Organisations, national governments and supranational bodies have all been active
in formulating policy measures to regulate access to, and use of, Internet content.
The research investigated policy responses formulated and implemented within the
European Union, the Council of Europe, the UK government and three UK
academic institutions during a five-year period from 1998 to 2003. This
investigation took place from a perspective of concern for the potential impact on
freedom of expression and freedom of enquiry of such policy initiatives. On a
theoretical level, the study aimed to illuminate the process of information policy
formulation in this area.
Habermas' ideas about the erosion of the public sphere, and the promotion of
conditions favourable to an 'ideal speech' situation, were used as an analogy to the
issues posed by the regulation of speech on the Internet. The growth in use of the
Internet worldwide as an informational, recreational and communications tool has
been accompanied by a moral panic about 'unacceptable' Internet content. The
effectiveness of a range of responses that have been made to control this
'problematic' medium, including the use of technical, ethical and legal constraints,
were examined. Freedom of expression and freedom of access to information
were considered, both as a fundamental human right and in the context of a
professional ethic for information professionals and academic staff and students.
Policy-making by the European Union and the UK government was explored via
longitudinal analysis of primary and secondary documentary sources; by the
Council of Europe via a combination of documentary analysis of primary and
secondary sources and participant observation at a policy-making forum; and at the
organisational level via case study research at three UK Higher Education
Institutions. This case study research used a combination of documentary analysis
and semi-structured interviews with relevant personnel. Findings from the three
case studies were triangulated via a questionnaire study carried out with student
respondents at each of the Institutions, to explore students' actual use, and misuse,
of University computer networks and their attitudes towards attempts to regulate
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this use. The SPSS computer software package was used to analyse the data
collected via the questionnaire study.
The re-interpreted policy process model proposed by Rowlands and Turner (1997)
and the models of direct and indirect regulation proposed by Lessig (1999) were
used as heuristic tools with which to compare the findings of the research. A new
model, the reflexive spiral, was designed to illustrate the dynamic, evolving and
bi-directional character of the policy formulation processes that were identified.
The enquiry was exploratory in nature, allowing theories and explanations to
emerge from the data rather than testing a pre-determined set of conclusions.
The conclusion is that the democratising potential of the Internet has indeed been
constrained by policy measures imposed at a range of levels in an attempt to
control the perceived dangers posed by the medium. Regulation of the Internet
was found to be a problematic area for organisations, national governments, and
international organisations due to its inherently 'resistant' architectural structure
and its transborder reach. Despite this, it was found that, at all levels, the Internet
is subject to a multi-tiered governance structure that imposes an increasingly wide
range of regulatory measures upon it.
The research revealed that of the three re-interpreted policy process models, those
of the Garbage Can and the Bureaucratic Imperative were found to be particularly
illustrative of the policy formulation process at all levels. The use of Lessig's
models of regulation (Ibid) was also found to be applicable to this area, and to be
capable of illuminating the many forces impacting on information flow on the
Internet. Overall, the measures taken to control and regulate Internet content and
access were found to have exerted a negative impact on freedom of expression and
freedom of access to information.


Computer modeling is nowadays necessary in order to achieve proper automotive components in short development times and low costs. To reach the required high accuracy, process and manufacturing operations, such as heat treatments, must be included in simulations. Indeed, they generate residual stresses, which strongly influence high cycle fatigue life, as well as geometrical distortions, which need to be evaluated and corrected in order to manufacture parts within the proper dimensional tolerances. Recent developments undertaken at PSA Peugeot-Citroen have enabled the development of a methodology to evaluate the residual stresses and distortions generated during T6-T7 heat treatment of aluminum automotive components. The calculation with Abaqus finite element software, developed on a cylinder head, follows 2 different steps: a thermal analysis and a mechanical analysis. The comparison between the simulation results and experimental measures is encouraging. Moreover, coupled with high cycle fatigue life, failures encountered during engine tests can be now explained. The methodology has also been applied on other aluminum automotive components, such as cast alloy wheels and engine cradles.


There exists a close relationship between cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney disease. Apolipoprotein A1 and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are widely used as cardiovascular risk markers but they also have anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate any associations between HDL levels and cytokine levels in urine. We randomly selected 90 urine samples from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors Study (41 males and 49 females). The samples were analyzed with 2 multiplex assays, Multiplex Inflammation I and Cardiovascular II kits (Olink Bioscience, Uppsala, Sweden). We analyzed the correlations between 158 cytokines in urine with apolipoprotein A1, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. There were strong correlations for apolipoprotein A1 and HDL cholesterol with individual cytokines. After adjustment for multiplicity testing, there were 33 significant correlations between apolipoprotein A1 and cytokine levels and 14 of these were also significantly correlated with HDL cholesterol. The strongest associations were observed for IL-1α, SPON2, RAGE, PAR-1, TRAIL-R2, IL-4RA, TNFRSF11A, and SCF. A total of 28 out of 33 correlations were negative, indicating a negative relationship between apolipoprotein A1 and urinary cytokines. The study shows a negative correlation between apolipoprotein A1 and HDL cholesterol and urinary cytokine levels. The finding is in agreement with the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL.


Background: Pain is a common problem after stroke and is associated with poor outcomes. There is no consensus on the optimal method of pain assessment in stroke. A review of the properties of tools should allow an evidence based approach to assessment. Objectives: We aimed to systematically review published data on pain assessment tools used in stroke, with particular focus on classical test properties of: validity, reliability, feasibility, responsiveness. Methods: We searched multiple, cross-disciplinary databases for studies evaluating properties of pain assessment tools used in stroke. We assessed risk of bias using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool. We used a modified harvest plot to visually represent psychometric properties across tests. Results: The search yielded 12 relevant articles, describing 10 different tools (n = 1,106 participants). There was substantial heterogeneity and an overall high risk of bias. The most commonly assessed property was validity (eight studies) and responsiveness the least (one study). There were no studies with a neuropathic or headache focus. Included tools were either scales or questionnaires. The most commonly assessed tool was the Faces Pain Scale (FPS) (6 studies). The limited number of papers precluded meaningful meta-analysis at level of pain assessment tool or pain syndrome. Even where common data were available across papers, results were conflicting e.g., two papers described FPS as feasible and two described the scale as having feasibility issues. Conclusion: Robust data on the properties of pain assessment tools for stroke are limited. Our review highlights specific areas where evidence is lacking and could guide further research to identify the best tool(s) for assessing post-stroke pain. Improving feasibility of assessment in stroke survivors should be a future research target. Systematic Review Registration Number: PROSPERO CRD42019160679 Available online at: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42019160679.


In this paper, we propose a method using seq2seq approach with the Transformer model to generate questions for reading comprehension of language learning test. First, the method uses the attention mechanism to extract sentences from given articles and combines the extracted sentences with the corresponding question to make pairs of sentences and a question. Second, the method trains the sentences-question pairs to make a seq2seq model. The model can generate questions once sentences are input. Evaluation results showed that more than 50% of the generated questions were appropriate as it is reasonable to be used in reading comprehension tests. Through the analysis of the generated questions, we found the differences between the types of generated questions: one is the question directly related to the given article (DR question) and the other is a common question (CM question). We discussed the reasons why the model tends to generate more CM questions than DR questions. Through the discussion, we found a future direction to improve the method to generate more DR questions.


Crested screamers, a unique, mainly terrestrial avian species native to South America, are known to have a markedly high chick mortality rate in captivity, ranging from 61% to 94%; however, there is very limited information on this species' natural history within the literature, and even less about common diseases that affect them. Four captive-born crested screamer chicks (Chauna torquata) at a U.S. zoological institution died acutely from different causes over the course of 2.5 months. Although a hands-off approach was initially taken, each chick became acutely weak on exhibit and medical intervention was deemed necessary, but proved unsuccessful in all cases. Necropsy results of the chicks revealed various causes of death, including acute Escherichia coli colitis, aspiration pneumonia complicated by concurrent gastrointestinal Candidiasis, severe dehydration and emaciation, and acute amoebic gastroenteritis. No direct associations were found between these deaths and diet or husbandry; however, the limited literature on this topic suspects inadequate husbandry and immunosuppression to be the greatest cause of chick mortality in this species. The cases presented here are consistent with this hypothesis, but further exemplify the limited knowledge of this species and the need to optimize their survivability and proliferation in captivity.


The transportation industry is facing major challenges that come along with innovative trends like autonomous driving. Due to the growing amount of network participants, smart sensors, and mixed-critical data, scalability and interoperability have become key factors of cost-efficient vehicle engineering. One solution to overcome these challenges is the AUTOSAR Adaptive software platform. Its service-oriented communication methodology allows a standardized data exchange that is not bound to a specific middleware protocol. OPC UA is a communication standard that is well-established in modern industrial automation. In addition to its Client–Server communication pattern, the newly released Publish–Subscribe (PubSub) architecture promotes scalability. PubSub is designed to work in conjunction with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), a collection of standards that add real-time aspects to standard Ethernet networks. TSN allows services with different requirements to share a single physical network. In this paper, we specify an integration approach of AUTOSAR Adaptive, OPC UA, and TSN. It combines the benefits of these three technologies to provide deterministic high-speed communication. Our main contribution is the architecture for the binding between Adaptive Platform and OPC UA. With a prototypical implementation, we prove that a combination of OPC UA Client–Server and PubSub qualifies as a middleware solution for service-oriented communication in AUTOSAR.


PURPOSE
Dietary oxalate makes a significant contribution to urinary oxalate excretion and, thus, may have a role in calcium oxalate kidney stone formation. Studies have indicated that the ingestion of oxalate rich foods results in transient increases in plasma oxalate concentrations and urinary oxalate excretion. We examined changes in plasma and urinary oxalate following oral crystalline oxalate loading under controlled dietary conditions to further define the renal handling of oxalate by normal adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Six normal adult subjects consumed controlled diets of known oxalate content for 1 week before ingesting loads of 0, 2, 4 and 8 mmol of oxalate. Urinary and plasma changes were measured to assess renal oxalate handling. Urinary excretion of proximal tubule derived enzymes and isoprostanes was monitored to assess for renal injury and oxidative stress.

RESULTS
Time and dose dependent changes in plasma oxalate, urinary oxalate and in the clearance ratio of oxalate-to-creatinine were observed. A significant correlation (r=0.43, p <0.001) between the oxalate-to-creatinine clearance ratio and plasma oxalate levels was identified. No changes in urinary markers of oxidative stress or renal injury were observed following the 8 mmol oxalate load.

CONCLUSIONS
Oxalate is rapidly absorbed and cleared by the kidney by filtration and secretion following an oral oxalate load. Renal oxalate secretion has a significant role in the renal handling of an oral oxalate load. There is no evidence of acute renal injury or oxidative stress with oral oxalate loads in these experimental conditions.


Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, besides motor dysfunctions, may also display mild cognitive deficits (MCI) which increase with disease progression. The neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in the survival of dopaminergic neurons and in the regulation of synaptic connectivity. Moreover, the brain and peripheral level of this protein may be significantly reduced in PD patients. These data suggest that a cognitive rehabilitation protocol aimed at restoring cognitive deficits in PD patients may also involve changes in this neurotrophin. Thus, in this pilot study we evaluated the effect of a cognitive rehabilitation protocol focused on the training of executive functioning and measured BDNF serum levels in a group of PD patients with mild cognitive impairment, as compared to the effect of a placebo treatment (n = 7/8 group). The results showed that PD patients undergoing the cognitive rehabilitation, besides improving their cognitive performance as measured with the Zoo Map Test, also displayed increased serum BDNF levels as compared to the placebo group. These findings suggest that BDNF serum levels may represent a biomarker of the effects of cognitive rehabilitation in PD patients affected by MCI. However, the functional significance of this increase in PD as well as other neuropathological conditions remains to be determined.


In the domain of decision theoretic planning, the factored framework (FMDP) has produced optimized algorithms using Decision Trees (SVI, SPI) and Algebraic Decision Diagrams (SPUDD). However, the state-of-the-art SPUDD algorithm requires i) the problem to be specified with binary variables and ii) the data structures to share a common order on variables. In this article, we propose a new algorithm within the factored framework that eliminates both these requirements. We compare our approach to the SPUDD algorithm. Experimental results show that our algorithm allows significant gains in time, illustrating a better trade-off between theoretical complexity of algorithms and size of representation.


Abstract Thymic tumours are rare thoracic malignancies with thymic carcinoma accounting for approximately 12% of all thymic tumours compared to thymomas which account for approximately 86%. Unlike thymomas, it is very rare for thymic carcinomas to be associated with autoimmune disorders or paraneoplastic syndromes. When these phenomena do occur, the vast majority are myasthenia gravis, pure red cell aplasia, or systemic lupus erythematous. Paraneoplastic Sjogren's syndrome is a rare complication of thymic carcinoma, with only two cases previously reported. Here we present 2 cases of patients with metastatic thymic carcinoma who developed autoimmune phenomena consistent with Sjogren's syndrome without classical symptoms prior to treatment. One patient opted for surveillance of their malignancy, while the other underwent chemoimmunotherapy with favourable results. These case reports describe two distinctive clinical presentations of a rare paraneoplastic phenomenon.


BACKGROUND
The Children in the Community Study is a prospective longitudinal study investigating the association between early drug use (childhood, adolescence, and early 20s) and later psychiatric disorders (in the late 20s).

METHODS
Using data from a community-based sample of 736 adults (50% female) from upstate New York, the subjects were interviewed at the mean ages of 14, 16, 22, and 27 years. Psychiatric disorders, measured by age-appropriate versions of the University of Michigan Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and participant's drug use were assessed.

RESULTS
Adolescent and young adult tobacco use was significantly associated with an increased risk of alcohol dependence and substance use disorders at a mean age of 27 years, but not with new episodes of major depressive disorder. Earlier alcohol use significantly predicted later major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and substance use disorders in the late 20s, as did early marijuana use and other illicit drug use. Except for the effect of tobacco use on major depressive disorder, early drug use was significantly related to later psychiatric disorders, even after statistically controlling for age, sex, parental educational level, family income, and prior episodes of major depressive disorder and substance use disorders.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that early drug use is associated with and predicts later psychiatric disorders. Preventive implications stem from the importance of studying a range of psychiatric disorders in the context of substance use assessed over a wide age range.


This paper deals with the derivation of a consistent set of empirical attenuation relationships for predicting free-field horizontal components of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 5 percent damped pseudo acceleration response spectra (PSA) from 47 strong ground motion records recorded in Turkey. The relationships for Turkey were derived in similar form to those previously developed by Boore et al. (1997) for shallow earthquakes in western North America. The used database was compiled for earthquakes in Turkey with moment magnitudes (Mw) ≥ 5 that occurred between 19761999, and consisted of horizontal peak ground acceleration and 5 percent damped response spectra of accelerograms recorded on three different site conditions classified as rock, soil and soft soil. The empirical equations for predicting strong ground motion were typically fit to the strong motion data set by applying nonlinear regression analysis according to both random horizontal components and maximum horizontal components. Comparisons of the results shows that ground motion relations for earthquakes in one region cannot be simply modified for use in engineering analyses in another region. Our results, patterned after the Boore et al. expressions and dominated by the Kocaeli and Duzce events in 1999, appear to underestimate predictions based on their curves for up to about 15 km. For larger distances the reverse holds.


Two cases of bile peritonitis are here reported, chiefly to call attention to a condition which is serious, though extremely rare, and for which successful surgical treatment is possible even after the disease has persisted for some time. In most, if not all, of the recorded cases of bile peritonitis in children the condition has been caused by traumatic rupture of the gallbladder or common duct following severe injury to the abdomen. As yet, however, I have found no report of bile peritonitis in a patient during the first few weeks of life and therefore, although future reports will undoubtedly lead to a better understanding of the primary cause and crystallize the clinical syndrome, it seems justifiable to attempt to draw some definite conclusions on the basis of only two cases, particularly since the cases were very much alike in the histories and clinical findings. REPORT OF CASES Case1.—G.


Primary implantation of posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) was performed in 70 eyes with defective posterior capsule following extracapsular cataract extraction. The visual acuity was 0.5 or better at 3 months and 12 months postoperative in 97.1% and 88.6% of the cases respectively. Complications were rare. The authors put forth the following principles for such cases: (1) injection of air or Healon to maintain a deep anterior chamber: (2) the insertion or rotation of the IOL should be away from the area of capsular rupture; (3) the long axis of the IOL should cross the meridian of the posterior capsule rupture: (4) the residual anterior capsule may be utilized to support the IOL; (5) complete clearance of any vitreous in the anterior chamber; and (6) performance of at least 2 peripheral iridectomies to guard against pupillary block. This technique is applicable in eyes with peripheral posterior or capsule defect of less than 120 degrees or with central rupture of less than 4mm.


Archaeologists have likely collected, as a conservative estimate, billions of artifacts over the course of the history of fieldwork. We have classified chronologies and typologies of these, based on various formal and physical characteristics or ethno-historically known analogues, to give structure to our interpretations of the people that used them. The simple truth, nonetheless, is that we do not actually know how they were used or their intended purpose. We only make inferences—i.e., educated guesses based on the available evidence as we understand it—regarding their functions in the past and the historical behaviors they reflect. Since those inferences are so fundamental to the interpretations of archaeological materials, and the archaeological project as a whole, the way we understand materiality can significantly bias the stories we construct of the past. Recent work demonstrated seemingly contradictory evidence between attributed purpose or function versus confirmed use, however, which suggested that a basic premise of those inferences did not empirically hold to be true. In each case, the apparent contradiction was resolved by reassessing what use, purpose, and function truly mean and whether certain long-established functional categories of artifacts were in fact classifying by function. The resulting triangulation, presented here, narrows the scope on such implicit biases by addressing both empirical and conceptual aspects of artifacts. In anchoring each aspect of evaluation to an empirical body of data, we back ourselves away from our assumptions and interpretations so as to let the artifacts speak for themselves.


There is a wealth of literature on people's opinions, perceptions and economic valuations of particular species, but very few studies that focus on public opinion of biodiversity as a whole. In particular, the public's ability (or inability) to perceive species richness within protected areas (PA's) has received little attention.

This study is based on three data sets from a subset of six, eight and seventeen PA's within the UK. It investigates how accurately PA visitors can estimate the species richness of birds and butterflies in each PA. It also explores visitors' motivations for visiting particular PA's, and their economic valuation of biodiversity within PA's, using contingent valuation methods, and the travel cost method. Moreover, this study uses generalised linear models to explore variations in visitor patterns to PA's based on biodiversity related, and non-biodiversity related predictor variables. Visitors to the PA's sampled had an accurate perception of the numbers of bird and butterfly species, and were primarily visiting for biodiversity related reasons. Biodiversity was considered important regardless of the actual level of biodiversity within the PA. Initial exploration of visitor data indicated that the most important factor in influencing visitation across reserves during the breeding season was the presence of rare bird species. Furthermore, the amount that visitor's were willing to pay to visit PA's, the amount they spent, and their travel costs all increased logistically as biodiversity increased.

 Although this study is based on only a few protected areas, and, therefore, cannot be used as a direct measure of the public's perception or valuation of biodiversity across the UK, it does indicate that visitors to the areas sampled have a fairly accurate perception of biodiversity, and consider biodiversity important when visiting reserves. Therefore, an increase in biodiversity within a PA could potentially justify an increase in entrance fee. Finally, the finding that that visitor spending, in both the PA and surrounding area, increased as biodiversity rose, could be an important discovery with regards to building additional support for biodiversity conservation from people and businesses local to PA's.


Ipomoea pes-caprae (Convolvulacea) is a valuable medicinal plant, distributed in the tropics and subtropics regions and uses in folk and tribal medicines. Usually known as dopatilata, railroad vine and goat's-foot morning glory. The plant contains active component likes naphthalenone, (-)-mellein, eugenol, 4-vinyl-guaiacol. lipophilic glycosides, 2-methylpropanoic, (2S)-methylbutyric, n-hexanoic, n-decanoic, and n-dodecanoic acids. The juice from the succulent leaves has been used as a first aid to treat jellyfish stings and also used in ritual baths to alleviate evil spells. The extract of the leaves have the astringent, diuretic and laxative properties. Leaves are used in rheumatism, and as stomachic and tonic. It has wide range of pharmacological activities like antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antinociceptive, antihistaminic, insulogenic and hypoglycemic activities. This review focuses the published scientific evidence on its pharmacological properties, phytochemical composition, uses, along with descriptions of the plant. A number of herbal preparations are widely used in traditional system of medicine for the management of different disorders but, many of them have not been investigated for their described effects. This plant have broad spectrum activities so, further studies on other models and extensive clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings. Keywords: Dopatilata; Bio-active compounds; Railroad vine; Clinical trails


The treatment of diabetes mellitus using drug medications have side effects such as weight gain, hypoglycemia, the risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality. These limitations have become one reason to use complementary therapy from plant extract, such as Vernonia amygdalina as an antidiabetes. This research aimed to investigate the effect of V. amygdalina leaf extracts as antidiabetic and antioxidant agents by measuring the fasting Blood Glucose Levels (BGLs), IC50 value and the profiles of phytochemical constituents using LC-MS analysis. We used 24 Sprague-Dawley rats (200-300 g) divided into six groups: normal group, positive control group and negative control group. The other three groups were leaf extract groups in different doses: 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg BW dose of leaf extract groups, respectively. The antidiabetic effects were tested based on BGLs were observed for 16 days and examined on day 4, 8, 12 and 16. The rat renal histological changes were observed under an electron microscope using Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) dye. V. amygdalina leaf extract showed an effect in reducing BGL on diabetic rats with an effective dose of 200 mg/kg. Renal histopathology result showed necrosis on proximal tubules in all treatment except the normal group. In conclusion, the administration of V. amygdalina leaf extract can reduce BGL. However, it did not show any improvement in the histopathological structure of the kidney.


We present a comparison between co-precipitation method and polyol mediated synthesis for obtaining sub-micrometric powders of Eu0.05Ca0.95MnO3 manganite. The samples synthesized were characterized by XRD and SEM; where the compounds have a single phase with the proposed stoichiometry. Microwave absorption response in poly-crystalline Eu0.05Ca0.95MnO3 samples that it is carried out by both methods, are compared. These measurements were carried out at X-band (9.4 GHz) with a dc magnetic field up to 6000 Gauss, at 300 K. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectra show important differences between both samples, indicating that the processes of magnetic absorption and the temperatures of phase transition are sensitive to order/disorder local; that we associate with the preparation route.


This paper builds a novel database on the effects of macroprudential policy drawing from 58 empirical studies, comprising over 6,000 results on a wide range of instruments and outcome variables. It encompasses information on statistical significance, standardized magnitudes, and other characteristics of the estimates. Using meta-analysis techniques, the paper estimates average effects to find i) statistically significant effects on credit, but with considerable heterogeneity across instruments; ii) weaker and more imprecise effects on house prices; iii) quantitatively stronger effects in emerging markets and among studies using micro-level data; and iii) statistically significant evidence of leakages and spillovers. Other findings include relatively stronger impacts for tightening than loosening actions and negative effects on economic activity in the near term.


Electrometers used in dosimetric instruments need to be checked regularly in order to measure and maintain the prescribed dose to the patient. This paper describes the function of a simple but accurate test device for electrometers. A number of electrometers have been tested and compared with calibrations performed by the Swedish Standard Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL). The device can be used to test current, resistance, voltage and charge measurements. The charge can be conducted to the electrometer in different ways, and the input resistance of the electrometer can also be determined. The calibration factors obtained by the device are in good agreement with results obtained from calibrations at the SSDL.


Background Family caregivers play an important role in supporting patients at the end of life. Although providing care for palliative care patients can be inherently stressful, it is possible for family caregivers to experience both positive experiences and stress simultaneously. Understanding these positive experiences can be helpful to aid counterbalancing the negative aspect of caregiving. Objective and Methods Therefore, we conducted a qualitative study using face-to-face interviews with semi-structured questions to explore the experiences of well-being of palliative care family caregivers from a positive perspective. The entire sample consisted of 18 family members caring for cancer patients and 2 family members caring for patients with motor neuron disease. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed with qualitative research software NVIVO. Results The themes generated from the analysis are: (1) Acceptance, (2) Gratitude, (3) Hope, (4) Happiness and (5) Support. Conclusions The 5 themes provide 6 constructs for independent intervention. Understanding these themes that promote caregiver well-being can be a guide for us to take care of our family caregivers.


Abdominal injury as a result of both blunt and penetrating trauma has an appreciable mortality rate from haemorrhage and sepsis. This study represents the experience with blunt trauma to the abdomen of patients from a tertiary care centre. The study was undertaken to know the demographic details, mode of injury, management and outcome of blunt trauma abdomen (BTA). All the blunt trauma abdomen cases admitted in RIMS Ranchi during periodof July 2014 to September 2016. There were 55 consecutive cases of blunt trauma abdomen. Most common age group involved was 30-40 years followed by 20 to 30 year. Male and Female ratio was 3:1. Most common mode of injury was RTA 47.2%. Diagnosis was established in all cases by clinical examination, X-ray, ultrasound or CECT. Spleen (49%) was the commonest organ injured next Liver (21.8%). 67.2% (37patients) of cases underwent successful conservative treatment and 32.7% (18) operative treatment. Mortality was 10%.Non operative management (NOM) for BTA was found to be highly successful and safe. Definitive indications for laparotomy were hemodynamic instability and peritonitis. Patients with initial Hemodynamic instability are associated with a high risk of NOM failure. USG (FAST scan) in haemodynamically unstable patients as compared to CECT in stable patients were investigations of choice. Associated injuries influenced morbidity and mortality.


Primordial black holes might comprise a significant fraction of the dark matter in the Universe and be responsible for the gravitational wave signals from black hole mergers observed by the LIGO/Virgo collaboration. The spatial clustering of primordial black holes might affect their merger rates and have a significant impact on the constraints on their masses and abundances. We provide some analytical treatment of the primordial black hole spatial clustering evolution, compare our results with some of the existing N-body numerical simulations and discuss the implications for the black hole merger rates. If primordial black holes contribute to a small fraction of the dark matter, primordial black hole clustering is not relevant. On the other hand, for a large contribution to the dark matter, we argue that the clustering may increase the late time Universe merger rate to a level compatible with the LIGO/Virgo detection rate. As for the early Universe merger rate of black hole binaries formed at primordial epochs, clustering alleviates the LIGO/Virgo constraints, but does not evade them.


The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) pathway is a novel therapeutic target in immune checkpoint therapy for cancer. Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, blocks PD-1 and can restore anti-cancer immune responses by disrupting the signal that inhibits T-cell activation. Nivolumab may induce endocrine-related adverse events, including hypophysitis, autoimmune thyroiditis, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Here we report a 68-year-old female patient with advanced renal cell carcinoma who was treated with nivolumab. She had positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies with slightly elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (9.048 μU/mL), and was diagnosed as chronic thyroiditis with subclinical hypothyroidism before nivolumab therapy. She developed painless thyroiditis after the first cycle of the therapy (Day 14). At the 7th cycle of nivolumab therapy (Day 98), hyperglycemia (473 mg/dL) was noted, whereas glycated hemoglobin level was 6.9%. Islet-related autoantibodies were all negative. The glucagon tolerance test showed complete depletion of insulin. Human leukocyte antigen typing showed haplotype DRB1*09:01-DQB1*03:03, which was reported to be closely associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Japan. Fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus was diagnosed, and she was immediately treated with multiple daily injections of insulin. Fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by rapid-onset diabetic ketoacidosis, and negative islet-related autoantibodies, and was proposed as a novel subtype of non-autoimmune diabetes. Preceding painless thyroiditis with positive thyroid autoantibodies observed in the present case, however, raises the possibility that autoimmune mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of nivolumab-induced fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus.


Apart from its large reserves of Cu-Co-Zn mineralization contained within stratiform ore beds or mantos, the Boleo district of central Baja, Mexico, also contains significant concentrations of Mn oxides (typically 2–3 wt % Mn) interspersed with hydrothermal sulfides and both hydrothermal and weathering-related metal oxide minerals. Within the mantos, Mn oxides occur as concentric nodules, disk-shaped concretions, laminae, granules or aggregates, veins, dendrites, and various replacements. The oxides are composed of varying amounts of hollandite, cryptomelane, todorkite, romanechite, pyrolusite, and X-ray amorphous Mn oxide. Chemically, the manto oxides are unique owing to their extraordinarily high abundances of Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn (typically 2–5 wt %, but up to 23 wt %). Existing mineralogical and geochemical classifications are ambiguous regarding the genetic classification of Mn oxides within the mantos. A new MnO 2 -Fe 2 O 3 t-MgO diagram is proposed in order to discriminate among highly metalliferous Mn oxides. Based on the new classification scheme, manto Mn oxides record a complex interaction between hydrothermal and diagenetic processes. To better understand the mechanism of oxide deposition, radiogenic isotopes (Sr and Pb) and REE geochemistry were used to delineate fluid and metal sources. Isotopic and REE constraints indicate that the Boleo Mn oxides are largely hydrothermal in origin; however, they show varying degrees of modification resulting from diagenetic processes. Hydrothermal Mn oxides are syngenetic (synsedimentary to syndiagenetic) in origin and were precipitated in association with sulfides, reflecting localized variations in redox conditions within the manto sequence, due to the downward infiltration of metal-bearing brines. Apart from morphological and stratigraphic evidence (e.g., occurrence of nodular crusts along the upper contact of the manto), a syngenetic origin is supported by a single K-Ar date of 7.0 ± 0.2 Ma, which is within the estimated age range for deposition of Boleo Formation clastic sediments. Interaction between brine and seawater or brine and pore fluid, as it infiltrates the sedimentary pile, produced hydrothermal precipitates with certain hydrogenetic attributes (i.e., positive Ce anomaly, LREE enrichment). On the other hand, oxides with hydrogenetic and with mixed hydrothermal-hydrogenetic affinities represent diagenetic alteration and remobilization of earlier formed hydrothermal oxides by meteoric fluids. By far the greatest degree of remobilization occurred in response to compactional dewatering of the manto, where the dewatering pore waters enriched the uppermost manto strata in Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, and to lesser degrees, Cu. Later diagenetic modifications coincided with the development of a supergene overprint, which typifies Boleo Formation strata at elevations above the present-day water table.


Abstract We studied with great interest the article titled "Acute diarrhea and severe dehydration in children: Does non-anion gap component of severe metabolic acidemia need more attention?" by Takia L et al. and would express our views about the same. Normal anion gap metabolic acidosis (NAGMA) is a common entity following stool loss of bicarbonate during an acute diarrheal illness. Several studies have shown that there is a higher incidence of hyperchloremic acidosis and acute kidney injury (AKI) with normal saline (NS) when compared to balanced crystalloids like Ringer's lactate (RL) or balanced salt solutions like plasmalyte. We would like to know about the type of resuscitation fluid used in the study population as it would affect the degree of resolution of acidemia. As per the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, rehydration therapy for children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is different from other children including the fluid used for bolus, i.e., RL and oral rehydration solution (ORS), i.e., rehydration solution for malnourished (ReSoMal). We would like to know if the study population included SAM children and a subgroup analysis of the same was done as SAM is an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity. We suggest to plan studies on cognitive outcome of these children. How to cite this article Pratyusha K, Jindal A. Normal Anion Gap: A Knowledge Gap. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(4):298.


Although aqueous solutions are considered as sustainable, environmentally friendly reaction media, their use often is limited due to incompatibilities in terms of the reactants' solubilities. This apparent limitation can be overcome by converting aqueous solutions into soft dispersed interface-rich systems, for example into polyelectrolyte solutions, micellar solutions, oil-in-water microemulsions, or vesicle dispersions. All consist of homogenously distributed dynamic structures which provide local environments which are different from the bulk solution, in analogy to one of the key features of enzymes. The presence of soft dispersed interface-rich structures may not only lead to selective reaction accelerations, but also to changes in reaction pathways, whereby chemical reactions are guided by the structures towards desired products, again in analogy to enzyme-catalysed transformations. General concepts are illustrated with selected examples, ranging from enzyme mimics, the preparation of conductive polymers, and transfer metal-catalysed organic syntheses on industrial scale, to prebiotic systems chemistry considerations.


Temporal logic is a simple extension of classical logic with temporal operators. When a computation is seen as a sequence of states changing over time. one can reason about such a sequence with temporal logic: the classical part describes the static aspect. the states. and the temporal operators describe the dynamic aspect. the relation (in time) between states. Temporal logic has proved to be a most versatile tool for the specification and verification of concurrent systems. It has been applied to a wide variety of systems. such as concurrent programs. communication protocols. hardware. VLSI etcetera. Nevertheless. temporal logic is not suited on beforehand for the specification of two important classes of systems: message passing and real-time systems. We develop an extension of standard temporal logic. called real-time temporal logic. that enables the description of these two classes of systems and illustrate this by three examples. 2


The hematopoietic colony-forming assays (CFA) allow in vitro detection of clonal expansion of stem, progenitor, and precursor cells, and as such, represent a fundamental tool in the experimental and clinical hematology laboratory. These assays were pivotal to our current understanding of the biology and physiology of the blood-forming system and the process of hematopoiesis. In traditional CFA, cells are suspended in a semisolid medium and are induced by a cocktail of growth factors, which is dictated by the type of cell to be assayed, to proliferate, divide, and differentiate to form colonies that are then viewed under a microscope and manually scored and counted. We have long used this assay in our ongoing experiments in the sheep model as a means of quantifying hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, but this assay is time-consuming, tedious, rather subjective, and very difficult to implement when large numbers of sheep samples need to be assayed. In the present studies, the traditional sheep CFA methodology was redesigned into an ATP-based bioluminescence proliferation assay readout by modifying and optimizing a newly described assay known as HALO (Hemotoxicity Assays via Luminescence Output [HemoGenix, Inc, Colorado Springs, CO]) to allow measurement of sheep progenitor cells. HALO is rapid, highly sensitive, nonsubjective, standardized, and its 96-well plate format provides high-throughput capability. In these studies, sheep marrow mononuclear cells were isolated with Nycoprep (1.077A), and a 3 parameter HALO cross-over assay was initially performed in 96-well plates for sheep CFC-GEMM using human growth factors and cytokines in an effort to optimize this new system. The three parameters assessed were: Cell dose response (1000, 2500, 5000, 10000, 25000, and 50000 cells/well); Kinetics of colony formation (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 days); and fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentration (all cell doses and time points were set up at either 5% or 20% FBS). We also performed a HALO 7-Population assay to detect and measure seven sheep hematopoietic populations, namely two stem cells (HPP-SP and CFC-GEMM), three hematopoietic progenitor cells (BFU-E, GM-CFC, Mk-CFC), and two lymphopoietic populations (T-CFC and B-CFC) at 10,000 cells/well using 5% FBS and 2 readout times of 7 and 11 days. Our result show that 5% FBS is optimal, that cell doses of 5000 to 25000 cells/well all provide equally informative data, and that, at most cell doses, maximal colony proliferation (colony growth) occurs at day 7, making this the ideal time for colony quantitation. All results obtained by HALO were validated by manual scoring and counting, and these two data sets closely paralleled one another, confirming that luminescence readout can substitute for manual inspection and counting. In conclusion, our results show that, as with human, non-human primate, dog, rat, and mouse, sheep bone marrow cells can be stimulated with an appropriate combination of growth factors that allows detection and quantitation of seven different early hematopoietic cell populations at various stages of differentiation ranging from very primitive HSC (HPP-SP) through to committed T and B cell precursors (T-CFC and B-CFC) simultaneously using a sensitive, high-throughput bioluminescence readout-based assay.


This paper examines the efficiency of pricing in the NFL point spread betting market, as hypothesized by the Efficient Market Hypothesis, through both statistical and economic tests. This market provides a simpler framework to test such economic hypotheses than conventional financial markets. Using a larger sample size than past literature, this paper finds that while the market is efficient in the aggregate sense, there are still some profit opportunities which imply pricing inefficiencies.


Natural biopolymers achieve information
storage, molecular recognition and catalysis efficiently through
sequence-control. To be able to mimic such properties, self-assembly studies of
artificial sequence-defined oligomers is of great interest. In this paper, we show
the use of hydrophilic, lipophilic, aromatic and fluorophilic monomers to
synthesize a large library of truly monodisperse sequence-defined block co-oligo(phosphodiester)s.
Automated and accurate control over the sequence allowed to rationally study the
degree of polymerisation, blocks ratio, chemical composition and orthogonal
supramolecular interactions influence on self-assembly. Interestingly, our
studies revealed remarkable morphological changes (spheres to nanosheets) caused
by very small differences between polymers, e.g., polymers differing by a
single monomer unit. Inverting block sequence in multi-block copolymers also caused
a dramatic increase in micelle size. Conventional polymerization does not allow
the exploration of these subtle variations in polymer sequence or composition. Therefore,
fast synthesis and purification of a variety of oligomers with slightly
different sequences allows studying the supramolecular chemistry of precision
oligomers in a systematic way. It paves the way to the rational design of
functional sequence-defined polymers.


Objective:To estimate HIV incidence in the general population in countries where there have been two recent household-based HIV prevalence surveys (the Dominican Republic, Mali, Niger, Tanzania, and Zambia). Methods:We applied a validated method to estimate HIV incidence using HIV prevalence measurement in two surveys. Results:We estimate incidence among men and women aged 15–44 years to be: 0.5/1000 person-years at risk in the Dominican Republic 2002–2007, 1.1/1000 in Mali 2001–2006, 0.6/1000 in Niger 2002–2006, 3.4/1000 in Tanzania 2004–2008, and 11.2/1000 in Zambia 2002–2007. The groups most at risk in these epidemics are typically 15–24-year-old women and 25–39-year-old men. Incidence appears to have declined in recent years in all countries, but only significantly among men in the Dominican Republic and Tanzania and women in Zambia. Conclusion:Using prevalence measurements to estimate incidence reveals the current level and age distribution of new infections and the trajectory of the HIV epidemic. This information is more useful than prevalence data alone and should be used to help determine priorities for interventions.


The Toom-Cook method is a well-known strategy for building algorithms to multiply polynomials efficiently. Along with NTT-based polynomial multiplication, Toom-Cook-based or Karatsuba-based polynomial multiplication algorithms still have regained attention since the start of the NIST's post-quantum standardization procedure. Compared to the comprehensive analysis done for NTT, the leakage characteristics of Toom-Cook have not been discussed. We analyze the vulnerabilities of Toom-Cook in the reference implementation of Saber, a third round finalist of NIST's post-quantum standardization process. In this work, we present the first single-trace attack based on the soft-analytical side-channel attack (SASCA) targeting the Toom-Cook. The deep learning-based power analysis is combined with SASCA to decrease the number of templates since there are a large number of similar operations in the Toom-Cook. Moreover, we describe the optimized factor graph and improved belief propagation to make the attack more practical. The feasibility of the attack is verified by evaluation experiments. We also discuss the possible countermeasures to prevent the attack.


Abstract Dietary intake modification is important for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, little is known about the association between dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins and kidney function based on gender difference. We examined the relationship of dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins with decreased kidney function according to gender in Japanese subjects. This population-based, cross-sectional study included 936 Japanese participants with the age of 40 years or older. A validated brief self-administered diet history questionnaire was used to measure dietary intakes of vitamin E and its four isoforms, vitamin A and vitamin C. Decreased kidney function was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1·73 m2. A total of 498 (53·2 %) of the study participants were women. Mean age was 62·4 ± 11·3 years. Overall, 157 subjects met the criteria of decreased kidney function. In the fully adjusted model, a high vitamin E intake is inversely associated with decreased kidney function in women (odds ratio, 0·886; 95 % confidence interval, 0·786–0·998), whereas vitamin E intake was not associated with decreased kidney function (odds ratio, 0·931; 95 % confidence interval, 0·811–1·069) in men. No significant association between dietary intake of vitamins A and C and decreased kidney function was observed in women and men. Higher dietary intake of vitamin E was inversely associated with decreased kidney function in middle-aged and older women, and the result may provide insight into the more tailored dietary approaches to prevent CKD.


Members of the Mig-10/RIAM/Lamellipodin (MRL) family of adapter proteins transduce signals derived from growth factor receptors, via interactions with Ras GTPases and/or phospholipids, to changes in the actin cytoskeleton, increased cell motility, and altered cell adhesion properties. MRL proteins have roles in normal development and their overexpression is implicated in tumour development and cancer progression. The focus of this thesis has been to explore signalling upstream and downstream of the Drosophila MRL protein, encoded by pico, to better understand the effects of manipulating its function. This has been done both in the developing wing, where overexpressed pico is capable of driving hyperplastic overgrowth, and in the larval CNS, where pico cooperates with oncogenic Ras to promote both hyperproliferation and cell invasion. An important downstream consequence of pico overexpression is thought to be activation of the Serum Response Factor (SRF), which responds to changes in actin dynamics through the action of its cofactor Mal. An SRF-responsive reporter gene, whose expression recapitulates the distribution of SRF protein in the developing wing, has been used to provide the first in vivo evidence that pico, and its associated actin regulatory proteins, promote SRF signalling. This work has also helped to identify deterin, which encodes Drosophila Survivin, as an SRF target that is necessary for pico-mediated overgrowth of the wing by suppressing proliferation-associated cell death. SRF is also likely to be a key effector of pico in the brain, based on genetic evidence and the observation that cooperation between pico and oncogenic Ras is restricted to two populations of Repo-positive glial cells, which are enriched for SRF expression. This work has also explored the involvement of a potential cascade of protein phosphorylation upstream of pico using a panel of site-directed mutants in pico designed to abolish binding to specific MRL-associated proteins and/or mimic its phosphorylation state. Importantly, these findings are consistent with the known roles of MRL proteins in promoting growth via changes in the actin cytoskeleton, and support the potential involvement of MRL gain-of-function in tumour cell invasion and metastasis.


A four-ball tester was used to evaluate the tribological behaviors of nitrogen-containing borate (BNO) combined with zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) and tin dialkyldithiocarbamates (SnDDC) in liquid paraffin or mineral oil, even respectively. The surface analytical tools such as X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were used to investigate the chemical states of some typical elements and composition on the rubbing surface of the wear scar. The tribological results show that BNO exhibits better antiwear properties in base oils, and can exhibit good antiwear synergism when it was combined with additives ZDDP and SnDDC, respectively, while the antiwear properties of oil-containing additive packages are optimal under certain concentration ranges. The results of XPS and XRD analyses indicated that BNO can form tribochemical mixed protective films consisting of BN or B2O3 compounds on the rubbing surface, and the combination of BNO with SnDDC may form tin, oxides, sulfide, and N-containing compounds on the rubbing surfaces, which contribute to improving the tribological properties of lubricants. A considerable amount of ZDDP can be partially replaced by BNO in synergistic mixtures, or replaced completely by the combination of BNO with SnDDC, which is especially important for ZDDP used in ecologically sensitive applications.


The mind-body problem dates to old times. Hypochondria is at the center of the discussions about the psyche-soma relationship since it appears that individuals have physical complaints in the absence of "real" illness. The current study aimed to explore how individuals having hypochondriac complaints interact with their bodies and their experiences regarding the believed illness or anxiety about the illness. Furthermore, the way they establish a relationship with others, especially with physicians, other healthcare professionals, and with whom they try to get assurance was tried to be understood. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used as a method since it offers a systematic approach to study the subjective experiences of individuals by making a very detailed examination of a case. The fourteen participants between 19-55 years old, who were living in Ankara, whose questionnaire scores indicated high health anxiety and who also stated that they have anxiety about their health were included in the study. The data of the study were collected via face to face semi-structured interviews. As a result of the analyses of these interviews, four superordinate themes emerged. 'Causal attributions of health anxiety: loss at the core as an unsettled matter', 'Being drawn into the vortex of the symptom', 'An endless call to an expert for naming own experiences and eliminating uncertainty', and 'Every cloud has a silver lining: Benefits of being/feeling ill' were the themes. These themes and the clinical implications of the findings were discussed in the light of the literature.

 Anxiety issues are the most pervasive mental issues. They influence different parts of life, including social, monetary, instructive, relationship, and personal satisfaction. Nervousness issues are the aftereffect of hereditary, ecological, familial, mental, and social components, Anxiety issues are influenced by social highlights; and manifestations and variety in predominance of tension issues could be changed across identities and societies.

Social qualities and convictions may put people in danger and they may likewise go about as a support against uneasiness issues. Culture assumes a significant job in mindfulness toward issue seriousness and its outcomes and human services looking through practices.

In accordance with social impacts on tension issues, an audit indicated that surprise and 10-minute crescendo measures in alarm issue, meaning of social uneasiness and social reference bunch in social nervousness issue, and the inclination given to mental manifestations of stress in summed up nervousness issue

are phenomenological articulations in various societies. Independence versus cooperation nature of nations might be identified with social tension in an unexpected way. Besides, khyâl top (wind assaults), taijin kyofusho, and ataques de nervios are three fundamental instances of culture-explicit articulations of uneasiness issues, which have been remembered for DSM-V as misery ideas.

An examination on nervousness and its social complexities in Iran indicated that people with Azeri nationality (one of a few Iranian identities) experiencing enthusiastic issues revealed 11 fundamental topics as shirking, brokenness, excitement, muddled character, redundancy, somatization, risky conduct, maladaptive insight, mindfulness, and positive and antagonistic emotionality, among which somatization had the most noteworthy recurrence. There is solid proof that people from non-Western societies essentially report more physical instead of mental indications.

In this examination, we utilized the term culture and identity reciprocally to allude to basic legacy, common convictions, and standards of a unit or a gathering of individuals. Iran is a nation with various social and ethnical foundation, and this might be liable for different mental indications. Besides, there is no sufficient data about social parts of nervousness in Iranian populace and on account of the unmistakable quality of social consequences for uneasiness indications and culture-quality communications, considering the social idea of tension issues in Iranian populace is of most extreme significance. Besides, the nervousness marvel is incredibly mind boggling and sitting back makes it much more unpredictable somehow or another, so the most ideal approach to explain a substance based wonder is to lead a subjective exploration.

The subjective technique can light up certain marvels which couldn't be connected through subjective strategies. In addition, it can likewise help comprehend alternate points of view and add to psychological well-being strategy. The fundamental goal of this exploration was to contemplate the social parts of tension, mostly social nervousness, in four ethnic gatherings (LOR, FARS, TURK, and KURD) in Iran, who were determined to have social uneasiness issue. In this way, speculation is conceivable. Explicit points in this exploration were: portraying tension experience among individuals experiencing uneasiness issues; assessing mindfulness and experience of nervousness among general individuals; deciding the reasons for apparent nervousness among members in the investigation; depicting the members' conclusions towards forecasts and results of nervousness, portraying the members' suppositions towards avoidance and treatment of tension issues.

 Biography:

Burcu Pinar Bulut has completed her PhD at the age of 30 years from Middle East Technical University and worked at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University, Department of Psychology. In her thesis, she carried out a study of individuals having high health anxiety symptoms. She was a Lacanian oriented psychologist: She has been attending meetings about Lacan's theory for four years. She has published 4 papers in reputed journals, and made nine presentations at national and international conferences. She has also been serving as an editorial board member of Ayna Clinical Psychology Journal.

32nd International Conference on Mental and Behavioral Health, April 22-23, 2020

Abstract Citation:

Burcu Pinar Bulut, A Helix of Anxiety: a qualitative analysis of the personal experiences of individuals with health Anxiety, Mental Health Congress 2020, 32nd International Conference on Mental and Behavioral Health, April 22-23, 2020


This study established the between-days reliability and sensitivity of a countermovement jump (CMJ), plyometric push-up, well-being questionnaire, and whole-blood creatine kinase concentration ([CK]) in elite male youth rugby union players. The study also established the between-days reliability of 1, 2, or 3 CMJs and plyometric-push-up attempts. Twenty-five players completed tests on 2 occasions separated by 5 d (of rest). Between-days typical error, coefficient of variation (CV), and smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were calculated for the well-being questionnaire, [CK], and CMJ and plyometric-push-up metrics (peak/mean power, peak/mean force, height, flight time, and flight-time to contraction-time ratio) for 1 maximal effort or taking the highest score from 2 or 3 maximal efforts. The results suggest that CMJ mean power (2 or 3 attempts), peak force, or mean force and plyometric-push-up mean force (from 2 or 3 attempts) should be used for assessing lower- and upper-body neuromuscular function, respectively, due to both their acceptable reliability (CV < 5%) and good sensitivity (CV < SWC). The well-being questionnaire and [CK] demonstrated between-days CVs >5% (7.1% and 26.1%, respectively) and poor sensitivity (CV > SWC). The findings from this study can be used when interpreting fatigue markers to make an objective decision about a player's readiness to train or compete.


Lactazole A is a cryptic thiopeptide from Streptomyces lactacystinaeus, encoded by a compact 9.8 kb biosynthetic gene cluster. Here, we established a platform for in vitro biosynthesis of lactazole A, referred to as the FIT-Laz system, via a combination of the flexible in vitro translation (FIT) system with recombinantly produced lactazole biosynthetic enzymes. Systematic dissection of lactazole biosynthesis revealed remarkable substrate tolerance of the biosynthetic enzymes, and led to the development of the "minimal lactazole scaffold", a construct requiring only 6 post-translational modifications for macrocyclization. Efficient assembly of such minimal thiopeptides with FIT-Laz enabled access to diverse lactazole analogs with 10 consecutive mutations, 14- to 62-membered macrocycles, and up to 18 amino acid-long tail regions. Moreover, utilizing genetic code reprogramming, we demonstrated synthesis of pseudo-natural lactazoles containing 4 non-proteinogenic amino acids. This work opens possibilities in exploring novel sequence space of pseudo-natural thiopeptides.


The game of life represents a spatial
environment of cells that live and die according to fixed rules of nature. In the basic variant of the game a cell's behavior
can be described as reactive and deterministic since each cell's transition
from an actual state to a subsequent state is straight-forwardly defined by
the rules. Furthermore, it can be shown that the alive cells' spatial
occupation share of the environment decreases quickly and levels out at a
really small value (around 3%), virtually independent of the initial number of
alive cells. In this study we will show that this occupation share can be
strongly increased if alive cells become more active by making non-deterministic
sacrificial decisions according to their individual positions. Furthermore, we
applied signaling games in
combination with reinforcement learning to show that results can be even more improved if cells learn to signal for
navigating the behavior of neighbor cells. This result stresses the assumption
that individual behavior and local communication supports the optimization of
resourcing and constitute important steps in the evolution of creature and man.


Learning-by-teaching is a pedagogical approach grossly underused in the education of engineers at all levels. The existing learning-by-teaching literature across all disciplines was reviewed with the intent of formally presenting this teaching method to engineering educators. The review defi nes learning-by-teaching, presents theoretical support for use, details the teaching process, and reports seminal work in a variety of contexts investigating the impacts on learning. The overall review is then discussed in terms of possible implications for engineering education.


In modern condensers of air conditioning systems, heat pumps, evaporators of seawater desalination systems, and heaters of power plants, the process of vapour condensation is carried out mainly inside the horizontal tubes and channels. Heat transfer processes occurring in condensers have a significant effect on the overall energy efficiency of the mentioned systems. In this paper, the experimental investigation of heat transfer during condensation of freons R22, R406a, and R407c in the plain smooth tube with d = 17 mm were carried out with the following parameters: ts = 35–40°C, G = 10–100 kg/(m2s), x = 0.8–0.1, q = 5–50 kW/m2, ΔT = 4–14 K. The unique measurements of circumferential heat fluxes and heat transfer coefficients were carried out with the thick wall method during different condensation modes. It can be inferred that with the increase of the heat flux, at the top part of the tube the thickness of the condensate film increases, which leads to the decrease in heat transfer. At the bottom of the tube, the increase in the heat flux enhances heat transfer coefficient, that is characteristic of the turbulent liquid flow in the tube. The obtained results allowed improving the prediction of effective heat transfer coefficients for vapour condensation, which takes into account the influence of condensate flow in the lower part of the tube on the heat transfer. This method generalises with sufficient accuracy (error ± 30%) the experimental data on condensation of freons R22, R134a, R123, R125, R32, R410a, propane, isobutene, propylene, dimethyl ether, carbon dioxide, and methane under stratified flow conditions. Using this method for designing heat exchangers, which utilise such types of fluids, will increase the efficiency of thermal energy systems.


Objectives: Several studies have investigated the feasibility of using electrophysiology as an objective tool to efficiently map cochlear implants. A pervasive problem when measuring event-related potentials is the need to remove the direct-current (DC) artifact produced by the cochlear implant. Here, we describe how DC artifact removal can corrupt the response waveform and how the appropriate choice of stimulus duration may minimize this corruption. Design: Event-related potentials were recorded to a synthesized vowel /a/ with a 170- or 400-ms duration. Results: The P2 response, which occurs between 150 and 250 ms, was corrupted by the DC artifact removal algorithm for a 170-ms stimulus duration but was relatively uncorrupted for a 400-ms stimulus duration. Conclusions: To avoid response waveform corruption from DC artifact removal, one should choose a stimulus duration such that the offset of the stimulus does not temporally coincide with the specific peak of interest. While our data have been analyzed with only one specific algorithm, we argue that the length of the stimulus may be a critical factor for any DC artifact removal algorithm.


Objective: We investigated the efficacy of plasma exchange (PE) in antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-positive patients with a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and high D-dimer levels. Materials and Methods: From May 2013 to May 2016, we evaluated 32 patients who were below the age of 50 and presented with spontaneous ICH. Five patients were positive for aPL antibody and 3 had a higher level of D-dimer. These 3 patients underwent 5 sessions of PE using fresh frozen plasma as replacement fluid. We analyzed the days postadmission until PE-start, the days of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization, D-dimer series, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, and modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores. D-dimer levels and GCS scores were recorded at both pre-PE and post-PE stages. The mRS scores were recorded at pre-PE stage and 3 months post-PE. Results: The mean postadmission period until PE-start was 8.33 days. The mean ICU hospitalization was 17.33 days. The D-dimer level pre-PE ranged from 2.34 to 5.44 mg/L fibrinogen equivalent unit (FEU). The D-dimer level post-PE ranged from 1.05 to 3.30 mg/L FEU. The amount of decline of the D-dimer level between pre-PE and post-PE ranged from 0.65 to 2.14 mg/L FEU. The GCS score pre-PE was between 7 and 8. The highest post-PE GCS score was 14. The improved GCS scores post-PE ranged from 3 to 6. The improved mRS scores of 3 months post-PE ranged from 3 to 4. Conclusions: The concurrent presence of positive aPL and a higher D-dimer level may worsen the neurological outcome of patients with a spontaneous ICH. Aggressive PE is effective for the treatment of such patients, decreasing the extent of the ICU hospitalization.


OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND
Decisions based on invasive functional diagnostic measurements are often made in the setting of fluctuating hemodynamic variables that may alter resting or hyperemic measurements. The purpose of this investigation is to analyze the effect of myocardial contractility (CY) on invasive functional parameters. We hypothesize that the pressure drop coefficient (CDPe; ratio of pressure drop to distal dynamic pressure) and fractional flow reserve (FFR; ratio of average pressures distal and proximal to a stenosis) are not affected by fluctuations in CY and can distinguish between different severities of epicardial stenosis.

METHODS
Simultaneous measurements of distal coronary-arterial pressure and velocity were performed in 10 pigs using a dual-sensor tipped guidewire for heart rate (HR) <110 bpm and HR >110 bpm, in the presence of coronary lesions of <50% area stenosis (AS) and >50% AS. Variations in myocardial function and vascular resistance were induced by atrial pacing, papaverine and balloon obstruction, respectively. The maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure ([dp/dt]max) was the index of contractility. The contractile function of the heart was empirically defined as CY >900 mm Hg/sec (higher) and CY <900 mm Hg/sec (normal).

RESULTS
For CY >900 mm Hg/sec, under AS <50% and AS >50%, the mean values of FFR (0.91 ± 0.02 and 0.78 ± 0.02), and CDPe (15.6 ± 5.3 and 70.7 ± 24.7) were significantly different (P<.05). Similarly, for CY <900 mm Hg/sec, under AS <50% and AS >50%, the mean values of FFR (0.83 ± 0.04 and 0.63 ± 0.04), and CDPe (43.8 ± 14.9 and 191.8 ± 61.4) were also significantly different (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Both FFR and CDPe could effectively distinguish between stenosis severity at normal and higher levels of myocardial contractility.


The objective of this research is to examine, validate, and recommend techniques for handling the problem of missingness in observational data. We use a rich observational data set, the Nielsen HomeScan data set, which allows us to effectively combine elements from simulated data sets: large numbers of observations, large number of data sets and variables, allowing elements of "design" that typically come with simulated data, and its observational nature. We created random 20% and 50% uniform missingness in our data sets and employed several widely used methods of single imputation, such as mean, regression, and stochastic regression imputations, and multiple imputation methods to fill in the data gaps. We compared these methods by measuring the error of predicting the missing values and the parameter estimates from the subsequent regression analysis using the imputed values. We also compared coverage or the percentages of intervals that covered the true parameter in both cases. Based on our results, the method of single regression or conditional mean imputation provided the best predictions of the missing price values with 28.34 and 28.59 mean absolute percent errors in 20% and 50% missingness settings, respectively. The imputation from conditional distribution method had the best rate of coverage. The parameter estimates based on data sets imputed by conditional mean method were consistently unbiased and had the smallest standard deviations. The multiple imputation methods had the best coverage of both the parameter estimates and predictions of the dependent variable.


16 she-camels were chosen from a large herd of camel belonging to the Lahween tribe in Eastern Sudan. The breed is known locally as (Arabi-Lahwee) The animals were sub-divided in to three groups: A, B and C according to the parity order, of 3, 4 and 5 parity, respectively, to investigate the correlation between various udder, teats and milk vein measurements with daily milk yield. Despite the increment of daily milk yield with advancing parity order, the results however revealed nonsignificant effect on daily milk yield. The daily milk yield of the three groups was 2.2+0.94, 2.9+0.45 and 3.5+ 2.16 liters, respectively. The daily milk yield in group (A) was sig. (P < 0.05) correlated with udder depth (15.3+1.3 cm), distance between fore teats (12.9+2.9 cm.), and distance between rear teats (9.9 +1.9 cm.). In group (B) measurements including udder height of fore quarters (108.0 +3.0 cm.) and of rear quarters (107.0+ 3.0 cm.) and the distance between the right teats (3.3+ 0.2 cm.) were sig. (P<0.05) correlated with daily milk yield. In group (C) the fore teats diameter (3.1+ 0.4 cm.) and the distance between the right teats (3.7+2.9 cm.) were found to be sig. (P < 0.05) correlated with daily milk yield. Others measurements were found insignificantly correlated with daily milk yield in the three groups. Concerning the fore and rear udder half measurements. The depth of fore quarters was 20.9+0.75 cm. and which was sig. (P < 0.01) deeper than the rear quarters (13.1+0.75 cm.), the results also indicated sig. differences (P < 0.05) between the height of fore and rear udder halves, (110.9+0.36 versus 110.2+0.36 cm, respectively). The distance between teats in the fore quarters (13.2+0.36 cm.) which was sig. (P < 0.01) longer than rear quarters (9.9+0.36 cm.), the teats diameter of the rear quarters (2.5+0.1 cm.) that was sig. (P < 0.01) greater than the diameter of the fore quarters (2.1+0.1 cm). Teat length on the other hand showed non-significant difference between the udder halves. The data pertaining to milk yield and composition of the fore and rear udder quarters documented that rear udder half produced 57.5% of the total milk yield, whereas the fore quarters yielded only 42.5% (P < 0.01). The rear quarters produced milk, which was highly sig. (P < 0.01) richer in protein% (3.38+0.19) and P% (1.077+0.022), and sig. (P<0.05) richer in moisture% (90.42+0.34), K% (1.25+0.032) and pH (6.38+0.043), also scored high but non-sig. values in fat% (3.31+0.18) and Ca% (7.169+0.034). While milk from the fore udder quarters scored highly sig. (P<0.01) value in lactose% (3.25+0.3), sig. (P < 0.05) value in total solids% (10.44+0.312) and high but non-sig. values in Na% (0.64+0.012) and ash% (0.59+0.027). Concerning the amount of nutrients contained milk from rear quarters provided higher amount of nutrients compared to milk of fore quarters. In this study neither parity order, body weight groups nor milking time (morning and evening) not showed any sig. impact on milk stimulation interval (MSI). For the 3, 4 and 5 parity orders MSI was 116.4+21.5, 127.0+42.8 and 109.8+7.7 seconds, respectively (means 116.3+12.7 seconds). Body weight groups scored 113.8+18.2 and 118.9+18.9 seconds for <500 and >500 kg, respectively, and at morning and night time reported 68.1+5.4 and 70.9+73 seconds, respectively as MSI. Milk yield (MY) (912+119.6 ml), milking duration (MD) (78.2+4.2 sec.), udder measurements including size, depth, circumference, teat length and diameter showed negative and non-sig. correlation with MSI. While body weight (517.9+19.3 kg) was positively and sig. (P < 0.05) correlated and milk flow rate (11.7+1.3 ml/sec) reported positive and non-sig. correlation with MSI. Sig. (P<0.01) variations in the measurements of the udder depth, circumference, size, teat length and teat diameter before and after milking were observed.


The title and subject of this contribution were inflicted upon me by the editors of this Journal and were not of my own choosing. The question posed to me by the title had never entered my mind, and my instinctive and intuitive response to it was "Of course H&E morphology is not coming to an end." However, every now and again one is forced to provide logical reasons for an intuitive belief and it is a useful exercise to consider both the present and future status of simple morphological diagnosis in histopathological practice.

When considering the future it is, however, necessary to point out that only those who are either extremely foolish or recklessly brave make short term predictions for the correctness of such prophecies will be proved or disproved within a brief time span, usually while the forecaster is still alive and hence still available to be ridiculed. Very long term predictions—for example extending over a millennium—are, however, free from such danger and can be made with a degree of abandon that allows even the most outre of prospects to be postulated without running the risk of future derision and scorn: this is because when the truth does eventually emerge both the forecaster and those to whom the forecast is made will be not only dead but long forgotten.

Any sensible forecaster is therefore going to take the short long-term future as their remit, thus avoiding both almost immediate retribution and long delayed irrelevance. As neither I, nor any other living person, can make any sensible predictions as to the future beyond the next 50 years I shall take that period as the blank canvas on which to paint (presumably in red and blue) my views on the possible demise of H&E morphology.

It is necessary first to consider …


▪ Abstract Considerable attention has been paid over the past decade to political cleavages in post-communist Eastern Europe. Investigators have attempted to establish whether such cleavages exist, to map their character, and to explain their formation theoretically. Research initially focused on whether communist rule had created distinctive forms of cleavage in the region as a whole, or indeed obliterated social capacity to form any structured social or ideological divisions. The results of this work, however, have tended to support a more differentiated and less sui generis understanding in which the character of cleavages varies considerably across the region. Debate has turned to accounting for the formation and variation in cleavages by reference to factors such as long-standing cultural legacies, forms of communist rule and modes of transition from it, the effects of social structure and individual social experience in the post-communist period, and the impact of institutions and party strategies.


Byers and Dunn (Reports, 9 November 2012, p. 802) claimed that predation on offspring reduced the potential for sexual selection in pronghorn. We argue that the potential for sexual selection is not affected by random offspring mortality when relative reproductive success is considered and increases when measured with the opportunity for selection, a metric that describes the potential for selection.


A single-cylinder DI Diesel engine was fumigated with ethanol and methanol in amounts up to 55% of the total fuel energy. The primary objectives of this work were to determine the effects of aqueous alcohol fumigation on engine thermal efficiency, combustion intensity and gaseous exhaust emissions. Assessment of changes in the biological activity of raw particulate and its soluble organic fraction were also made using the Ames Salmonella typhimurium test. Alcohol fumigation improved thermal efficiency slightly at moderate and heavy loads, but increased ignition delay at all operating conditions. Carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emission generally increased with alcohol fumigation and showed no dependence on alcohol type or quality. Oxide of nitrogen emission showed a strong dependence on alcohol quality; relative emission levels decreased with increasing water content of the fumigant. Particulate mass loading rates were lower for ethanol-fueled conditions. However, the biological activity of both the raw particulate and its soluble organic fraction was enhanced by ethanol fumigation at most operating conditions.


We present a differentially private algorithm for releasing the sequence of $k$ elements with the highest counts from a data domain of $d$ elements. The algorithm is a"joint"instance of the exponential mechanism, and its output space consists of all $O(d^k)$ length-$k$ sequences. Our main contribution is a method to sample this exponential mechanism in time $O(dk\log(k) + d\log(d))$ and space $O(dk)$. Experiments show that this approach outperforms existing pure differential privacy methods and improves upon even approximate differential privacy methods for moderate $k$.


Background and Objective: Negative parent-child interaction patterns have been linked to youth depression, with a causal influence being assumed. However, the majority of empirical studies examining this issue have used self-report methods to assess parent-child relationships, which cannot capture the temporal dynamics of dyadic interactions and may be subject to
reporting bias. This review considers the association between parent-child interactions and youth depression with a specific focus on observational methodology.
Method: A literature search was conducted including studies that investigated the association between observed parent-child interactions and youth depressive symptomology. Literature was obtained using database searches, citation searches and screening of recent reviews.
Results and Conclusion: Maternal disengagement, reduced adolescent autonomy granting, adolescent maladaptive emotion regulation, parental suppression of adolescent positivity and incongruent parent-child communication styles were relatively consistently related to youth depression. Nonetheless, there were conflicting findings and several studies demonstrated little or no contribution of parent-child interaction factors to youth depression. Overall, the evidence suggests that causal influences are likely to be modest. The majority of studies relate to maternal versus paternal interactions. Furthermore, the factors that mediate the association between parent-child interactions and youth depression remain largely unknown. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.


Background and Problem: The number of companies aiming at operating in the international markets right after their inception is at constant growth. According to Knight and Cavusgil (2004), these firms, which are quite often small and technology-oriented, have the tendency to adopt a global market vision from the initial stage of company's establishment. The vast and rapid technological change is one crucial reason behind the spread of the born global phenomenon. Born globals can reach out much earlier and faster to the international market than traditional firms. The phenomenon has been studied earlier, however with a focus on the firm-level drivers of early and rapid internationalization without giving enough importance to the role of the entrepreneur. Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to understand the early and rapid internationalization process of born global firms based on the characteristics and the behavior of the entrepreneur managing the firm. In addition, the research team will contribute to the existing born global literature by applying existing models from the International Business and International Entrepreneurship disciplines. Methodology: In order to answer the research question presented in this thesis, a qualitative research approach was chosen. The research team included 5 Swedish born global Internet–based companies, namely Klarna, Sqore, the Local, Asket and 46elks. Analysis and conclusion: Our findings concluded that the entrepreneurs of born global firms play a significant role in the early and rapid internationalization of the firm. The entrepreneurs tend to subconsciously use effectuation logic at the early stages of the firm establishment by possessing traits of an entrepreneur such as innovativeness, proactivity and risk-taking behavior. Furthermore the educational background and prior work experience were found to be of equal importance, however international experience and entrepreneurial background were observed to be of an utmost importance. Social and business networks were also noticed to play a significant role in the early stages of a firm. Finally, it was spotted that the entrepreneurs tend to change their effectuation logic to a causation one at later stages of firm development including its expansion to international markets.


TT-Seq maps a transient transcriptome RNA expression is related to protein abundance and cellular function. However, the amounts of RNA generated at any one time-point have been difficult to determine. Schwalb et al. developed a method, transient transcriptome sequencing (TT-Seq), to collect and sequence all RNA segments synthesized over 5 minutes. Because 5 minutes is not long enough to fully degrade even the most transient RNA, this method can detect the synthesis of most RNA without bias. Applying this method to human K562 cells, TT-Seq detected thousands of noncoding transcripts, providing a snapshot of RNA synthesis rates and RNA half-lives, and full-length maps of short-lived RNAs such as enhancers and short intergenic noncoding RNAs. Science, this issue p. 1225 Transient transcriptome sequencing maps short-lived RNAs, estimates RNA half-lives, and uncovers transcription termination sites. Pervasive transcription of the genome produces both stable and transient RNAs. We developed transient transcriptome sequencing (TT-seq), a protocol that uniformly maps the entire range of RNA-producing units and estimates rates of RNA synthesis and degradation. Application of TT-seq to human K562 cells recovers stable messenger RNAs and long intergenic noncoding RNAs and additionally maps transient enhancer, antisense, and promoter-associated RNAs. TT-seq analysis shows that enhancer RNAs are short-lived and lack U1 motifs and secondary structure. TT-seq also maps transient RNA downstream of polyadenylation sites and uncovers sites of transcription termination; we found, on average, four transcription termination sites, distributed in a window with a median width of ~3300 base pairs. Termination sites coincide with a DNA motif associated with pausing of RNA polymerase before its release from the genome.


It is time to fundamentally reframe the research agenda on remittances, payments, and development. We describe many of the research questions that now dominate the literature and why they lead us to uninformative answers. We propose reasons why these questions dominate, the most important of which is that researchers tend to view remittances as states do (as windfall income) rather than as families do (as returns on investment). Migration is, among other things, a strategy for financial management in poor households: location is an asset, migration an investment. This shift of perspective leads to much more fruitful research questions that have been relatively neglected. We suggest 12 such questions.


In order to reduce the number of fabricating processes, it is preferable to control welding distortion during welding; instead of using restraints before the process, or correcting the distortion after the process. The benefits of eliminating extra processes include the reduction of the time and manufacturing cost. This paper presents a method of back heating and welding in tandem, with the back heating occurring at a constant distance from the welding torch during welding. Traditionally, the back heating method has reduced angular distortion in two different ways; One is to bend the welded material in the opposite direction, and the other is homogenization of temperature distribution along the thickness. But, it has recently become known that the angular distortion produced by multiple heat sources, in tandem placement, is not always predicted by the total heat input to the welded joint; and it is possible for the distortion to differ greatly due to factors such as the distance between two heat sources, heat input parameters, and the heat input ratio. Based on these findings, angular distortion is expected to be reduced more effectively by choosing the proper condition for the heat source arrangement in back heating. In this paper, reduction of angular distortion by in-process control welding, using a back heating source, is numerically analyzed by the three-dimensional thermal elastic-plastic analysis, considering moving heat source with weld metal deposition. It was confirmed that the back heating method is effective in reducing angular distortion without restraint or correction. Proper condition concerning the heat source arrangement can be chosen and angular distortion can be perfectly controlled by back heating with ten percent of the welding heat input.


Endemic taxa are those restricted to a specific area, and can be defined as the exclusive biodiversity of a region. Areas with high endemic numbers are irreplaceable, and are of high priority for conservation. We investigated global patterns of endemicity of terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians) by employing data from World Wildlife Fund-US on 26 452 species distributions (endemic and non-endemic) within 796 ecoregions. Ecoregions represent global ecosys- tem and habitat types at a landscape level. We explored the entire dataset by first using a principal components analysis, PCA, to identify which parameters and ordinations (transformations) best char- acterise the ecoregions. PCA identified the empirical logit transformation of proportional endemicity, not absolute or relative endemicity, as the appropriate variable. We prioritised ecoregions by ranking the empirical logit transformation of proportional endemicity, standardised across animal groups to avoid taxonomic biases. Finally, we analysed how ecoregion characteristics and the degree of isola- tion correlated with endemicity in all studied groups, by fitting logistic regression models. We argue that using our method, conservationists can better denote areas of importance for protection of endemic biodiversity worldwide.


Offshore outsourced IT projects continue to gain relevance in the globalized world scenario. The temporal, geographical and cultural distances involved during the development of software between distributed team members result in communication challenges. As software development involves the coding of knowledge, the management of knowledge and its transfer remain critical for the success of the project. For effective knowledge transfer between geographically dispersed teams the ongoing selection of communication medium or the media channel mix becomes highly significant. Although there is an abundance of theory dealing with knowledge transfer and media channel selection during offshore outsourcing projects, the specific role of cultural differences in the media mix is often overlooked. As a first step to rectify this, this paper presents an outsourcing case study with emphasis on the chosen media channels and the problems that arose from differences in culture. The case study is analyzed in light of several theoretical models and suggestions for extending current theory are also presented.


The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitude and knowledge of community pharmacists to spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting. A survey was conducted in 103 community pharmacists in Seoul and Kyung-Gi Province from September to October, 2009. Almost half (53, 51.5%) and three-fourths (79, 76.7%) of respondents knew they could participate in ADR reporting in the Regional Pharmacovigilance Center (RPC) or Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). However, only three of them have reported an ADR to the RPC and none of them have reported to KFDA. A majority of the respondents (96, 93.2%) felt that ADR reporting was a professional obligation for pharmacists. The purpose of an ADR reporting was incorrectly identified by most pharmacists. ADR reporting was encouraged if the reaction was serious and a new product. The most frequently mentioned barriers to reporting were: uncertainty concerning the causal relationship (86.3%) and not knowing how to report an ADR (83.2%). Only 19 (18.4 %) respondents had received education on how to report ADR. Education was the most recognized method of improving ADR reporting. This study showed the knowledge of ADR reporting among community pharmacists is inadequate. Education and training should be reinforced in order to improve ADR reporting by community pharmacists.


This study was conducted on the topic of social
isolation in old age, responsibilities of family members, rights of senior citizens, a case study of Quetta district. Since there was not much research has been conducted on the problems of senior citizens so the researcher felt the need to do some work on one of its aspects the social isolation which usually emerge in old age So the present study was conducted to explore the relationship between social isolation and sex.
Following hypothesis were formulated "there are difference in the level of social isolation between aged (retired) male and female Theoretical frame work was developed with the help of interested propositions draw from the work of smart and smart (1976) crow and crow (1959). Livson (1962) and rose (1962). A sample of 70 persons containing 35 male and 35 female was draw from the universe. The universe for the present study was the seniors citizens (retired of Quetta district).The research hypothesis was up held showing a significant
relationship between and social isolation. Two other relationships were also tested(1) The relationship between social isolation and age fo the respondents
(2) The relationship between social isolation and income of the respondents.The relationships were tested with the help of X2 (chi-square)formula. X2 = [(fo-fe)2], hypothesis was up held no relationship were fe formed between age, income and isolation of the persons.


ABSTRACT This paper discusses the materialisation of 3D printed textile-based tubular forms that make use of knit's primary structures. The 3D printed forms explore both single-face and double-face weft knit structures at various sizes. 3D printing is a form of digital additive manufacturing whereby the building up of layers of material creates objects. The selective laser sintering process (SLS) uses a laser beam to sinter powdered material to create objects. This paper builds upon previous research into 3D printed textile-based structures exploring the use of SLS of Nylon powder to create flexible weft knitted structures. The results show the potential to print flexible, tubular textile-based structures at various scales that exhibit the properties of traditional knitted textile structures along with the mechanical properties of the material used to print with. The conclusion highlights the potential future development and application of such pieces within apparel-related industries.


Forests provide valuable ecosystem and societal services, including the sequestration of carbon (C) from the atmosphere. Management practices can impact both soil C and nitrogen (N) cycling. This study examines soil organic C (SOC) and N responses to thinning and fertilization treatments. Soil was sampled at an intensively managed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) plantation in north-western Oregon, USA. Management regimes—thinning, fertilization plus thinning, and no (control) treatment—were randomly assigned to nine 0.2-ha plots established in 1989 in a juvenile stand. Prior to harvest, forest floor and soil bulk density and chemical analysis samples were collected by depth to 150 cm. During a single rotation of ~40 years, thinning treatments significantly reduced SOC and N stocks by 25% and 27%, respectively, compared to no treatment. Most of this loss occurred in deeper soil layers (below ~20 cm). Fertilization plus thinning treatments also reduced SOC and N stocks, but not significantly. Across all management regimes, deeper soil layers comprised the majority of SOC and N stocks. This study shows that: (1) accurately quantifying and comparing SOC and N stocks requires sampling deep soil; and (2) forest management can substantially impact both surface and deep SOC and N stocks on decadal timescales.