Hiroshima Bunkyo Women's University firstname.lastname@example.com A paperless classroom, when all materials required to complete a class are available in an electronic form, has been shown to have positive impacts on student and teacher motivation, engagement, productivity, and efficiency. Recent trends suggest that of all of the technological tools available, tablet PCs can support many aspects of a paperless classroom for both students and teachers. A variety of resources describing the development and implementation of courses using tablet PCs are currently available, though comparatively less research specific to individual stages of the process or details involved in selecting appropriate tools has been performed. The current study was designed to provide preliminary evidence for how the screen size of a tablet PC affected interactions with electronic handouts from an English language class. Teachers and students completed tasks on both a 10-inch tablet PC as well as on the miniature version of the same tablet, to determine the impact screen size had on usability. It was found that while teachers significantly preferred interacting with classroom materials on the regular-sized tablet, students did not show preference toward either device for classroom use. However, students suggested that for everyday use, such as doing homework, the miniature version was preferred. The implications the results make on materials design and mobility as a component of a paperless classroom are discussed.


The question of the termination of a periodic spatial structure of Turing type in a growing system is addressed in a chemical engineering perspective and a biomimetic approach. The effects of the dynamical parameters on the stability and the wavelength of the structure are analytically studied and used to propose experimental conditions for which a Turing pattern stops by itself with a decreasing wavelength. The proposed mechanism is successfully checked by the numerical integration of the equations governing the dynamics of the activator and the inhibitor. We conclude that a local increase of the concentration of the reservoir which controls the injection rate of the inhibitor into the system can be used to achieve the appropriate termination of a Turing pattern.


The aim of the study was to assess the possibilities in using ground-penetrating radar to identify small-scale stratigraphy in the upper 1 m of a soil profile and to statistically identify differences in the stratigraphic units discovered using the GPR unit. The study area is ca 15 km southwest of Lycksele near a gravel pit on the banks of Oran. It was located on top of a large (>5 m thick) glacifluvial deposit of indeterminate age overlayed by till from the latest deglaciation. The data sampled included 22 radargrams depicting a total length of >1000 m as well as soil samples from three stratigraphic units from three different trenches (9 samples in total). Visual analysis of the stratigraphy took place via trenches as well as by studying the radar images. The radar images show that three stratigraphic units can be identified clearly (ablation till, S1, a transitional layer of mixed till and glacifluvium, S2, and the underlying glacifluvium, S3) but that the border between the two lower units can be opaque at times. Field observations showed this to be due to the genesis of the topmost unit, the ablation till. Observations in the field also showed relict podsolization in a kettle in the northern part of the study area. Grain-size comparison of the three stratigraphic units identified was performed via sieving. Calculations of the weight percentage were then used for statistical analysis to identify any differences between the strata. Results show that there are differences regarding fine material (o 2 mm, p<0.0001) and sand (p=0.027) within these three stratigraphic units.


Cell labeling with superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIO) is becoming a routine procedure in cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Quantifying the intracellular iron in labeled cells is a prerequisite for determining the number of accumulated cells by quantitative MRI studies. To establish the most sensitive and reproducible method for measuring iron concentration in magnetically labeled cells, we investigated and compared four different methods using an ultraviolet-visible (UV/VIS) spectrophotometer. Background spectra were obtained for 5 and 10 M hydrochloric acids, a mixture of 100 mM citric acid plus ascorbic acid and bathophenanthroline sulphonate (BPS), and a mixture of 5 M hydrochloric acid plus 5% ferrocyanide. Spectra of the same solutions containing either 10 or 5 microg/mL iron oxides were also created to determine the peak absorbance wavelengths for the dissolved iron. In addition, different known iron concentrations were used to obtain calibration lines for each method. Based on the calibration factors, iron was measured in samples with a known amount of iron and in labeled cells. Methods based on the use of 10 M hydrochloric acid underestimated iron concentration in all experiments; for this method to give an accurate measurement, iron concentration in sample needs to be at least 3 microg/mL.


Abstract Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies were applied to study the adsorption of rhodamine 6G on several smectite-type clays in aqueous suspension. The dye can be adsorbed as the monomeric and the dimeric forms on both the external and the interlamellar surfaces of the clay. The presence of these species and their evolution with the stirring time of the sample and the relative dye/ clay concentration depend on the nature of the smectite, the clay concentration and the particle size, factors that also affect the dispersion degree of the clay particles in water.


Abstract Objective. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of diseases that develops in a setting of polymorbid processes or more often promotes their development, forming in this spectrum the phenomenon of comorbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the lipid panel data in T2DM patients with comorbid obesity and chronic pancreatitis (CP) taking into account the C/A polymorphism of the insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) gene (rs2943640). Methods. The study involved 34 T2DM patients and 10 healthy individuals. The rs2943640 IRS1 gene polymorphism was genotyped using the TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Blood serum lipid panel data were determined with commercially available kits on a Cobas 6000 analyzer. Results. In patients with only T2DM and T2DM + comorbid obesity, an association between IRS1 gene polymorphism (rs2943640) and lipid profile abnormalities with maximum changes of the lipid characteristics recorded in C/C genotype carriers was found. Within the C/C genotype of the IRS1 gene (rs2943640) in type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid obesity and CP, significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and significantly higher levels of triglycerides (TG), non-HDL-C and remnant cholesterol (RC) in relation to type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid obesity were found. At the same time, within the C/A genotype of the IRS1 gene (rs2943640), significant changes of lipid panel data were found in type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid obesity relative to the control group (p<0.001). Conclusions. Our data indicate that the presence of the C allele of IRS1 gene (rs2943640) in both homozygous and heterozygous states may indicate increased risk of dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients with comorbidities.


Synthetic ammonia, manufactured by the Haber–Bosch process and its variants, is the key to securing global food security. Hydrogen is the most important feedstock for all synthetic ammonia processes. Renewable ammonia production relies on hydrogen generated by water electrolysis using electricity generated from hydropower. This was used commercially as early as 1921. In the present work, we discuss how renewable ammonia production subsequently emerged in those countries endowed with abundant hydropower, and in particular in regions with limited or no oil, gas, and coal deposits. Thus, renewable ammonia played an important role in national food security for countries without fossil fuel resources until after the mid-20th century. For economic reasons, renewable ammonia production declined from the 1960s onward in favor of fossil-based ammonia production. However, renewable ammonia has recently gained traction again as an energy vector. It is an important component of the rapidly emerging hydrogen economy. Renewable ammonia will probably play a significant role in maintaining national and global energy and food security during the 21st century.


The coming decades may see the large scale deployment of networked cyber–physical systems to address global needs in areas such as energy, water, health care, and transportation. However, as recent events have shown, such systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks. Being safety critical, their disruption or misbehavior can cause economic losses or injuries and loss of life. It is therefore important to secure such networked cyber–physical systems against attacks. In the absence of credible security guarantees, there will be resistance to the proliferation of cyber–physical systems, which are much needed to meet global needs in critical infrastructures and services. This paper addresses the problem of secure control of networked cyber–physical systems. This problem is different from the problem of securing the communication network, since cyber–physical systems at their very essence need sensors and actuators that interface with the physical plant, and malicious agents may tamper with sensors or actuators, as recent attacks have shown. We consider physical plants that are being controlled by multiple actuators and sensors communicating over a network, where some sensors could be "malicious," meaning that they may not report the measurements that they observe. We address a general technique by which the actuators can detect the actions of malicious sensors in the system and disable closed-loop control based on their information. This technique, called "watermarking," employs the technique of actuators injecting private excitation into the system, which will reveal malicious tampering with signals. We show how such an active defense can be used to secure networked systems of sensors and actuators.


Testing analog, mixed-signal and RF (AMS-RF) circuits represents a significant cost component for testing complex SoCs. Moreover, AMS-RF test generation and validation are still largely handcrafted tasks that rely on expert design knowledge for each particular Device Under Test (DUT). Mixed-signal test automation has been sought by the test community for the last decades, trying to mimic the success of digital test approaches. Indeed, in the digital domain, test is vastly automated and standard techniques are already available (ATPGs, BIST, scan registers, etc.). In the last decade, a methodology based on leveraging the power of machine learning algorithms has been proposed for AMS-RF circuits that opens the door to a higher level of automation. In this paper we review recent results in this line and try to put together what could be such a complete methodology and what remains to be done.


Background Speckled rattlesnakes (Crotalus mitchellii) inhabit multiple islands off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. Two of the 14 known insular populations have been recognized as subspecies based primarily on body size divergence from putative mainland ancestral populations; however, a survey of body size variation from other islands occupied by these snakes has not been previously reported. We examined body size variation between island and mainland speckled rattlesnakes, and the relationship between body size and various island physical variables among 12 island populations. We also examined relative head size among giant, dwarfed, and mainland speckled rattlesnakes to determine whether allometric differences conformed to predictions of gape size (and indirectly body size) evolving in response to shifts in prey size. Methodology/Principal Findings Insular speckled rattlesnakes show considerable variation in body size when compared to mainland source subspecies. In addition to previously known instances of gigantism on Ángel de la Guarda and dwarfism on El Muerto, various degrees of body size decrease have occurred frequently in this taxon, with dwarfed rattlesnakes occurring mostly on small, recently isolated, land-bridge islands. Regression models using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) showed that mean SVL of insular populations was most strongly correlated with island area, suggesting the influence of selection for different body size optima for islands of different size. Allometric differences in head size of giant and dwarf rattlesnakes revealed patterns consistent with shifts to larger and smaller prey, respectively. Conclusions/Significance Our data provide the first example of a clear relationship between body size and island area in a squamate reptile species; among vertebrates this pattern has been previously documented in few insular mammals. This finding suggests that selection for body size is influenced by changes in community dynamics that are related to graded differences in area over what are otherwise similar bioclimatic conditions. We hypothesize that in this system shifts to larger prey, episodic saturation and depression of primary prey density, and predator release may have led to insular gigantism, and that shifts to smaller prey and increased reproductive efficiency in the presence of intense intraspecific competition may have led to insular dwarfism.


Sexual problems following ileostomy or colostomy surgery are common.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of telephone counseling on the sexual lives of individuals with a bowel stoma.

METHOD
Using a randomized, controlled, quasi-experimental study design, patients who were between 18 and 70 years old, had a sexual partner, and had undergone ileostomy or colostomy surgery were eligible to participate. Patients were randomized to telephone counseling as needed (intervention) or regular outpatient follow-up care only (control) for 12 weeks following surgery. Sociodemographic data were collected, and the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was completed on admission for surgery and 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, Wilcoxon signed ranks, and chi-squared tests and Yates's correction for continuity.

RESULTS
Of the 70 participants (35 in each group), the average age of intervention group participants was 53.00 ± 11.18 years, and the average age of the control group was 50.74 ± 13.72 years; 19 (54.3%) in the intervention group and 18 (51.4%) in the control group were male. Neither the demographic data nor the GRISS scale scores were significantly different between groups at baseline. After discharge, patients in the intervention group called to receive counseling for their concerns regarding sexual life and challenges they experienced with their stoma an average of 3.57 ± 0.86 (range 2-5) times during the first 6 weeks and 6.52 ±.77 (range 5-8) times between weeks 6 and 12. Mean total and subscale GRISS scores improved significantly from 5.89 ± 1.33 to 7.33 ± 1.24 (P <.01).

CONCLUSION
In this study, telephone counseling was effective in improving the sexual lives of patients with a colon- or ileostoma 12 weeks after surgery.


This paper explores the gender differences with respect to potential negative physical effects associated with prolonged Video Display Terminal (VDT) use. In this cross-sectional survey, we distributed self- reported health questionnaire along with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) to 278 University of Ontario students (95 males and 183 females, aged between 17-32 years) in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Results showed that female students suffered more pain/discomfort in the neck/shoulder/hand and wrist (64.1%) in comparison to males (45.7%). Location of pain was also different in female students when compared to male students. This study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that female UOIT students experienced increased negative health effects on exposure to VDTs in comparison to male students. This study will help facilitate more targeted interventions towards millennials and assist them in reducing pain/discomfort they may experience when using devices with VDTs.


This paper analyzes latency in a High-Speed Packet Access network appropriately resourced for emulated Machine-to-Machine and Online Gaming traffic. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) are used for conveying application data and the measurement results from the end-user perspective are compared. In TCP case, traffic traces were recorded in two points of the core network as well (Gn interface and the firewall), and the overall delay is dissected to portions belonging to different parts of the network (access, core, backbone). The diversity of the traffic patterns used made it possible to draw conclusions concerning selectivity of certain parts of the network towards different traffic patterns, indicating the direction of future research on reducing latency for subject emerging application domains in legacy networks.


Introduction : CD19 is expressed on the cell surface of many types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), including follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). ADCT-402 (loncastuximab tesirine) is an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) comprising a humanized antibody (Ab) directed against human CD19 conjugated to a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer toxin. Loncastuximab tesirine (Lonca-T) has demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity against CD19-expressing B-cell malignancies in preclinical models. Interim results of the first-in-human clinical study of Lonca-T in the difficult-to-treat relapsed/refractory (R/R) NHL setting are reported here. Methods: Patients (pts; ≥18 years of age) with R/R B-cell lineage NHL who have failed or are intolerant to established therapies, or have no other treatment options available, are being enrolled in this Phase 1, multicenter, open-label, two-part study. The primary objectives for Part 1 (dose escalation) are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of Lonca-T, and to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended dose(s) to use in Part 2 (dose expansion). The primary objective for Part 2 is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the dose(s) determined in Part 1. Efficacy (measured by overall response rate [ORR], duration of response [DoR], progression-free survival [PFS] and overall survival), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and other exploratory endpoints are also being assessed in both parts of the study. Pts receive 1-hour intravenous infusions of Lonca-T every 3 weeks (1 cycle) according to a 3+3 dose-escalation study design. No intra-patient dose escalation is allowed. Results: As of July 5, 2017, 80 pts (55 male, 25 female; median age: 65.5 years [range 24-85]; median number of previous therapies: 3 [range 1-10]) have been recruited. Diagnoses were DLBCL (n=56), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL; n=9), FL (n=6), marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (n=3), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n=2) and other (n=4). Pts have received doses of Lonca-T ranging from 15 to 200 µg/kg (median cycles: 2 [range 1-16]). Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 76 (95.0%) pts, and grade ≥3 TEAEs in 46 (57.5%) pts. The most common non-hematological all-grade TEAEs were fatigue (35 [43.8%] pts), peripheral edema (21 [26.3%] pts) and nausea (20 [25.0%] pts), and grade ≥3 TEAEs were increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (7 [8.8%] pts) dyspnea (4 [5.0%] pts) and fatigue (4 [5.0%] pts). Hematological abnormalities included decreased hemoglobin (74/77 [96.1%] and 9/77 [11.7%] pts with all-grade and grade ≥3 TEAEs, respectively), decreased neutrophil count (42/69 [60.9%] and 29/69 [42.0%] pts, respectively) and decreased platelet count (55/77 [71.4%] and 21/77 [27.3%] pts, respectively). TEAEs in 8 (10.0%) pts led to treatment withdrawal (increased gamma-glutamyltransferase [n=4]; increased blood alkaline phosphatase [n=1]; periorbital edema [n=1]; fatigue [n=1]; abdominal pain [n=1]; thrombocytopenia [n=1]). A dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was reported in 1 pt (worsening of thrombocytopenia at 200 µg/kg) and the MTD has not yet been reached. Table 1 shows the best overall response by dose. At doses ≥120 µg/kg, 16/47 (34.0%) and 12/47 (25.5%) evaluable pts achieved a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), respectively (ORR: 28/47 [59.6%]). ORR for pts with DLBCL was 20/35 (57.1%), with a CR rate of 34.3% (12/35). Figure 1 depicts the waterfall plot. Pharmacokinetic measures for total- and PBD-conjugated Ab exposures were comparable, were proportional to dose, and were associated with modest accumulation by Cycle 2. Measures for unconjugated PBD were predominantly below quantification levels for all doses and time points. Associations of exposure to safety and efficacy are reported in a companion abstract (O O9Connor et al. ). Conclusions : In this Phase 1 study, Lonca-T has demonstrated encouraging single-agent anti-tumor activity and manageable toxicity in pts with R/R B-cell lineage NHL. One DLT has been reported and the MTD has not yet been reached. Evaluation in specific NHL subtypes is now warranted, and a dose expansion in pts with DLBCL is planned initially. Updated safety, tolerability, and efficacy results will be presented at the meeting. Study sponsored by ADC Therapeutics. http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02669017 Disclosures Kahl: ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy. Hamadani: Takeda, Otsuka, MedImmune, Merck, ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Sanofi Genzyme: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene, Cellerant, Jansen, MedImmune: Consultancy. Caimi: Seattle Genetics: Equity Ownership; Incyte: Equity Ownership; Abbvie: Equity Ownership; Celgene: Speakers Bureau. Carlo-Stella: ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Reid: ADC Therapeutics, Millennium: Research Funding. Feingold: ADC Therapeutics: Employment, Other: Potential equity interest. Ardeshna: ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Celgene: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Conference Expenses; Roche: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Conference Expenses, Research Funding. Radford: Takeda: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; GlaxoSmithKline: Equity Ownership; AztraZeneca: Equity Ownership; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Solh: Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Chung: ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Heffner: ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. He: ADC Therapeutics: Employment, Other: Potential equity interest. Boni: ADC Therapeutics: Employment, Other: Potential equity interest. O9Connor: ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding.


Future broadband picocellular networks demand powerful modulation and coding methods under the tight constraints of affordable modem complexity and low power consumption for the mobile terminal (MT). In order to increase battery life and allow low-cost mobile equipment to be effectively integrated in such a broadband system we propose the use of a separate low-rate signaling channel (SSC) on the physical layer. This additional channel has the primary function of power saving. For this purpose it takes on connection and mobility control functions as well as further tasks on broadcasting and synchronization. A new concept of a broadband TDMA system is presented, incorporating OFDM for the physical high rate data channel (D-channel) and CPFSK modulation with non-coherent detection for the low-rate SSC, whereby both channels are separated in frequency. Modem and system design issues are discussed and evaluated by simulation.


This Research entitle is "Analysis of Optimalisasi Working Capital at Company of Bahana Donat Malang". Intention of this research is to analyse the amount of optimal working capital to company of Bahana Donat Malang and to know the level of reduction of working capital (circulating assets) in 2009. This research used is financial analysis, that is calculating requirement of company working capital by using turn over of working capital method. Calculation started from turn over calculating of working capital element, what consist of cash; trade receivable; others receivable; and inventory. This calculation is conducted in day and
times riil, to know how many times turn over of working capital element and to know day of working capital element fund in one period. After calculation of working capital element in day and times rill conducted, can be conducted by calculation turn over of working capital in one period. Projection of sale conducted next period to know requirement of working capital company of next period. Projection sale of company for to next period by product moment method. Same with the aim of this research, if calculation of optimal working capital in 2009 bigger than amount of capital in 2009 smaller than amount of year circulating assets 2008, hence needing reduction of circulating assets. Result of this research indicate that the amount of requirement of working capital company of Bahana Donat Malang is not optimal. This matter because amount of company circulating assets in 2008 is equal to Rp175,581,000.-, while requirement of company working capital in 2009 is equal to Rp154,104,150.-. Amount of circulating assets by the end 2008 is requirement of working capital in the early 2009 company of Bahana Donat Malang, so that there are reduction of working capital equal to Rp21,476,850.- of circulating assets in 2008. Keyword: Optimal, Working capital


One of the most important principles in any science is testing and consequently confirmation and falsification. In agricultural economics, the equilibrium displacement model is a popular modeling approach that presently is not testable and consequently cannot be confirmed or falsified. This paper presents four increasingly sophisticated procedures designed to overcome this limitation of equilibrium displacement models. An empirical illustration demonstrates the usefulness of these procedures in deciding between three alternative and theoretically viable equilibrium displacement models.


Sandwich composite is made of light and thick core in between two thin skins that has high mechanical properties. This material is famous for application that needs high specific bending strength for example in lightweight panel for wall or floor for lightweight vehicles. Sandwich composite which made by using woven 3D fiber fabric has the highest resistance delamination resistance among other sandwich material. But, core compression strength of this type of sandwich composite is lower compared to honeycomb or balsa sandwich. Composite polymer properties are determined by resin content. In this research, the effect of resin content to compressive strength and physical properties of sandwich composite 3D woven fabric glass fiber – polyester is studied. Sandwich composite is made by hand lay-up method with resin content variation. Physical properties that are evaluated are thickness, density, and fiber volume fraction. Compression strength is determined by using compression strength that follow s ASTM C-365. Impregnation and core construction quality is evaluated by visual and stereo microscope technique. Sandwich composite 3D woven fabric successfully made with good impregnation quality at weigh ratio of fiber : resin 1 : 1, 1 ; 1,1, and  1 : 1,5 with average  thickness of 5,49 mm. The increase of resin results in increase of density and core compressive strength of composite sandwich woven 3D fabric. The increase of core compressive strength is caused by forming of polyester network in the column of the composite core.


Disputes, tensions and conflicts are present in all spheres of human society, either at the national, regional, or international level. Therefore, international law requires peaceful methods for dispute settlement and somehow it becomes an imperative in international relations. From a legal point of view, the dispute settlement in international law creates an obligation for states to settle their disputes in accordance with the international law by using the peaceful means and mechanisms. They can choose between diplomatic, judicial and institutional means. Such means include legally binding and non-binding mechanisms: negotiation, good offices and conciliation (as diplomatic means and non-binding third party facilitation); intervention of an international or regional organization and its bodies or representatives (as an institutional mechanism), and legally-binding mechanisms such as arbitration and international adjudication (as judicial means). Although there is a specific obligation for the states to settle their disputes through peaceful means, they are also free to choose the most suitable peaceful mechanism for their dispute.  The distinction between the diplomatic and judicial means is related to the difference between two categories of disputes: legal and political. The legal disputes are more related to judicial means of settlement, within the international law. Political disputes use diplomatic channels and political principles instead of international law in order to settle disputes. The diplomatic means are characterized by the lack of binding effect to any conclusion and taking into account all relevant circumstances. By their nature they are less ambiguous compared to judicial means. Arbitration as judicial mean is optional, more flexible and adapted to the objectives of the states. Its conclusions have binding effect. The International Court of Justice and its proceedings are also binding, more rigid, less flexible and take only legal aspects as relevant. States are not always willing to make conciliation in terms of dispute settlement, mostly due to national interests and sovereignty. When states need to choose among these various means, they have to take into consideration their mutual relations and the nature of their dispute. Nowadays, inter-states disputes are real problems in maintaining stability and promoting peaceful relations between states. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to identify the peaceful means and delicate techniques known in the international law and to distinguish their advantages and disadvantages and how states can apply them in order to reach an acceptable and reasonable solution and reduce the risk of new disputes and conflicts between them in future.


Among oxide catalysts, ceria is a technologically important material because of its wide applications as a promoter in three-way catalysts for the elimination of toxic exhaust gases, low-temperature water-gas-shift reaction, oxygen sensors, oxygen permeation membrane systems, and fuel cells. The catalytic activities of cerium oxide are highly dependent on interfacial structures and nanocrystal morphologies. This Minireview highlights the recent progress in the research of ceria nanoshapes as both catalysts and catalyst supports, including the synthesis, structure characterization, catalytic properties, surface chemistry, as well as reaction mechanisms. Insights from in situ spectroscopy study and theoretical modeling of nanostructured ceria-based materials have shed light on the origin of the ceria shape effect. It is suggested that the surface structure of ceria controls the catalytic activity and selectivity through structure-dependent surface-site geometry, surface vacancy formation energy, defect sites, and coordinatively unsaturated sites on ceria. The morphology-dependent catalysis in ceria has offered a new strategy to finely tune the catalytic activity and selectivity through shape control without altering the catalyst composition. A brief summary and an outlook on this research field will be presented at the end.


In this thesis, the interactions between different proteins and small ligands were characterized by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based assays. For the C-reactive protein (CRP), a new type of artificial binder was identified which allows designing diagnostic assays superior to commonly used standard assays. Furthermore, an interaction study with the endogenous ligand phosphocholine revealed the importance of the avidity of pentameric CRP for the distinction of different types of lipid membranes. The interaction study with calcium showed how SPR based assays can be used to study ion-protein interactions despite the low atomic weight of ions. The transmembrane protease BACE1, an important drug target for Alzheimer's disease, was immobilized to an SPR biosensor surface and embedded into a lipid membrane. An interaction study with a set of known BACE1 inhibitors showed that the transmembrane region has only minor effects on the interactions. Furthermore the pH-dependencies of the interactions were investigated and revealed new important conclusions for inhibitor design. Computer aided modelling showed that the protonation state of the aspartic dyad is dependent on the interacting inhibitor which offers new perspectives for in silico screenings.The SPR assay developed for BACE1 was adapted to a more complex membrane protein, the pentameric β3 GABAA receptor. The assay allowed the pharmacological characterisation for histaminergic and GABAergic ligands and gave further evidence for cross-talk between the two signal transduction pathways. This study shows that the immobilisation method used for BACE1 and the s3 GABAA receptor has the potential to become a standard method for handling membrane proteins. The identification of new drug leads from natural sources is a common strategy for drug discovery. A combination of SPR and FRET based activity assays were explored to increase the efficiency of this process. For HIV-1 protease, secreted aspartic protease (SAP) 1, 2 and 3 extracts from a marine vertebrate were identified containing potent inhibitors which interacted with the active site of the enzymes.The studies in this thesis show that the investigation of protein interactions is crucial for understanding protein functions and can help to develop novel drugs for the treatment of different diseases.


There has been a lot of discussion, and a lot of confusion, about the various existing and new design languages recently. SystemC, SystemVerilog, Verilog-2005, e, Vera, PSL/Sugar, UML, analogue and mixed-signal versions of Verilog and VHDL make the world a veritable alphabet soup. This paper briefly looks at the evolving world of design languages from a SystemC perspective. Although a design "language war" may seem imminent, there are strong prospects for peaceful coexistence between languages, and flows that connect them together. And such flows give tremendous opportunities for users of languages to significantly improve their methodologies. In addition, the needs of advanced system and system-on-chip (SoC) design turn up a number of interesting research opportunities for those involved in language-based design. The paper finishes by covering some of these methodology and research possibilities, including those opened up by further evolution in SystemC to include SW task and OS scheduler modelling.


This thesis proposed a decision-making framework to consider multiple objectives in long-term planning situations, and asserts that planning for power generation systems should consider relevant environmental and/or social objectives at the same decision level as traditional economic or reliability objectives. The framework was applied to the case study of long-term planning for Ontario's power generation system. The framework integrates life-cycle based information and decision-maker preferences toward multiple objectives in the context of sustainable development. Six decision criteria evaluated as measures of the objectives include life-cycle cost of electricity, a system flexibility indicator, demand reduction, land use requirements, greenhouse gas emissions, and air emissions. Stakeholder values were derived through questionnaires. Three hypothetical electricity generation scenarios were compared to test the decision-making framework. The results of the application indicated that the scenario which included aggressive renewable energy development and demand reduction was favourable, even given the tradeoffs of reliability and costs.


In August 2010, Cote d'Ivoire commemorated fifty years of independence. Local Pentecostal churches likewise celebrated the jubilee, marking the liberation of slaves after seven times seven years of servitude as promised in Leviticus 25: 8–10. This reading of independence was closely linked to the incumbent president's political project of refondation based on a premillennial understanding of the interrelatedness of past, present and future. In this article, I explore Pentecostal political rhetoric and performances of the past during the jubilee celebrations, and the post-electoral crisis of 2010–2011. Drawing on empirical research into memory at work in Cote d'Ivoire, I question the instrumentalist paradigm used in analysis of religious ways of thinking about the world. By emphasizing performances of the past and collective memory, I explain how being born-again is enacted as politics and how politics are perceived in terms of faith.


Vertical-Transport (VTFET) Nanosheet Technology is an attractive solution to enable aggressive CMOS scaling in the sub-45nm contact-gate-pitch (CGP) regime. By decoupling the classic tradeoff of S/D contacts, gate length & contactgate-pitch (CGP), VTFET technology overcomes middle-of-the-line (MOL) dominated performance pinch-points by providing independent optimization of the contact dimension & device width as well as significant effective capacitance (Ceff) reduction [1]. VTFET offers an attractive solution at sub-45nm CGP, however it introduces unique design challenges that need to be optimized to take full power-performance-area (PPA) entitlement. In this paper, we present for the first time a logic standard cell architecture to enable a competitive VTFET technology. First, we introduce key features of the VTFET architecture which enable significant advantages relative to leading-edge competitive technologies. Further we describe key Design Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) scaling knobs that naturally lend themselves to VTFET such as single fins, buried power rails and gate-contact super vias can achieve competitive area scaling vs. an industry 7nm lateral FinFET transistor reference. Finally, we draw conclusions of overall PPA benefits of this technology.


. In Spring 2000, the Canoochee River was sampled at eight sites from N32°22.34', W82°7.42' to N32° 10.74, W81°49.66' and the samples quantitated by EPA methods for fecal coliform and fecal Streptococci. Fecal coliform levels ranged from 140-540 fecal coliforms/100 ml and coliform/streptococcal ratios ranged from 3.2-10. Fecal coliforms were also tested for resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin (frequency of resistance = 0.11±0.036). Plasmid DNA isolated from selected fecal coliforms conferred resistance to Escherichia coli K12-JM101 upon transformation


The capability of artificial neural networks for pattern recognition of real world problems is well known. In recent years, the support vector machine has been advocated for its structure risk minimization leading to tolerance margins of decision boundaries. Structures and performances of these pattern classifiers depend on the feature dimension and training data size. The objective of this research is to compare these pattern recognition systems based on a case study. The particular case considered is on classification of hypertensive and normotensive right ventricle (RV) shapes obtained from Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) sequences. In this case, the feature dimension is reasonable, but the available training data set is small, however, the decision surface is highly nonlinear.For diagnosis of congenital heart defects, especially those associated with pressure and volume overload problems, a reliable pattern classifier for determining right ventricle function is needed. RVi¦s global and regional surface to volume ratios are assessed from an individuali¦s MRI heart images. These are used as features for pattern classifiers. We considered first two linear classification methods: the Fisher linear discriminant and the linear classifier trained by the Ho-Kayshap algorithm. When the data are not linearly separable, artificial neural networks with back-propagation training and radial basis function networks were then considered, providing nonlinear decision surfaces. Thirdly, a support vector machine was trained which gives tolerance margins on both sides of the decision surface. We have found in this case study that the back-propagation training of an artificial neural network depends heavily on the selection of initial weights, even though randomized. The support vector machine where radial basis function kernels are used is easily trained and provides decision tolerance margins, in spite of only small margins.


Code reuse attacks allow an adversary to impose malicious behavior on an otherwise benign program. To mitigate such attacks, a common approach is to disguise the address or content of code snippets by means of randomization or rewriting, leaving the adversary with no choice but guessing. However, disclosure attacks allow an adversary to scan a process - even remotely - and enable her to read executable memory on-the-fly, thereby allowing the just-in time assembly of exploits on the target site. In this paper, we propose an approach that fundamentally thwarts the root cause of memory disclosure exploits by preventing the inadvertent reading of code while the code itself can still be executed. We introduce a new primitive we call Execute-no-Read (XnR) which ensures that code can still be executed by the processor, but at the same time code cannot be read as data. This ultimately forfeits the self-disassembly which is necessary for just-in-time code reuse attacks (JIT-ROP) to work. To the best of our knowledge, XnR is the first approach to prevent memory disclosure attacks of executable code and JIT-ROP attacks in general. Despite the lack of hardware support for XnR in contemporary Intel x86 and ARM processors, our software emulations for Linux and Windows have a run-time overhead of only 2.2% and 3.4%, respectively.


This is the Spring, 2017 issue of the Undergraduate Research Journal for the Humanities. Individual articles from this issue are also available in KU ScholarWorks at https://hdl.handle.net/1808/21354.


In a coordinated multipoint transmission system with centralized architecture for saving power consumption, total power metric is minimized while completely using the backhaul capacity and maintaining the minimum target data rate. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer optimization problem, which is difficult to solve. To overcome this problem, a joint user selection and rate adaptation scheme is developed based on the water-filling rate adaptation with the given user set and the power saving criterion with the allocated rates. Numerical results demonstrate that compared with the norm-based and semi-orthogonal user selection algorithms, the proposed algorithm can significantly reduce the total power consumption. The proposed algorithm can also achieve near-optimal performance compared with the performance achieved by the exhaustive search-based method. In addition, the computational complexity of the proposed algorithm is reduced by heuristic iteration and search scope shrinking.


The Crosswise Model (CM) has been proposed as a method to reduce effects of social desirability in sensitive questions. In contrast with former variants of Randomized Response Techniques (RRTs), the crosswise model neither offers a self-protective response strategy, nor does it require a random device. For these reasons, the crosswise model has received a lot of positive attention in the scientific community. However, previous validation studies have mostly analysed negatively connoted behaviour and thus draw on the principle of "more is better". Higher prevalence rates of socially undesirable behaviour in the crosswise model cannot be attributed unambiguously to a reduction in social desirability bias, since random ticking resulting from respondent confusion about the question format cannot be ruled out as an alternative explanation. Unlike most research on crosswise models and randomized response techniques, we conduct an experiment in a general population survey that does not assess negatively connoted but socially desirable behaviour (namely, whether respondents had donated blood within the last twelve months). This design allows us to empirically disentangle the reduction of social desirability bias from random responses. We find signifcantly higher prevalence rates in the crosswise condition than in the direct question. What is more, we could not identify any subgroup of respondents, in which the CM successfully reduced social desirability bias. These results cast doubts on the validity of cosswise models. They suggest that a considerable number of respondents do not comply with the intended procedure.


Data about food, and data about individuals' purchases and consumption of food are becoming increasingly ubiquitous. Through bonus cards, supermarkets can track exactly which products we buy, through diet apps we can track what we eat, and through blockchains and other technologies producers can track the origin and history of individual products. From a technical point of view, we are not far away from a world where all this information could be combined to one omniscient system - OmniFood. In this paper we explore current possibilities to collect data on what products we buy, how environmental and nutritional data can be mapped to these products and possibilities to track what we actually eat. Next, we present a number of prototype systems where the possibilities to use this data has been explored, and what limitations we have encountered with current implementations and available data. We end with a discussion of some services that could be possible if current technologies would be fully implemented and made available to consumers and system developers. What possibilities could such systems offer for consumers who want to eat both sustainable and healthy food? What limitations would still exist? What ethical aspects would need to be considered? The focus is on using such a system as a decision support system to support consumers in making food purchase choices that are sustainable from both environmental and health perspectives, thereby supporting the global food system to stay within sustainable limits.


The Nordic countries are well-known for their high quality agricultural products and good farm management. Family farms are the foundation of Nordic agriculture. Nowadays, external demands on agriculture are increasing, leading to pressures on farms that may become overwhelming. These external demands relate to efficiency, compliance with standards, the environment, ethics and human and animal health.


Mucus covers our inner interfaces towards the environment, providing protection while enabling vital interaction with the outside world. The mucus is built around mucin proteins, which are important for our defenses against infection and inflammation, but may also contribute to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. These divergent aspects of mucin biology are exemplified in the different studies in this thesis, which are all based on mass spectrometry. The topics covered range from mucin biomarkers for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, to the discovery of a link between a mucus-associated bacterial genus and irritable bowel syndrome. Pancreatic cancer is a relatively rare tumour form, but is postulated to become the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States by 2030. The poor prognosis is largely explained by late detection. With advances in imaging, cystic precursors of pancreatic cancer are detected with increasing frequency, offering an unprecedented opportunity for prevention and cure. Unfortunately, available diagnostic tools are not sufficiently robust to enable targeted intervention against high-risk cystic lesions. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of a mass spectrometry based method for quantification of mucins and other biomarkers in pancreatic cyst fluid samples. In a prospective validation cohort, the analysis identified cystic precursors of pancreatic cancer with 97% accuracy. This result represented a significant improvement upon state-of-the-art diagnostic methods. Thus, clinical implementation of the analysis may facilitate early detection of pancreatic cancer, which is a prerequisite for increasing survival rates. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease with a chronic and relapsing course. According to the current view, ulcerative colitis results from inappropriate interactions between colonic microbiota and host immunity, against a background of genetic susceptibility. Normally, the abundant luminal microbes are segregated from the colonic epithelium, through an impervious mucus barrier. Here, abnormalities in mucus protein composition were detected in ulcerative colitis patients, also in samples from non-inflamed areas. This implies that structural weakening of the colonic mucus barrier could be important for the development of the disease. The natural history of ulcerative colitis varies considerably between patients. Prognostic markers for the disease course could reduce relapses and colectomies, as well as the unnecessary use of medication. Herein, we identified a ratio of two proteins in colonic mucus as a powerful predictor of the requirement for intensified medication or surgery during a five year period. Interestingly, these two proteins differentially regulate the sensing of specific microbial ligands. An altered equilibrium of these proteins was tentatively associated with infiltration of bacterial endospores in the colonic lamina propria. Thus, intermittent activation of endospores may conceivably contribute to relapses in patients with severe ulcerative colitis. Brachyspira is a bacterial genus that includes several pathogenic species. In this thesis, Brachyspira colonization of the colonic epithelial surface and inner mucus layer was detected in one third of IBS patients, but rarely observed in healthy individuals. Furthermore, Brachyspira colonization was associated with a distinctive symptom profile and mucosal immune response. This suggests that targeted antibiotic therapy of this patient group may reduce the morbidity burden of IBS. However, in our investigation antibiotic treatment paradoxically resulted in Brachyspira invasion of goblet cell mucus granules. This observation may represent a novel bacterial strategy to evade and survive antibiotic treatment, with potential, broad implications for our understanding of therapy resistant infections and pathogen persistence in the intestinal reservoir.


Betsy Holland Gehman, author of "Twins: Twice the Trouble, Twice the Fun," was the mother of two single children when she somewhat unexpectedly found herself the mother of twins. A bit bewildered by the problems imposed by twin care vs single child care, she sought help from the voluminous literature available on baby care. To her surprise and dismay there was little to be found on twins. Nearly everything written was directed toward the single child. So she decided to correct the deficiency by writing a book on twins herself. And an excellent job she has done, too! Naturally much of the book is devoted to describing her experiences in living with her twins. She offers numerous helpful suggestions as to how she met the everyday problems of feeding, bathing, diapering, sleeping, and mothering two instead of one. Long lists of essential equipment are presented and advice is given on


This paper presents a high-level overview of the implementation and the results of LORD's OMNI Active Vibration Control System (AVCS) on Russian Helicopter's Ansat helicopter platform as well as a brief description of principles of the technology. The AVCS is designed so that it can be easily adapted to both existing production aircraft and new aircraft development to actively reduce in-flight vibration levels. Vibration reduction allows for increased crew comfort, reduced equipment fatigue and in certain cases even an increased flight envelope at minimal installation weight versus performance compared to other vibration reduction technologies. The technology is architected with a high degree of modularity to allow it to be adapted to a wide variety of aircraft and customer use-cases. The primary goal on the Ansat was to configure the AVCS to reduce vibration levels at the VIP seats in the aft cabin although cockpit vibration levels were also to be considered. LORD engineers worked with the Russian Helicopters team at the Kazan, Russia facility to integrate and tune the system through simulation and flight test, which resulted in reductions in vibration levels at the VIP seats of up to 84% depending on flight condition. Ultimately, these efforts resulted in two production configurations, which first appeared on a production Ansat in February 2018, making it the first Russian helicopter with LORD's Active Vibration Control technology.


Abstract Background Methamphetamine is a highly addictive psychostimulant with reinforcing properties. Our laboratory previously found that Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, an exogenous cannabinoid, suppressed the reinstatement of methamphetamine-seeking behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the elevation of endocannabinoids modulates the reinstatement of methamphetamine-seeking behavior and emotional changes in methamphetamine self-administered rats. Methods Rats were tested for the reinstatement of methamphetamine-seeking behavior following methamphetamine self-administration and extinction. The elevated plus-maze test was performed in methamphetamine self-administered rats during withdrawal. We investigated the effects of JZL184 and URB597, 2 inhibitors of endocannabinoid hydrolysis, on the reinstatement of methamphetamine-seeking and anxiety-like behaviors. Results JZL184 (32 and 40 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase, significantly attenuated both the cue- and stress-induced reinstatement of methamphetamine-seeking behavior. Furthermore, URB597 (3.2 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase, attenuated only cue-induced reinstatement. AM251, a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, antagonized the attenuation of cue-induced reinstatement by JZL184 but not URB597. Neither JZL184 nor URB597 reinstated methamphetamine-seeking behavior when administered alone. In the elevated plus-maze test, rats that were in withdrawal from methamphetamine self-administration spent less time in the open arms. JZL184 ameliorated the decrease in time spent in the open arms. Conclusion We showed that JZL184 reduced both the cue- and stress-induced reinstatement of methamphetamine-seeking and anxiety-like behaviors in rats that had self-administered methamphetamine. It was suggested that a decrease in 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the brain could drive the reinstatement of methamphetamine-seeking and anxiety-like behaviors.


Cantilevered beams are studied in many ways because they are simple and largely applicable in many engineering problems. This study shows the development of a discrete dynamic model for a flexible cantilever beam and the experimental model validation. The model of the flexible beam was obtained by the Lagrangian formalism and its discretization was performed using the concentrate elements technique. An experiment where a cantilever beam was excited by a white noise was set up, with a capacitive accelerometer in the free end of the beam. Data acquisition was carried out using the software LabVIEW®, developed by National Instruments. In order to improve experimental data, the beam Young's modulus was experimentally determined. The final results show a good agreement between the experimental data and the analytical model.


The popular front strategy, by which the French Communist party (PCF) came to mean a tactical alliance of the left including the Socialists and the left-leaning elements of the petty bourgeoisie represented by the Radical party, was pursued only briefly by the PCF in the 1930s, from 1934 to 1936. This is ironic, since it is by the slogan of the Front Populaire that the period of the 1930s in French history was to be subsequently known and remembered. The popular front was actually a transitional strategy between the famous (or infamous) "Third Period" of Comintern history from 1928-34, characterized in France by the class-against-class policy, and the policy of Front National, in which the PCF pursued a policy of alliance with anyone, including the right, against fas-cism at home and abroad. The PCF launched the national front in August 1936, and although the slogan did not catch on and was withdrawn, the party pursued that strategy for the remainder of the period until the war. But it was the popular front that would be remembered as having resulted in a wave of social legislation following the Blum government's assumption of power in June 1936 and which has ever since become a point of reference for the PCF. The wage increases, rights to unionize, paid vacations, forty hour week and national-izations remain accomplishments for the party, to be built upon in each successive experience of participating in, or supporting the French government. Thus, PCF


After the seismic event of Irpinia (Southern Apennines), occurred on November 23rd 1980, the Pavoncelli tunnel, that used to supply with water the Puglia Region, was seriously damaged. Because of the strategic importance of this civil engineering work, a new water tunnel named Pavoncelli-bis that should substitute the previous one, was built and finally tested during the end of the 2019. The geological features of the area, highlighted the presence of three main siliciclastic formations (Corleto, pre-Numidian/Numidian and Castelvetere formations), crossed by the tunnel trace, that were petrophysically analyzed through the mercury injection porosimetry for a better definition of their petrophysical signatures and related water-reservoir potential at regional scale as hydrocarbon-reservoir potential. Data highlighted the presence of two clusters: one represented by the Corleto and Pre-Numidian Fms. showing good permeability (respectively 181.70 mD and 122.25 mD in median) and low porosity (respectively 4.56 % and 3.94 % in median); the other, represented by the Castelvetere Fm. highlighting good porosity (9.58 % in median) and a very low permeability (4.84 mD in median). Permeability, more than porosity, affects the cluster differentiation, whereas the other variables (average pore diameter and nanopores volume) do not show any particular trend. All these petrophysical parameters were compared with the sandstone composition (Qm, F, Lt), highlighting that porosity results negatively correlated to monocrystalline quartz (Qm) and positively correlated with feldspars (F). The lithic fragments values (Lt) are sparse and do not show any specific trend. The variability of porosity is directly linked with the diagenetic processes that interested the clusters of the Corleto and pre-Numidian Fms. (rich of Qm) and the Castelvetere Fm. (rich of F). Particularly, where quartz is more abundant, quartz cementation and overgrowth are more efficient and widespread, resulting in a reduction of the porosity. On the contrary, where feldspars are abundant, during diagenesis their dissolution can create new pore spaces and also clay-minerals with a better porosity than the previous feldspars. Moreover, clay-minerals can coat the quartz grains present in the sandstones inhibit the porosity loss of the quartz cementation and overgrowth. However, despite an increase in porosity, permeability decreases because the authigenic clays is mainly formed by isolated and blind pores.


In times of economic and ecological crises, green ICTs have the potential to stir greener economic growth and to help decouple this growth from ecological damages. It is therefore paramount to shed light on innovation dynamics in this emerging sector. To do so, this paper investigates the characteristics of the patterns of innovation in the green ICT sector by using granted EPO patents data from 1986 to 2006 related to the green inventory technological classes and ICT technological classes. By way of a network analysis, it identifies existing green ICTs domains and investigates the most innovative ones, examining the degree of concentration of innovative activities as well as the entry of new innovators in the domain and the variety of innovators (e.g. small vs. large firms; private firms vs. universities and public research centres), together with the sources of knowledge. Results indicate first that monitoring and measuring technologies are dominant in this sub-sector, but also that the fields related to liquid crystal displays and solar cells are the fastest growing. Second, the analysis highlights the existence of three different clusters – green fields, emerging fields and established fields – that are defined by different structures of innovative activities and by different technological opportunities.


Artemether is an efficacious antimalarial drug that also displays antischistosomal properties. Laboratory studies have found that artemether curtails the development of adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni and S. haematobium, and thus prevents morbidity. These findings have been confirmed in clinical trials for the former two parasites; administered orally once every 2-3 weeks, artemether significantly reduced the incidence and intensity of patent infections. Here, we present the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of artemether against S. haematobium, done in a highly endemic area of Côte d'Ivoire. Urine specimens from 440 schoolchildren were examined over 4 consecutive days, followed by two systematic praziquantel treatments 4 weeks apart. S. haematobium-negative children were randomized to receive 6 mg/kg artemether (N = 161) or placebo (N = 161). Medication was administered orally for a total of six doses once every 4 weeks. Adverse events were assessed 72 hours after medication, and perceived illness episodes were monitored throughout the study period. Incidence and intensity of S. haematobium infections, and microhematuria and macrohematuria were assessed 3 weeks after the final dosing. We also monitored malaria parasitemia and treated positive cases with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). Oral artemether was well tolerated. The incidence of patent S. haematobium infections in artemether recipients was significantly lower than in placebo recipients (49% versus 65%, protective efficacy: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.38, P = 0.007). The geometric mean infection intensity in the artemether group was less than half that of the placebo recipients (3.4 versus 7.4 eggs/10 mL urine, P < 0.001). Heavy S. haematobium infections, microhematuria and macrohematuria, and the incidence of malaria parasitemia were all significantly lower in artemether recipients. In conclusion, previous findings of efficacy of artemether against S. japonicum and S. mansoni were confirmed for S. haematobium, although the protective efficacy was considerably lower. These findings enlarge the scope and potential of artemether and further contribute to discussions of its role as an additional tool for integrated schistosomiasis control.


The School of Performing Arts at the University of Surrey, UK, draws on the resources of the Library for material such as recordings of music, dance video, music scores and dance notation. Project PATRON (Performing Arts Teaching Resources ONline) has been designed to deliver digital audio, video, music scores and dance notation across a high speed network to the desktop. Patron provides a rich digital library resource of audio, video, images and text. It can be used in a similar way to a conventional library in that items can be searched for and retrieved, but it also enables the resource to be used in a variety of contextual situations. Appropriate multi-media tools within a web browser environment are provided to integrate different media and to enable a range of users to put them into context. The resource formats, system architecture, document structures such as HTML, and the integration with an authoring and management package are described.


SUMMARY From December 2017 onward, including non-organic protein sources in diets for organic poultry will no longer be allowed in the EU. Moreover, in the EU the use of synthetic amino acids in organic diets is prohibited. The main dietary challenge in European organic egg production is to fulfill the protein requirement, especially the methionine (Met) requirement of the hens. Currently available Met-rich ingredients are discussed. In the group of ingredients of plant origin, expelled sunflower seed has a relatively high digestible Met content and is also commonly available. Met content of plant ingredients can be increased by selection of high Met varieties and by specifically breeding on high Met content, e.g. by crossing different breeds. Plant processing techniques might be helpful to concentrate the protein and digestible Met content of ingredients. Applying the dry fractionation technique on legumes and cereals might result in protein concentrates with CP content of at least 50%. A further development of simple separation techniques, which separate the hulls from the other plant fractions and reduce the fiber content after de-hulling, might be helpful to increase digestible Met content. Energy dilution of the diet, concomitant with a proportional reduction in other nutrients, is an option as well to fulfill the requirement of 100% organic diets. As a consequence, hens have to consume more feed to meet their nutrient requirements. There are options to fulfill the requirement of 100% ingredients of organic origin, but if the practical, economical, and footprint issues are taken into account, the list of options is very small.


In this paper, the design and the results of two CMOS silicon-on-insulator (SOI) distributed amplifiers (DA) are presented. Partially-depleted SOI process using microstrip lines, and floating-body (FB) transistors are considered. The measured gain is around 4.5 dB with a 0.4-30 GHz bandwidth for the common source DA (CSDA) and around 7 dB with a 0.4-26 GHz bandwidth for the cascode DA (CDA). The optimized performances were found for 1.4 V supply voltage, which corresponds to a DC power consumption of 66 and 55 mW for the CSDA and the CDA, respectively. The CSDA circuit has been extended to design a distributed oscillator (DO) at 12 GHz, and CDA to a cascaded CDA with a cut-off frequency of 48 GHz and 8 dB gain.


New York State's Opt Out movement was described by the New York Times as "the vanguard of an anti-testing fervor that has spread across the country." The movement consists primarily of parents and students who fought against high-stakes Common Core State Standard (CCSS) tests by "opting out" of taking the exams.… [However,] this article is not about the massive parent and student-led "Opt Out Spring" of 2015. It is about how Opt Out threw into relief two different ways of thinking about unionism within New York City's UFT [United Federation of Teachers].… The leadership of…[the UFT,] the largest union local of any kind in the United States…. supported the CCSS and standardized testing, including the use of student test scores as part of teacher evaluations, and refused to support Opt Out.… Meanwhile, rank-and-file UFTers in the MORE-UFT (Movement of Rank and File Educators) caucus and other groups joined the city's Opt Out movement as part of the struggle against "ed deform."Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.


Introduction Each country in the world has put in place strategies to prevent HIV/AIDS infections. In Kenya today, to control HIV/AIDS infection, there are various strategies that are in place: VCT,PMTCT,VMMC and Condom use. In that context however, research has shown that Truvada PrEP reduces the risk of HIV infection by more than 90% among gay and bisexual men when taken once-daily The objective of this study is to investigate the knowledge of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PreP) among MSM. Method Ten community health workers were subjected to a three week intensive training programs to empower them with skills of carrying out interviews. Data was collected for a period of three months by use of Questionnaires and personal interviews. During the study, the enumerators used the following demographic data: Sex, Age, Education and how the partners perceive the use of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis Results 80 MSM were enrolled in this survey with their ages ranging from 18–35 years all being Males who are HIV + and with basic High Education. Of 40% of the respondents, they have preferred to use condoms as a protective device and other Gels other than Truvada PreP.50% of the respondents were in agreement to use PreP and they had some perceptions on the cost, availability, side effects in the event of stoppage while 10% of the respondents were not sure whether to use Truvada PreP or not since they needed more Education of Medical experts. However, the level of knowledge of Truvada PreP was proportional to their Education. Conclusion The survey showed that more information on Truvada PreP usage should be disseminated since its usage still remains a myth to most Kenyans (there is still a strong believe that AIDS as no cure).Therefore, for a successful Truvada usage depends on Opinion leaders, health Professionals and researchers to correct the current misconceptions existing about Truvada PreP in their communities


Background: Evidence suggests that in-person nutrition education is more effective than written materials in improving diet. The ideal dosage of nutrition education (i.e., number of contacts, intervention duration, type of communication channel) to achieve and maintain dietary change among different populations, including minority populations, is unknown. Few studies have compared the effects of intervention dosage on behavioral outcomes among minority populations. Methods: We compare results from two dietary interventions: iCocinar Para Su Salud! (CPSS) and iCocinar Para Su Salud Junto A Su Familia! (CPSSJASF). CPSS was a randomized controlled trial of a culturally-based dietary intervention among Hispanic breast cancer survivors (n=70; 35/arm) involving 9 group sessions over 12 weeks (4x2-hour nutrition classes, 3x4-hour cooking classes and 2x2-hour food shopping trips; 24-hours total) vs. standard-of-care written dietary recommendations for breast cancer survivors. The CPSS dietary program was developed using a six-step procedural model for designing nutrition education (DESIGN) as the conceptual model. Social Cognitive Theory and the transtheoretical model were used as theoretical frameworks to identify determinants of behavior and objectives for each lesson. All class materials and assessments were developed in Spanish. Focus groups and informal interviews with community residents were conducted to evaluate both class materials and assessment instruments for cultural relevance and format. CPSSJASF was a single-arm pilot study testing a condensed version of CPSS (2x4-hour nutrition + cooking class, 2x4-hour food shopping field trips + cooking class; 16-hours total) among pairs of Hispanic breast cancer survivors and female first-degree relatives (n=6 pairs). Primary outcomes were change in daily fruit/vegetable (F/V) servings and energy from fat at 6 months. We compared results from 34 breast cancer survivors randomized to CPSS intervention (intensive) vs. 6 breast cancer survivors in CPSSJASF (less intensive). Small sample size precluded statistical testing. Results: Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. Baseline characteristics for the intensive group (n=34): mean age 55.1 years (SD 9.1); mean BMI 30.4 kg/m2 (SD 5.6); average daily F/V intake 4.8 servings (2.9 targeted F/V excluding legumes/juices/starchy vegetables/fried foods); average daily energy from fat, 28.5%. Baseline characteristics for the less intensive group (n=6): mean age 53.2 years (SD 8.6); mean BMI 28.6 kg/m2 (SD 4.2); average daily F/V intake: 5.1 servings (2.1 targeted F/V); average daily energy from fat, 29.8%. At 6 months, changes in the intensive compared to less intensive groups for daily servings of F/V were +2.0 vs. +1.4; daily servings of targeted F/V +2.6 vs. +1.9 and daily kcal from fat -7.3% vs. -2.2%. Conclusions: Both interventions were effective at improving dietary behavior among Hispanic breast cancer survivors. The more intensive CPSS intervention had a larger impact on behavioral change at 6 months. Further research is needed to determine optimum dosage of dietary interventions that result in sustained behavioral change. Note: This abstract was withdrawn after the Proceedings was printed and was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Ana Corina Aycinena, Ann O. Gaffney, Pam Koch, Isobel Contento, John Richardson, Katherine Crew, Mary Beth Terry, Dawn L. Hershman, Heather Greenlee, Parisa Tehranifar. Development and comparison of 12-week and 4-week dietary interventions among Hispanic breast cancer survivors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B04. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-B04


In February 1793 the library of the Councillor of State Wilhelm Frederik Willemsen was sold at auction in Christiania. Of the 1.491 volumes about 200 are today to be found in the library of the Oslo (formerly Christiania) Cathedral School. The collection comprised books in several fields, but the majority were books on natural history, in particular mineralogy, economics and mining sciences. The total price – including his library and office furniture – was nearly 1.500 riksdaler, equivalent to half the selling price of his townhouse. Even though auctions were arguably the most important form of book trade in Norway during the eighteenth century, hardly any work has been done to shed light on them. After Willemsen's death, the young widow ordered her late husbands library to be sold. The auction was advertised in newspapers and the catalogue distributed in several near-by towns. Nonetheless, the vast majority of the 50 buyers were local and state dignitaries and officials. The auction was seemingly one of the most important social events of that year. Among the buyers were most of the town's large scale lumber merchants, such as the brothers Anker and James Collett; officers, among them general von Haxthausen and major general Lutzow; several city officials; the later Minister of State Sommerhjelm; the English consul John Mitchell; as well as a few clergymen and wealthy farmers. Seven of the buyers had knocked down to them more than fifty volumes each.Among them was the late Willemsen's father-in-law. Six of them – all wealthy men – bought books in all formats, while a local French-teacher, Ehlers, though one of the large scale buyers, bought only inexpensive octavo and duodecimo volumes. There is no doubt that the complete series of auction records kept in the regional State archive of Oslo – as well as similar material kept in other regional archives – is the single most important source for the study of Norwegian book ownership in the eighteenth century. However, they have yet to be studied.


BACKGROUND
It has been shown that suboptimal preparation of a vein graft prior to its insertion results in immediate morphological and functional damage to both endothelial cells and underlying smooth muscle cells. This study examines the influence of perioperative balloon catheter injury on the subsequent development of intimal hyperplasia and vasomotor function in experimental vein grafts.

METHODS
Twenty New Zealand White rabbits had a carotid vein bypass graft performed: 10 were controls and 10 had a balloon catheter passed through their lumen which resulted in deendothelialization and intramural injury (4Fr Fogarty catheter, 0.6-0.75 ml H20 inflation, three passes). All grafts were harvested after 28 days for either morphology (n = 6) or functional studies (n = 4; four 5-mm rings/graft).

RESULTS
Perioperative balloon injury of the vein graft resulted in a 23% increase in the intimal thickness (102 +/- 7 microm vs 83 +/- 2 microm, deendothelialized vs control; mean +/- SEM, P < 0.01) and a 67% increase in medial thickness (144 +/- 19 microm vs 86 +/- 8 microm; mean +/- SEM, P < 0.01) of the vein grafts. Both the sensitivity and maximal contraction of the responses elicited by norepinephrine, serotonin, and bradykinin were increased in the deendothelialized group compared to controls.

CONCLUSION
Perioperative denuding balloon injury of the vein graft results in the increased development of intimal hyperplasia with an overall enhanced contractility. This study demonstrates the long-term structural and functional effects of perioperative balloon catheter injury on vein grafts that may contribute to decreased graft patency.


Heat-flow measurements made in Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, demonstrate that the transition from subnormal heat flow in the Sierra Nevada to above-normal heat flow in the Basin and Range province occurs west of the assumed physiographic boundary between these two areas, contrary to earlier belief. In addition, these data, together with data of other workers, clearly reveal the sharpness of this transition, which suggests that the causative thermal sources and (or) sinks must be restricted to depths not greater than the uppermost mantle. The way in which heat-flow data constrain the current hypotheses of crustal structure and evolution of the Sierra Nevada-Basin and Range provinces is illustrated with a tectonic model that employs a post-Cretaceous shallow-dipping subduction zone beneath the Sierra Nevada and an active upper-mantle diapir under the Basin and Range province during late Cenozoic time.


Power-to-Gas technology has recently experienced lower acquisition costs and lower conversion efficiency losses. At the same time, wholesale power markets have seen increasing volatility with significant amounts of surplus electricity at select hours of the year. Here we examine the economic potential of reversible Power-to-Gas systems that can convert electricity to hydrogen or operate in the reverse direction to deliver electricity during times of high power prices. Our model framework is applied to the current market environment in both Germany and Texas. We find that the reversibility feature of solid oxide fuel cells makes such systems already competitive at current hydrogen prices, provided the fluctuations in electricity prices are as pronounced as currently observed in Texas. We project that the flexibility inherent in reversible fuel cells would leave investments in such systems economically viable in the future even at substantially lower hydrogen prices, provided recent technological improvements continue over the coming decade.


A method is offered for the exact realization with a ladder network containing only resistors and capacitors of a transfer ratio subject to the following three conditions: 1. Poles of H(p) occur at real, negative values of p and are simple. 2. Zeros of H(p) occur at real, negative values of p, but may be multiple. 3. H(p) is fnite for p = jω, -∞ ≦ ω ≦ ∞. This type of network frequently has gain factors considerably greater than that allowed for an equivalent network synthesized on the lattice basis.


The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates numerous toxic effects following exposure of vertebrate animals to certain aromatic environmental contaminants, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). To investigate possible effects of TCDD on invertebrates, a cDNA encoding an AHR homologue was cloned from the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria. The predicted amino acid sequence contains regions characteristic of vertebrate AHRs: basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and PER-ARNT-SIM (PAS) domains and a glutamine-rich region. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the clam AHR sequence groups within the AHR subfamily of the bHLH-PAS family, in a clade containing AHR homologues from Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. AHR mRNA expression was detected in all tissue types tested: adductor muscle, digestive gland, foot, gill, gonad, mantle, and siphon. The in vitro-expressed clam AHR exhibited sequence-specific interactions with a mammalian xenobiotic response element (XRE). Velocity sedimentation analysis using either in vitro-expressed clam AHR or clam cytosolic proteins showed that this AHR homologue binds neither [(3)H]TCDD nor [(3)H]beta-naphthoflavone (BNF). Similarly, in vitro-expressed D. melanogaster and C. elegans AHR homologues lacked specific binding of these compounds. Thus, the absence of specific, high-affinity binding of the prototypical AHR ligands TCDD and BNF, is a property shared by known invertebrate AHR homologues, distinguishing them from vertebrate AHRs. Comparative studies of phylogenetically diverse organisms may help identify an endogenous ligand(s) and the physiological role(s) for this protein.


The hypothesis that the history of management compliance (strong versus variable), closure size (0.3 to 28 km2), closure age (2 to 39 yr), and habitat/geographic variables influenced total fish biomass, the number of species, and the ratio of herbivores to carnivores in no-take areas was tested. Twenty existing closures across 6 countries in the western Indian Ocean were sampled during the same time period (2004 to 2007). Geographic location and closure attributes were weak to moderate predictors of these coral reef fish community variables for analyses of all closures. Strong interactions between fish community variables and levels of compliance indicated that high compliance sites largely drove the closure–fish community relationships. Variable or weak compliance and closures <1 km2 exhibited limited recovery of fish communities. The closure area–fish biomass data for strong-compliance closures indicates that biomass is stable above 5 km2. A mix of community-based, private, and national program closures were sampled, and, although low sample sizes within each of these management systems precludes conclusive analysis, none of these management systems was universally successful in terms of compliance or maximizing fish community variables.


At times electrodiagnostic medical consultants (EMCs) are asked to perform studies in both a neutral position, and then again after the patient is in a provocative position that exacerbates symptoms, to assess for measurable electrophysiologic changes. While this approach might seem initially appealing, particularly when standard studies are not effective at diagnosis, empiric studies in several conditions have been unimpressive. Studies in median neuropathy at the wrist, thoracic outlet syndrome, piriformis syndrome and radial tunnel syndrome have failed to demonstrate reproducible changes in nerve conduction studies in positions that exacerbate symptoms. Furthermore, there is lack of a plausible pathophysiologic mechanism for producing both measurable and rapidly reversible electrophysiologic changes after just a few minutes, or less, of compression. Axon loss and demyelination would not be rapidly reversible, and positional changes of 2 min or less (the durations generally studied) would be insufficient to produce measurable nerve ischemia. Lastly we have gained a greater appreciation for how much nerves move within limbs with changes in joint position; this movement can lead to misleading changes in nerve conduction studies. It is thus appropriate to conclude that testing nerve conduction in provocative or symptomatic positions adds no value to electrodiagnostic testing.


Summary The coherence of actinide(IV) complexation by humic substances (HS) is reviewed and new data are proposed. In a first attempt, the values of independent data from literature on Th(IV), U(IV), and Pu(IV) are collected, selected, and compiled. The data obtained follow the "classical" trend of increasing conditional formation "constants" with pH, led both by the increasing ionisation of HS and by the extensive hydrolysis of the tetravalent actinides. Even though a fair agreement is evident, the experimental uncertainties do not permit a full analogy between the actinides(IV) to be ascertained. In a second attempt, the experiments from which the original data are available were reinterpreted using only one hydrolysis constant set for U(IV) as an example, considering that all actinides(IV) have analogous humic complexation behaviour. Hence, the obtained evolution of conditional formation "constants" is much more coherent and the uncertainties do not permit to distinguish an actinide(IV) from one another. The obtained data are then applied to independent laboratory and in situ experiments in order to delimit the domain of possible applicability. This exercise demonstrates the treatment of data through analogy in the case of actinides(IV) and would permit to limit and orientate the number of necessary, but difficult, experiment with redox sensitive elements like U, Np, or Pu. It also demonstrates that complexation-only mechanisms may not be sufficient to understand field observations.


Background Metadherin (MTDH) has been demonstrated as a potentially crucial mediator of various types of human malignancies. However, the expression and role of MTDH in diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have not been reported yet. This study aimed to illuminate the role of MTDH in the pathogenesis of DLBCL. Methodology/Principal Findings A remarkable elevation of MTDH on mRNA level was detected in DLBCL tissues by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using Western-blot analysis we found that the expression of MTDH protein was significantly upregulated in DLBCL cell lines and DLBCL tissues compared with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy samples and tissues from patients of reactive hyperplasia of lymph node. The results showed high expression of MTDH in 23 of 30 (76.67%) DLBCL tissues by using immunohistochemical analysis and the over expression of MTDH was strongly correlated to the clinical staging of patients with DLBCL (P<0.05). Furthermore, the finding suggested that the increase of MTDH in DLBCL cells could distinctly enhance cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis; meanwhile, inhibition of MTDH expression by specific siRNA clearly enhanced LY8 cell apoptosis. Upregulation of MTDH elevated the protein level of total β-catenin and translocation of β-catenin to the nucleus directly or indirectly. Knockdown of MTDH decreased the level of total, cytoplasmic β-catenin and reduced nuclear accumulation of β-catenin protein. This indicated that the function of MTDH on the development of DLBCL was mediated through regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that MTDH contributes to the pathogenesis of DLBCL mediated by activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This novel study may contribute to further investigation on the useful biomarkers and potential therapeutic target in the DLBCL patients.


In aiming to graduate from Least Developed Countries status by 2020, and in joining the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, the Government of Laos has been seeking to sustain a high rate of economic growth and to develop a skilled and proficient labour force. As such, economic development has been a focus of the government and developing skilled and proficient labour is important. Education, especially tertiary education, has also been a priority of the Government of Laos. However, the gender gap still exists in every education level with high fees just one barrier for women to get into higher education. Promoting women's access to tertiary education is important for closing the gender gap and improving women's livelihoods, as well as contributing to the country's economic development.  The research explores the main barriers to women's access to tertiary education, concentrating on family characteristics, individual motivations and social norms. Utilising a feminist lens, qualitative research has been undertaken through semi-structured interviews. Thirty interviews were conducted, including women who were current students in tertiary education institutions and women who were not in any tertiary education institution. Information regarding tertiary education policies and implementation of these policies was also gathered from key information interviews and secondary information.  The research found that family financial status is the main barrier for women to continue their education in higher education. When the family budget is limited, most parents prioritise the education of males. Furthermore, the perception that women have less opportunity to gain a job than men persists widely – and acts as a disincentive for women to access tertiary education.


We present novel multi-bit unit-cell topologies for
reconfigurable reflective surfaces –RRSs– (e.g., reflectarray
antennas) with compact designs for millimeter-wave and terahertz
(mmWave/THz) applications. Typically, mmWave/THz RRSs
utilize one or multiple single-pole-single-throw (SPST) switches
leading to single- or dual-bit modulated surfaces. These surfaces
utilize the switches to manipulate the phase of the imping waves,
beamforming the reflected waves to the desired direction. As such,
RRSs are leveraged either for imaging or wireless communication
applications, which typically require the formation of a single
beam (no grating lobes) and high gains. The gain and quantization
lobe levels of an RRS is strictly related to the number of phase bits
utilized in the unit-cell. Explicitly, more phase bits lead to lower
quantization errors and better maximum gain/aperture efficiency.
However, increasing the number of phase bits requires more SPST
switches integrated within the unit-cell, leading to complex designs
with high RF losses. Herein, we present, for the first time, RRSs
with up to 4 phase quantization bits (16 states) that maintain one
switch-per-bit topology thus retaining a low-complexity design.
The proposed RRSs is presented alongside a series of analytical
and full-wave simulated results.


Field observations made on the Mary and Burnett rivers in Queensland show that seasonal stagnancy and deoxygenation are unlikely to be factors accounting for the air-breathing habit in Neoceratodus, as current theory suggests. An Alternative hypothesis that the lung is an accessory respiratory organ during active periods, was suggested by current work which showed that Neoceratodus is more active nocturnally and surfaces to take air more often at night. Respirometry studies on juvenile fish confirmed this, for the oxygen consumption of forcibly actuve fish prevented from surfacing while in the respirometer, was consistently lower than that of fish allowed to surface. At 25 degrees C, active fish allowed to surface had an oxygen consumption of 0.07 ml g-1 hr-1, derived from branchial respiration at a rate of 67 beats/min supplemented by use of the lung. When prevented from surfacing, however, the oxygen consumption fell to approximately 0.05 ml g-1 hr-1, derived from gills alone, but with a branchial pumping rate of 80 beats/min. This correlation of oxygen consumption with branchial pumping emphasizes the limit placed on the fish by its gills, whereas the higher oxygen consumption exhibited by active fish allowed to surface indicates the value of the lung as an accessory respiratory organ, allowing more vigorous reaction to a stimulus than would be possible with gills only.


There is a high prevalence of nutritional disorders in maintenance hemodialysis patients. This fact has been recently confirmed because larger routine assesments of MHD patients body composition are now performed. Food records and dietary interviews show spontaneous low intakes of protein and energy in many patients. An increasing dialysis dose above a Kt/V (single pool) of 1.5 may not improve patients nutritional intakes. Inflammation may further impair the balance between protein synthesis and catabolism and cause anorexia. In response to these abnormalities, the management of energy, protein, vitamins, and trace elements intake will be discussed with special emphasis on calcium, phosphorus, enteral support, and parenteral nutrition. © 2003 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Index Words: Maintenance hemodialysis; nutrition


The structural features of copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes with the antimicrobial drugs quinolones and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as ligands are discussed. The binding properties of these complexes to biomolecules (calf-thymus DNA, bovine or human serum albumin) are presented and evaluated. The biological activity (antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiproliferative) of selected complexes is investigated. Further perspectives concerning the synthesis and the biological activity of novel complexes with quinolones or NSAIDs attractive to synthetic chemists, biochemists and/or biologists are presented.


Evidence suggests that 35% of people with life-limiting disease develop wounds towards the end of life and managing wounds in this population can be complex and challenging. The majority of the wounds, 50%, are decubitus ulcers and this is attributed to the "failure" of the skin and underlying tissues in the last days of life; acknowledgement of this enables better wound management, leading to enhanced patient comfort. A knowledge questionnaire on wound care demonstrated poor understanding among many of the nurses. Recently adopted hospice palliative care competencies require that healthcare assistants (HCAs) have knowledge of basic wound care and the ability to carry out simple dressings, while registered nurses (RNs) must be able to assess and manage complex wounds. With a team of over 50 nurses, our goal is to ensure consistency in the standard of wound care as well as a measure of that consistency. A 2-h classroom session has been delivered by hospice link nurses and a lecturer practitioner and includes tissue viability theory, holistic impact of wounds in palliative care and wound management, including aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT). All members of the inpatient unit nursing team are expected to attend a session as part of a compulsory training day. Additionally, they must complete a workbook on wound management that includes competency assessment, undertaken by an RN trained in teaching and assessing. In addition, all RNs must complete an online wound care management course and provide verification of the results. The outcome of this project is that wound management in the hospice is delivered to a consistent evidence-based standard, demonstrated by competent practice. Further, the link nurses have been supported to source appropriate evidence and share their tissue viability knowledge with the wider team.


Push-out-shear tests were used in this study to analyze lag screw connections in timber-concrete composite (TCC) slabs based on the embedment depth. The goal of this research is to look into the relationship between shear capacity and embedment depth in TCC, as well as to investigate the embedment strength of the wood. Experiments were carried out at different embedment depths (5.08 cm, 7.0 cm, and 8.9 cm). The prepared samples were examined in order to determine the failure modes and provide an accurate assessment of the influence of embedment depth on TCC slabs. The investigation on the embedment strength of the wood was performed then for the analysis of the crushing of wood fibers, lag screw yielding strength, and maximum load applied at embedment depths of 6.6 cm and 7.0 cm. The results indicate that between 5.08 cm and 7.0 cm, there was an apparent improvement in the relationship between embedment depth (ED) and shear capacity of TCC slabs in terms of the shear strength, while a significant difference was observed between 7.0 cm and 8.9 cm. The study suggests that the ED of the TCC slab should be maintained at around 7.33 times the diameter of the lag screw.


In this article, the authors compare the reading behavior of students with low vision to that of two groups of students with normal vision (reading-match and age-match students). In Experiment 1, students identified the first letter in words and nonwords and the researchers measured latency and accuracy. No group differences were found for latency, but the reading-match group differed from the other two groups on accuracy. All three groups identified the first letter of words faster than they did for nonwords. In Experiment 2, students named words with typical and atypical letter—sound relationships; the researchers measure latency and accuracy. Both the low-vision and the reading-match groups were slower than the age-match group; only the reading-match group made more errors on typical stimuli than on atypical stimuli. The absence of significant interactions between group and any experimental-word variable justified the conclusion that low vision affects the reading process quantitatively but not qualitatively.


Montmorillonite clay particles that had been prepared with an alklyl-ammonium surfactant were used to modify the moisture-sensitivity of bleached softwood kraft fibers through solvent exchange and adsorption methods. Moisture absorption and water uptake of the wood pulp fibers were significantly lower after the organo-nanoclay treatment. Thermal stability, surface energy, and surface morphology of the treated fibers were characterized using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (SEM-EDX), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) imaging. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectral characteristics of the treated fibers were obtained to better understand the modified surface functional groups of the treated fibers. The treated bio-fibers had nano-scale surface roughness and a much reduced surface energy. The contact angle of water on the treated fiber mat was found to be higher than 160º. The thermal stability of the treated fibers was not affected by the modification.