Current research on mechatronic engineering focuses mainly on engineering methodologies. This paper presents a new architecture based on the reference model of IEC 61499. This architecture includes both, the engineering view of a device represented by its services and their representation within the control application as function blocks that are used within the whole distributed automation system. The services of a mechatronic component are its special functionalities, for instance motion in the case of a linear servo drive. The direct relation between services and IEC 61499 function blocks enables simple and intuitive control engineering for the user. In this paper the usage of this novel integrated approach is demonstrated by the example of a linear axis. Each movement of the axis corresponds to a certain function block. The control application itself is modeled by associating the motion sequence with the services encapsulated in function blocks. The embedded control platform of the mechatronic component executes the application control logic and each device within the network is able to access the services of a certain mechatronic component. Therefore device vendors are able to enhance their products by integrating their special intellectual property. The users can access the functionality of the mechatronic components without regard to its implementation details.


Contemporary moral psychology has been enormously enriched by recent theoretical developments and empirical findings in evolutionary biology, cognitive psychology and neuroscience, and social psychology and psychopathology. Yet despite the fact that some theorists have developed specifically "social heuristic" (Gigerenzer, 2008) and "social intuitionist" (Haidt, 2007) theories of moral judgment and behavior, and despite regular appeals to the findings of experimental social psychology, contemporary moral psychology has largely neglected the social dimensions of moral judgment and behavior. I provide a brief sketch of these dimensions, and consider the implications for contemporary theory and research in moral psychology.


The number of persons who are not employed has increased in Sweden since the early 1990s. Unemployment has been found to influence health, especially when unemployment rates are low. The extent to which unemployment affects health when unemployment is high is less clear, and this needs to be further studied. To improve health in the population, the health care system should offer equal access to health care according to need. It is important to study whether the employment status hinders the fulfilment of this goal. This thesis is based on four papers: Paper I and II aimed at analysing self-rated health versus mortality risk in relation to employment status, during one period of low unemployment and one period of high unemployment. Paper III and IV assessed the use of medical health care services and unmet care needs among persons who were unemployed or otherwise not employed. The goal was to analyse what health problems lead people to either seek or abstain from seeking care, and what factors encumber or facilitate this process. The overall results indicate that being unemployed or outside the labour force was associated with an excess risk of poor self-rated health, symptoms of depression, mental and physical exhaustion and mortality. The differences in self-rated health between the unemployed and employed were larger when unemployment levels were high, than when they were low. More groups of the unemployed were also afflicted with poor health when unemployment was high. Thus, poor health among the unemployed seems to be a public health problem during high levels of unemployment. Lack of employment was related to abstaining from seeking care, despite perceiving a need for care, and this was related to psychological symptoms. To deal with the needs of the unemployed and others who are outside the labour force it would be useful to develop and implement interventions within the health care system. These should focus on psychological and psychosocial problems. Future research should analyse how to facilitate health-promoting interventions among persons who are not anchored in the labour market.


Combretum molle R. Br. ex G. Don (Combretaceae) is a highly valued indigenous multipurpose tree species that has gained considerable attention in recent times due to its importance as a medicinal plant as well as an alternative species for wood and charcoal production. However, we lack adequate information on simple and appropriate methods that could be used to break its distinct seed dormancy to support domestication of wild populations apparently undergoing over exploitation and the negative impacts of deforestation. Eight pre-treatment methods involving complete removal of wing, complete removal of mesocarp, overnight soaking in cold water (24 °C) and partial removal of wing by scorching with fire, and their combinations were tested against the seed dormancy. Of all, the complete removal of mesocarp and overnight soaking in cold water followed with additional soaking in cold water for 24 h took the shortest imbibition (2 days) and germination (7 days) periods, highest germination value (76) and germination energy (80%). Similarly, the same treatment scored significantly (P < 0.05) higher cumulative germination of 72%. To obtain best germination traits, C. molle seeds should be pre-treated by removing the mesocarp and overnight soaking in cold water followed with additional soaking in cold water for 24 h, before sowing. These results have wide implications including supporting domestication and forest landscapes restoration in Tanzania.
Keywords: Domestication; Restoration; Indigenous species; Dormancy; Lesser known species


We analyzed survey data collected from broiler producers in Louisiana to understand the factors affecting the longevity of best management practices adoption. Results indicated variables such as future expansion potential and the length of time the farm have been with the family decreases the chance of adopting best management practices. Our results support the idea that education and income would have positive results on the entry decision to adopt best management practices.


The effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on ex vivo bone prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production and bone formation rate were evaluated in rats. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed AIN-93G diet containing 70 g/kg of added fat for 42 d. The dietary lipid treatments were formulated with safflower oil and menhaden oil to provide the following ratios of (n-6)/(n-3) fatty acids: 23.8 (SMI), 9.8 (SMII), 2.6 (SMIII), and 1.2 (SMIV). Ex vivo PGE(2) production in liver homogenates and bone organ cultures (right femur and tibia) were significantly lower in rats fed diets with a lower dietary ratio of (n-6)/(n-3) fatty acids than in those fed diets with a higher dietary ratio. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between bone PGE(2) and the ratio of arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), but significant negative correlations between bone formation rate and either the ratio of AA/EPA or PGE(2) in bone. Activities of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes, including the bone-specific isoenzyme (BALP), were greater in rats fed a diet high in (n-3) or a low ratio of (n-6)/(n-3), further supporting the positive action of (n-3) fatty acids on bone formation. These results demonstrated that the dietary ratio of (n-6)/(n-3) modulates bone PGE(2) production and the activity of serum BALP in growing rats.


Firstly, a prototype circuit of 5GHz fully integrated CMOS quadrature voltage controlled oscillator (QVCO) realized in TSMC 0.18μm CMOS technology. The QVCO could be tuned between 5.75 GHz and 5.95 GHz, and shows a phase noise of -105dBc/Hz at 5MHz offset frequency from the carrier by testing the one-side of the differential outputs, for a current consumption of 10mA from a 1.8V power supply. Then, some design aspects on QVCO are analyzed focusing on the optimization of phase noise. According to the optimizing methods of phase noise, QVCO is classified into two types. At last, a design guide is proposed and a new QVCO architecture is predicted that has better phase noise in QVCO in future.


Steroid sex hormones have a significant effect on different organ systems. As far as gingiva are concerned, they can influence the cellular proliferation, differentiation and growth of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Estrogen is mainly responsible for alterations in blood vessels and progesterone stimulates the production of inflammatory mediators. In addition, some micro-organisms found in the human mouth synthesize enzymes needed for steroid synthesis and catabolism. In women, during puberty, ovulation and pregnancy, there is an increase in the production of sex steroid hormones which results in increased gingival inflammation, characterized by gingival enlargement, increased gingival bleeding and crevicular fluid flow and microbial changes.


This paper examines the phenomena of high rates of youth that are out of school and out of work in Latin America. The analysis pursues a dynamic approach by constructing a pseudo-panel from 234 household surveys for 18 countries in the region that allow tracing the life cycle trajectories of different cohorts over time. The trajectories are associated with a series of variables characterizing the household, community, and macro environment in which schooling and labor market participation decisions take place. The most important result obtained is that the persistently high rates of being out of school and out of work among males are strongly associated with greater labor force participation by women, which can be generating a "crowding out" effect against men, given slow job creation rates across the region. The analysis also explores the possibility of scarring effects, and finds that higher shares of out of school and out of work youth at ages 15–20 years are associated with lower wages for the same cohorts later in life, at ages 35–40 years, for males and females. As for employment prospects, the analysis finds scarring effects only for females, with greater out of school and out of work youth shares being related to lower proportions of women in the labor market later in the life cycle.


This paper addresses the  generation  of  rents  and  the  distribution  of  gains  in  the  global  operations  of  governed Global  Value  Chains  (GVCs)  and  seeks  to  provide  an  architecture  for  analyzing  the  governance  of  GVCs.  It distinguishes between four sets of rent—gifts of nature; innovation rents; exogenously defined rents; and market power—and three spheres of governance—setting the rules -"legislative governance"; implementing the rules -"executive governance"; and monitoring rules and sanctioning malfeasance -"judicial governance." The exercise of governance power in GVCs over the generation, protection and appropriation of rents is considered though the lens of four sets of key GVC stakeholders—the corporate sector, civil society organizations, the nation state and supranational institutions. This general analysis is given flesh through three case studies: food-safety standards in GVCs; taxation  policies  and  competition  policies.  In these  sectors,  the  corporate  sector  is  generally  much  more effective in governing rent generation and appropriation in the global operations of GVCs than are the three sets of  non-corporate  stakeholders.  From this  observation  we  offer  a  hypothesis  that  the  capacity  of  non-corporate stakeholders, including national states, to govern GVCs is contingent upon the extent to which this coincides with the interest of the corporate sector. However, as noted, this balance of power between private and non-corporate actors is a contested terrain and dynamic in nature.


This paper proposes an algorithm for planning C∞ paths with bound curvature and curvature derivative linking two fixed (initial and final) configurations and passing through a given number of intermediate via-points. The proposed solution is derived solving an optimization problem such that a smooth curve of bounded curvature and curvature derivative approximates Dubin's shortest paths. The effectiveness of such strategy is verified by simulations. Preliminary experimental results are also briefly described.


To what extent do intersubjective understandings shape interests in wage, price or currency cooperation? What might lead workers, firms or investors to exercise private restraint on behalf of public interests in wage, price or currency stability? Given official efforts to limit uncertainty, could such interests assume "lives of their own" and negate Phillips Curve-styled trade-offs between unemployment and inflation, or Impossible Trinity-styled tensions between openness, autonomy, and exchange-rate stability? In this chapter, I offer a constructivist theory of interests in monetary cooperation, one emphasizing the intersubjective - often self-reinforcing - bases of beliefs regarding the need for private wage or price restraint. From this vantage, a macroeconomic stimulus need not have any inevitable effects on inflation or depreciation if workers, firms, or investors exercise wage, price or currency restraint. Having developed this framework, I then apply it to explain postwar variation in monetary cooperation. I first address the emergence of an early postwar Keynesian egalitarianism which justified the use of wage and price guidelines to reconcile full employment with monetary stability. I then describe how these views yielded to a Neoclassical pragmatism which reduced the scope for incomes policies to the short run, justifying greater macroeconomic restraint. I finally address the emergence of a Classical libertarianism which would decisively undermine the use of incomes policies by the late 1970s. Over this narrative, I also highlight the implications for the rise and demise of international cooperation, contrasting the early postwar use of incomes policies as the "first line of defense" for the dollar with their later erosion as it contributed to the collapse of the Bretton Woods fixed exchange rate system. Taken as a whole, this analysis call into question notions of enduring trade-offs between growth and monetary stability: While tensions may exist between these priorities, such trade-offs are not exogenously given. Instead, intersubjective forces can themselves give meaning to macroeconomic trends, potentially altering the very slope of the Phillips Curve itself.


1. A technique has been devised to measure the effect of stimulation frequency on the contraction force in an accessory muscle of respiration, the sternomastoid, in man. The frequency/force curve was found to be very similar to that of the quadriceps and adductor pollicis muscles. 2. Fatigue of the sternomastoid due to inspiratory loading or sustained maximum voluntary ventilation resulted in reduced force generation at low stimulation frequencies compared with maximum force. This type of fatigue frequently persisted for several hours. 3. If low frequency fatigue were to develop in patients with pulmonary disease it could have important consequences for the development of respiratory failure.


Objectives: To assess the performance of first trimester ultrasound in identifying isolated major congenital heart defects (CHD) in fetuses with normal anatomy and normal nuchal translucency (NT). Methods: This was a retrospective two-centre study of 15778 pregnant women examined at 11 to 13+6 gestational weeks. Women were examined using 4-chambers and 3-vessels views of the fetal heart both in 2D mode and High Definition (HD) Power Flow Doppler mode. Results: A total of 15778 patients were included in the study. The median maternal age was 29 years. The median Crown–rump length was 67 mm (range, 45-84 mm). Overall, there were 211 cases with CHD. Only 3 major CHD was missed at the time of first trimester scan (1 TOF, 1 TGA, 1 inlet VSD). 10 cases were lost to follow up and were excluded from the study. Among remaining 201 fetuses with CHD 80 fetuses (39,8%) had chromosomal abnormalities and 60 fetuses (29,8%) had congenital abnormalities of other anatomical structures. 61 fetuses (30,3%) did not have chromosomal abnormalities or other anatomical malformations. In 20 fetuses (9,9%) the only additional finding was NT above 99 centile, in 10 fetuses (4,9%) NT ranged from 95 to 99 centile. 13 fetuses (6,5%) showed normal NT but reversed flow in ductus venosus or tricuspid regurgitation. 18 fetuses (9%) CHD was the only finding. Among 3 fetuses with CHD missed in the first trimester in 1 fetus there were no abnormal findings and TOF was diagnosed at 20 weeks of pregnancy. In other 2 fetuses the NT was increased (3,3 mm and 5,1 mm), but the correct diagnosis (TOF and inlet VSD, respectively) was made at 20 weeks only. Conclusions: The vast majority of major CHD can be diagnosed at the time of 1st trimester ultrasound screening. Up to 9% of fetuses with major CHD do not have any other anatomical malformation, abnormal karyotype, increased NT or abnormal Doppler markers and should actively be looked for in every fetus undergoing first-trimester ultrasound.


The paper presents a stage of the research on pediatric optometry, namely the one in which it was developed a new flexible method, based on a software interface using, allowing the visual correction, as virtual games in case of visually impaired children. The research was especially focused on the conception, programming and testing the interface that is displayed as an attractive game that could be used on PC, Laptop or tablet, for the purpose of the assisted visual training for children. The interface is addressed first of all to children aged between 6 and 10 years, this being an age at which vision correction is still partial or completely possible. It can be used for different categories of visual impairments, like squint, myopia, hyperopia etc. In the paper there are presented several logical sequences for programming, based on the main necessary algorithms for the interface running. There is also presented the way in which it could be used by the person itself submitted to the training procedure, or by the parents, teacher or optometrist, any of them being involved in the training activity. Another important issue is related to the proposed method feed-back, it being applied until now to three identified children, each with a different type visual impairment: the first one was found with squint, the second with hyperopia and the last with myopia. The visual training, in each case was performed for a period of three months, the training consisting in solving the tests proposed within the developed software interface. Initially and after each month of visual training some periodical evaluations were carried out, also using the described interface. For this reason it could be demonstrated the utility of the proposed method, it being also particularly attractive one for the children, therefore, the prerequisites for its widespread expansion in schools. This could have a medium or major impact in preventing the installation of irreversible visual deficiencies.


A pyogenic granuloma occurred in a port-wine stain treated with first an argon, and subsequently a carbon dioxide, laser. Although reports of this phenomenon are infrequent in the literature, our review suggests that this is not a rare complication. The pathogenetic implications are discussed.


Background: Most patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are discharged when they have still not recovered completely. Many such patients are not available for follow up. Aims: We conducted this study to determine whether the condition at discharge from acute care setting, as assessed with disability rating scale (DRS), correlates with functional outcome at follow up. Settings and Design: This study was conducted at a Neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care referral center. This was a prospective observational study. Materials and Methods: Patients admitted to ICU with a diagnosis of severe TBI were enrolled for the study. On the day of discharge, all patients underwent DRS assessment. A final assessment was performed using Glasgow outcome scale extended (GOSE) at 6 months after discharge from the hospital. Statistical Analysis: The correlation between the DRS scores at the time of discharge with DRS scores and GOSE categories at 6 months after discharge was determined using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 88 patients were recruited for the study. The correlation coefficient of DRS at discharge for DRS at 6 months was 0.536 and for GOSE was −0.553. The area under the curve of DRS score at discharge for predicting unfavorable outcome and mortality at 6 months was 0.770 and 0.820, respectively. Conclusion: The predictive validity of DRS is fair to good in determining GOSE at follow-up. Pending availability of a more accurate outcome assessment tool, DRS at discharge can be used as a surrogate outcome for GOSE at follow up.


We perform an extensive comparison between four stochastic and two machine learning (ML) forecasting algorithms by conducting a multiple-case study. The latter is composed by 50 single-case studies, which use time series of total monthly precipitation and mean monthly temperature observed in Greece. We apply a fixed methodology to each individual case and, subsequently, we perform a cross-case synthesis to facilitate the detection of systematic patterns. The stochastic algorithms include the Autoregressive order one model, an algorithm from the family of Autoregressive Fractionally Integrated Moving Average models, an Exponential Smoothing State Space algorithm and the Theta algorithm, while the ML algorithms are Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines. We also use the last observation as a Naïve benchmark in the comparisons. We apply the forecasting methods to the deseasonalized time series. We compare the one-step ahead as also the multi-step ahead forecasting properties of the algorithms. Regarding the one-step ahead forecasting properties, the assessment is based on the absolute error of the forecast of the last observation. For the comparison of the multi-step ahead forecasting properties we use five metrics applied to the test set (last twelve observations), i.e. the root mean square error, the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency, the ratio of standard deviations, the index of agreement and the coefficient of correlation. Concerning the ML algorithms, we also perform a sensitivity analysis for time lag selection. Additionally, we compare more sophisticated ML methods as regards to the hyperparameter optimization to simple ones.


This paper examines the interplay between stock market returns and GDP growth rates in four Anglo-Saxon economies located in three separate continents (namely, the US, the UK, Canada and Australia). We analyse the dynamics of cross-country volatility transmission across these countries by using quarterly data from 1959 to 2010 and a multivariate GARCH model. Country specific cross-mean spillovers from GDP growth to stock market returns exist only from the US growth towards its stock market, while country specific cross-mean spillovers from stock market returns towards GDP growth exist in both the US and Australia. The US economy influences all three countries with the strongest impact exerted on the Canadian economy. In addition, own-volatility and co-volatility spillovers within and across all eight series are found to be positive and statistically significant, thereby confirming the close association between covolatility of both stock returns and GDP growth series shared by these four countries.


Bankruptcy of natural persons is not legalized inLithuania. It means, individuals have to fulfill theirobligations to the creditors to the end of their life. Duringthe social welfare crisis period that is present in Lithuaniaat the moment this issue is especially relevant. In spring of2009 the project of legal act concerning bankruptcies wasregistered in Seimas (Parliament) of Republic ofLithuania, but in spite of the opinion existing in academicliterature that legalization of bankruptcy of naturalpersons is absolute necessity, the adoption of therespective legal act in Lithuania was postponedindefinitely. Although professionals criticized some of theclauses of the proposed legal act, the enactment of the actwas postponed not because it was imperfect in its form butbecause at the moment its legalization would be irrationalin the face of society's expenditure and benefits.The objective of the article is to generalize andevaluate necessity of the legalization of insolvency ofnatural persons and to present a conceptual model forlegalization of individual insolvency.The first part of the article is devoted to the analysis ofarguments of supporters and opponents of the legalizationof individual insolvency. The insolvency of an individualand legalization of procedures of bankruptcy are aimed atsolving the recovery of the debts from the insolventindividual in a civilized way by balancing all of hiscreditors' interests. From the analysis of supporters' andopponents' arguments interesting conclusion can be drawnthat individual bankruptcy can be ranked as a form oflimited liability for individuals. It gives reason for premisethat a debtor in some cases will behave opportunistic, butin spite of that fact, the global experience shows that therule of limited liability is very socially and economicallyuseful. The survey also proves that there are neither legalnor economic arguments for suspension of legalization ofbankruptcy of natural persons. The second part of thearticle is devoted to modeling the conceptual model forlegalization of individual insolvency. Suggested modelgives the understanding that "Fresh start" doctrine cannotbe associated with the straight discharge from the debts.The natural person can be discharged from the debts ifonly he meets the requirements for an application to courtfor bankruptcy procedures and if only he fulfilled thepayment plan and successfully passed prevention andrehabilitation procedure. The issue of procedures ofprevention and integration of the debtor is highly1 In the scope of this article legal terms "bankruptcy" and "insolvency"are used as synonyms referring to a bankruptcy of a natural person.important and complicated. The detailed system of suchprocedure is the object of another research based on theexperience of other countries. This research would developa longitudinal picture of the debtor after bankruptcy andwould reveal whether most debtors really get a fresh startand why some of them fail.


Combined data sets of InSAR and GPS allow us to observe surface deformation in volcanic settings. However, at the vast majority of volcanoes, a detailed 3-D structure that could guide the modelling of deformation sources is not available, due to the lack of tomography studies, for example. Therefore, volcano ground deformation due to magma movement in the subsurface is commonly modelled using simple point (Mogi) or dislocation (Okada) sources, embedded in a homogeneous, isotropic and elastic half-space. When data sets are too complex to be explained by a single deformation source, the magmatic system is often represented by a combination of these sources and their displacements fields are simply summed. By doing so, the assumption of homogeneity in the half-space is violated and the resulting interaction between sources is neglected. We have quantified the errors of such a simplification and investigated the limits in which the combination of analytical sources is justified. We have calculated the vertical and horizontal displacements for analytical models with adjacent deformation sources and have tested them against the solutions of corresponding 3-D finite element models, which account for the interaction between sources. We have tested various double-source configurations with either two spherical sources representing magma chambers, or a magma chamber and an adjacent dyke, modelled by a rectangular tensile dislocation or pressurized crack. For a tensile Okada source (representing an opening dyke) aligned or superposed to a Mogi source (magma chamber), we find the discrepancies with the numerical models to be insignificant (<'5 per cent) independently of the source separation. However, if aMogi source is placed side by side to an Okada source (in the strike-perpendicular direction), we find the discrepancies to become significant for a source separation less than four times the radius of the magma chamber. For horizontally or vertically aligned pressurized sources, the discrepancies are up to 20 per cent, which translates into surprisingly large errors when inverting deformation data for source parameters such as depth and volume change. Beyond 8 radii however, we demonstrate that the summation of analytical sources represents adjacent magma chambers correctly.


Over the last 20 years, there is no topic that causes more controversy in special education among teachers, administrators, and parents than INSIDE Stop center Inclusion represents the belief of philosophy that the students with disabilities should be integrated into the regular education classrooms whether or not they can meet traditional curricular standards especially in UiTM. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential pros and cons of the INSIDE Stop center of students with disabilities into regular education classrooms in UiTM. This study included a comprehensive review and critical analysis of research and literature concerning the issue of inclusion and INSIDE Stop center, the factors that contributed to the movement to educate students in INSIDE Stop center classrooms, inclusion versus mainstreaming, what the least restrictive environment is, models of inclusion, what an INSIDE Stop center classroom looks like, and the pros and cons for special education students, regular education students, and regular education teachers when placing students with disabilities into regular education classrooms in UiTM.
Research has shown that INSIDE Stop center promotes the idea that students with disabilities should begin in the regular education classroom, and be removed only when appropriate services cannot be provided there. When implemented properly, inclusion can have many pros for all students and teachers involved in the process


Constrained via minimization is the problem of reassigning wire segments of a VLSI routing so that the number of vias is minimized. In this paper, a new approach is proposed for two-layer VLSI routing. This approach is able to handle any types of routing, and allows arbitrary number of wire segments split at a via candidate.


Recently, new technologies have combined to produce a sharp increase in the availability of on-line texts and their access involves end-users with different skills. The demand for tools for information retrieval, extraction, organization and integration is becoming more and more pressing to filter relevance and sort the large number of retrieved documents. It is not the amount of information that gives the value but the access at the right time and in the most suitable form to an acceptable amount of relevant documents.Moreover the increasing availability of new information-transmission technologies demands more personal information filtering. Users are no longer interested in standard summaries and choices; they need (and most of the current user interests are on) filters that they can (directly) specify to fit their preferences and requirements. One such approach could only work on information sources dynamically adaptable to changing application needs. As a consequence the interaction between application domains and information sources needs to be stressed.Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools may be helpful in identifying relevant aspects of documents providing not only the identification of morphologic or structural properties of the texts but also stressing what are salient passages in them. The identification of subsentences capturing relevant terms may be a first step to be acquainted with specific topics of a document. The availability of a system able to capture such terms, in different languages and application domains, could optimize users ' requirements.


We study the optimal pricing strategies of a monopolist selling a divisible good (service) to consumers who are embedded in a social network. A key feature of our model is that consumers experience a (positive) local network effect. In particular, each consumer's usage level depends directly on the usage of her neighbors in the social network structure. Thus, the monopolist's optimal pricing strategy may involve offering discounts to certain agents who have a central position in the underlying network. Our results can be summarized as follows. First, we consider a setting where the monopolist can offer individualized prices and derive a characterization of the optimal price for each consumer as a function of her network position. In particular, we show that it is optimal for the monopolist to charge each agent a price that consists of three components: (i) a nominal term that is independent of the network structure, (ii) a discount term proportional to the influence that this agent exerts over the rest of the social network (quantified by the agent's Bonacich centrality), and (iii) a markup term proportional to the influence that the network exerts on the agent. In the second part of the paper, we discuss the optimal strategy of a monopolist who can only choose a single uniform price for the good and derive an algorithm polynomial in the number of agents to compute such a price. Third, we assume that the monopolist can offer the good in two prices, full and discounted, and we study the problem of determining which set of consumers should be given the discount. We show that the problem is NP-hard; however, we provide an explicit characterization of the set of agents who should be offered the discounted price. Next, we describe an approximation algorithm for finding the optimal set of agents. We show that if the profit is nonnegative under any feasible price allocation, the algorithm guarantees at least 88% of the optimal profit. Finally, we highlight the value of network information by comparing the profits of a monopolist who does not take into account the network effects when choosing her pricing policy to those of a monopolist who uses this information optimally.


Neuronal networks encode information through patterns of activity that define the networks' function. The neurons' activity relies on specific connectivity structures, yet the link between structure and function is not fully understood. Here, we tackle this structure-function problem with a new conceptual approach. Instead of manipulating the connectivity directly, we focus on upper triangular matrices, which represent the network dynamics in a given orthonormal basis obtained by the Schur decomposition. This abstraction allows us to independently manipulate the eigenspectrum and feedforward structures of a connectivity matrix. Using this method, we describe a diverse repertoire of non-normal transient amplification, and to complement the analysis of the dynamical regimes, we quantify the geometry of output trajectories through the effective rank of both the eigenvector and the dynamics matrices. Counter-intuitively, we find that shrinking the eigenspectrum's imaginary distribution leads to highly amplifying regimes in linear and long-lasting dynamics in nonlinear networks. We also find a trade-off between amplification and dimensionality of neuronal dynamics, i.e., trajectories in neuronal state-space. Networks that can amplify a large number of orthogonal initial conditions produce neuronal trajectories that lie in the same subspace of the neuronal state-space. Finally, we examine networks of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. We find that the strength of global inhibition is directly linked with the amplitude of amplification, such that weakening inhibitory weights also decreases amplification, and that the eigenspectrum's imaginary distribution grows with an increase in the ratio between excitatory-to-inhibitory and excitatory-to-excitatory connectivity strengths. Consequently, the strength of global inhibition reveals itself as a strong signature for amplification and a potential control mechanism to switch dynamical regimes. Our results shed a light on how biological networks, i.e., networks constrained by Dale's law, may be optimised for specific dynamical regimes.


I am responding to the Council of Institutional Investors' ("CII") request that the NASDAQ Stock Market ("NASDAQ") and New York Stock Exchange amend its listing standards to require companies seeking to go public with dual class shares (classes of common stock with unequal voting rights) to include in their certificates of incorporation a time-based sunset provision (a forced unification of shares into one share structure with equal voting rights after a certain period of time) that must go into effect no more than seven years after the initial public offering (IPO) unless the minority shareholders vote to extend up to an additional seven years.

These letters (both letters have been combined into one document) argue that such a mandatory provision would be extremely unwise and harmful to our most important public companies and their shareholders, current as well as future. As a creation of private ordering, the absence of time-based sunset provisions in dual class share structures serves a significant value enhancing purpose. It prevents the risk that a pre-mature and therefore suboptimal unification of shares may occur. This risk has so far been ignored by those advocating for the implementation of a mandatory time-based sunset provision.


A real-time shelf circulation model with data assimilation has been successfully used, possibly for the first time, on the outer Nova Scotian Shelf. The adjoint method was used to infer the time histories of flows across the four open boundaries of a 60 km × 60 km shallow-water equation model of Western Bank. The aim was to hindcast and nowcast currents over the bank so that a patch of water (initially 15 km in diameter) could be resampled over a 3-week period as part of a study of the early life history of Atlantic cod. Observations available in near real time for assimilation were from 14 drifting buoys, 2 telemetering moored current meters, the ship's acoustic Doppler current profiler and the local wind. For the postcruise hindcasts presented here, data from two bottom pressure gauges and two more current meters are also available. The experiment was successful, and the patch was sampled over a 19-day period that included two intense storms. In this paper we (1) document the model and how the data are assimilated, (2) present and discuss the observations, (3) demonstrate that the interpolative skill of the model exceeds that of simpler schemes that use just the current velocity data, and (4) provide examples of how particle tracking with the model enables asynoptically acquired data to be displayed as synoptic maps, greatly facilitating both underway cruise planning and postcruise data analysis. An interesting feature of the circulation on the bank was a nearly stationary eddy atop the bank crest. Larvae within the eddy were retained on the bank in a favorable environment until the onset of the storms. The variable integrity of the eddy may contribute to fluctuations of year-class success.


NTUStreaming is an overlay P2P-based IPTV system that integrates innovations in both overlay networking and video coding for optimal user experience. The system consists of three key components: partnership formation, robust video coding, and video segment request scheduling. For partnership formation, a graph construction mechanism TYPHOON based on epidemic algorithms is developed to reduce disconnect time and isolated peers. For robust video coding, a multiple description coding (MDC) scheme with spatial-temporal hybrid interpolation (STHI) is proposed to adjust streaming traffic according to the bandwidth and device capability of each peer. For request scheduling, an optimization algorithm is developed by taking the available bandwidth and the video segment type into account. Experimental results show that NTUStreaming is able to deliver optimal video quality in lossy and dynamic networking environments.


Somatic frameshift mutations in exon 9 of calreticulin (CALR) gene are recognized as disease drivers in primary myelofibrosis (PMF), one of the three classical Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Type 1/type 1-like CALR mutations particularly confer a favorable prognostic and survival advantage in PMF patients. We report an unusual case of PMF incidentally diagnosed in a 68-year-old woman known with hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis who developed a progressive painful splenomegaly, without anomalies in blood cell counts. While harboring a type 1 CALR mutation, the patient underwent a leukemic transformation in less than 1 year from diagnosis, with a lethal outcome. Analysis of paired DNA samples from chronic and leukemic phases by a targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray revealed that the leukemic clone developed from the CALR-mutated clone through the acquisition of genetic events in the RAS signaling pathway: an increased variant allele frequency of the germline NRAS Y64D mutation present in the chronic phase (via an acquired uniparental disomy of chromosome 1) and gaining NRAS G12D in the blast phase. SNP microarray analysis showed five clinically significant copy number losses at regions 7q22.1, 8q11.1-q11.21, 10p12.1-p11.22, 11p14.1-p11.2, and Xp11.4, revealing a complex karyotype already in the chronic phase. We discuss how additional mutations, detected by NGS, as well as HCV infection and antiviral therapy, might have negatively impacted this type 1 CALR-mutated PMF. We suggest that larger studies are required to determine if more careful monitoring would be needed in MPN patients also carrying HCV and receiving anti-HCV treatment.


Studies of identity and belonging in Gulf monarchies tend to privilege tribal or religious affiliation, if not the protective role of the ruler as paterfamilias. I focus instead on the ubiquitous foreigner and explore ways in which s/he contributes to the definition of national community in contemporary gcc states. Building upon and moving beyond the scholarly literature on imported labor in the Gulf, I suggest that the different 'categories' of foreigners impact identity and the consolidation of a community of privilege, in keeping with the national project of ruling families. Furthermore, I argue that the 'European,' the non-gcc Arab, and the predominantly Asian (and increasingly African) laborer play similar, but also distinct roles in the delineation of national community: while they are differentially incorporated in ways that protect the 'nation' and appease the citizen-subject, varying degrees of marginality reflect Gulf society's perceptions or aspirations of the difference between itself and 'the other(s).'


This research attempts to contribute to the advancement of knowledge within the services marketing and consumer behaviour domain. Its main aim is to enhance our understanding of the relationship between attitude and behaviour within a financial services setting. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) by Fishbein and Ajzen (1967, 1973, 1975) was employed as the theoretical basis of the research.
Following an extensive literature review, we identified five constructs and credit card specific items. used to develop a Credit card holder Attitude-Behaviour (CABM) model. All the constructs (with the exception of credit card holder behaviour) were measured using multiple items. The survey method was employed via a self-administered postal questionnaire. The data collection instrument was submitted to a sample of 2000 randomly selected UK credit card holders. Statistical properties of the constructs were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques. The proposed research model was tested with PLS in structural equation modeling technique.
The results of the study provided limited support for the central hypothesis of a significant relationship between attitude and behaviour. Two unexpected findings included the significant relationship between card holder behaviour and experience outcome, and also substantial support for the relationship between attitude towards future real income and attitude towards credit cards. Credit card holders exhibit two typical behaviours and future research is needed to examine the attitude-behaviour relationship of convenience users (non-interest paying) and revolving (interest-paying) credit card holders separately. Also recommended, is the examination of the card holder behaviour under observable variables as well as latent variables.


A fast codebook training algorithm based on the Linde, Buzo and Gray (1980) LBG algorithm is proposed. The fundamental goal of this method is to reduce the computation cost in the codebook training process. In this method, a kind of mean-sorted partial codebook search algorithm is applied to the closest codeword search. At the same time, a generalized integral projection model is developed for the generation of test conditions, which are used to speed up the search process in finding the closest codeword for each training vector. With this proposed method, a significant time reduction can be achieved by avoiding the computation of unnecessary codewords. Our simulation results show that a significant reduction in computation cost is obtained with this proposed method. Besides, this method provides a flexible way of selecting the test conditions to accommodate the different image training sets.


Objectives: Fetal lymphangiomas are uncommon congenital malformations of the lymphatic system that involve the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Lymphangiomas can occur anywhere in the skin and the mucous membranes.The aim of this study was to review the ultrasound findings in the prenatal diagnosis, the outcome and treatment of the NNL. Methods: We analyze our database with 1843 cases of congenital anomalies between 2003 to March of 2012. The definition for the prenatal diagnosis of the Lynphangiomas were cystic mass who involve the without vascular supply and include in the soft tissue. We exclude the nuchal localization. The diagnosis was confirmed after birth and each one was follow. The variables include in the analysis were the localization, associate malformations, postnatal outcome, treatment. Results: Thirteen cases were diagnosed with NNL. Postnatal assessment was obtained in all the cases. The anatomic localization was: fetal thorax 2 cases, axillar 3 cases, facial 2 cases, anterior neck 3 cases; 1 of them with a big mass with obstruction of the air way, arm 1 case, gluteus 1 case an 1 case with lymphangiomatosis. 2 (15%) died in the perinatal period 1 of them the lymfangiomatosis and the other the anterior neck with air way obstruction. 2 (15%) of the cases had spontaneous resolution the localization of this cases was arm and 1 case in the anterior neck. 9 cases require postnatal treatment with medical therapy with Bleomicin and surgical reduction. None were associated with chromosomal anomalies. None of them produced functional limitation. The facial lynphangiomas were related with aesthetic facial scarring sequelae. Conclusions: The prenatal diagnosis of the NNL require a sequential analysis of the localization, size, multiloculation and mass effect. The Involvement of the upper airways one of the prognostic factor the prenatal diagnosis allows the preparation for birth. In cases of lymphangiomatosis the prognosis is poor. As to its other locations lymphangiomas the prognosis are well but the the sequelae commitment to aesthetic or function must be taken into account when counseling parents.


Selection has been used to create replicated outbred stocks of Drosophila melanogaster with increased longevity, increased later fecundity, and increased levels of physiological performance at later ages. The present study analyzed the quantitative transmission patterns of such stocks, employing extensive replication in numbers of stocks, individuals, and assayed characters. The populations used derived from five lines with postponed aging and five control lines, all created in 1980 from the same founding base population. The following characters were studied: early 24-hr fecundity, early ovary weight, early female starvation resistance, early male starvation resistance, female longevity and male longevity. Numerous crosses were performed to test for non-Mendelian inheritance, average dominance, maternal effects, sex-linkage and between-line heterogeneity. There was only slight evidence for any of these phenomena arising reproducibly in the characters studied. These findings suggest the value of this set of stocks for studies of the physiological basis of postponed aging.


This study investigated time use and the importance of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) tasks to an older community-dwelling population. In addition, the study compared occupational therapists' and older people's perception of importance of IADL tasks for maintaining community living. Thirty-three subjects completed a time diary and an interview-based questionnaire to ascertain their time use and the importance of IADL tasks. It was found that older people living in the community spent most of their time at home and alone, with nearly half the day being spent on IADL tasks. The subjects indicated that the three most important tasks were use of the telephone, use of transportation (including driving) and reading. Differences were found when the results from an earlier study of occupational therapists were compared with results from the present study of older people. The occupational therapists also considered use of the telephone as most important but then rated medication management and snack preparation as the most necessary activities for continued community living. These results emphasize the differences in the perception of 'important' between the two groups studied. The results from this research confirm the importance of IADL to both the occupational therapy profession and older people living at home in the community. Further, these results confirm the need for client-centred practice and collaborative intervention planning for occupational therapy.


Despite increasing interest in moult in birds, there are still clear gaps in our knowledge of this topic. For example, many aspects of the moult of several European passerines remain unknown. Here, I describe the extent of the postjuvenile and the post-breeding moult of Black Wheatears Oenanthe leucura in south-eastern Spain and analyse the possible influence of ecological factors on moult in this species. The post-juvenile moult of Black Wheatears involved a variable number of greater coverts (six in most cases), but tertials, alula feathers and the carpal covert were also moulted frequently. Primaries were never moulted, while secondaries and tail feathers were moulted in 1.5% of 65 birds. The number of feathers moulted in the post-juvenile moult was not related to sex or individuals' body size. The post-breeding moult occurred between late June and mid-November and followed the typical sequence of European passerines. It had a mean duration of 145 days, with no differences between sexes or years. The body condition of wheatears did not decrease as the moult advanced. The duration of the post-breeding moult of Black Wheatears was almost double the mean duration described for European passerines and is among the longest period ever described for passerines. The resident status and medium size of the species may partly explain the long duration of the post-breeding moult, but the low seasonality and high aridity of the study area seem to be the main drivers of the pattern found.


Nowadays, to facilitate the communication and cooperation among employees, a new family of online social networks has been adopted in many companies, which are called the "enterprise social networks" (ESNs). ESNs can provide employees with various professional services to help them deal with daily work issues. Meanwhile, employees in companies are usually organized into different hierarchies according to the relative ranks of their positions. The company internal management structure can be outlined with the organizational chart visually, which is normally confidential to the public out of the privacy and security concerns. In this paper, we want to study the IOC (Inference of Organizational Chart) problem to identify company internal organizational chart based on the heterogeneous online ESN launched in it. IOC is very challenging to address as, to guarantee smooth operations, the internal organizational charts of companies need to meet certain structural requirements (about its depth and width). To solve the IOC problem, a novel unsupervised method Create (ChArT REcovEr) is proposed in this paper, which consists of 3 steps: (1) social stratification of ESN users into different social classes, (2) supervision link inference from managers to subordinates, and (3) consecutive social classes matching to prune the redundant supervision links. Extensive experiments conducted on real-world online ESN dataset demonstrate that Create can perform very well in addressing the IOC problem.


To examine the antioxidant capacity of normal human airway secretions and to characterize its molecular components, tracheal lavages were obtained from eight patients intubated for elective surgery and free of lung disease. These samples (20 microl, approximately 6.8 microg of protein) scavenged 0.57 +/- 0.09 nmol of added 0.96 nmol hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) within 10 minutes at room temperature (n = 8). The scavenging activity was inhibited 60 +/- 4% by azide (an inhibitor of heme-containing peroxidases and catalase) and 42 +/- 9% by dapsone (an inhibitor of lactoperoxidase). Mercaptosuccinic acid (an inhibitor of glutathione peroxidase) did not significantly inhibit H2O2 scavenging by these secretions. Fourfold diluted secretions showed only nonenzymatic scavenging activity, but the addition of thiocyanate to these samples (0.4 mM; substrate for lactoperoxidase) restored their ability to scavenge H2O2. The addition of reduced glutathione (8 microM) only enhanced nonenzymatic scavenging activity. These data provide evidence that multiple enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems coexist in human airway secretions that contribute to H2O2 scavenging. It appears, however, that H2O2 is mainly consumed by the lactoperoxidase system.


Tobacco smoking might be impacted by various influences, including psychological, socio-cultural, and economic factors. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Syrian Arab Republic from March to April 2019 using a web-based questionnaire. The survey aimed at assessing tobacco use (shisha and cigarettes) as well as examining the association between current tobacco use and various sociodemographic and war-related factors. The sample comprised 978 participants (251 males: 727 females) and had a mean age of 24.7 years (SD: 7.60). Most participants were single (n = 825, 84.4%), reside in Damascus and Rif-Dimashq (n = 579, 59.2%), and had a college/university education (n = 911, 93.1%). Concerning smoking, a total of 371 participants (37.9%) were identified to be current tobacco smokers, of whom 211, 84, 76 were exclusive shisha smokers, exclusive cigarette smokers, and dual smokers, respectively. The prevalence of cigarette smoking (exclusive and dual) among males and females was found to be 34.7%, and 10.0%, respectively. On the other hand, the prevalence of shisha smoking (exclusive and dual) among males and females was around 34.3% and 27.6%, respectively. Additionally, various factors have predicted a higher likelihood of cigarette smoking including male gender (AOR = 4.152; 95% CI: 2.842–6.064; p<0.001), and losing someone due to the war (AOR = 1.487; 95% CI: 1.028–2.151; p = 0.035), while unemployed individuals were found to have lower odds of being cigarette smokers (AOR = 0.634; 95% CI: 0.429–0.937; p = 0.022). Concerning shisha smoking, married (AOR = 0.622; 95% CI: 0.402–0.963; p = 0.033), and unemployed individuals (AOR = 0.679; 95% CI: 0.503–0.916; p = 0.011) were found to have lower odds of shisha smoking. Amid the tobacco epidemic in the region, rates of tobacco use in Syria are still worrying. The Syrian armed conflicts may possess a double-edged effect on smoking, and tobacco users who adopt smoking to cope with various stressors should be targeted with well-structured health education, along with appropriate psychological services.


The article is focused on Russian constructions with zero copulas. I test constructions with zero copulas for compatibility with different syntactic contexts to find out whether their syntactic behavior differs significantly from that of lexical verbs. The diagnostics used in the paper include occurrence in relative and temporal clauses, compatibility with particles, and adverbials / adverbial constructions. The differences between the zero copulas and lexical verbs turn out to be of two types: a copula allows some uses, prohibited for lexical verbs, and, in contrast, is impossible in other constructions where lexical verbs can participate. The differences are due to two properties of copulas: (1) lack of morphologically-marked categories and (2) lack of a lexical stem. Different types of copulas as distinguished by Testelets (2008) behave differently in syntactic tests, but the picture cannot be reduced to Testelets' two classes of copulas (binominative and non-binominative ones).


Recent very high spatial resolution (VHR) remote sensing satellites provide high spatial resolution panchromatic (Pan) images in addition to multispectral (MS) images. The pan sharpening process has a critical role in image processing tasks and geospatial information extraction from satellite images. In this research, CIELab color based component substitution Pan sharpening algorithm was proposed for Pan sharpening of the Pleiades VHR images. The proposed method was compared with the state-of-the-art Pan sharpening methods, such as IHS, EHLERS, NNDiffuse and GIHS. The selected study region included ten test sites, each of them representing complex landscapes with various land categories, to evaluate the performance of Pan sharpening methods in varying land surface characteristics. The spatial and spectral performance of the Pan sharpening methods were evaluated by eleven accuracy metrics and visual interpretation. The results of the evaluation indicated that proposed CIELab color-based method reached promising results and improved the spectral and spatial information preservation.


BACKGROUND
Many studies document associations between low health literacy (HL) and poor health behaviors and outcomes. Yet, HL is understudied among adolescents, particularly from underserved, rural communities. We targeted rural adolescents in this cross-sectional study and explored relationships between HL and (1) energy-balance-related health behaviors and (2) body mass index (BMI) and quality of life (QOL).

METHODS
Surveys were administered to 7th graders across 8 middle schools in rural Appalachia. HL was assessed using the Newest Vital Sign. Energy-balance-related behaviors and QOL were assessed using validated instruments. Height and weight were objectively measured. Analyses were conducted using the Hodges-Lehmann nonparametric median difference test.

RESULTS
Of the 854 adolescent students (mean age = 12; 55% female), 47% had limited HL. Relative to students with higher HL, students with lower HL reported significantly lower frequency of health-promoting behaviors (water, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, sleep), higher frequency of risky health behaviors (sugar-sweetened beverages, junk food, screen time), and had higher BMI percentiles and lower QOL (all p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS
Low HL is associated with energy-balance-related behaviors, BMI, and QOL among rural, Appalachian adolescents. Findings underscore the relevance of HL among rural middle school students and highlight implications for school health.


Suboptimal fermentation rates and incomplete sugar utilization are symptoms of environmental or physiological stress imposed upon the yeast Saccharomyces. The ability to restart an arrested fermentation and to increase the rate of one that is sluggish depends upon correctly diagnosing the root cause of the problem for the yeast. Careful analysis of fermentation conditions and of the fermentation profile can provide clues to the reason for poor fermentation performance. Astute monitoring of the fermentation can assist the winemaker in early identification of problem fermentations. Proper analysis of juice composition and careful attention to yeast nutritional and physiological needs can reduce the incidence of arrest of fermentation. Problem fermentations can be divided into four general categories: sluggish initiation, rate eventually becoming normal; sluggish initiation slow rate throughout the fermentation; normal initiation of fermentation, becoming sluggish; and a normal fermentation that abruptly arrests. Each type of problem fermentation is associated with different types of stress for the yeast.


Background: The Faculty of Medicine (FoM) has been training health professions in Uganda since 1924. Five years ago, it decided to change the undergraduate curriculum from traditional to Problem Based Learning (PBL) and adopted the SPICES model. Radiology was integrated into the different courses throughout the 5 year program. The objective was to improve the implementation of the integration of Radiology in the integrated PBL curriculum. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study of radiologists and medical students using interviews and semi-structured questionnaires respectively. Results: Radiologists' and students' perceptions and opinions on Radiology training were gathered. A Radiology training rationale was developed. Learning outcomes for Radiology were defined and learning formats were chosen. Learning materials were identified and strategies to improve the implementation were formulated. Conclusions: This work has culminated into changes in Radiology integration in the curriculum and training at the FOM.


Background and purpose — We previously reported a transient, bone mineral density (BMD)-dependent early migration of anatomically designed hydroxyapatite-coated femoral stems with ceramic–ceramic bearing surfaces (ABG-II) in aging osteoarthritic women undergoing cementless total hip arthroplasty. To evaluate the clinical significance of the finding, we performed a follow-up study for repeated radiostereometric analysis (RSA) 9 years after surgery. Patients and methods — Of the 53 female patients examined at 2 years post-surgery in the original study, 32 were able to undergo repeated RSA of femoral stem migration at a median of 9 years (7.8–9.3) after surgery. Standard hip radiographs were obtained, and the subjects completed the Harris Hip Score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index outcome questionnaires. Results — Paired comparisons revealed no statistically significant migration of the femoral stems between 2 and 9 years post-surgery. 1 patient exhibited minor but progressive RSA stem migration. All radiographs exhibited uniform stem osseointegration. No stem was revised for mechanical loosening. The clinical outcome scores were similar between 2 and 9 years post-surgery. Interpretation — Despite the BMD-related early migration observed during the first 3 postoperative months, the anatomically designed femoral stems in aging women are osseointegrated, as evaluated by RSA and radiographs, and exhibit good clinical function at 9 years.


This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study was designed to evaluate effects of consumption of an antioxidant-rich, yeast culture-based high-metabolite immunogen EpiCor ® . Twenty-five healthy participants con- sumed 0.5 gram EpiCor ® or placebo daily for 5 weeks. The hematocrit increased significantly in the EpiCor ® group (p<0.04). A mild increase in saliva sIgA upon EpiCor ® consumption (p=0.16) prompted a subsequent 8-week open-label study involving 22 people showing significant increase in sIgA (p<0.05). EpiCor ® consumption led to a mild increase in serum IL-10 (p<0.2); no other differences in Th1/Th2 cytokines were observed. Minor health complaints decreased in the EpiCor ® group compared to the placebo group (p<0.02). Seasonal allergies increased in the placebo group, but were not observed in the EpiCor ® group; this was reflected by increased serum IgE in the placebo group compared to the EpiCor ® group (p<0.13). We conclude that consumption of EpiCor ® supported the health of red blood cells and mucosal immune


abstract:This paper establishes the empirical relationship between the fiscal policy, demographic transition and public spending or expenditure on education in India with special reference to higher education. Public higher education spending is shown to be related to fiscal policy, if such expenditure is budgeted by the General Government and financed by general taxation and/or public debt. Demographic transition is analysed by population age structure transition and shown to impact on decline in enrollment in education through transition in Education Dependency Ratio. A forward-looking economic-demography model is used to forecast up to 2050 the interactive effects of demographic transition and public higher education expenditure within the framework of fiscal policy in 2011–12. Overall results indicate that, other things being equal including public expenditure commitment to education, demographic transition results in (a) additional budgetary resources for higher education without additional taxation, cut in expenditure benefits and new public debt and (b) decline in public education expenditure generosity by all levels of education in general and higher education in particular. This offers a new macroeconomic evidence for innovative public financing of higher education in India and lessons for other developing countries.


Background: Information regarding the frequency and severity of eye involvement in diabetic patients and its risk factors can be useful for prevention and treatment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its associated risk factors in diabetic patients who referred to teaching hospitals in Babol, Mazandaran. Methods: In this study a total of 1562 patients with the definite diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were chosen and referred to the eye clinic of Shahid Beheshti and Ayatollah Rouhani Hospitals of Babol during 2006-2010. Information about age, duration of diabetes, hypertension family history of diabetes, history of other organs involvement, BMI and laboratory findings were recorded. Retinopathy was classified according to early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study. Data were collected and analyzed. Results: Of the 1562 patients, 357 (22.9%) were males and 1205 (77.1%) were females. The mean age was 54.6±10.6 years, diabetic retinopathy was found in 990 (64.1%) patients, the frequency of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 37.3% and proliferative was 26.8%.Age, duration of diabetes, FBS, HbA1C, BUN, Cr, Hb were significantly different between the patient's with diabetic retinopathy and no diabetic retinopathy (p<0.05). No relationship was found between smoking, gender, hypertension and serum lipid profile. Conclusion: Poor diabetes control, anemia and nephropathy were the most associated factors of diabetic retinopathy but hypertension BMI smoking, dyslipidemia and gender showed no association.


Abstract During the pre-EUCREX (European Cloud and Radiation Experiment) intercomparison of airborne instrumentation in January 1992, nine hygrometers mounted on three different aircraft were compared. Although the different instruments are based on completely different principles and the three aircraft have very different flying characteristics, humidity data from both vertical profiles as well as horizontal flight legs showed good agreement. Despite the different aircraft limitations the intercomparison was done with the aircraft in close formation. In terms of relative difference in mixing ratio, most instruments agreed to within ±5% for values down to about 0.1 g kg−1. For mixing ratios between 0.03 and 0.1 g kg−1 most instruments agreed to within ±15%. Systematic differences between the instruments suggest that in joint experiments where data will be shared, the same algorithms for evaluating and converting humidity parameters should be used whenever possible.


This paper measures migration flows and determinants in two slum settlements in Nairobi City between 2003 and 2007. The results confirm the high intensity of migration with a quarter of the total slum population and a third of those aged 15-30 being renewed annually. A circular migration system is at play whereby the majority of slum dwellers are short-term migrants spending on average less than 3 years in the area. Migration is more intense during early adulthood (20-24) and despite very similar determinants across gender mobility is more intense among women compared to men. The increasing feminization of migration is likely to change the face of slum settlements resulting in more balanced sex ratios in line with city-wide trends in Nairobi over the past half century. The high population turnover is due to the insecurity of livelihoods tenure and poor basic amenities and social services in slum settlements.


From the standpoint of ethnicity, the Miami Dade County SMSA has recently become one of the most diverse areas in the United States. This growing diversity largely resulted from political and economic events which transpired in Latin America and the Caribbean in the past three decades (Roswell 1983; Boswell and Curtis 1984). Though Hispanics compromised under 7 percent of Dade County's population in 1960, today people of Latin and Caribbean heritage are estimated to constitute over 42 percent of the SMSA's total population. The Cuban minority alone numbers one-half million, or 26 percent of the county's estimated 1983 population of 1.9 million.


Since the Pliocene, global climate history is distinguished by the transition into a colder world, dominated by the onset and intensification of major Northern Hemisphere glaciations which have also changed in their duration and intensity. Potential drivers for these events include falling atmospheric CO2, progressive sub-glacial erosion, tectonic uplift, and associated feedbacks. At present, isolating climate as the driver of evolving continental ice volume since the Pliocene is hindered by the limited long term data sets which directly link climate changes to evidence for ice-sheet advance/retreat, erosion, and tectonic evolution over million year timescales.

IODP Expedition 341 drilled a cross-margin transect in the Gulf of Alaska from ice-proximal sites on the continental shelf to distal sites in the deep Pacific. This study focuses on the distal site (Site U1417, c.4190 m water depth) which contains variable biogenic and terrigenous contributions, and evidence for deposition through pelagic, mass movement and glacial processes. Our aim is to investigate links between north-east Pacific paleoceanography and the history of the north-west Cordilleran ice sheet, neither of which are fully understood given limited data pre-dating the Last Glacial Maximum.

We reconstruct SSTs during the mid-Pliocene, Plio-Pleistocene Transition (PPT) and mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT) using the UK37' index. We consider the interaction between SSTs and primary production by examining the absolute and relative abundances of plankton biomarkers (e.g. for haptophytes, diatoms and dinoflagellates), carbon/nitrogen ratios, stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) and diatom assemblages. Links between these climatic events and the north-west Cordilleran ice-sheet advance/retreat history are initially made using shipboard stratigraphy; emerging data sets on ice-rafting from members of the Expedition 341 Scientific Party will refine these relationships.


Advances in clinical medical imaging have brought about the routine production of vast numbers of medical images that need to be analyzed. As a result an enormous amount of computer vision research effort has been targeted at achieving automated medical image analysis. Computed Tomography (CT) is highly accurate for diagnosing liver tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of the wavelet and the neural network in the differential diagnosis of liver tumors in CT images. The tumors considered in this study are hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangio carcinoma, hemangeoma and hepatoadenoma. Each suspicious tumor region was automatically extracted from the CT abdominal images and the textural information obtained was used to train the Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) to classify the tumors. Results obtained were evaluated with the help of radiologists. The system differentiates the tumor with relatively high accuracy and is therefore clinically useful. Keywords—Fuzzy C Means Clustering, Texture analysis, Probabilistic Neural Network, LVQ Neural Network


Offering functionality and data in a secure manner poses significant challenges for Government enterprises that are embracing approaches, such as Service- Oriented Architectures (SOA), especially when there is a desire to promote information sharing across functional, organizational, or Community of Interest (COI) boundaries. Many Government organizations evaluate Implementation of security measures against the risk that a particular vulnerability will be exploited by a particular threat. Informed Information security Investment decisions are made based upon analysis of cost, benefit, schedule, performance, and risk tradeoffs. The Investment decision-making space for Information security In a web-based, service-oriented environment is explored in this paper, and methods for evaluating operational, economic and performance implications are considered. This paper discusses the value and practicality of applying Return-on-Investment (ROI) analysis for Government information security investment decision-making, especially when information sharing is a key success driver. Recommendations are based upon preliminary findings of a MITRE Mission-Oriented Investigation and Experimentation (MOIE) effort related to SOA Performance Measures Expression In Performance-Based Acquisition (PBA) Vehicles.


Appearing before the Commons health committee last week, health minister Dr Brian Mawhinney said that although the BMA had agreed in principle to generic substitution as far back as 1983 it had not been possible to make progress. General practitioners now recognised that changes were taking place. "They have a greater degree of confidence in the quality of generic drugs and have had the opportunity of seeing them used and to be reassured," he said. The proportion of generic drugs precribed by doctors is now about 45%, but the potential is 65%. There are currently no generic substitutes for the remaining one third of drugs.

The minister will open discussions with the General Medical Services Committee and pharmacists to see if they could find a way forward which was broadly acceptable to everyone.

A spokesman for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said the organisation was "absolutely livid" at Dr Mawhinney's announcement, of which it had no prior notice. He said generic substitution would have a devastating effect on the industry and deprive British companies of sales.

In the week when the cost of NHS prescriptions was increased by 50p to pounds sterling4.75 an item from April, Dr Mawhinney clashed with Conservative MPs on the committee. They argued that the charge now exceeded the cost of many drugs and could be lower if there were fewer exemptions. The minister surprised MPs by saying that although the charge was against the provision of medicines, patients were not paying for the drugs but were making a contribution to the NHS according to what the government of the day thought was proper.

He also …


This paper presents a novel method of chemotherapy drug scheduling for cancer treatment using feedback control and genetic algorithm (GA). The main aim of chemotherapy treatment is to eradicate the tumour, if possible, or to reduce the tumour size to a minimum level with minimum toxic side effects. A feedback control method is developed in order to maintain a predefined level of drug concentration at tumour sites. The reference to the controller is chosen in such a way as to limit the drug concentration in the plasma which in turn limits the toxic side effects. A variant of Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control, namely I-PD is used to control the drug to be infused to the patient's body. A phase specific cancer tumour model is developed and used for this work. The model, initially proposed by Martin [1], describes the effects of drug on different cell populations, plasma drug concentration and toxic side effects. The output of the I-PD control, which is chemotherapy drug dose, is applied to the model to observe its effects. Moreover, GA is used to optimise the parameters of the controller that in turn improves the drug scheduling as well as the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Results show that our method can reduce the tumour size significantly at the end of the treatment. Furthermore, the toxic side effects are always remained very low throughout the whole period. A comparative assessment is also provided to highlight the novelty of the proposed technique. It is noted that the proposed model offers best performance as compared to any reported models.


Background: Medical students are already under extreme academic pressure which causes disruption in their sleep patterns. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though they have been relieved of their hectic schedules this has also led to complete lack of hands-on training and bedside clinical teaching which might have given rise to increased anxiety in this population. Aims: To assess the sleeping pattern and determinants of poor sleep quality among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 343 undergraduate medical students of a tertiary care teaching hospital from August 17, 2020, to September 17, 2020, via an online questionnaire containing questions on sociodemographic parameters, lifestyle factors, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, COVID-19-related stress and academic delay-related stress. Statistical Analysis: Analysis was done with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0. Results: About 52.47% had a poor sleep quality; 92.4% had a high level of academic uncertainty-related stress and 64.7% experienced a high level of COVID-19-related stress. Significant association was found between Poor Sleep Quality (PSQI score) and urban residence, nuclear family, smoking, excessive caffeine consumption, and high levels of COVID-19 stress. Conclusion: Although poor sleepers had decreased in number from before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were still much higher than the general population. This might be due to high levels of academic delay-related stress present virtually in the entire population. This can be circumvented by proper counseling of the students and sensitive planning of the academic activities once the pandemic will over.


Safety-critical power conversion systems play a major role in the paradigm shift towards more electric aircraft (MEA) architectures. This paper reviews the electrical machines and their power electronic systems that are currently competing in the application of integrated starter-generators (S/Gs) in MEA power systems. Motivated by the strict requirements of sufficient electrical starting capability, super-high power density and ultra-high reliability, additional considerations on the overall system design are necessary, including the power electronic converters (PECs) and integrated thermal designs. These aspects are discussed not only in the light of their many benefits but also of the challenges introduced by the continuous advancements and emerging innovations in the power conversion technology. In achieving the MEA goals and capitalize on all potential benefits, optimization-based design approaches will be necessary, where the aggregation of electric machines, PECs and the aircraft grid is considered as an integrated system to be optimized. This review highlights the importance of these aspects and offers a view on future perspectives and open issues.


The grain output of China increased continuously for 11 years from 2004 to 2014, effectively ensuring security of the country's food supply. At the same time, rapid advancement of urbanization and industrialization generated marked changes in the food consumption patterns of residents, and supply-demand structural problems, such as the variety, quality and region of grains, became increasingly prominent. Currently, national food security goes beyond the guarantee of total grain demand. Therefore, both the production and consumption systems must be evaluated to produce a scientific measurement of food security. From the perspective of food production-consumption coordination and matching, this article sets up a multidimensional coupling assessment index system and model, and carries out assessment of the food security level and the warning status of China between 1995 and 2012. Results show that the level of quantity coordination remained high and the level of variety coordination fluctuated before 2006 and continued decreasing afterwards. The regional coordination level largely continued to decline during the whole research period. The level of coordination of Chinese food production-consumption was high overall. The warning situation existed only for four years, but it started to decrease continuously since 2007 because of aggravated structural and regional disharmony. The state of coordination at the early stage primarily reflected variation of food production, but that of the later stage greatly reflected the problems caused by food consumption. In the future, food security of China can be ensured overall, but regional and variety coordination problems may worsen further, which may exert a potentially negative influence on agricultural trade, industrial security and market stability, thereby leading to decrease in food security at the regional and household levels. In the future, this problem can be addressed by ensuring the self-sufficiency of core varieties of grains, building interest coordination mechanisms in the production and sale regions, forming a modern food and nutrition development pattern, and making additional efforts to save grains.


A surface-breaking hairline crack or a narrow slot in a metallic specimen when scanned by an open-ended rectangular waveguide probe influences the reflection-coefficient properties of the incident dominant mode. Subsequent recording of a change in the standing-wave pattern while scanning such a surface results in what is known as the crack characteristic signal. Since microwave signals penetrate inside dielectric materials, this methodology is capable of detecting cracks under dielectric coatings of various electrical thicknesses as well. To electromagnetically model the interaction of an open-ended rectangular waveguide with a surface-breaking hairline crack under a dielectric coating, the dielectric-coating layer is modeled as a waveguide with a large cross section. Thus, the problem is reduced to a system of three waveguides interacting with each other while the location of the crack is continuously changing relative to the probing waveguide aperture (a dynamic scanning problem). An analysis of modeling the dielectric-coating layer as a dielectric-filled waveguide with a large cross section is given, and its comparison with radiation into an unbounded medium is presented. For obtaining the reflection coefficients of the dominant and higher order modes, the electromagnetic properties of the probing waveguide-dielectric-coating layer junction and the dielectric-coating layer-crack junction are separately analyzed. For each junction, a magnetic-current density M is introduced over the common aperture. Subsequently, the junction formed by the two respective waveguide sections is separated into two systems. A numerical solution employing the method of moments is obtained, and the properties of the junctions are expressed by their respective generalized scattering matrices. Consequently, the generalized scattering matrix for the total system can be evaluated. The convergence behavior of the system is studied to determine an optimal set of basis functions and the optimal number of higher order modes for a fast and accurate solution. Finally, the theoretical and measured crack characteristic signals are compared.


Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of any cancer, often due to the fact that it is detected at a late stage in its progression when it has already metastasised. The levels of certain biomarkers, such as proteins, metabolites and chemokines, in biological fluid or tissue could potentially detect cancer at an early stage, determine cancer subtype, or monitor the sensitivity to cancer treatment.

Currently available lung cancer markers lack the sensitivity and specificity to be of great benefit and there is room for improvement. The research in this thesis aims to discover new biomarkers, using proteomic techniques, with the potential to improve or supersede those used at present for diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer.

Discovery phase was performed on conditioned media of lung cancer cell lines using 2D-DIGE in the hope it might mimic the serum/plasma environment of lung cancer patients. Further discovery phase was performed on serum using immunodepletion, proteominer, 2D-DIGE, label-free mass spectrometry followed by pathway analysis, metabolomic analysis, and multiplex assay analysis of cancer panels and a matrix-metalloproteinase panel.

Validation in serum and plasma was performed using ELISAs, biochemical assays, and multiplex platforms, and in tissue using immunohistochemistry. Lung cancer subtypes examined in validation phase were squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and small cell lung cancer. There were insufficient serum/plasma samples to include a large cell carcinoma group.

Potential biomarkers discovered include hnRNPA2B1, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), HSC70-interacting protein (Hip), tenascin C, vascular endothelial growth factor alpha (VEGF-α), MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-9, 12-HETE, and phenylalanine.

In serum hnRNPA2B1, PKM2, Hip, tenascin C, VEGF-α, MMP-1, -8, and -9, and 12-HETE were increased in cancer compared to normal. Phenylalanine had similar levels in normal and small cell lung cancer but was decreased in non-small cell lung cancer. Of those examined in plasma hnRNPA2B1, VEGF-α, MMP-1 and -9, and 12-HETE were decreased in cancer compared to normal whereas PKM2 and tenascin C were increased. Where benign lung disease controls were used the markers were present at levels similar to lung cancer except for MMP-9 in plasma, VEGF-α in serum, and PKM2 in both serum and plasma.

Immunohistochemistry of tissue showed an overall increase of expression of hnRNPA2B1 and HSC70-interacting protein in cancer tissue compared to normal.

Functional assays were performed on hnRNPA2B1 showing its potential role in invasion and migration of lung cancer; its knockdown in the DLKP-M lung cancer cell line with two siRNA's showed a 57% and 44% decrease in invasion and a 32% and 39% decrease in migration respectively.

The research provided in this thesis demonstrates the importance for intensive validation before conclusions can be drawn on the overall usefulness of candidate lung cancer markers; a good serum marker does not necessarily make a good plasma marker and a marker that differentiates normal conditions from cancer conditions does not necessarily differentiate lung diseases/benign tumour from cancer.


This article aims to demonstrate traditional roles and relationships depicted in Azerbaijani films in order to dismantle and address some of the alarming gender attitudes and mind-sets that continue to have a toxic effect on lives of the nation. Nowadays television, radio, and the Internet are major sources of information, and film is inevitably a very powerful form of extremely popular art. People learn from movies and media more than from any other source of information. Therefore, if we want to understand our society and its gender problems, we have to understand the images and stories that people encounter. This article analyzes scenarios with (often disparaging) portrayals of women that contribute to the under-representation of females in positions of leadership and build stereotypical expectations. Scenarios where roles are enacted by males and females showcase men in traditional masculine stereotypes while women tend to be in purely decorative portrayals or in mother roles, which is the ultimate feminine achievement in Azerbaijan. The article provides comparative analysis of widely watched "classic" movies along with mod ern-day motion pictures directed by young filmmakers in the attempt to bring positive changes. It is the objective of this article to present films directed in different times that distinctly demonstrate the negative impact of traditional gender roles and its molding effect.


The study was aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of the seed coat of Borassus flabellifer on the HeLa cell line. The seed coat of Borassus flabellifer PBS extracts were tested for inhibitory effect on HeLa Cell Line. The cytotoxicity of Borassus flabellifer on HeLa cell was evaluated by the MTT assay. The PBS extract of Borassus flabellifer has shown significant cytotoxicity on HeLa Cell Line in concentration range between 32 µg/ml to 750 µg/ml by MTT assay. Our preliminary studies on HeLa cell line indicated that even the lower concentrations of plant extract tested showed significant antiproliferative activity.


The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of reduced doses of the commercial mixture composed of fluazifop-p-butil + fomesafen, applied for the management of common weeds in beans. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design, with a 5x2+1 factorial arrangement and with four replications. In factor A, there were five percentual doses (100, 87.5, 75.0, 62.5 and 0.0%), in relation to the recommended commercial dose (2 L ha-1) of fluazifop-pbutil + fomesafen, which corresponded to 2.00; 1.75; 1.50; 1.25 and 0.00 L ha-1. Factor B was composed by two development stages of black beans (three and eight trefoils) and weeds: black-jack (two to four and four to eight leaves) and southern crabgrass (two leaves to one tiller and one to four tillers) with one weeded control treatment. The variables evaluated for the control of black-jack and southern crabgrass were: herbicide phytotoxicity to the crop, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, 1,000 grain weight and grain yield of the crop. The results demonstrated that the use of fluazifop-p-butil + fomesafen, at all evaluated doses evaluated and application periods, caused low phytotoxicity to the crop, less than 12%. The use of reduced doses of this herbicide presents efficient control of black-jack and southern crabgrass, mainly at the initial development stages of these weed species. The economic threshold dosage of fluazifop-p-butil + fomesafen to control these weeds was 1.23 L ha-1.


This user manual focuses on Fiji (Fiji Is Just ImageJ), a processing tool based on the ImageJ program but largest and with best-known distribution than ImageJ. Its main purpose is the dissemination of an ImageJ with Java, Java 3D, more plugins integrated and organized in a menu with a consistent structure to facilitate image processing in the scientific community, scripting languages and extensive tutorials and documentation. It is easier to install than ImageJ, because it organizes all required components into a self-contained package that will run on any computer platform and contains an automatic update function. In addition, it also allows the programming of macros.


Background IV abatacept (ABA) 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks is safe and effective in reducing signs and symptoms of polyarticular forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children and adolescents.1 SC ABA 125 mg weekly has therapeutically equivalent efficacy and comparable safety to IV ABA in adult RA, but similar data in pJIA are lacking. Objectives To assess the PK, efficacy and safety of SC ABA in children and adolescents with active pJIA. Methods This single-arm, open-label (OL), Phase III study (NCT01844518) enrolled patients (pts) aged 2–17 years (yrs) with pJIA and an inadequate response/intolerance to ≥1 DMARD. Pts received SC ABA weekly OL for 4 months (M), based on body weight tier (10–<25 [50 mg ABA], 25–50 [87.5 mg ABA] and >50 kg [125 mg ABA]). JIAACR criteria 30 (JIAACR30) responders at 4M could enter a 20M OL extension; JIAACR30 non-responders could continue SC ABA for 3M more and discontinued if JIAACR30 was not achieved by M7. The primary endpoint was steady-state blood trough concentration (Cminss) of ABA at 4M in the 6–17-yr-old pJIA pts (n=173); we report PK, efficacy and safety from the initial 4M OL phase for these pts. Results Baseline characteristics of the 173 pJIA pts were: mean age (SD) =12.3 (3.1) yrs; mean number of active joints (SD) =12.4 (8.3); 78.6% of patients used MTX (mean dose: 12 mg/m2/week) and 26.6% failed prior biologic treatment. The target therapeutic Cminss of 10 μg/mL was achieved (Figure); at 4M, mean (SD) Cminss was 42.1 (14.7) μg/mL and was consistent across all three weight groups. Robust JIAACR responses were seen at 4M (Figure): JIAACR30, 80.9%; inactive disease, 29.5%. Biologic-naïve pts had a numerically higher JIAACR30 response than biologic-experienced pts at 4M. The number of pts with serious AEs and those who discontinued study drug due to AEs during the initial 4M were low (n=5 and n=3 [fatigue, exanthematous rash and ovarian germ cell teratoma] pts, respectively). AEs of interest reported included infections (31.8%) with 1 case of sepsis, injection-site reactions (5.2%) and malignancy (0.6%). No laboratory abnormalities or unexpected safety concerns were reported. Conclusions The target therapeutic exposure for SC abatacept was achieved in pts aged 6–17 yrs with pJIA irrespective of weight group. The exposures for SC abatacept were within the range for IV abatacept in pJIA and comparable with SC abatacept in adult RA. Robust efficacy was observed with SC abatacept with no new safety concerns after 4M of treatment. References Ruperto N, et al. Lancet 2008;372:383–91. Disclosure of Interest N. Ruperto Grant/research support from: Gaslini Hospital, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Hoffman-La Roche, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, sanofi aventis, Schwarz Biosciences, Sobi, Consultant for: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen Idec, Baxalta, Boehringer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, EMD Serono, Hoffman-La Roche, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Servier, Sinergie,Takeda, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen Idec, Baxalta, Boehringer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, EMD Serono, Hoffman-La Roche, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Servier, Sinergie,Takeda, D. J. Lovell Grant/research support from: NIH, Consultant for: AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AbbVie, Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, UBC, Forest Research Institute, Horizon, Johnson & Johnson, Biogen, Takeda, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Janssen, N. Tzaribachev Grant/research support from: UCB, Pfizer, Janssen, Roche, G. Vega-Cornejo: None declared, I. Louw: None declared, A. Berman: None declared, I. Calvo Grant/research support from: Novartis, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Roche, Novartis, Sobi, R. Cuttica: None declared, G. Horneff Grant/research support from: Pfizer, AbbVie, Roche, F. Avila-Zapata: None declared, J. Anton Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Novartis, Speakers bureau: Pfizer, AbbVie, Novartis, Sobi, Roche, D. Viola: None declared, I. Foeldvari: None declared, V. Keltsev: None declared, D. Kingsbury: None declared, X. Li Shareholder of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, M. Nys Shareholder of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, R. Wong Shareholder of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, S. Banerjee Shareholder of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, A. Martini Grant/research support from: The Gaslini Hospital, which is the public Hospital where I work as full time public employee, has received contributions from the following industries: Abbott, Bristol-Myers Squibb, "Francesco Angelini", GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-La Roche, Italfarmaco, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, sanofi aventis, Schwarz Biosciences, Sobi, Xoma, Wyeth, Consultant for: Abbott, AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Astellas, Boehringer, Italfarmaco, Janssen, MedImmune, Novartis, NovoNordisk, H. I. Brunner Consultant for: Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Janssen, Amgen, Celgene, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Genentech, Speakers bureau: Novartis, Genentech