decresing of pollutant concentration. The diazinon adsorption corresponded with Freundlich isotherm (R2> 0.99) more than Langmuir isotherm model (R2> 0.90). Conclusion: The results show that the magnetic carbon nanotubes with Fe3O4 can be suitable adsorbent for diazinon removal from aquatic environment.n


Directional drilling is a costly method used in drilling operations, as it requires investments in special tools such as downhole motor and rotary steerable system (RSS). This paper performs a comparative study between the penetration rates achieved when using downhole motor and RSS tools. To make the study feasible, the drilling of the 8 3⁄4 in diameter phase of an onshore directional hole, comprised between 197 m and 957 m, was analyzed using the equipment referenced. The average penetration rates and the costs generated by each one of them were calculated as a function of the total operating time. Considering these parameters, we found that the use of downhole motor was more advantageous than using the rotary steerable system because, despite its longer operating time, it presented much lower costs.


Purpose: To investigate the physicochemical properties and lipophilicity of polydatin-lecithin complex. Methods: The complex of polydatin-lecithin was prepared by solvent method. The physicochemical properties of the complex were investigated by ultraviolet-visible spectrometry (UV), infrared spectrometry (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its solubility in n-octanol at 25 °C was examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The UV and IR spectra of the complex showed an additive effect of polydatin-lecithin, in which the characteristic absorption of their respective peaks were retained. DSC and XRD results suggest that the complex mainly showed the presence of lecithin with the characteristic peaks for polydatin absent, while SEM demonstrated that polydatin was dispersed in lecithin. HPLC analysis found that the solubility of polydatin in n-octanol at 25 °C was enhanced from 0.41 mg/mL to 21.98 mg/mL by complexing with lecithin, indicating that the lipophilicity of polydatin was significantly improved. Conclusion: Polydatin and lecithin in the complex are combined by non-covalent bonds, and did not form a new compound. The lipophilicity of polydatin increased to 21.98 mg/mL from 0.41 mg/mL as a result of complexation. Keywords: Polydatin, Lecithin, Complex, Physicochemical property, Lipophilicity


The 1982 split in the Ruling Nationalist Party in South Africa focused attention on the relationship between Afrikaner nationalism and capitalism. Volkskapitalisme (the nationalist term for Afrikaner capital) analyses the development of Afrikaner nationalism from the early thirties to the election victory of the Nationalist Party in 1948. The book sets out to refute the commonly held belief that the nationalist policies of apartheid are simply the product of 'irrational' racial ideology. Dan O'Meara examines here for the first time the relationship between the emergence of 'Afrikaner' capital in the so-called Economic Movement of the 1940s and the political and ideological forms of development of Afrikaner nationalism. During these years, far from being a monolithic movement of an ethnically mobilised group, Afrikaner nationalism emerged as an alliance of conflicting class forces. Dan O'Meara's examination of the development of Afrikaner capital and the interplay of ideology, class and economic interests in Afrikaner nationalism is essential reading for all concerned with past political struggles in southern Africa.


This paper provides an alternative explanation for the distress risk puzzle documented in previous studies (e.g. Griffin and Lemmon 2002, Campbell et al. 2008) that firms with high default probability earn low returns by investigating the impact of institutional holding and trading on stock returns. We hypothesize that institutional investors are reluctant to hold stocks of firms with high distress risk and that a decline in their holding or trading lowers distress stocks' prices and causes the returns of these stocks to decrease. Our empirical evidences support these hypotheses. We further find that although both institutional holding and trading can capture the distress risk puzzle, institutional trading seems to be superior. In addition, we document that the holding or trading by either independent or short term institutional investors plays a significant role in explaining this puzzle while the holding or trading by dependent or long term institutional investors does not. Finally, our results suggest an important role of institutional investors in equity markets.


Jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) is used to prepare drinks and desserts in Asia, owing to the gelling capability of its pectin via endogenous pectin methylesterase (PE) catalyzation. Meanwhile, substances with PE inhibitory activity (SPEI) in jelly fig achenes (JFA) residue were noticed to be able to impede the gelation. In this study, we characterized and isolated SPEI from JFA by a series of PE inhibition-guided isolations. Crude aqueous extract of JFA residue was mixed with acetone, and 90% acetone-soluble matter was further fractionated by Diaion HP-20 chromatography. The retained fraction with dominant PE inhibitory activity was collected from 100% methanol eluate. Results from high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) and hydrolysis-induced chromogenic transition revealed the SPEI as complex tannins. Total tannins content was determined in each isolated fraction, and was closely related to PE inhibitory activity. In addition, SPEI in this study could inhibit activities of digestive enzymes in vitro and may, therefore, be assumed to act as non-specific protein binding agent.


BACKGROUND: The hemostatic effect of platelets has been well established, but the possible role of red cells in hemostasis has not yet been well studied. An evaluation of the hemostatic effect of packed red cell transfusion in patients with chronic anemia was the purpose of this study. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a prospective study, bleeding time (BT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and prothrombin time (PT) were measured before and after the transfusion of allogeneic packed red cells in 42 patients with chronic anemia. The results were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: APTT and BT decreased significantly after transfusion, by a mean of 1.3 seconds (p = 0.01) and 2.6 minutes (p < 0.01), respectively. PT did not change significantly after transfusion (p = 0.65). Factors studied (patient's age, sex, and renal function measurements; pretransfusion and posttransfusion hemoglobin levels, platelet counts, and PTs; change in platelet count [delta platelet count] and PT [delta PT] after transfusion) did not independently affect the change in BT (delta BT) or in APTT (delta APTT). The delta BT was not affected by the pretransfusion or posttransfusion levels of APTT or by the delta APTT. The delta APTT was not affected by the pretransfusion or posttransfusion levels of BT or by the delta BT. Diagnosis of malignant or benign diseases was found to affect delta APTT, but not delta BT. Patients with pretransfusion hemoglobin < or = 60 g per L had a 4.07 times greater chance of posttranfusion increase in BT than the patients with hemoglobin > 60 g per L (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Red cell transfusion might decrease the APTT and BT in some anemic patients, though the actual cause of the decrease was not determined in the present study.


We study baryons in holographic QCD with D4/D8/D8 multi D brane system. In holographic QCD, the baryon appears as a topologically non-trivial chiral soliton in a fourdimensional effective theory of mesons, which is called 'Brane-induced Skyrmion'. We derive and calculate the Euler-Lagrange equation for the hedgehog configuration with chiral profile F (r )a ndρ-meson profile ˜ G(r), and obtain the soliton solution of the holographic QCD.


We defined the epidemiology of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in critically ill patients, and evaluated the procession from SIRS to MODS and the therapeutic strategies. 230 patients were studied prospectively until discharge or death. On admission, the morbidity rate of SIRS was 71.3%. The mortality rate of the patients with SIRS was 18.9%. MODS was developed in 65 patients (28.3%), and 33 patients dided (50.8%). In SIRS patients with non-infectious SIRS, sepsis and septic shock, the morbidity rates of MODS were 22.8%, 61.1% and 85.7%, and the mortality rates were 11.4%, 30.6% and 50.0% respectively. The outcome of critically ill patients may be improved if SIRS is early diagnosed and the body inflammatory response is reglulated properly.


© Institute of Chartered Foresters, 2016. All rights reserved. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of wood anatomy and density on the mechanics of fracture when wood is split in the radial-longitudinal (RL) and tangential-longitudinal (TL) fracture systems. The specific fracture energies (Gf, J m-2) of the trunk wood of six tree species were studied in the green state using double-edge notched tensile tests. The fracture surfaces were examined in both systems using Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM). Wood density and ray characteristics were also measured. The results showed that Gf in RL was greater than TL for five of the six species. In particular, the greatest degree of anisotropy was observed in Quercus robur L., and the lowest in Larix decidua Mill. ESEM micrographs of fractured specimens suggested reasons for the anisotropy and differences across tree species. In the RL system, fractures broke across rays, the walls of which unwound like tracheids in longitudinal-tangential (LT) and longitudinal-radial (LR) failure, producing a rough fracture surface which would absorb energy, whereas in the TL system, fractures often ran alongside rays.


This thesis contains five essays addressing a variety of topics relating to aspects of the UK residential property market. The first essay examines the long run drivers of real residential house prices, and then seeks to develop a short run error correction model to examine the adjustment of real house prices to their long run equilibrium vales. The second essay, examines the extent to which the introduction of a congestion charge in London, and the associated improvement in environmental amenity is capitalised into residential property prices. The third essay and fourth essays focus on the extent to which high performing schools create a neighborhood amenity that is capitalised into residential property prices. The third essay examines this relationship in seven major English cities. Essay four focuses on London and Bristol, two UK cities with significant differences in the average performance of their secondary schools. This paper highlights the extent to which a greater premium for good schools exists in cities where the supply of good schools is low. The fifth essay examines the factors that influence the level of mortgage arrears in the UK housing market. A long run co-integrating vector is estimated and a short run error correction model describes the way in which short run arrears adjust to their long run equilibrium values.


It has been shown that re-estimation of radiation dose is possible with 7LiF thermoluminescence dosemeters using ultra-violet light. The thermoluminescenoe response to U.V. radiation and the optical absorption of 7LiF have been examined and the possibilities of this method of dose re-assessment are indicated. It is suggested that the thermoluminescence response to U.V. light is due to the presence of deep trapping centres which are bleached by suitable optical wavelengths.


The subcellular effects of thyroidectomy in selected brain regions of Cynomolgus monkey were analyzed. 20 days after operation the respiratory rates, the activities of succinate cytochrome c reductase, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and of oligomycin-sensitive ATPase were decreased in mitochondria isolated from all brain structures. The highest reduction (30%) was found in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Cerebellar and striatal activities were reduced by about 20%. A smaller decrease (15%) was observed in thalamus. The effects of thyroidectomy on in vitro RNA synthesis were followed in cerebral cortex, cerebellum and thalamus. In the three analyzed regions, the activities of nucleolar and nucleoplasmic RNA polymerases dropped by 40%. Replacement therapy with T4 (2.5 micrograms/kg/day) or T3 (1 microgram/kg/day) administered immediately after thyroidectomy for 20 days, maintained mitochondrial and nuclear activities at normal level.


Fifty cutaneous pigmented lesions characterized by an intraepidermal proliferation of atypical melanocytes were reviewed. Several histological parameters (position of melanocytes in the epidermis, nuclear melanocytic atypia, presence or absence of pagetoid melanocytes, nucleoli, and others) were evaluated. On the basis of the results, the investigated cases were classified into three groups. In group 1, pagetoid melanocytes were present, melanocytic atypia was severe and continuous, all epidermal layers were involved by melanocytic proliferation, and a pattern of epidermal infiltration was recognized. In group 2, pagetoid meianocytes were absent, melanocytic atypia was mild-moderate and discontinuous, the lower epidermis only was involved by melanocytic proliferation, and a pattern of epidermal pseudoinfiltration was recognized. Group 3 cases were in an intermediate area between the two major groups. The results showed that intraepidermal proliferations of atypical melanocytes lie on one line, in which groups 1 and 2 account for the extremes.


Academia and government often ignore or deny the impact of population growth on the environment. However, key scientific institutions and reports confirm that population growth is a major driver of climate disruption and other environmental crises. We review the environmental science of population growth. Issues that block dialogue are discussed, such as growthism, anthropocentrism, denial, religious and cultural taboos, fear of being called a racist, the issue of rights claims, seeking political power through numbers, the framing of social justice issues, and sophistical claims regarding 'racism'. We examine examples of denial about population in academia and government. We explore ways forward to gain dialogue, and we also consider success stories. We conclude that population growth, like overconsumption, must be foregrounded to create ecologocally sustainable economies and a sustainable future.


A novel configuration for precise temperature sensing in an array of optical fibre sections is reported. The sections are chosen to have different Brillouin shifts, to enable separation of scattered light signals in the frequency domain, rather than the traditional time domain, allowing lower-noise CW operation and greater precision due to the 100% duty cycle.


surveying general themes to studying specific texts. Chapter five studies John 18-21, the narra tion of Jesus' arrest through his resurrection, and chapter six studies some of the texts from John that appear in the Revised Common Lectionary. Each of the chapters discusses homiletical impli cations of the Johannine themes and texts, and illustrates them with sermon examples. In many previous publications, Kysar has demonstrated his ability to present in clear and concise language the pivotal issues in Johannine studies and in the reading of the Gospel itself. This new book is a valuable contribution because Kysar combines his impressive grasp of John and clarity of writing style with his commitment to, and love for, the preaching ministry of the church. Preachers who read this book will find the theological and literary world of John illu mined in ways that will make fresh preaching on John possible. Chapters two and three, in partic ular, are worth the price of the book, because in them Kysar works synthetically and creatively to show how faithful preaching of John can "stretch our own views and those of our parishioners with the expansive thought of one of the most provocative theological thinkers in the New Testament" (p. 76).


A bronze processed 0.275 mm-dia. Nb/sub 3/Sn strand composed of Nb-0.5at%Ta cores and a Cu-2.7at%Sn-1.0at%Ge matrix was fabricated into cables of 6 and 36 strands. Each strand contained 75990 filaments 0.28 /spl mu/m in diameter. The AC quench current for the 36-strand cable reached 2500 A/sub peak/ at 50 Hz and 0.5 T DC field. The 6-strand cable showed a significantly improved irreversible bending strain limit of over 10% due to the fine filament size. This result enabled building of a magnet through the react and wind method. A 50 mm-bore 2T-class magnet wound by the 6 strand cable was successfully operated at 52.7 Hz and 4.2 K. In order to reduce AC losses another bronze processed 0.218 mm-dia. Nb/sub 3/Sn strand with 147510 0.15 /spl mu/m-dia. filaments was fabricated from Nb05%Ta/Cu-4.9%Sn-2.0%Ge/Cu-2.7%Sn-2%Ni-1%Mn double matrix composite. The strand showed a hysteresis loss of 447J/m/sup 3/ at /spl plusmn/0.5 T/cycle and /spl lambda/J/sub c/ of 857A/mm/sup 2/ at 0.5 T after the heat treatment at 500/spl deg/C for 100 h.


Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) are increasingly used to improve survival rates in cancer patients. CPI therapy has been associated with new onset diabetes due to immune-mediated damage of beta-cells, with many patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We used Emory University's Clinical Data Warehouse to examine clinical characteristics and outcomes of adult patients with new onset diabetes and DKA after CPI therapy from 01/01/2014 to 08/01/19. Comparisons of covariates were made with analysis of variance, χ2 and Fisher's exact tests; log-rank test was used to analyze survival. A total of 2279 patients received CPIs during the study period. Of these, 1622 had no DM, 540 had a previous history of DM, and 117 patients (5.1%) developed new onset DM after CPI treatment. Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab and Ipilimumab were the most common CPIs associated with DM. A total of 13 patients developed DKA, on average at 140 days from CPI initiation. Compared to no-DM group, patients with new-onset DM and DKA had higher DM-related hospitalization (p In summary, incidence of new-onset DM is 5.1% and is associated with higher DM-related hospitalizations. DKA patients have reduced survival compared to no-DM after CPI treatment. Healthcare professionals caring for patients undergoing CPI therapy need to be aware of this potential complication. Disclosure S. Hafeez: None. P. Vellanki: Consultant; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. M. Xing: None. G.E. Umpierrez: None.


The low-frequency (LF) timing noise contaminates residuals of time-of-arrivals (TOAs) of pulsar signals on long time intervals and in some cases can be explained by external astronomical factors not intrinsically related to the pulsar itself. A number of millisecond pulsars located in globular clusters show the LF noise presence in their rotational phase. We discuss a possible origin of this noise as caused by random time variations in the Shapiro time delay caused by flybys of stars of the globular cluster passing near the pulsar line of sight. The Shapiro time delay is integrated over space of parameters characterizing statistical ensemble of stars in the globular cluster and its long-term indeterministic time variation is obtained. We use this result for numerical simulations of the autocovariance function of the LF timing noise and show it can be used for the measuring of the density profile distribution in the globular cluster.