This study is a pioneer effort to comparatively examine how the life satisfaction of children is influenced by their experiences of migration and by their interactions with parents in two geographical contexts: ghana and china. It also provides evidence of how these relationships differ across gender groups in the two countries. This study uses survey data collected in 2010 and 2013 from school children and youths aged 11–20 in ghana (n = 1,622) and china (n = 2,171), respectively. Results indicate that children (a) who previously migrated but returned and currently live with both parents and (b) who currently stay behind and have no previous migration experience are generally less likely to be satisfied with life. On the other hand, greater resilience in the outcome is associated with emotional support from parents. Also, there is suggestive evidence that chinese girls are more vulnerable to the effects of parental migration and of being, at one point of life, migrant themselves. This evidence is not replicated among chinese boys. In ghana, girls of migrant parents without a personal migration experience and boys in non-migrant families who returned from abroad show some degree of vulnerability when assessing their life satisfaction. These findings add nuance to a field of research that has yet to conceptualise the complexity of children's experiences with migration and the way this complexity associates with child well-being.


Introduction: Background and purpose: The female health status after menopause drastically changes due to rapid decrease in estrogen levels. Appropriate preventive measures can result in improved health and adjustment in this period. In this study, Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Bone Mineral Content (BMC) of the lumbar spine, as well as the prevalence of spinal osteopenia and osteoporosis, were compared in active and inactive postmenopausal women. Methods: This study was performed in 2011 on 12 active and 12 inactive postmenopausal women aged 50–58. The active group had walking experience of at least 3 years (three sessions per week, one hour per session) while the inactive group did not have any apparent physical activity. BMD and BMC and the prevalence of femoral osteopenia and osteoporosis were measured using the DEXA device. The data were analyzed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and independent t-test, using the SPSS software (ver. 16). The values of P < 0.05 were considered significant. Findings: BMD of lumbar vertebrae and the T-score values of postmenopausal women were higher in all measurements in active women, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.002). BMC of the lumbar spine of active women was higher (P=0.002) compared with the inactive women, except in the first and second vertebrae. Furthermore, the values of the Z-score of the active women were higher compared with the inactive women except in the first to fourth vertebrae and total lumbar spine and the difference was statistically significant. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were less prevalent in active postmenopausal women compared to the inactive women. Discussion : Participating in simple physical activities such as walking can increase BMD and BMC of the lumbar spine and decrease the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis as well as the risk of bone fractures in postmenopausal women.


Across –sectional study was conducted in a high-potential periurban area in Kenya to obtain baseline information on Farm Demographics and Pig management practices of Smallholder pig farms. Using a simple random selection, 87 smallholder pig farms were selected from a total of 179 farms. Data on important farm management factors including, feeding, housing, breeding, preventive measures and general husbandry practices were gathered using semi structured questionnaires.

The median farm size was 1 acre. The production system used by most farmers was farrow-to- finish. Most farms hired a boar for breeding. All farms kept crossbred pigs of large white and landrace with a mean of 15.7pigs per farm. Most farms used family labor. Most farms had only basic knowledge on pig production and never sought for any extension services. In all the farms, the pigs were stall fed in simple pens throughout the year. The bulk of the feed consisted of commercial feeds followed by swill. The pig raisers supplemented the bulk component of the feeds with farm weeds, kales, green vegetables, sweet potatoes vines, pumpkin leaves and nappier grass. The preventive- medicine practices included iron-deficiency prophylaxis and mange and helminth control.
 The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 22 2001: pp. 72-75


The derivation of scalar coupled mode theory for TEM waveguide arrays is examined. It is demonstrated that four previously published methods are identical at this level of approximation. The accuracy of the theory, and its application to a slab-waveguide model of a three-arm coupler, is considered. It is shown that the coupled mode equations require modification for slowly varying arrays. Analytic expressions for the matrix coefficients are presented, and it is demon- strated that device input-output transitions have significant effect on the response. The model is compared with experimental measurements of three-arm couplers fabricated in Ti: LiNb03, and excellent quali- tative agreement is obtained.


This paper presents a survey of the theory and the evidence on the economic impact of investing in child health. It shows that investing in the health of children is justified not only because it fulfills a basic human right, but also because it is an investment with high social and private returns. A central theme of this paper is that the relationship that links child health with economically relevant dimensions is circular-poverty contributes to disease, and poor health contributes to perpetuating poverty. The available evidence shows that almost 11 million children die every year from largely preventable diseases, and it unveils what the principal determinants of child illness are. The vast majority of children who die belong to the more disadvantaged socioeconomic groups within each country. Furthermore, the literature identifies several interventions and programs that could significantly contribute to improved child health, particularly in the areas of nutrition, communicable disease prevention and control, and education. We intuitively understand that there is a huge potential for largely positive social and economic returns on child health investments. Yet quantitative estimation of these benefits is still at an early stage. First, the association between health interventions and their social and economic consequences is multidimensional and complex. Second, the return on investment is measurable only over the long term. Third, the return is not automatic, and its magnitude is highly context-specific. For these reasons, few studies, mostly in the area of nutrition or of immunization services, have attempted to develop a full cost-benefit analysis, or to provide a quantitative measure of the benefits attainable by investing in child health. Instead, most empirical studies have focused on one of the several potential intermediate benefits of investing in child health, such as improved cognitive ability, increased school participation and attainment, and the induced demographic changes, which can be measured with greater precision.


This policy brief presents findings on the status of American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) children in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which is coterminous with the County. According to the 2000 Census, there were an estimated 111,000 AIANs in the region who are indigenous to the greater United States. Over a quarter of these AIANs are under the age of 17. These children and their parents face numerous social problems and economic challenges, many of which have been previously documented. This brief uses three decades of census data to provide an updated analysis of the socioeconomic status of AIAN children, focusing on demographic characteristics, poverty, and educational issues.


The hegemonic Turkish secularist elite, on the one hand, stigmatized, demonized and banned Islamic and Ottoman knowledge, including legal one and on the other hand with a top down social engineering approach they had tried to homogenize society and to create ideal and favorable citizens. As a result, public expressions of Islamic law, non-Turkish ethnic identity or non-Muslim religious identity had either been banned or stigmatized. But counter-hegemonic and anti-hegemonic knowledge sources and identities have continued to co-exist as unofficial, subaltern and periphery phenomena, producing their own anti or counter-systemic knowledge, including unofficial Muslim. All these have paved the way for unofficial ijtihads, micro-mujtahids, surfers on inter-madhhab, post-modern fragmentation of the unofficial Muslim law sphere and emergence of Islamic legal scholars. While all of these socio-cultural groups provide us fascinating and remarkable cases to study, in this chapter, I am only able to focus on practicing Muslims and among them, the Gulen Movement that has mainly focused on science and secular education. The movement has created its own spaces such schools, hospitals, dormitories, universities, cultural centers, think tanks, newspapers, TV stations, web portals and political lobbying associations to form and express an identity of a modern Sufistic Turkish Muslimhood. Gulen has reproduced several Islamic concepts to transnationally mobilize Turks. Eventually the Movement's operations have reached to 170 countries until the global crackdown against it by the Erdoganist regime in Turkey. Even though Gulen is the main actor in the movement who has engaged with producing new Islamic knowledge in his constant responses to the socio-political affairs and challenges by reinterpreting Islamic sources in tune with contemporary time and space, the movement participants contribute to this process in different ways, such as by transferring knowledge to him from their own local contexts or by contextualizing and disseminating the knowledge produced by Gulen. There are interesting outcomes of these processes. For instance, many of the movement participants are of the view that something that can be called "Muslim Secularism" is possible, an idea that Islamic law is compatible with Alfred Stepan's twin tolerations.


State machine replication is the most general approach for providing highly available services with strong consistency guarantees. This dissertation studies protocols for implementing replicated state machines for wide area networks. First it demonstrates the challenges by comparing two protocols designed for local area networks in a cluster-based wide-area setting and shows that existing protocols designed for local area networks do not perform well in wide-area settings. A generic rotating leader protocol is then designed for wide-area multi-site systems. From this generic protocol, two more protocols are derived and evaluated: Mencius for crash failures and RAM for Byzantine (arbitrary) failures. Mencius has low latency because it is based on a rotating leader design that allows all servers to immediately propose client requests upon receiving them. It also has high throughput because the rotating leader design helps to balance both the computation and communication loads. RAM is designed to provide low latency while handling both uncivil rational and irrational behavior. RAM applies three techniques to reduce latency: a rotating leader design, Attested Append-only memory (A2M) and a novel Mutually Suspicious Domains (MSD) trust model. Uncivil rational behavior is a result of selfish local administrators who try to optimize for local utility. Such behavior is discouraged by the protocol so that any divergence from the civil (correct) behavior only increases the probability of reducing local utility. Irrational behavior can arise from outside attack that tries to disturb the system. RAM is designed to expose as much of this kind of behavior as possible. When detection is impossible, RAM resorts to damage control methods that bound the decrease in system utility.


Skin diseases represent a major problem in everyday practice. This article discusses the most common dermatological entities as seen in the pediatrician's office with practical guidelines for their therapy. Acne, eczema, diaper rash, verruca vulgaris, impetigo and skin infestations are among those topics discussed.


Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin condition characterized by depigmented macules and patches, and has a huge psychosocial impact on patients. Treatment of vitiligo aims to prevent the spread of disease and facilitate repigmentation of affected lesions. The mainstay of treatment for unstable vitiligo has been topical agents (corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors) and phototherapy. However, systemic treatments are increasingly being shown to have a significant impact on the course of the disease as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy. Of note, oral mini‐pulsed corticosteroid therapy, methotrexate, minocycline, ciclosporin, Janus kinase inhibitors and certain supplements have been used in the systemic treatment of vitiligo. We review the underlying evidence supporting the use of each of these systemic treatments.


MCSE Windows 2000 Professional Exam Cram 2 is the perfect study guide to help you pass the first exam in Microsoft's 2000 four core OS exams - Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional (exam 70-210). With this book, you can master the skills and concepts necessary to address examination objectives including: planning, installation, configuration, administration, support, security, and troubleshooting of Windows 2000 Professional. It teaches how to analyze Microsoft's trick questions and distracters by providing practice exam questions arranged in a similar format to the ones found on the actual exam. This book is not intended to teach new material. Instead it assumes that you have a solid foundation of knowledge but can use a refresher on important concepts as well as a guide to exam topics and objectives. This book focuses exactly on what you need to get past the exam - it features test-taking strategies, time-saving study tips, and a special Cram Sheet that includes tips, acronyms, and memory joggers not available anywhere else. The series is supported online at several Web sites: examcram.com, informit.com, and cramsession.com.The accompanying CD features PrepLogic™ Practice Tests, Preview Edition. This product includes one complete PrepLogic Practice Test with approximately the same number of questions found on the actual vendor exam. Each question contains full, detailed explanations of the correct and incorrect answers. The engine offers two study modes, Practice Test and Flash Review, full exam customization, and a detailed score report.


Combined with one specific engineering example, in which the novelty and complexity of the bridge has to be taken into account, a complex spatial simulation model including beam, plate, and solid elements is established by the application of MIDAS/Civil2006, then its internal force is calculated and analyzed. But through this method, the model is complex and the calculation efficiency is not high. So how to use the grillage theory to construct model for the bridge to improve the design efficiency is necessary. Specifically, the model is established only by beam elements, in which compression-flexure member, shear-bending member is simplified as grillage or column case. The result of the comparative analysis on the two models shows that both the support reaction and the internal force or stress are in agreement under the dead weight and moving load, as well as the fundamental frequency and vibration. So the result of the simplified model according grillage for unitary analysis has sufficient precision. And the simplified method can provide some reference for spatial analysis of other similar bridges.


Data mining and Machine learning are the emerging technologies that are rapidly spreading in every field of life due to their beneficial aspects. The financial sector also makes use of these technologies. Many research studies regarding banking data analysis have been performed using machine learning techniques. These research studies also have many Problems as the main focus of these studies was to achieve high accuracy and some of them only perform comparative analysis of different classifier's performance. Another major drawback of these studies was that they do not identify any optimal parameters and their impact. In this research, we have identified optimal parameters. These parameters are valuable for performing the credit scoring process and might also be used to predict credit card defaulters. We also find their impact on the results. We have used feature selection and classification techniques to identify optimal parameters and their impact on credit card defaulters identification. We have introduced three classifiers which are Kstar, SMO and Multilayer perceptron and repeat the process of classification and feature selection for every classifier. First, we apply feature selection techniques to our dataset with each classifier to find out possible optimal parameters and In the next phase, we use classification to find the impact of possible optimal parameters and proved our findings. In each round of classification, we have used different parameters available in the dataset every time we include and exclude some parameters and noted the results of each run of classification with each classifier and in this way, we identify the optimal parameters and their impact on the results Whereas we also analyze the performance of classifiers. To perform this research study, we use the "credit card defaults" dataset which we obtained from UCI Machine learning online repository. We use two feature selection techniques that include ranker approach and evolutionary search method and after that, we also apply classification techniques on the dataset. This research can help to reduce the complexities of the credit scoring process. Through this study, we identify up to six optimal parameters and also find their impact on the performance of classifiers. Further We also identify that multilayer perceptron was the best performing classifier out of three. This research work can also be extended to other fields in the future where we use this mechanism to find out optimal parameters and their impact can help us to predict the  results.


Patient symptom diaries are a commonly used method to collect efficacy data in clinical trials such as those for dry eye treatments. Typically, patients are asked to report the severity of several ocular symptoms multiple times per day over the course of a study that may last weeks or even months. Missing data are common, especially when the patients are asked to complete many items or when diaries are collected over many time points. Along with analyzing the observed data only, the missing observations can be imputed based on other available data to obtain statistically plausible values. There are several possible ways to handle the missing diary data, each of which will result in a different statistical outcome. The goal of imputing missing diary data is to use available data to estimate the statistical outcome that would have been achieved with no missing data. Purpose


Introduction There has been increasing interest in pragmatic trials methodology. As a result, tools such as the Pragmatic-Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary-2 (PRECIS-2) are being used prospectively to help researchers design randomised controlled trials (RCTs) within the pragmatic-explanatory continuum. There may be value in applying the PRECIS-2 tool retrospectively in a systematic review setting as it could provide important information about how to pool data based on the degree of pragmatism. Objectives To investigate the role of pragmatism as a source of heterogeneity in systematic reviews by (1) identifying systematic reviews with meta-analyses of RCTs that have moderate to high heterogeneity, (2) applying PRECIS-2 to RCTs of systematic reviews, (3) evaluating the inter-rater reliability of PRECIS-2, (4) determining how much of this heterogeneity may be explained by pragmatism. Methods A cross-sectional methodological review will be conducted on systematic reviews of RCTs published in the Cochrane Library from 1 January 2014 to 1 January 2017. Included systematic reviews will have a minimum of 10 RCTs in the meta-analysis of the primary outcome and moderate to substantial heterogeneity (I2≥50%). Of the eligible systematic reviews, a random selection of 10 will be included for quantitative evaluation. In each systematic review, RCTs will be scored using the PRECIS-2 tool, in duplicate. Agreement between raters will be measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be used to evaluate how much variability in the primary outcome may be due to pragmatism. Dissemination This review will be among the first to evaluate the PRECIS-2 tool in a systematic review setting. Results from this research will provide inter-rater reliability information about PRECIS-2 and may be used to provide methodological guidance when dealing with pragmatism in systematic reviews and subgroup considerations. On completion, this review will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.


The economic development of Europe provides advantages to people, but in the same time represents a potential risk too. The main risk is to become a more artificial continent - to lose the nature and all that human being could gain from it. The ecological network Natura 2000 is the solution through which the Europe strives to preserve the nature in all its actual diversity and to promote economic activities without prejudice the biodiversity. We could say that NATURA 2000 tries to conciliate two needs of humans, both vital: the need to gain incomes and the need to preserve the nature alive, which is not an untouchable objective but it requires much equilibrium and wisdom. The present paper proposes to approach both the problems faced at the implementation of the Ecological European Network "Natura 2000" in the area of grasslands and hayfields and to offer solutions of good practices regarding the rational exploitation of the grasslands and hayfields both in protected and unprotected areas. Among the main causes which contribute to degradation of the grasslands and hayfields there are: overgrazing, non-grazing, land clearing and arson of Pinus mugo woods, the conversion of the grasslands into arable lands, changing of land usage, the absence of a coherent management and other causes. Also, a special threat is constituted by the precarious state of the local agricultural economy. The traditional agricultural non-profitable methods, the massive emigration of population out of the rural medium led to abandonment of the marginal lands and to intensification of exploitation of the lands easy of access. All the problems and their solving must be introduced within the management plans of the protected natural areas and the authorities of local public administration must respect the obligations stipulated by the law in this field. Concomitantly, the present paper proposes to approach the legal framework existing in Romania regarding the protection, rational exploitation, organization and arrangement of grasslands depending on their recovery capacity, including those located within the perimeter or in the neighborhood of a protected natural area.


The purpose of this case study was to provide a report on the motivations which have led Spanish managers in the Galician region to take a green pathway. Such decisional processes may reflect a change in corporate consciousness, or it might be just another corporate response to increased political visibility and possible government intervention (Rodgers, 1991, 1992, Rodgers and Gago, 2001). The study focuses on eleven Spanish companies who instead of purchasing energy decided to produce their own energy using a co-generation system. A case study approach was selected in order to interpret the information provided concerning the adoption of a co-generation corporate strategy (Parker, and Roffey, 1997). Accounting information systems are considered to be important in this process as they select, classify and arrange information to inform their communities. Their design and implementation highlight environmental contingencies as they affect business entities' ability to operate. The results of the case study survey confirm that management benefit through cost savings and additional incomes. The article concludes by observing that the ecological implications of co-generation were not the primary motivation for adopting the 'green' innovation.


Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platforms have been widely deployed in resource-limited settings. These systems tend to afford asynchronous push interactions, and within the context of health, provide medication reminders, descriptions of symptoms and tips on self-management. Here, we present the development of an IVR system for resource-limited settings that enables real-time, synchronous interaction. Inspired by community radio, and calls for health systems that are truly local, we developed "Sehat ki Vaani". Sehat ki Vaani is a real-time IVR platform that enables hosting and participation in radio chat shows on community-led topics. We deployed Sehat ki Vaani with two communities in North India on topics related to the management of Type 2 diabetes and maternal health. Our deployments highlight the potential for synchronous IVR systems to offer community connection and localised sharing of experience, while also highlighting the complexity of producing, hosting and participating in radio shows in real time through IVR. We discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of synchronous IVR systems, and highlight lessons learnt for interaction design in this area.


The solubility experiment of L-alanine solution was performed in a 250ml jacketed glass crystallizer without and with amino acid additives at temperature from 15oC to 75oC by means of gravimetric method. On the whole, L-leucine additive significantly altered the solubility of L-alanine and Glycine additive caused an erratic pattern on the solubility data of L-alanine. The hydrophobic methyl side chain of L-leucine additives is believed to contribute to the formation of water clathrate in the solution which affected the interaction of L-alanine molecules in water solvent and thus modified the solubility of L-alanine. Finally, thermodynamic data analysis of L-alanine solution was extensively assessed. The negative deviation of L-alanine from the ideal solution is as a result of high solute-solvent interaction, which is due to the hydrophobicity and clathrate phenomenon of the water molecules in the solution.Chemical Engineering Research Bulletin 20(2018) 23-29


OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence, incidence, and clearance of abnormal vaginal cytology and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive women. METHODS: Pap tests were done semiannually for 335 HIV-seropositive and 75 HIV-seronegative women with prior hysterectomy in the prospective Women's Interagency HIV Study cohort. End points included abnormal Pap test results after hysterectomy and VAIN regardless of hysterectomy. RESULTS: Over a median of 5.6 years of follow-up, vaginal Pap test results were abnormal at 1,076 (29%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 25–33%) of 3,700 visits among HIV-seropositive compared with 31 (4%; 95% CI 2–8%) of 763 visits among HIV-seronegative women (P<.001). Abnormal Pap test results included 641 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, 425 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 10 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-seropositive women and 28 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and three low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-seronegative women. The incidence of abnormal Pap test results after hysterectomy was 14 per 100 person-years among HIV-seropositive and two per 100 person-years among HIV-seronegative women (P<.001) and remained stable across time. The 5-year clearance rate of abnormal Pap test results was 34 per 100 person-years for HIV-seropositive and 116 per 100 person-years for HIV-seronegative women (P<.001). In multivariate regression models, women with lower CD4 counts were more likely to have and less likely to clear abnormal cytology when it occurred. The incidence of VAIN 2 or worse was 0.2 and 0.01 per 100 person-years for HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative women (P=.001). Two HIV-seropositive women developed stage II cancers with remission after radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Vaginal Pap test results are often abnormal in HIV-seropositive women. Although more common than in HIV-seronegative women, VAIN 2 or worse and especially vaginal cancers are infrequent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II


The use of secondary data sets has begun to receive increased attention in nursing research. Shrinking grant dollars, continuing pressure to produce replicable generalizable research results, and a growing interest in outcomes management and research have all contributed to an interest in examining how data may be used for multiple purposes. Secondary data analysis may offer the practitioner and researcher ready access to large data sets with multiple variables; yet, there are potentially significant methodological concerns that should be well understood and managed in the initial query design. Considered here will be some of the issues regarding the reliability and validity of large data sets used for secondary analysis, including a discussion on maintaining the integrity of those files as they are moved, merged, and transformed. Finally, methods for managing missing data are reviewed.


Motivation With the rapid increase of biomedical articles, large-scale automatic Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) indexing has become increasingly important. FullMeSH, the only method for large-scale MeSH indexing with full text, suffers from three major drawbacks: FullMeSH 1) uses Learning To Rank (LTR), which is time-consuming, 2) can capture some pre-defined sections only in full text, and 3) ignores the whole MEDLINE database. Results We propose a computationally lighter, full-text and deep learning based MeSH indexing method, BERTMeSH, which is flexible for section organization in full text. BERTMeSH has two technologies: 1) the state-of-the-art pre-trained deep contextual representation, BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers), which makes BERTMeSH capture deep semantics of full text. 2) a transfer learning strategy for using both full text in PubMed Central (PMC) and title and abstract (only and no full text) in MEDLINE, to take advantages of both. In our experiments, BERTMeSH was pre-trained with 3 million MEDLINE citations and trained on approximately 1.5 million full text in PMC. BERTMeSH outperformed various cutting edge baselines. For example, for 20K test articles of PMC, BERTMeSH achieved a Micro F-measure of 69.2%, which was 6.3% higher than FullMeSH with the difference being statistically significant. Also prediction of 20K test articles needed 5 minutes by BERTMeSH, while it took more than 10 hours by FullMeSH, proving the computational efficiency of BERTMeSH. Contact email@example.com


Abstract The contamination of food with radionuclides has posed serious problems to consumers, producers and policy makers in Japan since the Fukushima nuclear disaster of March 2011. Many Japanese consumers were and still are worried about the safety of domestic food products. How did the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima affect consumer trust in food safety regulation, and how did the Japanese government try to (re)establish consumer trust in its food governance system? Drawing on empirical data from a consumer survey, expert interviews and documents issued by the Japanese government and public authorities, this paper argues that existing institutions had difficulty handling the situation and rebuilding consumer trust. I will argue that consumers in Japan lack trust in government institutions and the food industry and that the government's risk communication was not suitable for rebuilding trust. This specific situation saw the emergence of new actors from civil society, such as citizens' radioactivity monitoring stations (CRMS). These actors took over some of the functions of public authorities by providing information and monitoring food. I argue that they have the potential to build trust by fostering the participation of lay people and encouraging a more democratic discourse on food safety. Nevertheless there are some limitations.


Selective electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons to alcohols, epoxides or other (higher value) oxygenates should in principal present a useful complementary anodic half-cell reaction to cathodic generation of fuels from water or CO(2) viz. an alternative to oxygen evolution. A series of new basket-handle thiolate Fe(III) porphyrins have been synthesised and shown to mediate anodic oxidation of hydrocarbons, specifically adamantane hydroxylation and cyclooctene epoxidation. We compare yields obtained by electrochemical and chemical oxidation of the thiolate porphyrins and benchmark their behaviour against that of Fe(III) tetraphenyl porphyrin chloride and its tetrapentafluorophenyl analogue.


Intracranial hydatidosis is mainly a pediatric disease. Surgical evacuation of the mass in toto is the gold standard of therapy. No concise data related to the requirement of diversion procedures after uncomplicated hydatid cyst removal is encountered in the literature. The aim of this report is to focus on this idea and estimate the necessity of a diversion procedure beforehand. A 6-year-old girl both with intracranial and renal involvement of hydatidosis underwent surgery. Intact removal of the intracranial cyst harboring daughter vesicles was achieved. A persistent porencephalic cyst at the operative site required a shunt 6 months after surgery. Thick pericyst formation was blamed for this specific progress and the pathophysiology is discussed.


Given a point set S=RꓴB, where R is a set of red points and B is a set of blue points, we desire to find T*, a minimum weight spanning tree such that every edge has one red endpoint and one blue endpoint and no two edges cross. We call T* a bichromatic plane minimum spanning tree (MinBPST). We say a point set is semi-collinear when the blue points lie on a line and the red points lie on one side of the line. In this thesis, we present an O(|B|^3|R|^2) running time algorithm for finding T* on a set of semi-collinear points. We also discuss an implementation of this algorithm. Additionally, we describe changes that can be made to the algorithm presented to solve other related problems. Finally, we describe properties of T* on semi-collinear point sets.


While the power of rebalancing to improve returns and reduce risk is generally acknowledged, there is relatively little work focused on the best way to implement a rebalancing policy. Most rebalancing policies use arbitrary "one size fits all" rules, and the more sophisticated approaches that have been proposed involve complex calculations. The author's simpler methodology allows investors to tailor their rebalancing policies to their risk tolerance, the cost of rebalancing, and the risk characteristics of each asset class in the portfolio. This approach addresses not only when to rebalance, but also how far back to rebalance. The result is a set of easily implemented rules for adhering to a rebalancing discipline.


To review this latest edition of what must be considered the "bible" of the fourth-year medical student-intern-resident group is, of course, a Herculean task. It suffices to say that this volume serves as a most complete reference to the treatment of diseases that are found, for the most part, in a hospital setting, and its portability and well-organized, concise format have led to its continuing popularity. For the fourth-year medical student or clinical clerk, the book starts with the basic outline of orders for patients and the kind of routine problems dealing with general care. For the most advanced house officer, detailed evaluation of such things as hyperlipemia and bleeding disorders make it an excellent reference text as well. Compared to previous editions, the general format is similar, with new chapters on acute respiratory failure, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, and neurological emergencies. The chapter on the choice of antimicrobial agents rivals


An effective security policy is a detrimental part of any organization's sustainability, and can mean the difference between success and failure for the organization should a disaster occur. The main components of the security policy are the incidence response plan and the disaster recovery plan. Many organizations, however, do not know how to go about incorporating these plans into their policies and standards. The workshop discusses best practices in gathering requirements for the development of Incident Response Planning, paying particular attention to issues that are unique in an online learning system. An actual organization in need of these plans was selected and participated in this study. Issues to discuss include physical walkthroughs of facilities, obtaining knowledge of the procedures and policies already in place at organizations, methods of interviewing key people in the organization, analyzing the organization's strengths and weaknesses as they relate to physical and logical security, and legal requirements that should be followed. With this information, the workshop will then demonstrate how to devise a comprehensive plan to assist an organization in meeting minimum-security standards through implementation of best practices as outlined by the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST).


The use of chemical insecticides in crop production has resulted in increased food production in Africa, but their use has resulted in the destruction of beneficial organisms and development of resistance by some insects to the insecticides. The effectiveness of garlic Allium sativum and hot pepper, Capsicum frutescens in controlling the pests of cabbage, Brassica oleracea was evaluated. These botanicals were compared with a standard chemical insecticide Attack® (Emamectin benzoate). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, with 3 treatments and a control, each of which was replicated 3 times. Plutella xylostella, Brevicoryne brassicae, Hellula undalis and Trichoplusia ni were found on cabbage plants. Significantly fewer of them were found on the treated plants than the control plants. The use of the plant extracts resulted in a reduction in mortality ranging from 10.76% to 55.94%. Fewer natural enemies of B. brassicae were sampled on the insecticide-sprayed plots than the garlic and pepper-sprayed plots. The cost of protecting cabbage plants from insect infestation using Attack was higher than the botanicals. Garlic-treated plots recorded the highest cost: benefit ratio of 1:16 while Attack®-treated plots recorded the least of 1: 9.2. The control effects of the botanicals compared favourably with that of the chemical insecticides. Thus these botanicals can be used as substitutes to chemical insecticides.


Bile duct cysts are usually diagnosed during infancy and childhood, although 20-30% become symptomatic in adults, sometimes as late as the seventh decade of life. The Todani modification of the Alonso-Lej classification is now generally accepted and has clarified a previously confusing literature. Treatment is surgical: resectional rather than the traditional drainage procedures are indicated. This aggressive approach decreases but does not abolish the risk of cancer in the hepato-bilio-pancreatic tree. The patients must therefore be followed up for life.


Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The prevalence of Diabetes is on the rise, more alarmingly in the developing nations. It is projected that as many as 40-45% of persons aged 65 or older have either Type II Diabetes or its precursor state, Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT). The current therapeutic strategies for Type II Diabetes are relatively limited, and involve insulin therapy for Type I Diabetes and Oral Hypoglycemic Agents (OHAs) such as Sulfonylureas, Metformin and the Thiazolidinediones as the primary line of treatment for Type II Diabetes. Combination therapy with one or more of these agents is also a viable option. A wide variety of therapeutic approaches are now being examined for Type II Diabetes. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV), a key regulator of incretinhormones, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), remains an attractive target in diabetes as it enhances glucose (nutrient) dependent insulin secretion. The present review will give an insight into the development of several DPP-4 inhibitors and their potential prospects in the treatment of Type II Diabetes Mellitus.


The simulation of high-pressure turbulent flows, where the pressure, p, is larger than the critical value, p(sub c), for the species under consideration, is relevant to a wide array of propulsion systems, e.g. gas turbine, diesel, and liquid rocket engines. Most turbulence models, however, have been developed for atmospheric-p turbulent flows. The difference between atmospheric-p and supercritical-p turbulence is that, in the former situation, the coupling between dynamics and thermodynamics is moderate to negligible, but for the latter it is very significant, and can dominate the flow characteristics. The reason for this stems from the mathematical form of the equation of state (EOS), which is the perfect-gas EOS in the former case, and the real-gas EOS in the latter case. For flows at supercritical pressure, p, the large eddy simulation (LES) equations consist of the differential conservation equations coupled with a real-gas EOS. The equations use transport properties that depend on the thermodynamic variables. Compared to previous LES models, the differential equations contain not only the subgrid scale (SGS) fluxes, but also new SGS terms, each denoted as a correction. These additional terms, typically assumed null for atmospheric pressure flows, stem from filtering the differential governing equations, and represent differences between a filtered term and the same term computed as a function of the filtered flow field. In particular, the energy equation contains a heat-flux correction (q-correction) that is the difference between the filtered divergence of the heat flux and the divergence of the heat flux computed as a function of the filtered flow field. In a previous study, there was only partial success in modeling the q-correction term, but in this innovation, success has been achieved by using a different modeling approach. This analysis, based on a temporal mixing layer Direct Numerical Simulation database, shows that the focus in modeling the q-correction should be on reconstructing the primitive variable gradients rather than their coefficients, and proposes the approximate deconvolution model (ADM) as an effective means of flow field reconstruction for LES heat flux calculation. Further, results for a study conducted for temporal mixing layers initially containing oxygen in the lower stream, and hydrogen or helium in the upper stream, show that, for any LES, including SGS-flux models (constant-coefficient Gradient or Scale-Similarity models, dynamic-coefficient Smagorinsky/Yoshizawa or mixed Smagorinsky/Yoshizawa/Gradient models), the inclusion of the q-correction in the LES leads to the theoretical maximum reduction of the SGS heat-flux difference. The remaining error in modeling this new subgrid term is thus irreducible.


A detection scheme for both Brownian and Néel relaxation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is demonstrated by a mixing-frequency method in this paper. MNPs are driven into the saturation region by a low-frequency sinusoidal magnetic field. A high-frequency sinusoidal magnetic field is then applied to generate mixing-frequency signals that are highly specific to the Brownian relaxation of MNPs. These highly sensitive mixing-frequency signals from MNPs are picked up by a pair of balanced built-in detection coils. The relationship between MNPs' relaxation time and phase delays of the mixing-frequency signals behind the applied field is derived, and is experimentally verified. Magnetite MNPs with the core diameter of 35 nm are used for the measurement of Brownian relaxation, and Magnetite MNPs with the core diameter of 12 nm are used for the measurement of Néel relaxation. The results show that both Brownian and Néel relaxation depend on the magnetic offset field. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the relaxation mechanisms of MNPs.


PURPOSE Comprehensive targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels are routinely used in modern molecular cancer diagnostics. In molecular tumor boards, the detected genomic alterations are often discussed to decide the next treatment options for patients with cancer. With the increasing size and complexity of NGS panels, the discussion of these results becomes increasingly complex, especially if they are reported in a text-based form, as it is the standard in current molecular pathology. METHODS We have developed the Molecular Tumor Profiling pilot (MTPpilot) webservice using HTML, PHP, JavaScript, and MySQL to support the clinical discussion of NGS results at molecular tumor boards. RESULTS MTPpilot integrates various public genome, network, and cancer mutation databases with interactive visualization tools to assess the functional impact of mutations and support clinical decision making at tumor boards. CONCLUSION MTPpilot is tailored for discussion of NGS gene panel results at molecular tumor boards. It is freely available as a webservice at MTPpilot.


Coxsackievirus B (CVB) infection is a common cause of acute viral myocarditis. The clinical presentation of myocarditis caused by this enterovirus is highly variable, ranging from mildly symptoms to complete hemodynamic collapse. These variations in initial symptoms and in the immediate and long term outcomes of this disease have impeded development of effective treatment strategies. Nine cynomolgus monkeys were inoculated with myocarditic strains of CVB. Virological studies performed up to 28 days post-inoculation demonstrated the development of neutralizing antibody in all animals, and the presence of CVB in plasma. High dose intravenous inoculation (n = 2) resulted in severe disseminated disease, while low dose intravenous (n = 6) or oral infection (1 animal) resulted in clinically unapparent infection. Transient, minor, echocardiographic abnormalities were noted in several animals, but no animals displayed signs of significant acute cardiac failure. Although viremia rapidly resolved, signs of myocardial inflammation and injury were observed in all animals at the time of necropsy, and CVB was detected in postmortem myocardial specimens up to 28 days PI. This non-human primate system replicates many features of illness in acute coxsackievirus myocarditis and demonstrates that myocardial involvement may be common in enteroviral infection; it may provide a model system for testing of treatment strategies for enteroviral infections and acute coxsackievirus myocarditis.


Static analysis is challenged by the dynamic language constructs of JavaScript which often lead to unacceptable performance and/or precision results. We describe an approach that focuses on improving the practicality and accuracy of points-to analysis and call graph construction for JavaScript programs. The approach first identifies program constructs which are sources of imprecision (i.e., root causes) through monitoring the static analysis process. We then examine and suggest specific context-sensitive analyses to apply. Our technique is able to to find that the root causes comprise less than 2% of the functions in JavaScript library applications. Moreover, the specialized analysis derived by our approach finishes within a few seconds, even on programs which can not complete within 10 minutes with the original analysis.


The FlyJacket is a wearable jacket designed to allow a user to intuitively control a fixed-wing drone by moving their torso. We embedded haptic feedback into the jacket using closed inflated air pouches compressed by motors to provide haptic feedback on the torso. This haptic feedback represents the drone centripetal forces while maintaining the essential lightweight and portable qualities of the jacket. We evaluate this haptic feedback in a user study to test whether it can convey useful haptic information to the user and whether the feedback enhances the user experience of flying. Users were able to understand the direction of the cues without prompting and could distinguish directional cues from the device quickly and with high accuracy. They also described the sensation provided by the device as pleasant. The device was used in a simulated flight task and compared to flying with no haptic feedback. Users indicated that the device increased the realism of the flight, but were split on whether it improved their sense of immersion.


Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the simplified ethanol-wet bonding technique and conventional water-wet bonding technique on short term nanoleakage within hybrid layers made with two different etch-and-rinse adhesives (Single Bond 2 and Prime & Bond NT). Materials and methods: Flat dentin surfaces from bovine incisors were prepared and finished with wet 600-grit abrasive papers, then divided into groups to be bonded with one of the adhesives. After etching and rinsing, dentin surfaces were either moistened with water (water-wet bonding technique) or moistened with absolute ethanol for 1 min (ethanol-wet bonding technique). Then, adhesives were applied, and composite buildups were done. Bonded teeth samples were sectioned into resin–dentin samples by means of a low speed diamond saw under water cooling. Specimens were immersed into a 50% (w/v) solution of silver ammoniacal nitrate for 18 h and exposed to photodeveloping solution for 6 h. The amount of silver nitrate uptake within the adhesive layer, or hybrid layer, was measured with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) in different regions (n = 30). Results: Simplified ethanol-wet bonding significantly reduced nanoleakage within resin–dentin interfaces made with Single Bond 2 and Prime & Bond NT, but improvement at the nanoleakage of Single Bond 2 was only significant. Conclusion: Simplified ethanol-wet bonding may improve quality of hybrid layers made with commercially available simplified etch-and-rinse adhesives. But benefits of ethanol-wet bonding may depend on product.


By virtue of their specific interactions with extracellular ligands, cell surface receptors can transduce signals, carry out endocytosis and other forms of transport, and mediate the adhesion of cells to their substrata or to other cells. While it has generally been assumed that physiologic activities and appropriate responses to pathophysiologic states require that only one ligand be recognized by its cognate receptor, this "one ligand–one receptor" notion is now in need of extensive revision. This Perspective series focuses on several striking examples of multiligand receptors, molecules that interact specifically with classes of structurally related ligands or even with several structurally and functionally dissimilar ligands.

Such broad specificity raises intriguing problems for biological regulation that do not arise with classical, monospecific receptors. From the vantage point of the economy of host gene expression, it is expeditious to have a single protein subserve multiple roles, and for this reason, some authors have speculated that these proteins arose early in molecular evolution. However, the various functions are probably subject to precise regulation to avoid the possibility that a range of stimuli all activate a single cellular response, which might have disastrous consequences for the cell's ability to adapt to environmental challenges. How can one make sense of these types of receptor-ligand interactions? What basic principles have emerged from their study?


Adipic acid and its esters are important bulk chemicals whose principal use is in the production of the nylon-6,6 polymer. There is considerable interest in finding novel green routes from sustainable feedstocks towards these important intermediates. Herein, we describe the catalytic oxidative cleavage of catechol to muconic acids using a catalyst prepared in situ from iron(III) nitrate, tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and ammonium acetate. An investigation of catalyst loading, temperature and oxygen pressure, allowed a turnover frequency of 120 h−1 to be obtained. The subsequent hydrogenation and transesterification of the obtained muconic acid products were shown to proceed well over commercially available supported catalysts. After vacuum distillation, dimethyl adipate could be isolated in 62% yield from catechol, thus demonstrating a green and sustainable route to this important bulk chemical.


The first mathematics course for approximately 53 percent of U.S. community college
students is a developmental algebra course. Many such students appear to be severely
debilitated by their previous encounters with mathematics. Due to numerous misconceptions
that dictate against a traditional course, a "reform" beginning algebra course,
with function as the unifying concept, was designed. Since there is little research on
this population to justify such a approach, the key research question for this thesis
becomes: Can adult students who arrive at college having had debilitating prior experiences
with algebra acquire at least a process level understanding of function through
appropriate instructional treatment? Answering this question provides crucial information
for future curricular design in the area of developmental mathematics at the college
level.
The theoretical framework considers different aspects that make up the function concept,
taking critical account of several current theories of multiple representations and
encapsulation of process as object to build a view of function in terms of different facets
(representations) and different layers (of development via procedure, process,
object, and procept).
Ninety-two students at four community colleges completed written function surveys
before and after a "reform" beginning algebra course. Twelve students, representing all
four sites, participated in task-based interviews. Comparison of pre- and post-course
surveys provided data indicating statistically significant improvement in student abilities
to correctly interpret and manipulate function machines, two-variable equations,
two-column tables, two-dimensional graphs, written definitions and function notation.
The students were divided into three categories (highly capable, capable, and incapable)
based on their demonstrated understanding of function. Using the interviews, visual
profiles for students in each category were developed. The profiles indicate that the
development of the concept image of function in such students is complex and uneven.
The cognitive links between facets is sometimes nonexistent, sometimes tenuous, and
often unidirectional. The highly capable demonstrated some understanding across all
facets while the incapable indicated understanding of the more primitive facets, such
as colloquial and numeric, only. Profound differences were noted particularly in the
geometric, written, verbal, and notation facets. Overall, the target population appeared
able to develop a process layer understanding of function, but this development was far
from uniform across facets and across students.


The present paper addresses the practical implementation in a test bench of different control strategies for the start-up of a varspeed group in pump mode. In varspeed groups using a double-fed induction machine supplied by back to back voltage source inverters (VSI), the possibility exists of using the rotor side VSI to start up the group. The current paper focuses on the start-up strategy and its implementation in a test bench of 3.3 kVA. After presenting the hardware composing the test bench, two different start-up strategies are detailed, which are the field oriented control and critical torque. Those two strategies are then implemented in practice, tested, measured and compared.


Ozanimod, recently approved for treating relapsing multiple sclerosis, produced a disproportionate, active, MAO B–catalyzed metabolite (CC112273) that showed remarkable interspecies differences and led to challenges in safety testing. This study explored the kinetics of CC112273 formation from its precursor RP101075. Incubations with human liver mitochondrial fractions revealed KMapp, Vmax, and intrinsic clearance (Clint) for CC112273 formation to be 4.8 μM, 50.3 pmol/min/mg protein, and 12 μl/min/mg, respectively, whereas Michaelis-Menten constant (KM) with human recombinant MAO B was 1.1 μM. Studies with liver mitochondrial fractions from preclinical species led to KMapp, Vmax, and Clint estimates of 3.0, 35, and 33 μM, 80.6, 114, 37.3 pmol/min/mg, and 27.2, 3.25, and 1.14 μl/min/mg in monkey, rat, and mouse, respectively, and revealed marked differences between rodents and primates, primarily attributable to differences in the KM. Comparison of Clint estimates revealed monkey to be ∼2-fold more efficient and the mouse and rat to be 11- and 4-fold less efficient than humans in CC112273 formation. The influence of stereochemistry on MAO B–mediated oxidation was also investigated using the R-isomer of RP101075 (RP101074). This showed marked selectivity toward catalysis of the S-isomer (RP101075) only. Docking into MAO B crystal structure suggested that although both the isomers occupied its active site, only the orientation of RP101075 presented the C-H on the α-carbon that was ideal for the C-H bond cleavage, which is a requisite for oxidative deamination. These studies explain the basis for the observed interspecies differences in the metabolism of ozanimod as well as the substrate stereospecificity for formation of CC112273. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study evaluates the enzymology and the species differences of the major circulating metabolite of ozanimod, CC112273. Additionally, the study also explores the influence of stereochemistry on MAO B–catalyzed reactions. The study is of significance to the DMD readers given that this oxidation is catalyzed by a non–cytochrome P450 enzyme, and that marked species difference and notable stereospecificity was observed in MAO B–catalyzed biotransformation when the indaneamine enantiomers were used as substrates.


BACKGROUND
Colonoscopy is a well established diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in pediatrics.

AIM
To evaluate colon preparation alternatives for colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, type of sedation, clinical indications and findings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Prospective study of 123 children referred for colonoscopy. Demographic data, type of colon preparation, sedation, type of endoscope and endoscopic results were obtained. The following day, a phone interview was carried out inquiring about duration, quality and adverse effects of the sedation and procedure.

RESULTS
Seventy one boys (58%) and 52 girls (42%) with a mean age of 6.7+/-4.4 years, were recruited. The main indication was lower gastrointestinal bleeding (71%). The different colon preparations produced elimination of clear liquid stools in 50%, non transparent liquid in 23%, semi liquid in 22% and solid in 6% of the patients. Most common side effects were abdominal distension (20%) and nausea (16.8%). The most commonly used drugs were midazolam (76%) and demerol (43%). The average duration of the procedure was 18.3 minutes (range: 4-50). The most common findings were rectal polyps (18.7%) and hemorrhagic colitis (14.6%). In 77% of cases, the sedation was considered very good or good. Colon visualization was described as very good (51%) or good (36%). Seventy three percent of children had complete amnesia. The most common adverse effect was vomiting (7.5%).

CONCLUSION
Lower endoscopies are feasible procedures to carry out in children, in an ambulatory basis, with intravenous sedation and minimum adverse effects.


Background Several nonsurgical and surgical treatment modalities are available for patients with chronic coccydynia, with controversial results. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) is effective in the treatment of many musculoskeletal disorders; however, it has not been tested for chronic coccydynia. Objectives We performed the current study to determine the effects of ECSWT on pain in patients with chronic coccydynia. Patients and Methods This quasi-interventional clinical study included 10 patients with chronic coccydynia without acute fracture. All the patients received ECSWT with a radial probe delivering 3,000 shock waves of 2 bar per session at 21 Hz frequency directed to the coccyx. Each patient received four sessions of ECSWT at one-week intervals. The pain severity was recorded according to the visual analog scale (VAS) at one, two, three, and four weeks after initiation of therapy. The VAS score was also evaluated at one and six months after ending the therapy. Results Most of the participants were women (90.0%), and the participants' mean age was 39.1 ± 9.1 (ranging from 28 to 52) years. The VAS score did not decrease significantly seven months after therapy when compared to baseline (3.3 ± 3.6 vs. 7.3 ± 2.1; P = 0.011). However, the VAS score at two months (2.6 ± 2.9 vs. 7.3 ± 2.1; P = 0.007) and at four weeks (3.2 ± 2.8 vs. 7.3 ± 2.1; P = 0.007) significantly decreased when compared to baseline. The decrease in VAS scores was not persistent after cessation of the therapy. Conclusions ECSWT is an effective modality in relieving the pain intensity in patients with refractory chronic coccydynia for the early period after intervention.


Several studies have shown that neither the formal representation nor the functional requirements of genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are precisely defined. Without a consistent standard, comparability, reproducibility, and interoperability of models across groups and software tools cannot be guaranteed. Here, we present memote (https://github.com/opencobra/memote) an open-source software containing a community-maintained, standardized set of metabolic model tests. The tests cover a range of aspects from annotations to conceptual integrity and can be extended to include experimental datasets for automatic model validation. In addition to testing a model once, memote can be configured to do so automatically, i.e., while building a GEM. A comprehensive report displays the model's performance parameters, which supports informed model development and facilitates error detection. Memote provides a measure for model quality that is consistent across reconstruction platforms and analysis software and simplifies collaboration within the community by establishing workflows for publicly hosted and version controlled models.


Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) form a new wireless networking paradigm with unique characteristics that give them appreciated interest in a vast range of applications. However, many challenges are facing MANETs including security, routing, transmission range, and dynamically changing topology with high node mobility. Security is considered as the main obstacle for the widespread adoption of MANET applications. Black hole attack is a type of DoS attack that can disrupt the services of the network layer. It has the worst malicious impact on network performance as the number of malicious nodes increases. Several mechanisms and protocols have been proposed to detect and mitigate its effects using different strategies. However, many of these solutions impose more overhead and increase the average end-toend delay. This chapter proposes an enhanced and modified protocol called "Enhanced RIDAODV," based on a preceding mechanism: RID-AODV. The proposed enhancement is based on creating dynamic blacklists for each node in the network. Each node, according to criteria, depends on the number of mismatches of hash values of received packets as compared with some threshold values, and the sudden change in the round-trip time (RTT) can decide to add or remove other nodes to or from its blacklist. The threshold is a function of mobility (variable threshold) to cancel the effect of normal link failure. Enhanced RID-AODV was implemented in ns-2 simulator and compared with three previous solutions for mitigating multiple black hole attacks in terms of performance metrics. The results show an increase in throughput and packet delivery ratio and a decrease in end-to-end delay and overhead ratio.


Analyze the opportunistic behavior between China and Japan in energy security cooperation with game theory. There are two types countries in the process of the cooperation, they are opportunistic and cooperating countries. To use of evolutionary game theory model of cooperation and energy cooperation between China and Japan in the opportunistic behavior analysis, the results show that under certain conditions, cooperation can be avoided the incidence of opportunistic behavior, if not satisfy the relevant constraints, the co-operation will inevitably.


The modification of liquid metal by electric pulse (EP) is a novel method for grain refinement. In this study, based on the reported structural heredity of EP-modified liquid aluminum, the structure tests of EP-modified liquid aluminum were conducted by using high temperature X-ray diffractometer. The results show that the EP-modified liquid structure also tends to be slack and unordered with increasing temperature, which is similar to that of the unmodified. However, the quantitative characterization denoted by the liquid structure parameters exhibits their discrepancy. At the modifying temperature of 750°C, the order degree of EP-modified liquid aluminum is remarkably strengthened and the value of average atomic number per cluster changes from 119 (no EP) up to 174 (EP) by an increase of 46%. These tests experimentally testified Wang's electric pulse modification (EPM) model that was built only by phenomenology and hereby the mechanism of grain refinement resulting from EPM is further elucidated.


This paper highlights, both analytically and by simulations, some interesting phenomena regarding the behavior of ensemble-average learning curves of adaptive filters that may have gone unnoticed. Among other results, the paper shows that even ensemble-average learning curves of single-tap LMS filters actually exhibit two distinct rates of convergence: one for the initial time instants and another, faster one, for later time instants. In addition, such curves tend to converge faster than predicted by mean-square theory and can converge even when a mean-square stability analysis predicts divergence. These effects tend to be magnified by increasing the step size. Two of the conclusions that follow from this work are (1) the mean-square stability alone may not be the most appropriate performance measure, especially for larger step sizes. A combination of mean-square stability and almost sure (a.s.) stability seems to be more appropriate. (2) Care is needed while interpreting ensemble-average curves for larger step sizes. The curves can lead to erroneous conclusions unless a large number of experiments are averaged (at times of the order of tens of thousands or higher).


The recent advances in computer graphics and multimedia technology provide new means for the visualization of abstract information spaces through the use of multi-dimensional and multi-modal communication channels. In the context of computer-aided verification, this potential can be effectively employed to provide visual notations for mathematical formalisms. We describe a visual system which supports visual presentation and manipulation of temporal sequencing properties expressed in the formalism of computation tree logic. The system enforces a metaphoric transposition of the abstract temporal semantics of the logic onto a concrete visual space through the use of 3D graphics, multiple windowing, color associations, and through the joint and coherent exploitation of both textual and graphic representations. This results in a complex interaction environment supporting syntactic parsing, semantic understanding, and visual editing of temporal expressions.


In order to observe the expression of the genes (MC1R and PMEL) and activity of the enzyme (tyrosinase) related to skin pigmentation, study was conducted on Tharparkar heifers. Blood samples were collected from Tharparkar heifers (2-3 years) during summer (Tmax, 36.4oC) and winter (Tmin, 4.1 oC) season at weekly interval. Just after blood collection, samples were transferred to the laboratory for lymphocytes separation and isolation of RNA. The RNA samples were further processed for cDNA preparation from which the relative mRNA expression of the genes was quantified using RT-PCR. The tyrosinase activity was determined in plasma samples using Bovine tyrosinase ELISA kit. The relative MC1R and PMEL mRNA expression in lymphocytes of Tharparkar heifers was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher during winter season than summer season. Similarly, the activity of plasma tyrosinase enzyme was also found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher during winter season. The thyroidal hormones (Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine) was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher during winter season than summer season. Thyroidal hormones showed the positive correlation with the skin colour related genes and tyrosinase enzyme activity. The results of the present study clearly showed the significant difference in the expression levels of skin colour related genes (MC1R and PMEL) and tyrosinase activity during the two different seasons. Therefore, it can be stated that these genes and tyrosinase enzyme activity is related to adaptability of Tharparkar cattle to different ambient conditions.


We model an anxious agent as one who is more risk averse with respect to imminent risks than with respect to distant risks. Based on a utility function that captures individual subjects' behavior in experiments, we provide a tractable theory relaxing the restriction of constant risk aversion across horizons and show that it generates rich implications. We first apply the model to insurance markets and explain the high premia for short-horizon insurance. Then, we show that costly delegated portfolio management, investment advice, and withdrawal fees emerge as endogenous features and strategies to cope with dynamic inconsistency in intratemporal risk-return trade-offs.


In this work, we use recent data on the Hubble expansion rate H(z), the quantity fσ8(z) from redshift space distortions and the statistic Eg from clustering and lensing observables to constrain in a model-independent way the linear anisotropic stress parameter η. This estimate is free of assumptions about initial conditions, bias, the abundance of dark matter and the background expansion. We denote this observable estimator as ηobs. If ηobs turns out to be different from unity, it would imply either a modification of gravity or a non-perfect fluid form of dark energy clustering at sub-horizon scales. Using three different methods to reconstruct the underlying model from data, we report the value of ηobs at three redshift values, z=0.29, 0.58, 0.86. Using the method of polynomial regression, we find ηobs=0.57±1.05, ηobs=0.48±0.96, and ηobs=−0.11±3.21, respectively. Assuming a constant ηobs in this range, we find ηobs=0.49±0.69. We consider this method as our fiducial result, for reasons clarified in the text. The other two methods give for a constant anisotropic stress ηobs=0.15±0.27 (binning) and ηobs=0.53 ± 0.19 (Gaussian Process). We find that all three estimates are compatible with each other within their 1σ error bars. While the polynomial regression method is compatible with standard gravity, the other two methods are in tension with it.


The globalization of U.S. commercial sports leagues has produced a unique opportunity for sports business owners to expand into new markets, seek additional revenue streams, and contribute to the general practice of "sports diplomacy." Nevertheless, the expansion of U.S. sports leagues into China has created a unique challenge for sports leagues based on China's fundamentally different views of free speech, and attempts by Chinese business interests to quell speech that criticizes the Chinese government. This article looks at the legal and ethical challenges posed for U.S. professional sports leagues that seek to do business with China based on fundamental differences in free speech norms between the United States and China. In particular, this article explores the pressure both the Chinese government and its business leaders have placed on U.S. sports leagues to censure employees and fans who speak publicly on issues that are critical of the Chinese government, as well as the potential ramifications on U.S. sports leagues that adhere to Chinese pressure.


Objective Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are known risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Therefore, this study explored the predictors identifying PCLs in a general population and developed a scoring system to help more efficiently diagnose these entities during medical checkups. Methods We reviewed 9,369 examinees of abdominal ultrasound (AUS) during medical checkups between January 2013 and November 2019. Predictors of PCLs were identified using a multivariate logistic regression analysis, and we constructed a scoring system based on these predictors. Results PCLs were detected in 118 (1.3%). Age 50-59 years old [odds ratio (OR) 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-5.35], 60-69 years old (OR 3.91, 95% CI 1.86-8.26), and ≥70 years old (OR 10.5, 95% CI 5.03-21.7) as well as abdominal pain (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.14-3.00), alcohol consumption (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.03-2.89), a family history of pancreatic cancer (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.09-5.34), and pre-diabetes or diabetes (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.05-3.00) were predictors of PCLs. The following scores were assigned according to regression coefficients: age (50-59 years old, 1 point; 60-69 years old, 1.5 points; ≥70 years old, 2.5 points); abdominal pain, 1 point, alcohol consumption, 1 point; a family history of pancreatic cancer, 1 point; and pre-diabetes, 1 point. The PCL detection rate increased with the total score: 0.2% for total score 0 point, 5.4% for ≥4.0 points. The area under the curve of the scoring system was 0.75 (95% CI 0.70-0.79). Conclusion Our scoring system allows the risk of PCLs to be determined and may help more efficiently diagnose these entities.


It was the purpose of this study to develop and examine the feasibility of a procedure to systematically describe teacher-student verbal and nonverbal interaction in the teaching of choreography. A multidimensional category system was constructed based upon two major ideas: (1) the theoretical considerations of the components of the choreographic process, and {2) the unity of man as it relates to dance. The category system, with 34 categories, had four major divisions: Cognitive, Affective, Kinetic-kinesthetic, and Technical. The Cognitive division had eight categories that identified behaviors with knowledge and facts as their focus; The Affective division, with 10 categories, identified behaviors of feelings, attitudes, and opinions; The Kinetic-kinesthetic division had 13 categories and identified specific choreographic behaviors; and The Technical division had three categories and served as an aid in coding class organization and technical details. Four means of identification were common to all four divisions: teacher, student, verbal, and nonverbal.


Background: With the increasing use of minimally invasive techniques for gynecologic procedures, women are at a low risk for peri-operative complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for major intra or postoperative complications among women undergoing benign gynecologic surgeries.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of all women who underwent benign gynecologic surgery in 2016-2017 at a University-Affiliated community hospital. Pregnant women, malignancy cases, and hysteroscopic or minor vulvar procedures were excluded. Primary outcome was composite intraoperative and/or 30-day postoperative complications requiring medical or surgical management. Logistic regression identified significant patient, peri-operative and surgeon risk factors associated with complications.
Results: Of 975 patients included, 53 patients experienced major intra or postoperative complications (5.4%). Mean age was 47.7 ± 13.8 years. Mean BMI was 27.1 ± 5.8 kg/m2. Prior abdominal surgery (laparotomy or laparoscopy) (adjusted odds ratio [OR]= 2.01, 95%CI 1.05-3.83) and emergency surgery (adjusted OR= 19.54, 95%CI 2.99-127.54) were significantly associated with major complications. Surgeon volume of 1-2 operative days per month (adjusted OR=0.30, 95%CI 0.10 - 0.87) and age 40-64 years (adjusted OR=0.24, 95%CI 0.11- 0.56) had a protective effect on the risk of major complications.
Conclusions: Among patients in our sample, 5.4% experienced major complications from a benign gynecologic surgery. Complications from benign gynecologic surgery are rare, even in the absence of robotic equipment. Center-specific data and a discussion of the increased morbidity associated with with prior abdominal surgery and emergency surgery should be considered for pre-operative patient counselling.


Cytokines and growth factors are important mediators of progesterone-regulated endometrial receptivity and embryo development. Early luteal phase administration of a potent antiprogestin-like mifepristone to the rhesus monkey results in endometrial desynchrony, loss of embryo viability and implantation failure. In the present study, administration of mifepristone (2 mg/kg body weight, s.c.) on day 2 after ovulation resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in glandular and vascular compartments of endometrium, and in endometrial secretion and luminal fluid on day 6 after ovulation in the rhesus monkey. There was an associated lag in embryonic development, characterized by delayed mitochondrial maturity, poorly developed junctional complexes, a relative absence of intra-cytoplasmic filaments and a high degree of intra-cellular degenerative features. Exposure of TNFalpha (0, 0.5, 5, 50 ng/ml) to preimplantation stage mouse embryos in vitro showed a dose-dependent arrest in growth and development at both morula and blastocyst stages along with ultra-structural features of degeneration similar to those observed in embryos collected from early luteal phase mifepristone-treated monkeys. The de novo synthesized and released proteins in terms of trichloroacetic acid precipitable 35S by morulae and blastocysts in vitro showed a marked depression following exposure to TNFalpha compared with control embryos. Based on the above observation and the fact that preimplantation stage embryos express receptors for TNFalpha, we suggest that increased levels of TNFalpha in endometrial and luminal compartments around the time of uterine receptivity following early luteal phase administration of mifepristone adversely affect the growth and viability of preimplantation stage embryos.


Information on delay and Doppler spreading is of importance to designers and operators of digital communication systems within the HF band since modem performance rapidly deteriorates when delay and Doppler spreads exceed system dependent thresholds. The northerly ionosphere is a particularly challenging region in this regard as delay and Doppler spreads often significantly exceed those for similar length paths at midlatitudes. This paper presents results from an extensive set of measurements undertaken over three northerly paths: two subauroral paths aligned along the midlatitude trough (Uppsala to Bruntingthorpe and Nurmijärvi to Bruntingthorpe) and one path (Qaanaaq to Ny‐Ålesund) contained entirely within the polar cap. Measurements span the period from the 2009 solar minimum to July 2012, close to solar maximum and 2001, close to the previous solar maximum.


Background/context Average retention rates for passive teaching rates range from 5% for lectures to 30% for demonstrations. This dramatically increases when participatory teaching methods are employed to 75% for simulation (Attr. National Training Laboratories). Although these figures are often quoted in literature and form the learning pyramid they are unsubstantiated. Methodology Three groups of staff undertaking core training for blood transfusion were selected and taught identical content but using increasing levels of technology. The control group had the organisations standard didactic lecture. The second group received the lecture but were engaged (Draper, 2004) by an interactive handset. The final group lecture was based around a simulated patient who required a blood transfusion. Treatment decisions and actions were decided by the class. A volunteer nurse completed the actions voted for by the learners via the handsets, even if they were incorrect. Small micro teaches would follow each action to ensure knowledge of correct procedure was reinforced. At the end of the lesson, the learners were invited to complete an evaluation form. A month later they were contacted via email to undertake a short online questionnaire to demonstrate knowledge recall. Results Although all three groups rated the lessons with little difference in scores. The interesting results were found in the post lesson questionnaire. The control group scored lower averages than the technology-enhanced groups. Conclusion There seems to be a strong link between knowledge retention and the use of technology enhanced learning. Although small, it would be interesting to repeat this study with more participants over a longer term, looking for a reduction in blood transfusion related errors. However a lot of research into TEL aims for high level translational outcome data, but proving the learning has taken place should support a change in practice and ultimately safer patient care. References Draper SW, Brown MI. Increasing interactivity in lectures using an electronic voting system. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 2004;20:81–94. National Training Laboratories in Bethel, Maine (no other citation available).


We characterized in detail the life cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in human glioma H4/CD4 cells which stably express transfected CD4 DNA (B. Volsky, K. Sakai, M. Reddy, and D. J. Volsky, Virology 186:303-308, 1992). Infection of cloned H4/CD4 cells with the N1T strain of cell-free HIV-1 (HIV-1/N1T) was rapid and highly productive as measured by the initial expression of viral DNA, RNA, and protein, but all viral products declined to low levels by 14 days after infection. Chronically infected, virus-producing H4/CD4 cells could be obtained by cell cloning, indicating that HIV-1 DNA can integrate and remain expressed in these cells. The HIV-1 produced in H4/CD4 cells was noninfectious to glial cells, but it could be transmitted with low efficiency to CEM cells. Examination of viral protein composition by immunoprecipitation with AIDS serum or anti-gp120 antibody revealed that HIV-1/N1T-infected H4/CD4 cells produced all major viral proteins including gp160, but not gp120. Deglycosylation experiments with three different glycosidases determined that the absence of gp120 was not due to aberrant glycosylation of gp160, indicating a defect in gp160 proteolytic processing. Similar results were obtained in acutely and chronically infected H4/CD4 cells. To determine the generality of this HIV-1 replication phenotype in H4/CD4 cells, nine different viral clones were tested for replication in H4/CD4 cells by transfection. Eight were transiently productive like N1T, but one clone, NL4-3, established a long-lived productive infection in H4/CD4 cells, produced infectious progeny virus, and produced both gp160 and gp120. We conclude that for most HIV-1 strains tested, HIV-1 infection of H4/CD4 is restricted to a single cycle because of the defective processing of gp160, resulting in the absence of gp120 on progeny virus.


Herein, we report a rapid one-step synthetic method using microwave irradiation for growing magnetite nanocrystals on reduced graphene oxide sheets. This developed strategy allows decorating graphene sheets with magnetite nanocrystals of welldefined morphology as cubes using microwave-driven reduction of iron chloride using hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent. The size and shape control was achieved via fine-tuning of the reaction conditions. The obtained results demonstrate the applicability of this microwave synthetic approach to control the morphology of the magnetite nanocrystals anchored on graphene sheets. Moreover, graphene sheets will enhance the nucleation and growth of magnetite nanoplates anchored on graphene. This approach can be used as a synthetic tool to synthesize a wide variety of metal and metal oxide architectures on graphene. This approach also provides plenty of advantages like catalyst recyclability, mild reaction conditions, easy separation, reproducibility, and minimization of agglomeration effect that cause the decrease in the catalyst catalytic activity


The sensitivity is one of the most important parameters in the sensing field. Silver triangular nano- structure array is the traditional substrate for detecting the targets. In this paper, we proposed triangular hybrid Au-Ag nanostructure array to be optimized substrate for nanobiosensor. Effort was made to study sensitivity of triangular hybrid Au-Ag nanostructure array through finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm-based computational numerical calculation method. The extinction efficiency was obtained by theoretical numerical calculation. It is found that the triangular hybrid Au-Ag nanostructure array possess the refractive index sensitivity of 273 nm/RIU when thickness of silver is 40 nm and the gold is 10 nm, and refractive index of the medium is around 1.33. It is higher than the pure silver nanostructure array (242 nm/RIU). Copyright © 2010 American Scientific Publishers. All rights reserved.


The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in school closures and distancing requirements that have disrupted both work and family life for many. Concerns exist that these disruptions caused by the pandemic may not have influenced men and women researchers equally. Many medical journals have published papers on the pandemic, which were generated by researchers facing the challenges of these disruptions. Here we report the results of an analysis that compared the gender distribution of authors on 1893 medical papers related to the pandemic with that on papers published in the same journals in 2019, for papers with first authors and last authors from the United States. Using mixed-effects regression models, we estimated that the proportion of COVID-19 papers with a woman first author was 19% lower than that for papers published in the same journals in 2019, while our comparisons for last authors and overall proportion of women authors per paper were inconclusive. A closer examination suggested that women's representation as first authors of COVID-19 research was particularly low for papers published in March and April 2020. Our findings are consistent with the idea that the research productivity of women, especially early-career women, has been affected more than the research productivity of men.


BACKGROUND
To evaluate clinicians' compliance to follow national guidelines for tetanus vaccination prophylaxis in high-risk foot patients.

METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated 114 consecutive patients between June 2011 and March 2019 who presented with a foot infection resulting from a puncture injury through the emergency department. Eighty-three patients had diabetes mellitus and 31 patients did not have diabetes mellitus. Electronic medical records were used to collect a broad range of study data on patient demographics, previous medical history, previous tetanus immunization history and tetanus status upon presentation to the emergency department (ED), peripheral arterial disease, sensory neuropathy, laboratory values, and clinical / surgical outcomes.

RESULTS
46.5% of the patients who presented to the ED with a puncture wound did not have up-to-date tetanus immunization. Of those patients, 79.2% received a tetanus-containing vaccine booster, 3.8% received intramuscular tetanus immunoglobulins (TIG), 3.8% received both tetanus-containing vaccine booster and TIG, and 20.8% received no form of tetanus prophylaxis. When comparing data between patients with and without diabetes, there were no statistical significant differences in tetanus prophylaxis.

CONCLUSION
Guidelines for tetanus prophylaxis amongst high-risk foot patients in this study center are not followed in all patients. Patients with DM are at high risks of exposure to tetanus, we recommend physicians to take a detailed tetanus immunization history and vaccinate them if tetanus history is unclear.


Significant progress has been achieved toward elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie breast cancer progression; yet, much less is known about the associated cellular biophysical traits. To this end, we use time-lapsed confocal microscopy to investigate the interplay among cell motility, three-dimensional (3D) matrix stiffness, matrix architecture, and transforming potential in a mammary epithelial cell (MEC) cancer progression series. We use a well characterized breast cancer progression model where human-derived MCF10A MECs overexpress either ErbB2, 14-3-3ζ, or both ErbB2 and 14-3-3ζ, with empty vector as a control. Cell motility assays showed that MECs overexpressing ErbB2 alone exhibited notably high migration speeds when cultured atop two-dimensional (2D) matrices, while overexpression of 14-3-3ζ alone most suppressed migration atop 2D matrices (as compared to non-transformed MECs). Our results also suggest that co-overexpression of the 14-3-3ζ and ErbB2 proteins facilitates cell migratory capacity in 3D matrices, as reflected in cell migration speed. Additionally, 3D matrices of sufficient stiffness can significantly hinder the migratory ability of partially transformed cells, but increased 3D matrix stiffness has a lesser effect on the aggressive migratory behavior exhibited by fully transformed cells that co-overexpress both ErbB2 and 14-3-3ζ. Finally, this study shows that for MECs possessing partial or full transforming potential, those overexpressing ErbB2 alone show the greatest sensitivity of cell migration speed to matrix architecture, while those overexpressing 14-3-3ζ alone exhibit the least sensitivity to matrix architecture. Given the current knowledge of breast cancer mechanobiology, these findings overall suggest that cell motility is governed by a complex interplay between matrix mechanics and transforming potential.


ABSTRACT This paper explores the individual trajectories of contemporary Spanish migrants, who decided to live in the Moroccan city of Tangier, by describing the various motives that guide this North–South migration. The micro-sociological analysis of these journeys makes it possible to qualify the migratory factors revealed in the literature, showing that the post-2008 global economic crisis is not the only decisive factor. This paper shows that economic drivers not only should be nuanced, but also cannot be disentangled from more personal ones, such as nostalgia (or lack thereof), affective bounds, religious connections, attraction and/or repulsion for cultural otherness, transnational mobility, youth incarceration, and power relationships.


With the proliferation of bone densitometers, an increasing number of premenopausal women are having their bone density tested. Approximately 15% of premenopausal women have bone mineral density that is more than 1 standard deviation less than the young-adult mean, and approximately 0.6% are more than 2.5 standard deviation below young-adult mean bone density. Most pre-menopausal women with low bone density have low peak bone mass, stable bone density, and low short-term absolute risk of fracture. The management of these patients involves nonpharmacologic lifestyle measures and reassurances that fracture risk is low. A minority of premenopausal women with low bone density have increased short-term absolute fracture risk with contributing diseases, conditions, or medications that should be identified and treated. Premenopausal women with fractures are at increased risk for fractures later in life. Methods for evaluating these patients and selecting those who require additional care are reviewed.


Abstract. In laser scanner architectural surveying it is necessary to extract orthogonal projections from the tridimensional model, plans, elevations and cross sections. The paper presents the workflow of architectural drawings production from laser scans, focusing on the orthogonal projection of the point cloud on solid images, in order to avoid the time consuming surface modeling, when it is not strictly necessary. The proposed procedures have been implemented in fortran90 and included in the VELOCE software package, then tested and applied to the case study of the San Pietro church in Porto Venere (SP), integrating the architectural surveying with an existing bathymetric and coastal surveying.


The paper deals with robust output feedback continuous control design for time-continuous linear plants under parametric uncertainties and external bounded disturbance. A parallel reference model (auxiliary loop) to the plant is used for obtaining the uncertainties acting on the plant. The proposed algorithm tracks the output of the plant to the reference output with the required accuracy. We apply the algorithm to the control of lateral movement of an aircraft under parametric and external disturbances. We also compare the proposed algorithm with the H∞ control and speed-gradient algorithm. The simulation results illustrate the efficiency and robustness of the suggested control system.


OBJECTIVE To compare patients with Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus bacteremia (CoNS-B) and pseudobacteremia (CoNS-PB) in a pediatric hospital. METHODS Descriptive and comparative study between children diagnosed with CoNS-B and CoNS-PB. RESULTS A total of 159 children with CoNS positive blood cultures were evaluated. 66 children were classified as CoNS-B (41.5%) and 93 as CoNS-PE3 (58.5%). On the average CoNS was isolated on day 21 among children with bacteremia (B) and on day 2 in those with PB (p < 0.01). Excluding newborns, patients with B and PB had on average 2.6 and 1.1 positive cultures respectively. Most children with bacteremia were at the intensive care unit (67.2%), while patients with PB were mostly detected at the emergency room. Using logistic regression analysis, we found four factors independently associated with CoNS bacteremia: total parenteral nutrition (OR 5.4; 95% CI 2.2-12.9), low birth weight (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.1-5.9), catheters placed by cut-down technique (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.8), and inmuno-compromised patients (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.1-6.7). Resistance to oxacilin was reported in 71.7% of the CoNS isolated. The overall mortality associated to CoNS-B was 6%. Among children with CoNS-PB, 10% received antibiotics, half of them vancomycin. CONCLUSIONS These results show that CoNS-B occurs mainly as a nosocomial episode. CoNS-PB more likely resulted from specimen contamination at collection, being responsible for almost 60% of all positive blood cultures. The false-positive results caused unnecessary administration of antibiotics in a significant proportion of CoNS-PB events and have a potential impact upon the emergence of resistant pathogens.


Those who experience disaster are widely regarded as an undifferentiated group, labeled "victims." In the immediate crisis period, it is difficult for professionals to differentiate, except crudely, between varying levels of need and still carry out urgent duties and responsibilities. However, it soon becomes apparent that some are hit harder than others and that disasters are not the great levelers they are sometimes considered to be. Close examination reveals complex variations within, and not just between, social groups broadly understood as middle- and working-class. This paper examines the intersection of gender and social class in two major flood events and argues for a more nuanced appreciation of these factors, at both the conceptual and the practical level, to be incorporated throughout the disaster process.


We study the evolution of educational attainment of the 1932–1972 cohorts using a calibrated model of investment in human capital with heterogeneous learning ability. The inter-cohort variation in schooling is driven by changes in skill prices, tuition, and education quality over time, and average learning ability across cohorts. A version of the model with static expectations is successful in accounting for the main patterns in the data. Rising skill prices for college explain the rapid increase in college graduation till the 1948 cohort. The measured decline in average learning ability contributes to explain the stagnation in college graduation between the 1948 and 1972 cohorts.


Methylation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) has been extensively studied as a biomarker in predicting the prognosis of patients with GBM (Glioblastoma multiforme). Its significance has been studied in various subgroups, including age, gender and even race. Correlation between prognosis with MGMT methylation and different treatment regimens has also been studied in detail. There are multiple techniques to analyze MGMT methylation in tumour specimen. We review the current evidence for the importance of MGMT methylation as a biomarker for prognosis in GBM patients, the techniques to analyze it and the effect of epidemiologic factors on its significance.