: S9788, a new triazinoaminopiperidine derivative, was 250-fold more active than verapamil in sensitizing DC-3F/AD cells to actinomycin D. This multidrug-resistance modulating activity of S9788 was confirmed on DC-3F/AD, P388/ADR-10, P388/VCR-20, KB/A1, K562/R, S1/tMDR, and COLO320DM cells, with respect to actinomycin D, doxorubicin, vincristine, vinblastine and etoposide. S9788 is 2-255-fold more active than verapamil, depending on the cell line and the cytotoxic agent used, potentiating preferentially the cytotoxicity of the vinca-alkaloid derivatives. S9788 only had a slight effect on vincristine accumulation and retention by parental sensitive cells, as well as on their sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs. S9788 fully restored vincristine accumulation and retention by S1/tMDR cells (S1 cells transfected by the mdr 1 gene) to a level similar to that measured in S1 cells, leading to a blockade in the G2 + M phase of the cell cycle. Therefore, S9788 enhances vincristine activity by restoring its cellular accumulation in resistant cells. After a short incubation period of cells with vincristine (4 h), a condition close to the clinical administration of this cytotoxic agent, a post-incubation for 20 hours more with 5 microM S9788, fully restored the sensitivity of S1/tMDR cells to vincristine. After an exposure of 4 hours at equal concentrations, the accumulation of S9788 was 13-fold that of verapamil in S1/tMDR cells, and 20 hours after the removal of the modulators, S9788 was retained at a concentration 20-fold that of verapamil. S9788 is therefore a powerful new modifier of the P-gp-mediated multidrug-resistance, which by its pharmacological properties (cellular kinetics and activity), might be used in combination with existing chemotherapy against tumors displaying the MDR phenotype.


Children's rights policies and the adult perspective – stability and change in the outreach work of BRIS?This article sets out to explore how a Swedish children's rights organization has accounted for adults' capability or incompetence to address children's interests and how such notions have changed over time and have been negotiated between actors within the organization. Since its establishment in 1971, The Children's Rights in Society (BRIS – Barnens ratt i samhallet) has been an organization of adults working for children. Children's rights organizations often stress that their work is guided by a child perspective, although much children's rights advocacy is performed by adults. What is the bearing of this discrepancy when it comes to the formulation of child rights policies? Is it possible to distinguish an adult perspective operating in the shadow of the embraced child perspective? The results demonstrate that in the 1970s, the organization identified parents as the children's main betrayers, but that the importance of child experts and child welfare professionals as advocates for children's voices and opinions was gradually emphasized more. During the second period of study (2007–16) the need for increased resources and competences of child welfare professionals has been accentuated as welfare institutions such as school, social services and child and adolescent psychiatry are simultaneously seen as the cause of and key to children's problems while the generational conflict between children and parents has been downplayed.


present average levels of strontium-90, but also to the highest level determined, which was 6.9 puc/g. Ca in a 14months-old Lancashire child, and it is pertinent to point out that since the number of samples is so small the highest levels now existing in the population at large are virtually certain to be higher than this. In the absence of any reference to the source of your information one must take your word for it that the radioactive dust is descending upon us more quickly than seemed likely in 1958, and we must extract what comfort we can from that fact. It would be a mistake, however, to be too much comforted in the absence of any certain knowledge of the effects of low levels of radiation on large populations. This is really the crux of the problem and the reason why some of us view levels of 3 or 6 strontium units with less phlegm than does the British Medical Journal. In 1957 MacMahon' described the rise in leukaemia death rates in mountainous states in the U.S.A., and in 1959 It drew attention to the same phenomenon in England and Wales. Both of us were led independently to consider whether radioactive fall-out might not be a possible cause. Unfortunately no definite conclusion can be reached at this point of time, but, in the absence of any other explanation for the ircreased incidence of leukaemia in mountainous areas, I hold that it is reasonable to be worried about radiostrontium in bone even at the present low levels, and that, in our present state of knowledge (or ignorance), it is doing a disservice to mankind to suggest, as you do, that the figure of 10 pl.c/g. Ca may be exceeded with impunity.


. A petroleum exploration opportunity (EO) is defined as a mapped region with potential for possessing a sufficient petroleum accumulation that may justify an exploration project. This article proposes to build a predictive model that it is able to economically evaluate a petroleum exploration opportunity through data mining techniques.


A portable Raman system is described that has been developed for line-of-site spectral measurements of remotely located samples at intermediate ranges. Raman spectra were measured at distances up to 20 m with the use of a 40-mm-diameter collection optic (f/500) and at 16.7 m with a 22-mm-diameter collection optic (f/750). In all cases, low-power cw lasers were used with powers ranging from 23 to 100 mW. The system consists of a small f/4 image-corrected spectrograph with a liquid-nitrogen-cooled CCD detector and has been demonstrated with both an argon-ion laser, emitting at 488 nm, and an 809-nm diode laser. Applications of the system include monitoring of organic and inorganic compounds at toxic waste sites during remediation, process monitoring, and remote detection of highly toxic materials.


The Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score is an important metric for reperfusion therapy assessment in acute ischemic stroke. It is commonly used as a technical outcome measure after endovascular treatment (EVT). Existing TICI scores are defined in coarse ordinal grades based on visual inspection, leading to inter- and intra-observer variation. In this work, we present autoTICI, an automatic and quantitative TICI scoring method. First, each digital subtraction angiography (DSA) acquisition is separated into four phases (non-contrast, arterial, parenchymal and venous phase) using a multi-path convolutional neural network (CNN), which exploits spatio-temporal features. The network also incorporates sequence level label dependencies in the form of a state-transition matrix. Next, a minimum intensity map (MINIP) is computed using the motion corrected arterial and parenchymal frames. On the MINIP image, vessel, perfusion and background pixels are segmented. Finally, we quantify the autoTICI score as the ratio of reperfused pixels after EVT. On a routinely acquired multi-center dataset, the proposed autoTICI shows good correlation with the extended TICI (eTICI) reference with an average area under the curve (AUC) score of 0.81. The AUC score is 0.90 with respect to the dichotomized eTICI. In terms of clinical outcome prediction, we demonstrate that autoTICI is overall comparable to eTICI.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the examiner's accuracy in selecting proximal carious lesions in primary molars for restoration using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach.

BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN
Intervention study. CLINICAL SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 804 six to eight year-olds from 30 rural schools in Kenya participated in the study.

INTERVENTION
Three examiners selected a total of 1,280 suitable proximal carious lesions in primary molars after examining 6,002 children from 30 schools randomly selected out of 142 schools in two divisions. Seven operators randomly paired on a daily basis with eight assistants restored the lesions. An explanation was provided for any cavity that was not restored. Pre-and post-operative radiographs of the cavities were also taken for evaluation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The examiner's choice of suitable proximal cavities restorable using the ART approach was related to the decision made to either restore or not during the operative stage. The radiographic findings of the selected cavities were also compared to the decision made by the operator. The results obtained were used to determine the examiner's accuracy in selecting suitable proximal cavities for restoration using the ART approach.

RESULTS
The majority of the children recruited in the study were excluded due to absenteeism, pulpal-exposure or anxiety during the operative stage. Only 804 children received one restoration in their primary molars. The examiner's accuracy in selecting suitable ART-restorable cavities clinically was 94.9% and based on radiographic analysis was 91.7%.

CONCLUSIONS
A trained and diligent examiner has a very good chance of selecting proximal carious lesions restorable with the use of ART approach, without the threat of dental pulpal-involvement during the excavation of caries.


Steel structures including bridges are susceptible to cracking, particularly due to fatigue-sensitive details found in older designs. Therefore, one of the major challenges to keep those steel bridges in service is to rehabilitate existing and potential fatigue damage. There are several conventional approaches to extend the fatigue-life of damaged steel members, e.g., drilling a crack stop-hole to reduce the stress concentration at the crack tip as well as welding and bolting of steel plates or adhesive-bonding of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) to reduce the overall stresses. Improvement in material properties of FRP and adhesives make them a viable candidate to apply for extending the fatigue-life of steel members. However, drawbacks include the potential for debonding of the adhesive layer and/or interfaces between adhesive and adherents as well as difficulty in monitoring fatigue crack growth after rehabilitation. In this research, a holistic approach is proposed and evaluated for simultaneous extension of fatigue-life and monitoring by integrating a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based sensing layer with an adhesively-bonded FRP reinforcement. CNT-based sensing layers have a nerve-like electric resistance network, which enables distributed sensing capabilities to monitor stress levels, crack growth, and damage progression. Using laboratory-scale experiments, the simultaneous fatigue-life extension and crack monitoring capability of multifunctional CNT-based composites was evaluated. This paper introduces the fundamental concept of integrated fatigue-rehabilitation and monitoring of steel members, presents a laboratory-scale experiment to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness, and discusses challenges for implementation in real structures.


Big data refers to the ability to gather large volumes of data, often from multiple sources, and with it produce new kinds of observations, measurements and predictions. Commercial applications of big data deserve ongoing scrutiny given the speed at which both the technology and business practices are evolving. One of the many questions raised by big data is whether companies will use the information they harvest to more effectively charge different prices to different customers, a practice that economists call price discrimination. Economics suggests that many forms of differential pricing, such as senior citizen discounts at the box office or tiered pricing for air travel, can be good for both businesses and consumers. However, the combination of differential pricing and big data raises concerns that some consumers can be made worse off, and have very little knowledge why. This report finds that many companies already use big data for targeted marketing, and some are experimenting with personalized pricing, though examples of personalized pricing remain fairly limited. While substantive concerns about differential pricing in the age of big data remain, many of them can be addressed by enforcing existing antidiscrimination, privacy, and consumer protection laws. In addition, providing consumers with increased transparency into how companies use and trade their data would promote more competition and better informed consumer choice.


Modern, liberal democracy provides Christians with a unique position in the history of politics: regardless of age, economic status, religion, race, or gender, many in the world today are promised a vote. Voters, in addition to being governed by elected authorities, have the governing power to change those authorities. While the institutions of church and state ought to remain separate, religious belief and political conviction are often linked in the personal opinions of individual voters. In a situation such as American democracy, how will God's people fulfill their role as the salt and light of the world in the voting booth? This thesis examines the promises of God regarding civil government as well as the promises of American democracy to show that the American Christian has the right and responsibility to vote in such a way as to provide a just, secure state with leaders that seek equality and fair representation for their neighbor. Such a responsibility requires critical thought from Christian voters regarding policies and candidates in light of the purpose and promises of civil government.


In the history of philosophy, there is a shortage, and often a total absence, of women's voices in the philosophical canon. I take this notable lack of female philosophical contribution not as evidence that women were not 'capable' or 'interested' in philosophical inquiry, but rather that their contributions are mainly to be found in alternative genres that were more open for women to participate in. I propose that present-day philosophers who are interested in locating the philosophical activities of women would benefit from an exploration of what I am terming "alternative genres." I shall focus in particular on personal correspondence during the Early Modern period, the novel in the nineteenth century, and feminist cinema in the twentieth century. Each of these forms contributes a richly unique perspective on central philosophical themes and affords contemporary philosophers a venue through which to access the philosophical thought of women writers in these historical periods. Degree Type Open Access Senior Honors Thesis Department History and Philosophy First Advisor Dr. Margaret Crouch Second Advisor Dr. Kate Mehuron


Background Despite nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are widely used to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections, so far no commercial kit has been cleared for testing rectal or pharyngeal swab samples, even if anal and/or oral sex practises are common. In this study, a comparison between Real Time PCR Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0 (Siemens) and N. gonorrhoeae culture performances has been conducted, testing rectal or pharyngeal secretions collected by E-swabs (Copan). Methods Study group. A prospective study was performed with 171 subjects (130 males and 41 females) attending the STD Outpatients Clinic of St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna. All the patients were enrolled because having unsafe receptive anal and/or pharyngeal sex intercourses. NAAT methods. All the specimens were tested by Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0. As a confirmation, all the specimens scored positive for N. gonorrhoeae were retested, using the same extraction, by a "home-made" PCR assay, targeting cppB gene. N. gonorrhoeae culture. Bacteria were isolated in Thayer-Martin medium and identified by API NH assay (bioMérieux). Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by Kirby-Bauer Test. Results A total of 227 samples were obtained. In particular, 56 patients provided both the specimens, 89 patients provided only pharyngeal swabs, whereas only rectal specimens were collected from the remaining 26 patients. Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0 gave positive results for N. gonorrhoeae in 13 pharyngeal in 7 rectal samples, all from MSM. All the Versant reactive results were confirmed by "home-made" PCR. Prevalence of rectal infection was 8.5% (7 positive out of 82 patients), whereas prevalence of pharyngeal infection was 9.0% (13/145). Culture was far less sensitive than NAAT, since only 4 samples were identified. All of them were resistant to quinolones, but susceptible to cephalosporins (cefixime and ceftriaxone). Conclusions Pharyngeal and/or rectal screening for gonorrhoea should be considered essential in consultations for MSM in STD clinics.


The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate the value of an approach to the
study of identities as a socially embedded multidimensional process that is
affected by political, economic and social conditions, institutional discourses,
enunciative strategies, popular (re)presentations, specific policies and
mechanisms of marking difference and exclusion, as well as dynamics of
acceptance and rejection. `Identisation' is presented as an amalgamation of
factors, forces and interests that should not be analysed in isolation or reduced
to a mono-causal approach. These theoretical claims are based on an in-depth
and long term empirical exploration of the processes of identisation in the
specific institutional context of Tatar and non-Tatar gymnasias (secondary
schools) in the Republic of Tatarstan, part of the Russian Federation. Data
generation consisted of semi-structured and unstructured interviewing and
long- term participant observation in Kazan (the capital of Tatarstan) during a
period of seven months (between 1999 and 2000) with the support of a pilot
study conducted over six months during the winter of 1997-98.
Analysis of the data shows that a complex dialectic emerges between
political discourse, institutional praxis and quotidian representations, a dialectic
and interrelation that often has been ignored in the study of identities. In
Tatarstan it is a dialectic between processes of Russification, Sovietisation and
Tatarisation which show the need to devote special attention to the historical
background in order to be able to analyse the current dynamics and
representations.
This work aims to stimulate and open up further research and studies in
the field of identities and the regions and contexts that were part of the former
Soviet Union.


The BayesLCA package for R provides tools for performing latent class analysis within a Bayesian setting. Three methods for fitting the model are provided, incorporating an expectation-maximization algorithm, Gibbs sampling and a variational Bayes approximation. The article briefly outlines the methodology behind each of these techniques and discusses some of the technical difficulties associated with them. Methods to remedy these problems are also described. Visualization methods for each of these techniques are included, as well as criteria to aid model selection.


We investigated the effects of anti-alpha beta T cell receptor antibody in rat experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM), using a new animal model of autoimmune myocarditis characterized by the appearance of multinucleated giant cells. EAM was induced by injecting Lewis rats subcutaneously in the footpads with 1.0 mg of human cardiac myosin in an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) on days 0 and 7. In experiment 1, we evaluated the effect of long-term anti-alpha beta TCR antibody therapy on prevention of progression of EAM. Long-term administration of anti-alpha beta TCR antibody prevented progression of EAM in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry performed at the time of sacrifice showed that the percentage of alpha beta T cells in lymph nodes and spleen was similar in the control group and the group in which almost no histologic evidence of myocarditis was found. In experiment 2, we examined the effects of short-term therapy. Rats were killed at different stages and pathologic specimens were examined. Short-term therapy delayed the onset of myocarditis. Results of flow cytometry suggested that impairment of antigen recognition or T cell function by occupancy of the TCR rather than depletion of TCR was the mechanism responsible for suppression of EAM.


A Neuro - Sliding Mode Controller was designed for systems that have uncertainties like unknown external disturbances and unknown system parameters. First, the controller was designed for single input single output (SISO) systems and then it was generalized for a certain class of multi input multi output systems. Stability proof was given using Lyapunov Stability Criteria and finally, the theory was supported by simulation and experimental results. The Neuro - Sliding Mode Controller proposed in this thesis consists of a one layered neural network whose activation functions are linear. The main working principle of the controller is minimizing a cost function which is determined from the requirements of the Lyapunov Stability Criteria and Sliding Mode Control Theory. The major contribution of this work is that, different from the similar works in the field, the stability of the overall control system was shown by analyzing the properties of the cost function introduced to the neural network for minimization. Two different experimental setups were used for SISO and MEVIO cases respectively. For the SISO case, the position of an electrical motor that actuates a linear servo - drive was controlled. For the MEVIO case, a system consisting of two piezoelectric actuators connected to each other via a load cell, which was used for force measurement, was used. In this system, the position of one actuator and the internal force created were controlled simultaneously. Both experiments were successful and supported the theory.


Background:
 Diastolic dysfunction (DD) has recently been shown to be a predictor of all-cause mortality in general population. Venticular stiffening and impaired relaxation are major pathophysiology of DD, and thus the patients with DD encounter exercise intolerance. We therefore hypothesized that the patients with DD are likely to have unfavorable outcome after ischemic stroke.

 Method:
 We analyzed 503 consecutive ischemic stroke patients who underwent tissue Doppler echocardiography. DD profiles were consisted of peak mitral inflow velocity/mitral A-wave velocity, mitral deceleration time and peak mitral inflow velocity/diastolic tissue velocity (E/E'). Modified Rankin scale at 3months after stroke was used as a functional outcome. We performed logistic regression to examine the independent associations between DD profiles and outcomes. For sensitivity analyses, we reran regression in the settings of exclusion of patients with AF, exclusion of patients with previous stroke and exclusion of patients with coronary heart disease.

 Results:
 The patients with unfavorable outcome had a greater E/E' [dichotomized, favorable(n=390) vs. unfavorable(n=113), 11.0±4.6 vs. 16.4±7.9, p<0.001; responder analysis-defined outcome, favorable(n=240) vs. unfavorable(n=263), 10.6±3.3 vs. 13.7±7.4, p<0.001] In multivariable analyses, E/E' was independently associated with responder-analyses defined unfavorable outcome. Dividing into quartile, the adjusted odd ratio(OR) for unfavorable outcome of the fourth quartile was 2.97[95% confidence interval(CI),
 22.214.171.124
 ] compared with the first quartile. When Q1-Q3 were collapsed as a single reference, adjusted OR of Q4 was 2.97(1.76-5.02). When we used a dichotomous outcome, this relationship became more robust. After dividing the patients according to the subtype of ischemic stroke, this relationship is consistent except for other-determined etiology; Q1-Q3 vs. Q4 adjusted OR ranged from 2.23 to 6.16. In sensitivity analyses, the impact of E/E' on stroke outcome was materially unchanged.

 Conclusion:
 Because E/E' is best correlated with invasively-assessed diastolic function, our results suggested that diastolic dysfunction may hinder a functional regain following ischemic stroke.


The 1993 Mississippi River flood was notable for its high magnitude, long duration, summer occurrence, and low sediment discharge. A field survey of a 70-km-long reach in the vicinity of Quincy, Illinois, revealed that the event was characterized by 100 yr flood had remarkably little sedimentological or geomorphological impact on the flood plain within the study reach because the transport effectiveness of floods in large drainage basins is influenced by event sequencing in the same manner as floods in small watersheds, and the cohesive flood-plain soils were not susceptible to erosion.


Summary al-Antitrypsin (alAT) deficiency, a common hereditary disorder responsible for emphysema in Caucasians of northern European descent, is caused by single base substitutions, deletions, or additions in the seven exons (IA-Ic and II-V), of the 12.2-kb alAT gene located on chromosome 14 at q31-32.3. Of the five known representatives of the "null" group of alAT-deficiency alleles (alAT genes incapable of producing alAT protein detectable in serum) evaluated at the gene level, all result from mutations causing the formation of stop codons in coding exons of the alAT gene. The present study identifies an alAT allele (referred to as "Nullisola di procida") caused by complete deletion of the alAT coding exons. The Nullisola di procida allele was identified in an individual with heterozygous inheritance of Mprcida (an allele associated with alAT deficiency) and a null allele. Although results of karyotypic analysis were normal, quantification of the copies of alAT genes in this individual revealed that the index case had only half the normal copies of alAT genes. Cloning and mapping of the Nullisola di procida gene demonstrated a deletion of a 17-kb fragment that included exons 11-V of the alAT structural gene. As a consequence of the deletion, the normal noncoding exons (IA-Ic) were followed by exons II-V of the downstream alAT-like gene. Sequence analysis of the deletion demonstrated a 7-bp repeat sequence (GAGGACA) both 5' to the deletion and at the 3' end of the deletion, a 4-bp palindromic sequence (ACAG vs. CTGT) bracketing the deletion, and a novel inserted 4-bp sequence (CCTG) at the breakpoint, suggesting that the mechanism of the deletion may have been "slipped mispairing."


: Since such factors as temperature and time of the process had a significant effect on the residual activity of the mother solution during crystallization of tetracyclines, it was necessary to study the effect of the above factors on the process for determination of the crystallization optimal conditions. The experimental data provided creation of the regression equations and the curves for similar levels of the main parameters for tetracycline and oxytetracycline were calculated. The lowest values of the mother solution activity within the ranges tested were observed at the temperature of 2 degrees and the time of 3 hours.


Organic nanoparticle induced self-assembly of proteins with periodic nanostructures is a promising and burgeoning strategy to develop functional biomimetic nanomaterials. Cricoid proteins afford monodispersed and well-defined hollow centers, and can be used to multivalently interact with geometrically symmetric nanoparticles to form one-dimensional protein nanoarrays. Herein, we report that core-cross-linked micelles can direct cricoid stable protein one (SP1) to self-assembling nanowires through multiple electrostatic interactions. One micelle can act as an organic nanoparticle to interact with two central concaves of SP1 in an opposite orientation to form a sandwich structure, further controlling the assembly direction to supramolecular protein nanowires. The reported versatile supramolecular scaffolds can be optionally manipulated to develop multifunctional integrated or synergistic biomimetic nanomaterials. Artificial light-harvesting nanowires are further developed to mimic the energy transfer process of photosynthetic bacteria for their structural similarity, by means of labeling donor and acceptor chromophores to SP1 rings and spherical micelles, respectively. The absorbing energy can be transferred within the adjacent donors around the ring and shuttling the collected energy to the nearby acceptor chromophore. The artificial light-harvesting nanowires are designed by mimicking the structural characteristic of natural LH-2 complex, which are meaningful in exploring the photosynthesis process in vitro.


Due to the high energy content of the ambient noise, microseismic monitoring system records considerable erroneous data. To pick up the first arrival times, special techniques must be applied due to the very low signal to noise ratio data. This paper presents three techniques: wavelet transform is applied to de-noising the noisy data; Kalman filter and modified STA/LTA method are implemented to pick up the first arrival times. The results show that the first arrival times are picked up accurately even in very noisy data by incorporating these techniques.


Background and aims: Vitiligo is an acquired, idiopathic, and common depigmentation disorder of the skin that affects people of all ages and both sexes equally worldwide. Although etiology of the disease is unknown, there are theories such as environment and genetic factors. Methods: In this article, we collected and summarized the appropriate manuscripts regarding the epidemiology and genetics using the terms vitiligo and genetic epidemiology in PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: Studies showed the highest prevalence of disease in African countries, but with regard to the distribution of disease in different areas, environmental factors were as important as other causes of vitiligo, and 3 genes of FOXP3, XBP1 and TSLP had the most association with the disease. Conclusion: It seems that recognition of the genetic basis of vitiligo will supply new insight into the therapies for it. Therefore, more genetic studies are needed to discover the genes and causes linked to clinical aspects of this disease.


PurposeThis paper quantifies the effects of recent Federal Reserve interest rate changes, specifically recent hikes and cuts in the federal funds rate since 2015, on Midwest farmland values.Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply three autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models to a panel data of state-level farmland values from 1963 to 2018 to estimate the dynamic effects of interest rate changes on the US farmland market. We focus on the I-states, Lakes states and Great Plains states. The models in the study capture both short-term and long-term impacts of policy changes on land values.FindingsThe authors find that changes in the federal funds rate have long-lasting impacts on farmland values, as it takes at least a decade for the full effects of an interest rate change to be capitalized in farmland values. The results show that the three recent federal funds rate cuts in 2019 were not sufficient to offset the downward pressures from the 2015–2018 interest rate hikes, but the 2020 cut is. The combined effect of the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate moves on farmland values will be positive for some time starting in 2022.Originality/valueThis paper provides the first empirical quantification of the immediate and long-run impacts of recent Federal Reserve interest rate moves on farmland values. The authors demonstrate the long-lasting repercussions of Federal Reserve's policy choices in the farmland market.


Yak (Bos grunniens L.) herding plays an important role in the domestic economy throughout much of the Asian highlands. Yak represents a major mammal species of the rangelands found across the Asian highlands from Russia and Kyrgyzstan in the west to the Hengduan Mountains of China in the east. Yak also has great cultural significance to the people of the Asian highlands and is closely interlinked to the traditions, cultures, and rituals of the herding communities. However, increasing issues like poverty, environmental degradation, and climate change have changed the traditional practices of pastoralism, isolating and fragmenting herders and the pastures they have been using for many years. Local cultures of people rooted in the practice of yak herding are disappearing. Therefore, it is very important to document the socioeconomic and cultural aspects of yak herding. The broad aim of this paper was to provide a brief overview on the geographical distribution of yak in the Asian highlands and to provide in-depth information on yak-herding ethnic communities, the sociocultural aspect associated with yak herding, and challenges and emerging opportunities for yak herding in the Asian highlands. Altogether, 31 ethnic groups in 10 different countries of Asia and their cultures are documented herein. Yak was found to be utilized for many different household purposes, and to have cultural and religious aspects. Unfortunately, yak rearing and related traditions have been losing their charm in recent years due to modernization and several other environmental issues. Lastly, we suggest that there is an urgent need to take action to minimize the challenges faced by yak-herding mountain communities to conserve the traditional pastoral system and associated cultures of these ethnic communities.


Despite the widespread and increasing usage of Pd-catalyzed C–N cross couplings, finding good conditions for these reactions can be challenging. Practitioners mostly rely on few methodology studies or anecdotal experience. This is surprising, since the advent of data-driven experimentation and the large amount of knowledge in databases allow for data-driven insight. In this work, we address this by analyzing more than 62 000 Buchwald–Hartwig couplings gathered from CAS, Reaxys and the USPTO. Our meta-analysis of the reaction performance generates data-driven cheatsheets for reaction condition recommendation. It also provides an interactive tool to find rarer ligands with optimal performance regarding user-selected substrate properties. With this we give practitioners promising starting points. Furthermore, we study bias and diversity in the literature and summarize the current state of the reaction data, including its pitfalls. Hence, this work will also be useful for future data-driven developments such as the optimization of reaction conditions via machine learning.


Particle receiver systems require durable, reliable, and cost-effective particle transport equipment. These lifts are critical pieces of equipment to transport the particles from the heat exchanger back into the receiver. There are challenges that must be overcome with any particle lift device including high temperatures (800°C), particle load and friction, and erosion from particle contact. There are several options commercially available for particle systems including a screw-type vertical elevator, bucket lift vertical elevator, and skip-hoist-style bulk vertical lifts. Two of the elevator types (screw and bucket) have been tested at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) in Albuquerque, NM. The two elevators are currently in operation on the 1 MWth falling particle receiver at the Solar Tower. The screw-type elevator consists of a stationary internal screw with an outer casing that rotates about the screw. The frictional forces from the casing rotation drives the particles upward along the flights of the screw. The casing rotational velocity is variable which allows for mass flow rate control. Identified issues with the screw-type elevator include particle attrition, uneven loading at the inlet causes casing deflection, bearing deformation due to casing deformation, and motor stalling due to increased resistance on the casing. The SNL bucket elevator is rated for temperatures up to 600 °C and consists of steel buckets and a steel drive chain capable of lifting particles at a rate of 8 kg/s. Identified issues with the bucket type elevator include discrete (non-continuous) discharge of the particles and a non-adjustable flow rate. A skip hoist type elevator has been studied previously and seems like the most viable option on a large scale (50–100MWth power plant) with a non-continuous particle discharge. Different control scenarios were explored with the variable frequency drive of the screw-type elevator to use it as a particle-flow control device. The objective was to maintain the feed hopper inventory at a constant value for steady flow of particles through the receiver. The mass flow rate was controlled based on feedback from measurements of particle level (mass) inside the top hopper.


OBJECTIVE
To test functional improvement after a group cognitive-functional occupational therapy intervention for preschoolers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHOD
Seventeen preschooler-parent dyads attended 11 weekly group sessions focused on acquiring executive strategies through occupational performance. Functional improvement was measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS); executive function, using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Pediatric; ADHD symptomatology, using Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised and Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised; and social functioning, using the Social Participation scale of the Sensory Processing Measure.

RESULTS
Significant improvement was found on the COPM and GAS measures, whereas mixed results were found on the other measures, with improvements found in children whose scores indicated impairment at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive-functional group intervention appears to significantly improve daily functioning, executive function, and social functioning for children who demonstrate clinical impairment. Further research with a larger sample, a control group, and follow-up is required.


the reinforcement rib design is one of the key parts in entire bottle design. This paper presents the optimal design of reinforcement rib is based on the orthogonal test and finite element analysis, which is according to the finite element analysis results as its test data, with the target of the minimum stress, analyses the influence of each size of the reinforcement rib on the stress, obtain the optimal design proposal. The results show that the orthogonal experiment method can effectively distinguish different influence of various parameters on the stress, analyze the optimal design proposal, meanwhile, it can guide the bottle design in practical terms.


Can real world generic psychomotor skills such as discrimination of stiffness or height be improved using a haptic training package? Neil Tuttle; Allana Pennels; James Wooldridge AIMS: To determine if a haptic program designed to improve student ability to discriminate stiffness and bump height results in improved ability to discriminate in real-world tasks. BACKGROUND: Virtual reality simulators including a haptic (force feedback) component have been demonstrated to be effective in training instrumented procedural skills including dentistry and endoscopic surgery and task-specific soft-tissue palpation skills in veterinary science. Soft tissue palpation in physiotherapy, on the other hand is difficult to simulate with haptic devices. It is thought, that student skills would improve if their tactile discrimination could be improved. It is not known, however whether training student ability to discriminate using a haptic system will produce the intended result of improvement in real-world abilities. METHODS: Thirty-eight physiotherapy or exercise science students were tested to determine the smallest detectable differences in stiffness and height in a real-world task. The tests were performed twice; allowing or excluding cutaneous cues from deformation of the finger pad. Half of the students then participated in four 30-minute sessions using the stiffness and height discrimination modules of the Haptic Modules for Palpatory Diagnosis Training program. Both groups were retested in the real-world discrimination tasks. Training effects were evaluated with ttests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to evaluate relationships between individual student's real-world and haptic abilities. RESULTS: No differences were detected between groups or between before and after haptic training in ability to discriminate stiffness or height either with or without cutaneous cues. Students' ability to discriminate stiffness in real-world tasks demonstrated a small, but significant correlation with their haptic abilities, but no such relationship was found for the height discrimination task. Students reported the modules were user friendly but their overall satisfaction was low. It appeared that students may have improved their ability on the haptic modules by learning 'how to play the haptic game' rather than improving their ability to discriminate differences in stiffness or height. CONCLUSIONS: Although no firm conclusions can be drawn from this study due to the small sample size and methodological issues, it does not support using hapic modules to improve student abilty in generic palpation skills.


The single-copy Drosophila muscle myosin heavy-chain (MHC) gene, located at 36B(2L), has a complex exon structure that produces a diversity of larval and adult muscle MHC isoforms through regulated alternative RNA splicing. Genomic and cDNA sequence analyses revealed that this 21-kilobase MHC gene encodes these MHC isoforms in 19 exons. However, five sets of these exons, encoding portions of the S1 head and the hinge domains of the MHC protein, are tandemly repeated as two, three, four, or five divergent copies, which are individually spliced into RNA transcripts. RNA hybridization studies with exon-specific probes showed that at least 10 of the 480 possible MHC isoforms that could arise by alternative RNA splicing of these exons are expressed as MHC transcripts and that the expression of specific members of alternative exon sets is regulated, both in stage and in muscle-type specificity. This regulated expression of specific exons is of particular interest because the alternatively spliced exon sets encode discrete domains of the MHC protein that likely contribute to the specialized contractile activities of different Drosophila muscle types. The alternative exon structure of the Drosophila MHC gene and the single-copy nature of this gene in the Drosophila genome make possible transgenic experiments to test the physiological functions of specific MHC protein domains and genetic and molecular experiments to investigate the mechanisms that regulate alternative exon splicing of MHC and other muscle gene transcripts.


Normal mode calculations have been carried out on three low-energy structures of gramicidin S obtained from conformational energy calculations. When the results on the amide modes are compared with observed bands in the infrared and Raman spectra of crystalline gramicidin S and its N-deuterated derivative, one of the structures is clearly disfavored. Of the other two, one is slightly favored, and it corresponds to the lowest-energy structure obtained from the energy calculations. Spectra from solutions in DMSO and CH3 OH suggest that the molecular conformation is essentially retained in these solvents.


Summary Oral or intraperitoneal inoculation of suspensions of liver from fatal human cases of infectious hepatitis in Nigeria was found to cause a subclinical disease in patas and some other species of West African monkeys; a few animals became ill and a very few died. The disease was maintained in serial monkey-to-monkey passage by the oral or intraperitoneal inoculation of infected monkey livers. It appeared to increase in severity on passage. The most frequently observed signs of the disease were neutropenia and liver lesions. The neutropenia was rapid in onset after the oral, but slower after the intraperitoneal inoculation of infected liver. It was modified when concurrent bacterial infection occurred in the 2nd and subsequent weeks. The liver lesions varied in severity and frequency of occurrence. Usually they consisted of small foci in which the liver and Kupffer cells showed an increase in nucleolar and cytoplasmic basophilia. Necrosis was rare. These foci and the portal tracts were infiltrated with inflammatory cells. In some animals the changes were absent and in others they were slight and difficult to detect. In a few animals they became widespread throughout the liver. Because there was neither swelling nor necrosis of liver cells, tests for liver function showed values within the limits of normal. Electron microscopy of the liver showed irregularity of the nuclear membrane, increased numbers of mitochondria, hypertrophy of the Golgi complex and internal structures within the lysosomes. No virus-like particles were seen. The infective agent was stable to heating at 56°C for 30 min. and exposure to ether and freezing. It passed through bacteria-stopping filters. It was not isolated in artificial media or tissue cultures and did not cause clinical disease in laboratory animals other than monkeys.


The Sumatran Fault has been subjected of scientific researches for decades. Katili (1967) is regarded as the earliest work for defining The Sumatran Fault having transcurrent deformation in the light of plate tectonics. Following the work of Katili (1967), Bellier and Sebrier (1994) proposed structural interpretation of Sumatran Fault pull-apart basins using SPOT images. In 2000, Sieh and Natawidjaja published their work concerning neotectonics of Sumatran Fault. Previous works emphasizes on intensive segmentation of Sumatran Fault as distinctive feature. To address the segmentation of Sumatran Fault, concerns should be paid to tectonic evolution of the area. Sumatra was built based upon continental collisions from Late Paleozoic to Late Mesozoic. The collisions generated NW-SE trending basement structure (Barber et al., 2005). Counterclockwise rotation of Sundaland on Middle Miocene triggered the activation of Sumatran Fault in right-handed kinematics. Pre-existing basement structure facilitated the deformation. Sumatran Fault has right-stepping geometry, so that several pullapart basins develop along the fault. This paper concerns with current interpretation of fault configuration based on SRTM data. Interpretation runs from Aceh, Kutacane Graben, Toba Caldera, Tarutung-Sarulla Basins, Barumun-Angkola Segments, Lake Singkarak, Muaralabuh-Sungai Penuh Basins, Musi-Manna Segment, Lake Ranau, Suoh Valley, and Sunda Strait. Fault interpretation aims to classify Sumatran Fault pull-apart basins in terms of structural mechanism and kinematic models. Structural mechanism comprises fault-bend and oversteps basins. Meanwhile, kinematic models emphasizes on fault configuration. New division of Sumatran Fault is proposed, applying structural mechanism as the basis. Sumatran Fault can be packaged in three repetitions of fault-bend mechanism followed by overstep one. Northern, central, and southern structural packages are elaborated in the paper. Kata kunci : Sumatran Fault, Basement Structures, Fault-bend Basin, Overstep Basin, Structural Mechanism, Kinematic Model.


Biliary epithelial cells contribute to bile formation through absorption and secretion of fluid and electrolytes. Recent studies indicate that membrane Cl- permeability is regulated in part by increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effects of intracellular Ca2+ on channel activity, using the human Mz-ChA-1 cholangiocarcinoma cell line as a model, and to assess the possible roles of Ca(2+)-dependent kinases in channel regulation. Exposure to ionomycin (1 microM) activated ion channels in the cell-attached configuration in 63 of 74 attempts, increasing open probability (NPo) from 0 to 0.26 +/- 0.15 (n = 17). Multiple channels were present in each patch, and the effects of ionomycin were reversed by subsequent addition of ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'- tetraacetic acid (2 mM) to the bath. With Cl(-)-containing solutions, channels had a slope conductance of 14 +/- 4 pS (n = 11), and the mean open time was estimated to be 5.3 +/- 1.8 ms. These channels were anion selective, and currents were carried by efflux of Cl- at the resting potential. Exposure to the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) antagonist calmidazolium (100 microM) decreased NPo in ionomycin-stimulated cells to 0.02 +/- 0.06 (n = 19). The protein kinase C antagonist chelerythrine (50 microM) was without effect. In parallel studies in subconfluent cell monolayers, CaMKII antagonists were also potent inhibitors of ionomycin-stimulated 125I efflux. These findings indicate that Ca(2+)-dependent increases in membrane Cl- permeability are related in part to opening of 14.pS anion channels through a mechanism that depends on both Ca2+ and CaMKII. These channels represent a potential target for pharmacological modulation of biliary cell transport and function.


Nineteenth-century European intellectual history has given rise to such varied and abundant research that one is surprised to find certain important problems long identified and yet still relatively unexplored. Such is the case for certain aspects of the crucial transition from Hegel to Marx, for minority tendencies among French socialists and for the Messianic phenomenon, national and religious, so central to the period, particularly in Eastern Europe, and so rarely studied in detail. Certainly, these lacunae are exemplified by the absence of any com prehensive work on August Cieszkowski whose overall contribution to the history of the period may be marginal but whose specific role in each of the areas mentioned is both significant in itself and illustrative of certain wider problems. Cieszkowski first achieved recognition as the author of the Pro legomena zur Historiosophie in 1838. This short tract never became popular among the Berlin Hegelians for whom it was intended but it affected a number of radical intellectuals outside their circle. His next work, Gott und Palingenesie, was a defense of personal immortality against Hegelian revisionism. The following year, however, he founded as a bulwark of the Hegelian school the Philosophische Gesellschaft against external critics and internal dissolution."


The author examines the possible connection of predictors of future time orientation to romantic relationships with the opposite sex using the Future Time Orientation in Romantic Relationships Scale (FTORR; B. Oner, 2000b). The variables suggested as correlates with FTORR scores in B. Oner's (2000a) study were subjected to regression analysis. The results indicated that relationship satisfaction and an eagerness to break up negative relationships were negatively related to FTORR scores, whereas being a woman, experiencing jealousy, and the degree of selectivity in choosing a dating partner were positively related to FTORR scores. Caution and relationship commitment both predicted FTORR scores through the mediating effect of relationship satisfaction. The author discusses the implications of the findings.


The equilibrium geometries and electronic structures for a series of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) modified with phenylene were studied using the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Of the four configurations of the phenylene-modified SWCNTs, the v-configuration in which the bond is perpendicular to the main axis of the SWCNT is the most thermodynamically stable. The increase in radii of the modified SWCNTs generally leads to a decrease in the energy gaps. The first absorptions in the electronic spectra of the modified SWCNTs compared with those in the electronic spectra of pristine SWCNTs are basically red-shifted. The chemical shifts of bridged carbon atoms connected with phenylene in the v-configuration are shifted downfield relative to those of the pristine SWCNTs. The aromaticity of the rings in SWCNTs is improved owing to the addition of phenylene.


1. The structure and development of a new quadricapsulate species of Myxosporidian (Agarella gracilis) belonging to the family Chloromyxidae and found in the testis of the Dipnoan fish Lepidosiren paradoxa is described. 2. Attention is drawn to the interrelationships of parasitic Chloromyxidae correlated with interrelationships between their hosts in the groups Dipnoi, Elasmobranchii, and Amphibia. 3. The life-cycle in Myxosporidia is discussed, especially the origin and relationships of the spore-forming nuclei and cells in the pansporoblast, and it is suggested that physiologically the spore of a Myxosporidian is a multicellular unit analogous with the infusoriform embryo of the Mesozoan Dicyema, although the Myxosporidia exhibit Rhizopodan relationships and Mesozoa are probably derived from ciliated ancestors. 4. Although it is not suggested that the Myxosporidia represent a direct link between Protozoa and Metazoa, they may indicate a physiological reason for the origin of a soma, as a protective accessory to germ-cells. The Mesozoa show a similar process occurring in a non-related line of organisms.


In the predictive learning and causal reasoning literature it has been suggested that the processing of events is under the control of a competitive mechanism. However, little is known about whether the competitive mechanism operates at the encoding or near the response stages. The present work suggests that measures based on the recall of frequencies of the cells in the contingency table could help us in the placement of the competition principle within the processing stages. As the contingency judgment about a constant symptom-illness relation changed according to the validity of a second different symptom, we concluded in favour of a competition mechanism. However, estimated frequencies did not change as a result of such manipulation. This dissociation suggests that the competitive mechanism operates near the response stage rather than at the stimulus encoding period.


To mitigate the impact of the widening gap between the memory needs of CPUs and what standard memory technology can deliver, system architects have introduced a new class of memory technology termed persistent memory. Persistent memory is byte-addressable, but exhibits asymmetric I/O: writes are typically one order of magnitude more expensive than reads. Byte addressability combined with I/O asymmetry render the performance profile of persistent memory unique. Thus, it becomes imperative to find new ways to seamlessly incorporate it into database systems. We do so in the context of query processing. We focus on the fundamental operations of sort and join processing. We introduce the notion of write-limited algorithms that effectively minimize the I/O cost. We give a high-level API that enables the system to dynamically optimize the workflow of the algorithms; or, alternatively, allows the developer to tune the write profile of the algorithms. We present four different techniques to incorporate persistent memory into the database processing stack in light of this API. We have implemented and extensively evaluated all our proposals. Our results show that the algorithms deliver on their promise of I/O-minimality and tunable performance. We showcase the merits and deficiencies of each implementation technique, thus taking a solid first step towards incorporating persistent memory into query processing.


Background Many patients with lung cancer are deconditioned with poor physical fitness. Lung resection reduces physical fitness further, impairing the patient's ability to function in daily life. Methods We conducted a single-blind randomised controlled trial of high-intensity endurance and strength training (60 min, three times a week, 20 weeks), starting 5–7 weeks after surgery. The control group received standard postoperative care. The primary outcome was the change in peak oxygen uptake measured directly during walking until exhaustion. Other outcomes included changes in pulmonary function, muscular strength by one-repetition maximum (1RM), total muscle mass measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, daily physical functioning and quality of life (QoL). Results The intention-to-treat analysis of the 61 randomised patients showed that the exercise group had a greater increase in peak oxygen uptake (3.4 mL/kg/min between-group difference, p=0.002), carbon monoxide transfer factor (Tlco) (5.2% predicted, p=0.007), 1RM leg press (29.5 kg, p<0.001), chair stand (2.1 times p<0.001), stair run (4.3 steps, p=0.002) and total muscle mass (1.36 kg, p=0.012) compared with the controls. The mean±SD QoL (SF-36) physical component summary score was 51.8±5.5 and 43.3±11.3 (p=0.006), and the mental component summary score was 55.5±5.3 and 46.6±14.0 (p=0.015) in the exercise and control groups, respectively. Conclusions In patients recently operated for lung cancer, high-intensity endurance and strength training was well tolerated and induced clinically significant improvements in peak oxygen uptake, Tlco, muscular strength, total muscle mass, functional fitness and QoL. This study may provide a basis for exercise therapy after lung cancer surgery. Trial registration number NCT01748981.


Electronic and structural properties of Mg3Sb2 in cubic phase have been investigated by using full potential – linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within the framework of density functional theory. First we calculated optimized lattice parameters, and then by using these parameters the effects of hydrostatic pressure on band gap, bandwidths of bands under Fermi energy which are labeled by B1 and B2, the energy gap between B1 and B2 (anti symmetry gap) and also effective mass of electrons and holes have been investigated. We found by increasing hydrostatic pressure the band gap and anti-symmetric gap would decrease while bandwidth of all bands below Fermi energy would increase. For the cubic phase effective mass of electrons is pressure independent while for holes just in the Γ → N direction it is pressure dependent.


Supervision based on place invariants (SBPI) is an efficient technique for the supervisory control of Petri nets. In this paper we propose extensions of the SBPI to a decentralized control setting. In our setting, a decentralized supervisor consists of local supervisors, each controlling and observing a part of the Petri net. We consider both versions of decentralized control, with communication, and with no communication. In the case of communication, a local supervisor may receive observations of events that are not locally observable and send enabling decisions concerning events that are not locally controllable. In the first part of the paper we propose efficient algorithms for the design of decentralized supervisors, based on the extension of the SBPI concept of admissibility that we define. Then, in the second part of the paper, we propose the design of decentralized supervisors based on transformations to admissible constraints. The feasibility of this problem is demonstrated with a simple integer programming approach. This approach can incorporate communication between local supervisors as well as communication constraints.


We study the Einstein-Chern-Simons gravity coupled to Yang-Mills-Higgs theory in three-dimensional Euclidean space with a cosmological constant. The classical equations reduce to Bogomol'nyi type first order equations in curved space. There are BPS type gauge theory instanton (monopole) solutions of finite action in a gravitational instanton which itself has a finite action. We also discuss gauge theory instantons in the vacuum (zero action) AdS space. In addition we point out to some exact solutions which are singular. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.


Present research study is based on survey technique to explore, explain and investigate media portrayal of female in Pakistani TV daramas. In this regard, focus of the research on portrayal of females in daramas that how females' characters are portrayed in daramas. The population of the study was female students of Hazara University. The researcher used probability sampling technique for data collection. sample for this specific research study was 200 female students of Hazara University. Media dependency theory is the most relevant media effect theory with present research work. The data was collected by using standardized questionnaire. The empirical analysis of the data reveals that overall majority of the females of Hazara University watch different daramas and take keen interest in them. The exclusive analysis of the data also reveals that overall majority of the respondents use outfits in their daily routine life after watching daramas. Keywords: TV daramas, Female Portrayal, outfits, language, culture.


Particular Bacillus subtilis strains produce a capsular polypeptide poly-(cid:2) -glutamate ( (cid:2) -PGA) that functions as a physical barrier against bacteriophage infection. Bacteriophage (cid:2) NIT1 can infect B. subtilis and produces a novel (cid:2) -PGA hydrolase PghP. PghP was overexpressed, purified and crystallized by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals diffracted to a resolution of 2.4 A˚ using a synchrotron X-ray source and were found to belong to space group P 3 1 21 or P 3 2 21.


This paper describes the matching technique to improve the bandwidth of multi-GHz frequency ranges for the transimpedance amplifier (TIA). Different topologies can be used to implement the input matching network. It is shown that by simultaneously using of series input matching topology and T-output matching network, the bandwidth of the TIA can be obviously improved. This methodology is supported by a design example in a 0.18μm CMOS technology. Cadence tools simulation results show a -3dB bandwidth of 20GHz with 50fF photodiode capacitance, a transimpedance gain of 52.6dBΩ, 8.7pA/√Hz input referred noise and group delay less than 3ps. The TIA dissipates 1.3mW from a 1.8 V supply voltage.


Secondary caries is one of the most important factors leading to replacement of dental restorations. This investigation assessed the capacity of fluoride-releasing restorative materials to resist caries in vitro. Class 5 cavities were prepared in buccal and lingual surfaces of 18 extracted premolars. The six materials used were: high-copper amalgam (Dispersalloy), fluoride-containing amalgam (Fluor-Alloy), composite resin (Valux), fluoride-containing composite resin (Heliomolar), glass-ionomer cement (Fuji), and glass-ionomer cement with silver particles added (Ketac-Silver). After 15 weeks in an acid gel for caries-like lesion formation, the teeth were sectioned longitudinally and examined with polarized light. The results showed that restoration of caries with glass-ionomer materials and fluoride-containing amalgam may be of great importance in the prevention of both secondary caries around the restorations and primary caries in surface enamel adjacent to the restoration.


The policy feedback literature highlights that the design of public policies can affect recipients' experience of those policies and programs. In this paper, we examine the largely unexplored distributional implications of market-based early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. We present the results of a quasi-behavioral conjoint survey of 606 parents in the City of Toronto. Grouping parent respondents by income and access to public subsidies, we find evidence that access to public subsidies influences the ECEC preferences of lower income parents. We explore these findings with respect to how non-subsidized lower income parents experience the market for ECEC. We find evidence that non-subsidized lower income parents are more cost-conscious; this is likely to result in their using less well-regulated ECEC that is more variable in quality. In turning to less well-regulated care, the burden of performing oversight and quality assessments falls on these parents. However, our study finds that lower income non-subsidized parents report the least engagement with learning about ECEC, suggesting that they are likely to be the least able to effectively monitor their children's care arrangements. We explore the implications of these findings regarding the effects of policy on vulnerable children's access to high quality ECEC services.


On multimedia databases, in order to realize the fast access method, indexing methods for the multi-dimension data space are used. However, since it is a premise to use the Euclid distance as the distance measure, this method lacks in flexibility. On the other hand, there are metric indexing methods which require only to satisfy distance axiom. Since metric indexing methods can also apply for distance measures other than the Euclid distance, these methods have high flexibility. This paper proposes an improved method of VP-tree which is one of the metric indexing methods. VP-tree follows the node which suits the search range from a route node at searching. And distances between a query and all objects linked from the leaf node which finally arrived are computed, and it investigates whether each object is contained in the search range. However, search speed will become slow if the number of distance calculations in a leaf node increases. Therefore, we paid attention to the candidates selection method using the triangular inequality in a leaf node. As the improved methods, we propose a method to use the nearest neighbor object point for the query as the datum point of the triangular inequality. It becomes possible to make the search range smaller and to cut down the number of times of distance calculation by these improved methods. From evaluation experiments using 10,000 image data, it was found that our proposed method could cut 5%∼12% of search time of the traditional method.


Starting in the 1820s, plantation slavery designed for clove production erupted throughout Zanzibar, an Omani-controlled archipelago in East Africa. But by 1890, Zanzibar's independence, as well as its slavery, waned as it became a British protectorate. Slavery on Zanzibar represented a blend of traditional Omani slavery with new plantation-style slavery which developed during a period of heightened abolitionist movements and British imperialism in the Indian Ocean. Attempts by the British to end the slave trade in the western Indian Ocean and slave labor in Zanzibar reveals how Europeans conceptualized slavery in the 1800s by privileging the abolition of economic over domestic slavery. In this essay, I analyze plantation slavery in Zanzibar from two different, yet related angles. First, I will examine how this slave system developed and collapsed in such a relatively short amount of time. Second, I seek to understand how this new form of economic slavery coexisted with older forms of Omani slavery, specifically domestic slavery. In doing so, we see how this slave system combined elements of both domestic and economic slavery which further enhances our ability to understand the two as connected and intersecting categories of slavery. Further, this case demonstrates how, in the nineteenth century, slavery on a small archipelago of islands both effected and was affected by global economic and political shifts.


The purpose of this paper is the modelization and simulation of zombie machines for the evaluation of Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS), used to detect botnets. We propose an automatic method to infer zombies behaviours through the analysis of messages exchanged with their masters. Once computed, a model provides a way to generate realistic and manageable traffic, which is mandatory for an NIDS evaluation. We propose to use a Stochastic Mealy Machine to model zombies behaviours, and an active inference algorithm to learn it. With our approach, it is possible to generate a realistic traffic corresponding to the communications of botnets while ensuring its controllability in the context of an NIDS evaluation.


Purpose – The purpose of this case study is to explore how a relatively economically insignificant business can gain and maintain access to a major supermarket chain on the other side of the globe in a world oversupplied with fine wines.Design/methodology/approach – Based on the approach to case studies recommended by Lyons (2005), this case study is built on semi‐structured interviews with key informants, previous experience, observations, documentary and web resources, combined in a process of triangulation to ensure reliability and content validity.Findings – The nature of the problems facing a small wine producer are described, followed by an account of how access to Tesco was achieved and maintained. Personnel with previous Tesco contact were found to be vital to gaining access. Providing exactly what the supermarket wanted, when it wanted it and with reliability to continue supply over time were found to be critical as was the role of the channel coordinator. Supplier/supermarket loyalty was able to...


A study was performed to understand the consolidation behavior of diesel contaminated soils with surfactants in the laboratory. In this research locally available soil in Allahabad, U.P. (India) has been collected for testing. Sodiumlauryl sulphate and liquid organic cleaner were used as a surfactants in remediation of diesel contaminated soils. The soil was contaminated with different percentages of diesel i.e. 20 mL/kg, 40 mL/kg and 60 mL/kg by weight of dried soil, to simulate the effect of contaminant on the virgin soil. The increasing trend in compression index and coefficient of consolidation, where as decreasing trend in permeability have been observed on contamination with diesel as compared to the virgin soil. In order to decontaminate the diesel contaminated soil by soil washing technique, 4 gm/kg soil SDS and 4ml LOC in one litre of water has been used separately. After decontamination it was observed that the Max. dry density, compression index and coefficient of consolidation increases, where as permeability and optimum moisture content of soil decrease and the value of the geotechnical properties were found near to the properties of virgin soil. To compare the results an alternative method of Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy was carried out on laboratory virgin, contaminated and decontaminated soil samples. These results show that maximum contaminants were removed by surfactants at optimum dose.


Water vapor is a fundamental constituent of the atmosphere and is the most abundant green house gas thus having an important influence on climate. It is as well a key prognostic variable for numerical weather prediction models (NWP). Currently, the vertical profiles of tropospheric water vapor are provided by twice a day radiosondes. The routine observations have rather low temporal resolution that is insufficient to resolve fast-running meteorological phenomena. The aim of the thesis work was to design and build a Raman lidar instrument capable of continuous vertical profiling of tropospheric water vapor field with high temporal and vertical resolution. The provided observations will improve the database available for direct meteorological applications and could increase the accuracy of numerical weather prediction. RALMO – RAman Lidar for Meteorological Observations is developed as fully automated, eye-safe instrument for operational use by the Swiss meteorological service – MeteoSwiss. The lidar is able to provide vertical profiles of water vapor mixing ratio with time resolution from 5 to 30 min and vertical resolution from 15 m in boundary layer and 75 – 500 m in free troposphere. The daytime vertical operational range of the lidar extends from about 50 m to mid-troposphere and the detection limit is 0.5 g/kg. In night-time conditions the vertical operational range extends up to the tropopause with 0.01 g/kg detection limit. To allow daytime operation with extended vertical range and required detection limit the lidar is designed with narrow field-of-view receiver, narrow band detection, and it uses high pulse power laser with wavelength in the UV but out of solar blind region. The lidar transmitter uses flash-lamps pumped frequency tripled Nd: YAG laser generating 8 ns pulses with 0.3 J energy and 355 nm wavelength. To reduce the beam irradiance, required for eye-safe operation, and to reduce the divergence required for narrow field of view receiver, the laser beam is expanded by 15x refractive type expander. The backscattered laser light is collected by four 30 cm in diameter telescopes with focal length of 1 m. For better long term alignment stability the telescopes are tightly arranged around the beam expander in compact assembly. The field-of-view of the telescopes is reduced to 0.2 mrad to decrease the collected sky-scattered sunlight thus allowing daytime measurements up to mid troposphere. Fibers transmit the light collected by the telescopes to the lidar polychromator. Fiber coupling was preferred against free space connection because it separates the units mechanically and increases the overall lidar stability. In addition the fibers perform aperture scrambling which prevents range dependence of the receiver parameters. An additional "near range" fiber is installed in one of the telescopes to enhance the near range signal and to allow daytime measurements starting from approximately 50 m above the lidar. A high throughput diffraction grating polychromator is designed for narrow band isolation of water vapor, nitrogen, and oxygen Q branches of ro-vibrational Raman spectra. Water vapor mixing ratio is derived from the ratio of water vapor to nitrogen Raman signals and the oxygen signal is used to correct for aerosol differential extinction at water and nitrogen wavelengths. The water vapor detection channel passband is 0.3 nm. The narrow band detection increases the lidar sensitivity and operational range in daytime conditions. For maximum throughput of the polychromator, the exit and entrance slits are matched and the polychromator entrance accepts the divergent beam from the fibers without losses. Photomultipliers at the exit of the polychromator detect the Raman lidar signals, which are then acquired by transient recorders (Licel). The signals are simultaneously recorded in analog and photon-counting modes. The analog signals are used in daytime conditions with sky background signal that saturates completely the photon counter, whereas in night-time conditions, photon counting signals are used. Two computers provide for the automated operation of the lidar instrument. The first one controls all lidar units relevant to the lidar operation, including the laser and the data acquisition. For this purpose, Lidar Automat software has been developed under LabView and requires only activation by an operator. Automated data treatment software, developed under Matlab, is run on the second lidar computer. It reads the initial lidar data, treats them, and stores the final result in files ready for upload to the meteorological service. The files contain vertical profiles of water vapor mixing ratio and relative error. The lidar was completed in July 2007 and installed at the aerological station of MeteoSwiss in Payerne. Since October 2007 the lidar has been in experimental operation and the software for automated data treatment was completed. Since September 2008 the instrument has been fully operational, providing continuous vertical water vapor mixing ratio profiles uploaded to MeteoSwiss every 30 min. Regular comparisons with Vaisala RS-92 and Snow White® radiosondes were performed during the experimental lidar operation at Payerne. Long-term stability study of the calibration coefficient was performed as well.


The aim of this paper is to profile the emergency care patients seen by a selection of rural health services in Victoria, and show how advancing nursing practice could contribute to a more sustainable model of care. Quantitative patient data extracted from five rural health services across Victoria ranging in size, were analysed using descriptive statistic techniques. Most patients who attended for emergency care did not require urgent or immediate medical attention (70%), many had minor injuries (over 30%) and did not need medicines (57%) but were attended by a doctor either directly or via telephone (over 74%). If emergency care services in rural Victoria are to be sustained in the face of severe medical workforce shortages, registered nurses will need to be enabled through professional development, legislation and organisation policy to manage autonomously a larger proportion of the non-urgent, less complex patients who present to these emergency services.


We consider the discrete-time version of performability modeling of automated manufacturing systems (AMSs) capable of producing multiple part types, when the Markov rewards are random. The discrete-time approach is well suited for the performance studies of AMSs in the presence of failures, repairs, and reconfigurations, AMSs exist in various configuration states and this transitional behavior is modeled using discrete-time Markov chains. In addition, the performance in each configuration state is modeled by a Markov reward structure. The random reward structure models the behavior of real systems more accurately than the deterministic models used in the earlier literature. We derive recursive expressions for the conditional densities and moments of the cumulative performance function and study their asymptotic properties, when the underlying Markov chain describing the evolution of the configuration states is homogenous. Recursions are also derived for the computation of the cross correlation of the productivity of different part types. Examples are provided to illustrate the methods obtained in the paper.


The city as a form of spatial organization had different typologies along the time which have been shown in various models of urban organization. The complex functions of the city which are based on the analysis of its functional areas imprints a specific model and a specificity of the local potential that can be capitalized in various ways. The economic and social phenomena that occur in the city such as industrialization, tertiarization, deindustrialization and functional reorganization of spaces, population dynamics, the share of its involvement in different economic sectors, influence very clearly the physiognomy of the city. The urban dynamics reveals that the city is constantly facing a number of problems and has a close connectivity with the rural and urban areas nearby. This study aims to make a diagnosis analysis of Craiova urban space revealing the urban dynamics and systemic analysis and also the socio-economic aspects presented through the quantitative processing of statistical data (between 1965 and 2012) on population dynamics, its employment by sector of economy and the functional profile of the city. The determination of the urban organizational model and the morpho-functional zoning of Craiova will reveal the spatial characteristics which are reflected in the social and economic activities undertaken in the city.


The purpose of this study is to compare a series of well-known statistical machine learning techniques that classify online social network (OSN) Twitter users based on their socioeconomic status (upper/middle/lower). In the experiments, five classification algorithms are employed for the classification task. Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naive Bayes (NB), k-Nearest Neighbors, and Decision Tree are applied on high-dimensional data set extracted from the users' platform-based and profile-based behavior on Twitter. These algorithms are theoretically investigated and experimentally evaluated in terms of four performance measures: accuracy, precision, recall and, AUC. Ensemble methods are employed to improve the performance of the aforementioned algorithms. MANOVA is employed to examine if their performance measures are significantly different. ANOVA is used to analyze the differences of the classifiers for each performance measure. The analyses indicate a significant difference among these algorithms; both SVM and NB achieve good performance on our high-dimensional OSN data.


With the development of mass spectrometry (MS) instruments starting in the
late 19th century, more and more research emphasis has been put on MS related
subjects, especially the instrumentation and its applications. Instrumentation
research has led modern mass spectrometers into a new era where the MS performance,
such as resolving power and mass accuracy, is close to its theoretical
limit. Such advanced performance releases more opportunities for scientists to
conduct analytical research that could not be performed before.
This thesis reviews general MS history and some of the important milestones,
followed by introductions to ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) technique
and quadrupole operation. Existing electronic designs, such as Fourier-transform
ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) preamplifiers (for ion signal detection) and
radio-frequency (RF) oscillators (for ion transportation/filtering) are reviewed.
Then the potential scope for improvement is discussed.
Two new FT-ICR preamplifiers are reported; both preamplifiers operate at
room temperature. The first preamplifier uses an operational amplifier (op amp)
in a transimpedance configuration. When a 18-k
 feedback resistor is used, this
preamplifier delivers a transimpedance of about 85 dB
, and an input current
noise spectral density of around 1 pA/
p
Hz. The total power consumption of
this circuit is around 310 mW when tested on the bench. This preamplifier has a
bandwidth of fi3 kHz to 10 MHz, which corresponds to the mass-to-charge ratio,
m/z, of approximately 18 to 61k at 12 T for FT-ICR MS. The transimpedance
and the bandwidth can be adjusted by replacing passive components such as the
feedback resistor and capacitor. The feedback and bandwidth limitation of the
circuit is also discussed. When using an 0402 type surface mount resistor, the
maximum possible transimpedance, without sacrificing its bandwidth, is approximated
to 5.3 M
. Under this condition, the preamplifier is estimated to be able
to detect ~110 charges.
The second preamplifier employs a single-transistor design using a different
feedback arrangement, a T-shaped feedback network. Such a feedback system
allows ~100-fold less feedback resistance at a given transimpedance, hence preserving
bandwidth, which is beneficial to applications demanding high gain. The
single-transistor preamplifier yields a low power consumption of ~5.7 mW, and
a transimpedance of 80 dB
 in the frequency range between 1 kHz and 1 MHz
(m/z of around 180 to 180k for a 12-T FT-ICR system). In trading noise performance
for higher transimpedance, an alternative preamplifier design has also
been presented with a transimpedance of 120 dB
 in the same frequency range.
The previously reported room-temperature FT-ICR preamplifier had a voltage gain of about 25, a bandwidth of around 1 MHz when bench tested, and
a voltage noise spectral density of ~7.4 nV/
p
Hz. The bandwidth performance
when connecting this preamplifier to an ICR cell has not been reported. However,
from the transimpedance theory, the transimpedance preamplifiers reported in
this work will have a bandwidth wider by a factor of the open-loop gain of the
amplifier.
In a separate development, an oscillator is proposed as a power supply for
a quadrupole mass filter in a mass spectrometer system. It targets a stabilized
output frequency, and a feedback control for output amplitude stabilization. The
newly designed circuit has a very stable output frequency at 1 MHz, with a frequency
tolerance of 15 ppm specified by the crystal oscillator datasheet. Within
this circuit, an automatic gain control (AGC) unit is built for output amplitude
stabilisation. A new transformer design is also proposed. The dimension of the
quadrupole being used as a mass filter will be determined in the future. This
circuit (in particular the transformer and the quadrupole connection/mounting
device) will be finalised after the design of the quadrupole.
Finally, this thesis concludes with a discussion between the gain and the noise
performance of an FT-ICR preamplifier. A brief analysis about the correlation
between the gain, cyclotron frequency, and input capacitance is performed. Future
work is also suggested for extending this research.


The influence of tillage practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics is manifested indirectly through the modification of soil structure. This study was conducted at two sites in Illinois where long-term use of conventional (CT) and no tillage (NT) practices has increased SOC at Monmouth, a silt loam, but not at DeKalb, a silty clay loam soil with higher SOC contents. We evaluated whether soil structural quality could be related to observed SOC mineralization and explain the inconsistent influence of tillage on SOC stocks. Soil physical parameters and soil CO 2 evolution rates were measured in 2000, 2001, and 2002. At DeKalb, there was no difference in the mean (μmol m -1 s -1 ) or specific (μgCO 2 s -1 /μg SOC) SOC mineralization rates of NT and CT soils. In Monmouth, mean and specific SOC mineralization rates were greater from soils under CT than NT management. This indicates use of NT practices had increased physical protection of SOC at that site. The Q 10 equation, which is based on soil temperature and moisture, better explained CO 2 efflux in DeKalb than in Monmouth. The poorer fit of the equation in Monmouth reflects its reliance on gravimetric moisture content, which inadequately describes the status of soil water influencing heterotrophic activity. The least limiting water range (LLWR), which integrates the affects of clay content, bulk density, and soil moisture on biological activity and predicted observed soil CO 2 efflux patterns (R = 0.600, p = 0.0025) better than any other physical parameter, indicated use of NT practices at Monmouth increased soil compaction or strength enough to reduce C mineralization. In DeKalb, where soils have an inherently high capacity to protect SOC from decay, tillage has had no influence on SOC dynamics. The variable affect of tillage practices on C sequestration were explained by soil physical properties.


As the number of electronic components in automobiles steadily increases, the demand for higher communication bandwidth also rises dramatically. Instead of installing new wiring harnesses and new bus structures, it would be useful, if already available structures could be used, but driven at higher data rates. In this paper, we a) propose an extension of the well-known Controller Area Network (CAN) called CAN+ with which the target rate of 1Mbit/s can be increased up to 16 times. Moreover, b) existing CAN hardware and devices not dedicated to these boosted data rates can still be used without interferences on communication. The major idea is a change of the protocol. In particular, we exploit the fact that data could be sent in time slots, where CAN-conform nodes don't listen. Finally, c) an implementation of this type of overclocking scheme on an FPGA is provided to prove the feasibility and the impressive throughput gains.


PURPOSE
To analyze the prognostic impact of mutated KIT (mutKIT) in core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with inv(16)(p13q22) and t(8;21)(q22;q22).

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Sixty-one adults with inv(16) and 49 adults with t(8;21), assigned to postremission therapy with repetitive cycles of higher dose cytarabine were analyzed for mutKIT in exon 17 (mutKIT17) and 8 (mutKIT8) by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing at diagnosis. The median follow-up was 5.3 years.

RESULTS
Among patients with inv(16), 29.5% had mutKIT (16% with mutKIT17 and 13% with sole mutKIT8). Among patients with t(8;21), 22% had mutKIT (18% with mutKIT17 and 4% with sole mutKIT8). Complete remission rates of patients with mutKIT and wild-type KIT (wtKIT) were similar in both cytogenetic groups. In inv(16), the cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was higher for patients with mutKIT (P = .05; 5-year CIR, 56% v 29%) and those with mutKIT17 (P = .002; 5-year CIR, 80% v 29%) compared with wtKIT patients. Once data were adjusted for sex, mutKIT predicted worse overall survival (OS). In t(8;21), mutKIT predicted higher CIR (P = .017; 5-year CIR, 70% v 36%), but did not influence OS.

CONCLUSION
We report for the first time that mutKIT, and particularly mutKIT17, confer higher relapse risk, and both mutKIT17 and mutKIT8 appear to adversely affect OS in AML with inv(16). We also confirm the adverse impact of mutKIT on relapse risk in t(8;21) AML. We suggest that patients with core-binding factor AML should be screened for mutKIT at diagnosis for both prognostic and therapeutic purposes, given that activated KIT potentially can be targeted with novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors.


Springback during unloading affects the dimensional accuracy of sheet metal parts. A finite element model is proposed to predict springback with contact evolution between the sheet and dies based on U-bending benchmark of Numisheet 1993. The underlying formulation is based on updated Lagrangian elastoplastic materials model. BHF is modeled as an effective force on the edge of the flange. Sheet unloading is simulated by the tools' reverse motion. Sensitivity analysis done using the finite element method (FEM) demonstrated that the magnitude of springback and the overall accuracy are highly influenced by the element size, integration points and yield criteria. The solutions validated with experimental data of Numisheet 1993 show more accurately than 90%.The optimal model derived from FEM analysis provides an accurate solution and small convergence. It also has merit in not requiring excessive computation time.


Graduate students doing research on India in the 19803 would be told by their professors that if they wanted to be right about India, it was safer to be pessimistic. Not surprisingly, a deep pessimism had permeated the study of India, and scholars and analysts (when not preoccupied with the exotic maharajahs, the snake charmers, or the Indian rope trick) vied to write about the disintegration of India, the collapse of Indian democracy, and India's inability to break out of the so-called "Hindu rate of growth." Such pessimism was not confined to foreign scholars but also given credibility by distinguished Indians. Bashing India passed for academic objectivity; any hint of optimism was dismissed as the apologia of an emotionally charged nationalist.But what a difference two decades can make to our perceptions.Today, India has become the favorite poster child for the success of globalization. It is the most popular destination for corporate board retreats: businessmen, journalists, academics, and in fact all and sundry are headed for India. In 2006 alone more officials, congressmen, and corporate CEOs from the USA had turned up in New Delhi than in the entire decade prior to 1985. That India had come of age was confirmed belatedly by Foreign Affairs in July-August 2006 when it described India as a "roaring capitalist success." The enthusiasm for the shining India is best summed up by my friend Gurcharan Das, the author of India Unbound:India is poised at a key moment in its history. Rapid growth will likely continue-and even accelerate.... India has improved its competitiveness considerably since 1991: there has been a telecommunications revolution, interest rates have gone down, capital is plentiful, highways and ports have improved, and real estate markets are becoming transparent. More than ioo Indian companies now have market capitalization of over a billion dollars, and some of these-including Bharat Forge, Jet Airways, Infosys Technologies, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Motors, and Wipro Technologies-are likely to become competitive global brands soon. Foreigners have invested in over 1,000 Indian companies via the stock market. Of the Fortune 500 companies, 125 now have research and development bases in India-a testament to its human capital.1India's success is quite spectacular. It is no longer a question whether India will join the coveted ranks of the global powers in the 2 ist century. One can assert with confidence that this destiny is irreversible. The euphoria and adulation that India has evoked, both at home and abroad, is every bit well deserved, but there is an important reason to be cautious about such a narrow business-centric view. It tends to obscure important issues and real challenges that lie ahead. Just as the earlier pessimism detracted us from recognizing the true potential of India, the euphoric focus on globalization and economic liberalization misses two crucial issues.First, many recent commentators, unburdened by knowledge of the past, have ascribed India's success to globalization and its policy of economic liberalization. In his new best seller, The World is Flat, Tom Friedman provides a scintillating account of the ways in which India has been affected by globalization and the breathtaking speed with which India has transformed itself in the last decade. Not only has the landscape changed, but there is also a palpable sense of excitement and optimism that one had rarely experienced until even a few years ago. (Friedman, however, forgets to note that his observations are derived mainly from the big urban centers of India and his conversations with the urban consumers who have benefited most from the opening up of the Indian economy.) It is true India has benefited from globalization processes, but its rise has little, if anything, to do with globalization. India, like China, has never actually played by the rules of globalization and has only selectively and belatedly pursued economic liberalization. …


Abstract Introduction Flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and tobacco products are associated with the initiation and progression of tobacco use. With recent restrictions around flavored products, it is critical to measure both the product and the flavor being used. The Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS) Flavored Tobacco Products Measurement Subcommittee (FTPMS) was established to develop core measures to assess flavored tobacco and ENDS product usage, facilitate data harmonization, replicability, and comparisons across studies. Aims and Methods The FTPMS used a mixed-method approach to inform the development of recommended measures (first use, current use, reasons for use) to assess tobacco and ENDS product flavors. This included reviewing existing surveys, identifying priority areas, developing new measures, cognitive testing, and finalization of recommended measures. Results Recommended measures were selected from national surveys (e.g. PATH study) and survey items used in TCORS studies to evaluate first use, current use, and reasons for use of tobacco and ENDS products. Response options were expanded for questions about specific flavors and adapted to allow for assessments relevant to recent federal policies. Supplemental measures were developed for researchers conducting more in-depth research around flavored products. Conclusions Using an expert consensus process supplemented with cognitive testing, the FTPMS developed recommendations for core and supplemental measures for flavored tobacco and ENDS products. Harmonizing data on these factors for flavored tobacco and ENDS products are critical for researchers and may provide actionable evidence to federal, state, and local regulators and policymakers, as well as support evaluations of policies restricting flavors in these products. Implications The development of core measures to assess first use, current use, and reasons for use of flavored tobacco and ENDS products will facilitate data harmonization, replicability, and comparisons across studies conducted in different samples or across communities with varying levels of regulation for these products. Use of these standardized measures will allow for a greater understanding of the role of flavors and helps to build a more robust evidence base to inform regulatory decisions to reduce tobacco and ENDS use at the population level.


A 44-year-old woman presented to our clinic with reduced vision in the right eye for two weeks. Visual acuity was 4/10 in the right eye. A swelling optic disc, vascular attenuation in the optic nerve head, a few splinter hemorrhages around the optic disc, and moderate vitritis were detected in the right eye. The left eye was normal. She had a diabetes mellitus (DM) history for five years. Serum IgM and IgG found a high titer for toxoplasmosis. A papillitis was diagnosed that was caused by primary toxoplasmosis without any chorioretinal focus. The patient was treated with an appropriate systemic antibiotics for toxoplasmosis and per oral corticosteroid. Optic disc swelling resolved within four weeks. Visual acuity was 9/10 two months later. We aimed to emphasize that the unusual placement of toxoplasmosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of papillitis in diabetic patients.


Background: Benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, pregabalin, and melatonin (BZPMs) have been associated with a higher risk of traffic accidents, but the evidence is inconsistent, and lacking for newer drugs. Aim: To examine the association of BZPMs with risk of traffic accidents. Methods: All Danish adults (n = 3,823,588) were followed for redeemed prescriptions of BZPM and for incident traffic accidents registered in Danish registers from 2002 through 2018. Associations were examined in cohort and case-crossover designs using Cox proportional hazard and conditional logistic regression with adjustment for co-variables. Results: A total of 19.3% (n = 738,019) of all participants initiated treatment with BZPMs. During the mean follow-up of 10.3 years, 595,173(15.5%) of participants were involved in a traffic accident. In the cohort analysis, all BZPMs besides pregabalin were associated with a higher risk of traffic accidents in adults below 70 years, with chlordiazepoxide showing the strongest association (hazard ratio (HR)age 18–49 = 1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.67–1.86 and HRage 50–69 = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.70–2.00). In the older age groups, the specific BZPM medications were associated with lower or no risk of traffic accidents. However, in case–time-crossover analysis with inherited control for confounders, no BZPM medication was positively associated with traffic accidents, except for chlordiazepoxide, which had a higher odds ratio in middle-aged group (1.62, 95% CI: 1.15–2.29). Conclusions: This study does not fully support that BZPM use is a risk factor for traffic accidents. However, a positive association was found for chlordiazepoxide, which is approved for treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal.